Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
98elise said:
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.
GT3Manthey said:
Hi OldSkool tks for your thoughts.
No problem: Glad to see you're still lurking even if timescales have slipped a bit.I had a zoom call to finish, but I had been in the office a few weeks before and had a meal/drinks out with colleagues and with another colleague who retired just before me. My wifi dropped towards the end, so it was a bit of an anticlimax with frozen screens and garbled sound, kind of appropriate really given the broken way my career ended with the firm.
RichB said:
98elise said:
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.
Mrs H was shielding and WFH during a lot of covid. She returned when required to, caught it within a fortnight and ended up long term sick until she ultimately packed work in entirely without as much as a thankyou for the 30 years she had been there
Desiderata said:
The first couple of months didn't go as well as expected. My knees have been knackered for a while and limited the amount of physical stuff I could do in a day, but it wasn't until I started spending 3 or 4 days a week in the "garden" that I realised that my plans for "retirement" were going to be harder to achieve than expected. I've bitten the bullet, splashed out some of the nest egg, and been to Lithuania for a new knee. Back home for three months to build up some strength in it, then back out to Lithuania for the other one, hopefully I'll be recovered enough to get a little bit of stuff done over this summer, but I don't think we'll be fully self sufficient this year.
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.
Blimey! That sounds extreme….but fingers crossed they works well for you!!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.
markiii said:
I promised myself I'd get fit when I retired, 2 stone less and 2 miles a day in the pool I'm in the best shape I've been in since my 20s
Managed a stone so far, and 2 kilometres, three times a week in the pool. Two miles a day! I only did three miles a day when I was in my teens.Just had my annual catch up with my FA, I took all of our ISAs out of stocks and into cash last year as I was feeling a bit exposed, thought I’d got decent rates (circa 5% fixed for 2 years), he informed me that the investments that remained have done more than twice that already.
Doh!
Doh!
gareth h said:
Just had my annual catch up with my FA, I took all of our ISAs out of stocks and into cash last year as I was feeling a bit exposed, thought I’d got decent rates (circa 5% fixed for 2 years), he informed me that the investments that remained have done more than twice that already.
Doh!
Did he not ‘advise’ you not to?Doh!
gareth h said:
Just had my annual catch up with my FA, I took all of our ISAs out of stocks and into cash last year as I was feeling a bit exposed, thought I’d got decent rates (circa 5% fixed for 2 years), he informed me that the investments that remained have done more than twice that already.
Doh!
If the overall return is sufficient then you don’t need to do anything that makes you feel exposed.Doh!
I’m on the cusp of retirement and IFA is looking at a portfolio which has averaged 8% but even that would have been more in the last 12 mths as they’ve been pretty exceptional (after two very iffy years). My concern is going in very much at market highs. And that the charges look high, although he’s doing a fair bit of work on IHT.
The developed markets have done pretty well over the last 6 months or so and its probably added about 2 years worth of income into my pot.
Personally I think (& hope) that there is a bit of pent up demand in the euro zone and US that will gradually be unleashed once more confidence returns and i think the trigger for that will be the first rate cut probably in next couple of months.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as a nice bonus of good growth could let me add a cheeky little 911 to the stable but dont tell the wife !
Personally I think (& hope) that there is a bit of pent up demand in the euro zone and US that will gradually be unleashed once more confidence returns and i think the trigger for that will be the first rate cut probably in next couple of months.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as a nice bonus of good growth could let me add a cheeky little 911 to the stable but dont tell the wife !
Mrs Bigmon owns a small part of a company that, hopefully, will be sold in the next few months.
If it comes off it'll mean retiring in 5 years as that's how long she'll have to stick around for. We'll both be mid-fifties by then.
It also means that I can, if required, tell my boss to shove his job up his arse and go and find something stress free to just cover my small expenses up until we retire which is nice.
Not definite yet, but will be nice if it happens.
If it comes off it'll mean retiring in 5 years as that's how long she'll have to stick around for. We'll both be mid-fifties by then.
It also means that I can, if required, tell my boss to shove his job up his arse and go and find something stress free to just cover my small expenses up until we retire which is nice.
Not definite yet, but will be nice if it happens.
Fingers crossed for you and Mrs bigmon.
She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 and any worries the firm had start to disapate then things can be renegotiated keeping everyone happy (got that T shirt too now).
So could be happy days sooner than you think
She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 and any worries the firm had start to disapate then things can be renegotiated keeping everyone happy (got that T shirt too now).
So could be happy days sooner than you think
Longy00000 said:
Fingers crossed for you and Mrs bigmon.
She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 and any worries the firm had start to disapate then things can be renegotiated keeping everyone happy (got that T shirt too now).
So could be happy days sooner than you think
Thanks. We'll see what happens I guess.She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 and any worries the firm had start to disapate then things can be renegotiated keeping everyone happy (got that T shirt too now).
So could be happy days sooner than you think
We're not going to be the next Rockefellers, but we'll have more than enough for our modest lifestyles with enough for a rainy day reserve. We've looked at the finances and it will easily work hopefully.
I never thought we'd be in this lucky position, and we aren't yet, but there we are.
Longy00000 said:
Fingers crossed for you and Mrs bigmon.
She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 ...
Yes indeed Longy00000, less than a year in my case (and I'm not fully retired yet from self-employment) so there are some grounds for optimism bigmon, and best wishes with your plans.She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 ...
turbobloke said:
Longy00000 said:
Fingers crossed for you and Mrs bigmon.
She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 ...
Yes indeed Longy00000, less than a year in my case (and I'm not fully retired yet from self-employment) so there are some grounds for optimism bigmon, and best wishes with your plans.She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 ...
BigMon said:
Mrs Bigmon owns a small part of a company that, hopefully, will be sold in the next few months.
If it comes off it'll mean retiring in 5 years as that's how long she'll have to stick around for. We'll both be mid-fifties by then.
I've no idea what's normal, but I was in the same position and wasn't required to be tied in at all, because I'm already (just) past retirement age. My role has been changing over the last few years so I'm also not so vital to the business now. If it comes off it'll mean retiring in 5 years as that's how long she'll have to stick around for. We'll both be mid-fifties by then.
However even the most key people - inc one who really holds it together - are only tied in for 3yrs. They also had to reinvest as part of the deal - that was quite a sticking point but the buyer wouldn't budge - so they ended up getting less out immediately than they expected.
BigMon said:
turbobloke said:
Longy00000 said:
Fingers crossed for you and Mrs bigmon.
She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 ...
Yes indeed Longy00000, less than a year in my case (and I'm not fully retired yet from self-employment) so there are some grounds for optimism bigmon, and best wishes with your plans.She might find that she can escape a lot sooner than the full 5 years. It's more and more common these days to try and tie staff to a company or prohibit them from working elsewhere ( got that T shirt) but after a year or 2 ...
t but it's your piece of st, not my piece of st') Edited by PositronicRay on Sunday 24th March 15:09
Michael_B said:
PositronicRay said:
I developed a garlic shrug.
That’s true dedication, smelling like a Frenchman as well as acting like one 
Tomorrow I’ve got the electrician and (external) plasterer coming here to rural Burgundy. I’m going to be shrugged at all morning!
Sheepshanks said:
gareth h said:
Just had my annual catch up with my FA, I took all of our ISAs out of stocks and into cash last year as I was feeling a bit exposed, thought I’d got decent rates (circa 5% fixed for 2 years), he informed me that the investments that remained have done more than twice that already.
Doh!
If the overall return is sufficient then you don’t need to do anything that makes you feel exposed.Doh!
I’m on the cusp of retirement and IFA is looking at a portfolio which has averaged 8% but even that would have been more in the last 12 mths as they’ve been pretty exceptional (after two very iffy years). My concern is going in very much at market highs. And that the charges look high, although he’s doing a fair bit of work on IHT.
Once you've done that piece, you can speculate a bit with whatever is left over.
Car bon said:
Sheepshanks said:
gareth h said:
Just had my annual catch up with my FA, I took all of our ISAs out of stocks and into cash last year as I was feeling a bit exposed, thought I’d got decent rates (circa 5% fixed for 2 years), he informed me that the investments that remained have done more than twice that already.
Doh!
If the overall return is sufficient then you don’t need to do anything that makes you feel exposed.Doh!
I’m on the cusp of retirement and IFA is looking at a portfolio which has averaged 8% but even that would have been more in the last 12 mths as they’ve been pretty exceptional (after two very iffy years). My concern is going in very much at market highs. And that the charges look high, although he’s doing a fair bit of work on IHT.
Once you've done that piece, you can speculate a bit with whatever is left over.
Just about everyone that was invested in the markets took a pasting in 22 but 20-21 were surprisingly good and the last 6 months have been stunning.
Nothing is without risk but like Longy, I am currently looking at my retirement date being 2-3 years closer.
Until it all crashes tomorrow that is
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