Looking for advice on Retirement
Dec 16, 2017 16:13:48 #
Now you can visit all those places you never had time to go to. Including seeing your kids more often. Got a passport?
Dec 16, 2017 16:15:13 #
Now you can visit all those places you never had time to go to. Including seeing your kids more often.
There are more places to visit, see and photograph in the Utah/Arizona area than you could run out of in a lifetime.
There are more places to visit, see and photograph in the Utah/Arizona area than you could run out of in a lifetime.
Dec 16, 2017 17:17:14 #
If you find your work is still giving you enjoyment and still paying well..keep doing it. My Doctor told me years ago that fresh air and exercise does more good than than any pills can do..for body and mind.
Dec 16, 2017 17:22:27 #
repleo wrote:
I know there are a lot of retirees here on UHH and... (show quote)
I'm 70 and retired about 15 years ago; however, I still do consulting on occasions. Never had a boring day in my life before or after retirement. Being the owner and operator of a ranch in the Foothills of the Rockies certainly helps.
I hike at least two miles daily with our six dogs. My main hobby is photography / astrophotography / nightscape / wildlife photography which fills a good portion of the day and/or night. I belong and contribute to online forums, UHH being one of several. I also volunteer at outreach projects for astronomy and photography, write a monthly article for the local newspaper and help run the local photography club.
My wife and I help our four children with our seven grandkids whenever they want a break. And we travel, primarily by RV, several times a year to favorite areas around western Canada, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alaska, Washington and Oregon.
Never a dull moment! In fact I often wish for a bit of solitude... which I can easily get simply by walking into the pasture to commune with the cows and horses. I also go for a couple of solo rough camping / hiking trips a year to commune with nature. My wife is scared I may never come back from some of these outings; however, if I die doing something I like I will have lived life to the fullest.
Retirement is GREAT! Make the most of it!
bwa
Dec 16, 2017 17:27:48 #
SSam
Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ
Phil, Send me a private msg. I've got something for you to think about (but my keyboard computer can't see this message). Sam
Dec 16, 2017 17:36:45 #
One piece of serious advice, your payment to Medicare will depend upon your adjusted gross income 2 years before retirement. Find a way to decrease the AGA as much as possible and you can save lots.
I retired in July 2016, I spent the best part of 6 months getting my accounts straightened out. If y9u were a teacher or invested in TIAA-CREFF, good luck to you. It is not easy dealing with them. I keep myself very busy, golf, drawing, painting, photography, volunteer work, I wrote a book and had it published, you will find that you will be busier than when you worked.
I retired in July 2016, I spent the best part of 6 months getting my accounts straightened out. If y9u were a teacher or invested in TIAA-CREFF, good luck to you. It is not easy dealing with them. I keep myself very busy, golf, drawing, painting, photography, volunteer work, I wrote a book and had it published, you will find that you will be busier than when you worked.
Dec 16, 2017 17:52:20 #
SSam
Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ
Replo, (Retirement Advice) look for organizations in your area that have a lot of varied activities.
Our retirement age RV Resort has over 100 activities ranging from the arts, physical activities, gaming, etc. (Yes we have a group called PhotoBugs that have a different photo challenge every two weeks.) Note: this is not an "advertisement" for our Resort because we already have over 50 people/couples on our waiting list and it will take over 2 years of waiting to get in (and that's with many of those on the waiting list that really want to come in but they aren't ready yet, so they just say "no" three times and then go to the bottom of the waiting list again). And you need to be an RVer to even "get on the list".
Here's a link to a three minute video that I made showing some of what is offered to people our age. Go to: www.jojobahills.com. Then go down about 1/2 of the first screen and click on the "Jojoba Hills in 3 Minutes" Video. I hope seeing it encourages you to enlarge your research to include organizations that you hadn't even thought about.
Our retirement age RV Resort has over 100 activities ranging from the arts, physical activities, gaming, etc. (Yes we have a group called PhotoBugs that have a different photo challenge every two weeks.) Note: this is not an "advertisement" for our Resort because we already have over 50 people/couples on our waiting list and it will take over 2 years of waiting to get in (and that's with many of those on the waiting list that really want to come in but they aren't ready yet, so they just say "no" three times and then go to the bottom of the waiting list again). And you need to be an RVer to even "get on the list".
Here's a link to a three minute video that I made showing some of what is offered to people our age. Go to: www.jojobahills.com. Then go down about 1/2 of the first screen and click on the "Jojoba Hills in 3 Minutes" Video. I hope seeing it encourages you to enlarge your research to include organizations that you hadn't even thought about.
Dec 16, 2017 20:18:18 #
Dare I say.....look at your Personnel Officer, Union Rep if you have one, or Age Concern or similar, within the community. Retirement can kill men pretty quickly....The stress of suddenly 'not having a role', actually living with the wife 24/7 much as you love her....fitting into 'home life' ...depression etc
This is a reality for all at some time, but few people actually seek help and info. You are starting well!!
Pottering is good, creating an alternative to 'work' especially if it gives a little income and a feeling of 'self worth'. Note no-one has said 'put your feet up'.
Like any 'job' you have had or changed, re-educate yourself to fit your new circumstances. Hey, your partner is going through the same thing so include her in the planning too. It isn't all about just you.
Work at it. Now is an opportunity - not a problem...keep thinking that.
I am lucky...I am Self Employed and too poor to retire...I will simply look for easier job opportunities as time progresses.
Remember Farmers...they worked till they were very old by letting their children take on 'some of the jobs' not all of them!
Have fun and stay positive
This is a reality for all at some time, but few people actually seek help and info. You are starting well!!
Pottering is good, creating an alternative to 'work' especially if it gives a little income and a feeling of 'self worth'. Note no-one has said 'put your feet up'.
Like any 'job' you have had or changed, re-educate yourself to fit your new circumstances. Hey, your partner is going through the same thing so include her in the planning too. It isn't all about just you.
Work at it. Now is an opportunity - not a problem...keep thinking that.
I am lucky...I am Self Employed and too poor to retire...I will simply look for easier job opportunities as time progresses.
Remember Farmers...they worked till they were very old by letting their children take on 'some of the jobs' not all of them!
Have fun and stay positive
Dec 16, 2017 20:22:30 #
I've been a social musician most of my life. At age 50 it was either get a red two seater or start sawing away on the fiddle as a retirement investment. I still have a shed with mostly 3 phase machines, overkill for the work I do these days, mostly instrument building. The only thing I've retired from is promising people work and deadlines. I build what I like when I like. In the new year, at age 70, I start my third six month stint teaching luthiery part time to job seekers in a run govt. program. Many of the participants play music so I'm packin' a guitar every day. lol
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-493112-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-421033-1.html
I'm building a few more of these guitar stands as Festivus gifts.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-381383-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-493112-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-421033-1.html
I'm building a few more of these guitar stands as Festivus gifts.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-381383-1.html
Dec 16, 2017 21:10:53 #
All of the suggestions offered have merit, and I am sure you will find that some will apply well to you.
In addition, I offer the following suggestion:
1. Get on the internet.
2. Do a search for a good non-profit in your area with a very low % of overhead (Forget the Red Cross).
3. Contact several and ask for a tour if their facility and see if any of them appeal to you.
4. Commit at least 4 to 8 hours a week for the one you choose.
I have volunteered for the past eight years for ProjectCURE. They have a dustribution center in Tempe, just short drive North of my home in Chandler. I find it very rewarding. They have needs for all types of skills and interests. You may not have a ProjectCURE Center in your area, but I bet you can find a worthy non-profit that will warm your heart, give your free time new meaning, and help those who need the help.
Above all, stay busy! Couch sitters die early. It’s a fact.
In addition, I offer the following suggestion:
1. Get on the internet.
2. Do a search for a good non-profit in your area with a very low % of overhead (Forget the Red Cross).
3. Contact several and ask for a tour if their facility and see if any of them appeal to you.
4. Commit at least 4 to 8 hours a week for the one you choose.
I have volunteered for the past eight years for ProjectCURE. They have a dustribution center in Tempe, just short drive North of my home in Chandler. I find it very rewarding. They have needs for all types of skills and interests. You may not have a ProjectCURE Center in your area, but I bet you can find a worthy non-profit that will warm your heart, give your free time new meaning, and help those who need the help.
Above all, stay busy! Couch sitters die early. It’s a fact.
Dec 16, 2017 22:21:12 #
Not to worry. I was very, very lucky and was able to retire at 55. My wife and I spent a lot of time making a plan that was agreeable to both of us. We travel, build from scratch and refinish higher end furniture. My next door neighbors have a son of 5 who has leukemia. I spend time with him walking in the woods around the area teaching him about nature. I fix the bicycles of all the kids in the neighborhood. Rarely is there a weekend when I don't, at some point, have 6 -8 boys in the garage disorganizing all my tools while I help them with their bikes. That just gives me something else to do, organize my tools ... again! I wonder what's going to happen when they start getting cars. Oh Boy!!
Now that I have all my time to spend the way I wish or choose, I never have enough.
A wise man once told me "Time is short and you can't buy any more of it, so use it wisely." It has been advice I have heeded with great attention and I am glad I did.
Now that I have all my time to spend the way I wish or choose, I never have enough.
A wise man once told me "Time is short and you can't buy any more of it, so use it wisely." It has been advice I have heeded with great attention and I am glad I did.
Dec 17, 2017 06:05:03 #
The part time path is the way I went and it worked out well. There is always plenty to do--I go to the gym almost every day and work hard at it (I'm now in the best condition that I've been in maybe 20 yrs). I also work several days a week at Habitat for Humanity (builds, decons,test electronics for restore) and do most of the photography for the chapter. Look to your health so you can use your time well and productively.
Dec 17, 2017 06:20:15 #
The best advise I can give you is to take your retirement now. As you are in decent physical shape you'll want to be able to enjoy life in your retirement before the inevitable medical ills take over and limit your activities. If you love photography then I can think of no better way to spend your time.
Dec 17, 2017 06:26:01 #
CookieRahll
Loc: Brasher Falls,NY
I worked during the September 11, 2001 at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport, at age 54...the next day put in for my retirement the following April when I turned 55...never looked back, I was born retired. Don't get me wrong I loved my job...but I love retirement better..now I'm 70 yrs young and every day is a Saturday/Sunday...up at 0530 and don't sit until dinner(I'm an excellent cook and love it). Live in the middle of 150 acres in Northern New York and just watched and photographed 8 deer 10 ft off my front porch....we have a 1/4 mile driveway, wooded with a gate, very private. Have many festivities, parties, entertainers ice skating(on a pond we have behind a cabin in the woods) for the kids, and the older Kids. I love macro photography, especially in the spring and summer, I'm an avid perennial gardener and I love my flowers, bugs and all kinds of "critters"(deer, black bears, fishers, snowshoes, coyotes, wild turkeys, etc). And to this day I don't know how I managed a full time job, house, shopping, all meals, gardens, fishing, hunting, etc. They say sitting is the new smoking, believe it just get up and take your camera and open your eyes to the most wonderful surroundings you'll every see! Because this time on earth is not a "dress rehearsal".
Good luck and happy shooting,
Cookie
Good luck and happy shooting,
Cookie
Dec 17, 2017 06:34:33 #
Over there is quite a bit of good neighbourly work you can do. There's likely to be people who can't cut their grass or drive to the Dr., maybe an old peoples club that needs a hand. Put your face out there and discover your local community. But has been said previously don't sit down for too long. I know it's harder over there than here but walk to the shops rather than drive. Most of all enjoy your yourself.
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