To retire or not retire?

[mostly_gas]

Retired 4 years ago, no activity schedule and have yet to be bored. There are all kinds of activities for those people inclined to look for them as mentioned above. If you are a self starter and an inquisitive mind by all means retire ASAP. If you need more structure then take the time to create it.
Happy birthday!!

 

[rekees4300]

Are you glad you retired or maybe not?

Imagine if everyday was a Saturday. If you like Saturdays you will REALLY like retirement.

 

[QRTRHRS]

My first check comes this January. I still have a few years for Medicare so I need to get some reasonably priced medical. I work in quality control but happen to have a CDL with stagecoach but not school bus. I was hoping to slip in with my county but they are full up so I need to look into the adjacent county after the first of the year.

I might have stayed working my full time job but the commute has started to get "old". That and the so called "lean manufacturing" work is two on two off seven/365 on a concrete floor with steel toes is getting "old" too.

We still have eight horses to care for plus the property. I picked up a box van early this fall to get some flea marketing in. My wife and I were both married previously so we have "stuff". Both our mothers passed so we have their "stuff". Man, we have "stuff" to sell or give away. Once we get it down to a dull roar, we intend to put our place on the market and downsize to a smaller house. The time off between bus runs and school holidays will give me time to get the house painted up.

Along with all of that, my wife's health is not good so I need to be close to home.

Like mentioned, you need to keep busy. I have known too many people who were married to their job. Once retired, they did not last long. Others, who were involved with the church, whatever, would tell me that they don't know how they had time for work.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I planned to retire with smile on my face and a tear in my eye, and I did. I work two or three days a week when I want, not at all when I don't want. Be sure you have a plan..even if it's sitting and catching up on years of reading. Be sure you have the economics planned out also. Inflation can wreck your plan in short order. Keep your mind sharp by keeping your body busy. You will, as others have noted, find that the projects will soon eat up all your "spare" time. Enjoy....

 

[lew61]

I retired from full-time teaching at 65 and it took some adjustment on my part. I tried part-time substitute teaching but didn't enjoy it - too little "teaching" and too much being a "room cop." I spent a couple years mentoring young teachers part time and enjoyed that. It's taken me a few years to settle into retirement. I guess the key for me, as others have said, is finding something that keeps me feeling useful. It is nice, for the first time since I was a young teen, to seldom HAVE to be somewhere at a certain time. So, I keep busy mentally and physically - no couch life for me. Good luck with retirement. You've earned it. :thumbsup:

 

[bcp]

I have NEVER heard a retiree say they wished they had worked longer!

But many say they wish they had retired sooner, there is so much to do.

Bruce

 

[mjarrels]

Retired at 52... failing health and a DWI in my background, going back to work is not an option now. Hardest part is living on a fixed income while everything else is going up. Wish that governments would do that. I'm 58 now.

mark

 

[Lou66]

I retired in 2004 at 57 from a chemical company after 35 years,, plus military time, plus looking for the right job time plus looking for the right wife any way I was 57,, I turned 66 on Christmas eve.. Just bought me a new tractor, new round baler, new drum cutter because I wore the new ones out I bought when I retired.. I like to work by myself,, but I get all my instruction from my wife of 48 years.. when I'm don't wearing my ear plugs..Happy birthday.. Lou

 

[JD5210]

One needs to have a plan for retirement and how they and those around you will deal with it. When dad retired, mom wanted to retire. Dad went back to work, because he did not want to do house work. My neighbors dad has a very beautiful home, but most days he sits in his shop drinking beer, because he does not want to go home to the wife.

As others have said, make sure you got some money as health care is high and interest rates are low. Have a plan on what you want to do, because you will get tired of going fishing everyday or whatever hobbies you have.

I have been retired for 12 years only thing I miss about working is all the things I got to learn, so I focus on learning things that add value to my life. I also spend time helping others that are willing to help themselves and steer clear of those people that think they can get me to swing the hammer, while they seat around and play.

Anyway go for it. It will be one of the best decisions you have ever made.

 

[Travelover]

I retired 6 years ago at age 54. Not needing to work and not wanting to work are two different things. Once you have your expenses covered you can do anything you want.....work in a hardware store, volunteer, sit in a rocking chair, take up mountain climbing. It is all about freedom.