Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
Not as early as some here aged 56 when I retired. After nearly two years it does still seem like a holiday at times. Sometimes I've hit patches, usually in winter, when I've become a bit aimless but having hobbies and interests to fill the time in has helped; my problem has been motivation as the miserable weather just doesn't make me feel like doing much. Once I start something I feel better for it and achieving the end result, if it's a bit of DIY or some music related project.
The solution has been taking longer holidays in Feb/March and coming back as spring is starting. Only thing is that now I seem to have a long list of jobs I said I'd start 'when we get back'.
Haven't seen GT3 around much recently; hope it's all going to plan if you're reading.
The solution has been taking longer holidays in Feb/March and coming back as spring is starting. Only thing is that now I seem to have a long list of jobs I said I'd start 'when we get back'.
Haven't seen GT3 around much recently; hope it's all going to plan if you're reading.
Well, I am back home now having severed all ties and handed in my laptop & phone. It feels a bit strange actually, but I think it will be Monday morning that will really hit home. Anyway off for a Turkish meal with my wife tonight and then a family party to look forward to on Sunday. I think my red wine consumption is going to increase, certainly in the short term!
Maxwell
Maxwell
Seventyseven7 said:
What’s the youngest someone has retired in here?
I’m considering retiring this year, from full time employment at least. Yet, I’m starting to think it may be too early and i may be too young to be doing it now.
How old are you?I’m considering retiring this year, from full time employment at least. Yet, I’m starting to think it may be too early and i may be too young to be doing it now.
I am in final planning stages, and am 4.5 years away from target date. I'll be 44 (and a third) at the point of planned retirement.
Obviously, I haven't retired yet so am very interested in responses here.
True... Lady F doesn't want to retire early - she's started her own consulting company this year, it's going well, pays better than her old PAYE gig, and she loves what she does. She reckons she can dabble into her 80s, should she wish. Americans. Honestly.
I, on the other hand, would like to retire in my 50s - 47 now. Trouble is, I also like my job, and as its a job with LTIP stuff, the longer I stay, the greater the financial benefits become if all goes to plan. And as we had kids late, younger will still need paying for at uni when I'm 65.
All this would be OK, until Lady F pointed out that if I retire in my 50s, I'll be put in charge of our two teenage girls.
f
k that.
I, on the other hand, would like to retire in my 50s - 47 now. Trouble is, I also like my job, and as its a job with LTIP stuff, the longer I stay, the greater the financial benefits become if all goes to plan. And as we had kids late, younger will still need paying for at uni when I'm 65.
All this would be OK, until Lady F pointed out that if I retire in my 50s, I'll be put in charge of our two teenage girls.
f
k that.Edited by Harry Flashman on Friday 22 March 17:14
OldSkoolRS said:
Not as early as some here aged 56 when I retired. After nearly two years it does still seem like a holiday at times. Sometimes I've hit patches, usually in winter, when I've become a bit aimless but having hobbies and interests to fill the time in has helped; my problem has been motivation as the miserable weather just doesn't make me feel like doing much. Once I start something I feel better for it and achieving the end result, if it's a bit of DIY or some music related project.
The solution has been taking longer holidays in Feb/March and coming back as spring is starting. Only thing is that now I seem to have a long list of jobs I said I'd start 'when we get back'.
Haven't seen GT3 around much recently; hope it's all going to plan if you're reading.
Hi OldSkool tks for your thoughts.The solution has been taking longer holidays in Feb/March and coming back as spring is starting. Only thing is that now I seem to have a long list of jobs I said I'd start 'when we get back'.
Haven't seen GT3 around much recently; hope it's all going to plan if you're reading.
We've moved and spent the past few months making some pretty expensive adjustments to the main home. Some of the costs I wasn't expecting typically .
My costal flat isn't get getting any foot traffic although I'm hoping that changes obviously once we see some sun . The agent has said they are taking some calls and we have a booking for this weekend.
