TomC. wrote:
I always said that I would retire in 2012 and I did. Best thing ever. The house is paid for, no car debt, no credit card debt, free and clear on everything. I pay off the one credit card every month plus I get 1.5% cash back on every purchase I make. Over the last few years, I've accumulated almost $2000 in free money.
I enjoyed many aspects of my job as a Mechanical Designer. Got involved in many fascinating projects over the years working for the steel industry. In later years, I worked in the food service industry designing different kinds of cooking equipment mostly Commercial Convection Ovens. I see my ovens on TV cooking shows and in restaurants many times.
I have some good investments and a fair amount in savings.
Soon after retiring, I realized that something was missing from my everyday life. I realized, eventually, that I needed to be creative. In my work life, I depended on my creativity to come up with different designs for different things. When I think back, I realized what a heavy dependence I had on being creative and it helped me in my work considerably. I needed something where I could use that creativity in photography. So, photography became my hobby. I thoroughly enjoy it and I can be creative with it also. I studied everything I could get a hold of about photography and I thoroughly enjoyed myself with it.
As you get accustomed to your new life, things tend to work themselves out and before you know it, you'll be happily involved in something and you'll be on your merry way.
It's good that you keep busy and continue to enjoy yourself. Most people I know in my age bracket say it's best to stay busy and active in some way. That seems to be the secret.
I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors.
I always said that I would retire in 2012 and I di... (
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I started cutting gemstones when I retired. That lead to photography. I understand completely the need to be creative. I built streetrods for 20 years and did restorations also. When I changed careers before I retired to slow down a little I realized being creative was a necessity for my wellbeing.