Sometime between July 2014 and August 2014, I will be "retired". I have enough 401K money, and enough VA money, to not need to take Social Security until I am 66 when mine maxes out. Actually I probably would never need it, but not turning down essentially free money, and I've paid into it for 50 years almost.

A week or so after I quit going to work, I will leave and take the northern route out to the west coast. Need to stop in Portland because there is a hot girl dancing in a club there that wants me to come see her show. And give me some private attention.

Not going to turn that down either.

Then I will start going to the various COG (Concours Owners Group) areas and visiting folks I have met at National Rallys and such. Planning to work my way down south when fall arrives, and do more of it, just in the southern states like southern CA, Texas, AZ, and so forth.

Also need to explore in Nevada, I want to buy some land/house in the NW corner, up in the mountains. Once I have residence there, I'll go see my county Sheriff and get a concealed carry permit.

And I want to buy a Savannah Cat, so when I take it for walks, I'll need to be armed in case a mountain lion thinks she is lunch.

After I've seen all the folks I want to see, I'll wander back home and close out things, sell a bunch of stuff I don't need off, and ship some stuff out to Nevada.

It is going to be really nice to be able to just take off on a bike trip and go as far as I want, for as long as I want. :)

Nice! I've got another 10 years to go. Then it will be time to ride ride ride. If you come out to the SF area, let me know.

Mad

Congratulations!! It must be a great feeling to retire early and have financial freedom.

Kofla

Riding My Own Biography
2010 ZX-14 MotoVlog

Congrats!

Have NO idea when or if I will retire. My only plans are for paying bills right now.

Congrats! My youngest is starting college this fall, so needless to say, I have atleast 5 more years of working. Good thing is, I will have the house paid off by then, and should be able to at least start enjoying partial retirement.

Congrats

Your plans sound awesome privateer. Try the Carson City area. Lots of history and beautiful too. As for exploring our fair state, I don't know. Other than some of the old ghost towns, this is one of the most desolate states you'll ever be in. You can drive for hours on one road, in a straight line, and not see another car or bike.
And no cell service to go with it. And the scenery never changes. Lots of sand and desert mountains. Remember when Steve Fosset crashed his plane in Nevada? One of the largest manhunts in state history and they couldn't find him or his crashed plane. Why? Just to big and desolate. A whole year later a hiker found his remains. But maybe that's what entices you. The wide open nature and old west feel has to be a big change to living back East.
Congratulations.

Congratulations, John. You are achieving what everyone dreams of; a retirement with enough finances to pay the bills and have a little fun. November 2016 for me. House will be paid off and all kids will be through college with zero student loan debt. One piece of advice; if you are 62, draw your Social Security now. If you wait (at 8% increase per year) it takes about 20 years to break over the top and get more total money than if you drew early at a reduction. By that time, you won't give a damn anyway!

Sounds like you got it all planned. Hope it happens just like you say.
I plan to retire in September,'14. Nevada is on my list of places too, along with northern Arizona and southern Utah.
No state income tax in Nevada is nice. Not sure what other taxes are like such as property tax. If you've done some research, please share what you know. California has gone to hell is all I know.

The only part of CA left thats any good is Mendocino County and north. They just refuse to participate in the socialist bs up there. Heck, the Sheriff issues concealed carry permits, try that down in Santa Clara County or south of it.

Property taxes are quite low in Nevada. They make most of their revenue off gambling anyway is my guess.

I've got one minor and two major surgeries left to get done in the next year or so, in order to be ready to go in July 2014.

Unfortunately, that means my riding in 2013 is going to limited. I'm in the process of scheduling a surgery right now, should know date by the 11th of March... so SOON.

When I come out the other end, I'll be an inch taller, walking without a cane and without knee pain, no pain/numbness in my left shoulder/elbow/arm/hand, and about 150 pounds lighter. LOL, GOOD TO GO! :)

Hope your surgery goes well. Never did like that word. First time in my 56 years, December '11, I went into a hospital and very nearly didn't come out. But it did save my life.
I'm sure you're looking forward to living better and I hope that happens for you.
Like I said, regarding moving somewhere else, any future info you find worth sharing will be appreciated.

Heh I will probably end up in the NW corner of Nevada, about 30 minutes south of Las Vegas more or less.

But, if it all works, I am going to get a motorcycle camper and spend a full year on the road before landing there. Got people to see in Texas, and Idaho, and Vermont, and Ohio, and Arizona, and California, and Oregon, and Ontario Canada too. The camper will keep me from having to pay much if anything for my lodging.

This coming Monday I go in the afternoon for the first of several consultions with surgeons. I don't know if they will schedule the surgery date for 3 months out or 6 months out or 9 months out, but it is starting Monday.

Then in late fall or early winter (still 2013) I'll get my date for the other major surgery, my knees with the VA.

Just so long as it all heals by spring 2014, its all good.

Though I might miss my very own Crabby Pig ride-to-eat-and-greet in mid-May and the COG Spring Fling in late May, or may not if the first date gets set in like June or July. But then I miss my mc Elkins WV ride, which I am leading. Oh well, others might have to take over for me.

I got to get it all done in 2013 because a) I want to retire in late summer 2014, and b) I want to be healed by spring 2014, and c) once I retire all I'll have to medical is VA (not a bad thing) but with them, it takes decades to get anything done.

Hope it all works out for you.
Just remember, you can't speed up healing. Just do what you're told and you'll be much better off.

I got the civilian part of the surgery delayed until July/August, because on July 1st, my medical plan with the State is changing to covering 100% with no out of pocket. Making that change in mid-May when we are able to change our coverage. This will save me at least $2,000 in out of pocket expense.

Which pushes my knee replacements into the late winter, possibly January/February 2014. Which is ok, because I will be walking fine by June 2014 if it goes in January 2014.

Not rushing healing, just aware and have done a few years of research so that I know what to expect time-wise.

I have some news which may affect my plans.

My VA disability hearing is April 3rd, and to make a long story short, my attorney has earned his fee. He has found that VA made several technical errors which are easy to demonstrate and explain, and this will result in somewhere between an additional 30% to 70% disability rating which puts me over the top with the rest of it.

And on one thing, due to a VA technical error, they may have to back pay me all the way to 1977 !!!!!!!!!!

I know the way things work, VA could be looking at a medical report which says "he got blown up by an IED in Afghanistan and thrown out of the Humvee and was unconscious for 20 minutes" and say it doesn't prove TBI and other symptoms. So there are no guarantees.

But the case my attorney has put together to present to the DRO officer (1 on 1 hearing) is persuasive in the extreme, and the chronology is indisputable.

He even found another accident while I was stationed at Ft. Benning that I of course can't remember, and VA either ignored or didn't find, so everything is falling into place.

Enjoy retirement. As I write this, I am healing up from knee surgery. It is a slow, process, and I am five days in. Would of thought I'd have more motility. So take the time to heal before you hit the road my friend.