New horizons living the dream. How?

PollyWollyDoodle

It is an important point, I live alone and so when I gave up full-time work I found I had a lot of hours in the day (and days of the week) when I just was not speaking to anybody. I do an evening class and I sing in a choir but they both cost money.
I'm lucky enough to have a wide social group, and so a lot of my socialising will just be coffee or meals at friends' homes, which cost very little. I'm also very happy in my own company, I knit, sew, garden and so on. However there is potential to be very lonely if you give up a full-time job. I'm not at retirement age yet, most of my friends still work full time, and I can still have a couple of days of the week when I don't speak to anyone except the cat! Social media is a huge blessing.

jackieblack

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

I can still have a couple of days of the week when I don't speak to anyone except the cat!

Sounds blissful

moneyistooshorttomention

suki1964 wrote: »

Note my "its a tourist area"

So is my current area.

I guess the difference is that Wales sells itself as a tourist area with a "Come and look at the countryside/seaside" (much of which is attractive - it's true - and caused recent "I never realised it was that attractive" comments from an online friend I sent video clips to) and that doesn't mean any expenditure of money by the Councils basically.

Whereas other places spend Council money on things EVERYONE gets the benefit from (not just one group of people) and lay on things to do for the tourists - and the locals get the benefit too.

CapricornLass

I don;t know if this is possible, but are you able to do the same job with a different employer nearer to home?

Lifeofdreams

Hi Capricorn

I have thought about trying to get a similar job nearer to home but because of the nature of the job I would still have an hours commute each way, but thank you for posting and your support��

Lifeofdreams

Dear all

I have decided small steps at least up until xmas are the way forward to try and move forward.

Over the xmas holidays when I have more time I will make a more concrete plan.

You have all given me so many good ideas. I plan to do the following from now:-

Track all spends
Declutter - started this but has been on hold lately.
Be more organised with food shopping, budgeting.
Spend less on convenience food/eating out to save money (also thinking about health benefits).

I always rush round last minute at xmas but have started to buy presents to try and be more organised.

I am hoping by posting you lovely people will support me and keep me on track.😄

Off to organise work attire and work bag ready for tomorrow's early start. Night all.

117pauline

Hi Lifeofdreams

I wish you well.

Sometimes it is easier to keep on the treadmill rather than examining the life you live and what really matters to you.

I have taken time out and am in Spain, house-sitting for a friend. I came out in June and if I'm honest, it has only been in the last few days that I have found the strength to start to work out what I would really like. It's scary though!

So yes, the financial side is important but the other "side" is to get to know yourself again. I love lists so I have been mind-mapping ideas and thoughts I have regarding this new start to my life.

I will be on the sidelines along with other posters, cheering

Take care
Pauline

jackieblack

I expect some of us are already familiar with this, but it really resonates with me and I often come back to it as a reminder about what's important in my life:

An investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The Banker complimented the Fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Fisherman replied, “only a little while. The Banker then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The Banker then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”

The Banker scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the Banker replied, “15 – 20 years.”

“But what then?” Asked the fisherman.

The Banker laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”

“Millions – then what?”

The Banker said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

To which the fisherman replied “But isn’t that what I’m doing now?”

PollyWollyDoodle

Very true Jackie - and in a world where we are encouraged to constantly be striving for promotion, expected to be buying bigger and better, it takes courage to change. But as I and others have found there can be huge pleasures in simply stepping aside from the 'tidal flow'.

I'm sitting at my kitchen table, eating breakfast with a cuppa and planning my day. Four years ago, I'd have been drinking an expensive coffee at my desk as a reward for an hour spent battling my way into work on a crowded train. I know which I prefer.

bexster1975

I couldn't agree more with the last two posts. Of course the Capitalist machine would not be very thankful if a majority of woke took this view! Imagine folk going into work and saying " I'd just like to work enough hours to pay for what I actually need!" - actually, I'd quite like to lead that revolution, if only to watch what happens :rotfl:

I too, a little over 12 months ago, would have been despairing at the leadership of my school ( OFSTED decided leadership " requires improvement" in their May 2018 inspection - and I thought OFSTED knew nothing!) and doing my best to teach in ridiculous conditions ( no heating when it's 0 degrees outside by day?!).

Now, I work when I like. I'm working later today and have time this morning to do other stuff ( like posting on here ). Money wise I haven't actually taken as big a hit as I'd thought I would, but if I do, that's fine. The fisherman is quite right. And what if we don't reach retirement - keeping in mind the governments ever-changing goalposts on when that is going to be anyway.

Bexster