Starting a new chapter in our lives (sorta...)

[disykat]

I remember this thread - thanks for the update!

We also retired early and it took us a few years to really feel retired due to other responsibilities, but we're getting there. We just lost our "pup" and are very sad about it but also know that we will appreciate truly being able to just walk out the door spontaneously. Our dog LOVED our first few years of retirement since we had my mom nearby and my siblings (one of whom was one of her favorite people) took turns coming and staying at our house to visit her whenever we traveled. She loved always being with family.

 

[NFLDERS]

Congrats!

We were 53 and 52years young when we retired. Often reflect on all the time we are enjoying. Have fun!

 

[dvcgirl67]

I figured I'd bump this up briefly and give a quick update as to how split retirement life is going so far.

This week is really the first week that we've had that is different, meaning it was the first full week of work for me with my wife being retired. Officially, her retirement was December 31st. While I had a week in January back to work before we left for vacation (we were in Switzerland Jan 14-21), we were still kind of wrapping up holiday stuff, plus with our younger son still home from college, my wife had someone to do a few things with.

Now that he's back at college and I'm back to work for the week, her adjustment has begun. I'm not going to lie - being in office a couple days a week is not so bad now (I do a hybrid work schedule). My wife has done a great job early on about putting herself out there a little more. She spent part of the day Monday with some women from our gym - after a morning workout class, a group of them went for coffee/tea and chatted for a while. Monday being one of my work from home days, that was a good thing, as she was out of the house for much of the morning. Yesterday, she got together with a friend of ours who's also retired and they spent some time at our local rec center, walking the track and playing pickup pickleball. She's really trying to pick up more hobbies as she goes along - and is finally able to read for pleasure more now, even signing up for a library card for the first time in decades.

As mentioned in my original post - travelling will be a big part of the transition as well. She's spending most of February in Florida with her mom and we have a trip to DC planned to visit with good friends of ours in March when I'm off for Spring Break (I work for a college). Then she's got a couple other mini trips planned, like to Arizona with a friend who has a conference, a weekend in Colorado with another friend who's daughter is presenting her master's thesis and coming with me on a conference I have in May in New Orleans.

Oh, and the family member who is loving this the most is our 12-year old dachshund. He's loving being able to hang out with her during the cold days. Whether he'll feel the same way towards her when she leaves him for a month or not - we'll see

Glad it’s going so well for you guys…and your dog. . We’re older than you guys…56 and 57….hopefully not too far behind. Love your idea to ramp up travel, we’re doing the same by using every minute of my husband’s vacation time to get us over the finish line. I’m finding it really helps so much. My only fear in the short term…meaning next couple/few years is how the ACA holds up as we’ll need it at least 7 years…8 if my husband decides to bail at the end of this year.

Keep us posted on your progress…and your travel!

 

[soccerdad72]

Glad it’s going so well for you guys…and your dog. . We’re older than you guys…56 and 57….hopefully not too far behind. Love your idea to ramp up travel, we’re doing the same by using every minute of my husband’s vacation time to get us over the finish line. I’m finding it really helps so much. My only fear in the short term…meaning next couple/few years is how the ACA holds up as we’ll need it at least 7 years…8 if my husband decides to bail at the end of this year.

Keep us posted on your progress…and your travel!

I can cash out up to 30 days of vacation upon retirement, so my goal over the next couple years is to work down to that number. I have like 45 days right now and get 20 per year (every July) so it’ll take some effort to get down to the number. I think I’m up for the challenge though

 

[dvcgirl67]

I can cash out up to 30 days of vacation upon retirement, so my goal over the next couple years is to work down to that number. I have like 45 days right now and get 20 per year (every July) so it’ll take some effort to get down to the number. I think I’m up for the challenge though

You can do it! My husband has always been the guy who doesn’t use up all of his vacation. He has six weeks a year now…and this year is the first time he’ll use them all…or very close to it. We’re flying home from vacation tomorrow and having Ireland on the books for July is already helping us both mentally. We do better actually taking trips if they’re on the calendar.

My husband’s retirement date is up to him…or his company. CEO announced layoffs coming in March, so…we’ll see.