Early-retirement wannabe

atush

shinytop wrote: »

Well I've gone and done it. Handed in my notice in writing that is. I'd already told my boss and some colleagues I was going but now it's official. It all feels a bit strange knowing that in 3 months, for the first time in my adult life most of my time will be my own. Strange in a good way though. If I'd planned better I could have done it earlier but I could have also ended up doing the 'just one more year' thing.

Let the countdown begin

Congrats :beer:

westv

Whilst it's not expected until next year, I am currently in the "How shall I spend my retirement time?" phase.
The idea of evening classses came up but when I looked at local classes the choices seemed slightly more limited than I imagined. I expect most people do these things via online training now - no need to brave cold, dark wet evenings getting to a "real" class. The disadvantage with that is that you don't get to meet anybody.

MallyGirl

If you are retired they don't have to be 'evening' classes.
I studied horticulture and then garden design one day a week at a local agricultural college.

barnstar2077

MallyGirl wrote: »

If you are retired they don't have to be 'evening' classes.
I studied horticulture and then garden design one day a week at a local agricultural college.

Did you have to pay for those courses yourself? I wouldn't mind taking some courses myself when I retire.

westv

MallyGirl wrote: »

If you are retired they don't have to be 'evening' classes.
I studied horticulture and then garden design one day a week at a local agricultural college.

Ok, part time study then although 90% of what I have seen is later afternoon/evening.
But still more limited then I perhaps expected.

westv

I've read that, in my area at least, the council have been told they have to concentrate on courses that get people into work rather than those that are more "leisure" related. That could be part of the reason the choice looks limited. Also less courses in summer?

MallyGirl

barnstar2077 wrote: »

Did you have to pay for those courses yourself? I wouldn't mind taking some courses myself when I retire.

I did have to pay but they weren't very expensive - only 1 day a week each time. No funding as I had already done a degree

atush

When my twins went to school age 4 i took all sorts of classes. Started with computers incl Word, Excel, Access, even Programming. Then also took french polishing, picture framing, upholstery, soft furnishing.

These last ones were because we converted a barn into a 5 bed house and had no money to furnish it so i bought cheap furniture at auction and redid it and then made my curtains etc.

Terron

westv wrote: »

I've read that, in my area at least, the council have been told they have to concentrate on courses that get people into work rather than those that are more "leisure" related. That could be part of the reason the choice looks limited. Also less courses in summer?

I don't think it is just your are.


I have taken evening courses for a large part of my life. I did a second degree through the OU. When I first started living by myself I did a cookery course (It happend to be Chinese cooking that year). When I moved to Reading I did archeological courses at the university. But they stopped after the grants for them went away,


Since my last move all I can find are ones for getting people into work.


I am thinking of trying the local U3A local history group, but they meet in the afternoon.

westv

I had another look at my local U3A. They have about 8 groups whereas another group 15 miles away has 42!