Joyful June
UncleMac
Posts: 13,748 Member
The summer is begun! Anyone got plans for summer vacation? Travel? Grandkids? Gardening?
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I'm heading for Kejimkujic National,Park this weekend for a solo back country trip in the kayak. Four nights in the woods with a couple of good books, a bit of scotch and no electronics. Work de-tox to start retired life.3
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Two nights ago, I ordered a new bathing suit for the pool at the gym. Maybe today I can look in the closet for the bag that has the lock and key and shower shoes. . . I last swam two years ago.
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I'm new to this group, but jumping in!
I'm going to Vegas later this week (meeting a group of friends that I met here on MFP).
The rest of my summer will be renovations on a house we bought recently and cycling with friends. Too bad I have to work!4 -
For those of you who are retired, can you share what persuaded you to give up on a pay cheque? I'm getting close to that decision point. Frankly, I'm trying to sort out in my mind what that will look like...0
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Got fed up with the office politics and drama.
I took a post-retirement job with my best friend which almost closed the gap between full pay and retirement pay.1 -
d_thomas02 wrote: »Got fed up with the office politics and drama.
I took a post-retirement job with my best friend which almost closed the gap between full pay and retirement pay.
My financial advisor pointed out that, with everything factored in, the difference between retirement pay and working is less than minimum wage... Office politics aren't bad now although they used to be awful...0 -
My June is about to be more joyful- flying out tonight for a weekend in Vegas!3
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For those of you who are retired, can you share what persuaded you to give up on a pay cheque? I'm getting close to that decision point. Frankly, I'm trying to sort out in my mind what that will look like...
For me, the trigger was surviving a heart attack in 2014. I made a couple life decisions at that time, I would exercise and eat like a survivor, and I would take steps to not die behind a desk; not my fire chief desk or my director's desk at the rehab. I stepped down as chief at the end of my term in December 2014, lightening my load by 20 hours a week average and a lot of stress. We met with a financial advisor, and planned our future. I just retired three weeks ago. We won't be rich, but we will be fine. The plan is for my wife to teach another year, and I'll likely do something part time in the fall. I've got a couple possibilities, I kept my incorporated business alive from when I was consulting as an electrical designer, and have been doing some CCTV systems. Also, my original employer for 30 years, Michelin, called a few months ago to ask me back for a couple months on a machine commissioning. Great pay, and something I specialized in as a tech guy for many years. Unfortunately, their need was immediate and I was in a position of some responsability and couldn't just leave, so I passed that project up but left the door open for future.
I have a couple orders for my carpentry work, but that's more hobby than paying occupation. I don't think the local demand for hand made kayaks is large enough to keep me busy, but I'd like to do some commissions. If I could find a way to make a bit of a living with my woodwork I'd be happy to stay away from tech work, but it pays well and I do have the skills in this area. I'm only 61, and somewhat driven, so I'll end up doing something, but more on my terms.
I've only been retired three weeks, but I'm loving it. I'm up early, lots of projects on the go, hanging out with grandkids, motorcycling, going for a week backcountry trip this weekend, etc. I HIGHLY recommend it. Just getting off the 40 hour 5 day a week train opens up a while world of possibilities.
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Getting off of the daily grind is definitely appealing. Since I've only got one income, I need to be careful but I'm not a particularly extravagant kinda guy...For those of you who are retired, can you share what persuaded you to give up on a pay cheque? I'm getting close to that decision point. Frankly, I'm trying to sort out in my mind what that will look like...
For me, the trigger was surviving a heart attack in 2014. I made a couple life decisions at that time, I would exercise and eat like a survivor, and I would take steps to not die behind a desk; not my fire chief desk or my director's desk at the rehab. I stepped down as chief at the end of my term in December 2014, lightening my load by 20 hours a week average and a lot of stress. We met with a financial advisor, and planned our future. I just retired three weeks ago. We won't be rich, but we will be fine. The plan is for my wife to teach another year, and I'll likely do something part time in the fall. I've got a couple possibilities, I kept my incorporated business alive from when I was consulting as an electrical designer, and have been doing some CCTV systems. Also, my original employer for 30 years, Michelin, called a few months ago to ask me back for a couple months on a machine commissioning. Great pay, and something I specialized in as a tech guy for many years. Unfortunately, their need was immediate and I was in a position of some responsability and couldn't just leave, so I passed that project up but left the door open for future.
