Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
I do understand what you mean Longy00000 having had the odd day already where I couldn't get on with what I thought I might due to weather, or a few weeks ago I tweaked my back so wasn't able to do some jobs I'd had planned. Sometimes I'd find something indoors or that I could do without aggravating my back, but I did have a few times when I'd just sit and not do much...I treated those times a bit like a lazy Sunday afternoon. At least I didn't have the thought of having to go back to work the next day.
I also seem to have been spending more than I'd planned, though in my case it has mostly been parts for two cars we bought* and general service items to get them both up to scratch ready for regular use. Parts still being cheaper than parts plus labour though and every time I do a job I feel good about the money I've saved by DIY. I'm doing a gearbox oil/filter change next week which is about £375 at an independent garage or £175 for genuine MB parts for example. Will probably take me an afternoon if I do it slowly.
At least those costs are coming to an end now. I've set aside a separate account for my retirement car restoration project so that mentally I don't feel like I'm constantly spending as I order things for that job. Longer term it is an investment, assuming I manage to finish it and then sell it before the bubble bursts. I've been quite generous with the budget, so hopefully I'll come in under and leave some spare for something else.
I haven't really had many days yet that I'd consider 'standard' due to various trips, family occasions and sorting out getting the new car. Having just come back from a long weekend visiting family and friends I'm now at the end of a bit of a run of these trips and nothing now until early September so this will be the true test of how I settle into retirement. I do plan to have a routine of working certain days on my car project, in consultation with the weather so that we can make the most of days out together and I can work in the garage on wet days or at least not the hotest ones.
Today is a brief appointment at the solicitor to finally start the Probate process, then an oil and filter change on the new car when I get back to complete the main part of it's service. Since my wife couldn't find any shelving in stock for her garden room we've come up with a plan to make something using a load of 18mm MDF we already have, so I guess that is my job tomorrow.
I might even get started on the RS2000 later this week...
* The second car was for my son, supposedly out of his Grandad's inheritance but I ended up buying it myself and the various parts it needed to get it sorted. At least I'll get paid back once Probate comes through and he does plan to have me on the insurance, so it gives me a back up car on occasions.
I also seem to have been spending more than I'd planned, though in my case it has mostly been parts for two cars we bought* and general service items to get them both up to scratch ready for regular use. Parts still being cheaper than parts plus labour though and every time I do a job I feel good about the money I've saved by DIY. I'm doing a gearbox oil/filter change next week which is about £375 at an independent garage or £175 for genuine MB parts for example. Will probably take me an afternoon if I do it slowly.
At least those costs are coming to an end now. I've set aside a separate account for my retirement car restoration project so that mentally I don't feel like I'm constantly spending as I order things for that job. Longer term it is an investment, assuming I manage to finish it and then sell it before the bubble bursts. I've been quite generous with the budget, so hopefully I'll come in under and leave some spare for something else.
I haven't really had many days yet that I'd consider 'standard' due to various trips, family occasions and sorting out getting the new car. Having just come back from a long weekend visiting family and friends I'm now at the end of a bit of a run of these trips and nothing now until early September so this will be the true test of how I settle into retirement. I do plan to have a routine of working certain days on my car project, in consultation with the weather so that we can make the most of days out together and I can work in the garage on wet days or at least not the hotest ones.
Today is a brief appointment at the solicitor to finally start the Probate process, then an oil and filter change on the new car when I get back to complete the main part of it's service. Since my wife couldn't find any shelving in stock for her garden room we've come up with a plan to make something using a load of 18mm MDF we already have, so I guess that is my job tomorrow.
I might even get started on the RS2000 later this week...* The second car was for my son, supposedly out of his Grandad's inheritance but I ended up buying it myself and the various parts it needed to get it sorted. At least I'll get paid back once Probate comes through and he does plan to have me on the insurance, so it gives me a back up car on occasions.
