Glad to read you had a great time, and slow paced travel 😊 we will be travelling from Quebec to Vancouver , stopover in Alberta at Dinosaur park, 2 weeks in the rockies, then okanagan, and from vancouver back to quebec driving through the US stopping at yellowstone, mount rushmore, Chicago on the way home. Pretty jam pack summer 😊

Thank you Bob for always writing such thoughtful comments – truly appreciate them.

As for the rental – the loss would have occurred if we sold in 2020. We purchased in 2016 for $315,000 and listed for $311,000 and would have been happy with an offer at $300,000 at that time. Markets have since improved so were now in green territory and out of the red.

We considered listing/selling ourself but we figured of the 4% in realtor fees, we’d still be paying 2% to the sellers agent so it’s really the other 2% that we would save by going the DIY route. So for us, we’re talking ~$7k. Neither of us were familiar enough with the process/paperwork to put that much confidence in ourselves and felt the $7k was worth the time/effort/anxiety. But yes, definitely a route for others to consider!

Hahah – right! Never have I received a bonus anyyyyywhere close to that so we were shocked that’s for sure!

Great point about your credit dropping when you are no longer carrying such debt. The psychological benefit will be worth it for sure.

Thanks for all that insight on the analysis behind one more year. And love your comparison to a conveyor belt. The part that always gets me, is even with all these doom and gloom scenarios – finding some part time fun side-gig that brings in $20k/year between the both of us will likely weather any of those storms. Some would yell “well you’re not retired then!!” but who cares? It’s all about created a life you love, right?

When will you be out on the island and which parts are you thinking of? I’m sure your weather will be better than ours!

Thank you Robert for the kind words, appreciate it.

Correct yea – our overall portfolio took a dive this quarter but when we then add in the bonus money were back in the green which is pretty wild! Hahah – I somehow stumbled into this field when I finished school. Never have I seen a bonus like this – typical bonus would be closer to 15-35% of your pay.

Haha yep – the good ole golden handcuffs! That’s how they keep ya! I believe minimum would be my current setup at 50%. I am in a very atypical setup only working part time – everyone else on my team is 100% full time (thats the power of FI). I wish I could shift down to 25% time where my salary would cover our expenses for the year and I’d only have to work 2 shifts and then have 18 off before returning for my next 2.

For the RSUs I think of it this way – if I return to work, CCB will drop nearly by the amount I could be receiving in annual RSU payments. So to me, it’s a bit of a wash if that makes sense.

Yea with interest rate hikes + who knows what’s going on globally, I think it’s time to say our goodbyes. Yep for sure, we aren’t in crazy BC where the capital gains are in the 6 figures!! 😉 It will be around $25k of gains for us each to report ($50k split between the two of us since we each own it). But then only half of it is taxed so ~$13k to add to the tax bill this year. Shouldn’t swing the needle too much.

Yes, the small crypto is only in ETFs – no interest in adding anymore than what we currently have.

It was great running into you often as well 🙂 Thanks for all the tips and insight while we were there, greatly appreciated! Whenever you’re out this way just let me know.

Thank you Mary for these kinds words. The fragility of life really hits you when big events like this happen.

We had a lovely time away from home. It was nice to go at a slow pace and not feel rushed. Where are you headed to on your summer holidays! Isn’t the power of FI awesome how you can set your own terms up at work?!

We are allll about options and flexibility – thats the Type A planner in me haha. But yea we plan to withdraw less than 2% which should be pretty bullet proof! Good point to consider the hours spent at work and what wort of joy that brings when you take out the money. Finn is wise beyond her years so she’s onto something with that response!

Thank you so much Carrie for these kind words and thank you for taking the time to read the linked post from the TO Star. Wow, I am incredibly sorry for your losses as well. It really does show you how fragile life can be and how none of us are immune to any one-off life events that may come our way.

Thank you for your insight on one more year syndrome. It’s true – there will always be a reason to head back but a corresponding reason not to head back.

Haha this is very true Cass! It’s hard to even think about heading back after this time off.

Thank you for the kind words Hillary. It really is. If this doesn’t spark a “FIRE” under us to prioritize things I don’t know what will. I’ve added you to the drawing 🙂

Thank you Diana – it’s been a tough few months for sure. Completely agree – spending time with people you love trumps all.