General question : Retired or not?

[ronjhall]

I'm in my 5th year of retirement. Do projects on my place and neighbors. The big projects are done on our place. But their is always something to do with the tractor.
I have done many projects that I could have hired out. Did them myself. Saved money and got that feeling of having done it myself.
I spent my working years as a troubleshooter for a machine company. While I am glad to be away from that job. It has been great being able to help family and friends solve problems with whatever.

 

[Bird]

I retired from the police department on January 18,1989, (20 years ago) 2 months and 5 days short of 25 years. I haven't really done anything to make enough money to amount to anything since, but during our 6 years of full time RVing, we both worked one summer in an RV resort in Virginia, then I worked one summer for my brother's tire dealership in Alaska, and for two years I did gas leakage surveys. I was working for a company in Georgia, but the jobs were in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arizona, and Texas. When we quit traveling and bought 10 acres, I raised a few rabbits, sold a few pecans, grew a big garden, did a few little minor tractor jobs for pay with my Kubotas, was on the board of directors for the water co-op (Vice President the last year), was treasurer for the volunteer fire department, worked for a neighboring rancher remodeling a mobile home, cutting and baling hay, branding and vaccinating cattle, etc., and repaired/rebuilt mechanics' air tools.

But now I'm back in town and RETIRED!

 

[ToadHill]

Well I retired the first time in 1998 at 54, that didn't take so I went back to work and retired again about 1.5 years later. I found it boring and started my own business which I ran for 8 years then gave it to my daughter but she used me as slave labor ha ha) until she sold the business 3 years later. So now I have retired for the third time and I guess this time it may stay that way.

 

[LBrown59]

Not even close. I'm 43 and working on building up my construction/remodeling company while developing my land into an RV Park. I'm not sure about retirement. Guess it might happen one day, but it's so far off that I don't even think about it. I'm not sure what would change if I did retire, I haven't worked a day since I quite my real job in 2002. Now it's all about doing what I enjoy and then people give me money.

Eddie

Wrong Wrong Wrong.
It's much closer than you think.
The fastest years of my life were from 1984 to 2009.
The next 24 years will be the fastest years you've ever seen fly by.

 

[jimmyj]

That's a good point Lbrown. I'm like Eddie, 44 years old and still workin'. Sometimes my boss might wonder whether or not I think I'm retired though!

 

[Travelover]

Retired two years ago at age 54. I've never been bored a single day and feel like my life expectancy has increased by 10 years just due to the lower stress and better exercise and eating habits.

I like doing my own work because I can take the time to do things better than a contractor that needs to make money on the job, plus I get the satisfaction of using my own work every day.

For you guys still working, I'd recommend that you seriously think about what you need to live on, what you'll collect in Social Security and pensions and how much money you'll need to invest to make up the difference. Hint: You can draw down your investments about 4% a year - that's $20,000 a year, before taxes, on $500,000 invested.

 

[neucam]

Not quite retired, close, but work less than 40 hours a week. I bought a tractor to landscape to save money, the contractors were ripping me off on the house we built. I intended to sell the tractor after a couple years, but I keep finding more things to do and more projects to do. Now my wife won't let me sell it.

 

[claridon]

I retired from my "real" job at 54 in 2003 after working for one company for 35years. Decided to move back to NE Ohio to be with the kids and grandkids, become more involved in our church and work a part time "fun" job for spending money (read tractor & equip) and something to do.
Since then, my part time "fun" job has morphed into full time. Church involvement has grown into numerous ministries and my property/gardens are requiring more time each year. I'm busier than I ever was and am probably going to have to retire again to get it under control.
Sure am happy though and have never regretted retiring the first time.
-Len

 

[LBrown59]

That's a good point Lbrown. I'm like Eddie, 44 years old and still workin'. Sometimes my boss might wonder whether or not I think I'm retired though!

The 44 years to 44 take a little time.
The next 24years go much quicker.

 

[PILOON]

Sold my aviation busness 20 years ago and decided to build a 'retirement home' on a Laurentian lakeside lot that I had next door to my cottage.
Did my own excavation with rented equipment and built using some hired help.
The only hired help was for 3 weeks or so to get me to the finished roof stage and I then spent the winter finishing the interior.
Did all my own plastering, electrical and plumbing and even my own fieldstone fireplace.

After much prompting from neighbors, we had an open house event that launched me into a 20 year renovation/construction career that was more fun than work to me.

I have built homes for clients that I have seen through from actually drawing up the plans right thru to even laying the sod.

One client had me building him a 60 X 200 horse stable as well as a similar sized indoor arena.

Now I have hit 70 and have layed down the hammers and saws. Well, I still kinda kelp some frends with projects and advice here and there.

Lask few years I have managed jobs more than actually contracting them.
Now is my time to play while I still can.