Off-Topic Questions for Retirees - Page 5

JezthePuff2 · 03-15-21, 06:13 PM

Thanks for this thread. My DH and I are 50, so we are several years away from "normal" retirement age, but it's been on my mind a lot lately. We don't have kids and have been very disciplined about saving for retirement. I'm pretty sure we can retire early....I just don't know what that will look like for us. While I like my job (been at the same company for almost 28 years...different positions), I really wouldn't mind dialing it back a notch (or 10). It's very stressful, and I don't know how much longer I want to do this. Not sure why I'm even posting, but just want to thank the people who have responded...it's giving me something to think about.

FirmDancer · 03-15-21, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JezthePuff2

Thanks for this thread. My DH and I are 50, so we are several years away from "normal" retirement age, but it's been on my mind a lot lately. We don't have kids and have been very disciplined about saving for retirement. I'm pretty sure we can retire early....I just don't know what that will look like for us. While I like my job (been at the same company for almost 28 years...different positions), I really wouldn't mind dialing it back a notch (or 10). It's very stressful, and I don't know how much longer I want to do this. Not sure why I'm even posting, but just want to thank the people who have responded...it's giving me something to think about.

Good luck!! Making the decision is hard. Stick with your job til you're no longer happy. I took a buy-out at age 54 & I don't regret it. Financially it was tight, but I'm so happy I did it. I'm still working, but a part-time job. It's nice to have the intellectual interactions, with less stress!

wishiwasinhawaii · 03-15-21, 06:38 PM

As Jez said, I also want to thank everyone, especially summer breeze and Sherry for the NJ specific info that I had no idea about. Certainly gives me a lot to think about and prepare for when the time comes.

Firm Dancer, I would also like to work part-time because if I retire in the next few years from my current job, I'd still want to do something to get me out of the house. I've always wanted to work in a bakery, for whatever reason, so I may do that! I'm so tired of being tied to a computer.

angie_nrs · 03-15-21, 09:41 PM

Hubby and I were able to retire a couple of years ago. He has his own business and I do the books. Through careful planning that started in our 20's we are financially able to make the retirement leap, but not mentally. Hubby can't sit still. He's an early bird and out the door by 5 or 6. He'll go to work even if it's only to clean up the place or chit chat. He still works part time b/c he wants to, but it's on his own schedule and with no other employees that he's responsible for, so the pressure is off. Sometimes he'll go to his man cave and tinker with motors and other 'guy' stuff. That is what retirement looks like to him. It also makes my job easy as well. I can get the books done in just a couple of hours a week. This past year though, he has spent more time with his dad and has gone fishing.....a lot! I'm glad he is capturing those memories with his dad while he still can since his dad is almost 80.

I make lists of things I want to get done on a specific day or week. If I knock 75% of it out, I'm happy with that. We don't have a problem keeping busy since there always seems to be projects to do, especially in the summer. Although, I do sometimes spend too much time surfing the web. Still, as long as the house is presentable should anyone show up, I'm OK with it. I try not to get on the computer until later in the day after the chores are done, such as walking the dogs, dishes, vacuuming, paperwork, workouts, etc.

I find that the busier I am, the more productive I am. I'm considering taking on a part time job that I have been asked to do and am learning more about it, but time will tell on that. I don't really need the income, but I feel like I could make a big difference and I have the time. It is something I'm considering b/c the hours are flexible and it could be fun and rewarding.

It's funny how we got comments from a lot of people...."you're too young to retire." I laugh and ask WHY? More money doesn't make us happy since we have everything we need. More time does. We want to enjoy life while we are healthy enough to do so. We've worked hard and earned it, so why not do whatever we want now? I'm glad we didn't listen to the nay-sayers. We both love the freedom of being able to do whatever we want to do, whenever we want to do it. If we decide to go camping for a 4 day weekend, we just pack up and go. Life's good!

buffmama · 03-16-21, 07:57 AM

I'm enjoying reading everyone's responses as well. Working on figuring out that next phase. I've thought about another type of work, decreasing my hours, and volunteering. Being single and watching my parents age I see how important it is to stay active and engaged. For me, I want that to include interacting with all different ages which my current job allows. Big plus as we age.

TracyQ · 03-17-21, 04:05 PM

I retired in November of 2020 at 57 after 33 years in an office job (different positions) with the same company. I did it to leave a toxic work environment. I was fortunate that I was able to keep my employee sponsored health insurance.

I enjoyed retirement for the first couple of months. I kept myself busy—long workouts, house projects, and most importantly helping care for two elderly relatives during COVID.

But I missed working. I saw an article in the local paper that mentioned the schools were hiring hall/lunch monitors to keep the students social distanced in the hallways and at lunch when they returned to in-person learning. I decided to apply and got a job at the elementary school. The school is a 10 minute walk from my house (I had to take the subway to my other job). I work 24-stress free hours a week and will have the summer off. I’m really enjoying it.

FirmDancer · 03-17-21, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracyQ

I decided to apply and got a job at the elementary school. The school is a 10 minute walk from my house (I had to take the subway to my other job). I work 24-stress free hours a week and will have the summer off. I’m really enjoying it.

This is awesome!

donellda · 03-18-21, 09:56 AM

I actually retired during the pandemic. I worked as a medical technologist for over 40 years. My husband wanted to retire at 64 but I had continued to work for a year past that at 65. In the year prior to my retirement I lost my 12 year old granddaughter to a rare childhood cancer that is not as rare as we thought and I lost my father. I decided to retire with my husband October 31st because working during this pandemic was an added stress to an already stressful job and with the loss of my family members I decided that the stress was not worth it.
We are still working out the finances. I get social security and a small pension but mostly we are depending on my 401ks and RRSPs here in Canada. We have enough but trying to figure out what to do with it and how to keep a cash flow is a challenge. My father left me enough inheritance to pay off our mortgage which was a huge factor in our decision to retire. Now if we can only get rid of this pandemic so we can continue our life.

bzar · 03-18-21, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donellda

with the loss of my family members I decided that the stress was not worth it.
My father left me enough inheritance to pay off our mortgage which was a huge factor in our decision to retire.

donellda, i am so sorry for the passing of your family members, especially your granddaughter.

that was a disciplined move on your part to use the money toward your mortgage.

susan p · 03-18-21, 12:14 PM

There is part of me that can't wait to retire and part of me that is scared of retirement. I don't want to be over-disciplined/inflexible, but I don't want to be aimless. I want to travel but I don't want to overspend. I want to retire early enough to enjoy life but I don't want to give up a productive part of my life.

Fortunately as a nurse I can work PRN and phase out slowly. Right now I am full time and will be until my youngest daughter turns 26 so I don't have to provide her health insurance anymore (she will actually be done with college and an official teacher by almost the exact time she turns 26!) That will be June of 2023 (27 months, not that I'm counting!).

At that point I'm not sure if I will retire or just go PRN and work half days or what. I suspect I will need to ease into retirement in order to have a positive experience.... I might flounder if I just quit cold turkey.

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03-15-21, 06:13 PM
JezthePuff2 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ohio	Thanks for this thread. My DH and I are 50, so we are several years away from "normal" retirement age, but it's been on my mind a lot lately. We don't have kids and have been very disciplined about saving for retirement. I'm pretty sure we can retire early....I just don't know what that will look like for us. While I like my job (been at the same company for almost 28 years...different positions), I really wouldn't mind dialing it back a notch (or 10). It's very stressful, and I don't know how much longer I want to do this. Not sure why I'm even posting, but just want to thank the people who have responded...it's giving me something to think about. __________________ Jez ~~~Well behaved women rarely make history.~~~

03-15-21, 06:38 PM
wishiwasinhawaii Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NJ	As Jez said, I also want to thank everyone, especially summer breeze and Sherry for the NJ specific info that I had no idea about. Certainly gives me a lot to think about and prepare for when the time comes. Firm Dancer, I would also like to work part-time because if I retire in the next few years from my current job, I'd still want to do something to get me out of the house. I've always wanted to work in a bakery, for whatever reason, so I may do that! I'm so tired of being tied to a computer. __________________ Current rotation: Jessica Smith, Your Best Year Yet

