First day of the rest of my life

[ovrszd]

When I first retired and would get to worrying about how my replacement was doing I would ask myself if the guy I replaced worried about me??? If so, I'm sure it wasn't very long. And I didn't either.

 

[cat fever]

That's a good way of looking at it.

I already know my replacement is going to struggle a lot. He better hope the bosses know what to do, and they don't. :confused2:

 

[ultrarunner]

I quit working - "retired-???" at the age of 40 in 1982. Actually, that's when I started doing things that I WANTED TO DO. Fortunately, I was not in a position where I had to wait for Soc Sec to kick in. I've never been wealthy - but I've never had to eat dirt either.

You would actually be surprised how little it takes to live on when your major debts are all paid.

All this careful planning, scheming and scrimping - so we could retire early - is the direct result of my wife's actions. I learned long ago to follow her lead on finances.

Cat Fever - have a plan, follow it - be safe & healthful - over all else - - enjoy your retirement.

Yep... with planning a luck in the Health Department... it really doesn't take much to live a simple life.

Mom and a lot of her friends are widows in California... some really have about 30k annual income... yet they do everything they want... they live in paid for Million Dollar homes with 2k property tax... drive a modest low mileage car 10 to 15 years old... very active in their church and love activities like gardening that don't have to cost a lot... being debt free with low property tax goes a long way.

For many.. their single biggest expense category is Insurance of all kinds followed by Taxes of all kinds.

I tip my hat to those that have worked hard, planned and living the life envisioned.

 

[George2615]

I'm still getting calls almost three years later with questions on building equipment. Just had a call yesterday and another today. Even though I gave my employer 4 months notice I was retiring they only gave me a month to train my replacement. Its a little hard for anyone to remember an entire building operation in a month. Like trying pour 10 gallons in a sponge. Some of the knowledge doesn't get absorbed into it. My former boss of 31 years hates to call and bother me but knows I can tell him in 5 minutes what would take them 3 hours to figure out. I still see him and his wife socially so I don't mind.

 

[oosik]

I was Director of Environmental Health in Anchorage, Ak for eighteen years. It just became too darn political for my tastes. I couldn't choke down the crap any more. If I had continued - the stress would have killed me long ago. Retirement has been great.

 

[lc12]

Congratulations on your retirement.
You will LOVE it!
I got early retirement a year and a half ago, after forty years in the utility business.
I don't miss it a bit!
No more on call or emergency storm repairs.
I don't break out in hives when an ice storm approaches and I can sleep without worrying about a phone call in the middle of the night.
No more scraping ice off the windshield or shoveling snow for the pleasure of going to work.
No more sitting in traffic.
Yes.
You too will love retirement!
Best wishes to you.

 

[Doofy]

I was Director of Environmental Health in Anchorage, Ak for eighteen years. It just became too darn political for my tastes. I couldn't choke down the crap any more. If I had continued - the stress would have killed me long ago. Retirement has been great.

Anchorage has become a total cesspool. Crime, Domestic Violence, Car Theft, Murder...you made it out, lucky man!

 

[oosik]

That's what I've heard from a couple friends up there - Doofy. One worked with me in the Health Dept and the other was Chief of Police in Anchorage.

Jesus - I came to Alaska in 1960 - about the same time as you did, Doofy. I remember the good old days in Alaska and I dam near weep. Such a fantastic place - and now its just like any other city that size.

 

[Doofy]

That's what I've heard from a couple friends up there - Doofy. One worked with me in the Health Dept and the other was Chief of Police in Anchorage.

Jesus - I came to Alaska in 1960 - about the same time as you did, Doofy. I remember the good old days in Alaska and I dam near weep. Such a fantastic place - and now its just like any other city that size.

Sad to say, but Alaska is not what it was. Sam's Club just closed down and left the state. Remember "Prairie Market"?
Our Legislature can't pass a budget, they've squandered all the oil money on frivolous pet projects that benefit no one. Where did you say you live, I'm about ready to pack it in too (said with grin)!

 

[ultrarunner]

One of my friends lives in Juneau Alaska... he has for 40+ years and is now retired.

He still loves Alaska but he and his wife winter in Carmel... but they have to be real careful they are here for less than 6 months... California already tried to claim Income Tax twice.

I've never been to Juneau... but it sure sounds like heaven at least at certain times of the year.

The beauty of retiring with a plan is the idea you are in control of your destiny... it does seem many I know that retire earlier have full "Second" careers... like building a home, tractors, grand-kids, travel, etc...