Retirement

[John]

I'm finally hanging up my computer keyboard at the end of December and become a gentleman of leisure. I've got some DIY catching up to do on the house then holidays in March, April and May. By that time, I can get out in the garden to sort that out, however by June I'll be done. Don't know whether to look for a part time job 2/3 days a week or find myself a hobby. It's more for the human contact than anything, I don't get out much, so need to make an effort... trouble is I just don't know what to do...any suggestions on the hobby front?

[Gryff]

We both took early retirement last December headed to Florida for 3 months in January absolutely fantastic lived as we we would have took,the dogs and now a bit miffed as we've got guests doing the same till March 4 th next year the best thing you will ever do no time constraints no I've got to do just I want to do Ian voulentered at the Golf at Bay Hill doing the same next March I did craft classes and a services family reading programme and so much much more
Our advice don't lie in from day one don't be at families beck and call we look after gds 2 days a week but Mum and Dad work there holidays round ours
I don't gold DH does we go to the practice range together he laughs for me I love the garden so he comes to the community alloment
Shopping when every else is at work easy and best of all if you don't wan do something
You don't need too
Best thing you will ever do you can now work if you choose to do so for what's important
To you not because you need to support your family
Enjoy enjoy every minute of it

[walt4it]

What a wonderful conundrum Will avoid any thought of jealousy but I would urge you to take the time to adjust and to enjoy.

Apart from more holidays, if you need people then I have to admit that I await my golf career begins again on retirement!
My next door neighbour is the most amazing example of how to use your time.
They have been to so many incredible places , including a voluntary work in places that we have never heard of.

They get the map out on plot a route - at the age of 70 they are everything I aspire to.

They don't have a great deal of money behind them, but recognise that life is made of memories made together - rather than sitting in the house waiting for something to happen.


As they always remind us - enjoy every single opportunity as you never know when this may not be able to happen.

Exciting times and happy planning

[Mr Tom Morrow]

John. Within 3 months you will wonder how you ever had the time to work!

I think Gryff has summed it up very well. Basically it's the same for us. We do what we want when we want. I will be honest with you the only period when time drags is from a week after Xmas up until early March. That is solely due to the weather as it's too wet/cold to garden, not the best time to do any DIY around the house and it's too darn wet/cold to have a decent walk. The rest of the year apart from those 8 - 10 weeks is brilliant.

I retired at 56 and my Wife 3 years later at 52. Both retirements came as a shock. Me due to financial cutbacks in work and my Wife got offered a package. Best thing we ever did.

I would be quite happy working part time in a place such as B & Q (ex tradesman) but due to our constant holidays I am probably unemployable. The jobs are out there but you have to decide do you need to work or do you want to work. Big difference.

Best of luck in your hunt for the 'fit' that will suit you.

[georgemac]

Next August for me at age 57, I had to give a years notice but done, and not sure I want to stop entirely. I currently work a rotational job away from home, and might decide to do something part time or Mon - Fri - if there is anything that takes my fancy.

Just booked flights for a 3 week USA East Coast road trip at end of August, so have that to plan over the winter.

[munmun]

I am in total agreement with Gryff and Tom, life whether working or not is what you make it.

Since early retirement I have taken on some voluntary work but I do it on my terms so if I am not available it's not an issue and that's the way I prefer it, I don't want to be tied down.

We are both doing Pilates since my husband suffered with back problems and I knew he wouldn't go to classes alone so we go together.

Last year we were away on holiday fo 16 weeks in total from holidays planned a long way in advance to one where we were invited to Cyprus and the whole holiday was booked 6 days before we went we just moved the diary around!

A year ago we sold our home in the Caribbean so we can visit other places all over the world, as yer we have not regretted the decision. We have several properties (all owned out right) that we let and despite having excellent letting agents they often need thought.

We look after our grandchildren but not on a regular basis, their parents have to plan for the day to day and we fit in the extra bits as needed. We have gardening, dog walking and socialising, the diary is never empty.

Like Tom we both feel unemployable now, we had stressful jobs and are pleased to have walked away from them. My husband still loves a spreadsheet now and then though!

We may be lucky, we have enough funds to do what we want to.

[John]

Thanks for the feedback folks, I've got plenty time to figure it out, but got no intention of laying around in bed all day Probably travel to all those place I've meant to go to but never got around to it

[Mr Tom Morrow]

OP. A few things I forgot to mention that I set as ground rules for myself when I retired, albeit it was just me for nearly 3 years before my Wife also retired so some have now gone.

No TV gets put on before 6.00pm - ever!
No radio on either.
Have a list of jobs to do every day, even if it's just cleaning
Have a DIY project on the go even if it's a spare bedroom where the door can be shut on it.
Never go shopping for something to do - you end up spending money!
Sever all ties with the old work place, if they want advice from me (which they did!) then they can pay me as a Consultant. I don't work for free.

Have fun, it's a whole new chapter.

[Island mamma]

It's what most of us want to be able to retire when we've still the health and motivation to enjoy it. Sounds like you've made good plans for the first few months and you can take that time to figure out what's next. Sure you'll find there are lots of opportunities from part time work or volunteering and your only problem will be deciding between them.
Hope you have a happy, healthy retirement

[EssexSue]

I am in the process of shall I shan't I? I actually like my job (most of the time) but there's a big world out there calling to me. I was going at Christmas, then end of financial year now maybe June. I don't earn much so money is not really a consideration.