Early Retirement - help

Hotspur

suziewuzie,

I took redundancy/early retirement in July and have spent the last few months doing this and that and not very much at all. It has been great but now the autumn is here and winter is on its way the motivation to get out and about isn't as it was. So, today I have decided to apply for some jobs/volunteer to keep myself busy. I'm actually looking for something until next March/April.

Do I regret ending work at 56? Not at all Do I enjoy having the choice to do things as and when I want to? Yes, Have my stress levels reduced? Yes.

Lots of things that you can get involved in and volunteering looks great on a cv should you decide to work again.

Enjoy.

mgtilly

Enjoy retirement but only find work if you want or need to I took early retirement and lived off my private pension for 9 months until I was 65 never looked back I just do what I want when I want.

suziewuzie

Well, I have been finding it very strange not to be working after all these years, so have applied for a couple of part-time jobs. Didn't get through the interview for one last Friday, but have another interview coming up so fingers crossed. I think a part-time job will help me adjust a bit more gradually to stopping altogether eventually. (that's the plan).

Bigmoney2

And failing that there is also the voluntary sector.

http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/locationmenu.aspx?sessionid=16cff1fb-03dc-49f3-9f5d-84ffadbc124e&pid=1&o=5&n=1

gfplux

I retired early 13 years ago and it is wonderful. I am never bored. I am fitter than I was when I worked (I was a suite)
Where do the hours in the day go?

KMK

I, too, love being retired; never felt so liberated. I do some voluntary work but also have days when I do nothing at all. And shopping mid week is so relaxing.

It's absolutely great!

lissadenton

My OH was made redundant in January-and he loves it.

He first tried to get a job-but after several interviews later-he just decided if something turned up then ok-if not even better.

We have a lovely life. We aren't extravagant but live well enough. If he finds another job so be it-but I told him that I don't want him to die in harness.
My dad when he did overtime would take a day off in lieu- which was good as I'm sure he could have used the extra money-but it was good learning for me-you can't put too much value on your free time.

When he got to 58 he retired-although they dragged him back to do another 2 or 3 day week. he eventually retired for good when he was just past 60. I am so glad he did- he took a fatal heart attack just 6 months after his 70th birthday (big shock-he was very youthful looking -. he still kept his black hair.)

He had all of thos years with his little dog, fishing boat, delivering meals on wheels, going to vegas with mam, going to the races, taking out my kids.

What is this life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare-he lived a good life and he was an excellent role model in how to enjoy it.

treeca

My husband and I retired about the same time..both early retirement, spent 1 year looking for an affordable house in Portugal,after 1 month my husband died suddenly

Archergirl

treeca, sorry to hear of your sad situation, I worked in a hospital for a while and know how suddenly life can change.
Bigmoney 2, I had a look at the voluntary work, no wonder there are no paid jobs at the moment!!!

jaypee_3

took early retirement/severance at 50
absolutely love it
did nothing work wise for about 4 months then joined an agency as a driver - 7.5 ton limit
iv worked in so many different driving jobs its unbelievable from house deliveries to delivering top of the range BMWs - i worked in a company (gas ) that was in to health and safety in a big way - so if i go to a job and they want me to do something that i think compromises my safety i just walk away
i work approx 2 days a week and that suits me fine - i could work 7 days a week but its not for me
agency pays about £6.50 an hour but with the pension i get its just a bonus - keeps me fit - keeps me active
im 56 now still working for same agency - ben sacked by firms iv worked for about 6 times but agency always offers me jobs
sackings / told to leave have never bothered me cos i always valued my safety ( theres some nasty jobs out there )
worst jobs iv tried is multidrops - u know - DHL etc - hated it
there is jobs out there -pick and choose- u can do it be lucky