Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
easytiger123 said:
Really enjoyable thread that I have been lurking around for a while, so thanks to all those regular contributors.
Here's my dilemma. Financially, I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I can retire and live how I want. I'm in my late 50's and have been working since I left school aged 18. Own my own business and have done for 20 years. My real worry is that I'll get bored fast of retirement. I don't have any hobbies really, hate DIY, and whilst I love travelling and my downtime I do worry it'll be too much of a good thing and I'll have no sense of purpose. So my question for you regulars is, is retirement actually that much fun after a while or are there any of you with regrets? Is there another side to the idyll that is generally portrayed on this thread?
Once I'm "out" it will be virtually impossible to go back into the world of business and work so I'm really finding it hard to make my mind up. Thanks!
It’s a tough call when the choice is binary. I retired aged 47 so fairly young but old enough, given my area, that the retirement was always going to be a one way street. I couldn’t have gone back a few years later; nobody would be hiring a 50 year old IT executive who has been out of touch for three years in a fast moving field.Here's my dilemma. Financially, I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I can retire and live how I want. I'm in my late 50's and have been working since I left school aged 18. Own my own business and have done for 20 years. My real worry is that I'll get bored fast of retirement. I don't have any hobbies really, hate DIY, and whilst I love travelling and my downtime I do worry it'll be too much of a good thing and I'll have no sense of purpose. So my question for you regulars is, is retirement actually that much fun after a while or are there any of you with regrets? Is there another side to the idyll that is generally portrayed on this thread?
Once I'm "out" it will be virtually impossible to go back into the world of business and work so I'm really finding it hard to make my mind up. Thanks!
Potentially scary but 13 years later I can honestly say that I have not for a single moment regretted the decision or longed to be back at work. Now, we are all wired differently. The fact that you own your own business and I was a corporate wage slave tells me from the get-go that you run at higher levels of energy that I do. I don’t bore easily whereas you might.
One way to look at it though. Once retired you can choose to go anywhere, do anything, any time you so wish - apart from go to work. That equation is, for me personally, an absolute no-brainer.
OldSkoolRS said:
Not so much a regret, but I did find end of January wasn't a great time: Horrible weather and couldn't get on with much as I'd planned to start working on my music room, but couldn't get started as soon as I'd hoped. Once I was able to get on and I got busy again, right up to our trip away. I'm hoping that next year I'll make more use of the music room during those dark months, plus we're planning another big trip away to shorten the end of winter. Outside of that I have enough hobbies and interests to keep me busy, especially in the warmer months, that I don't feel any lack of purpose; just late January that I'll have to watch for.
That resonates strongly with me, the impact of the weather being so much greater when retired vs sat in the office. We stayed in for breakfast today and I just grumbled that this time last year we were using the garden rather than stuck in the conservatory.One thing we habitually do is check the forecast. Every nice town or city within a 50 mile radius is on our weather apps and, before we get out of bed, I check those even before I look at the US pre-market action. We don’t rise until we’ve decided where to go.
Wow. Thank you to all of you for your thoughtful replies.
To answer some of your questions and points raised, for the last few years I started to take it somewhat easier but in the last 6 months for various reasons, I've been pulled back in much more and there's no sign of that changing. If you'd asked me 6 months ago, I'd have been more than happy to maintain the status quo and therefore not retire, but as the stress has ramped up I keep finding myself thinking more about retiring and keep getting drawn back to this thread. One of the comments made on here many, many pages ago that most resonated was someone who said something like "I'm 60 so I've only realistically got another 15 or 20 active summers left". That's basically me give or take.
So, for me it really is a cliff edge. Even if I decide today to sell, I've got to find a buyer who will not only pay the right price, but isn't a total douchebag as I have a responsibility to everyone who's put their career and financial wellbeing in my hands and I can't and won't betray them like that. Plus I'd have to work for the buyer for at least a couple of years as part of any sale (it's very much a people business, so that's going to be non-negotiable). All in all that's basically 2.5-3 years from decision to sitting on a beach drinking a cold one without a care in the world.
Like so many others over the years on all sorts of threads who come on PH, ostensibly, to ask for advice but who really just want validation, I asked my original questions secretly hoping nobody would put me off retirement completely. Which (so far) you haven't. Though the point about January being tough is well taken. I do worry still about not having anything particular that I want to do in retirement, but I'm hopeful that's the kind of thing that will only appear once I'm in the position to see it.
Once again, thank you to you all. Keep the responses coming I really appreciate it.
To answer some of your questions and points raised, for the last few years I started to take it somewhat easier but in the last 6 months for various reasons, I've been pulled back in much more and there's no sign of that changing. If you'd asked me 6 months ago, I'd have been more than happy to maintain the status quo and therefore not retire, but as the stress has ramped up I keep finding myself thinking more about retiring and keep getting drawn back to this thread. One of the comments made on here many, many pages ago that most resonated was someone who said something like "I'm 60 so I've only realistically got another 15 or 20 active summers left". That's basically me give or take.
So, for me it really is a cliff edge. Even if I decide today to sell, I've got to find a buyer who will not only pay the right price, but isn't a total douchebag as I have a responsibility to everyone who's put their career and financial wellbeing in my hands and I can't and won't betray them like that. Plus I'd have to work for the buyer for at least a couple of years as part of any sale (it's very much a people business, so that's going to be non-negotiable). All in all that's basically 2.5-3 years from decision to sitting on a beach drinking a cold one without a care in the world.
Like so many others over the years on all sorts of threads who come on PH, ostensibly, to ask for advice but who really just want validation, I asked my original questions secretly hoping nobody would put me off retirement completely. Which (so far) you haven't. Though the point about January being tough is well taken. I do worry still about not having anything particular that I want to do in retirement, but I'm hopeful that's the kind of thing that will only appear once I'm in the position to see it.
Once again, thank you to you all. Keep the responses coming I really appreciate it.
easytiger123 said:
Wow. Thank you to all of you for your thoughtful replies.
To answer some of your questions and points raised, for the last few years I started to take it somewhat easier but in the last 6 months for various reasons, I've been pulled back in much more and there's no sign of that changing. If you'd asked me 6 months ago, I'd have been more than happy to maintain the status quo and therefore not retire, but as the stress has ramped up I keep finding myself thinking more about retiring and keep getting drawn back to this thread. One of the comments made on here many, many pages ago that most resonated was someone who said something like "I'm 60 so I've only realistically got another 15 or 20 active summers left". That's basically me give or take.
So, for me it really is a cliff edge. Even if I decide today to sell, I've got to find a buyer who will not only pay the right price, but isn't a total douchebag as I have a responsibility to everyone who's put their career and financial wellbeing in my hands and I can't and won't betray them like that. Plus I'd have to work for the buyer for at least a couple of years as part of any sale (it's very much a people business, so that's going to be non-negotiable). All in all that's basically 2.5-3 years from decision to sitting on a beach drinking a cold one without a care in the world.
Like so many others over the years on all sorts of threads who come on PH, ostensibly, to ask for advice but who really just want validation, I asked my original questions secretly hoping nobody would put me off retirement completely. Which (so far) you haven't. Though the point about January being tough is well taken. I do worry still about not having anything particular that I want to do in retirement, but I'm hopeful that's the kind of thing that will only appear once I'm in the position to see it.
Once again, thank you to you all. Keep the responses coming I really appreciate it.
I have been working with a couple of clients recently who are looking to exit their businesses, and - like yourself - are concerned about the 'cliff edge'. One of them sold up in October last year, exited at Christmas, and has already been on telephone asking if I know anyone looking for 'consultancy help'. I fully get this, he was a massively busy and engaged guy, and the sudden stop has hit him quite hard. The other one I am working with is worried about this (and also the resale value of their business) and so what we have decided to do is recruit a General Manager that can grow into the role, partly so that my client can steadily step back (making the business more saleable) but also so that he can still have "a purpose" and manage his workload downwards if it doesn't sell for a while. It avoids the 'hard stop' and gives flexibility.To answer some of your questions and points raised, for the last few years I started to take it somewhat easier but in the last 6 months for various reasons, I've been pulled back in much more and there's no sign of that changing. If you'd asked me 6 months ago, I'd have been more than happy to maintain the status quo and therefore not retire, but as the stress has ramped up I keep finding myself thinking more about retiring and keep getting drawn back to this thread. One of the comments made on here many, many pages ago that most resonated was someone who said something like "I'm 60 so I've only realistically got another 15 or 20 active summers left". That's basically me give or take.
