How do you fill retirement?
Discussion
I have got loads of projects I want to do.
Stuff on the house, I have loads of ideas for projects for me, travelling, sailing, ballooning, reading.
I would certainly drop my hours now if I could afford it (having said that... I probably could afford it, but not if I want to retire early!).
Stuff on the house, I have loads of ideas for projects for me, travelling, sailing, ballooning, reading.
I would certainly drop my hours now if I could afford it (having said that... I probably could afford it, but not if I want to retire early!).
Monkeylegend said:
If you set an agenda it will still feel like your life is being controlled and retirement should be about freedom and choice.
Not everyone can work from a blank page every day. Work defines you to some extent (what's the second question when you meet someone for the first time, after their name?).
It adds value to your life in ways other than pay eg;
Structure/routine;
Social contact;
Responsibility (worth);
Intellectual stimulation;
Goals and achievement;
Challenges.
Probably more.
Maybe think about which of these you want to keep, and which to drop. Perhaps you're sick of deadlines, or maybe without them you never get anything done.
For me it was keeping some sort of structure at first at least, maintain social networks outside of family and do something you've always wanted to and never had time to do, particularly if it'll keep your mind active, and keeping reasonably fit. Some people find getting involved in their community ticks a lot of boxes. Not forgetting days of just mooching and pottering.
The weather's OK now but remember that last Autumn is rained almost incessantly for months, so be ready for that.
This was my lunchtime view lat Monday, and I suspect it will be tomorrow.
omniflow said:
Go contracting (less straightforward now with IR35, but still do-able).
Once you're not an employee there's no corporate BS, no annual appraisals, no-one sees you as a threat etc etc.
Take a couple of steps down the ladder and do something that is well within your capabilities - focus on doing it really really well - maybe do 3 days / week or 6 months / year. Have your pension to fall back on so there's absolutely zero stress about finding a contract. The interest and satisfaction will come from new roles, new people, new industries, new places - turning up somewhere totally new, figuring out how it all works and then being successful. If you get fed up with it, don't renew your contract and move on.
Working fewer days / week and / or fewer months per year is an ideal transition into retirement.
I'd agree with this, and it's what I've been doing. Initially got made redundant around 5 years ago which at the time was a major shock as I'd been there 20 years. It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened as I immediately got a full-time contract paying more, but with less responsibility. It's been really interesting working in several different environments since, and after a contract ended in March 2019 I didn't look for another, so I had 4 months off. During this break, I went to the test match at the Oval one Sunday, and it was really nice to be able to go to the ticket office and buy tickets for the next 2 days on impulse without having to try to sort out time off work.Once you're not an employee there's no corporate BS, no annual appraisals, no-one sees you as a threat etc etc.
Take a couple of steps down the ladder and do something that is well within your capabilities - focus on doing it really really well - maybe do 3 days / week or 6 months / year. Have your pension to fall back on so there's absolutely zero stress about finding a contract. The interest and satisfaction will come from new roles, new people, new industries, new places - turning up somewhere totally new, figuring out how it all works and then being successful. If you get fed up with it, don't renew your contract and move on.
Working fewer days / week and / or fewer months per year is an ideal transition into retirement.
Then a contact rang me up and offered a position which I started in August 2019 initially for 6 months. This was extended for another 6 months so I finished that 6 weeks ago (interesting period to work for the NHS for the first time) - now having a break for several months before looking for something else. I'm 52 and will take pension at 55 which will be enough to live on reasonably comfortably, although I may well continue to do the odd contract for a few months each year partly for additional income, but mainly as I enjoy it.
When not working, there's no trouble filling the day - I love photography, been doing some gardening, recently took up an interest in pinball which has led to improving my soldering skills. Also have been enjoying watching the Tour de France. Mrs C n C mentioned that she'd like a summer house/log cabin for the garden so been planning this, which has suffered a little scope creep as she's agreed to additional space for 2 or 3 pinball machines and a bar. This is convenient as I'm also just taking up home brewing and considering building a DIY kegerator to go in it....
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
omniflow said:
Go contracting (less straightforward now with IR35, but still do-able).
Once you're not an employee there's no corporate BS, no annual appraisals, no-one sees you as a threat etc etc.