If the flat goes I'll then be buying another flat closer to London so that will likely take me to the the end of the year .
I've been watching the thread from the sidelines as a result !
I had a zoom with my wealth manager this week and things are
still on track and the good news is that this last year has been a positive one for the pension pot .
So , it's still very much work in progress but I can't see anything happening this year .
Maybe I called it all a bit early . Wishful thinking as they say .
Glad everyone is keeping the thread going and looking forward to enjoying retirement now the weather's looking to get better .
Edited by GT3Manthey on Friday 22 March 18:24
catatemyhomework said:
Seventyseven7 said:
What’s the youngest someone has retired in here?
I’m considering retiring this year, from full time employment at least. Yet, I’m starting to think it may be too early and i may be too young to be doing it now.
How old are you?I’m considering retiring this year, from full time employment at least. Yet, I’m starting to think it may be too early and i may be too young to be doing it now.
I am in final planning stages, and am 4.5 years away from target date. I'll be 44 (and a third) at the point of planned retirement.
Obviously, I haven't retired yet so am very interested in responses here.
Very interesting responses so far, giving me a lot of think about.
It would just be me retiring, my wife will still work, she works for herself.
Harry Flashman said:
All this would be OK, until Lady F pointed out that if I retire in my 50s, I'll be put in charge of our two teenage girls.
fk that.
f
k that.
Sounds like a dangerous threat!
GT3Manthey said:
Hi OldSkool tks for your thoughts.
We've moved and spent the past few months making some pretty expensive adjustments to the main home. Some of the costs I wasn't expecting typically .
My costal flat isn't get getting any foot traffic although I'm hoping that changes obviously once we see some sun . The agent has said they are taking some calls and we have a booking for this weekend.
If the flat goes I'll then be buying another flat closer to London so that will likely take me to the the end of the year .
I've been watching the thread from the sidelines as a result !
I had a zoom with my wealth manager this week and things are
still on track and the good news is that this last year has been a positive one for the pension pot .
So , it's still very much work in progress but I can't see anything happening this year .
Maybe I called it all a bit early . Wishful thinking as they say .
Glad everyone is keeping the thread going and looking forward to enjoying retirement now the weather's looking to get better .
Shocking. You started this beast of a thread: come in, the water is warm We've moved and spent the past few months making some pretty expensive adjustments to the main home. Some of the costs I wasn't expecting typically .
My costal flat isn't get getting any foot traffic although I'm hoping that changes obviously once we see some sun . The agent has said they are taking some calls and we have a booking for this weekend.
If the flat goes I'll then be buying another flat closer to London so that will likely take me to the the end of the year .
I've been watching the thread from the sidelines as a result !
I had a zoom with my wealth manager this week and things are
still on track and the good news is that this last year has been a positive one for the pension pot .
So , it's still very much work in progress but I can't see anything happening this year .
Maybe I called it all a bit early . Wishful thinking as they say .
Glad everyone is keeping the thread going and looking forward to enjoying retirement now the weather's looking to get better .
Just kiddin’: trust the home is working well for you, despite any unexpected items in the refurb area….& markets will pick up: MrsMikeIOW has a buyer working through her mum’s old house now, after a year on sale….it’ll be nice to remove that from our sphere of management!
The weather certainly is looking better…this week has been meltingly warm, which is nice, but makes for slushy snow and hard work skiing….but checkout the windchill on this forecast from tomorrow:
Should help our last couple of weeks go well: the Alps need a spot more snow and colder weather.
Certainly getting fitter….or more knackered: one of those is definitely correct
Seventyseven7 said:
catatemyhomework said:
I am in final planning stages, and am 4.5 years away from target date. I'll be 44 (and a third) at the point of planned retirement.
Obviously, I haven't retired yet so am very interested in responses here.
Just slightly younger than yourself. Obviously, I haven't retired yet so am very interested in responses here.
Very interesting responses so far, giving me a lot of think about.
It would just be me retiring, my wife will still work, she works for herself.