So, for me it really is a cliff edge. Even if I decide today to sell, I've got to find a buyer who will not only pay the right price, but isn't a total douchebag as I have a responsibility to everyone who's put their career and financial wellbeing in my hands and I can't and won't betray them like that. Plus I'd have to work for the buyer for at least a couple of years as part of any sale (it's very much a people business, so that's going to be non-negotiable). All in all that's basically 2.5-3 years from decision to sitting on a beach drinking a cold one without a care in the world.
Like so many others over the years on all sorts of threads who come on PH, ostensibly, to ask for advice but who really just want validation, I asked my original questions secretly hoping nobody would put me off retirement completely. Which (so far) you haven't. Though the point about January being tough is well taken. I do worry still about not having anything particular that I want to do in retirement, but I'm hopeful that's the kind of thing that will only appear once I'm in the position to see it.
Once again, thank you to you all. Keep the responses coming I really appreciate it.
easytiger123 said:
So, for me it really is a cliff edge. Even if I decide today to sell, I've got to find a buyer who will not only pay the right price, but isn't a total douchebag as I have a responsibility to everyone who's put their career and financial wellbeing in my hands and I can't and won't betray them like that. Plus I'd have to work for the buyer for at least a couple of years as part of any sale (it's very much a people business, so that's going to be non-negotiable). All in all that's basically 2.5-3 years from decision to sitting on a beach drinking a cold one without a care in the world.
This will be your transition period and from experience of selling businesses it will take longer than you think. So if you delay beginning the sale/exit process you’ll have a lot fewer than your 15-20 active summers to enjoy. Plus as others have mentioned, there will always be a bit of consultancy available if you want it, maybe advising a start up which doesn’t need to be in the same business area because you have years of transferable experience. Get on and start your sale/exit process is my advice. [quote=easytiger123
So, for me it really is a cliff edge. Even if I decide today to sell, I've got to find a buyer who will not only pay the right price, but isn't a total douchebag as I have a responsibility to everyone who's put their career and financial wellbeing in my hands and I can't and won't betray them like that. Plus I'd have to work for the buyer for at least a couple of years as part of any sale (it's very much a people business, so that's going to be non-negotiable). All in all that's basically 2.5-3 years from decision to sitting on a beach drinking a cold one without a care in the world.
Like so many others over the years on all sorts of threads who come on PH, ostensibly, to ask for advice but who really just want validation, I asked my original questions secretly hoping nobody would put me off retirement completely. Which (so far) you haven't. Though the point about January being tough is well taken. I do worry still about not having anything particular that I want to do in retirement, but I'm hopeful that's the kind of thing that will only appear once I'm in the position to see it.
Once again, thank you to you all. Keep the responses coming I really appreciate it.
[/quote]
I was an employee not owner but still a cliff face decision.
I had always intended to go at 60 or when the fun factor reduced below 50% and the planning dictated it might be a close run thing.
As a senior employee I had a 12 months notice period and said to the CEO I would like to retire at 60 but happy to give the years notice and continue mentoring / bringing on my team for when I left.
At the same time I did ask whether he wanted to consider giving me some consultancy work to which he replied ( and I will always be grateful and happy he said this ) “ let’s chat when you have gone but I’m too busy to talk about this now “ and needless to say that never happened.
I had worked for some 42 years and 37 in my last place which I realise is probably a bit unusual but when I left that was it.
I’ve seen a few good colleagues over the past 14 months for lunches which has been great but I don’t miss the politics ,the travel , and the seemingly new way of working these days one iota.
I’ve said before it’s now about the freedom and the spontaneity to do things.
Doesn’t mean every day is necessarily “ exciting “ but that’s really not the point.
So, for me it really is a cliff edge. Even if I decide today to sell, I've got to find a buyer who will not only pay the right price, but isn't a total douchebag as I have a responsibility to everyone who's put their career and financial wellbeing in my hands and I can't and won't betray them like that. Plus I'd have to work for the buyer for at least a couple of years as part of any sale (it's very much a people business, so that's going to be non-negotiable). All in all that's basically 2.5-3 years from decision to sitting on a beach drinking a cold one without a care in the world.
Like so many others over the years on all sorts of threads who come on PH, ostensibly, to ask for advice but who really just want validation, I asked my original questions secretly hoping nobody would put me off retirement completely. Which (so far) you haven't. Though the point about January being tough is well taken. I do worry still about not having anything particular that I want to do in retirement, but I'm hopeful that's the kind of thing that will only appear once I'm in the position to see it.
Once again, thank you to you all. Keep the responses coming I really appreciate it.
[/quote]
I was an employee not owner but still a cliff face decision.
I had always intended to go at 60 or when the fun factor reduced below 50% and the planning dictated it might be a close run thing.
As a senior employee I had a 12 months notice period and said to the CEO I would like to retire at 60 but happy to give the years notice and continue mentoring / bringing on my team for when I left.
At the same time I did ask whether he wanted to consider giving me some consultancy work to which he replied ( and I will always be grateful and happy he said this ) “ let’s chat when you have gone but I’m too busy to talk about this now “ and needless to say that never happened.
I had worked for some 42 years and 37 in my last place which I realise is probably a bit unusual but when I left that was it.
I’ve seen a few good colleagues over the past 14 months for lunches which has been great but I don’t miss the politics ,the travel , and the seemingly new way of working these days one iota.
I’ve said before it’s now about the freedom and the spontaneity to do things.
Doesn’t mean every day is necessarily “ exciting “ but that’s really not the point.
Phil. said:
easytiger123 said:
So, for me it really is a cliff edge. Even if I decide today to sell, I've got to find a buyer who will not only pay the right price, but isn't a total douchebag as I have a responsibility to everyone who's put their career and financial wellbeing in my hands and I can't and won't betray them like that. Plus I'd have to work for the buyer for at least a couple of years as part of any sale (it's very much a people business, so that's going to be non-negotiable). All in all that's basically 2.5-3 years from decision to sitting on a beach drinking a cold one without a care in the world.
This will be your transition period and from experience of selling businesses it will take longer than you think. So if you delay beginning the sale/exit process you’ll have a lot fewer than your 15-20 active summers to enjoy. Plus as others have mentioned, there will always be a bit of consultancy available if you want it, maybe advising a start up which doesn’t need to be in the same business area because you have years of transferable experience. Get on and start your sale/exit process is my advice. Given that (presumably) you dont even have a buyer yet, id suggest that timescale is optimistic to say the least.
With regard to whoever takes over, understand completely about your responsibility to others, but the chances of someone coming in and running it like you do are virtually zero. You might need to be more "flexible" that you currently want to be to get it over the line. Getting it over the line will very likely involve a lot of compromise.
Good luck with it.
This thread has contributed to me thinking of throwing in the towel of my day job. I won’t be retired as such but it’s holding me back from doing what I really enjoy which is property development.
I only do a day a week as a consultant but it’s taking up headspace and encroaching beyond a day a week.
I’ve been working towards replacing my salary which has gradually allowed me to reduce the days spent employed.
I’ll be cutting off the lifeboat too which will make go all in on my other ventures.
Anyone left the job before they were really ready? I have thoughts of “there’s never a good time, just do it”.
I’m 41 and already an outcast amongst my friends for being “that ******* who barely works”.
I’m excited and apprehensive in equal measure.
I only do a day a week as a consultant but it’s taking up headspace and encroaching beyond a day a week.
I’ve been working towards replacing my salary which has gradually allowed me to reduce the days spent employed.
I’ll be cutting off the lifeboat too which will make go all in on my other ventures.
Anyone left the job before they were really ready? I have thoughts of “there’s never a good time, just do it”.
I’m 41 and already an outcast amongst my friends for being “that ******* who barely works”.
I’m excited and apprehensive in equal measure.
This a similar dilemma for myself. Can certainly afford to retire now but worry about the boredom. I work in security and AI and it’s massively interesting at the moment… however I’m conscious we only have so many years and know I don’t want to do this forever. I have tried creating a list of things I want to do and I’m beginning to reframe retirement as a grey gap year. If after 12 months I still hanker for the cut and thrust of business I will go back to it. It’s helped in in deciding that this is the year I finish.
easytiger123 said:
Really enjoyable thread that I have been lurking around for a while, so thanks to all those regular contributors.