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Wednesday 6th July 10:20
Longy00000 said:
My wife still works and probably will for a few more years yet and this doesn't help.
Neither does the fact I retired quite early but my mates didn't (haven't) so they are largely restricted to weekend fun.
I have gone out and increased my circle of friends and they are largely 10 to 15 years older than I and whilst I don't want to come across as all depressed and negative about retirement as I am certainly not personally I just want others getting close to making the decision to have some proper and realistic expectations about the reality.
Like I said earlier giving it some proper thought beforehand can pay dividends.
For me, my mistake was to concentrate on the financials too much 'could I afford not to work' rather than what I would fill my days with.
Could you not volunteer?Neither does the fact I retired quite early but my mates didn't (haven't) so they are largely restricted to weekend fun.
I have gone out and increased my circle of friends and they are largely 10 to 15 years older than I and whilst I don't want to come across as all depressed and negative about retirement as I am certainly not personally I just want others getting close to making the decision to have some proper and realistic expectations about the reality.
Like I said earlier giving it some proper thought beforehand can pay dividends.
For me, my mistake was to concentrate on the financials too much 'could I afford not to work' rather than what I would fill my days with.
Could you not go back to work for x days a week.
How about learning a new skill - study - pick up a new sport
How about being involved with childrens sports - rugby football etc get formal coach training. Very rewarding it will certainly keep you busy.
Plus if your waiting round all week for mates to be free at the weekends remember they too have their own lives/committments
GT3Manthey said:
j4r4lly said:
Can't wait for retirement, not because I hate my job, although I am definitely counting the days now, but because there are so many other tings I'd rather be doing than working 5 days a week.
Will definitely retire by Sep 2024 at the latest, so not too long now.
Sunday afternoon I was trying not to think about the week ahead. Work is really busy and I have been feeling stressed about some of the tasks I have coming up. Had a great weekend out in the Capri for a visit to a car breakfast meet, did some stuff in the garden, spent time relaxing with Mrs J4 and then on Sunday evening took the dog for a walk in the woods and gave myself a bit of a talking to regarding work.
So far this week it's going well, but I'd still rather be retired and doing something else.........
Do you mean you had to drum up some enthusiasm for work or tell yourself to chill over it ?Will definitely retire by Sep 2024 at the latest, so not too long now.
Sunday afternoon I was trying not to think about the week ahead. Work is really busy and I have been feeling stressed about some of the tasks I have coming up. Had a great weekend out in the Capri for a visit to a car breakfast meet, did some stuff in the garden, spent time relaxing with Mrs J4 and then on Sunday evening took the dog for a walk in the woods and gave myself a bit of a talking to regarding work.
So far this week it's going well, but I'd still rather be retired and doing something else.........
Welshbeef said:
Could you not volunteer?
Could you not go back to work for x days a week.
How about learning a new skill - study - pick up a new sport
How about being involved with childrens sports - rugby football etc get formal coach training. Very rewarding it will certainly keep you busy.
Plus if your waiting round all week for mates to be free at the weekends remember they too have their own lives/committments
I may not have explained myself very well, I am actually quite happy and like I said I have a new expanded circle of friends. The point I was trying to make is that retirement isn't an 'event' its more of a 'transition' and those that plan the most will have the smoothest transitions. Could you not go back to work for x days a week.
How about learning a new skill - study - pick up a new sport
How about being involved with childrens sports - rugby football etc get formal coach training. Very rewarding it will certainly keep you busy.
Plus if your waiting round all week for mates to be free at the weekends remember they too have their own lives/committments
The points and suggestions you made are extremely valid ref volunteering and creating structure and purpose to your weeks. I was just trying to flag the sorts of things many people may overlook in their planning
I’m glad I’ve found this forum as I start the transition to retirement.
