Last week my husband and I were on a work trip in San Diego. We headed out a couple of days early to escape the monotony of our days in a cube and flee the Michigan winter. California did not disappoint and we enjoyed a week of warmth and sunshine
On our first full day in California, we cruised up the coast taking in beautiful ocean views. Two different road runs, a 10k race and a marathon, briefly detoured our drive but we didn’t mind. They were just a warm-up for a major detour just beginning.
Life Happens, Be Prepared
You know how it goes. Even the most well-planned road trip or life plan is subject to change. A wrong turn here, a traffic jam there, an unexpected beer festival (yes, that happened), or the occasional scenic detour. These events can be a minor 10-minute annoyance, a 2-hour delay, or an opportunity to experience something incredible you may have missed otherwise.
What sets one apart from the other? Things like attitude, adaptability, preparedness, and perception of risk.
The journey to financial freedom my husband and I chartered out a few years ago included both of us enduring a work life in a cube until mid-year 2020. We would be in our early 50’s then, ready to travel America the beautiful and experience new things.
We’ve now altered our plan, taking a scenic detour if you will, by changing up our date a bit. We don’t yet know when John’s retirement will begin, but mine will start tomorrow.
I’m Escaping The Cube!
Today, February 12, 2018, is my last day of full-time salaried employment. It’s some 870 days earlier than my previously ‘planned’ retire early date in July 2020.
Did I get let go? No, this is my choice.
Did we hit the lottery? No.
Get an inheritance? No.
Am I crazy? No. Maybe. No.
Have you achieved financial freedom? No.
Then why?
There are many work-related reasons, but the boiled down answer is I became a grandma. And because my husband and I are financially healthy I can break out of the cubicle and be a stay-at-home grandma. That’s right, starting next month I’ll be spending quality time with my granddaughter instead of managing budgets, milestones, and egos at work.
I’m so excited.
Business, Blogs, and Baby
Working in an office setting for compensation does come with benefits, and I’m thankful for the opportunities and advantages I’ve experienced. But I don’t thrive in that environment, no matter the number of gold stars earned or the size of the paycheck.
While 2 1/2 more years in my job would help solidify our finances, I’m ready to embrace my granddaughter and the uncertainty of the future instead of fighting off the monotony of the cubicle life that’s eating away at my soul. Fortunately, my husband supports this decision.
My days won’t be filled with just baby talk though. For those that don’t know, I’ve owned two businesses before and consider myself an entrepreneur at heart. Now, I’ve got plans to grow my side hustles – freelance writing, coaching, and blog management activities.
Since my son-in-law is a teacher, I won’t be watching my granddaughter as often as I was going to the office, giving me time to do more things. Like, start a new site with another blogger – announcement coming very soon – and start a new small business (not related to blogging) with my husband in the summer.
I won’t come even close to replacing my salary with these business efforts, but they will provide me with growth and opportunity my desk job can’t. While only answering to my family and myself. That’s an incredible bonus in my book.
Being Financially Healthy Provides You With Options
Maybe you can’t quit today or tomorrow but you can well before the typical retirement age if you make sound money decisions and pursue financial independence. As your financial health improves, you’ll see more options in front of you.
We’ve not yet achieved financial independence, but we are close enough for me to break out of the cube. Eliminating debt, mindfully spending, maximizing our savings, and investing in mostly index funds, has set us up nicely to take a detour from our original path.
Perhaps for you, improving your financial health could mean you can change jobs, go part-time, or strike out on your own if you aren’t able to or aren’t ready to quit.
For those of you with years left to endure the cubical life, my friend Cubert has some advice on surviving your cubicle job.
While our new route may add a couple of years to the plan, me escaping cubicle life will be worth it.
So tell me, do you love your cubicle job? Or are you counting the days to your escape? What will you do when your cube days are over? Comments and questions always welcome.
