Honey, I'm home. . .for good!

[ronjhall]

Jim
Congratulation on your retirement. Missed your post. That's the same date I retired 4 years ago.
Been going to ask if the sign and gate are still up. Now you will have time to over there and check on it.
I will have to keep the drive clear so you can get up to our place when you start traveling.

 

[firefighter9208]

jinman,

Congratulations!!!! 13 years and I can do what I love. Farming. I greatly enjoy my job, but it keeps me indoors (Elementary School Administrator). The goats keep me busy for now. Hill Farm Boer Goats

Most of our bus drivers are either retired from other jobs or self employed. Where else can you get a job where you work 3 hours a day, make $13,500 (starting salary in Alabama) and have great insurance. Most of them do it for the insurance. You get off all holidays, 2 weeks at Christmas, and 10 weeks in the summer.

And yes, our busses are all automatics, have three mirrors, but no A/C. And three strikes and your out. Third office referral and we put them off the bus for three days. That usually get the parents attention. BTW we still use a paddle in these parts!!

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

ah, the good ole' days!

jinman, BTW we still use a paddle in these parts!!

 

[jinman]

Jim
Congratulation on your retirement. Missed your post. That's the same date I retired 4 years ago.
Been going to ask if the sign and gate are still up. Now you will have time to over there and check on it.
I will have to keep the drive clear so you can get up to our place when you start traveling.

Ron, thanks much! It must have been karma that made me retire on the same day as you. I just got a call two days ago that they want me to come back under contract as I specified in my resignation letter. I gave them my rate and they are getting approval from Montreal. If that works out, I'm fine with it. If it doesn't work out, I'm fine with that too.

The gate still looks perfect. They put up a short fence on the left side and filled and graded the mud hole. I swear that gate and sign look like they were put there by the county. We were there just last weekend and I didn't even think to take a cell phone photo. Next time. . . .

It's actually been a whirlwind since I retired, but every day seems like a Saturday.

We will be heading that way, hopefully before the weather turns.

 

[gotrocks]

We will be heading that way, hopefully before the weather turns.

Jim, I've enjoyed your posts and help in the past. Congratulations on your "new job". I'm still enjoying mine.

If you loop through my neck of the woods on that trip, and you hurry, we'll be delighted to have you stop by and pick scuppernongs & pears.
Just let me know when.

 

[txdon]

I just got a call two days ago that they want me to come back under contract as I specified in my resignation letter. I gave them my rate and they are getting approval from Montreal. If that works out........

Over 65 post on an unpaid vacation???? Might need to change the title to "never say never or for good"!

 

[jinman]

Over 65 post on an unpaid vacation???? Might need to change the title to "never say never or for good"!

Well, this vacation is paid so far. I had almost 180 hours of vacation on the books. I'm on paid vacation until next month.

I just may not go back there. I'm sure I made them swallow pretty hard when I quoted my rate.

 

[txdon]

Jim, it seem your in a win win position!

 

[Richard]

You guys that are retiring (and/or have retired), congrats to you!!

Now... something to contemplate

I think Jim and someone else has said they will wait 2/3 years before putting in for social security payments? (or was that before you're qualifed to receive payments? I actually missed that part and now as I'm typing, can't see it)

If you are eligable and WAITING... then I urge you to do the math and reconsider.

Just for arguments sake, let's say you get $1,000/month "today" if you take SS. If you wait 3 years, let's say you get 1,200

(just making numbers up for reference points)

3 years is $36,000 verses waiting and getting $43,200 for the following 3 years

If you take the $1,000 month today then in 3 years you are $36,000 AHEAD of where you would otherwise be. How long do you need to go (if starting in 3 years) to make that $36,000 back?)

About 15 years if my quick math is correct

Of course, the numbers would be different if the amounts of payout are different and this presumes zero earnings.

I'm not saying it's the right answer for you specifically but our general gut reaction is to get the money as soon as you can, rather than to wait. Then, if the specific circumstances of someone dictates, we might suggest them to wait (but in 22 years, I can't think of ever making that conclusion)

There's certainly some pros/cons of waiting for the larger amounts we're just a bit predisposed on the side of you can't go wrong if YOU are the one who's holding the money in your hands, rather than the government.

 

[Richard]

"can't apply" (I just went back and read it again)

never mind what I said