Take a couple of steps down the ladder and do something that is well within your capabilities - focus on doing it really really well - maybe do 3 days / week or 6 months / year. Have your pension to fall back on so there's absolutely zero stress about finding a contract. The interest and satisfaction will come from new roles, new people, new industries, new places - turning up somewhere totally new, figuring out how it all works and then being successful. If you get fed up with it, don't renew your contract and move on.
Working fewer days / week and / or fewer months per year is an ideal transition into retirement.
Yeah, don't tell him to do that. He will be competing with people who actually need to work. Once you're not an employee there's no corporate BS, no annual appraisals, no-one sees you as a threat etc etc.
Take a couple of steps down the ladder and do something that is well within your capabilities - focus on doing it really really well - maybe do 3 days / week or 6 months / year. Have your pension to fall back on so there's absolutely zero stress about finding a contract. The interest and satisfaction will come from new roles, new people, new industries, new places - turning up somewhere totally new, figuring out how it all works and then being successful. If you get fed up with it, don't renew your contract and move on.
Working fewer days / week and / or fewer months per year is an ideal transition into retirement.
Pre-lockdown, I was working away during the week, 45 to 50 hours plus 10 hours travelling.
Was able to hang onto the contract until end of April. Then 7 weeks of furlough through my LTD company, then a heart attack in June. (I'm 53 and had lost 2 stone in lockdown due to better diet and more exercise so it was a little shocking)
In early August I had a firm.ring me direct wanting me to do some work for them.
I agreed to start a 2 days and gradually ramp up to 5 by November with only one day a week in the office. Which is some 2.5 hours from home.
To be honest I'm struggling to motivate myself to do more than 25 hours a week. I do a little time record for myself to ensure I don't bill them incorrectly, and Friday has me starting at 7am, finishing at 6pm with a 5 hour lunch break.
As someone else said, do more of what you love. I left my IT job last November and had planned to find something else by March this year, but then the world changed! I’m fairly fortunate, in that I’m treating this extended time off as the gap year I never had ... 
I’m loving lazy breakfasts, spending time with family and friends, cycling a lot more often and indulging in hobbies I previously had little time for. It’s also nice knowing that you don’t have to deal with corporate BS, emails and meetings the next morning ...
Obviously, I will be going back into full time employment soon. I’ll miss this downtime. I’ve had a taste of what retirement brings - and I quite like it!
In the meantime though, I’m helping my wife launch her new YouTube channel, so I’m cameraman and editor at the moment. If all goes well, perhaps I won’t need to ‘work’ again?
I’m loving lazy breakfasts, spending time with family and friends, cycling a lot more often and indulging in hobbies I previously had little time for. It’s also nice knowing that you don’t have to deal with corporate BS, emails and meetings the next morning ...
Obviously, I will be going back into full time employment soon. I’ll miss this downtime. I’ve had a taste of what retirement brings - and I quite like it!
In the meantime though, I’m helping my wife launch her new YouTube channel, so I’m cameraman and editor at the moment. If all goes well, perhaps I won’t need to ‘work’ again?
I sold the business when I was 60, decided against locumming which is the default choice for retired pharmacists, mainly because I'd been in pharmacy since I was a Saturday kid age 14 and I'd had enough.
I'd always liked history, so I took an Open University degree. Studying part time suited as it was a hobby, not a job. Absolutely loved it.
I'd always liked history, so I took an Open University degree. Studying part time suited as it was a hobby, not a job. Absolutely loved it.
I've been doing voluntary work for a couple of decades, trying something different every few years so I don't get into a rut. At the moment it's for the NHS doing 'backroom' stuff as a patient representative on the local trust's Patient Experience Group reviewing all sorts of stuff from out-patient clinic colour schemes to information leaflets. I've also sat on a committee reviewing the out of hours 111 service and on a procurement panel appraising bids for service provision. Currently chair of my GP practice's patient participation group (44,000 patients, eight surgeries).
It's not everyone's cup of tea but it's my way of saying thanks to the NHS for twice saving my life.