AMY! This is huge news… congratulations!!! I’m so excited for you and I can’t wait to hear more about your new adventures! If you ever want to see a sunset “up north”, just let us know 🙂
Thank You! I’ll definitely be heading north sometime this year and would love to catch a sunset with the AR family.
Or, let ME know. I have a nice condo on Airbnb I can offer a little discount on. 😉
(Course, AR’s probably a better offer at FREE!)
😉
Amy, congratulations!!!! Big news!!! I love, love, love that you made the decision to stay home with your granddaughter! And the pics of your trip to California were beautiful. They were so nice to look at during this cold winter weather!! Can’t wait to hear about your new ventures and blog!!! 🙂
Thanks Laurie! I’m fortunate to be able to make this decision. 🙂 It was tough to come home to the snow that’s for sure. More info coming soon!
Huge Congrats Amy! Woo-hoo! And that GIF is awesome…
I used to love my job to answer your question but as I progressed up the chain in management each step brought more distaste. So here I am, part time and financially independent. If I had a grandchild like you I’d just fully retire but for now I enjoy keeping one foot in the career for stimulation if nothing else.
Now go out and start enjoying life!!
Thanks AF! 🙂
I think it’s great you could work out something part time. Eases you in to the retirement life.
Yes sir, I’m on it!
Wow that is big news! Good luck I’m rooting for ya.
I’m in the cube for the foreseeable future but I quite like my work on the whole.
Helps so much when you enjoy your work. Thanks Actuary!
Congratulations on becoming a grandma, and a big congratulations on leaving the cube!
It is always so exciting to see someone blogging about “where we’ll be when…” to pulling the trigger. 🙂
Thanks Kristine! I’m overwhelmed by all the nice comments and tweets – I thought it would only be exciting to me. Thanks for the kind words!
Oh I am SO excited for you!! This is exactly why you live well below your means – this time won’t wait for you to be “ready” in 2.5 years.
🙂 You got that right. Thanks so much Angela!
Wow. Congrats. I suspect you won’t regret leaving the cubicle!
Thank you! Not even a little. 😉
Wow, Amy, congratulations!!! I’m so thrilled for you. What a great opportunity to leave on your own terms and give yourself time with your new grandbaby.
I’m excited to see what’s coming from you with the new ventures you teased. Enjoy the entrepreneurial grandma role!
Thanks, Sarah! It does feel good I must say. 🙂
Amy, congratulations!! I’m so excited for you and for your sweet little granddaughter. What a great opportunity for both of you!
Also, I’m looking forward to hearing more about your new blog. Tell us now! Tell us now! 🙂
Soon, very soon! 🙂 Thanks, Carol!
WOW! Very happy for you Amy. Congratulations and I’m very glad you are able to step away and live on your terms 🙂
You’d been a little quiet the last few weeks, I was getting worried!
I’m really excited to see where you go next and excited to see where Life Zemplified goes! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Erik, yes I got busy wrapping things up but now I’ll be more active again. Thank you for the kinds words and continued support. You help inspire me with all you’re doing! 🙂
Congratulations and enjoy your time as a full-time grandma-entrepreneur! Thank you for the inspiration as well.
Thank you!! Love your blog name! 😉
Yay You!! So happy for you, Amy! It’s great to have the freedom to pursue what’s really important. Shocking announcement from you today, and I haven’t stopped smiling since I read the big news….Enjoy!!
Thank you Fritz! It’s been something I’ve been considering for a month or so but wasn’t fully decided until recently. Looking forward to celebrating the both of us in July!
Accidental beer festival?! But that is big news! Congrats Any!!! Always happy to see you happy. Your granddaughter is very lucky to have you! Any projects or plans for the blog?
You never know what you’ll find 😉 Thank you Lily! More news coming soon on planned projects.
Way to go!!!!!! Always great to hear when somebody can break the shackles of the cubicle! And to be spending time with your granddaughter is something you’ll never regret. Looking forward to what else you have in store!
