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OP, you seem to be in an enviable position. You obviously enjoy your profession, and have a passion for your outside hobbies and activities. You can retire FROM the workforce and retire TO a life filled with interests that make you happy and fulfilled. Not many people can say that.
Not knowing anything about your finances or family, if I were in your position, I would pack it in sooner, rather than later. Assuming you have the finances to do those things you have listed, why not retire sooner and pursue those interests? Time marches on and we all get older. Participate in, and enjoy, all those exciting activities you mentioned while you have time, money, and health on your side.
Of course, it's easy for me to say these things, but you are the one living your life. You need to make those decisions. In my case, I retired at 60, nearly 3 years ago, and don't regret it at all. I planned for my retirement beginning in the 80s, and all has gone well since, and hopefully will continue (fingers crossed).
As I said, you have a great handle on your current life, and your soon-to-be retired life. The best to you, no matter when you retire.
With home appreciation in California tapering off you might reconsider whether it is worth staying in your home for three more years given your long commute. I think the estimate for your area is 5-6% appreciation for 2015 and if the feds ever raise the interest rates, I assume that housing prices may fall a little. Maybe you should take a break from teaching and use that extra time to get your house ready to put on the market for Spring 2016. Then you might be able to rent an apartment closer to work for your last two working years or just retire early. I'd talk to some realtors and/or keep a close eye on the market predictions for future years. There may be some discussions on this topic in the C-D forum for your area.
OP, you must have some pretty impressive vacation time each year after all those years working. In your shoes, I would sit down and plot out the four or so weeks of vacation for the next three years—something exotic,something you've never done before. A week or more each season of the year that is so exciting that the time between those vacations will fly by. You look strong and healthy in the pic you posted. You can do it.
"When you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it makes it so much harder to stay in the tunnel!"
I ran a business, and decided to sell it exactly 6 months before I actually did, to retire (2 years ago). That 6 months was torture. I had big plans for what I needed to do, and was chomping at the bit.
Hang in there...the closer it gets, the more a tinge of regret sets in. You're just at the awkward, frustrated stage!
This sounds very familiar! I actually did something similar. A new control where I worked required you change your password at least every 45 days and you could not repeat a former password. It was getting very difficult coming up with new passwords. Multiply this by about 30 sites I needed to access at work that also had their own password requirements to change every 30, 60 or 90 days.
I started using the number of months until retirement as part of my password. Same basic password, just the number changed as the months flew by. Every time I had to update my password on one of the sites it made me smile!
For some reason it made the time seem to go by a lot quicker.
This sounds very familiar! I actually did something similar. A new control where I worked required you change your password at least every 45 days and you could not repeat a former password. It was getting very difficult coming up with new passwords. Multiply this by about 30 sites I needed to access at work that also had their own password requirements to change every 30, 60 or 90 days.
I started using the number of months until retirement as part of my password. Same basic password, just the number changed as the months flew by. Every time I had to update my password on one of the sites it made me smile!
For some reason it made the time seem to go by a lot quicker.
I am lucky then. I just need an ID card (Common Access Card) and a pin number.
I can't wait for retirement either. I plan on staying here another 43 years and 5 months. I will be 92 then and will have worked here for just over 60 years.
OP, you must have some pretty impressive vacation time each year after all those years working. In your shoes, I would sit down and plot out the four or so weeks of vacation for the next three years—something exotic,something you've never done before. A week or more each season of the year that is so exciting that the time between those vacations will fly by. You look strong and healthy in the pic you posted. You can do it.
Good plan......alternatively you could plan lots of long weekends and start putting more time into your hobbies.
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