Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
skeeterm5 said:
And talking of things not being here…….
There she goes.
Sad day I'm sure, but onwards and upwards...see if you can find that perfect Cosworth. There she goes.
There are things I could and should be getting on with today, but a cold dragging on and horrible damp weather outside, so I'll just bimble around the house today I think. I received a used guitar pedal yesterday that simulates different acoustic guitars, so I knocked up this slightly nasally cover last night, which seems quite appropriate given the recent subject matter on here.
https://on.soundcloud.com/eoBv6
My wife retired before me and she worked from home before that, as I did for two days a week in the last years, which I think helped us get used to the idea of being around each other more. We worked together for nearly 10 years from when we first met, so it's not entirely unfamiliar territory though. We also do our own things; she does her art and spa days/swimming and I do my car and music stuff, which I think is healthy and gives us new conversations to share as we've seen other people.
OldSkoolRS said:
My wife retired before me and she worked from home before that, as I did for two days a week in the last years, which I think helped us get used to the idea of being around each other more. We worked together for nearly 10 years from when we first met, so it's not entirely unfamiliar territory though. We also do our own things; she does her art and spa days/swimming and I do my car and music stuff, which I think is healthy and gives us new conversations to share as we've seen other people.
This is something that my wife and I have discussed numerous times. She's 7 years younger than me and has always worked in a responsible job so has a good income and enjoys the challenge.I'm retiring at the end of December so will have to get used to finding things to do on my own. I have a load of DIY projects I want to get on with, sort out all the boxes in the loft and sell/dispose/give away the contents, garden improvements, enjoying my cars and reading all the books I've been amassing and enjoying watching an afternoon film in the cold, dark winter months without being interrupted.
I want her to work for 1 more year and then retire at the end of 2024 as I'm very conscious that we have limited time to enjoy retirement together. She's worried that she doesn't really have any hobbies to fill her time and that without work she won't have anything meaningful to do.
I'm good at amusing myself but she's not so good without structure, so needs to find some new interests. We plan to travel more when we have the time and probably to spend several of the winter months down in southern Spain to escape the cold and damp. I imagine it will be easy to become quite isolated and also to drink too much wine in the lovely Spanish sun so we need to meet new people and find activities to do both together and with other people. We do worry that we could be too dependant on each other and that if something happens to one of us ar some point, the other one could be very lonely.
It's not a bad problem to have, but we do need to work out what's important to each of us and not just slip into a rut.
j4r4lly said:
I'm finally within touching distance of retirement.
As of today I have 21 working days left!
After applying for voluntary separation in 2019, being accepted and then at the very last, the offer being withdrawn, I have been trying to be relaxed about my prospects this time.
However, HR have approved the deal, I've been working with my replacement to handover my role, so it seems that it really is going to happen this time.
My wife will continue working for a year or two so it will be a bit of a "hybrid" retirement for me until she escapes.
Because of what happened in 2019 I haven't really thought too much about future plans, but now it's so close, I have been brain dumping all the things I want to do and it's fair to say I think retirment will be fairly busy.
Roll on December 20th!
Many congrats....just need our leader, GT3, to get in and join the crowd!!As of today I have 21 working days left!
After applying for voluntary separation in 2019, being accepted and then at the very last, the offer being withdrawn, I have been trying to be relaxed about my prospects this time.
However, HR have approved the deal, I've been working with my replacement to handover my role, so it seems that it really is going to happen this time.
My wife will continue working for a year or two so it will be a bit of a "hybrid" retirement for me until she escapes.
Because of what happened in 2019 I haven't really thought too much about future plans, but now it's so close, I have been brain dumping all the things I want to do and it's fair to say I think retirment will be fairly busy.
Roll on December 20th!
I recall having a daily countdown on my screen for about 4 months - the lower the numbers went, the more the excitement grew!
We are loving our time together now - she was a stay at home mum (after escaping a fairly senior accountancy role!), but I was based from home for over 20 years, so very used to enjoying each others company: that makes time fly.