Yes, I love cheering others on…and it’s pretty freaking awesome when you get to do it yourself. Thanks, Mr. DS!
I am so genuinely happy for you, Amy! Congratulations on your retirement. Congratulations on the grand baby. Best of luck with your side hustles – don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do help help out!
Thanks for the well wishes and support, Ty! Likewise, if there’s ever anything I can do for you please let me know!
Congrats! This is so very exciting. What a special time it will be for you. I say it all the time, but it’s worth repeating: Grandmas are the best!
Thanks Penny! I must say it’s still a little weird to call myself a grandma cause I still feel 30, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be one.
Wow, huge news!! Congrats Amy, this is so exciting! Glad you’re taking the leap and pursuing what matters to you most, plus getting to spend extra time with your granddaughter 🙂
Thank you, Matt! Feels so good when you do something for the right reasons. 🙂
Ahhhh that’s wonderful news, Amy. Congratulations!
Family is so important, and it’s awesome you were able to leave the cubicle early to prioritize time with your granddaughter. I’m also excited to see the announcement about the new blog! 🙂
Thanks Erin! It is so rewarding that by focusing on our financial priorities earlier I can focus on the best priority now – family!
That’s amazing! Way to take advantage of all the work you’ve put in up to this point to make following your heart an option! It sounds like you’ve got big plans for filling your time and realizing all the advantages of your new situation. Very, very inspiring!
Yes, some big plans with lots of time for family and fun. Thank you!!
Congratulations Amy! I don’t expect you will ever regret your decision.
Thanks, Caroline. Agreed! 🙂
Congratulations!
Thank you!!
Congratulations, Amy! Life had better plans for you than 870 more days of being a cubicle worker. I’m very happy for you, and glad you have such a supportive husband in John.
Indeed, Mrs. G! I’m a lucky lady. Thank you!
Congratulations! How fortunate your granddaughter is to have you for a grandmother!
Thank you! Such a nice comment! 🙂
Congratulations on both becoming a grandma and leaving the J-O-B, Amy – that’s fantastic!
Money isn’t everything, but does provide the flexibility of choice which seems to working out well in your favor. Enjoy that time with your grandchild!!
— Jim
Thanks Jim!
Well said! Money is a tool, when we use it right things tend to work out well. I will!
Congratulations, Amy!! This is big. I am so glad for you.
Thank you BusyMom! 🙂
You are going to absolutely LOVE life. I’m not a grandma, but our voyage started in a similar way! In preparing to head back to my classroom, hubs said, “Honey, you don’t have to have a job that makes you cry!” And since we were financially healthy, I left the workplace. And we have learned so very, very much! Cheers to you! ~ Lynn
Oh, I just love that story, Lynn, thanks for sharing! We are both fortunate to have husbands that get us. Thank you!
Congratulations that’s awesome! Very jealous that you’re getting out of the cube life right now!
I want to say I’d like to fast forward to the moment I leave the cube life, but I know you’re supposed to enjoy the ride ?
Excited to see your new ventures in the future!
Thanks!
Haha, that’s right. It’s easy for me to say now that time goes way to fast…but it really does. The good news is you are starting earlier on your FIRE journey than I did so it shouldn’t take you as long. 🙂
Congratulations on the big move Amy! I”m so excited to learn more about these projects, but mostly that you will get so much extra time with you grandchild!
Thank you! I’ll be sharing more soon!
Congrats Amy! Enjoy the time with your granddaughter. I love how you focused this post on FI giving you options. It’s a beautiful time for you to take advantage of those options. Best of luck in this next phase.
Thanks Jason! Yes, life is better when you’ve got sound options. I appreciate the kind words!
Congratulations Amy, fantastic news, very excited for you! Can’t wait to hear about the new project you’re working on! : )
Thanks MMM! I appreciate the kind words and support.