I’m currently 53 and have a well-paid job which I’ve been in since college working 34 years for them. I work from home and basically my role is stress free with truth be told I have very little to do day in and day out. I’ve enquired about redundancy and they’ve said it’ll cost too much therefore I’ve reduced my days to 4 days a week. Looking at retiring in 2-3 years time
I transferred my DB pension out approx. 5 years a go and with my current DC contribution plus the generous company contributions should hit the LTA in 2-3 years time. My wife is 3 years younger and is also looking to retire the same time. She currently still has a DB pension.
I guess my question is im not sure if I should retire, pros and cons, or continue on and reduce the pension contributions. I do fancy the idea of living 2-3 months abroad before the kids start having grandkids.
I’m currently 53 and have a well-paid job which I’ve been in since college working 34 years for them. I work from home and basically my role is stress free with truth be told I have very little to do day in and day out. I’ve enquired about redundancy and they’ve said it’ll cost too much therefore I’ve reduced my days to 4 days a week. Looking at retiring in 2-3 years time
I transferred my DB pension out approx. 5 years a go and with my current DC contribution plus the generous company contributions should hit the LTA in 2-3 years time. My wife is 3 years younger and is also looking to retire the same time. She currently still has a DB pension.
I guess my question is im not sure if I should retire, pros and cons, or continue on and reduce the pension contributions. I do fancy the idea of living 2-3 months abroad before the kids start having grandkids.
cambb said:
I’m glad I’ve found this forum as I start the transition to retirement.
I’m currently 53 and have a well-paid job which I’ve been in since college working 34 years for them. I work from home and basically my role is stress free with truth be told I have very little to do day in and day out. I’ve enquired about redundancy and they’ve said it’ll cost too much therefore I’ve reduced my days to 4 days a week. Looking at retiring in 2-3 years time
I transferred my DB pension out approx. 5 years a go and with my current DC contribution plus the generous company contributions should hit the LTA in 2-3 years time. My wife is 3 years younger and is also looking to retire the same time. She currently still has a DB pension.
I guess my question is im not sure if I should retire, pros and cons, or continue on and reduce the pension contributions. I do fancy the idea of living 2-3 months abroad before the kids start having grandkids.
I retired at 51 because me and my wife could. Not looked back. But perhaps you might miss work in some way?I’m currently 53 and have a well-paid job which I’ve been in since college working 34 years for them. I work from home and basically my role is stress free with truth be told I have very little to do day in and day out. I’ve enquired about redundancy and they’ve said it’ll cost too much therefore I’ve reduced my days to 4 days a week. Looking at retiring in 2-3 years time
I transferred my DB pension out approx. 5 years a go and with my current DC contribution plus the generous company contributions should hit the LTA in 2-3 years time. My wife is 3 years younger and is also looking to retire the same time. She currently still has a DB pension.
I guess my question is im not sure if I should retire, pros and cons, or continue on and reduce the pension contributions. I do fancy the idea of living 2-3 months abroad before the kids start having grandkids.
If you feel that if your lifestyle will easily be sustained then I don't see the point of working unless you enjoy it more than other stuff like travelling, sport, socialising etc etc
nickfrog said:
I retired at 51 because me and my wife could. Not looked back. But perhaps you might miss work in some way?
If you feel that if your lifestyle will easily be sustained then I don't see the point of working unless you enjoy it more than other stuff like travelling, sport, socialising etc etc
How many years have you been a silver fox now?If you feel that if your lifestyle will easily be sustained then I don't see the point of working unless you enjoy it more than other stuff like travelling, sport, socialising etc etc
I am fairly active and run most days with a long run on the day i dont work. Started badminton with a group of old friends during the week as well plus fancy fishing which i havnt done since i was a teenager. I worry how much is enought though. We spend a fair bit every month and never want for anything plus 4+ holidays a year.
GT3Manthey said:
Interesting post .
You’re a year head of me . My planned retirement is next year at 55 and yes those miserable days, or winter months, I’ve wondered what I’ll do .
My thinking is indoor jobs to start with along with spending time with the wife , gym, walks can still happen & to a degree golf.
