Facing "Real" Retirement -- and Scared

Harry Le Hermit said:
As you are working from home, I would suggest you just retire, but don't broadcast it to all your friends and relatives. Or you could do like me and tell everyone and then find yourself very busy on "their" attempts to occupy your time, and very little time for yourself. Strike a balance, imo.
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That happened with me for the first few years of retirement Harry between my mother's needs, grandchildren and step children. My mother and husband said I was busier in retirement than when I was working. My son joked that why they call it "re-tired". :LOL:
 

I was planning to gradually slip into retirement. I had already gone from a 5 day working week to 4 and my plan was to keep reducing my worklife until the day I took the final step into retirement but, it ddn't happen that way. Instead Covid happened and that was it, the office closed and never re-opened. The first year or so was a time of adjusting and actually, three years on, I enjoy my life and freedom. Looking back, I think I was bored and ready for a change so, now I am glad it happened when it did. A lot of course depends on finances and how you can fill your time when you are no longer working. Some of my ex colleagues found part time work, some volunteer and some just enjoy being able to do whatever they please. I'm one of the latter. I hope whatever you do, you enjoy your time. :)
 
Murrmurr said:
Awesome, JimBob. Calif has that program, too, but they've basically regulated it out of existence. These days mentors for the aged-out have to go to these meeting places where they get a group of kids, and not always the same ones, and only once a week for an hour or two. It's not really mentoring, it's just doing a project with a group of older teenagers who may or may not want to be there. It's pretty meaningless for both mentors and kids; just money going to the state.
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We have some of those limitations too. However while we can't get together in person (except once per month) we are getting a lot done via text and phone. It was frustrating at first, now it's quite rewarding.
 
A few things come to mind here:

1) Wife and I need better agreement on what constitutes "enough money." Let's just say she's the accelerator and I'm the brakes.

2) I am very grateful for the good situation we are in, healthy, relatively solvent, and with lots of interests and activity. I just need a sharper focus and to set some priorities.

3) Again, all suggestions and observations have been most constructive and helpful. Thanks to all.
 
JimBob1952 said:
A few things come to mind here:

1) Wife and I need better agreement on what constitutes "enough money." Let's just say she's the accelerator and I'm the brakes.

2) I am very grateful for the good situation we are in, healthy, relatively solvent, and with lots of interests and activity. I just need a sharper focus and to set some priorities.

3) Again, all suggestions and observations have been most constructive and helpful. Thanks to all.
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You're quite welcome. Just wondering since you mention health again...do you have any other insurance besides Medicare or have medigap coverage?
 
For those who "are"...or planning to..

Saw this⬇️..and thought I'd pass it along..

An Ode To Retirement
A lifetime of hard work has led to this
This long-awaited break of joyful bliss

The day has come, what should I pursue?
Well, whatever in life is most important to you.

Should it be travel, time with family and friends?
A new hobby, relaxing all day - the list never ends!

The freedom and flexibility will be abundant
Keeping a schedule will seem redundant.

Planning is crucial for those anticipated years,

A savings and income are important, it's true...

Retirement should be the best time for you! 🤗
 
JimBob1952 said:
We have some of those limitations too. However while we can't get together in person (except once per month) we are getting a lot done via text and phone. It was frustrating at first, now it's quite rewarding.
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That's good to know.

There was a community program called Foster-Grandparent where volunteer old folks were notified of kids who were headed down the wrong path or had it rough at home or their parent/s worked during after-school hours, and the old folks would just basically hang out with the kids for a few hours or so, however much time they wanted, or could. It was a very successful program....which is why it was taken over at the county level by Social Services.

And, of course, they ruined it. For the county it's just another bank account. It's not about a bunch of kids losing hope on their way to prison or homelessness or suicide.

(this shit really pisses me off)
 
JimBob1952 said:
You should! It's very rare nowadays that someone exhibits real style, let alone a couple that does so.
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OneEyedDiva said:
I suspect that if you look up the definitions of style and classy in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of Mr. & Mrs @horseless carriage next to the definitions. :love:
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You flatter me/us but we love it. Thank you for such generous compliments. Previously, in this thread, Packerjohn spoke of money and of happiness. What a great deal of sense he made. An example of his take on happiness is here to see. The two compliments above have enriched us far more than any cash gift could ever do. Much appreciated!
 
horseless carriage said:
You flatter me/us but we love it. Thank you for such generous compliments. Previously, in this thread, Packerjohn spoke of money and of happiness. What a great deal of sense he made. An example of his take on happiness is here to see. The two compliments above have enriched us far more than any cash gift could ever do. Much appreciated!
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You are so welcome because the compliments are so well deserved.
 
OP much about retirement is make it up as you go. Me being type A people always said I would be bored being retired but I'm four years into it and haven't been bored yet.

As for money I was a tad concerned but have discovered I spend much less than I anticipated, but being debt free helps with that.

My advise is not to worry about having day to day plans but use the freedom and enjoy each day as you want.
 
JimBob1952 said:
I've been working from home for the last 13 years, doing marketing and PR writing. It's been great. For the first 7 or 8 years I made a lot of money. Things have been tapering off gradually.

Now it looks like it's time to hang it up altogether. This scares me for two reasons:

1) The money will stop. We have SS and what I think is enough money saved up. We're 70, so it doesn't have to last forever. But is it really enough?

2) I won't have a "thing" that I'm supposed to do during the day. Theoretically, I can write other things, practice the piano, get better at golf, do more volunteering. But I'm nervous that I'll just sit around, goof off on the Internet, read and waste time.

Mercifully, my wife and I are both healthy. We have some traveling we would like to do, but funds are not unlimited.

Any other SFers in a similar situation?
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Your main worry should be to stay active. After working in nursing homes for years, I have long since noticed that the main threat to people after they retire is arthritis. So many people didn't stay active and became totally crippled up with arthritis.
 
Paladin1950 said:
Your main worry should be to stay active. After working in nursing homes for years, I have long since noticed that the main threat to people after they retire is arthritis. So many people didn't stay active and became totally crippled up with arthritis.
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That's not an issue. I go to the gym, take long walks, swim, play golf and bicycle. My wife does all that plus tennis.
 
Knight said:
Suggest you make a list of expenses you won't have that you have now.
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That's not really the problem. The issue as I see it is day to day spending. I don't spend much in the course of a day. My wife can think of a hundred different things to buy in an afternoon. It's been fine up to now but when we have to live on savings and SS it will have to change. That's a conversation I really dread.
 
JimBob1952 said:
That's not really the problem. The issue as I see it is day to day spending. I don't spend much in the course of a day. My wife can think of a hundred different things to buy in an afternoon. It's been fine up to now but when we have to live on savings and SS it will have to change. That's a conversation I really dread.
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Over spending can certainly ruin a retirement. I was married to a spender and am certain if I was still married to her I wouldn't have been able to retire. In 23 years together I was never able to get her to adhere to any kind of budget or spending discipline.

With that I am going to wish you the best of luck. In my opinion financial compatability is a foundation stone for a successful marriage and retirement. I truly hope your retirement is enjoyable and doesn't turn into a financial struggle.
 
C50 said:
Over spending can certainly ruin a retirement. I was married to a spender and am certain if I was still married to her I wouldn't have been able to retire. In 23 years together I was never able to get her to adhere to any kind of budget or spending discipline.

With that I am going to wish you the best of luck. In my opinion financial compatability is a foundation stone for a successful marriage and retirement. I truly hope your retirement is enjoyable and doesn't turn into a financial struggle.
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The marriage has been great and my wife has a hundred wonderful qualities. We can sort out our differences about spending. But it will take some effort.
 

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