Wow congrats! I have been reading your posts and I always enjoy your content, and I was happy to see that you made this move. You will never regret a minute of the time you spend with your grandchildren.
My experience in the work world is that they would miss me for about 10 minutes, and then someone would replace me and life would go on. Grandma can’t be replaced, however. Your kids and grandkids would keep missing you when you aren’t there.
Best of luck on your journey – I will be following along. 🙂
🙂 Thank you so much DividendFireman.
Sad but true about the work world. And you are so right about the rest of it. Time with family is irreplaceable.
I really appreciate that! Same to you! 🙂
Wow! Congratulations! It sounds like you’ve got a lot planned for your retirement from cubicle life. I look forward to following what you do next. Enjoy that little baby!
So much I want to do! 🙂 Thanks, Mrs. FF!
Congratulations! Very excited for you and your family. No amount of money will ever replace the time you’ll get to spend with your granddaughter.
Exactly FP, and I’ll be grateful for every minute I can spend with her. Thank you!
Congratulations, Amy! Very excited that you will get to spend so much time with your new granddaughter, that is wonderful! Pretty nice how everything lined up for you to be able to leave your job earlier than planned, but you’d been working toward this already. Great job!
Thanks Kathy! Yes, I didn’t expect things to work out this way but I’m really happy and thankful they did!
Congrats on the news. That’s wonderful! I’m sure you new grandchild will provide a new perspective and much joy. I’ve taken a 2 year detour myself and am enjoying it, and am thankful for it more, each and every day. I want to head back and I’m not even sure why. Something’s missing for me but it’s nice to have options. Wishing you the best of luck and looking forward to following along.
Thank you Jim! It sure is nice to have options. I’m glad you are enjoying your detour but I hope you can figure out what’s missing for you. Reach out if you’d ever like to chat about it. Sometimes a different perspective can help. Thank you for the comments and all the best to you as well!
Contrats, Amy! This is a huge accomplishment. It seems you are making an intentional decision to spend more time with your family. Nothing has a better return on investment than that! You won’t regret a second.
P.s. looking forward to your new blog!
Agreed TPP, time with family pays off in big ways. Thank you!
Good for you Amy. $= freedom. I think you made a great decision to spend the time with your grandchild.
Thanks Dave! I’m really enjoying my first day of freedom. 🙂
Congrats! I’m sure spending time with your grand-daughter will be well worth it!
Thank you! I do believe so! 🙂
Congratulations. Bye-bye cubicle. Hello fun and excitement.
Awww Yeah! Thanks Doc!
Amy, this such great news! I’m so excited for you and to see what this brings in the future. What a lucky little grand baby :).
Thanks, Kathryn! I hope the tax season is going smoothly for you. Looking forward to when we can catch up.
Congratulations! This is HUGE news! That also sounds like a good trigger to make a life change , much more than a date.
Thanks, Adam! Definitely more important than an arbitrary or calculator date. 🙂
Congrats! This is exciting news for the best possible reason! I hope you’ve enjoyed the first couple of days of your retirement!!
I’m loving it so far, MSF, Thank you!
Congratulations on the escape! Babies are the best. I can’t wait to hear about your collaboration with the mystery partner!
Thanks, Gwen! I may be reaching out soon to you too! 😉
Congrats on the new life change!!! First congrats on the news of being a grandma and second that’s awesome to hear that you’re going to be expanding upon your side hustles!!! I can’t wait to hear all the things that are to come 🙂
Thanks, MSM! I appreciate the kind words. Fun times ahead!
Congrats! That is a great milestone to finally retire. Reading posts like this is inspirational.
Thank you PM! I too love reading these types of posts. 🙂
Amy,
This is awesome news. Congratulations! Helping out with your grandchild will be so rewarding for you and helpful to the parents. I wish we had more help when we had our kids. Definitely sounds like the best decision for you today, especially since you are financially healthy and have some entrepreneurial pursuits as well. As you know, I’m just headed back into the office after 4 months of time off. I’ll be in a slightly bigger office this time around instead of a tight cube. But still have an escape plan. You’re an inspiration!
