(NON FINANCIAL) Retirement plans/ dreams/ discussion.

Mickimus

My retirement "road to Damascus" decision moment was on a long distance walk with the early morning sun shining on the canal, the rowing club boats sculling by and swans flying overhead and I said to my OH we should be doing this all the time - and that set the ball rolling. So now got 18 months to go (or less if the money works and the stress gets too much).

So the plan is to walk loads of long distance paths - as many as we can followed by nice meals and drinks in the pub in the evenings and maybe the campervan too to make the staying away affordable. Also to climb a few more Munros - stuck at 77 just now and hoping to at least get up to 100 before the knees stop co-operating.

Otherwise sunshine holidays, daytime cinema, gardening ..... etc etc

Pension_Geek

A long way off but I would like to take a physics degree and possibly do some further research in Maths.

Scallypud

I intend to retire at the end of the year. I will take out half my pension pot 90k and take a wee visit to the casino. Put the lot in black and if it comes in …..happy days

Pension_Geek

Scallypud wrote: »

I intend to retire at the end of the year. I will take out half my pension pot 90k and take a wee visit to the casino. Put the lot in black and if it comes in …..happy days

Unorthodox, but let us know how it goes.

Bear in mind you'll be taxed an extraordinary amount on such a withdrawal.

bluenose1

Have loved reading everyone's plans. Though would rather carry on working than be like Pension Geek and do a physics degree. Sounds too much like hard work to me but must be so great to be so interested in a topic you would spend so much time studying it. My friend did a degree in her mid 50s and I am not quite sure how much of the fees she will have to pay back. Isn't there an age limit to repaying?
No way would I have the nerve to do what Scallypud is going to do with 50% of my pension!!!
Off to see Shazam now with our Odeon Limitless Card. They have been a great buy, especially as we have an Odeon Luxe cinema where the seats fully recline. I take in a small bottle of red wine with me, bliss.

Pension_Geek

bluenose1 wrote: »

Have loved reading everyone's plans. Though would rather carry on working than be like Pension Geek and do a physics degree. Sounds too much like hard work to me but must be so great to be so interested in a topic you would spend so much time studying it. My friend did a degree in her mid 50s and I am not quite sure how much of the fees she will have to pay back. Isn't there an age limit to repaying?
No way would I have the nerve to do what Scallypud is going to do with 50% of my pension!!!
Off to see Shazam now with our Odeon Limitless Card. They have been a great buy, especially as we have an Odeon Luxe cinema where the seats fully recline. I take in a small bottle of red wine with me, bliss.

Having a degree In maths already will oil the gears a little . I have 2 degrees already so doubt I will get loans to study further, but ill pay for them myself!

MallyGirl

I already have a Physicsy degree but would like to carry on learning something - give the grey cells some exercise along with the body. I am going to start with the piano (taking DD's slot when she goes to uni) but I've thought about French too as I always liked it at school. I'd like to find a mahjong group too as we only play a very simplified version that we learned when I was a child - I don't think I have the concentration span to learn Bridge

shinytop

What is it about Physics degrees, I have one of them too? I've been learning Spanish for a while and would like to ramp that up a level. I like the idea of learning something I can use in practice.

arnoldy

I don't know why but something like spending 2 weeks in Malta or Southern Spain in January appeals to me (in one of those half board hotels where you can get a good deal). It would make Jan pass a bit quicker. And being a outdoors person I don't like being cooped indoors with UK winter storms.

bluenose1

Maybe after I've retired I will want some further learning, but at the moment my brain feels frazzled and I am looking forward to a break from it all.
Pension geek- do they restrict you on number of degrees you can get student finance for? I never realised that.
Arnoldy- I definitely want some winter sunshine. January would definitely be a good month to get away. From what I can see if you can go anytime there are some great deals out there.
We were talking tonight if you could visit one country where would you go. My 16 year old and I chose Japan and my husband Canada.
That may be my research for the weekend pricing up far flung destinations.

I am making a big effort to de clutter the house in advance of retirement. Think it will take a couple of years to do that. Gave 6 bags to charity shop last weekend and sold a couple of things on eBay.
I want to be more minimalist as have far too many possessions that we never use. Just wish I had realised this 20 years ago, would have saved a fortune.