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

[nc redneck]

All of my last 25 years were devoted to take the pain now for payback later. Built and sold business. Close friends would ask " why are you still working ". Still hit it hard for 10 more years. Did major improvement to commercial property where they have a large investment in it also. Lease on property could last 20 years, locked in for 10. I am 57 don't expect to see 77 YO.
Wife retired on small pension. Kid is into horses and and burning through 2 K per month. Her college education is already in a 529 plan.
One morning I realized that I was getting older and the time to get payback for all the years was now. A lot of friends with health failing and dying will grab your attention.
Getting on what I call the " slack *** " program. Getting up at 8:00 and working until 5.30 or 6.00 is great, at least for me and the last 6 months. I don't advise going down this road until you are sure you are done with work. Even after 6 months it would be hard for me go back to the 6 to 6 program.

 

[alchemysa]

I was self employed for most of my life in a very stressful 'heart attack inducing' industry. Hardly ever had a holiday and never had one where I really wound down. But I was able to retire at 54, thank God. Now, what I love most is waking up without my stomach immediately going into knots, worrying about the day ahead. I just love that feeling of being relaxed all the time.

 

[houstonscott]

I don't have to get up at 0350, and work a 12hr watch. Off every holiday now. I only fish fair weather days now. HS

 

[SPIKER]

I'm NOT retired however been back at school part time for last year & half. Been waking up at the crack of 7 or 8 am staying up late with chance to do a few odds and ends. So now I am happy & stress free have not missed a grind at all. Living on the savings & stock market accounts & trading some has been good. Next month I DO start a new job good pay but longer drive than I like but what the heck, a year or two and I can again have a nice long sabbatical

Mark

 

[HillStreet]

Guys keep them coming I have 345 days until I join your club!

So how did you stay motivated until your retirement date?

I'm a lifelong Sox fan but I'll talk to you anyway. LOL

I stayed busy at work right up to the time I retired 19 months ago. Didn't have a public countdown though I counted the days privately on a countdown calendar on my smart phone. Six months before I went to a book store and bought a pile of magazines on money management/ finances just to read and get in the groove.

I started a better diet, nothing crazy, just subtle improvements. Took care of some dental work. Made a general list of things I wanted to do around the house--- got pretty long but it included stuff like master schedule for ongoing maintenance such as changing filters, cleaning chimney, pumping septic etc.

48 hours after I retired my wife and I were in Poland and Czech so that we could get away without dwelling on it. We actually paid the entire trip with change we saved in plastic buckets over the years---rolled it up and took it to the bank $500 at a time. Whole 2 weeks cost us about $3700 including airfare, not so bad as money goes a long way over there.

I was a little nervous about retiring: a bit reflective about "getting old", running out of money, being out of the "game", etc. Turned out to be unfounded anxiety because I never looked back. I went out in good standing, no bridges burnt, no sappy e-mails or speeches, and no regrets.

Just keep busy and do your thing. Time passes and your day will come. Many good things ahead.

And, gotta give it to Jeter, helluva career.

Take care.

 

[Arky217]

Nothing ! (But unfortunately, I rarely have time for that.)

 

[troutsqueezer]

What do I enjoy the most?

Driving my tractor around. Sometimes I start it up, take it for a spin without a clue what I'm going to do with it. I always find something to push or move or destroy.

I'll make it back to the shed, put my feet up in the easy chair, listen to a little Rush, then wonder what's for lunch.

 

[ultrarunner]

I know what I would enjoy most... throwing away the work pager/cell phone!!!

 

[JDgreen227]

A beer with my lunch, if I want one. JDgreen, how do you like your Hunter fans? Quiet?

Well, since I have a total hearing loss, yes...my Hunter fans are quiet...:laughing: the first one I installed in 1989 still works like new, I currently have seven in the house and they always perform flawlessly. The largest one is a 60 inch on a 2 foot long downrod and the ball mount lets it flex, yet even at full speed the light fixture barely moves a quarter of an inch. Hunter fans are dead reliable and well balanced.

 

[houstonscott]

What do I enjoy the most? Driving my tractor around. Sometimes I start it up, take it for a spin without a clue what I'm going to do with it. I always find something to push or move or destroy. I'll make it back to the shed, put my feet up in the easy chair, listen to a little Rush, then wonder what's for lunch.

You listen to Rush. Wow, I would have never thought, congrats. HS