I have a couple orders for my carpentry work, but that's more hobby than paying occupation. I don't think the local demand for hand made kayaks is large enough to keep me busy, but I'd like to do some commissions. If I could find a way to make a bit of a living with my woodwork I'd be happy to stay away from tech work, but it pays well and I do have the skills in this area. I'm only 61, and somewhat driven, so I'll end up doing something, but more on my terms.
I've only been retired three weeks, but I'm loving it. I'm up early, lots of projects on the go, hanging out with grandkids, motorcycling, going for a week backcountry trip this weekend, etc. I HIGHLY recommend it. Just getting off the 40 hour 5 day a week train opens up a while world of possibilities.2 -
Hubby and I live in the best place in the word (a large metro and vacation spot), and I do not see much travel in our future.
He likes to stay home while I fly to see family or invite them here occasionally.
Hubby and I have a few more years of work to go. We feel fulfilled by our work most of the time and, with the incremental upgrades to the house since we moved in, we have made the place so much more our own. It is small-ish, leaving us with financial options for non house issues.
I expect we both we will do part time gigs after we retire from the full time gig.2 -
Retirement sounds wonderful... but it's quite a few years off for my hubby & I. Retirement for me is age 67. I'm 53 so another 14 years to go. But i enjoy my job so that's some compensation
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I'm listening to a podcast talking about society, creativity and human development. Dr. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist & philosopher, speaking of how creativity causes problems for people and how the vast majority of people aren't creative and don't truly appreciate creativity. The example he gives is how difficult it is for artists to monetize their efforts. Making a living as an artist is almost impossible. Some claim the struggle helps to refine and improve the quality of creators... the archetypal starving artist... He says the non-creative people retire and die because they lack purpose.
Thought provoking stuff...0 -
Not much gambling happened, just hung out with friends, did some people watching, and saw a couple of shows. Had a blast!2 -
Not much gambling happened, just hung out with friends, did some people watching, and saw a couple of shows. Had a blast!
Sounds like fun!!0 -
I'm listening to a podcast talking about society, creativity and human development. Dr. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist & philosopher, speaking of how creativity causes problems for people and how the vast majority of people aren't creative and don't truly appreciate creativity. The example he gives is how difficult it is for artists to monetize their efforts. Making a living as an artist is almost impossible. Some claim the struggle helps to refine and improve the quality of creators... the archetypal starving artist... He says the non-creative people retire and die because they lack purpose.
Thought provoking stuff...
Retire and die . . . WTH!?!
I don't think of myself as unusually creative, but I've been retired for around 10 years now (retired at 51), and I'm feeling less close-to-dead now than I did back then (maybe it's just the dementia starting in?
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There's more time to have active fun, there's less stress, and I can at least play at some creative pursuits I enjoy. The whole weight loss thing happened after retirement, too. As a former basement cubicle gal, one of the best unpredicted parts is basking in daylight every day all year long, not just getting a bit of it in seasons when daylight lasted longer than work day.
I hear what you're saying about 1 income - I'm there, too - and I exacerbated that by retiring as early as I possibly could. (After stage III breast cancer, I realized I'd be pretty P.O.-ed if I got metastatic cancer & died before being able to retire!)
I worked part-time for a few years (same employer, lower stress job, usually only 10 hours a week) as a transitional thing, which was good logistically as well as financially. It took a surprisingly long time for my attention span to settle down - my work involved constant interruptions, crises, changes of subject - and to find a new routine, but I was happier almost immediately.
YMMV.
But . . . retire and die?!!? Just no!
P.S. I think "purpose" is overrated.1 -
While I haven't done research in the area, I suspect the "retire and die" might be one of those gendered issues. I know a few guys who didn't last five years after retiring.But . . . retire and die?!!? Just no!
P.S. I think "purpose" is overrated.
Men have a habit of defining part of their self-worth by their profession. Not an issue as long as the career is successful but if things go off of the rails... total trainwreck... Those who don't develop outside interests end up retiring and literally not knowing what to do with themselves.
