Retirement!

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Well now, after 32 1/2 years of headhunting/recruiting I'm retiring on October 31st!...69 years old. My wife and I have great health, no debt, some money in the bank and a decent jon boat! But the whole idea of retirement just sorta scares the heck outta me! It's just a new, and probably final chapter in life, trying to get excited about it...heading down to Florida for a few weeks. I just don't know what to think about this! Any thoughts from you retired geezers, coots, others?;)
 

r.j.dawg

Ensign
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
993
Re: Retirement!

Even though I'm not a retired geezer (I could be a coot I suppose :confused:) congratulations on the upcoming retirement. I wonder how your better half feels about having you around the house all the time. :D
 

Tyme2fish

Commander
Joined
Feb 19, 2002
Messages
2,481
Re: Retirement!

Once you're retired you're going to wonder how you ever found time for work. You'll get into a "routine" of sorts and hopefully be able to do all the things you want to do. Going on 5 years retired for me. Best wishes and have fun and enjoy yourself.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Re: Retirement!

Even though I'm not a retired geezer (I could be a coot I suppose :confused:) congratulations on the upcoming retirement. I wonder how your better half feels about having you around the house all the time. :D
I can tell you, my wife has some real concerns about me "being around more"....but I can say I've always had enough interests, hobbies, etc. to keep occupied...but it Will be different!;)
 

bigdee

Commander
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
2,667
Re: Retirement!

Once you're retired you're going to wonder how you ever found time for work. You'll get into a "routine" of sorts and hopefully be able to do all the things you want to do. Going on 5 years retired for me. Best wishes and have fun and enjoy yourself.

I will second that. I have trouble finding enough hours in the day to get things done. When I need a physical break I get on this forum. If you have kids and grandkids that live close by you will be a very busy man!!!
 

Georgesalmon

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,793
Re: Retirement!

Wifes going on five years retired and I'm going on 3 years retired(both retired at 62) Was a little strange to start.. Between taking care of 10 acres, having 16 grands and a big garden, four boats, my 92yr old mother, and restoring a 1965 corvair convertable I don't know how we ever had time to WORK!
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Retirement!

Two keys to a successful retirement:

1. Find a way to remain useful and valued by the community. Feeling useless is the worst thing that can happen.

2. If you don't have a bucket list, make one and get to work on it.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Re: Retirement!

Wifes going on five years retired and I'm going on 3 years retired(both retired at 62) Was a little strange to start.. Between taking care of 10 acres, having 16 grands and a big garden, four boats, my 92yr old mother, and restoring a 1965 corvair convertable I don't know how we ever had time to WORK!
Sounds like you've got a plate full of good livin'....I had a brand new 1964 Corvair and loved it!...Good Luck!:)
 

Thalasso

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
2,879
Re: Retirement!

JB has the best advice as far as i am concerned. You can and will at some time find your self getting into a lazy mode.
You will want to keep busy,weather it be excersize or some form of work.If not you will find yourself putting on weight and that is not good for your health. Been retired for a few years now and i highly recommend it for everyone.It's a shame you have to get older to do it.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,398
Re: Retirement!

Withot a doubt not retired yet. Currently 53 years old and hoping to get out of the automotive engineering rat race in the next 2 to 3 years. Mrs Ken and I are looking into buying a campground on a lake to own and operate when that happens. Not retirement as such but doing something we like in the surroundings we love. Not expecting to make a fortune out of it but making a living at that point is all we need. Previous investments and pensions will pretty much do us OK.
Good Luck with yours and enjoy it.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Re: Retirement!

Two keys to a successful retirement:

1. Find a way to remain useful and valued by the community. Feeling useless is the worst thing that can happen.

2. If you don't have a bucket list, make one and get to work on it.
Agreed, and I'll be O.K. once I get into it!...We're real active in church, family, bicycling, boating, canoeing, dune buggy, hunting, fishing and camping. Just have to break this "up at 6:00AM, office at 7:00AM, go home at 5:00PM routine! I do plan to boat the full navigable length of the St Johns River in Florida(300 miles), and several other excursions planned.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Re: Retirement!

