Retirement advice?

Many of my friends are going out west and not to the south.
Some go to Alaska, Some like places like the grand canyon or the topography of wyoming. I was blessed with many pictures of their touring. I would loved to be able to take the tour but wife and I aren't moving much anymore. Do better than I did.

 

I retired June 30, so a few weeks before you. I think the main thing is to not be "useless." Find something valuable to do, even if it pays little, nothing, or even costs you a little money. A productive hobby is good, parttime work is good, volunteering is good, etc.

I am doing alittle parttime work, so I am told I am a failure at retiring. OK, so be it, but it works for me.

 

How much volunteering and ministry work are you now doing? I figure I want to retire sometime, but I would just be switching from what I NEED to do to what I WANT to do...

 

Travel and see the things you want to see and do while you still can.
For some - Not being able to do things you've always taken for granted - like walking up hills - or even very far, sneaks up on you real quick.

 

Not much change so far in ministry. I am open to it, we'll see where it goes.

 

An old timer I know who has since passed away told me not to wait for my golden years to start doing at least some of the things I want to. For my wife and I, in our mid fifties, we can relate to the reality of someday not being able to do the things we take for granted now. I was thinking about the reality of the little changes that do sneak up quickly. For example I used to walk while grouse or pheasant hunting 8-9 hours a day. My legs were tired by the end of the day, but other than that I would be ready to do it again the next day. Nowadays if I walk over uplands for over 6 hours, the last hour is a high risk for serious leg cramping, and doing it the next day is not a viable option.

In anticipation of retiring some day, my wife and I are starting to take more time to walk daily, reduce fat and sugar, limit alcohol, and keep our weight down. We used to be able to eat anything and not worry, but nowadays, not so much. Luckily we have kept our jean sizes stable since our late 30s. Although I notice now though that I have to wear a belt to prevent my stomach from pushing down my pants, lol. My dad told his doctor that if knew if was going to live so long, he would have taken better care of himself.

 

One of the big things to watch for is procrastination. I am still dealing with it after 4 years. There is always tomorrow.
After the new company bought out our company things went down hill. I went from enjoying my job to hating it.
Animal rescue has been dear to my heart for years. Considered to volunteer at the local shelter, but my company spoilt any commitment. I am getting over it after 4 years and thinking seriously about getting involved. My problem is. If I want to take time off. "To heck with them I am going." My job made it almost impossible to take time off. Even when my dad was dying from cancer. Just don't want to get my self into that situation again.
What I like is the freedom. If I want to go to a gtg, I don't have to ask for time off. If I want to travel. Again no problem.

 

Congratulations! Iron pony is right, soon you’ll be too busy lol. Do what you enjoy. Help others. Get to know your family! I knew my coworkers better that I knew mine. Do the things you missed out on because of work. Teach kids things you had to learn on your own. Pass on your knowledge!
Work on what you want when you want, don’t overdue it but keep busy. And Burn your lazy boy chair! Those things are evil! Good luck


Wood always heats you twice, unless you rehandle like I do then it’s four or five times!

 

Thanks everyone! I'm feeling a lot better this week, and getting a ton done. I attribute some of it to all of your wonderful responses, helps tremendously to hear your stories and experiences, and to know that I am not the only one to feel this way!