I also moderate a couple of forums, one FB classic car, the other my old school; research my family tree, tinker with my two Rileys, driving the one that's one the road as often as I can (did LeJoG last year, St David's to Lowestoft a couple of weeks ago) and try to stay active though arthritis is slowing me down a bit.
It's easy to find something to fill each day, I never have a problem doing that.
It's not everyone's cup of tea but it's my way of saying thanks to the NHS for twice saving my life.
I also moderate a couple of forums, one FB classic car, the other my old school; research my family tree, tinker with my two Rileys, driving the one that's one the road as often as I can (did LeJoG last year, St David's to Lowestoft a couple of weeks ago) and try to stay active though arthritis is slowing me down a bit.
It's easy to find something to fill each day, I never have a problem doing that.
Im 73 next month so have a fair bit of experience to offer.
Widowed 10 years ago so worked in an architectural Practice to 65 as I didn't have any plans in place.
At a dinner party a highly motivated lady opposite went up the wall when I said I had no real plans and persuaded me to continue working for myself which expanded my address book and social diary enormously and took me to lots of parties and new friends.
I stopped private work 18 months ago.
I still have a house and corner plot garden to keep tidy and maintained.
Since then, have helped a lady finish building a house, am learning French, belong to 4 art groups including a life drawing class, read military history and contribute to the Movie thread on here.
Just contributed to the purchase of the local community pub shareholding so...
- do early doors to catch up with mates before cooking a main meal and watching TV.
Now, I also
- drink
- watch TV
- sit on your arse all day
- all three of the above combined.
( FAIL ON THESE BUT THINK I DESERVE IT )
Widowed 10 years ago so worked in an architectural Practice to 65 as I didn't have any plans in place.
LeftLake said:
Come on people, this is PH! How about buy a Caterham / Westfield.....
Bought a Caterham to replace a Westie as my retirement present and took it touring to Spain and back through France with a girlfriend. Since then its been France every year including le Mans. That's joined a Honda 125 scooter and an MTB.At a dinner party a highly motivated lady opposite went up the wall when I said I had no real plans and persuaded me to continue working for myself which expanded my address book and social diary enormously and took me to lots of parties and new friends.
I stopped private work 18 months ago.
I still have a house and corner plot garden to keep tidy and maintained.
Since then, have helped a lady finish building a house, am learning French, belong to 4 art groups including a life drawing class, read military history and contribute to the Movie thread on here.
Just contributed to the purchase of the local community pub shareholding so...
- do early doors to catch up with mates before cooking a main meal and watching TV.
Now, I also
- drink
- watch TV
- sit on your arse all day
- all three of the above combined.
( FAIL ON THESE BUT THINK I DESERVE IT )
I am almost 72, and still work as a board director with a bit of consulting and investing on the side. About 30 hours a week. When I stopped a full-time 70 hour a week job at 60, I immediately started a consulting role with a global tech that took me periodically to places from Prague to Singapore, again maybe 15 hours a week.
I do not get the attraction of full time retirement...need to be able to see what changes are going on., Business is fascinating to me and if I had stopped working 12 years ago my understanding to the current world would be way out of date. It is stimulating to be curious and discover new things. Much more important than the money.
Of course I have hobbies..cars, photography, travel ( well, pre-Covid), reading and so on, but without work I would find them all a bit meaningless. I like to be clear about work week and weekends for instance, and business means I meet new people all the time. Even the Board work changes as it is often about restructuring/selling/buying companies and when its done, the board may no longer exist. I have done six in the last eight years.
At some point I imagine I will be too old to do track days or buy edgy cars of course. That's what cruise ships are for....never been on one or had an organized holiday- always did it myself; the reality is that doing 3000 miles drives at 80 is probably a pipe dream, but have never missed the chance.
I realize that for many this is absolutely not what is desirable, but I have worked since I was 11 and never thought of it as anything but fun. I never got that cliché about deathbed regrets about not spending more time in the office. For me life is for living every single day and grabbing any opportunity yo get a new experience. None of that bucket list stuff, though there are things I would like to do...never been to South America for instance, not driven a Ferrari. Not boring desires, just curiosity.
I do not get the attraction of full time retirement...need to be able to see what changes are going on., Business is fascinating to me and if I had stopped working 12 years ago my understanding to the current world would be way out of date. It is stimulating to be curious and discover new things. Much more important than the money.