RDMcG said:
<snip - lots of interesting thoughts>
We are both city people -everything is very convenient from shopping to having hospitals five minutes away. I have noticed with older friends the concern about access to convenient services when they live farther away.
<more good bits>
I had really no ageing issue before the last couple of years and there is nothing horribly wrong-irregular heartbeat which can be medicated and not serious enough to be operated. Still , joints are more creaky and I have a trainer who stretches me three times a week.
I know my track days are ending but was a huge amount of fun when it lasted. Well, have to get on the road for 800km to Philadelphia.
Aging does see more creaking.....I'm still the right side of 60, but after 2 volleyball matches last week, then a 5 hour Sunday training hike with a Gold DofE team we have for next year, my knees are feeling it.....& another volleyball match tonight We are both city people -everything is very convenient from shopping to having hospitals five minutes away. I have noticed with older friends the concern about access to convenient services when they live farther away.
<more good bits>
I had really no ageing issue before the last couple of years and there is nothing horribly wrong-irregular heartbeat which can be medicated and not serious enough to be operated. Still , joints are more creaky and I have a trainer who stretches me three times a week.
I know my track days are ending but was a huge amount of fun when it lasted. Well, have to get on the road for 800km to Philadelphia.
Sounds like you are working everything out as well as anyone can - enjoy that long drive!
gareth h said:
This is turning into a year of 2 halves, started with surgery for prostate cancer (gents if you haven’t had a blood test for PSA recently get yourself down the surgery, I had no symptoms and it was only due to the diligence of my surgery that the big C isn’t coursing through my body!).
And on a happier note, I’ve been selected to represent Wales over 60s at walking football (no giggling at the back
). First international cap at the age of 61, who’d have thought it
Been a few years since my check at 55 - probs due another soon....And on a happier note, I’ve been selected to represent Wales over 60s at walking football (no giggling at the back
). First international cap at the age of 61, who’d have thought it That is an awesome effort - no sniggering here - I think it is brilliant to keep playing some sport as we age. Good luck!
12TS said:
What are people's experiences where their partner continues to work? My wife's a little younger than me and would probably continue to work for a while longer after I retire.
If it was the other way round I think I'd be OK, but there's maybe a part of me that thinks I wish it was me who'd retired.
There's no issue with money, we're covered either way,
Mrs H retired about 18 months ago while I am still working full time (from home).If it was the other way round I think I'd be OK, but there's maybe a part of me that thinks I wish it was me who'd retired.
There's no issue with money, we're covered either way,
It works ok most of the time, she sometimes struggles a bit with having so much free time that I can’t spend with her but is very grateful for no longer having any work demands on her time.
I half-jokingly say I should have packed in first as there’s a never ending list of DIY tasks waiting for to be done that aren’t getting a lookin while I am still working but other than that it doesn’t bother me that she escaped first.
Car bon said:
Having cleared out our parents places after they have passed, I'm sure anything you can do to reduce the quantity of 'stuff' will be greatly appreciated.
As much as anything, it can be knowledge of its value and/or what to do with it. Otherwise you get things like your son (or whoever) just gets some random wine merchant in & says 'give me a price for the whole lot'.
You're an inspiration though, doing as much as you still do - keep it up
In the end, stuff, cars and all the rest will last longer that I will. This is OK. As much as anything, it can be knowledge of its value and/or what to do with it. Otherwise you get things like your son (or whoever) just gets some random wine merchant in & says 'give me a price for the whole lot'.
You're an inspiration though, doing as much as you still do - keep it up
The most important thing for me is experience, the adventures I have had, the people I met and valued, the great friends and family. I continue to seek new experiences as long as I can as every repeat day of the same old, same old has not been for me.
The experience of something new still delights me. So. for example I could go to Paris again, but it would never be the dazzling experience for a penniless 21 year old when I first saw it. This is why new experiences matter. I recall when I first saw an E Type Jag in about 1963. I was a teenager and was just transfixed by its beauty. Those moments of wonder far outstrip the more jaded experiences.
