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Bullshit! You didn't read a book.

Haha ha you simply refrain from putting things in your mouth and lighting them on fire. That made me smile and it felt really good

NOPE!!!

NOPE

I was a NYE quitter. I had made the decision days earlier by reading posts, seeing that it was possible, and that I had support. That was almost 4 NYE’s ago... I went from 3 packs daily to cold turkey. It wasn’t a cakewalk at first but I had some fantastic people here at QT to talk me through the rough spots. With each milestone that passed, the easier it became, quitting smoking is possible! Quitting started a chain reaction of healthier choices, I am a different person than I was 4 years ago. Take a seat on the train and let us help to support you.

Wishing you the very best Jon with your treatment. As said previously, we are here when you need support. Our light is always on and our door is always open

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NOPE!

NOPE!

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I came into this world with nothing and baby that's how I'm gonna leave it ........ STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON!!! CRAZY MUTHAFU .....

He he he. He said Peter!

Never thought I could quit either Jon.. But the wonderful news is you can ...anybody can...you need the tools to work with... We can give you those tools..trust me....as a team ,it's doable....give it your best shot... You have nothing to lose..and could gain soooooo much ....x

I won't smoke today !!!

Clean floors. Dirty thoughts. I'll bring the feather duster.

The floor needs polishing ...OK...I'm on it !!!!

Both your parents died of smoking related illness. With that in mind, just what is it going to take for YOU to stop smoking? Who would even WANT to start smoking after watching their folks both die of it? That along with sharp pains in your chest, yeah it MIGHT be time to quit. Who knows how much damage is done BUT - you will be pleased with how much better you will feel when you quit smoking.

I'm just so glad you're here, Reci, and that we get to celebrate this monumental milestone with you. DOREEN! Let's get to work on polishing the dance floor.

Hoping for the best outcome for you with your PTSD treatment! One thing I do know is, even though it doesn't feel like it when you're a smoker, smoking actually worsens anxiety. Anxiety feeds on stimulants like nicotine, so smoking makes you even more anxious than you already would be from the PTSD You think smoking relaxes you but the only thing it's doing is relieving your withdrawal so you think it's making you feel good, Anxiety and depression are kissing cousins, so you'll only be doing the very best thing you can do for yourself by quitting smoking, As you likely remember from previous quits, you feel infinitely better as a non-smoker. Hope to see you back here feeling better and ready to settle in for a nice long ride on the train.

WOOHOOOO, Reci! It’s been great watching your quit progress from inspiring to enviable since I’ve been on this board. You’ve earned your freedom; glad to hear you’re enjoying it! Congratulations, Buddy!

Yes, thanks for posting this up Mr. Titwank - lol Only 1 more month until I reach that magical 1 year quit mark. No thoughts about smoking anymore, at least none that would bring me even close to smoking again. I have learned through others relapses that there is NEVER " just one"!! Never even just one puff. No matter where we are at with our quits it's always the same simple thing that we must abide by ..... NOPE; it's that simple! Now, I did go out to practice my grand Lido Deck pool arrival today but forgot ......... it's winter here and around -30!!

Ring out the old, ring in the new.....

Hope your PTSD treatment goes well Jon. I too woke up in absolute panic attacks due to breathing issues on a near nightly basis. Quitting smoking completely turned that around. I'm healthier than ever and my lung capacity feels limitless. You can do this Jon. A new you awaits.

There are many people out there right now who are mulling over whether 2018 is the year they should finally quit. The question is: Am I going to sabotage my own health by grasping at every excuse under the sun not to quit? Or, am I going to bite the bullet, do some research, and finally make the choice that I know is right? Those of us who have ultimately succeeded in beating back this addiction are not special snowflakes. We’re just like everyone else. For most of us, quitting smoking was not just a whim that we easily attained in a day or two. We had to commit ourselves 100%. But once the decision is made, the recovery process grows a little stronger every day. There finally comes a point where you’ll feel amazing….like a whole new person. I encourage you with all of my heart to look deep inside and do what you’ve been telling yourself to do for many years. You have the ability. Jump on the train!

I just noticed the new "popular contributors" feature on the upgraded website. It looks like there is a points system in place to see who the big kahuna is here on the Train. It's not a competition, but...I want to win! I'm going to be out of touch for the next few days, so I just wanted to take this opportunity to say: Quit Train members are awesome! Bunch of good looking, delightful smelling, non-smokers. I like what y'all have done with your hair. Dare I say, this is the sexiest collection of members in the whole wide world of the interwebs. And now I shamelessly ask that you smash that "like" button And before I go, here is a picture of a little baby surrounded by puppies. You'd have to be a monster to not "like" this.

Im basically gone but i aint forgetting my babes date. Mr piggy, know for his rap stage name 2Pig/Tupig Shakur is now 11 months free! oink... Mr pig, you´re one of the most awesome posters here on this train and i salute your achievement sir, oh yes, well done indead; just one more month for that sweet lido deck date right? oink By now you must be over the cigarretes i guess; just that ocasional feeling of having just one maybe? Dont screw it pig, dont screw it... Pig, babe, one of my resolution for 2018 involves less internet. I dont know if ill be here for your lido deck arrival, but anyway... Peter, really, thanks a lot for your contribution man. Respect!