Of course I have hobbies..cars, photography, travel ( well, pre-Covid), reading and so on, but without work I would find them all a bit meaningless. I like to be clear about work week and weekends for instance, and business means I meet new people all the time. Even the Board work changes as it is often about restructuring/selling/buying companies and when its done, the board may no longer exist. I have done six in the last eight years.
At some point I imagine I will be too old to do track days or buy edgy cars of course. That's what cruise ships are for....never been on one or had an organized holiday- always did it myself; the reality is that doing 3000 miles drives at 80 is probably a pipe dream, but have never missed the chance.
I realize that for many this is absolutely not what is desirable, but I have worked since I was 11 and never thought of it as anything but fun. I never got that cliché about deathbed regrets about not spending more time in the office. For me life is for living every single day and grabbing any opportunity yo get a new experience. None of that bucket list stuff, though there are things I would like to do...never been to South America for instance, not driven a Ferrari. Not boring desires, just curiosity.
I resigned for the very last time last Monday. Due to a cock-up by my employers, I'm only on one month notice which means I will retire (just) before my 60th. Annoyingly, if the pension advice I had 5 years ago had been half as good as the pension advice I've had in the past 9 months, I'd almost certainly have retired 4 or 5 years ago. Anyway....
I do sometimes think "will I have enough to do?", but I have seven motorbikes and 5 cars, most of which I can sod about with myself. About half the bikes and half the cars need some degree of work on them. For instance, one of the bikes I was thinking of selling, but now I think I'll keep it and restore it to it's former glory.
There are loads of things I want to do on the house which I'll now have time for.
Several mates occasionally ask me if I want to do X/Y/Z for a week (for example, IoM TT, longer or more frequent ski trips, etc), I nearly always say no, I haven't got enough annual leave. That's not going to be an issue any more.
Other mates have asked me whether I can help out with their business for a week. Again, I can do that in the future (and trouser a few quid).
Financially, even on the low side of growth estimates, my monthly disposable income from the pensions will actually be more than I take home today, so I'm not envisaging issues there. If it reaches the upper ends of the (not unreasonable) estimates I'm going to have to look for things to spend it on.
All in all, I think retirement will suit me just fine
PositronicRay said:
You just kinda recalibrate.
I no longer rush at anything, instead of my day starting at 7 it's more like 10, instead of finishing at 6 it's more like 4pm
I've found myself getting interested in forestry and conservation too. It can be anything from a couple of hrs a week, but some seem to make it a full time (voluntary) job.
This is what I have noticed as I am in the run-up to retirement. I used to be someone who, come the weekend, made myself a list of all the things I needed to do which I couldn't do during the week, then busted a gut trying to get it all done before Monday. Past couple of months, since I have known that I will soon have much more time on my hands, weekends have become much more relaxing; if I want to do something, I will. If I want to sit in the garden and read a book, I will. Occasionally I'll do absolutely nothing for a couple of hours.I no longer rush at anything, instead of my day starting at 7 it's more like 10, instead of finishing at 6 it's more like 4pm
I've found myself getting interested in forestry and conservation too. It can be anything from a couple of hrs a week, but some seem to make it a full time (voluntary) job.
I do sometimes think "will I have enough to do?", but I have seven motorbikes and 5 cars, most of which I can sod about with myself. About half the bikes and half the cars need some degree of work on them. For instance, one of the bikes I was thinking of selling, but now I think I'll keep it and restore it to it's former glory.
There are loads of things I want to do on the house which I'll now have time for.
Several mates occasionally ask me if I want to do X/Y/Z for a week (for example, IoM TT, longer or more frequent ski trips, etc), I nearly always say no, I haven't got enough annual leave. That's not going to be an issue any more.
Other mates have asked me whether I can help out with their business for a week. Again, I can do that in the future (and trouser a few quid).
Financially, even on the low side of growth estimates, my monthly disposable income from the pensions will actually be more than I take home today, so I'm not envisaging issues there. If it reaches the upper ends of the (not unreasonable) estimates I'm going to have to look for things to spend it on.