This is why I want every car I own to have an experience, to see an historic track and to be driven there. Even though I am old I want that thrill. My last RS was signed by Dr Porsche at his home. The 992RS is off to Europe for its own adventures. I want that visceral sense of adrenalin, a bit of danger, a memory. All of my GT cars have been on the Nürburgring and at Spa. I am keenly aware that I am approaching closing time with this car life but that is just fine. The cars are just bits of metal, but I want to look at them and remember what they did, what I did and to recall that moment of excitement.
Old is fine, but there is always a future, however short.
RDMcG said:
Car bon said:
Having cleared out our parents places after they have passed, I'm sure anything you can do to reduce the quantity of 'stuff' will be greatly appreciated.
As much as anything, it can be knowledge of its value and/or what to do with it. Otherwise you get things like your son (or whoever) just gets some random wine merchant in & says 'give me a price for the whole lot'.
You're an inspiration though, doing as much as you still do - keep it up
In the end, stuff, cars and all the rest will last longer that I will. This is OK. As much as anything, it can be knowledge of its value and/or what to do with it. Otherwise you get things like your son (or whoever) just gets some random wine merchant in & says 'give me a price for the whole lot'.
You're an inspiration though, doing as much as you still do - keep it up
The most important thing for me is experience, the adventures I have had, the people I met and valued, the great friends and family. I continue to seek new experiences as long as I can as every repeat day of the same old, same old has not been for me.
The experience of something new still delights me. So. for example I could go to Paris again, but it would never be the dazzling experience for a penniless 21 year old when I first saw it. This is why new experiences matter. I recall when I first saw an E Type Jag in about 1963. I was a teenager and was just transfixed by its beauty. Those moments of wonder far outstrip the more jaded experiences.
This is why I want every car I own to have an experience, to see an historic track and to be driven there. Even though I am old I want that thrill. My last RS was signed by Dr Porsche at his home. The 992RS is off to Europe for its own adventures. I want that visceral sense of adrenalin, a bit of danger, a memory. All of my GT cars have been on the Nürburgring and at Spa. I am keenly aware that I am approaching closing time with this car life but that is just fine. The cars are just bits of metal, but I want to look at them and remember what they did, what I did and to recall that moment of excitement.
Old is fine, but there is always a future, however short.
R.
The Leaper said:
RDMcG said:
Car bon said:
You're an inspiration though, doing as much as you still do - keep it up
In the end, stuff, cars and all the rest will last longer that I will. This is OK. The most important thing for me is experience, the adventures I have had, the people I met and valued, the great friends and family. I continue to seek new experiences as long as I can as every repeat day of the same old, same old has not been for me.
The experience of something new still delights me. So. for example I could go to Paris again, but it would never be the dazzling experience for a penniless 21 year old when I first saw it. This is why new experiences matter. I recall when I first saw an E Type Jag in about 1963. I was a teenager and was just transfixed by its beauty. Those moments of wonder far outstrip the more jaded experiences.
This is why I want every car I own to have an experience, to see an historic track and to be driven there. Even though I am old I want that thrill. My last RS was signed by Dr Porsche at his home. The 992RS is off to Europe for its own adventures. I want that visceral sense of adrenalin, a bit of danger, a memory. All of my GT cars have been on the Nürburgring and at Spa. I am keenly aware that I am approaching closing time with this car life but that is just fine. The cars are just bits of metal, but I want to look at them and remember what they did, what I did and to recall that moment of excitement.
Old is fine, but there is always a future, however short.
R.
Some years ago, as we (& my older siblings!) have got older, I started buying them tickets for things or meals for presents instead of all the usual tat. Seeing a comedian or play, enjoying a nice meal, all provide far more memories than physical items.
When I stepped away from the world of paid employment, I made a big effort to keep in touch with people who had become friends over those many working years. I’ve managed to catch up with half a dozen non-UK based ones this year, & hope to continue to do so over the years ahead.