Part time work might also help with the stress of how much the wife spends.
You will be having a curry dont forget with a strange bloke from PH! You’re a year head of me . My planned retirement is next year at 55 and yes those miserable days, or winter months, I’ve wondered what I’ll do .
My thinking is indoor jobs to start with along with spending time with the wife , gym, walks can still happen & to a degree golf.
Part time work might also help with the stress of how much the wife spends.
My take on retirement prior when asked “ what are you going to do “ was always “ not sure as I’ve never retired before”.
Equally I’m not sure planning retirement ie daily was ever going to be possible for me as that didn’t seem to be fun as I felt that having then the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted was really what I wanted after working since I was 17.
Today we went to see our new Grandchild , took my son and dil out for lunch , came home to a glass of wine in the garden watching the hedge get cut.
Friday I’m at Millbrook.
When planning retirement my wife said she wasn’t changing her way of life or her days and for the first 6 months now she has been true to her word - she has horses so spends a few hours each day on them - but that is fine by me anyway.
We are lucky enough to have finances in place to allow us the same life as when working which obviously assists the plan of freedom.
I know people suggest a feeling that you become less worthy or important or whatever but in all honesty I feel lucky and perhaps a bit smug that having done my time, now is the start of chapter 2.
I am so happy / glad that I managed to stop getting paid to work at 60.
Equally I’m not sure planning retirement ie daily was ever going to be possible for me as that didn’t seem to be fun as I felt that having then the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted was really what I wanted after working since I was 17.
Today we went to see our new Grandchild , took my son and dil out for lunch , came home to a glass of wine in the garden watching the hedge get cut.
Friday I’m at Millbrook.
When planning retirement my wife said she wasn’t changing her way of life or her days and for the first 6 months now she has been true to her word - she has horses so spends a few hours each day on them - but that is fine by me anyway.
We are lucky enough to have finances in place to allow us the same life as when working which obviously assists the plan of freedom.
I know people suggest a feeling that you become less worthy or important or whatever but in all honesty I feel lucky and perhaps a bit smug that having done my time, now is the start of chapter 2.
I am so happy / glad that I managed to stop getting paid to work at 60.
Busy day today. Cleaned pool early this morning, then went to snooker (we won 4 nil). The wife had water melon and palma ham waiting for me for lunch when i got in.
Mate called around after lunch to set my wifi extenders up, just 1 bottle of wine between the ladies, which was a relief. Have great wifi now downstairs in the music/cinema room, so i started learning some blues riffs on guitar, watching Marty Schwartz on youtube for a couple of hours.
I've just made beef chowmein for tea, very nice. Now going for a walk along the beach and prom, might sit down at a bar for a cold beer and people watch for an hour, then back home for a dip in the pool to cool down.
Mate called around after lunch to set my wifi extenders up, just 1 bottle of wine between the ladies, which was a relief. Have great wifi now downstairs in the music/cinema room, so i started learning some blues riffs on guitar, watching Marty Schwartz on youtube for a couple of hours.
I've just made beef chowmein for tea, very nice. Now going for a walk along the beach and prom, might sit down at a bar for a cold beer and people watch for an hour, then back home for a dip in the pool to cool down.
alscar said:
My take on retirement prior when asked “ what are you going to do “ was always “ not sure as I’ve never retired before”.
Equally I’m not sure planning retirement ie daily was ever going to be possible for me as that didn’t seem to be fun as I felt that having then the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted was really what I wanted after working since I was 17.
Today we went to see our new Grandchild , took my son and dil out for lunch , came home to a glass of wine in the garden watching the hedge get cut.
Friday I’m at Millbrook.
When planning retirement my wife said she wasn’t changing her way of life or her days and for the first 6 months now she has been true to her word - she has horses so spends a few hours each day on them - but that is fine by me anyway.
We are lucky enough to have finances in place to allow us the same life as when working which obviously assists the plan of freedom.
