Thrifty in my 60's

otb666

@Wednesday2000 They underpaid me for 8 months but as i had severance and DB lump sum was not an issue.  Actually because of delay I managed to make the right decision on the surplus severance payment over 30k so i could have that tax free as paid into my pension.  But as they insisted on actual signature it meant waiting for post.  It was most probably me getting real stressed by it all and as I was not working did not have anything else to stress over.  I found retiring quite stressful and 2 years down the line I have my coping strategies which is a set routine with coming on MSE twice a day at set times and doing an hour housework a day This calms me and helps with my mental health.
I used to love my work routine but the actual work was very stressful.  Hope this makes sense to someone.

CapricornLass

I think the big public service institutions all specify 3 months notice.  However, 4 months is more realistic, we found.

Brambling

otb666 i've said for several years if the numbers worked on my DB pension i was going to retire at 60 as work hours were getting longer were i was apologising for going at 5pm, we were 2 staff down with no let up of the work, but when the paperwork came through i have found the though of it stressful.  It's taken a while to mentally adjust to the idea of retiring and TBH I'm not sure yet if i have.  I may copy you with a set hour for certain tasks and I'm determined to go back to walking more although a dodgy hip will mean more short walks rather than longer ones

Floss

@Brambling I think having a schedule that gives some structure to your day's will help when you finish - sort of "if it's Tuesday it must be cleaning the kitchen" or setting a time to spend on craft hobbies in good daylight.

kimwp

I'm not yet retired, but I think doing things that impose a deadline will help. Eg gardening - things need to be done at certain times of the year. Or committing to meeting someone for a mid week stroll or coffee etc

I_Love_comps

I am just in the process of filling in forms for a pension that I can access when I am 60.  I wont be retiring though, I only work part time, the money will be useful to save until I do retire.

Floss

I_Love_comps said:

I am just in the process of filling in forms for a pension that I can access when I am 60.  I wont be retiring though, I only work part time, the money will be useful to save until I do retire.

If you have a personal pension pot, consider paying that pension income into the personal pot as you will get the benefit of tax relief (but check your tax status as it may not work if you don't pay tax).

Rosa_Damascena

Floss said:

@Brambling I think having a schedule that gives some structure to your day's will help when you finish - sort of "if it's Tuesday it must be cleaning the kitchen" or setting a time to spend on craft hobbies in good daylight.

Whilst I agree with the approach, I feel its a poor example. I'm certainly not going into retirement with the intention of spending valuable daylight hours cleaning the kitchen, or anything else for that matter!

Replace as follows: ---> "If its Tuesday it must be time for coffee with friends". The most stressful part of the day should be confined to picking which cake to eat with it.

Katiehound

^^^^^^Actually I don't agree with that approach at all !! (well, someone has to disagree)  If you have been 'chained' to a rigid timetable for your working life then I suggest have a few weeks of doing just what you fancy, when you fancy! and just see how that pans out.

Maybe that's the time to think about what you really want to do.
I remember writing a list!
When I retired I decided I wanted to go to art college- I did.
Then I got an amazing dog & I worked as a volunteer for a national animal charity with my dog for at least 5 years.
Then I discovered cruising & ballroom dancing.....

the world could be your oyster: Enjoy it

How did I find time to work?????

kimwp

Katiehound said:

^^^^^^Actually I don't agree with that approach at all !! (well, someone has to disagree)  If you have been 'chained' to a rigid timetable for your working life then I suggest have a few weeks of doing just what you fancy, when you fancy! and just see how that pans out.

Maybe that's the time to think about what you really want to do.
I remember writing a list!
When I retired I decided I wanted to go to art college- I did.
Then I got an amazing dog & I worked as a volunteer for a national animal charity with my dog for at least 5 years.
Then I discovered cruising & ballroom dancing.....

the world could be your oyster: Enjoy it

How did I find time to work?????

May I ask which animal charity you did this for +and what your role was?) My ideal next step (once my cat passes, hopefully not for a while) is to get a dog and a job where I can take my dog to work. Appreciate that you were a volunteer, but it's all good to know