Retirement

[Jodi1980]

Has anyone retired and regretted doing so?

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Does it count if my husband retired and is driving me nuts? He retired three years ago from a job where he got five weeks vacation, no mandatory overtime, very good wages, low stress job, one day off extra a month, two weeks paid vacation at the holiday time etc. etc. He spent the first year laying in bed watching tv, the second year he moved to the couch and now he sits in the kitchen with a tv so he can be closer to the refrigerator. He has literally worn the numbers off all the remotes and worn out his welcome. How can I miss him if he never leaves? (small smile)

Seriously, from the retirement seminars I attended I learned that if you have no life or much of one outside work retirement can be very tough. People often do not realize how many of their friends are work connected.

Also I have seen people who figured their retirement budget figured on a lot of maybes without being realistic about how much money will be coming in and how many bills will we following. Unless you are lucky enough to have a good pension that allows for a cost of living expense you will find that even though your income does not increase your cost of living surely will.

If you hate your job and that is why you want to retire you might consider switching to something that you enjoy. If you have loads of outside of work friends, plenty of money to support yourself and have an itch, go for it. You can always change your mind and find something else to do later if you feel the need. Many have done so. If you can take a leave of absense from your job it might give you a more realistic idea of what you might really want, just make sure to live on what your expected income might be so you will REALLY know what you are in for.

Best wishes for a bright and wonderful future, whatever you decide.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy
He retired three years ago from a job where he got five weeks vacation, no mandatory overtime, very good wages, low stress job, one day off extra a month, two weeks paid vacation at the holiday time etc. etc.

Hmmm... what are the chances he can hook me up with that job?

 

[Jodi1980]

I actually love my job but don't understand when people tease me that I'm going to be working for the rest of my life! I'm 45 years old now and have worked at the same place for 14 years-they think that's a long time in one place. I guess it's because I work around military people where the Army moves them every few years to a new job. It doesn't work like that for civilians. I tell them that if I'm still able (mentally and physically) to work 20 years from now, life will be very good!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I retired three years ago, and I'm loving it. I did start a part-time job last Friday at our Library (two minute commute) for extra Disney money need more DVC points. But it's nice to know I don't have to work.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Jen, I am afraid that the company my hubby used to work for has downsized greatly. The older workers, still getting the pay and benefits, are working next to the 'new' hires who are earning much less and getting far less in benefits. Hope you find a dream job one day though. LOL

Jodi, don't let others dictate your life for you. If you enjoy what you do you are far ahead of the game and why quit something you like to please others? Seems that the people who enjoy what they do and continue doing it as long as they can seem to live longer and happier lives. Congratulations on achieving the dream!

Magic, ain't it a great feeling to work cause you want to instead of because you have to? I am a volunteer for several organizations and it is a freedom cause I do what I want and since I am working for free no one dares give me a hard time about how I do it. LOL My thing in life is teaching children how to read and the love of the written word. Books and kids are my thing!!

My retired hubby just work up. Was early today as it is not quite 10. Best get his breakfast ready so I don't get fired. (grin)

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[nativetxn]

Linda, perhaps your dh should take a cooking class. It would get him out of the house and then he could make <i>your</i> breakfast

I was teasing my dh about retiring just yesterday. He loves his work and I told him he was never going to retire. He told me that he might retire a little bit someday but agreed that he probably would never stop doing this work as long as he was able.

I don't know what I would do if he was home all day long

So, Linda? When do <i>you</i> get to retire?

 

[GeorgeG]

I'm really looking forward to retirement in a few years, possibly sooner.

I've already got over 35 years with the same company and have a job that is both very stressful and a rotating shift. I have six weeks vacation a year and the pay is good, but hardly a day goes by without more stress.

I still live in the town where I was born and raised and can't wait to leave. "Money" magazine just rated the township the "second best place to live on the east coast" and I'm now convinced those people are on some serious drugs! 35 years ago I would agree with them, but things have really gone downhill here. I'd hate to see the third and lower towns. I'm guessing they only looked at two, though. I'll leave and never look back.

We'll be moving to Florida, probably southwest, with a pension that will keep us comfortable. I have more than enough hobbies and interests to keep me busy. I will probably find some sort of part-time employment that I enjoy (if I have the time).

I look forward to the day when dressing for cold weather simply means wearing long pants!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there George, I can feel your pain. At least you have a dream to look forward to. Would suggest that you rent a place in Florida or wherever for a bit before committing to a permanent move as it seems that loads of people dream of their retirement spot their whole life to find that is something else living there full time. My dh would love to move to Florida but he thinks it would be DW each and everyday. Have tried to explain that bills would have to be paid, yardwork done, housework ad naseum but since he does none of those things he cannot relate. I love the name of your town, seems to sum up your feelings about living there. I, too, am surprised by some of Money magazines best of lists.

LOL, Nativetxn, you know the answer to your question already. I not only do not get to retire but I have actually taken on some extra jobs in order to be able to get out of the house. If he is not going to ever leave, I must, for the sake of our sanity. My dd has commented that going to prison for murder would not be as hard on me as some as I love to read and would be given the opportunity to go to college at the taxpayers expense. Have also heard that the prison food is not all that appetising and I would have access to a world class gym so I would be able to keep to my diet much easier. Had to laugh when I re read my post as I accidentally typed 'work' instead of 'woke'. Heck if he were to do some work I would be a happier woman than I already am. Going to finish some remodeling work today. I have some touch up on a couple of walls and if I can get the floors all cleaned up I might be able to lay the carpet out. I always wait to lay it after it has rested a few days so that will come after Christmas. Wanna come over and help me move it into the room? BTW, dh is sitting in the kitchen with a big t bone steak. Can anyone say "spoiled"? If I ever find out who did it I a gonna get 'em. LOL

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

I agree with GeorgeC, wife and I will both be retiring in 3-4 years.
She will have 30 years in teaching, and I will have 30 years in General Motors. We will both have good pensions and be 51+52 years old. We will be moving to Florida from Ohio.
I have a sister in West Palm Beach and some family in Melbourne

We want to enjoy the rest of our lives in sunshine

. We are tired of living from November-April indoors. Tired of potholes,snow,ice,etc.

No more taking an extra 15-30 minutes to drive somewhere because of snow,ice, and road conditions. We are already checking out a few places in Florida(Orlando,Vero,etc) and since we don't have to worry about jobs,schools,etc we can pick anywhere we want in Florida.

So what I am trying to say we can't "WAIT" to retire and just enjoy each other,weather,travel,etc. We will have no problem of trying to find things to do in retirement.