-RBD
Woohoo glad you’ve got an office this time, RBD! Thank you for the congratulations and kind words!
Congrats on the new grand baby and leaving work early. One never knows what is coming in life so it is best to be prepared. Good Luck.
Isn’t that the truth?! Gotta be prepared. Thank you!
Congratulations! This is what happens when you visit California, right? I hope that helped nudge you over to the other side. The water over here is just fine. I’m thrilled for you and happy that you will be able to spend time with your granddaughter. I wish you well in your new adventures as an entrepreneur and I look forward to hearing all about them.
Appreciate that, Susan! California is indeed beautiful. Here’s to new adventures!
Congrats on your granddaughter Amy! This is an inspiring post. I’ve always considered myself an entrepreneur at heart, which is what drove me to start my blog and eventually one day leave my office job as well. Thanks for sharing and look forward to keeping up with your posts!
Ryan
Thanks, Ryan. Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur 🙂 Good luck on all your endeavors!
SUPER excited for you, Amy! I think that up front investment in time with the little one will pay off far more than the extra money in the bank, and I can only imagine how grateful your kids will be to accept help with child care.
Having grown up with both sets of grandparents in a half hour’s drive, they were a tremendous fixture in our lives growing up and their influence continues to guide my hand at important junctures, many years after losing them.
May this next chapter open new and interesting doors on the professional front as it feeds your relationship with your granddaughter.
Fondly,
CD
Thanks Crispy Doc! I’ll definitely be making memories with her that I hope she’ll cherish as much as I will. Thank you for the kind words.
Congratulations! Sounds like great news. I’m excited for hou.
Thanks Biglaw, it’s going to be fun!
Hi Amy
It’s my first time on your blog and I am really glad I found it.
I read your post with a big smile all through. Much congrats to you and I wish you well with your future adventures 🙂
I’m glad you found me too. 🙂 Thanks for the comment and kind words, Ken.
Hi Amy!!
Congratulations on being a grandma and leaving the cube!! This is very exciting news!
I agree life is never certain and we have to adapt accordingly sometimes. But I’m sure you’ve got this!
I am personally still lost and unsure of when I’ll stop the nine to five. But for now I’ll have to stay for a little longer before I make any changes. My fiancé and I don’t feel financially secured yet but hopefully that will change within time.
Again, congrats on this move! Wishing you the best with your other side business and freelance business 🙂
Hi Panda! Thank you for the congratulations and kind words. I started watching my granddaughter full-time yesterday and all is going well. Lots of fun!
I’ve know doubt you’ll figure it out. Keep pushing forward and make smart money decisions to give yourself options. It might take some time but it will be so worth it when you get there. Thank you!
Hey Amy! Really like how you have not completely trashed corporate/cubicle life while announcing your choice of moving on.
I believe corporate is not for everyone and a lot of people out grow it. But, while at it, it has some benefits to it as well.
What I really liked from your story was the honesty of choosing to quit before financial independence thanks to good financial health. Quite a refreshing and hope inducing change 🙂
Personally, in my 8 years of working, it’s been mostly ok with a few periods of completely feeling out of sorts and wondering where I have landed.
However, now, with a CFP degree am sticking on to my banking job for some time before plotting how to get out and set up my own business for financial planning in another 2-3 years.
Thanks for your comment, Arapna. That sounds like a good plan. Get as much experience as you can at the banking position and then go spread your wings. 🙂
I’m super happy for you, Amy! I think my original comment got rejected by your comment system because I SWORE! Dang nabbit! 🙂
I so appreciate the shout-out. Let’s put that daggum cubicle behind us, and move on to bigger and better things!!!
Oops! 🙂
Amen! It’s so nice to stretch outside of it.