Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
Carbon Sasquatch said:
GT3Manthey said:
Doesn’t sound v expensive to me .
More thoroughly enjoyable than expensive!
Have you filled your car up recently ? More thoroughly enjoyable than expensive!
GT3Manthey said:
bennno said:
It’s odd how we all are thinking similarity about helping our kids getting on property ladder, I don’t think it ever crossed my parents minds.
My parents didn’t help me one jot but then that was a totally different era. My eventual inheritance will end up going straight to my kids to help them get their own home and I’ll help in the meantime .
GT3Manthey said:
bennno said:
It’s odd how we all are thinking similarity about helping our kids getting on property ladder, I don’t think it ever crossed my parents minds.
My parents didn’t help me one jot but then that was a totally different era. My eventual inheritance will end up going straight to my kids to help them get their own home and I’ll help in the meantime .
For a few years, we have tried to fritter some of our spare cash into ISA/LISA/pensions for the kids....some help might be available towards deposit, but I don't think they 'expect' it: daughter already doing her best to fill her LISA up with her spare wages!
Carbon Sasquatch said:
I announced my retirement to my team today. Three months left of gradually doing less & less
Depending on what you do the reduction might be far faster than you expect.My experience was a busy few weeks as projects and management responsibilities were handed to others, and then… nothing. For months.
Once your work is someone else’s responsibility your role literally is redundant as everyone is dealing with the new person.
PF62 said:
Depending on what you do the reduction might be far faster than you expect.
My experience was a busy few weeks as projects and management responsibilities were handed to others, and then… nothing. For months.
Once your work is someone else’s responsibility your role literally is redundant as everyone is dealing with the new person.
I handed my notice in and they spent a week trying to persuade me to stay.My experience was a busy few weeks as projects and management responsibilities were handed to others, and then… nothing. For months.
Once your work is someone else’s responsibility your role literally is redundant as everyone is dealing with the new person.
After that they made notionally work my notice but literally excluded me so I did f
k all for a year. I don't really know why they wanted me to stay - in hindsight I think they were just being polite.
JeffreyD said:
PF62 said:
Depending on what you do the reduction might be far faster than you expect.
My experience was a busy few weeks as projects and management responsibilities were handed to others, and then… nothing. For months.
Once your work is someone else’s responsibility your role literally is redundant as everyone is dealing with the new person.
I handed my notice in and they spent a week trying to persuade me to stay.My experience was a busy few weeks as projects and management responsibilities were handed to others, and then… nothing. For months.
Once your work is someone else’s responsibility your role literally is redundant as everyone is dealing with the new person.
After that they made notionally work my notice but literally excluded me so I did f
k all for a year. I don't really know why they wanted me to stay - in hindsight I think they were just being polite.
It took a year from them telling me I wasn’t wanted to me leaving, with them actually pushing back the leaving date by four months part way through.
And from a couple of weeks after being told I was going and everything had been handed on so I had eleven months of being paid but with no work or responsibilities.
Fortunately that coincided with the COVID ‘working from home’ period so it was particularly enjoyable sitting in the garden enjoying the sun whilst my manager still had to go through their regular ‘catch ups’ on progress - “how are things going, everything up to date” “yep, everything I am responsible for is”.
PF62 said:
For me early retirement was as a result of a large scale redundancy in the organisation.
It took a year from them telling me I wasn’t wanted to me leaving, with them actually pushing back the leaving date by four months part way through.
And from a couple of weeks after being told I was going and everything had been handed on so I had eleven months of being paid but with no work or responsibilities.
Fortunately that coincided with the COVID ‘working from home’ period so it was particularly enjoyable sitting in the garden enjoying the sun whilst my manager still had to go through their regular ‘catch ups’ on progress - “how are things going, everything up to date” “yep, everything I am responsible for is”.
I'd sold my business and was on a earn out with a proper employment contract. Basically the only proper paye job I've had since I was 21.It took a year from them telling me I wasn’t wanted to me leaving, with them actually pushing back the leaving date by four months part way through.
