What did you do on the first day of retirement?

[ovrszd]

The first day I was officially retired from my job of 30 years, I started my new full-time job....

:laughing:

Me too. Best job I've ever had.

 

[ovrszd]

I retired at 55 and decided to spend a lot of time fly fishing, two weeks and I'd had enough and went back to work for myself, now 68 and still working but only 10 hours a week and take time off when I feel like it.
It gives me enough money to live comfortably and not use my superannuation.
With my old job we used to travel to the USA 4-5 times a year for a week each time and it got to the stage it was too much with the fast turnaround and with jet lag you lost track of what day it was, my last stop was always Denver and some of the local police would take me fly fishing when I had finished, that is the only aspect I miss, they were a good bunch and we still get Xmas cards.
Will I ever retire, no idea but I have plenty at home to keep me busy and more pastimes than I can handle sometimes but I enjoy work too.

Twenty years ago I was visiting with a good farmer friend of mine. He was 70 at the time and still farming. I asked him when he was going to retire? He asked me what my definition of retirement was? I said when you do what you want to do each day. He said, well, I guess I've been retired my whole life!!!! I thought that was a very healthy attitude. He is what I would call retired today, Son took over the farming operation. He is still very active mentally and physically.

My military career caused me to travel a LOT. I've been to Korea 14 times, Germany 12 times. Most of those trips were 2-3 day trips. Jet lag was a bummer. My last Deployment was for 518 days, 460 of which were in SW Asia traveling all over Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Africa. Lived out of a ruck sack. I was 55. It exhausted me. At times I miss it.

 

[ovrszd]

My retirement day will be April 6, 2018. My plan for that day is to come home and pretend it痴 Saturday every day- neglected projects, the garden, woodpile, etc.

My retirement week only has Saturday and Sunday. 6 Saturdays. 1 Sunday.

 

[ovrszd]

Best advise I can give is to be debt free prior to retirement. Don't go hog-wild and spend a bunch of money without first giving careful consideration of "Needs vs Wants". When you reach retirement age, you should need very little but a lot of folks spend like drunken sailors on all the "Wants" and usually regret it. Don't rush in to anything. Be thoughtful, be patient.

Financial security in retirement is not based on what you earn, it's based on what you spend.

 

[Doofy]

Financial security in retirement is not based on what you earn, it's based on what you spend.

Well said!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I took my watch off years ago, but can't retire yet.

For those that retired early, what do you do for health insurance? I can't retire with health ins, but would like to retire soon.
With my current health, i need insurance.

 

[ovrszd]

I took my watch off years ago, but can't retire yet.

For those that retired early, what do you do for health insurance? I can't retire with health ins, but would like to retire soon.
With my current health, i need insurance.

Good friend is self employed and in this position. Wants to retire but can't until he's 65 because of this issue.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Good friend is self employed and in this position. Wants to retire but can't until he's 65 because of this issue.

Saw something called Christian healthcare ministry on facebook. It's not really health insurance, but people pool a monthly fee, that goes towards paying everyones medical bills. There is a deductible amount, and a max limit, but overall less expensive than most health insurance. Apparently it did qualify as an ACA plan.

Anyone hear of it or use it? A friend of a friend uses it and it has worked for them. I'm still sceptical.

I have a deferred retirement coming in 3 yrs, and can draw a small pension now from my last company. Im trying to get as much into 401k as i can right now, but hard with 2 in college. Hit the max last yr, but not the makeup.

 

[goeduck]

I get up at 3:15 to go to work, not something I plan on doing when I retire

 

[PILOON]

When I retired I went on with my part time renovation business.
LOL, but then all my 'jobs' were an extension to one hobby or another so I was never bored.

Problem now is as 80 is just around the corner I don't have that stamina that I always enjoyed.
The last couple of years I 'slowed down' but enjoyed consulting to folks that had major projects, while not exactly lucrative the goal was to keep active.
A few minor health issues behind me now should see me getting back into the slot.