For those retired....what do you enjoy most?

[Duwop]

I truly think this is what I enjoy the most about retirement and at times in my 20's,30's and so on I wasn't sure I'de ever get to retire. I am a roofer by trade and spent many long hours in Florida's hot summer sun, day dreaming about things I could do if I didn't have to work. Retirement encompasses many of the things I hold dear, like work, dirt, food, tractors and family time just to name a few. In the attached pic is my winter garden, in it is planted beets,turnips,mustard,spinach,onions, and broccoli. I will also add garlic and asparagus in a few weeks and to add with what I put up from the summer garden we will be eating real well. So I have to say Gardening is what I like most about retirement.

 

[MacLawn]

Du, ye got a great garden place! The One Who Must be Obeyed is a better Gardner than me, but I can at least till it up for her using me JD2210 and tiller!

 

[TomSeller]

I truly think this is what I enjoy the most about retirement and at times in my 20's,30's and so on I wasn't sure I'de ever get to retire. I am a roofer by trade and spent many long hours in Florida's hot summer sun, day dreaming about things I could do if I didn't have to work. Retirement encompasses many of the things I hold dear, like work, dirt, food, tractors and family time just to name a few. In the attached pic is my winter garden, in it is planted beets,turnips,mustard,spinach,onions, and broccoli. I will also add garlic and asparagus in a few weeks and to add with what I put up from the summer garden we will be eating real well. So I have to say Gardening is what I like most about retirement.

Your house is going to fall over, it is leaning to the right pretty good. Amazing what some lenses make things look like

 

[TaterinTexas]

Most of my older friend served and took full advantage of the GI Bill for school and the VA to buy a home.

They put in the time and earned the benefit.

Seems many no longer think like this and yet wonder what has changed.

I think the GI Bill is one of the best things our country has ever done.

 

[TaterinTexas]

Both our daughters graduated from college and now have good jobs. Back when they were growing up and were getting ready to drive......we helped them with their first cars. I had them sign a contract.....they had to make a car payment to us, paid for a share of their insurance, had to maintain their grades and abide by certain rules. We adjusted their payments based on their school activities but when not involved with sports or other activities......they had part time jobs. I told them that....as far as the contract was concerned.....we were the bank.....not their parents. My youngest tested that theory once......her car was repossessed for a short time. This contract taught them responsibility and accountability. They even took care of their cars because they felt ownership. Friends of ours asked for copies of our contracts so they could do something similar. Both our daughters.....as adults....have said that the contract was a good thing and they learned from it. At the time of the contract.....neither daughter knew that we were putting all monies paid to us in a savings account for them for college. I see so many kids today handed everything on a silver platter......hard work and accountability are not taught.:2cents:

Good job! Sounds like you handled it a great way...you helped your kids but taught them to be responsible at the same time.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Would somebody please tell me what the GI Bill and VA are?

 

[TaterinTexas]

Would somebody please tell me what the GI Bill and VA are?

The "VA" is a term used broadly by Americans to mean the "Veterans Administration" but technically, it is the Department of Veteran's Affairs. It administers many of the benefits granted to US military veterans.
It has existed in one form or another since the Revolutionary War, but was greatly expanded after WWI and even moreso after WWII.

The GI Bill was a broad grant of benefits to veterans, mostly aimed at those returning from WWII. It helped establish things like loans for home mortgages by virtue of military service (a "VA Loan"-- how my dad got his first home loan) and college tuition grants, which a large number of returning veterans took advantage of. Not only was it a great way to express our appreciation for the service our veterans provided, it was a great investment in our country's economy. Many have argued it was a large factor in our country's rapid economic ascention in the 1950's.

 

[Mark 42]

I will be 65 in about 12.5 years.
I hope I don't have to wait that long to retire.
Every day at work is another day I watch my yard overgrow with weeds, my shed being
eaten by termites and rot (I will be using precious vacation to put a roof on it, rip out
drywall and spray it with termite killer). Every day at work is another day I could be building a barn,
doing model airplanes, slot cars, welding projects, restoring a classic car, and about 1,000 other
things I would rather be doing.

People who get bored after they retire lack imagination.
There are plenty of hobbies; plenty of places to volunteer like libraries and museums,
plenty of places to see and go bicycling, hiking, or even driving through in a fun
vehicle like a VW Thing, or some other convertible.

If I need something to keep me busy, I can always buy a backhoe and a dumptruck
and go make some money doing something besides sitting at a computer all day.
I can hang a shingle and weld and fabricate odd jobs for people at reasonable prices.
I could build metal sculptures or fine furniture and sell it on eBay or Craigslist.

Sorry if that steps on some toes, but really, how can anyone be bored?

 

[TaterinTexas]

I will be 65 in about 12.5 years.
I hope I don't have to wait that long to retire.
Every day at work is another day I watch my yard overgrow with weeds, my shed being
eaten by termites and rot (I will be using precious vacation to put a roof on it, rip out
drywall and spray it with termite killer). Every day at work is another day I could be building a barn,
doing model airplanes, slot cars, welding projects, restoring a classic car, and about 1,000 other
things I would rather be doing.

People who get bored after they retire lack imagination.
There are plenty of hobbies; plenty of places to volunteer like libraries and museums,
plenty of places to see and go bicycling, hiking, or even driving through in a fun
vehicle like a VW Thing, or some other convertible.

If I need something to keep me busy, I can always buy a backhoe and a dumptruck
and go make some money doing something besides sitting at a computer all day.
I can hang a shingle and weld and fabricate odd jobs for people at reasonable prices.
I could build metal sculptures or fine furniture and sell it on eBay or Craigslist.

Sorry if that steps on some toes, but really, how can anyone be bored?

Indeed...the question isn't "What will I do?" when I retire. The question is "How will I find time to do all the things I want to do?" I cannot wait to find out.

 

[Mark 42]

Indeed...the question isn't "What will I do?" when I retire. The question is "How will I find time to do all the things I want to do?" I cannot wait to find out.

PRECISELY! :thumbsup: