50 something man seeking to save to retire before 60!

We cleared our mortgage asap about 10 years ago. I hated having to pay the interest for our own home and I felt such relief once it was paid, like a weight lifted from our shoulders. Since then we both saved money on our wages every month as well as having our lump sums from our pensions. I thought so hard and did so many sums trying to figure out how much we would spend and how much we would use out of our savings , in the end l just realised we wouldn't know until we did it and bit the bullet..... but omg the deliberating before we did it , l worried and worried over it.
As for work mates I had to see them today whilst taking my DF for an appt and i really did not miss it/ them at all. I am shocked l dont miss them but l was of this steely frame of mind that l was not going to be the Butt of ppls jokes re not being able to talk about anything else to them except shop now l had retired! l may be a bit strange but l have my pride lol

CRV. I think the idea of having a set end date is a good one. It gives you a target and a focus. If you find the extra commuting difficult at times well, knowing it's only a short term thing will probably make it more bearable. And of course you can use that time to good effect, listening to music to help you wind down, listening to talking books, which could either be fiction or motivational books. You could even learn a new language....

Since reading some of these threads I have been thinking a lot about the concept of retirement. I have also been studying longevity, why some people live longer and remain active well into their advancing years. Obviously genetics have a role to play but I also think lifestyle is a very important factor in how well we age.

Often the people who remain the most healthy well into to their advancing years are those who remain working - paid or unpaid....it doesn't seem to matter which, especially those who follow their passions.

Look at people in the public eye......David Attenborough is a shining example but there have been others, actors, artists, musicians , academics, scientists, writers. It even seems to apply to we lesser mortals, I know lots of oldies who either do paid work or volunteer well into their 80s

My family do seem to be quite long lived, but I have noticed all of them remained active in their retirements, often taking up second careers or pursuing interests and passions which they hadnt had time or resources for when they were younger.

So ......I think it is important to think about what kind of retirement you envisage, pipe and slippers watching daytime TV........ or something a little more pro active.

Travel and adventure? Well it sounds good in theory but is it enough, what about the times when we aren't travelling.

I have met loads of people who go on several holidays a year but in all honesty that's it, when they are at home, they dont seem to do much else. Their lives revolve around their travels. Which is fine but I'm afraid I quickly realised that travelling wasn't the answer for me. Perhaps that's because I was forced to travel alone, maybe if my husband were with me I would feel differently. But, at the risk of sounding like a spoilt princess, I came to realise that I actually need more from life.

As you know I am older than you and already technically retired. I draw state pension so I'm retired right??:rotfl: well yes and no. I don't actually think of myself as retired. I see myself more as a "senior entrepreneur". Apparently we are a growing phenomenon.

Just as a i never had a clearly defined career path......I always combined jobs that paid a salary to live off with sideline businesses eventually owning and running a couple of companies with my husband. I think I was a "portfolio worker" long before the term came into fashion.

Now......I continue in much the same vein and I simply don't see myself as retired. I use my various pensions to live off, and some of my capital as working capital to fund my projects and business ventures, keeping a dollop back for long term investment.

Being something of an amateur property developer, my latest house purchase is a case in point. I have talked about future proofing my living accommodation, but this is merely a "just in case" insurance policy.

After all experience has taught me that you never know what is around the corner, illness and disability can strike anyone, anytime. So, if my health fails me whilst I undertake this next renovation project, I will at least have secured a suitable property in which to age.

If my robust good health continues, then I will simply sell up when it is completed and then move on to the next one. In addition I will be looking at a couple of side hustles.

Why do I do this......simple.....I enjoy working and I enjoy making money. It keeps me active, healthy and engaged. I will still do a big trip every so often.....Iceland next and maybe a couple of mini breaks now and then. I will still keep learning - brushing up my Spanish and Italian, will take up new hobbies and interests......a sewing course and music lessons and once my knee is better, maybe even learn to tango. Lol.

So for me....."retirement" is a bit of a misnomer.....I am retired in that I don't work for "the man" :rotfl: My pension income is plenty for my needs and wants, but I choose to work for myself.....hopefully for a very long time to come.

Just spent far too long watching sea horses on youtube - and sea dragons, why have I not heard about sea dragons before!

I love seahorses.....there is something magical about them.

When my husband was in a nursing home, more or less Paralysed and no longer able to use his computer, I installed a fish tank in his room. It kept him entertained for hours. It was also a great talking point. The staff and other more mobile residents used to visit him to watch the fish with him and chat.

:rotfl::rotfl:

Glad I'm not the only one who names fish.