03-15-21, 09:41 PM
angie_nrs Join Date: Feb 2008	Hubby and I were able to retire a couple of years ago. He has his own business and I do the books. Through careful planning that started in our 20's we are financially able to make the retirement leap, but not mentally. Hubby can't sit still. He's an early bird and out the door by 5 or 6. He'll go to work even if it's only to clean up the place or chit chat. He still works part time b/c he wants to, but it's on his own schedule and with no other employees that he's responsible for, so the pressure is off. Sometimes he'll go to his man cave and tinker with motors and other 'guy' stuff. That is what retirement looks like to him. It also makes my job easy as well. I can get the books done in just a couple of hours a week. This past year though, he has spent more time with his dad and has gone fishing.....a lot! I'm glad he is capturing those memories with his dad while he still can since his dad is almost 80. I make lists of things I want to get done on a specific day or week. If I knock 75% of it out, I'm happy with that. We don't have a problem keeping busy since there always seems to be projects to do, especially in the summer. Although, I do sometimes spend too much time surfing the web. Still, as long as the house is presentable should anyone show up, I'm OK with it. I try not to get on the computer until later in the day after the chores are done, such as walking the dogs, dishes, vacuuming, paperwork, workouts, etc. I find that the busier I am, the more productive I am. I'm considering taking on a part time job that I have been asked to do and am learning more about it, but time will tell on that. I don't really need the income, but I feel like I could make a big difference and I have the time. It is something I'm considering b/c the hours are flexible and it could be fun and rewarding. It's funny how we got comments from a lot of people...."you're too young to retire." I laugh and ask WHY? More money doesn't make us happy since we have everything we need. More time does. We want to enjoy life while we are healthy enough to do so. We've worked hard and earned it, so why not do whatever we want now? I'm glad we didn't listen to the nay-sayers. We both love the freedom of being able to do whatever we want to do, whenever we want to do it. If we decide to go camping for a 4 day weekend, we just pack up and go. Life's good! __________________ "Time heals all wounds.....especially the good times." Dean Winchester

03-16-21, 07:57 AM
buffmama Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New York	I'm enjoying reading everyone's responses as well. Working on figuring out that next phase. I've thought about another type of work, decreasing my hours, and volunteering. Being single and watching my parents age I see how important it is to stay active and engaged. For me, I want that to include interacting with all different ages which my current job allows. Big plus as we age. __________________ Happiness is when my fur baby shares the sunny spot on the mat.

03-17-21, 04:05 PM
TracyQ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Boston, MA	I retired in November of 2020 at 57 after 33 years in an office job (different positions) with the same company. I did it to leave a toxic work environment. I was fortunate that I was able to keep my employee sponsored health insurance. I enjoyed retirement for the first couple of months. I kept myself busy—long workouts, house projects, and most importantly helping care for two elderly relatives during COVID. But I missed working. I saw an article in the local paper that mentioned the schools were hiring hall/lunch monitors to keep the students social distanced in the hallways and at lunch when they returned to in-person learning. I decided to apply and got a job at the elementary school. The school is a 10 minute walk from my house (I had to take the subway to my other job). I work 24-stress free hours a week and will have the summer off. I’m really enjoying it. __________________ Tracy Cellulite is not a character defect.

03-18-21, 09:56 AM
donellda Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada	I actually retired during the pandemic. I worked as a medical technologist for over 40 years. My husband wanted to retire at 64 but I had continued to work for a year past that at 65. In the year prior to my retirement I lost my 12 year old granddaughter to a rare childhood cancer that is not as rare as we thought and I lost my father. I decided to retire with my husband October 31st because working during this pandemic was an added stress to an already stressful job and with the loss of my family members I decided that the stress was not worth it. We are still working out the finances. I get social security and a small pension but mostly we are depending on my 401ks and RRSPs here in Canada. We have enough but trying to figure out what to do with it and how to keep a cash flow is a challenge. My father left me enough inheritance to pay off our mortgage which was a huge factor in our decision to retire. Now if we can only get rid of this pandemic so we can continue our life.

03-18-21, 12:14 PM
susan p VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Kansas City	There is part of me that can't wait to retire and part of me that is scared of retirement. I don't want to be over-disciplined/inflexible, but I don't want to be aimless. I want to travel but I don't want to overspend. I want to retire early enough to enjoy life but I don't want to give up a productive part of my life. Fortunately as a nurse I can work PRN and phase out slowly. Right now I am full time and will be until my youngest daughter turns 26 so I don't have to provide her health insurance anymore (she will actually be done with college and an official teacher by almost the exact time she turns 26!) That will be June of 2023 (27 months, not that I'm counting!). At that point I'm not sure if I will retire or just go PRN and work half days or what. I suspect I will need to ease into retirement in order to have a positive experience.... I might flounder if I just quit cold turkey.