Many people deride Facebook, instagram and other social media. Particularly the older generation (eek - that’s us I’m talking about!).
Sure, they can have negatives, but for me they give me an easy way to stay engaged with folk I want to stay engaged with. NZ & Oz will feature somewhere in our next two years, & we have relatives and pals dotted about down under: thanks to ‘social media’, I have a decent handle on how their lives are, & I am confident the conversation will be lively when we rock up on their doorsteps!
Oh, & we won last nights volleyball 3-0, with me stringing together a run of sixteen serves to help finish the final set. I have an unorthodox style (windmill, reverse, etc) after my shoulder struggled over a decade ago. I can’t recall the last time I played 3 games in a week (*cough* all wins
). Today is a day to ache a little 
RDMcG said:
In the end, stuff, cars and all the rest will last longer that I will. This is OK.
The most important thing for me is experience, the adventures I have had, the people I met and valued, the great friends and family. I continue to seek new experiences as long as I can as every repeat day of the same old, same old has not been for me.
The experience of something new still delights me. So. for example I could go to Paris again, but it would never be the dazzling experience for a penniless 21 year old when I first saw it. This is why new experiences matter. I recall when I first saw an E Type Jag in about 1963. I was a teenager and was just transfixed by its beauty. Those moments of wonder far outstrip the more jaded experiences.
This is why I want every car I own to have an experience, to see an historic track and to be driven there. Even though I am old I want that thrill. My last RS was signed by Dr Porsche at his home. The 992RS is off to Europe for its own adventures. I want that visceral sense of adrenalin, a bit of danger, a memory. All of my GT cars have been on the Nürburgring and at Spa. I am keenly aware that I am approaching closing time with this car life but that is just fine. The cars are just bits of metal, but I want to look at them and remember what they did, what I did and to recall that moment of excitement.
Old is fine, but there is always a future, however short.
That's just brilliant - wish I could have put that into words as that's exactly how I feel.The most important thing for me is experience, the adventures I have had, the people I met and valued, the great friends and family. I continue to seek new experiences as long as I can as every repeat day of the same old, same old has not been for me.
The experience of something new still delights me. So. for example I could go to Paris again, but it would never be the dazzling experience for a penniless 21 year old when I first saw it. This is why new experiences matter. I recall when I first saw an E Type Jag in about 1963. I was a teenager and was just transfixed by its beauty. Those moments of wonder far outstrip the more jaded experiences.
This is why I want every car I own to have an experience, to see an historic track and to be driven there. Even though I am old I want that thrill. My last RS was signed by Dr Porsche at his home. The 992RS is off to Europe for its own adventures. I want that visceral sense of adrenalin, a bit of danger, a memory. All of my GT cars have been on the Nürburgring and at Spa. I am keenly aware that I am approaching closing time with this car life but that is just fine. The cars are just bits of metal, but I want to look at them and remember what they did, what I did and to recall that moment of excitement.
Old is fine, but there is always a future, however short.
With retirement now just a month away, it's one of my plans to "make some memories" with my cars (and the wife and dog too) by taking them to classic locations and circuits
I'm facing potential retirement in a month or so (currently contracting and doubtful if the contracts I'm working on will proceed due to company finances). I'm 67 and have been employed since the age of 15 so the thought of retirement is terrifying me, I'm in good health and reasonable fit so will need to do something to keep active and the mind working. (I'm am \ was the principal engineer on a £17B rail project and dreading the loss of the mentally stimulation \ problem solving so I'm beginning to wish I'd kept the L322 Range Rover
L1OFF said:
I'm facing potential retirement in a month or so (currently contracting and doubtful if the contracts I'm working on will proceed due to company finances). I'm 67 and have been employed since the age of 15 so the thought of retirement is terrifying me, I'm in good health and reasonable fit so will need to do something to keep active and the mind working. (I'm am \ was the principal engineer on a £17B rail project and dreading the loss of the mentally stimulation \ problem solving so I'm beginning to wish I'd kept the L322 Range Rover
Get another TVR Alan and you’ll have plenty to keep you busy 
Hope you enjoy your retirement in good health buddy and hope you are well.
