Retirement
- Thread starter CourierDriver
- Start date
I have a couple of additions but I'm going to paraphrase the ideas here vs multiple quotes and cluttering up the thread any more than I already am 
The comment about leaving the job behind completely when you retire is another reason I passed on leaving when they wanted to push us old geezers out. The main reason was that I couldn't swing the insurance, but the management in my area suggested that I might want to come back as a contractor. Despite the advantages of getting better pay and not having to deal with the corporate politics as a temp, I kept asking myself why leave if all I do is to come back?
The other thing that's currently keeping me at my job is that I still have a real pension. If the brain-trust in upper management ever decides to freeze that, my decision to stay will likely change.
The comment about leaving the job behind completely when you retire is another reason I passed on leaving when they wanted to push us old geezers out. The main reason was that I couldn't swing the insurance, but the management in my area suggested that I might want to come back as a contractor. Despite the advantages of getting better pay and not having to deal with the corporate politics as a temp, I kept asking myself why leave if all I do is to come back?
The other thing that's currently keeping me at my job is that I still have a real pension. If the brain-trust in upper management ever decides to freeze that, my decision to stay will likely change.
Insurance kills the deal for me. Otherwise I'd do it now.
Only 44 and hadn't planned on retiring when I was younger. Finally woke up to the notion that I wasn't going to work forever. Been playing catch up on my 401k ever since. Finally hit the savings level that I should have been using all along, but need to plug and chug for another 20 at least, if not longer--hard to say, who can predict the future?
Trying to figure out how I could retire at 60, with some minimum level saved, that way if things go sideways I'd at least be covered. Then work longer so as to be that much more comfortable when I retire later than that. Full SS is like at 67, I think if I haven't quit by then, there might be something wrong with me.
Trying to figure out how I could retire at 60, with some minimum level saved, that way if things go sideways I'd at least be covered. Then work longer so as to be that much more comfortable when I retire later than that. Full SS is like at 67, I think if I haven't quit by then, there might be something wrong with me.
Punched out for the last time in March 2011. Never looked back. Sometimes I don't even know what day of the week it is, don't care anymore and it's not important to me. I know when it is the weekend because my neighbors are mostly around then.
Retired at 58 years old and never regretted it now at 82. You must do your homework to see where you are finanically now and out at least 5 years. You don't want any negative surprises you could avoid. Ed
Hosteen is: Bah Hum Bug
Retired at 58 after being offered a Golden handshake. Best thing ever not having to get up at 5 AM and go to Gym and work. I have never been happier. Now 67 and great health for most part.
Everybody is different that’s for sure. I’m 69, been comfortably retired for 3 years. I don’t have 2 million dollars.I retired January 7, I'm 62.5. I just got so finally sick of working for the man and oddly learning (software mainly) tools that were absolutely worse than the previous tools being rammed down our throats. I justified the last little while purely by money earned and saving $60,000+ per year. I reached the breaking (tipping?) point, I guess you could say.
I still run my businesses and actually have time to do so. Retirement is everything promised plus some, because it is what you make it. There is no need to plan every day, but depending on your personality you may need some structure. Could be budgetary could be motivational, could be time management. Whatever it is, it should not involve just sitting there watching TV or the internet (as I ironically type this).
Save at least $2 million, maybe a bit less if you live away from a coast. Make a budget. I don't care if you never did before, while you were working. Just make a simple spending outgo list, and an income list. I personally don't think it's something needing daily or even weekly updating but just tabbing your outgo can be very helpful. Say you allow $100 per month for meals out, but you use $50, and you have $200 going to saving for a trip, I allocate the extra $50 to the trip savings. Just an example that helps if your income is fixed. That said until we are 65 our largest expense will be health insurance, and I STILL am waiting on the final package with $ amounts, but I budgeted worst case marketplace costs.
We probably will hold off on social security no need to take early. Nice to know we will have that at 66y 8mo. I have a small pension, wife also but she must wait until 65. I have my Amsoil income, can take SBP income, plus income on savings (oh yes taking money out is very mentally difficult) - will need to draw down a little to match budget outgo.
Stay healthy - exercise EVERY DAY. If you take a 30 minute+ walk, that counts. Eat OK, avoid sugar/white simple starch bombs.
Right now - or rather almost every day I have spent cleaning the absolutely nasty messy shop that I never had time to do before. It has reached the amazingly organized stage just the last few days. I rewarded myself by buying a new DeWalt shop vac (
One thing: We did NOT anticipate a real estate gold rush............we simply cannot find a decent sub $1 million dollar place on the west (wet) side of the mountains..............we are formulating a plan and there is no real rush. We just don't think of this as our retirement home. I guess the good news our house has tons of (almost all) equity and it's tripled in value and will sell in minutes with offers over asking.
I will close with this: I had plenty of time to post this, but need to get off my ass and go sit down and fill some paperwork out
EDIT: PS I absolutely look at retirement as starting fresh, the 3rd leg of my life.
I would be traveling around the country,,but not now
I do some genealogy work stuff,,men avg out to 72 , but 85-88 is about when we men are gone....
I resemble that remark,,I ride my bike and so on,,,but I keep waking up at 5 for some reason,,its ok,,coffee is nice and no hurry to be anywhere,,i am spoiled lol
Reduced my full time job to a flexible half time schedule five years ago. I consider myself partially retired.
Kestas
Staff member
I'll be a snowbird living half time in Michigan, half in Florida. I have personal property in both places.
Luckily I can retire tomorrow and I’m in my early 50’s thanks to good planning, investments / pension , 401K and IRA.
I also have an LLC as a side business for additional income.
When I retire I won’t think much of my 30+ year career at the same employer.
I agree to stay active and walk the dog 4 times a week to get some sun and exercise.
I also have an LLC as a side business for additional income.
When I retire I won’t think much of my 30+ year career at the same employer.
I agree to stay active and walk the dog 4 times a week to get some sun and exercise.
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I have to agree. Two million dollars is a absurd amount that the vast majority will never come close to. Why not save 4 million and double your chances of success? I’ve been out for three years and between Social, defined pensions, and some investments I’m ok. If I had to wait until I accumulated 2 million dollars I would have never retired. It’s not as complicated as most people would have you think it is.
Counting the days... umm OK, months...
Ooooh, alright, alright, a few years.
Ooooh, alright, alright, a few years.
