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altosrock

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Hi all, I am new to this site.....I'm starting to think about retirement. But I've been in a very intense work field for 40 years....I'd like some structure to my free time...any tips on how to begin, please?
 

Welcome from Oregon. How about hobbies? What are they? What do you like to do in general? What have you been putting off doing until you had the time. Retirement is that time. Consider your finances, figure out what you can and cannot afford and plan accordingly. That's only a start. When I retired I continued doing what I'd been doing, but I'm a writer and an artist and I do this at home. So for me it's different than for some.
 
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altosrock said:
Hi all, I am new to this site.....I'm starting to think about retirement. But I've been in a very intense work field for 40 years....I'd like some structure to my free time...any tips on how to begin, please?
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Hi and welcome.

I've been "retiring" for the last 3 years.. and can't quite bring myself to do it.. Just pushed it off a few more months AGAIN..
 
QuickSilver said:
Hi and welcome.

I've been "retiring" for the last 3 years.. and can't quite bring myself to do it.. Just pushed it off a few more months AGAIN..
Click to expand...


Thanks for the welcome. I'd really like to plan to 'retire' so that I don't feel as if I have to keep working because I don't have something very meaningful planned.
 
Welcome Altosrock! It is never too early to think about what to do and where to go when you retire! My husband and I have been discussing it for the last 5 years and in about 18 months, we hope to be settling in Maine. I started a list of things we wanted to do and periodically we would bring it up, delete some things and add a few more. Since we were forced to relocate where we are now, for work, we knew we didn't want to stay here. So, I started a spreadsheet on Open Office and we did the same thing - adding things and deleting as we went along - comparing locations. We agreed on the east coast then slowly worked our way up to what is affordable, what weather would suit us and stuff we liked to do. (City-Data.com was really helpful - put in the name of any town or city and PAGES of information come up) I had hoped to live downtown in a small city but, as it turns out, just outside the city, with easy access, is more affordable and keeps us close to the action.

We had hoped to work until Full Retirement Age but husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons 2 years ago so our plans have stepped up. We are working with financial advisors on two fronts (Thrivent & Prudential - no extra charge for help since we have accounts at both), we made a trip up last Oct. to get a good look around and meet some folks (one couple we met through a knitting/weaving site online toured us all around), we met with an excellent recommended Realtor and our final approach is in the works. Probably the best advice is to keep talking to your spouse or family. Friends of mine recently retired and went to look at property. They had agreed on WHERE to retire but not how. He wanted 50 acres in the woods and she wanted to be downtown. They finally compromised in the suburbs but I'm not sure either of them are content. Personally, I am done with the suburbs and am hoping the city will force us to be more active. It is too easy to stay home and sit if it is a long drive or too difficult to get out.

So, good luck!! There are lots of ideas and helpful tips here. Please share your process - someone else could use your ideas and encouragement!
 
Welcome from a new member as well...I took early retirement at 55... That was a long time ago...I have never looked back and I have enjoyed every minute...I keep busy and work out at the Y to keep myself healthy and fit...Try it, you'll like it (LOL)
 

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