Early Retirement - help

getmore4less

I plan to do some decorating and other jobs around the house for a few weeks,

suziewuzie wrote: »

Right - I've survived my first week, and haven't yet killed OH (he is at home most days, he took redundancy 15 years ago and has never worked full-time since - I was the bread winner).
Just off to google U3A as suggested above. I need to do something to keep the grey matter working.

There were jobs around the house to do !

AS for the cruise idea mentioned earlier these are not expensive when you have the time to wait for the bargains.

suziewuzie

getmore4less wrote: »

I plan to do some decorating and other jobs around the house for a few weeks,



There were jobs around the house to do !

AS for the cruise idea mentioned earlier these are not expensive when you have the time to wait for the bargains.

Don't go there!! Things like that have never been his priority. I am grateful that he does the veg garden, washing, shopping and most of the cooking.;)

artha

I took early retirement 2 years ago and had a plan to do all of the jobs that I didn't have time to finish in the garden/house before exploring new avenues. This was supposed to be a 12 month plan but I think I was a bit over optimistic!

My life is definitely being lived at a slower pace than when I was working but I've learned to live with that and not get stressed about things not being finished on time. In fact I've started to explore the new avenues before finishing some of those jobs I thought I needed to get finished when I was working. In a strange way they don't seem so urgent now I'm retired.

missile

artha wrote: »

.... In a strange way they don't seem so urgent now I'm retired.

I know exactly what you mean.

If you want a job doing give it to a busy man :rotfl:

Newly_retired

I have been retired over 4 years now and have made little progress with my Jobs list. Some of them require DH's input/co-operation so they are not going to happen for another year. I do 2 days a week voluntary work ( CAB) which gives me a routine and kick starts my week, it is intellectually stimulating, I meet all sorts of people, I have great colleagues and social opportunities if I want them. Job satisfaction is huge.
I also sing in two choirs so some weeks that is 4 nights out when there is a concert. Then there are church events.
It is hard to fit in family as they all live at least 90 mins' drive away, but about once a month I make a trip.
I do have spare hours and occasionally spare days. I read the paper every day, watch some daytime TV, spend hours on MSE forums - and fit in necessary housework etc, but "jobs around the house" are left, and projects postponed. I am busy but also lazy. Generally I enjoy my life but until DH retires I have to do my own thing which can be great or can be a bit lonely.

Pollycat

Newly_retired wrote: »

Generally I enjoy my life but until DH retires I have to do my own thing which can be great or can be a bit lonely.

I retired 2.5 years before my OH and I'd got myself into a nice routine and I found it very hard to adjust to having another person around (OK, I mean 'under my feet' ) 24 x 7 during the first few weeks.

We probably argued most about whose turn it was to go on the PC (we'd both worked in IT so were used to having internet access) so we compromised and I had a shiny new laptop.

wellused

It never ever occurred to me that I would retire early until recently, even after the company offered a severance package which at first I considered to be inadequate for 18 years working for them, but recently I have been suffering with my health and they have raised the terms of the package for anyone volunteering during October, so I made enquiries about taking my pension and taking the package. I still haven't committed myself to take early retirement as I realise that my income will be seriously effected by not having a wage coming in every week. The question is that even for someone with savings, during these times of low interest doesn't the prospect of seeing your hard worked for capital diminishing worry you? I'm only 58 and so I had planned to work for another 7 years.

pollypenny

Have a lookat Kittie's new thread
I am financially comfortable. Inflation is biting me hard. What next?

You may find something to help, even a shared worry. I was just like you, in fact, i am still a financial pessimist. No mortgage, not keeping students in beer and pizza - life is good.

Bigmoney2

wellused wrote: »

It never ever occurred to me that I would retire early until recently, even after the company offered a severance package which at first I considered to be inadequate for 18 years working for them, but recently I have been suffering with my health and they have raised the terms of the package for anyone volunteering during October, so I made enquiries about taking my pension and taking the package. I still haven't committed myself to take early retirement as I realise that my income will be seriously effected by not having a wage coming in every week. The question is that even for someone with savings, during these times of low interest doesn't the prospect of seeing your hard worked for capital diminishing worry you? I'm only 58 and so I had planned to work for another 7 years.

You make some interseting points above.

I realise that my income will be seriously effected by not having a wage coming in every week. You will have an income from your pension, and remember that although taxed there will be no NI or pension cont. coming out.

The question is that even for someone with savings, during these times of low interest doesn't the prospect of seeing your hard worked for capital diminishing worry you?
No more of a worry than seeing your hard earned wages being diminished each month by living costs. What are savings for if not a rainy day, you have to spend it some time, or leave it to the kids (if you have them) if they haven't gone in nursing home fees etc.

rochja

Time to mix life up a bit. A month of holiday somewhere [2 centre] to get used to the idea of not being in the office. Then maybe 1st attempts to find temporary employment. Get into Groupon and others to sample the things you never had time to. Don't plan holidays, but watch travelzoo for those last minute breaks that are going to titivate AND save 60%. Relax about job search and jobs come easier. When it comes to choosing them just ask 'can I stick that fro 3/4/9 months to my next big break from the same old?' Become sanguine about the whole career thing and do what you enjoy. A career may well pop up out of it now that you have no worries about being able to afford doing something you like when you need to keep the kids in shoes. There are always ways to temporarily boost your income like subletting a room for a price that does not cause a tax bill or finding a group of people who will more than cover you costs to run them to the station in the mornings. You set the limits now. Do you want to let your house out and travel? Would you rather play bridge at a U3A group every week? You are in a land of opportunity. Please enjoy it.