All in all, I think retirement will suit me just fine
C n C said:
When not working, there's no trouble filling the day - I love photography, been doing some gardening, recently took up an interest in pinball which has led to improving my soldering skills. Also have been enjoying watching the Tour de France. Mrs C n C mentioned that she'd like a summer house/log cabin for the garden so been planning this, which has suffered a little scope creep as she's agreed to additional space for 2 or 3 pinball machines and a bar. This is convenient as I'm also just taking up home brewing and considering building a DIY kegerator to go in it....
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Not wanting to send the thread off topic, but what table did you buy and where did you get it from?Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I've got a Twilight Zone and I've just replaced all of the bulbs with LEDs - well - nearly all - I've got about 10 more to do. You need some plastic polish and some playfield wax as well, so you can really go to town.
If you want to build a collection then you really need to be working - they're not cheap these days - I've had mine for 20 years.
I sold up and retired at 50 three years ago. Transitioned from perpetual motion deal junkie to Professor Chill.
Bought an old Rolls and toured it around Europe, and started up kart racing again with some mates. Also, did a load of travelling to bank a few extra stories before kids stick me in a home.
Just do the things you enjoy and are important to you. The time will easily be filled.
Bought an old Rolls and toured it around Europe, and started up kart racing again with some mates. Also, did a load of travelling to bank a few extra stories before kids stick me in a home.
Just do the things you enjoy and are important to you. The time will easily be filled.
It depends how old your daughter is imo, and what your wife does.
We want to travel when we're retired but kids need stability and school so we're stuck. I do term time only and my wife's part time. We get a day off a week together when the kids are in school.
Given the chance I'd want her to go term time only (not an option unfortunately...) so we could travel with the kids during the holidays. Could you contract?
We want to travel when we're retired but kids need stability and school so we're stuck. I do term time only and my wife's part time. We get a day off a week together when the kids are in school.
Given the chance I'd want her to go term time only (not an option unfortunately...) so we could travel with the kids during the holidays. Could you contract?
ian in lancs said:
Monkeylegend said:
OP, if you are a fairly active person physically you will not have any trouble filling your retirement.
You can sit down and plan in advance all the things you intend to do but really retirement doesn't necessarily work like that, well not for me at least.
Everyday you wake up you will have the freedom to choose what you would like to do within your own monetary and other family constraints. Leave it like that and do what you want when you want, this will change everyday probably.
If you set an agenda it will still feel like your life is being controlled and retirement should be about freedom and choice.
If you want to drop everything today and go and have a coffee or a meal just do it. If you decide you would like to have a break away from home next week, just do it.
Some things you will obviously have to plan, but the rest, well be spontaneous and don't plan to much in advance. That's what makes retirement feel different from the daily work grind.
Quite! That's how it is for me.You can sit down and plan in advance all the things you intend to do but really retirement doesn't necessarily work like that, well not for me at least.
Everyday you wake up you will have the freedom to choose what you would like to do within your own monetary and other family constraints. Leave it like that and do what you want when you want, this will change everyday probably.
If you set an agenda it will still feel like your life is being controlled and retirement should be about freedom and choice.
If you want to drop everything today and go and have a coffee or a meal just do it. If you decide you would like to have a break away from home next week, just do it.
Some things you will obviously have to plan, but the rest, well be spontaneous and don't plan to much in advance. That's what makes retirement feel different from the daily work grind.
I have a picture by my computer in the study. It's an elderly lady looking out the window and the legend "One day you will wake up and realise that there isn't any more time left to do the things you've always wanted. Do it NOW".
ValleyRed said:
And for me. My friend insists I should have a plan to fill each day. Well I had nearly 50 years of a plan...get up everyday, shave everyday, go to work most days. Now my only plan (wish) is to get up everyday
I have a picture by my computer in the study. It's an elderly lady looking out the window and the legend "One day you will wake up and realise that there isn't any more time left to do the things you've always wanted. Do it NOW".
My message has always been 'You only have one life, this is not a dress rehearsal'.I have a picture by my computer in the study. It's an elderly lady looking out the window and the legend "One day you will wake up and realise that there isn't any more time left to do the things you've always wanted. Do it NOW".
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff