Who's retired on here, do you enjoy it

I've been retired for 2 years now, I love it! We look after our 16 month old granddaughter 3 or 4 days a week and time flies. Wouldn't have it any other way, lifes good at the moment 😁.
 
was fortunate to retire a few years back at 50 . Have loved retirement and it’s easier for me as I’m single .
I had intention and opportunities for working freelance after retiring when it suited me but haven't taken it on as I'm happy as I am ( again easier when you have no dependants ).

Was planning this year on a camper van and taking off . Naturally that’s a non starter but cant complain . Do it when you can guys as theres no pocket in a shroud .
 
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I was planning to retire a few years ago aged 45 so took a year out to see how it felt and I realised that working was actually my hobby and the thing that drives me, without it I was lost. I enjoyed my 'gap year' and glad I did it but it opened my eyes to what life without working was like. Fishing, golf and travelling can actually become a chore if they are a way of life rather than a reward.

I will probably review it again shortly when I hit 50........
 
I was planning to retire a few years ago aged 45 so took a year out to see how it felt and I realised that working was actually my hobby and the thing that drives me, without it I was lost. I enjoyed my 'gap year' and glad I did it but it opened my eyes to what life without working was like. Fishing, golf and travelling can actually become a chore if they are a way of life rather than a reward.

I will probably review it again shortly when I hit 50........
Wow, what a cracking idea, not practical for eveyone but a good way of looking to see if you can cope without work
 
I'd retire tomorrow if I could, but at 44 that's a touch optimistic, at least it is if we want to continue to enjoy our fairly comfortable, but modestly so, lifestyle. We don't have or need a big house with just 2 of us, the 2 cats don't take up much space. We have an OK car which we currently change every 3 years, but certainly not an expensive one, again, it's just not needed. 2 holidays abroad a year is enough for us, which may sound a touch OTT, but as my wife is from the states, it's important to get over there to see her family, usually for a couple of weeks. The other holiday is just for us and again, it's usually 7-10 days in Europe and not expensive (last one was a week in a villa with a pool in Playa Blanca for example, we're not dining out at fancy restaurants every night, and it was cheaper than a hotel). Couple of camping trips if we can, again not expensive. We don't eat out often, our weekly indulgence is a Friday night in the local pub. We only ever (pre C-19) had a 'big' night out in town for a birthday every month or 2

I've never really enjoyed my career which is why I would stop tomorrow if I could, however, that said, I'm in the process of switching careers and taking a slightly different route which is one I think I will enjoy more, at least enough to see out another 10-15 years without hating it. Mrs Fufkin has a plan for retirement and would like to retire by 60 (10 years to go for her and she would like me to retire at the same time). She enjoys her job so isn't as keen to stop just yet. It's probably a very poor time for me to switch careers, but I'm getting interviews, so fingers crossed I'l be able to make the move soon so I can enjoy work a bit more, at least that's the idea!

We do have some good savings which we would like to invest to see us through retirement (or at least provide an additional income) as my private pension is quite small and it's difficult to know exactly what her 401K will be worth in 15 years time when she takes it. She'll have a half decent NHS pension, but very little state pension if she becomes eligible.

The whole furlough thing taught me that I wont struggle for things to do as I was able to take on the house husband role, get out walking and hiking with a group I joined, read more. If I was to retire I would volunteer at a cat & dog shelter 3-4 days a week anyway, take the dogs walking, that sort of thing so I'm fairly sure I wouldn't be stuck for something to keep me occupied
 
Looking to retire in six months when I hit sixty.
Name down for an allotment already, love to do volunteering work, plenty of running and walking planned.
Planning to drawdown on my work pension until state comes into play.
We have friends who set up a Leprosy Hospital in Nepal so travel allowed will go across and experience the tremendous work they do.
Also get the chance to go on a flight over The Himalayas
 
Yes I retired at 52 it was my choice but as part of the 'works' closure, the offer was too good to turn down financially. I did have an option to stay on but as my wife said it was too good an opportunity. she wanted to stay working so it was settled.
Now you must have hobbies and interests otherwise I can see it is a big problem as is having a big enough pension to live on and enjoy the rest of your years. I played less golf once I retired because I filled my time in with so many other things to do.
All those of you young uns your pension is the best investment you can make and if you have options to buy extra years do it, make the sacrifice if you can.
 
Lovely thread
I could go now but love what I do and certainly not going to go until we find an end to this current crisis.
My mate retired in March this year - with all sorts of plans. It will come good for him I'm sure but, he could have been sat at home being paid to work rather than doing next to nothing.

Had a chat with my CEO just last week, in terms of succession planning, and told her I'm going nowhere fast. She has just asked I give her 12 months notice which, I'm ok with.
62 in Jan and, to be fair, there are a couple of chunky projects which I ought to see through before I move on - so provisionally looking at another 3 years (my wife will also be 60 then).

The £ thing is interesting - 'enough' is quite easy. Happy to live and adjust accordingly if needed.
I'm very conscious of my two lads tho who I want to help as long as I can. Living in London in jobs that could go tomorrow worries me (far more than it does them). But, that's what Dad's do - worry
 
Lovely thread
I could go now but love what I do and certainly not going to go until we find an end to this current crisis.
My mate retired in March this year - with all sorts of plans. It will come good for him I'm sure but, he could have been sat at home being paid to work rather than doing next to nothing.

Had a chat with my CEO just last week, in terms of succession planning, and told her I'm going nowhere fast. She has just asked I give her 12 months notice which, I'm ok with.
62 in Jan and, to be fair, there are a couple of chunky projects which I ought to see through before I move on - so provisionally looking at another 3 years (my wife will also be 60 then).