I know people suggest a feeling that you become less worthy or important or whatever but in all honesty I feel lucky and perhaps a bit smug that having done my time, now is the start of chapter 2.
I am so happy / glad that I managed to stop getting paid to work at 60.
It is just the next chapter eh!Equally I’m not sure planning retirement ie daily was ever going to be possible for me as that didn’t seem to be fun as I felt that having then the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted was really what I wanted after working since I was 17.
Today we went to see our new Grandchild , took my son and dil out for lunch , came home to a glass of wine in the garden watching the hedge get cut.
Friday I’m at Millbrook.
When planning retirement my wife said she wasn’t changing her way of life or her days and for the first 6 months now she has been true to her word - she has horses so spends a few hours each day on them - but that is fine by me anyway.
We are lucky enough to have finances in place to allow us the same life as when working which obviously assists the plan of freedom.
I know people suggest a feeling that you become less worthy or important or whatever but in all honesty I feel lucky and perhaps a bit smug that having done my time, now is the start of chapter 2.
I am so happy / glad that I managed to stop getting paid to work at 60.
I still feel lucky to have the choice to relax and plan whatever we want.
Nice pub quiz win last night with some pals. More beers than I’ve had in a long time: another retired pal warned me to not get complacent about alcohol (as we cycled 40 miles during my LEJoG last year), & I agree - quite getting into low/no alcohol drinks - Guinness 0% is delicious & very like the real thing!
Today is a lazy start: helping MrsMikeIOW sort out her late mum’s affairs (meet the celebrant tomorrow to discuss words). Plenty to plan for the funeral, so I am in the role of support. As well as investigating what we need to do for probate. Relatively straightforward, but an admin task you need to get right.
Might get in the garage to do a bit of tidying: we are getting a ‘home battery’ to help ease bills in the years ahead. A medium to long term investment to tie in with our solar.
Also have to pack kit for Latitude Festival….the day after the funeral, so ground rush will hit us then. Emotional times for many around us.
Have a NICE day!
mikeiow said:
alscar said:
My take on retirement prior when asked “ what are you going to do “ was always “ not sure as I’ve never retired before”.
Equally I’m not sure planning retirement ie daily was ever going to be possible for me as that didn’t seem to be fun as I felt that having then the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted was really what I wanted after working since I was 17.
Today we went to see our new Grandchild , took my son and dil out for lunch , came home to a glass of wine in the garden watching the hedge get cut.
Friday I’m at Millbrook.
When planning retirement my wife said she wasn’t changing her way of life or her days and for the first 6 months now she has been true to her word - she has horses so spends a few hours each day on them - but that is fine by me anyway.
We are lucky enough to have finances in place to allow us the same life as when working which obviously assists the plan of freedom.
I know people suggest a feeling that you become less worthy or important or whatever but in all honesty I feel lucky and perhaps a bit smug that having done my time, now is the start of chapter 2.
I am so happy / glad that I managed to stop getting paid to work at 60.
It is just the next chapter eh!Equally I’m not sure planning retirement ie daily was ever going to be possible for me as that didn’t seem to be fun as I felt that having then the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted was really what I wanted after working since I was 17.
Today we went to see our new Grandchild , took my son and dil out for lunch , came home to a glass of wine in the garden watching the hedge get cut.
Friday I’m at Millbrook.
When planning retirement my wife said she wasn’t changing her way of life or her days and for the first 6 months now she has been true to her word - she has horses so spends a few hours each day on them - but that is fine by me anyway.
We are lucky enough to have finances in place to allow us the same life as when working which obviously assists the plan of freedom.
I know people suggest a feeling that you become less worthy or important or whatever but in all honesty I feel lucky and perhaps a bit smug that having done my time, now is the start of chapter 2.
I am so happy / glad that I managed to stop getting paid to work at 60.
I still feel lucky to have the choice to relax and plan whatever we want.