Bakon..I've seen your counting...ask your wife to count your assets.... Just to check...you can actually retire !!!!!

Jon.. You have my prayers...I hope you find the help you need this coming week ... When you are ready for our help...we will be here.... My best to you xx

Way to go squealer. You earned it.

1 win and they are all like .....we rule.... But in reality......

Been reading a few books on retirement lately. The 10x saved and 4% are common numbers BUT all of the plans will tell you these are averages and all dependant on debt/spending/investment return/age of retirement and length of life after retirement. That is a bunch of unknowns and everyone is correct/wrong. Retire at 39 and live 50 years will cost more than retiring later and live to same age. But have dept and spend more and it can cost the same. Read a good line about debt: spending is bigger problem than income. Can make a million a year and still be in debt by spending 1.1 million. Can live off less, by spending even less. My advise is to educate yourself just like we did for smoking.

Thank you everyone. I need a lot of support to do this, and everyone has made me feel really welcome. I appreciate the sincere and warm welcome. Peace Train, you really nailed it. I mean you NAILED IT. Smoking really does make my PTSD worse. The smell of cigarettes is in every memory I have of that place. Every time I light a cigarette I get dragged back to Highway 4. Its horrible. I cant wait to go to treatment tomorrow. I feel really blessed being able to get help with this. Its not just my physical health guys, PTSD is hell and I can't recover from it if Im smoking. My heart does weird stuff now. It skips beats. It sputters. It lurches. I'm afraid of a heart attack. An hour later withdrawal sets in and I cannot adequately describe the level of anger. "Rage" is not a sufficient word. It's like a black river of anger that is somehow colder and yet makes me pour sweat and shiver. It is of such force and such magnitude that I think I might physically explode. With this comes self loathing, an equally massive feeling. Dysphoria. So outside I go. And I light a cigarette. And I smell the smoke and I think about how much older I am. And I count dead people. And I think about my mom. And I remember my truck in Afghanistan, the patrols and every personal failure. "I call it playing "I regret". Then my Cigarette is gone and I go back to pretending I'm normal. Going to the hospital tomorrow. I cannot live like this. This isn't even living, and when the things you do to yourself every day make you feel like you are dying you can't even call it survival.

Chicks rule over the sticks !!!!

Lurkers take note. A lot of you are planning on quitting in the New Year. Do yourself a favor and read this book. It has helped many, including myself, forever alter the way we view cigarettes and quitting the filthy buggers. I think there is a pdf version available for free on the internet. Of course you could also download it for less than the cost of two packs of cigarettes, so you will recoup your investment quickly.

Sneak attack in the middle of the night.... I'm sure there is something in the rules about that! ... If not, we need anther paragraph added. 0

Aww I'm late to the party !!! Wow !!! Piggy your flying...the Lido Deck is on the horizon... You are fun loving ,supportive,and keep us informed on all the anny,s.... We are so lucky you found us Love you Piggy xxx

Congrats Reci! doing it with confidence !!!

Fantastic job...

One-month to lido! Great job Rec!

The tug boats are pulling up for final docking! Congrats Reci!

I work in finance and what dollar amount is required for retirement is dependent on how you normally live. I see clients with millions saying they don't have enough and others who maybe have 250k-500k feel they are fine. My boyfriend and his brothers live very frugal they vacation and such but the focus on no debt. Bob's brother retired at 50 (granted he had no wife or children but lives a modest life.) The rest of the brothers worked to have no mortgages before 60. So it all really depends on what you need.

Don't wish to be the party pooper.. But smoking took care of our retirement plans...my advice.... Keep the quits ...and make sure your dreams come true... Now some one help me down of this dam soap box !!!!!

Yup - keeping busy at something you enjoy is as important as having the financial part in place. So many people just fade away after retirement because they suddenly have no reason to wake up each day.

And that's if you own your home outright and is a no frills retirement. edited to add: i'll be in a van down by the river if anyone wants to compound

Okay Sgt. Barney, I did the math. Assuming average income of $50,000 for 40 years. Defer 11% of income into 401K (tax free) yields a net income of $38,550. Good for $3,212.50 a month. Depositing $350/month for 40 years with an 8% return on investment yields $1,221,852 which is close enough to 25X annual income. ==============doable but very difficult=========== Here's where it gets interesting. Assuming I was a military man who did twenty and then retired... For a Sergeant First Class to retire at age 39 would require a military pension plus an amazing savings rate. Assuming start of career was 19 we have 20 years of service so pay grade E-7 for (end of career) average annual salary of $54K (we will call it $50K) and 20 year pension covers 50% of this. So from savings we would need to come up with a match to reach roughly $25K/yearly. If we are only living on 2% of our assets then our assets are worth $1,250,000. $25,000 / .02 = $1,250,000 Now to invest to reach $1,250,000 in twenty years time requires....uh... Something like committing $25,200 a year of our salary every year for 20 years. Which is theoretically possible until we consider that we probably didn't start a career in the military as a SFC which would substantially reduce investments. Not saying it couldn't be done. Maybe day trading individual stocks or dumping the re-up bonuses into the savings could make it work? So Sgt. Barney, do you have advice on this? You stated you retired at the age of 39 and only live on 2% of your investments. I would dearly love to see your road map.