Withot a doubt not retired yet. Currently 53 years old and hoping to get out of the automotive engineering rat race in the next 2 to 3 years. Mrs Ken and I are looking into buying a campground on a lake to own and operate when that happens. Not retirement as such but doing something we like in the surroundings we love. Not expecting to make a fortune out of it but making a living at that point is all we need. Previous investments and pensions will pretty much do us OK.
Good Luck with yours and enjoy it.
Thanks...it's just a big step, milestone, end of something/beginning of something new!....
 

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
May 24, 2011
Messages
49,038
Re: Retirement!

Robert, there are some nice things about retirement. Every day is the weekend so you can do all those things you kept putting off 'til the weekend anytime. Hit the snooze button a few extra times. Use the jon boat Monday through Thursday and avoid the crowds on Friday/Saturday/Sunday. You don't work for a living, you work at living. Spur of the moment really means something. Most importantly, stay busy with something, don't vegetate. I love it!

PS - Don't talk to Bubba1235 about the "Glory Days". :p
 

Summer Fun

Banned
Joined
Mar 2, 2002
Messages
2,251
Re: Retirement!

I retired at 53 and enjoying every minute of it.

The first thing you do is ... Unplug every clock because time doesn't matter anymore. :)

Second thing is ... Hide the "Honey To Do" jar !!!. :D

Third thing is ... Never run out of beer or whisky !!. :eek:

Forth thing is... Enjoy your retirement. :)
 

korygrandy

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 14, 2010
Messages
698
Re: Retirement!

Withot a doubt not retired yet. Currently 53 years old and hoping to get out of the automotive engineering rat race in the next 2 to 3 years. Mrs Ken and I are looking into buying a campground on a lake to own and operate when that happens. Not retirement as such but doing something we like in the surroundings we love. Not expecting to make a fortune out of it but making a living at that point is all we need. Previous investments and pensions will pretty much do us OK.
Good Luck with yours and enjoy it.

Provided they let you back into the country... I heard you've been put on the watch-list... can I crack that joke even though I don't know you that well. :)

I like your idea for retirement... I wonder how much "work" it would be though. I am only 31 and have a good few years before retirement but I also like JB's suggestion of making a bucket list if you don't have one.

My ole man is approaching retirement and he's flung soo many ideas around I think it's keeping him from actually retiring heh. He is 63 this year so maybe it has to do with a pension or SSN as well, but he keeps on workin 50+hrs/week. In his free time he has his hands full with grand kids and regular kids...

It reminds me of that country song, "...she keeps apoligizin, I says they don't bother me...I got 2 babies of my own; one's 36 one's 23".

Beyond that his hobby is working on cars so we've been restoring a vehicle together...I fear he will soon have a small car-lot though when he finally DOES retire.

My mom will have on problem retiring and is REALLY looking forward to it... She deserves it for a woman she's worked quite hard in her life. She has all sorts of friends and hobbies and loves her grand babies so she will not have enough time.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Re: Retirement!

Thanks, you guys make it sound like more and more fun!...it's just makin' that jump off the end of the old "dock" that's the thing!;)
 

Bamaman1

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
1,895
Re: Retirement!

Thanks guys for the great advice above. Being downsized @ 58 1/2 years old was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I was fortunate to get paid 1 year severance, draw unemployment 99 weeks and have a health saving account that's going to pay our insurance premiums until we get Medicare. In spite of the stock market problems in the last 4 years, I'm drawing 4% per year out of my 401K and am sitting at the same balance as 3 years ago. Having 2 pensions also helps.

We prepared for our retirement by saving heavily in 401K's and IRA's and taking advantage of every company savings plan.

But the best thing people could do for themselves is be physically active and be proactive in health care matters. Have a good doctor, and go for a quality physical every year. I cannot tell you how many people I've seen retire, only to be knocked down with cancer or heart problems that could have been better managed. Ignorance about medicine is no excuse.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,624
Re: Retirement!

^^^^^^ +1
At 53 I am still a few years away from retirement but besides enjoying retirement by being financially ready, you need to be physically ready. What's the point of retirement if you can't do the things you want to do. I just completed a 100 mile(century) bike ride this weekend and my plan is to be doing these into my 60s. Basically, eat healthy, exercise, stop smoking and keep excess weight off and you will be better off than most.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,398
Re: Retirement!

Provided they let you back into the country... I heard you've been put on the watch-list... can I crack that joke even though I don't know you that well. :)

I think the only "Watch List" I could be on would be on for bringing a couple of fake Rolex Watches back with me !!! :D
 
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