1. Congrats, Fritz, and Jackie! Certainly well done! Enjoy the next chapter. I can’t help but think about future retirees, and whether they will have the similar experience, it not common to have such a run at a single company these days.

2. Fritz,

   Congrats on an amazing journey. Was one quest ends another begins. Can not wait to see what the future has in store for you. Go live it up my friend.

   1. Thx, Friend, I plan on it!

      BTW, for all my friends who commented below, apologies in advance for a lack of individual responses. I’m reducing my screen time a bit, but can assure you I’m reading (and appreciating) every comment! Thank You!!

3. Congratulations to you! What a culmination to this point, and this is just the beginning. Time to head off grid so you absolutely cannot he reached for a bit of time 😉

   1. Love it. Love you. Well done.

4. Well done, indeed!
   Your research, planning and foresight will pay off.
   Enjoy!

5. Gene and I are so happy for you!! You and Jackie are going to truly love your new life – a much deserved new life! Can we celebrate with you in Blue Ridge soon?
   Christine & Gene

   1. We would love it, Christine! It’s been too long since we have seen you two. Let us know the next time you are up to Blue Ridge.

6. Having read your blog for quite sometime, i expected you to have lead a quiet normal office life. Only now, i realize you have lead your office life in leading edge with so many connections and responsibilities. Have a great retirement life.

7. Congrats, Fritz – so happy for you guys!

   Now you have no reason not to come visit! 😉

   — Jim

   1. Ironically, I will be coming to Cleveland in late June. Let’s IM…

8. Happy jubilación! (Google it). I’m just 84 days behind you. Your enthusiasm is inspiring me!

9. Congratulations Fritz! Reading your blog has been so helpful as I countdown to my own last day of work on 8/1/18. Take a well deserved break but come back to post about life after the 9-5. I’m sure your tales will be even more inspirational on the outside!

10. Fritz, you’ve set the bar pretty high for Retirement Done Right!
    Thank you for sharing your journey and leading the way.
    Enjoy your newfound freedom!
    And here’s to your First Summer in Retirement—Done Right!

11. Congratulations Fritz!! The aluminum industry will miss you.

12. Fritz:

    Congrats! You do not know me personally but I know you and based on your blogs you write like you have known me and so many others forever! Thank you so much for mentoring so many.

    All the best with your encore career!

13. Fritz, you really bring back some memories from my last month about three years ago. Dinners, parties, speeches and a lot of heart warming personal messages. I spent 38 years at the same company and spent the last 20 years as the boss and the face of the company so just about every one of our 700 employees knew me. Most were jealous though some were confused about why I’d retire years earlier than “normal”. I could only say I don’t need any more money and I’d like to do some different things. I I started some very part time consulting the next week to keep my brand alive and it has been a lot of fun over the last three years working two days a week and taking five day weekends. Of course when I add in blogging and a lot of volunteer work it almost seems like I’m still working full time some weeks. I wondered if I would miss work because I did enjoy my job a lot. Nope, not for a second so far. I miss the people but this is a small town and I can’t go anywhere without seeing my old work friends and so far every one of them has told me nice things about the past. It is a very good life, I’m glad you are getting to experience this new and best chapter and appreciate all you do. I don’t know you except from your blog but I think we all feel like we do have you as a friend.

14. Hello – I have enjoyed your writings – what exactly was your job if you don’t mind my asking, please?

    phil

15. Congrats to you! and the CAPS! (sorry had to put that in there, if I was retiring today and my hockey team just won the Stanley Cup that would be magnificent icing on a retirement well done!)

16. Well done, sir!

    I can’t wait for you to catch your breath, and to hear what it’s like “on the other side”.

17. Congrats on this new adventure! Going offline for some time is a great idea.

18. Inspiring post, as we’re debating the exact start date of retirement now that we’re at the “can retire” financial level. Enjoy the break.

19. Wow! That post gave me all of the feels and you sir, did it right. A Retirement. Well Done, indeed. Congratulations!

20. Welcome to the retired life Fritz. Remember to keep work to a minimum or you lose the title of “RETIRED”.

21. It looks like you had a great last few months. EVERYTHING was done right! You are very lucky man. Not everyone gets treated like that.

    I know someone who spent their entire working career of 41 years at one place. He did a lot for the business often going above and beyond the call of duty. He was the last employee out of the building before the demolition team started to tear the building down during the Great Recession. He never got the retirement party he deserved. But on a good note, he did manage to handle the financial journey to retirement correctly so he has no worries on that part.

22. Congratulations Fritz!
    I too, retired this week (June 6, 2018) after 35 years as an engineer designing communication systems for the storage industry.
    I have read and find your ideas very good and reassuring.
    I’m mostly hesitant about the emotional adjustment that I’m of the financial part. I’m sure I’ll be OK, the lord is my shepherd.
    Let’s enjoy this planet while we can.
    -O

23. Sounds like you really made a mark on your company and colleagues dude! Way to go , you earned it – now get out there to the mountains!!!