I was chatting with a buddy at the office and pointed out that he's got more years than me and I'm looking at retirement. His body language changed and he remarked how he's being doing the job so long, he doesn't know anything else. I was kind of surprised... and I suggested he might want to seek professional help. He looked at me as if I was the crazy one!
Interesting point about the attention span. I am similarly afflicted... whether it's the phone, drop-ins, you name it... there is always something happening... but I find now I don't enjoy reading books as much as I once did. I was blaming it on computers... maybe it's more the job?0 -
I'm not sure it's gendered - I've known women like that as well. You'd think it would even be more likely for someone like me, very career-focused, widowed pre-retirement, no children. But I think the key factor, as you say, is outside interests.
While I haven't done research in the area, I suspect the "retire and die" might be one of those gendered issues. I know a few guys who didn't last five years after retiring.But . . . retire and die?!!? Just no!
P.S. I think "purpose" is overrated.
Men have a habit of defining part of their self-worth by their profession. Not an issue as long as the career is successful but if things go off of the rails... total trainwreck... Those who don't develop outside interests end up retiring and literally not knowing what to do with themselves.
Funnily enough - to me, at least - a colleague actually sat me down privately after I'd announced retirement, before I actually left, and basically told me I was making a Big Mistake, that I wouldn't be able to stand it. He'd retired, but had had to take on consulting gigs in order to . . . I dunno, be happy, or stay sane, I guess. I was cordial to him, but under the covers found this *just hilarious*. I was right; he was wrong: Retirement is Just. Great.
I've always had more hobbies & interests than time to put them in, though . . . and still do.I was chatting with a buddy at the office and pointed out that he's got more years than me and I'm looking at retirement. His body language changed and he remarked how he's being doing the job so long, he doesn't know anything else. I was kind of surprised... and I suggested he might want to seek professional help. He looked at me as if I was the crazy one!
Interesting point about the attention span. I am similarly afflicted... whether it's the phone, drop-ins, you name it... there is always something happening... but I find now I don't enjoy reading books as much as I once did. I was blaming it on computers... maybe it's more the job?
Part of the transition, I think, is just allowing oneself to de-adrenalize a bit. To breathe! And the attention span's come back a bit, with time: Don't give up hope!
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I've not met many women in your situation. Most I know are still working. Those few either reinvented themselves in a new venture or dedicated themselves to something non-commercial. One lady went from owning/operating a realtor office to working at an artisan bakery. Another administers her church.I'm not sure it's gendered - I've known women like that as well. You'd think it would even be more likely for someone like me, very career-focused, widowed pre-retirement, no children. But I think the key factor, as you say, is outside interests.
Funnily enough - to me, at least - a colleague actually sat me down privately after I'd announced retirement, before I actually left, and basically told me I was making a Big Mistake, that I wouldn't be able to stand it. He'd retired, but had had to take on consulting gigs in order to . . . I dunno, be happy, or stay sane, I guess. I was cordial to him, but under the covers found this *just hilarious*. I was right; he was wrong: Retirement is Just. Great.
I've always had more hobbies & interests than time to put them in, though . . . and still do.
Part of the transition, I think, is just allowing oneself to de-adrenalize a bit. To breathe! And the attention span's come back a bit, with time: Don't give up hope!
I'm glad you didn't laugh at your colleague. It sounds like his advice was actually projection of his own needs.
Over the years as my marriage was falling to pieces, most of my hobbies & interests got sacrificed as either I lacked the time, the resources or the energy to enjoy them. Trying to get myself back up to speed...1 -
I've been away from the site for a bit, but still fighting the good fight. Down to 193 and change now, fit, active and tanned. I'm really getting into this retirement thing.
Here's some pictures from my back country trip in my kayak. I did three nights, called it quits for two more due to fatigue and weather. This was a lot easier 25 years ago.
22 miles under human power, many portages.
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Looks like you're having a hoot!!0
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Lots of great gear. Do you have a "packing list" to make sure everything makes it there and back?
. . . Just asking because I last camped as a child.0 -
Looks like you had a great time.
You did well surviving a few days. My camping days were over years ago
Nice to have you back in the fold 0
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