And from a couple of weeks after being told I was going and everything had been handed on so I had eleven months of being paid but with no work or responsibilities.
Fortunately that coincided with the COVID ‘working from home’ period so it was particularly enjoyable sitting in the garden enjoying the sun whilst my manager still had to go through their regular ‘catch ups’ on progress - “how are things going, everything up to date” “yep, everything I am responsible for is”.
I was a s
t employee when I was a teenager and that didn't change when I was in my 30s/40sNever again.
bennno said:
It’s odd how we all are thinking similarity about helping our kids getting on property ladder, I don’t think it ever crossed my parents minds.
It's an excellent means of preserving and passing on wealth.Every pound you gift your kids to help them on the ladder helps them benefit from ever increasing house values and that will be of enormous value to them in the decades to come.
It's all tax free gains too.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I think you've read some judgement into my words where none was intended. I totally understand why someone would yearn for a simpler existence after decades in a high-pressure corporate role. But personally going too far the other way would do me in and probably hasten my demise.anonymous said:
[redacted]
I understand this deeply. From the start of my career and through my 30s I was a high-flyer who could do no wrong. At 47 I left corporate life demoralised, bitter, close to broken.I think it's important when thinking about retirement strategy to draw a distinction between the 'push' of escaping a bad situation in the near term, versus the 'pull' factors which will sustain and nourish you in the long term.
plenty said:
I think it's important when thinking about retirement strategy to draw a distinction between the 'push' of escaping a bad situation in the near term, versus the 'pull' factors which will sustain and nourish you in the long term.
I have read all of this thread with nothing really to contribute until nowMy Brother in Law found exactly this. As he got to 55, hated working and thought he wanted to retire and was able to claim a really old DB pension early and pack it in. He needed to take a part time job driving a van, that coupled with the pension was enough to sustain him until various other pensions kicked in. Or so he thought, driving the van was mind numbing compared to his old role and still a tie as it meant only four weeks a year when he was not required at work (although only two days, it was the same two days every week). Inside a year he was back in his old career, although no longer managing people doing the job. He was actually back to doing the job, which he much prefers.
His lesson was; it was his role he hated, not the industry or working at all. He's probably a couple of years behind where he could have been without the early pension claim and lower paying year so not a disaster in the scheme of things
jesus, im 37 and iv'e been planning my escape already. Retail management has changed alot lately, we are glorified councilors now.
Every now and then some high up comes up with another "5minute" daily routine to add in while removing more hours.
I get things running right and smoothly and we have to change again. Goal posts get moved (different from targets)
I do the job that used to be done by 3 managers. I can only get a 3% or more pay rise by exceeding on all my targets but the moment other departments are struggling I have to bail them out so can't do the extra mile.
Utterly demotivated by it all and I plan to be out before 40
Every now and then some high up comes up with another "5minute" daily routine to add in while removing more hours.
I get things running right and smoothly and we have to change again. Goal posts get moved (different from targets)
I do the job that used to be done by 3 managers. I can only get a 3% or more pay rise by exceeding on all my targets but the moment other departments are struggling I have to bail them out so can't do the extra mile.
Utterly demotivated by it all and I plan to be out before 40
GT3Manthey said:
I’m not sure everyone fully relaxes as there are always ongoing considerations with regards costs of living and like now raging inflation.
That said if you can find a good balance of what’s actually important with regards spending then you’ve nailed it .
My biggest concern now is how my kids will manage with getting on the property ladder so we are looking at how we structure this .
So always ongoing issues
We've managed to get two on the property ladder. We contributed £5k each towards deposits, not much but it helped.That said if you can find a good balance of what’s actually important with regards spending then you’ve nailed it .
My biggest concern now is how my kids will manage with getting on the property ladder so we are looking at how we structure this .