The £ thing is interesting - 'enough' is quite easy. Happy to live and adjust accordingly if needed.
I'm very conscious of my two lads tho who I want to help as long as I can. Living in London in jobs that could go tomorrow worries me (far more than it does them). But, that's what Dad's do - worry
We certainly do finny (y)
 
My cousin past away a few weeks back at 70, worked for a company from 16 yo till 65 retirement, he made it to the top of the ladder and was worth a few bob but had worked bloody hard for it.
He was just enjoying his grand kids from 64 yo and only managed to enjoy 5 years of retirement with 4 young grand kids. Holidays and the bairns were what it was all about.
Devastated to have lost him, miss him everyday.

I`m lucky, my grand daughter is now 17 and my Grandson 7 and we are very close and I dote on them both.
We holiday with them to Florida, (until this pesky Covid happened), and we see them quite a lot with stay overs etc.
Just Christmas shopping for the Grandson, a pair of good Binoculars, book on British Birds, a decent Telescope, a proper Compass and a good Metal Detector and 2 Gyroscopes.,I want him to get out doors but without the football all the flamin time.

Take retirement while you can is my advice.
 
one very good reason why i want to have a long retirement by finishing as soon as possible. I worked with 2 fellas who both worked until 66/67, one passed less than 2 years after retiring, the first one though it was only about 7-8 months and all he talked about for the last 3 years he worked was his plans. seems very cruel
 
My cousin past away a few weeks back at 70, worked for a company from 16 yo till 65 retirement, he made it to the top of the ladder and was worth a few bob but had worked bloody hard for it.
He was just enjoying his grand kids from 64 yo and only managed to enjoy 5 years of retirement with 4 young grand kids. Holidays and the bairns were what it was all about.
Devastated to have lost him, miss him everyday.

I`m lucky, my grand daughter is now 17 and my Grandson 7 and we are very close and I dote on them both.
We holiday with them to Florida, (until this pesky Covid happened), and we see them quite a lot with stay overs etc.
Just Christmas shopping for the Grandson, a pair of good Binoculars, book on British Birds, a decent Telescope, a proper Compass and a good Metal Detector and 2 Gyroscopes.,I want him to get out doors but without the football all the flamin time.

Take retirement while you can is my advice.
I read when you posted regarding your cousin, life can be so cruel at times, sounds as though you have a great time with the grandkids, which is nice, really looking forward to that part
 
one very good reason why i want to have a long retirement by finishing as soon as possible. I worked with 2 fellas who both worked until 66/67, one passed less than 2 years after retiring, the first one though it was only about 7-8 months and all he talked about for the last 3 years he worked was his plans. seems very cruel
Very sad Artie, seems to happen all to often and I've even heard fellas worry about this scenario, as if work keeps them going. I always have a grin when I see someone retire, and when I hear fellas enjoying doing b***r bloody all as the shackles are unlocked. Putting the V`s up to the world must be a fantastic feeling. I cant wait.
 
I read when you posted regarding your cousin, life can be so cruel at times, sounds as though you have a great time with the grand-kids, which is nice, really looking forward to that part
I can see by how you are as a person the new job of grand dad will be the most pleasant and exciting time of your life.
 
I was 53 when I packed in. My lovely wife had died a couple of years earlier, and my job was becoming more and more marginalised - I worked in IT which was being outsourced, and also was a Trade Union national officer, which mostly - I hated. I genuinely used to love my work, but the fire had gone out and they made me a pretty good offer - I was extremely, extremely lucky, I know that. Plus I also get money from my wife's pension. Wish I didn't. I'd probably still be working if she was here. The mortgage got paid when she died. So I've brought up our daughter the best I could (not very but she's very resilient).

I went for a few jobs initially, nearly got at least two of them (they said...). Thenafter all the knock backs it became "why are you doing this, you don't need to". I do a bit of freelance stuff for people I know who need a hand occasionally.

I spend my days walking the dog miles, making the music that I always wanted to all my life, and engaging in loads of stuff. Of course you do get bored occasionally, and I have been very lucky in the circumstances that I don't need to work, I know that. I wish I'd been able to do it years ago. I really envy people who've followed their "dreams" all their life without ever becoming a wage slave.

I've always lived my life by the maxim of Chris Bailey who was the lead singer of Aussie punk band The Saints. They played a worthy "Right To Work" gig in about 1977, 1978. As Chris said - "right to work? Who wants to F***ing work?!?"
 
I was 53 when I packed in. My lovely wife had died a couple of years earlier, and my job was becoming more and more marginalised - I worked in IT which was being outsourced, and also was a Trade Union national officer, which mostly - I hated. I genuinely used to love my work, but the fire had gone out and they made me a pretty good offer - I was extremely, extremely lucky, I know that. Plus I also get money from my wife's pension. Wish I didn't. I'd probably still be working if she was here. The mortgage got paid when she died. So I've brought up our daughter the best I could (not very but she's very resilient).

I went for a few jobs initially, nearly got at least two of them (they said...). Thenafter all the knock backs it became "why are you doing this, you don't need to". I do a bit of freelance stuff for people I know who need a hand occasionally.

I spend my days walking the dog miles, making the music that I always wanted to all my life, and engaging in loads of stuff. Of course you do get bored occasionally, and I have been very lucky in the circumstances that I don't need to work, I know that. I wish I'd been able to do it years ago. I really envy people who've followed their "dreams" all their life without ever becoming a wage slave.

I've always lived my life by the maxim of Chris Bailey who was the lead singer of Aussie punk band The Saints. They played a worthy "Right To Work" gig in about 1977, 1978. As Chris said - "right to work? Who wants to F***ing work?!?"
It hasnt been easy for you , Ive enjoyed reading what you have written and your thoughts.Thanks.
 
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