Shnozz said:
Get another TVR Alan and you’ll have plenty to keep you busy
Hope you enjoy your retirement in good health buddy and hope you are well.
Hi PhilHope you enjoy your retirement in good health buddy and hope you are well.
I'm good really, just getting anxious about having not a lot to fil the days. TVR, I did look around for a good Griff but a 911 is the current toy.
You well?L1OFF said:
I'm good really, just getting anxious about having not a lot to fil the days.
When you start looking there's plenty to keep your mind and body active. I've been retired for just over a year now and current projects and activities include:- Volunteering at a local technology museum, doing maintenance, repair and overhaul for exhibits.
- Two hours of reasonably tough gym interval classes each week.
- A couple of weeks spent touring in Spain with a friend.
- Joined the local mens' shed and help out with fundraising and anything else that needs doing.
- Remodelling our upstairs bathrooms with new plumbing, taps etc.
- A couple of longer jobs on my hobby car which I wouldn't have contemplated with a more limited time budget.
- Starting to get involved with a veterans charity.
I promise you, a lack of things to do is really not a problem if you engage with the possibilities.
L1OFF said:
mens shed is appealing, wife read the thread and said "you could learn to spell"
. I retired from a full time senior job at 60 but immediately started consulting for a former supplier on a global basis; a few years later I started to join boards of directors for tech firms that were much smaller than my previous large employer. This utilized many of the skills I had had in my full-time job while providing me with a new perspective on smaller companies. I had plenty of time to do this and served on seven boards over the following years. It was lucrative.
One way to think about this is to decide if you want to work more, possibly on a part-time basis as I did. Your skills will still be very current the day you stop your full time work. I had a blast doing this and only finished my last board less than a year ago. We each have specific skills we can market..there is a lot f work available and you might want to check out your network and see of there is something interesting.
Evidently you may prefer full-time retirement which is right for many people..
RDMcG said:
I retired from a full time senior job at 60 but immediately started consulting for a former supplier on a global basis; a few years later I started to join boards of directors for tech firms that were much smaller than my previous large employer. This utilized many of the skills I had had in my full-time job while providing me with a new perspective on smaller companies. I had plenty of time to do this and served on seven boards over the following years. It was lucrative.
One way to think about this is to decide if you want to work more, possibly on a part-time basis as I did. Your skills will still be very current the day you stop your full time work. I had a blast doing this and only finished my last board less than a year ago. We each have specific skills we can market..there is a lot f work available and you might want to check out your network and see of there is something interesting.
Evidently you may prefer full-time retirement which is right for many people..
L1OFF said:
That's interesting, my wife said very similar about consultancy work. I'm not too bothered about full time as I was considering in my current role (if it continues, not sure yet) of dropping to 3-4 days a week. Will see when my current contract expirers on the 12th December. Thank you for your comments much appreciated.
I’ve undertaken some well paid part-time and location independent consultancy work for the past 4 years since retiring from my last full-time employment. It’s tailed off now more because I want it to than the opportunities available. It’s been a good transition to retirement and pushed back my drawdown requirements a few years. You mentioned being a ‘’Primary Engineer’’ on a large project. One interesting thing I noticed when I stood down as CEO but continued to be employed for 6 months while my successor settled in, was how much the title meant to staff some of which I’d known for years. I suddenly became anonymous. I’d never been a CEO with an ego so I didn’t appreciate the perceived power that came with the title. It was a bit of a change at first but I’ve come to enjoy being a nobody nowadays
Phil. said:
...... It was a bit of a change at first but I’ve come to enjoy being a nobody nowadays
I read a few good articles on this I'm my run up to retirement - people continue to work because they fear becoming irrelevant - which is different from busy and probably closer to needing a sense of purpose.https://hbr.org/2015/06/stop-worrying-about-how-mu...
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