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No, I define "productive" more narrowly. Producing, creating, accomplishing, etc. Puttering and golfing and planting are not productive. Time wasting? Yes. But not productive. Now if you are retired, but are painting or creating music, or volunteering and fulfilling needs, or writing a book, etc., that would all be productive use of retirement time and is worthy of admiration.
But to actually retire, and just watch TV and golf and play bridge with the other old farts and/or biddies, and be undisciplined and out of shape and in "waiting mode", so to speak, is not something I choose or feel good about.
I'm not saying we should pass a law. Everyone should choose their own path. But some paths are better than others. People actually smoke, so choosing the right path, even for oneself, is not automatic and requires effort and good judgment. I think a productive path is better for health and welfare than an idle path. And that means DOING things. You should be goal oriented until your body abandons your spirit. It's the best way to live, objectively, at any and all ages.
Eh...speak for yourself...which you did. Virtuousness is in the eye of the beholder and I'm the best judge of what I do.
In MP's defense, calling an activity "stupid" isn't the same thing as calling a person "stupid." This is a lapse in logic people always make on CD, and I wish they wouldn't. It's like hating the sin, but not the sinner. Not too hard to understand the distinction there, especially if you've read the post carefully...
That said, I don't agree with him. Very few people have careers that are so fulfilling and, yes, "productive" that they'd continue them after they would no longer need to for financial security; those who do are very lucky, but very rare. For most folks, true productivity and fulfillment can begin only once they're free of the boring, draining, and sometimes surprisingly unproductive daily grind of a job taken out of necessity.
True, but sometimes it is the poster who is either "lapsing" or being careful to not get dinged by the moderator even though they really are thinking about the person and not the behavior.
it's interesting to be absolutely terrified of idleness and terrified of unstructured time!
Uh yes, some people have no purpose in life unless they think they are working on some kind of cure for cancer or a way to turn water into a fuel to power their car. Nice, but I think I'll be just fine without this obsession.
I probably could retire in about a year. I will be 41. But because there's no way I could spend the money without feeling freaked out, I'm going to keep working.
And there is your problem. Obsession with money instead of enjoying your life.
Retiring doesn't mean sitting on your duff, watching TV, playing golf or bridge and waiting to die. For me it means that taking care of me is my new job. I work out four times a week, have taken classes and volunteered, and I now have the freedom to spend more time with friends and family. I'm healthier and happier now than I have been for years.
Excellent. Working out and staying strong is a valuable way to spend time. Taking classes and learning? Superb. I like old people that keep learning and refuse to get stupid. Volunteering? Awesome. Helping others is a great way to learn new things and make new friends. I can approve your application to successful status, you're fine. I'm good with your approach, which is the right way to live. You didn't retire, you just changed your schedule to better suit worthy new goals. This is much better than transmogrifying into an idle observer of the lives of others and waiting for the eventuality of an oncology referral. Keep on keeping on.
I retired 1 1/2 years ago @ 59. We set ourselves up with very low bills, rental income and savings.
Have been enjoying my time off and don't hardly ever know what day of the week it is anymore.
The problem is, we are having a hard time spending any money on "things we don't really need". We are not used to this way of living and even though I am almost 100% sure we have plenty of assets, feel like I need to make more money.
Anybody else ever go through this?
If you think YOU can't spend any money, I shudder to consider what your tenants must be thinking.
If you think YOU can't spend any money, I shudder to consider what your tenants must be thinking.
Now why would you think that?
One tenant is an officer in the military with a great monthly income. Another is a nurse and again with very good stable income.
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