Future Finances: Time vs Money
Comments
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thriftytracey wrote: »Simple Pleasures: A weekend at Doodlefest 2018! Mainly dog related ....
ThriftyTracey ... as a continuation of spooky parallels in our lives, I should now reveal that my dogs are doodles (one very obviously in looks, the other more in brain)!
Have fun, take lots of treats with you!~ * ~ "A goal without a plan is just a wish" Antoine de Saint Expuery ~ * ~0 -
Hi Mr APJIS&R, this is such a positive and uplifting thread, and I'm sure I'm just one of many who are enjoying all the posts which have been made. They have certainly made for interesting reading and really informative too.
That's kind Mr APJI, I feel very lucky to have had so many lovely visitors offering such helpful insights. It's making a real difference to how I'm approaching things (in a good way, of course).
I was fortunate to take early retirement (aged 55) 5 years ago. My main reason for doing so was to enjoy more time with my wife. My job (which I loved) took me far and wide, which in turn meant that my wife spent long periods of time on her own - not ideal at all. So the decision was made for us both to retire. Like many couples we planned for years before doing so and looked forward to the years ahead. Four years down the line (a year ago), my wife died very suddenly. She had always enjoyed such good health and so to lose her so quickly (within 24 hrs) was a terrible shock.
Mr APJI, that's so very sad and absolutely devastating. I'm so very sorry.
This is such 'a happy' thread and so I will not detail the months which followed - suffice to say that I entered a really dark tunnel, which I did eventually emerge from.Eventually I sold the home which we had spent so many years together, realising pretty soon on that by staying, I would not be able to move on with my life. Turning that key for the last time was really hard, but in so doing it gave me the impetus to start planning for the future.
That's so poignant and absolutely heartbreaking, I do hope that the future brings you all of the goods things you deserve.
At this point in time I'm homeless lol. No, I'm actually staying with various friends until next spring, and then I'm going to embark on a new project - building my new home
What a momentous challenge! Wshing you well with this, please do stay around and let us know how this is going.
So, if the finances are in place, I would say to anyone considering retirement to 'go for it'. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
^^^ This ^^^ is exactly what's behind this thread ... getting the pennies in the purse and creating time for living, rather than making a living.
Anyway, I have rambled enough
Not rambling, but very wise words, thank you so much for sharing your story.
Mr APJI, thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a fine weekend and that your plans work out. All the best to you x~ * ~ "A goal without a plan is just a wish" Antoine de Saint Expuery ~ * ~0 -
:wave:
Just a quick post to wish everyone a happy weekend. We've currently got visitors just arriving but I hope to update with progress over the weekend.
:cool: Have a good one y'all! SaR x~ * ~ "A goal without a plan is just a wish" Antoine de Saint Expuery ~ * ~0 -
Edited to distinguish my comments, sorry!Thank you CRV, I really appreciate your input.
I have considered stepping out of work and letting existing staff run the job. I have two excellent managers and I am the very opposite of a micro manager. Philosophy is take people on, support them for a few months and then let them loose, manager or driver. Can't see the point of employing people to not trust them and I do believe that staff who feel that I have confidence in them rise to the top - spend your life monitoring staff and telling them that they need you to do half their job and they just aren't invested in it.
I think that they could manage if we got someone in that could do some of the admin and the odd bit of driving and my FM would take over some of my work.
Worth a try? If it starts going pear shaped you could step back in - maybe even though you are the owner - in an advisory role?
Plan? Sorry, do not understand. Many years ago I had a vague idea about running a couple of vans and then I kind of bought some more and some trucks and opened another depot and became so specialised that there are only four companies that do what we do, with no plan.
Have a plan for you, what do you want to do? Going from busy, boss person to "retired" is a big psychological step. Doing nothing and watching daytime TV doesn't sound your style. What do you want- more time with stray dogs and walking, tour of Italian sculptures, or whatever floats your boat- lol maybe even that barge (I do try to read others posts lol!)
On my wall is a quote by Sir John Harvey Jones, which is completely right for me:
Planning is an unnatural process. It is much more fun to do something. And the nice thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprised instead of being preceded by a period of worry and depression
So I'll jump and see what happens, things don't work out, do something else. Bodie's knackered but the brain is about 15!
I like that quote, too many people overthink things, my best moves have been driven by impulse, although I do try to have a plan B mostly. I also like "there are three days- yesterday that you can't change so don't look back with regrets, simply learn- today that you can change and look for the silver even in the darkest clouds- tomorrow that's not promised to you so don't waste today worrying about yesterday or tomorrow"!
CRV1963- Light bulb moment Sept 15- Planning the great escape- aka retirement!0 -
MrAPJI, I'm sorry to hear of your loss and so suddenly. Mr Bugs died nearly 5 years ago but had been I'll for a few years.
The house plan sounds terrific, a big commitment but a big opportunity and there's nothing like a good project to get your teeth into. The last 2.5 years I've put a new roof on, fascias etc, 60' of fencing, New kitchen and bathroom, double glazing in 6 weeks .....perhaps I should have built from scratch:p
SAR, if I get the narrowboat, I'll send you an invitation.:j
CRV, I think my problem is I'm an all or nothing personality, I'm not sure I can still have a business yet not be involved. My last proper holiday was in 2004 (week in Jersey), before that in 1991 to Florida. I get bored by holidays:o, but then again I've not really tried one!
I'm perhaps being a bit economic with the truth say I.g I don't have a plan. I have an A4 shhet of paper with things I want to do, see, learn. But first I want several months off to do nothing but try things out as. I suspect what I think I want, may change.
Good points as ever CRV.:beer:0 -
Thank you Shy & Bugslet for your kind words. I absolutely agree - the house project will be quite a challenge - just hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew When the project is underway, I will keep you posted
bugslet, sorry to hear about Mr bugslet. I guess we are in the same situation - facing retirement with a completely different set of plans to those originally envisaged. Must say, the idea of a narrowboat sounds quite attractive. Hope you manage to arrive at a decision about retirement soon - it seems a tough call to make. I know this may sound rather simplistic, but have you tried compiling two lists ( one detailing what benefits retirement would bring at this point in time/ one detailing benefits of remaining in the work situation) and just comparing them. It may just make things seem a little clearer or then it may not lol. Anyway, just an idea . 0 -
I doubt you've bitten off more than you can chew, MRAPJI, though there are bound to be days when you will think so. Mostly when it's raining:rotfl:, but nothing ventured, nothing gained and when it's done, you'll be proud of yourself.
I've done a pros and cons list and it did tip in favour of leaving. I just feel guilty at leaving staff, I genuinely have the best staff I could have and they all say it's the best job they've ever had, so I really do feel I am letting them down.
I am slowly getting to an idea, but feel it's necessary to torture myself for a while:o0 -
S&R-
Have a great weekend, I'm coming round to liking your way of writing your diary in defined sections, my clutter would take me ages to sort- I think later in the month I'm going to start with the air raid shelter it has bikes and bike stuff stored and I'll empty it, probably offer it free on a local buy and sell site, if it doesn't go then a trip to the tip! In reality I'd rather walk the hills with the dogs than cycle these days, I'll leave my 30s and 40s form of exercise behind, I did lose the key for a while and haven't even opened it for around 3 years since I put them all in there! Then the Garage, might try a car boot, then charity shops, then the tip!
MrAPJI-
Very sad at your loss, but glad for you that you have good friends to stay with and a plan- what an adventure building your own home! Bugslet is right there will be times when it is overwhelming but you have to then step back, look at the bigger picture (or in your case the building plans) and say to yourself I will get through this and I will enjoy it all the more for the trials getting it built!