So always ongoing issues
We're going through the process with number three but as a singleton its a little more expensive, also only a 40% share of a new build.
That said despite enjoying early retirement I've also been in a position to help with the process- paperwork etc. We never really planned anything or set any money aside as they all took different paths before settling down. However I guess we had a slush fund and better in property than our premium bonds for example. I mean it will all go to them eventually.
Lyme Regis today was bloody lovely. 20 C ...
I can't see myself fully retiring unless a health situation comes up (or job vanishes completely, but I would probably try something else again). Perhaps, I'm also surrounded by senior colleagues (mid 60s 70s) who have no bloody intention to retire yet. My father gave it a try when he was late 60s, bored to death for a few months, so he has been back at work. I'm 40 though, so probably too early.
ooid said:
I can't see myself fully retiring unless a health situation comes up (or job vanishes completely, but I would probably try something else again). Perhaps, I'm also surrounded by senior colleagues (mid 60s 70s) who have no bloody intention to retire yet. My father gave it a try when he was late 60s, bored to death for a few months, so he has been back at work. I'm 40 though, so probably too early.
Yep, that would be me....stimulating work that I love, plenty of time to pursue hobbies, good health, travel, car hobby and generally not interested in being bored. Not for everyone but it certainly works for me at 73. Two new cars on order, one delivered in a couple of weeks, a few track days this year, and all good. I have a huge amount of fun working and always did. I am well aware it will not be possible forever, but hopefully will do my usual thing and track a new car at the NS and Spa later this year or Spring next. Definitely not for everyone, but I need to be productive and useful, just my own thing. There is absolutely no possibility I will look back and wish I had more leisure to do things....work is a sort of hobby for me, not an obligation.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It's balance though isn't it. I totally get the being a postie in "retirement" or just working in the local Tesco's stacking shelves. By the same token continuing to "work" in some consultancy position would also be great. The issue is less what it is, but being in the position to have the choice. Choosing to do something rather than having to do something is to me what retirement is. When I reach the point I no longer have to do my job I've retired in my mind. 
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I totally get the idea of being part time postman . Free exercise , social interaction & it at least adds some form of structure to the week plus , a little extra bit of spending money.
Also during the winter months when lots of outdoor activities are not available you still at least have a structure.
Some form of structure even in retirement I feel is important
GT3Manthey said:
I totally get the idea of being part time postman .
Free exercise , social interaction & it at least adds some form of structure to the week plus , a little extra bit of spending money.
Also during the winter months when lots of outdoor activities are not available you still at least have a structure.
Some form of structure even in retirement I feel is important
One mans structure is another mans commitment.....Free exercise , social interaction & it at least adds some form of structure to the week plus , a little extra bit of spending money.
Also during the winter months when lots of outdoor activities are not available you still at least have a structure.
Some form of structure even in retirement I feel is important
I kind of get the postman idea, until it's the middle of winter, freezing & raining, then the shine may go off it a bit.
Similarly with having to turn down evening events due to work in the morning. OK, not that frequent occurrence, but if 'structure' is going to the gym or a round of golf, then you can just cancel.
My aim is a year of nothing and then decide whether I need the sense of purpose or structure or anything else. Well, not quite nothing, my winters will be spent in a ski resort, so I just have the other 7 months of nothing to fill
It appears this thread shows the differing opinions of the two camps. On the one hand, RDMcG and the like, who enjoy their jobs. Why retire from something you'd do as a hobby anyway, when someone is paying you to do it.
And people like me, who don't really like their job, or who used to like it but now, not so much. I suspect most of the working population are in my camp. Fortunately retirement isn't compulsory. But unfortunately, for many people not as lucky as I was (got out last year aged 58), carrying on working is.
And people like me, who don't really like their job, or who used to like it but now, not so much. I suspect most of the working population are in my camp. Fortunately retirement isn't compulsory. But unfortunately, for many people not as lucky as I was (got out last year aged 58), carrying on working is.
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