Regret retiring too early with not enough money?

chucknorris

k6chris wrote: »

I have been reading this forum for a few months now and finding it really useful. My personal circumstance is that I find myself increasingly wanting more time, with enough of a pension to comfortably survive, but not to go on the world boasting tours that many of my slightly older aquaintances appear to indulging in on a frequent basis. If I worked a little longer, I would have a few hundreds of pounds a month more, but still nothing that would get me into the premier league of droning on about what a great time I am having. I have plenty of dull and unintersting things I want to do, like walking, cycling, running and yellow sticker hunting at ASDA, but very few of these activities would allow me to post exotic photos on Facebook..... The received wisdom is I will be bored if I retire early (with not enough to boast about) and there is a part of me that thinks that there may be an element of truth in this! So (serious question) before I pull the plug and accept a retirement full of discount meals and knitting my own Tofu, does anyone regret not working those few extra years so they can afford M&S meal deals twice a week??

Everyone is different, surely you are mature enough to know what you actually want to do? I love walking (read hiking) cycling and running, and consequently I would never describe them as dull and uninteresting (like you just did), if you think they are, why on earth do you spend your time doing those activities? Honestly we could afford to spend the next 20-30 years going to places that most would describe as exotic, but all we would be thinking about is that we are missing our dog, which is why we don't go further than Spain, you sound very materialistic and too interested in what others think (and do) to me, you need to find what makes you happy, it doesn't matter what other people think or do.

[Deleted User]

chucknorris wrote: »

Everyone is different, surely you are mature enough to know what you actually want to do? I love walking (read hiking) cycling and running, and consequently I would never describe them as dull and uninteresting (like you just did), if you think they are, why on earth do you spend your time doing those activities? Honestly we could afford to spend the next 20-30 years going to places that most would describe as exotic, but all we would be thinking about is that we are missing our dog, which is why we don't go further than Spain, you sound very materialistic and too interested in what others think (and do) to me, you need to find what makes you happy, it doesn't matter what other people think or do.

There is truth in what you say, but you are being unnecessarily harsh and disparaging in your expression. The OP is feeling uncertain and vulnerable about a major life change, perfectly understandable. Be kind. I read irony in their statement that walking etc is "boring" ie some people would view such activities as boring but the OP doesn't.

chucknorris

Deleted_User wrote: »

I read irony in their statement that walking etc is "boring" ie some people would view such activities as boring but the OP doesn't.

Then why the hell should he care? My full (unless I have missed something) past time list is:

Taking our dog out (incl. in the activities below)
Hiking
Running
Cycling
Swimming
Bowls
Restaurants
Cooking
Bowls (outdoor)
Bowls (indoor)
Cinema
Catching up with friends
Chess

I really don't care if other people think that is dull, why should I? Life isn't about impressing other people, it is about enjoying it, you only get one life, make sure that you enjoy it.

[Deleted User]

chucknorris wrote: »

Then why the hell should he care? My full (unless I have missed something) past time list is:

Taking our dog out (incl. in the activities below)
Hiking
Running
Cycling
Swimming
Bowls
Restaurants
Cooking
Bowls (outdoor)
Bowls (indoor)
Cinema
Catching up with friends
Chess

I really don't care if other people think that is dull, why should I? Life isn't about impressing other people, it is about enjoying it, you only get one life, make sure that you enjoy it.

Absolutely correct. The point is some people do care, to some extent at least, what other people are doing and what (they perceive) other people are thinking of them and their activities/lifestyle. Ideally, nobody should care about what they perceive other people think, but most of us (if we are honest) do care. It's a difficult habit to break. The OP is expressing an honest dilemma which many will have experienced.

chucknorris

Deleted_User wrote: »

Absolutely correct. The point is some people do care, to some extent at least, what other people are doing and what (they perceive) other people are thinking of them and their activities/lifestyle. Ideally, nobody should care about what they perceive other people think, but most of us (if we are honest) do care. It's a difficult habit to break. The OP is expressing an honest dilemma which many will have experienced.

Correct, and that is why I am telling him that he should focus on what he actually wants and cares about, not others, you only get one life, you have to please yourself, not others.

zagfles

chucknorris wrote: »

Then why the hell should he care? My full (unless I have missed something) past time list is:

Taking our dog out (incl. in the activities below)
Hiking
Running
Cycling
Swimming
Bowls
Restaurants
Cooking
Bowls (outdoor)
Bowls (indoor)
Cinema
Catching up with friends
Chess

I really don't care if other people think that is dull, why should I? Life isn't about impressing other people, it is about enjoying it, you only get one life, make sure that you enjoy it.

Exactly, and some people find foreign travel dull.

I've got one facebook friend who posts pictures from his walks and most of them are stunning scenery, really makes me want to do more hiking, whereas another posts incredibly dull pictures from theme park holidays - goes to Florida every single year and posts the same pictures of the same thing, grandkids with Mickey Mouse but a year older this year etc...incredibly dull IMO.

But both enjoy what they do, so who cares?

chucknorris

zagfles wrote: »

Exactly, and some people find foreign travel dull.

I've got one facebook friend who posts pictures from his walks and most of them are stunning scenery, really makes me want to do more hiking, whereas another posts incredibly dull pictures from theme park holidays - goes to Florida every single year and posts the same pictures of the same thing, grandkids with Mickey Mouse but a year older this year etc...incredibly dull IMO.

But both enjoy what they do, so who cares?

I'm really looking forward to exploring the Tabernas Desert in Spain with my dog and probably a friend, my wife will probably experience it later, after we (my dog and I) have explored it. I've actually been watching more of the good, the bad and the ugly, and other Clint Eastwood westerns, just to appreciate the landscape (that's where a lot of Clint's westerns were filmed).

atush

I am really disappointed that all i hear on UK forms is about how Florida is dull and/or theme parks etc.

There is a whole other Florida out there, whatever you like to do. Stunning boating, fishing, nature. And shopping, dining and nightlife too.

chucknorris

atush wrote: »

I am really disappointed that all i hear on UK forms is about how Florida is dull and/or theme parks etc.

There is a whole other Florida out there, whatever you like to do. Stunning boating, fishing, nature. And shopping, dining and nightlife too.

I've only been there once, I thought that it was great, if we didn't have a dog (who goes everywhere with us), Florida would be our winter destination for sure, there isn't much doubt about that.

k6chris

Loving the debate! There was a LOT of irony (and attempted humour) in my original post. There are a few big-ticket items I would like to do, but which MAY not be possible if I retire early and that is my dilema. I love running and calling it dull was very tounge-in-cheek! I do need to get my head ready for retirement and part of that is resetting (unrealistic) expectations about the number of yachts I would be able to sail around the world (humour attempt again based on pension marketing). I would though be interested to hear from anyone that regrets going 'too early'. Thanks for all the replies so far.