Here's my dilemma. Financially, I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I can retire and live how I want. I'm in my late 50's and have been working since I left school aged 18. Own my own business and have done for 20 years. My real worry is that I'll get bored fast of retirement. I don't have any hobbies really, hate DIY, and whilst I love travelling and my downtime I do worry it'll be too much of a good thing and I'll have no sense of purpose. So my question for you regulars is, is retirement actually that much fun after a while or are there any of you with regrets? Is there another side to the idyll that is generally portrayed on this thread?
Once I'm "out" it will be virtually impossible to go back into the world of business and work so I'm really finding it hard to make my mind up. Thanks!
Here's my dilemma. Financially, I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I can retire and live how I want. I'm in my late 50's and have been working since I left school aged 18. Own my own business and have done for 20 years. My real worry is that I'll get bored fast of retirement. I don't have any hobbies really, hate DIY, and whilst I love travelling and my downtime I do worry it'll be too much of a good thing and I'll have no sense of purpose. So my question for you regulars is, is retirement actually that much fun after a while or are there any of you with regrets? Is there another side to the idyll that is generally portrayed on this thread?
Once I'm "out" it will be virtually impossible to go back into the world of business and work so I'm really finding it hard to make my mind up. Thanks!
monkfish1 said:
Agreed
Given that (presumably) you dont even have a buyer yet, id suggest that timescale is optimistic to say the least.
With regard to whoever takes over, understand completely about your responsibility to others, but the chances of someone coming in and running it like you do are virtually zero. You might need to be more "flexible" that you currently want to be to get it over the line. Getting it over the line will very likely involve a lot of compromise.
Good luck with it.
Thank you. I don't have a buyer yet. Haven't even started looking, so you're undoubtedly correct in saying my 2.5-3 yr timeframe from decision to final exit is optimistic. Maybe I'll also need to make other compromises too, though that's much harder for me to get my head around. But I am convinced now that I need to start the process and just take the plunge into the unknown of "no work" which I haven't really ever experienced as an adult. Given that (presumably) you dont even have a buyer yet, id suggest that timescale is optimistic to say the least.
With regard to whoever takes over, understand completely about your responsibility to others, but the chances of someone coming in and running it like you do are virtually zero. You might need to be more "flexible" that you currently want to be to get it over the line. Getting it over the line will very likely involve a lot of compromise.
Good luck with it.
Thanks again for all your contributions to this great thread. When I'm finally done, whenever that may be, I'll be sure to let you know how it's going. The deaths last week of 2 chaps I was at school with from cancer has undoubtedly focused me on this even more.
Bongos said:
This thread has contributed to me thinking of throwing in the towel of my day job. I won’t be retired as such but it’s holding me back from doing what I really enjoy which is property development.
I only do a day a week as a consultant but it’s taking up headspace and encroaching beyond a day a week.
I’ve been working towards replacing my salary which has gradually allowed me to reduce the days spent employed.
I’ll be cutting off the lifeboat too which will make go all in on my other ventures.
Anyone left the job before they were really ready? I have thoughts of “there’s never a good time, just do it”.
I’m 41 and already an outcast amongst my friends for being “that ******* who barely works”.
I’m excited and apprehensive in equal measure.
I think your last line is probably what goes through everyone’s head and “just do it “seems a good conclusion. I only do a day a week as a consultant but it’s taking up headspace and encroaching beyond a day a week.
I’ve been working towards replacing my salary which has gradually allowed me to reduce the days spent employed.
I’ll be cutting off the lifeboat too which will make go all in on my other ventures.
Anyone left the job before they were really ready? I have thoughts of “there’s never a good time, just do it”.
I’m 41 and already an outcast amongst my friends for being “that ******* who barely works”.
I’m excited and apprehensive in equal measure.
Since GT3 created this thread no one has said they have made a mistake in retiring.
This a similar dilemma for myself. Can certainly afford to retire now but worry about the boredom. I work in security and AI and it’s massively interesting at the moment… however I’m conscious we only have so many years and know I don’t want to do this forever. I have tried creating a list of things I want to do and I’m beginning to reframe retirement as a grey gap year. If after 12 months I still hanker for the cut and thrust of business I will go back to it. It’s helped in in deciding that this is the year I finish.
That sounds all well thought out and the best of luck.
That sounds all well thought out and the best of luck.
alscar said:
I think your last line is probably what goes through everyone’s head and “just do it “seems a good conclusion.
Since GT3 created this thread no one has said they have made a mistake in retiring.
