Fun real life classes for us adults...

[Redbug]

Planning ahead for when my wife and I have more time, (retirement for me will be in less than 4 years), some fun classes to take. This could also be a good weekend getaway while having fun learning something new...Great for you and your wife...I am interested in the blacksmithing and metalworking. Hmmm...more to life than tracktors?

Classes by subject...this school is in Western NC...Some classes are for a weekend, some for longer.
https://www.folkschool.org/index.php?section=classes&method=by_subject


This school is in Texas...sorted by subject...
Homestead Heritage School of Homesteading

Opinions? Any other schools like this out there? Have any of you done such?

 

[EddieWalker]

No opinion on the links, but I do like the idea of taking classes to learn new things. Welding classes at the local junior college is another excellent skill to aquire if you don't already know how to weld. Wood shop and garden clubs can always teach us more then what we already know. I never finished by degree and still want to, but don't feel the need to do it right away. When I retire, it will be high on my list of things to do. My dad got his BS when he was 62.

Besides taking classes, there are some great part time jobs that you might want to look into. The one that I want to do is work at Yellowstone. I've been there a dozen times, but think it would be a completeyl different experience to work there for a season and really have the time to explore the park. There are allot of places like that where you keep busy working part time, but still have all sorts of free time to explore and have fun.

Eddie

 

[mikim]

thanks for the link -- It's only about 90 minutes from me so I'm going to seriously consider taking a couple of those classes they offer. Retirement ---come on out -- the weather is great! ....even when it ain't.

 

[Tig]

For a change of pace, my wife and I are learning ballroom dancing. It's amazing how steps that sounds so simple can be so difficult. It's a night out and the best part is, I get to lead and the teacher will back me up.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I always say I will take a sniping class when the midlife crisis gets me. But continuing education is a great thing, especially in a field you did not touch in your life - like biology for an engineer.

I know some people who live half a year on the east coast and half a year in CO and work Yellowstone - the summer season - and they are very happy with the arrangement.

 

[keegs]

I'd like to see something to help with retirement investing. When it comes time to live on what we've saved all these years, the rubber is going to meet the road. I'm not sure I'm prepared.

 

[Bird]

Dave, you mentioned that Homestead Heritage being in Texas. It's in Elm Mott, TX, which is on I-35 just north of Waco. I have one brother who lives full time in Elm Mott and the other one spends the winters there in an RV park. I've never visited the Homestead Heritage myself, but my wife and sister-in-law like it. They've not taken any of the classes, but just like to visit, do a little sight seeing, and have lunch in their restaurant.

 

[Redbug]

About fun jobs...Eddie and Czech mentioned about Yellowstone. I have always wanted to work a season down in Antarctica, (the last great wilderness), and have been checking into that after I retire. My wife says OK. When younger, I had always wanted to see the Great White North and had lived up that way and even worked at a couple Dew Line Sites when I was younger. The world is wide open when you reach a stage where you can retire and are no longer shackled to the job...

For the older guys and gals, (I'm not that old, yet)...you may want to check your state...but in South Carolina, college tuition is free for people aged 60 and older who are retired, or people aged 65 (retired or not), and are able to audit college level classes if: 1) there is space in the class, 2) with the permission of the professor.
For me... I have interests in archaeology, geology, botany, forestry, anthropology, wildlife management...

Bird...You are in the thick of it...I believe I would be taking a class or two. It's nice being surrounded by like minded folks willing to learn and trade ideas...How far are you from there?

 

[Bird]

I don't think I'd have any desire to work, or even visit, Antarctica, but when we were in Yellowstone National Park September 3 to 6, 1991, we did check into the possibility of working a summer there. I think that would have been interesting, but of course they have a lot more applicants than jobs, so who knows what your chances would be of getting one of the jobs. We decided on other things and didn't apply.

We were a bit disappointed in Yellowstone for a couple of reasons. For one thing, you know they'd had a massive forest fire in 1988, about 3 years earlier and I think something like 80% of the lodge pole pines had burned. And of course the old pictures I'd seen always showed the bears. Well, after they started their bear management policies, they said, in 1991, it was "rare for a visitor to see a bear" and we did not.

But in spite of those two things, there were a number of beautiful and interesting sights, and lots of other wildlife. In fact, they were over populated with bison.

 

[Redbug]

I'd like to see something to help with retirement investing. When it comes time to live on what we've saved all these years, the rubber is going to meet the road. I'm not sure I'm prepared.

Keegs...I know exactly what you mean about retirement investing. Nobody is out there to teach you when you need the knowledge the most. Here's one set of forums I look at almost every day. Just like TBN. And it's community/cast of characters, (of which I am a part), are as familiar to me as TBN. A lot of collective wisdom about retirement, the mindset, investing/preparing for retirement. The main forum is here...
FIRE and Money - Early Retirement & Financial Independence Community
And just like TBN, other related forums can be located at the bottom "Forum Jump". Enjoy and like Mikim said...come on in the weather's fine!