Bugslet-
Torturing yourself with procrastination just won't do! Take a proper holiday? Have a month doing things on your list? I understand being driven/ absorbed in the work, I used to work silly hours making sure everything was done correctly, everyone was happy in their work and generally worrying about helping their careers too. I look back and have learnt that I didn't make enough "me" time. I became ineffectual because I cared too much. Now I still give everything I can and work extra hours to do it, but I keep a lid on it and try to keep life balanced.
For myself, I worked an extra shift yesterday so todays my day off this week, I've resisted the temptation for now of picking up an extra shift next weekend, today I'm having a lazy morning sipping proper tea, the afternoon is for gardening/ dog walking and the evening is ironing my shirts for work, spending as much time as possible with Mrs CRV when she gets up from her lay in!CRV1963- Light bulb moment Sept 15- Planning the great escape- aka retirement!0 -
Hello. APJ1. So sorry to hear about your loss, and yes such a shock when it happens so quickly. But well done on the house.
I too am a widow and like Buglset I ageee having a big project you can sink your teeth in to really does help you work through grief and rebuild your life.
I helped my son renovate this house, bought it off him in the end so he could move in with his girl friend. I have now sold it and am in the process of buying a money pit.....:rotfl: - it will take me a couple of years to lick it into shape.
My husband died 4 years this coming Friday. I have done several solo holidays. They were fine but apart from a trip to Iceland next year I have no immediate plans for further travel. But.....never say never. I'll just play it by ear.
As you say it's not the retirement that yourself, Bugslet and I had planned and hoped for but hey ho, there's nothing we can do. We can't turn back time, (only Cher can do that....:rotfl:). You have to play the cards you are dealt and get on with it.
So my advice to anyone is........like I said in an earlier post........
"Time is more precious than money".
Especially time spent with your loved ones.0 -
ShyAndRetiring wrote: »Hi Bugslet,Been at home for a few days, internet free zone there, so catching up here. Can just imagine the ungainly heron:D
Yes, it was marvellous!
Another one that will mention PoA - very handy should you ever require it, it's like having magic keys that open otherwise shut doors!
Appreciate that, it's on the list!
I think my last update was that I had told my customer that I was winding up the business:j, after nearly two months they have come back and said if they take out all the corporate rubbish, will I stay. Pretty please. I'm dithering.
Ooooh, the plot thickens! Is taking out the corporate rubbish something that could make continuing tolerable for you?And are they likely to follow through and actually do it if they've promised you things will improve? Big decisions there, even on top of the time vs money questions of retirement! If you agree to stay, would you want to set a time limit on it, do you think? [ /QUOTE]
Obviously up to each individual what they decide to do.
In your position - I'd probably go for keeping on doing the work for that particular customer (minus the "corporate stuff"). I'm guessing it wouldnt take that much time and would be a bit flexible as to when you could do it?
If that's the case - then for work you feel okay about /can be flexible about when you do it/get somewhere between reasonable to good pay for it = it seems to me like a good halfway house Transition Stage to Retirement Proper.
One of the things about retiring is "finding a sense of purpose" imo and that could help with both that and transitioning income wise.
Not a position I've been in myself - as the paid work I did was usually not even "reasonably paid" imo and I usually wasnt doing it "by choice". There had been a brief spell of sideline work that was reasonably paid and I felt positive about it - but the "sources of supply" for that had come to an end - so it didnt apply any longer and I was moving elsewhere in the country anyway. So my circumstances were different.
In theory - in different circumstances and for "reasonable to good pay" I'd consider part-time work personally.
In your circumstances - then seems like a good idea to me:)
EDIT; Re the narrowboat - it's been a little "I wonder....." in the back of my mind for a while. Having said that - realistically I don't think so - but a narrowboat holiday sometimes - well it's something I enjoyed one time. Though the person I was with darn soon took over doing all the "driving" as daylight very quickly dawned about just how bad a "driver" I am...ahem....0
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