24. All the very best. I know you and your wife will have an amazing time.

    ERith

25. Congratulations, Fritz! I wish you all the best on your upcoming adventures!

26. Congrats Fritz. I am sure it is a great feeling. I’m in my 34th year in the aluminum business (30 working at same company as you), so I know what the “itch” feels like. Enjoy your retirement. Somehow I don’t think you will miss the metals industry all that much.

27. Well done.
    Well done.
    Well done.
    (I like saying thing three times for good luck.)
    I’m so happy your last weeks of work were filled with great times. You’ll have fond memories forever.

    I hope you’re outside airing out those brain neurons.

28. Nice work! Sorry you have to fly home to a rain storm. Hopefully we that won’t ruin your weekend plans… Anyway, congratulations!

29. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

30. Fantastic!!

    Congratulations, so happy for you!

31. I’m so glad that you enjoyed your last day.
    It’s not often in life that we know without a doubt that we’ll be experiencing something for the last time.
    When we DO know, it’s good to savour every last moment.
    Enjoy your freedom!

32. Welcome to the other side Fritz! I have really enjoyed the countdown to this day, and I’m “almost” sorry that I missed your actual last day as we were off the grid, on a trailer trip and hiking adventure in Yosemite. My dream is to see you and Jackie in your gigantic 5th wheel parked in the next camp. It just might happen.

    All the best to you. Your blog is a true journey and I can tell that your work life was also an amazing path, filled with stories, friendships, and contribution. You are such a fine example for all of us. Cheers to you!

33. Congrats on crossing the finishing line!!

34. This is a great ending/beginning. Sounds like you had a wonderful career! Congratulations!

35. Congrats Fritz! Looking forward to your stories post retirement. Hope to catch up with you one day for a swim, mtn bike, and a good beer.

36. Congrats Fritz! Jaime and I are so excited for you!

37. Congratulations! That is so great you got so much support from old colleagues and clients. That is the best way to go out.

    Sam

    1. Sam, I’m honored that you stopped by to say congrats. Thx much!

38. Congratulations Fritz! This is the benefit of retiring from a company where you spent most of your career. It often feels like leaving one family to spend more time with another (your own) family. I remember when I attended my Boss’s retirement party, to celebrate his retirement after 30 years in a company that he saw transform from a small cap to a large cap company! The tears shed, the genuine feelings expressed, and the words from the heart from his colleagues and subordinates (not induced by the free flowing wine and champagne!) impressed on me what an impact one man can make in a long satisfying career with one employer. Reading your post reminded me that’s what you probably had in your fulfilling career! Retirement, well done indeed!

39. Congratulations, Fritz, and welcome to your own Encore Voyage!!! We have found that the enjoyment only gets better! You are correct that the friends you have made while blogging will be with you on this next stage of your voyage, but so will friends you’ve made on the journey thus far – you will just need to be a bit more intentional about keeping those connections. Enjoy your next (first) week of relaxation! ~ Lynn

40. And… done!

    Well done and well deserved. Enjoy the neverending weekend!

    Best,
    -PoF

41. Best of luck to you and Jackie! Your name comes up frequently at our home here in Florida. When heading our way, be sure to phone and stop for a visit, we are just a few miles off of I-95 and would love to show you our beautiful Flagler Beach area.

    David and Kathy Cox
    Palm Coast Florida

42. Congratulations! That’s quite an accomplishment. It’s nice to see your boss and team planned it well. Enjoy this new phase in life! 👍

43. Thx, Mr. WoW. I’m looking forward to Wed morning, with almost the same level of anticipation! 🙂

44. Thanks to each and every one of you for the heartfelt comments. As promised, I’m working at disconnecting a bit, so will leave this as a general comment instead of my “normal” practice of personal replies. Thanks again, it’s been a great run and I appreciate having each of you along for the ride!!

45. Congrats!! You deserve it. It looks like you planned it very well. But you will go through a decompression period and you may have some highs and lows. Good luck!!

46. Well done. Funny and maybe even prophetic that I found this blog as I was starting on my withdrawal planning strategy this weekend toward a June 2020 target retirement date. This was by far the best resource I have come across. I will be using this resource as my guide toward planning a great retirement. Thanks again and cheers to the next chapter. Bob

47. Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement Fritz! Your blog has immensely inspired me in my journey towards retirement as I’m only 7 months away. Exciting times lie ahead and I wish you best!

48. A retirement well-deserved. Congrats and we look forward to hearing from you after you unplug for a bit.

49. Congratulations! I’d love to reach your milestone one day.

    Well done on your career and enjoy your retirement.

50. Nice round of farewells. I suspect my company will help me to the curb with my box and lock my computer access even before the day ends.

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