. I recall one poster who retired in their 40s who said they got bored and went back to work. Since GT3 created this thread no one has said they have made a mistake in retiring.
alscar said:
This a similar dilemma for myself. Can certainly afford to retire now but worry about the boredom. I work in security and AI and it’s massively interesting at the moment… however I’m conscious we only have so many years and know I don’t want to do this forever. I have tried creating a list of things I want to do and I’m beginning to reframe retirement as a grey gap year. If after 12 months I still hanker for the cut and thrust of business I will go back to it. It’s helped in in deciding that this is the year I finish.
That sounds all well thought out and the best of luck.
Sounds like a good approach for you. That sounds all well thought out and the best of luck.
My only advice, such that it is, a year is a long time to be out of that sort of work, you may find it difficult to go back if you want to. So maybe if there a real chance you will go back in some capacity you may need to do something to stay current.
Possibly an alternative route may be to slowly reduce you work time, maybe 4 days a week then 3 and so in and see how it goes?
MR2 Steve said:
alscar said:
I think your last line is probably what goes through everyone’s head and “just do it “seems a good conclusion.
Since GT3 created this thread no one has said they have made a mistake in retiring.
. I recall one poster who retired in their 40s who said they got bored and went back to work. Since GT3 created this thread no one has said they have made a mistake in retiring.
It’s been a while, so thought I’d drop in!
Not too much to add to the decision making people are going through: everyone is different….but you do need to plan for life outside work….& if you love your job, then carry on!
Congrats to Happy Jim for starting the transition
In our case, now heading towards 2 years in, we are on Day 12 of 61 of The Grand Tour (or the Interrail Beer & Cheese Tour ‘23)….
A lazy travel day ahead. Leave at noon, hopefully arrive by 5 (3 trains).
So far we have enjoyed Perpignan, Figueres (Dali-crazy!!), Barcelona (4 nights - fantastic city), Valencia (too short, but great tapas with an old pal who now lives there) & about to leave Girona.
Arrived here 2 nights ago to wander the old town, then happened upon the most amazing Easter Roman Parade they hold each year: literally about 150 Romans marching through the town….absolutely mad!
Watched and followed the start, & watched some stuff they did in one square, then found a fantastic little place with a Senegalese playing his guitar….I joined in on djembe (minimal prior experience), others to with tambourine/rain stick and more - nice food and beer, a real highlight.
Heard the beat of the drums outside to find the Romans marching back up the narrow street outside - they were going for a couple of hours
On towards Montpellier, & from there probably on to Italy (dodge the next French strike!) before heading east. Or maybe north. tbd!
Route so far, & looking ahead:
https://thumbsnap.com/i/KVb8yqYi.mp4
Not too much to add to the decision making people are going through: everyone is different….but you do need to plan for life outside work….& if you love your job, then carry on!
Congrats to Happy Jim for starting the transition
In our case, now heading towards 2 years in, we are on Day 12 of 61 of The Grand Tour (or the Interrail Beer & Cheese Tour ‘23)….
A lazy travel day ahead. Leave at noon, hopefully arrive by 5 (3 trains).
So far we have enjoyed Perpignan, Figueres (Dali-crazy!!), Barcelona (4 nights - fantastic city), Valencia (too short, but great tapas with an old pal who now lives there) & about to leave Girona.
Arrived here 2 nights ago to wander the old town, then happened upon the most amazing Easter Roman Parade they hold each year: literally about 150 Romans marching through the town….absolutely mad!
Watched and followed the start, & watched some stuff they did in one square, then found a fantastic little place with a Senegalese playing his guitar….I joined in on djembe (minimal prior experience), others to with tambourine/rain stick and more - nice food and beer, a real highlight.
Heard the beat of the drums outside to find the Romans marching back up the narrow street outside - they were going for a couple of hours
On towards Montpellier, & from there probably on to Italy (dodge the next French strike!) before heading east. Or maybe north. tbd!
Route so far, & looking ahead:
https://thumbsnap.com/i/KVb8yqYi.mp4
alscar said:
Since GT3 created this thread no one has said they have made a mistake in retiring.
