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Retirement Pros and Cons

The TVClubHouse: Archives: 2004 January - Arpil: Retirement Pros and Cons users admin

Author Message
Springer
Member

03-12-2004

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 3:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I always thought that I would retire when I was 65 years old, but due to many changes at the company I worked for, my job was eliminated and I was offered a pretty generous retirement package. So to make a long story short, I find myself retired at the tender age of 61.
Actually I was quite upset when I first found out about this but that was mostly because I didn't have time to plan for retiring and didn't know if I would afford to be without a job. I knew within a week or so that I could afford it....thank goodness I am not the high maintenance type of woman.
I have only been retired for one month and so far I love it...but there are some things that I'm having a hard time with also. I love that I don't have to get up to an alarm clock, I can stay up as late as I want to, get up early, have a yummy breakfast, watch the news, read the paper, take a nap whenever I want and have the time to spend with friends that I have neglected for far to long. I'm looking forward to warmer weather so I can get outside to my gardens and do some walking. But I also find that I'm going to need some sort of schedule or something because I already am putting off doing chores that I really need to tackle because I think I can always do that tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.
I was wondering if retirement was a hard adjustment for you? What you love or hate about it? I heard that there are a lot of retirees regularly at TVCH so I sure hope to hear from you.}}


Jan
Member

08-01-2000

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 5:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hi Springer


Congrats on starting your first thread. I think it is an interesting one.

I took early retirement at the age of 50! and couldn't get out of the work force fast enough. I LOVE being retired.

But you are definitely right that the days can fly by and you find you have put off things. IF you were a list maker in your worklife , maybe you could try making lists now? I do it because I have a tendency to forget (I suffer from CRS...Can't remember sh*t). Then I get enormous pleasure from checking things off the list once they are done.

You could set goals for yourself each day or week or whatever, if it is important to you. To me, the important part of being retired is NOT HAVING to do anything. Any day I can wake up and say "there is nothing I HAVE to do today, is a good day for me". My friends , on the other hand, can't stand a day when they have nothing to do. One of them got a part time job just so she could fill her days. I guess we are all different.

I think the most important thing is to enjoy each day doing whatever makes you happy.And Relish the fact that there is nothing that you HAVE to do :-):-):-)

PS I don't know what is causing those }} at the end of your post. Those are normally put in when you use some of the icons at the top of the post box..eg the B or I or U or clipart etc. I'm sorry I can't help with that . Maybe one of the mods will know???

Treasure
Member

06-26-2002

Monday, March 22, 2004 - 5:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hi Springer. Glad you are enjoying your retirement. I retired in May of last year, just a month after turning 63. There were so many things that I had been putting off until I was retired. Those are the things that hold a high priority now. Going to the gym, weight lose program, occasional trips, all come before any other chores.

If you really feel the need to do chores, than a list might work for you. As you are relaxing with your breakfast you could decide what you want to accomplish on that day. I think the key will be that you don't set the bar to high. Just a couple of small chores each day. Maybe something that will only take about an hour to accomplish.

Then the rest of the day is yours to get out and reward yourself. Make that something you have always wanted to try. Perhaps you would like to take a look at the courses offered at your local community college.

I do believe that an active retirement is a successful retirement.

Enjoy your freedom!!

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Monday, April 12, 2004 - 8:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Springer, my retirement days sound like yours. I too still have chores I should do, but often they get put off until tomorrow. I have to break that habit.

I retired in May '02 at age 55. My choice. For the last approximately 20 years I had been working as a legal secretary in mid-size to large law firms in downtown Chicago. Enough! Sick of the corporate / professional world. (Though the last two attorneys I worked for were sooooo nice.)

I "live small", but I love it. I'm comfortable. All my time is mine. I no longer wanted to sell it. Although ... who would have guessed?! In the summer of '03, those two attorneys I had last worked for left the firm in Chicago and started their own practice in a suburb not far from where I live. They don't need a full time secretary. They just call me for projects when I'm needed. It works great for all of us! It was the people I missed when I quit working. I get to see them. They're available to me when I have "legal questions". And I still have a little extra $$ coming in now-and-then. (So far, they haven't called me too often.)

My single biggest worry thought is health insurance. I had to get my own individual insurance. I've always thought of myself as "healthy" so got limited coverage to keep premium lower (but it does / has increased). Well, you know what that means ... in November '02 I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ / stage 0 (very early breast cancer). Lumpectomy, 33 radiation treatments, and five years of Tamoxifen (one down - four to go). I'm fine now except for the occasional bouts of "cancerhead". Now health insurance and health is my greatest concern. I think I'm eating healthier than I used to, but not getting as much exercise. Have to do something about that.

Ultimately, I LOVE RETIREMENT!