Bold leap into retirement

SouthCoastBoy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109418#Comment_82109418

I think it definitely depends on the type of volunteering, however I have heard of people volunteering and expectations on attendance are set etc. suddenly it ten becomes more like work

Smudgeismydog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109445#Comment_82109445

oh no, I wouldn’t want that! We are notified of the activity and confirm attendance, turn up at a gorgeous location near to where we live and have the task explained before we start. There always plenty of cakes, and the other volunteers are a diverse mix of really interesting people. We’ve made some great friends that we now choose to see outside of volunteering.

SouthCoastBoy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109466#Comment_82109466

I would be happy with that type of volunteering 😀

daveyjp

The positive and negative of volunteering is as there is no salary it is done very much on your terms. With no reward there is no fear of losing an income so can stop doing it if the fun goes. The downside is it can be very difficult to get rid of people who are overbearing "my way or no way" know it alls!

I've volunteered for almost as long as I've been working and it has been a welcome escape from the day job, especially during winter where it would be easy to close up and get the heating on. Far more fun to be heading out to be active, meet friends and achieve something.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109413#Comment_82109413

That was my view on part time working as well, especially as I used to get calls when I was on holiday when I was full time.

Hope you are enjoying retirement and not tempted back by any new work offers……..

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109445#Comment_82109445

My OH helps out one morning a week at a drop in/lunch centre for older folk. It has more than once scuppered other plans, as she has to cancel weeks in advance if she can not go. Even then she gets roped in occasionally on other days when somebody is off sick etc.

It is not helped by the fact that we already have family caring responsibilities/commitments, so one more was not a great idea in my book, although to be fair she usually enjoys it.

barnstar2077

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109413#Comment_82109413

It is my understanding that most volunteering is about helping others, not what you can get out of it.

I've had a look for my local area, just to give me an idea before retirement, and think I wouldn't mind doing some litter picking and gardening when the time comes. There were hundreds of things listed though, so something for everyone.

bjorn_toby_wilde

I dropped to four day weeks for the last year before retirement and it worked really well for me. Those three day weekends reinforced the pull of retirement.

The key thing is being disciplined about not working in your own time. My colleague tried the same thing but “couldn’t fit all the work into four days”. I committed to turning off the company phone and laptop and didn’t look at them again until Monday morning. If you can’t do that then it probably won’t work for you.

I’m with @Smudgeismydog on the volunteering needing to be flexible. I volunteer with a wildlife trust which is good exercise, very rewarding and remains flexible. The groups are large so if you can’t make it one week that’s not a problem. It’s also led to some other archaeology volunteering which I find really mentally stimulating.

NormalNorman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109413#Comment_82109413

Volunteering gives me a level of satisfaction paid work has never provided. Work with a great bunch of people. Basically I go play in the countryside.

My evening job is similar, great people and it’s the type of work that requires no thought with total autonomy. Nothing ever hangs over your head and the best part of the day is free.

mrklaw

can volunteering work ok around extended breaks - we’re hoping to do three months outing the country if budget allows