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I've worked a little off and on but I 'retired' at 53. Starting in January I will get SS Widow's Benefits so I probably won't work any more.
But I am remodeling my house and believe me, that's work! I pay cash and do it as I can afford. But I always have more to do than there are hours in the day!
Because of the house, I worked at Williams-Sonoma. 40% discount for employees so I was able to get a lot of high end stuff for reasonable prices! I do love that discount. I make sure to maintain cordial relations with them so I can always go back and get something I can't live without!
I am an engineer who 'retired' young, and I admit I am struggling with it.
Financially, I think I am ok but who knows with the printing press cranking out the money. The biggest issue is I feel bored and useless. I have been job hunting, even though I don't really want to do software engineering any more. But it is all I know how to do.
After reading here, it seems that most have other hobbies they can do to fill their time and feel like they are accomplishing something. I don't really have that.
I never bought a house, I always lived in an apartment because I always had to live where the work was, not work where I wanted to live. I didn't want to buy a house and be tied down to a place where the only reason I was there was for the work. So I never had a space for a workshop, tools, a garage to work on my car, etc.
Much to my surprise, I actually got a couple responses back from my job hunting. I have a couple phone interviews next week, but I'm not very excited. Both would require moving again, to places that other than the job I would not choose to move to. Plus it would mean going back to the high stress grind that software engineering has turned into. Seems like I wish more and more that I had done something else.
I would like to be near the family, except that they are in Wisconsin, where the winters are long and cold. That is a long time to be cooped up inside with nothing to do.
Yes, I could move someplace nice and fly back once in a while. I did that when I was working, until I got fed up with TSA, airplane schedules, waiting around in airports, and being treated cattle crammed onto a boxcar.
I guess I wish I could convinced myself that I've earned the right be retired and put it all behind me.
I'm of the opinion that you never really retire; you just change what you do, and you apply the same disciplines you learned over a life-long working career.
I'm retired, and just like when I was working, I now create 5 year plans, 2 year plans, 1 year plan, and quarterly plans.
I have a friend who does this but goes a step farther -- he creates 5 year, 1 year, quarterly and even monthly plans. Then, at the end of each period, he creates a power point presentation of his accomplishments vs. plan, and stand up in front of a full-length mirror & pitches his accomplishments to himself, pointing out areas to improve. He even gives himself a letter grade each month on how he's doing in retirement.
I'm of the opinion that you never really retire; you just change what you do, and you apply the same disciplines you learned over a life-long working career.
I'm retired, and just like when I was working, I now create 5 year plans, 2 year plans, 1 year plan, and quarterly plans.
I have a friend who does this but goes a step farther -- he creates 5 year, 1 year, quarterly and even monthly plans. Then, at the end of each period, he creates a power point presentation of his accomplishments vs. plan, and stand up in front of a full-length mirror & pitches his accomplishments to himself, pointing out areas to improve. He even gives himself a letter grade each month on how he's doing in retirement.
In the four and a half years I've been reading and posting in this Retirement Forum, that takes the cake! That has got to be the extreme end of the spectrum for those who want "structure" in retirement. And I am one who argues that a total lack of structure is a problem for many people. But gee whiz, a monthly plan of accomplishments with a letter grade for failure to measure up seems absurd to the point where I wonder if you're serious.
I retired 20 years ago and still worked part time for another ten years..When Social security kicked in I was done with wasting my time working for money...You do what you must but I figured I was good to go and to hell with the kids fighting over whats left over after I'm dead....I do what I like to do and that takes time and that's something that can't be bought....
In the four and a half years I've been reading and posting in this Retirement Forum, that takes the cake! That has got to be the extreme end of the spectrum for those who want "structure" in retirement. And I am one who argues that a total lack of structure is a problem for many people. But gee whiz, a monthly plan of accomplishments with a letter grade for failure to measure up seems absurd to the point where I wonder if you're serious.
I'm not making this up. The guy in question was the VP of Sales for a mid-sized tech company, and doing that type of planning and management is how he spent his career. I, too, think it is over the top - but that's what he does.
He & his wife spend the winter skiing, and at the beginning of the season he maps out exactly how many days he will ski (he targets 60 days), what days he will attend the Sundance Film Festival, how many days he will hit the gym & swim, etc. The summers he spends in Park City bicycling, and he plans out his routine. Every fall they spend 2-3 months vacationing-- but with a twist. They typically rent a house or condo in one location (NYC, LA, Paris, etc etc) and live there, exploring the city in ways you can't if you're just visiting for a week.
I'm not making this up. The guy in question was the VP of Sales for a mid-sized tech company, and doing that type of planning and management is how he spent his career. I, too, think it is over the top - but that's what he does.
He & his wife spend the winter skiing, and at the beginning of the season he maps out exactly how many days he will ski (he targets 60 days), what days he will attend the Sundance Film Festival, how many days he will hit the gym & swim, etc. The summers he spends in Park City bicycling, and he plans out his routine. Every fall they spend 2-3 months vacationing-- but with a twist. They typically rent a house or condo in one location (NYC, LA, Paris, etc etc) and live there, exploring the city in ways you can't if you're just visiting for a week.
O.K., I believe you. (Truth is stranger than fiction). The activities of your friend sound wonderful, but he sounds so driven, so rigid, so compulsive, and so obsessive about them. His professional life has indeed carried over without let-up into his retired life.
In one of these discussions in another thread, I was once called the "Energizer Bunny", and it wasn't in a positive vein either. But I cannot hold a candle to your friend, and I don't want to. If I felt so driven to "achieve" in retirement, I don't think I would enjoy all the activities nearly as much. But it's his choice and he is harming no one, unless possibly his wife isn't totally on board.
I'm finding that when I tell people what I used to do (self employed computer consultant) they tell me I am needed. When I tell them what I charged, not so much need. So maybe, maybe not. Depends on if I ever get bored, and willingness of clients to pay.
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