I think that's probably right but it needs some context. We need to beware confirmation bias, and few people ever admit to making an error of judgement. I also rather suspect that the PH-er posting on a retirement thread is likely to represent a comparatively priviliged demographic. Many of us here have choices in our 40s, 50s and early 60s that would be inconceivable for many, so what's right for 'us' may not work for most.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I think that's probably right but it needs some context. We need to beware confirmation bias, and few people ever admit to making an error of judgement.
I also rather suspect that the PH-er posting on a retirement thread is likely to represent a comparatively priviliged demographic. Many of us here have choices in our 40s, 50s and early 60s that would be inconceivable for many, so what's right for 'us' may not work for most.
Yes that's a very fair comment and tbh I thought about adding the non admittance part in my post but would hope that any "error of judgement" was down to non Financial reasons.I also rather suspect that the PH-er posting on a retirement thread is likely to represent a comparatively priviliged demographic. Many of us here have choices in our 40s, 50s and early 60s that would be inconceivable for many, so what's right for 'us' may not work for most.
Lets hope we don't need your words as a health warning to others that ask for thoughts though !
CharlesdeGaulle said:
alscar said:
Since GT3 created this thread no one has said they have made a mistake in retiring.
I think that's probably right but it needs some context. We need to beware confirmation bias, and few people ever admit to making an error of judgement. I also rather suspect that the PH-er posting on a retirement thread is likely to represent a comparatively priviliged demographic. Many of us here have choices in our 40s, 50s and early 60s that would be inconceivable for many, so what's right for 'us' may not work for most.
mikeiow said:
It’s been a while, so thought I’d drop in!
Not too much to add to the decision making people are going through: everyone is different….but you do need to plan for life outside work….& if you love your job, then carry on!
Congrats to Happy Jim for starting the transition
In our case, now heading towards 2 years in, we are on Day 12 of 61 of The Grand Tour (or the Interrail Beer & Cheese Tour ‘23)….
A lazy travel day ahead. Leave at noon, hopefully arrive by 5 (3 trains).
So far we have enjoyed Perpignan, Figueres (Dali-crazy!!), Barcelona (4 nights - fantastic city), Valencia (too short, but great tapas with an old pal who now lives there) & about to leave Girona.
Arrived here 2 nights ago to wander the old town, then happened upon the most amazing Easter Roman Parade they hold each year: literally about 150 Romans marching through the town….absolutely mad!
Watched and followed the start, & watched some stuff they did in one square, then found a fantastic little place with a Senegalese playing his guitar….I joined in on djembe (minimal prior experience), others to with tambourine/rain stick and more - nice food and beer, a real highlight.
Heard the beat of the drums outside to find the Romans marching back up the narrow street outside - they were going for a couple of hours
On towards Montpellier, & from there probably on to Italy (dodge the next French strike!) before heading east. Or maybe north. tbd!
Route so far, & looking ahead:
https://thumbsnap.com/i/KVb8yqYi.mp4
Sounds like a great trip. We did 3 nights in Valencia last year, the old town is stunning.Not too much to add to the decision making people are going through: everyone is different….but you do need to plan for life outside work….& if you love your job, then carry on!
Congrats to Happy Jim for starting the transition
In our case, now heading towards 2 years in, we are on Day 12 of 61 of The Grand Tour (or the Interrail Beer & Cheese Tour ‘23)….
A lazy travel day ahead. Leave at noon, hopefully arrive by 5 (3 trains).
So far we have enjoyed Perpignan, Figueres (Dali-crazy!!), Barcelona (4 nights - fantastic city), Valencia (too short, but great tapas with an old pal who now lives there) & about to leave Girona.
Arrived here 2 nights ago to wander the old town, then happened upon the most amazing Easter Roman Parade they hold each year: literally about 150 Romans marching through the town….absolutely mad!
Watched and followed the start, & watched some stuff they did in one square, then found a fantastic little place with a Senegalese playing his guitar….I joined in on djembe (minimal prior experience), others to with tambourine/rain stick and more - nice food and beer, a real highlight.
Heard the beat of the drums outside to find the Romans marching back up the narrow street outside - they were going for a couple of hours
On towards Montpellier, & from there probably on to Italy (dodge the next French strike!) before heading east. Or maybe north. tbd!
Route so far, & looking ahead:
https://thumbsnap.com/i/KVb8yqYi.mp4
The Spanish love festivals, they seem to have one every week. The Moores & Christians is the big one, the parade goes on for hours and they party for 3 days, 24 hrs a day.
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