Everyday Ordinary Man Approaching Full Retirement at 59.

bugslet

I'm mostly feeling quite happy about work at the minute, so today I'm staying.

Tomorrow of course is another day!

WeeMidgie

Hello Paul & Co,

After my three month odyssey around various family in the southern hemisphere, I'm back to "auld claes and porridge", and delighted not to be working.

My key word for 2018 is balance, and I'm feeling my way with U3A activities (several different groups), and outwith the U3A an exercise class and swimming. I'm also supporting friends affected by health issues. That's enough of a mix to be going on with.

Longer term, I need to move from where I currently live to a location where I wouldn't be so reliant on having a car. I'm hoping this will be achievable during 2018.

Paul, it's good that you have holidays to look forward to. There's something about going away, being somewhere new and enjoyable that is so restoring, and can give fresh perspective and renewed vigour after a time of trial.

In a couple of months I'll have been retired for a year! I can't believe how fast it has gone. I've had no regrets at all, and leaving a toxic boss behind is an ongoing source of relief and joy!!

fatbeetle

Hi all, just an update.

I moved back to Blighty mid-Jan, and have settled back into my old house in Cornwall.

I'm pretty much "camping out" here at the mo, living in one room with a chair, bed, tele, kettle and toaster, as the builders will start gutting and rebuilding the whole interior of the house in a couple of weeks,

My dogs flew over last week and are great company, the wife flies over at the end of March.

Loving being back and catching up with old mates, all of whom are rallying round and helping me out. I'm so glad we bit the bullet and decided to retire back here, too many people knock the UK but it;s a beautiful country, with good people in it

Savvy_Sue

Welcome back, but seriously, was this the warmest weather you could bring with you??? :rotfl:

Seanymph

Hi everyone - be gentle with yourselves,

We have been snowed in for a couple of days already - and don't care. It's a nice feeling. Log burner on, made our own bread, car hasn't moved.

We stopped November (me) and December (the OH) and so far have completed decorated two rooms, cut hedging, and spent time doing not so much....

We have a month in our French house coming up, and are off for three months in the Campervan over Summer. It's lovely!

We have zero regrets at the moment, that's not to say that may change, but currently I'd encourage anyone to perhaps gift themselves some time if they can.

bugslet

I'm lucky, it's really not been bad here (manchester- Liverpool area). Normally takes about an hour + to go home, last night, 36 minutes. Yay:j

Work, hmmmm. I'm a haulage contractor, happiness is seeing a truck take a load out, get it delivered, come back. Contract is up for renewal and it's suddenly getting very corporate.:( Trouble is for the customer, we are very good at what we do, the head of shipping has already said if we aren't rocking up with a new contract, they can forget shipping tuning up:D, it's nice to be loved; on the other hand, the customer wants all the corporate cr4p adding and I'm not built like that. Already having to change my ISO provider just because the current one is not accredited with the accreditor the customer wants. Cost will be over 2k.:mad:

crv1963

Hi everyone,


We too have spent a few days virtually cut off, was able to walk to the supermarket all the local shops shut due to the snow for 3 days. However I managed to drive the 30 odd miles at the end of the week to do a couple of extra night shifts, much to prove it possible as to earn extra money to save towards retirement.


I'm trying to balance earning extra cash with looking after myself- so when taking my annual leave to use it up or lose it I booked half the time off as night shifts- working as and where needed. I managed to earn in Feb the money for my holiday at end March/ early April. The extra earnings in March will go either into retirement savings or towards age proofing/ repairs to our home.


I have actually really enjoyed my busmans' holiday so am now thinking about changing direction and applying for a role that will be 3 twelve hour shifts per week as opposed to my current 5 day 9-5 one. My logic being working a compressed week will give me 4 days off instead of my current 2 days off. Also if I did an extra shift a week I'd still get 3 days off.


We still have a couple of feet of snow here and I'm due into the office by 9 so looks like my hour commute will be 90 minutes today. We've sprung a leak on a flat roof so when the snow has melted away we'll have to get someone to look at it grrrr!


But even though it is a bit of a pain I have enjoyed the snow! Mrs CRV and I spent 6 hours between us yesterday afternoon digging her car out ready for her going to work later today, we had fun and exercise!

sukysue

Hello everyone, hope all well. We are still extremely happy being retired, even more so now because Hubbs and I had a bit of a shock a month ago. His colleague in BT who had been retired about 3 months suddenly dropped dead at his home, he was 63. I also worked with his wife so we both knew them . It really puts things into perspective . No amount of money can buy this time, it is so precious.
I have also been in touch with the tax man to sort out DH tax code and it seems he is due a tax refund of £760 this month so we are in the money lol so have a look at your tax code and see if you are due a rebate too , it is worth it !
The snow was awful here in Monmouthshire but we enjoyed it very much. We are so busy I don't know how we managed to go to work , honestly..... l really mean that!
Don't forget to check your tax code , you may have a nice surprise lol hope so !

fatbeetle

Just started ripping out walls to convert 2 bedrooms to one master bedroom. Very cathartic work!! Our builder starts to rebuild the whole interior of our house, in a week's time, so will be employing myself as his labouror.

Best of all though it's now less than 2 weeks before Mrs Fatbeetle flies over from Aus to join me in this new episode of teh adventure which is now our life!!

System

Returned a few days ago from Gibraltar after a very pleasant 4 day trip, even though it rained for 2 days. Really fed up with continuing wet and cold weather here in the uk. So much to do in the garden yet the soaked ground makes it impossible to do anything at the moment.
Still not enjoying retirement to be honest. Did some more exam invigilation a couple of weeks ago which I enjoyed. Have made it known that I certainly wouldn't be averse to a couple of days a week teaching from September. I have decided if nothing is in the pipeline by June/July I will get down to serious job hunting.
Coming out of an expensive time with annual payments for car, house, pets and fuel bills!
Forming some updating plans for house but as loathe decorating and am completely useless at it this will mean more expense!
To be honest very bored and miss company of other people of all ages. Family are fine but I need more chat argument and discussion. Spendingtoo much time surfing the internet and just sitting around,as well as early nights and late mornings! However have been walking the dogs as usual and still doing the swimming.
Hopefully better weather and prospect of future work may help.
Undergoing a makeover too, new style haircut and new glasses to combat aging! Fortunately I am in shape and the stomach is flat! If I ever developed one of the bellies so many men seem to have that would be the end! At least in that respect never drinking, smoking or eating excessively has paid off!