Early-retirement wannabe

I took early retirement in July last year (mid fifties).

I had no spreadsheet or projections or whatever. I wanted to go early and I did.

But in fairness, I did plan for a few years prior to retirement to pay down every debt I had, and do the house improvements, and salt away a few bob whilst I had full salary.

My pension is quite good given the actuarial reduction. I can still save the same amount I did whilst working. That is the Fun Money! Now where will I go next month kind of thing!

I'm female. And I could be wrong, but I do think there is a big difference between the attitude of men and women when it comes to leaving work for good.

I, never looked back, just forward. From the day I left, I never thought about work at all! Am enjoying the total freedom of being able to do everything or nothing as the mood suits. Surely that is what retirement is all about!

I cannot believe that I felt no adjustment period at all. I sailed into it and it is great.

Do not be afraid. You either can afford to go and are not sure, or you cannot afford to go and really want to, OR, you can go, can afford it, and to hell with the worries. So GOOOOO!

It is so good. Honestly. I was just speaking with a former colleague who also took early retirement around the same time as myself. She said she would never go back to work, things had changed so much and it wasn't enjoyable anymore. My sentiments exactly, and remember we are not here for a long time, but a good time!

My best wishes to you all on the cusp of a decision on early retirement, and I hope it works out well for you all.

melanzana wrote: »

I'm female. And I could be wrong, but I do think there is a big difference between the attitude of men and women when it comes to leaving work for good.

Depends on what you mean by leaving work. I've got a fair few hobbies that make some money, and I could build these up, but perhaps that would be too much like work?

jamesd wrote: »

Hardly. You can read about the Trinity study to learn more about what was really done. It used the period from 1925 through 1995 and an updated version went to 2005. That's the Great Depression, two world wars and assorted high inflation times.

But I'm guessing that the study was somewhat restricted in scope. How did things work out in Germany, Austria or Japan? Or come to that, Czechoslovakia or Poland? What makes you think we couldn't be Japan next time?

i dont know. I think men are more tied up in what they used to do self esteem wise? Women's self esteem isn't usually employment based lol.

Plus there is the whole lying around bit. I know for certain my OH (who has no hobbies apart from watching sport) would find just sitting around annoying. Then he would pester me (who is very happy just sitting around reading a book).

He used to play golf and would take that up again I am sure(when he had the time again which is why he stopped), but that is his only other hobby.

melanzana wrote: »

Women, on the other hand, have many strings to their bows, and can adapt to free time a lot easier I think.

Yes, you have!

Also, whilst I enjoyed reading your post and think it's awesome that you're a lot happier now, your situation doesn't really apply to the majority of people here. You say you quit work without thinking about it, but that was only possible because you were able to take your company pension. A lot of people here won't have that option until they're 68 or possibly older.