GT3Manthey said:
Maybe I called it all a bit early . Wishful thinking as they say.
Similar to your situation (if I recall correctly) I’m in a position where once I pull the plug professionally, there’s no going back, either full or part-time. So that makes the decision perhaps more complicated to manage, especially if one still has dependent kids, and/or property to dispose of or manage.Our children are now independent, in their early 30s, (I was a father at age 24), and we’ve done the BoMaD for both: London flat deposit for one, equivalent into Swiss private pension for the other.
Regarding property, we’ve now decided not to downsize and/or move closer to the city. As a result of that we are starting some renovations here (bathrooms, kitchen, windows, etc.), so that we can enjoy the fruits of that for another 25 years (we hope!); everything being new when we moved in 22 years ago. We’ll keep the French place as long as we are able to travel there and maintain it.
So things are still on track for my leaving work at age 60 in July 2026. Mrs B’s eye condition is still stable (60% in one, 5% in the other) and has responded quite well to some recent experimental luminotherapy. So she wants to continue the work she can do for the next few years.
I’m sure there will be the temptation to stay on at work a bit longer, but I think I’ve convinced myself that our health and freedom is more important than more money in the bank, or even worse being left to the kids!
I retired aged 38. (I did fairly well in BTL then sold a small business and received an inheritance.)
It was a bit boring as my children are still in school and everyone else including the Mrs was working. It felt like I letting life slip by.
I slipped back into consulting, then back into a new business and I think I'm happy, though do question why I do it some days.
I'm not sure I would consider it retirement next time. Just a break from the workforce.
It was a bit boring as my children are still in school and everyone else including the Mrs was working. It felt like I letting life slip by.
I slipped back into consulting, then back into a new business and I think I'm happy, though do question why I do it some days.
I'm not sure I would consider it retirement next time. Just a break from the workforce.
Edited by muscatdxb on Saturday 23 March 13:07
muscatdxb said:
I retired aged 38. (I did fairly well in BTL then sold a small business and received an inheritance.)
It was a bit boring as my children are still in school and everyone else including the Mrs was working. It felt like I letting life slip by.
I slipped back into consulting, then back into a new business and I think I'm happy, though do question why I do it some days.
I'm not sure I would consider it retirement next time. Just a break from the workforce.
This is an interesting one. I have lots of hobbies some of which are cottage industry type stuff, like making over old furniture and wood turning. I could happily spend my days doing this and selling pieces to cover costs were it for fun rather than a living. Would keep me occupied whilst kids were I'm school. Working for a favourite charity on the side would also be a bonus.It was a bit boring as my children are still in school and everyone else including the Mrs was working. It felt like I letting life slip by.
I slipped back into consulting, then back into a new business and I think I'm happy, though do question why I do it some days.
I'm not sure I would consider it retirement next time. Just a break from the workforce.
Edited by muscatdxb on Saturday 23 March 13:07
I did this a bit when taking a year away from work a few years back, after we got back from living in the Alps. It was heaven. The overseas bit wouldn't work so well now, with school age kids, but finding ways to be occupied at home wouldn't be a problem. Health and fitness, however, would also be a pre-requisite part of being home. I found that with time on my hands really got into cooking - and not in a healthy fashion. Lockdown exacerbated this.
Desiderata said:
mikeiow said:
Desiderata said:
We'll! I've finally gone and done it.
I've "retired" twice before, once at 55 and again at 59.
60 glorious years old yesterday and it's definitely permanent this time.
We don't much in the way of cash reserves or a very big income, but everything we've done over the past few years has been to prepare for the life we want at a cost we can afford.
We've built a house that we'll be comfortable in well into our dottage in a place we want to be almost all of the time.
We bought the property and built the house with cash reserves, so no mortgage. It's super insulated and with a heat pump and solar gain and plenty of free firewood for stoves so very cheap to run.
I extended a one bedroom bothy to build the house so we are on band (a) £800 per year council tax .