Nice pub quiz win last night with some pals. More beers than I’ve had in a long time: another retired pal warned me to not get complacent about alcohol (as we cycled 40 miles during my LEJoG last year), & I agree - quite getting into low/no alcohol drinks - Guinness 0% is delicious & very like the real thing!
Today is a lazy start: helping MrsMikeIOW sort out her late mum’s affairs (meet the celebrant tomorrow to discuss words). Plenty to plan for the funeral, so I am in the role of support. As well as investigating what we need to do for probate. Relatively straightforward, but an admin task you need to get right.
Might get in the garage to do a bit of tidying: we are getting a ‘home battery’ to help ease bills in the years ahead. A medium to long term investment to tie in with our solar.
Also have to pack kit for Latitude Festival….the day after the funeral, so ground rush will hit us then. Emotional times for many around us.
Have a NICE day!
Off the back of a horrible week so far, am probably the other side of that sensible margin - with Friday still to go. How many of us still working but desperate to cut back our hours, or finish altogether, recognise that? Or is it just me…
radovich said:
Hmmmm… the complacent about alcohol comment is interesting, Mike. How was your consumption when still working?
Off the back of a horrible week so far, am probably the other side of that sensible margin - with Friday still to go. How many of us still working but desperate to cut back our hours, or finish altogether, recognise that? Or is it just me…
It’s not just you ! Off the back of a horrible week so far, am probably the other side of that sensible margin - with Friday still to go. How many of us still working but desperate to cut back our hours, or finish altogether, recognise that? Or is it just me…
It’s a very easy habit/routine to get into.
The glass of wine to relax turns into a bottle very easily.
I had a full medical the start of this year as I was losing weight for no apparent reason . Thankfully all was ok but I was questioned after blood tests as to how much I was drinking.
It’s the routine we can fall into very easily but I like to think that the current routine will be broken once I stop working & my life moves in a different direction.
My planned retirement will be tons of exercise so the daily grind will have ended and the routine of home from work reaching for the vino just to block out the work s
t will have ended. I’m sure there are many on here that currently do the same
CAH706 said:
A very small thing but I get far more pleasure from my Sundays knowing I don’t have work the next day! My stress levels are considerably reduced now
It's not a very small thing at all. In fact it sets the tone for the entire week. Weekends were short enough and that Sunday evening feeling was often there. I don't miss that. radovich said:
Hmmmm… the complacent about alcohol comment is interesting, Mike. How was your consumption when still working?
Off the back of a horrible week so far, am probably the other side of that sensible margin - with Friday still to go. How many of us still working but desperate to cut back our hours, or finish altogether, recognise that? Or is it just me…
Not excessive, tbh….I guess I cut down a bit a few years back, and my LEJoG cycling adventure instilled even more healthy living!Off the back of a horrible week so far, am probably the other side of that sensible margin - with Friday still to go. How many of us still working but desperate to cut back our hours, or finish altogether, recognise that? Or is it just me…
I do pace myself more now. Sometimes find pals lining up a second whilst I’m on the first.
Just finding that some of the zero alcohol (which invariably are lower calories) are getting pretty good now.
I recommend getting a head start on the healthy living and sporting activities before you step away….ease yourself in, you won’t be running a marathon on Day 1. I did a reasonable amount of practice pedalling before heading to Lands End
For the first time since I stopped working in September 2020, I visited some of my former colleagues in the office yesterday. It was nice to see them, but it made me pleased I jumped when I did as it just reminded me of all the stuff I used to deal with that I’ve completely put out of my mind in the last 20 months. I don’t miss it at all.
As this was in London, I took the opportunity to make a day of it and visited a museum in the morning, a bit of lunch in the sun, cup of tea with ex-colleagues and then a few pints and some food in Borough Market with some other mates in the evening.
As this was in London, I took the opportunity to make a day of it and visited a museum in the morning, a bit of lunch in the sun, cup of tea with ex-colleagues and then a few pints and some food in Borough Market with some other mates in the evening.
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