Well, it looks like you're going to see a lot of me on this board from now on.

Our master plan for hubby to retire in April 2002 has hit a bump in the road (best laid plans and all that!) It appears that the recent sale of his employer's privately-held company to a huge conglomerate will result in his being downsized (outsized?) within the next few months or so. Polite euphemism for getting sacked... you get the picture.

So... what we're struggling with right now is to determine if he can retire now, 12-15 months sooner than that magical age 59.5 which had been his target.

Of course, I have no plans to retire for a long time but since hubby is the major breadwinner, we need to figure out if we can manage on my income and perhaps reallocate some investments into income-producing securities to supplement our needs.

That's why the Fool's upcoming Retirement Seminar could not have come at a better time for me! I may be a Fool, but there's still a ton of stuff I don't know. For so many years we've been focused on saving and growing our investments -- and now that we may face actually having to tap those investments, I'm like a deer caught in the headlights.

As a result, I've volunteered to assist with the Retirement Seminar, taking the courses along with everyone else and participating in the "classroom message boards" that will be set up for seminar participants. Over the years I've learned so much about investing from this Foolish Community and now I hope to continue that education by learning how we should be managing my husband's unexpected early retirement.

Selfishly, I'd like to invite you all to learn along with me beginning November 8. Here's all the information about what the seminar will offer and details on how to sign up:

http://www.lnksrv.com/m.asp?i=146602

Looking forward to interacting with many of you, both on this board and in the seminar.


Many thanks,

TMF Jeanie
Community Stroller