We have cut back to three cars (and a tractor) all older, but all paid for and cheap to run.
We have enough land to feed ourselves easily as long as we are able. If we were 20 years younger, I reckon we could be entirely off grid and self sustaining, but even as decrepit as we are and are likely to become, we should be able to produce most of our food ourselves.
Always a slight niggle as to whether we'll have enough cash as time goes on, but we could always sell up and have a very comfortable life somewhere warm and cheap if things go awry. Has anyone else taken this approach?
That sounds like a pretty good way to live: congrats & best of luck on Take 3 of the Retirement Project I've "retired" twice before, once at 55 and again at 59.
60 glorious years old yesterday and it's definitely permanent this time.
We don't much in the way of cash reserves or a very big income, but everything we've done over the past few years has been to prepare for the life we want at a cost we can afford.
We've built a house that we'll be comfortable in well into our dottage in a place we want to be almost all of the time.
We bought the property and built the house with cash reserves, so no mortgage. It's super insulated and with a heat pump and solar gain and plenty of free firewood for stoves so very cheap to run.
I extended a one bedroom bothy to build the house so we are on band (a) £800 per year council tax .
We have cut back to three cars (and a tractor) all older, but all paid for and cheap to run.
We have enough land to feed ourselves easily as long as we are able. If we were 20 years younger, I reckon we could be entirely off grid and self sustaining, but even as decrepit as we are and are likely to become, we should be able to produce most of our food ourselves.
Always a slight niggle as to whether we'll have enough cash as time goes on, but we could always sell up and have a very comfortable life somewhere warm and cheap if things go awry. Has anyone else taken this approach?
What kind of produce do you….er……produce?
& do you have a large plot to product it on?
I have a pal who enjoys tinkering with his allotment, & I’m pretty sure he does swaps with others there.
We have a v. small veg patch, but this year has seen us more away than home, so basically didn’t use it!
Currently got a small polytunnel, about a quarter acre of beds for veg , a quarter acre of fruit bushes, a half acre orchard with a couple of beehives and the beginnings of a 2 acre "food forest". The rest is currently feeding a horse and some of our neighbours' sheep.
Plans are eventually increase the food forest to around six acres with a one acre pond in the middle, cultivate a couple of acres for cereals, double the veg and fruit areas (and hopefully yield), and keep some poultry. We have no plans for food animals as we mostly have a vegetarian diet. We may continue to let our neighbours sheep/cattle graze to manage the meadows.
Never mind, we've enjoyed what we've managed to get done and there's a real sense of pride and achievement in even the little things when you can take the time to do them the way you want.
Really looking forward to the next few years now.
skeeterm5 said:
I think that the “how old were you when you retired” is the wrong question in a lot of ways. I think that the real question is did you retire early enough to enjoy life?
Nail on head mate.I retired at 64, got cancer the next year-cured-and got it again 5 years later.
Now cured again ( I hope), but you never know what is around the corner.
alscar said:
Well enjoy that then.
I always felt slightly cheated as retired early during Covid wfh so never made it back to the office.
I always wanted to do the “ later losers “ from the Big Bang Theory.
As it was , closed the laptop at 4pm ( treated myself ) , went downstairs and said that’s it.
Chinese takeaway and a bottle of fizz was a good way to celebrate though.
Same here, except I was a contractor so not quite part of the team. I always felt slightly cheated as retired early during Covid wfh so never made it back to the office.
I always wanted to do the “ later losers “ from the Big Bang Theory.
As it was , closed the laptop at 4pm ( treated myself ) , went downstairs and said that’s it.
Chinese takeaway and a bottle of fizz was a good way to celebrate though.
Pre Covid my plan was to reach 55 and retire, but Covid hit when I was 53 and they got me to work from home for the last few months of the project.
We did do a zoom 'leaving drinks' for the project team but I didn't tell anyone it was also my last working day. Contract work was drying up due to Covid, and IR35 was becoming an issue so I just didn't look for new work.
It was all a bit of an anti climax.
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