off topic but free at last

All I can offer here is the opinion that retirement is a very personal journey. No matter how many stories one hears or how much advice is offered, we are still experiencing something uniquely our own story once we retire.

At first, my colleagues from the high school said I seemed like I was in mourning, even before I had left the building for the last time. They were right. I was.

Very soon afterward, I discovered I needed to learn how to slow down. After about a year into retirement, I was driving, one morning, to the grocery store and found myself rushing to get there. At a traffic light, I had a "eureka moment." I actually looked into the visor mirror and addressed myself, "What are you doing! Stop it! Slow down." After that, I never rushed anywhere again, and I do not expect to do so, ever again. Why should I? It's true - every day is Saturday, at least, for me. That's become my thinking.

And the period of mourning totally went away. Now, when I look back, it's as though - almost - I was never there, the classroom had become so distant and, almost, foreign a place. I have a new life, one which I pray does have Light at the end of the tunnel.

Frank

P.S. This hobby of ours has added immensely to my life: people; adventures; creativity; community; conversation; society; fun.

Don, we stay at the Marriott Ocean Club in Ka'anapali Beach.  We'll be there for 2 weeks this year.     

Mike, you can walk to our house. We'er on the Ka'anapali Hillside. We walk by the Marriott all the time. Don

Congratulations on your retirement.  I was kind of forced into retirement by being laid off my job of 12 years do to this rotten economy.  Its not much better now, no jobs to apply for and people are lined up a mile long for a single job opening.  It seems like prices are going up and my Social Security is going down.  I don't think anyone knows what it is like until they lose their job and security.  Best of luck to you.

Don, your photo's of Kauai are no less than stunning.  The most beautiful water in the world.

TEX

Steve

Congratulations, $00!  Make the best of retirement - work is a 4-letter word. 

The thick paper comes on Sunday, and the rest of the time.......it doesn't matter!

I retired in 2007, after 30+ years in Civil Service.  One of the contractors that worked for me asked me if I wanted to come to work for them.  I went to the job interview and the whole time I was there I could see the traffic backing up to one of our infamous tunnels here in southeastern Va.  When I got home told my wife that I was going to turn down the job, I had no intention of going thru the tunnel every day.

Back in 2009 my kids gave me some gift certificates for golf lessons, as a Christmas present.  While taking the 2nd lesson, the pro asked me if I wanted a job working in the pro shop.  I wasn't too keen on it until he said it included all the golf I could play...for free, while making minimum wage at the same time!!!

So for the past 2+ years I've been playing golf and making enough extra cash to buy golf balls and a couple of trains each year.  I've also made new friends and have seen folks I grew up with or worked with in the past.

The one thing that bothers all prospective retirees is "The Great Unknown".  You never know what is going to happen that will take a hit on your plans.  My wife has had some bad medical issues which have cost a lot, even after the insurance paid.  Medical issues can drain your retirement savings quicker than anything else, plus the premiums go up every year.  On the other hand, we don't spend any $$$ on dry cleaning these days (was over $100/month) and I don't do a lot of driving, only filling up the tank in my Mini once/month.  Not having to eat out at lunch every day also saves a bunch.  What I'm saying is things tend to offset one another, "Even-Steven" as they say.

I use to speak with my old co-workers about once or twice/month, I haven't spoken with but 1 or 2 of them in the last year, but now I have new co-workers at the golf course plus all the new people and old chums I see.

Enjoy your retirement and don't look back.  It's just another milestone in life, not the end of it.

I retired at 61 and have been retired for 7 yrs.  Lots of stories and advice about retirement but it's a personal thing for each.  I'm enjoying  my retirement and will enjoy it even more when my bride of 48 yrs retires Aug 15th.

Hello Russell, A group of us in the restaurant where we have breakfast have started a club called HOG. It mean's home owner's gap. But on the bright side, you still retain ownership of your domicile and when you go downstairs and run your trains, it's like stepping into a Tardis and returning to a better time.

Turned my badge in at 1:50 today after getting all the boxes on my clear out form signed. My official status is laid off for 26 weeks, then I will formerly retire. Gonna have family & friends over Sunday for an Independence Day BBQ. Now to get restarted on the layout.

Steve

I retired in 2005. I'm not dead tired, not stressed out, I have time to waste time. Only bad thing is you don't get paid for holidays anymore.

I am near retirement but like others I have responsibilties to keep for a few years yet. I do know I will treasure the thought of not having to rush everything. I nearly have all my trains running the way I want them (Yah sure). Skiing and bike riding are my big activities - playing with Grandkids is my fulltime intent. God Bless all.

Russ

Not getting paid for holidays? Now for me everyday is a holiday and I get paid for all of them and I do what I want when I want to.

Paul

all you guys that retired younger than 65,first off, good for you! but what do you do for health insurance?  topic is important to me as i have health issues at 59 and may not be able to work too much longer.-jim

Hi Jim, I was blessed by the man above, I retired in Jan. 2012 at age 60 as a fire Lt. after 37+ yrs. of service. I get everything (health, dental & life ins.) just like if I was still working today. At 65 I have to go on Medicare, but my coverage for my family will continue until they reach their ages (wife is 38, 2 daughters 13 & 15). My life insurance continues until I pass, as long as I pay for it at my current rate. If something would have happened to me on the job I would have had to lose 2 limbs or something really bad(half dead) to get a job related medical, which would have given me 66% tax free. Even now if I come down with something that I can prove is job related, then I can take it to workers compensation. And last year I started having medical issues and still today which I would rather have my health back.

Paul

No retirement for me.  I am 70, am an engineer with 49 years of experience, and really enjoy engineering.  I have no reason to retire.  I started taking vitamins and other supplements 40 years ago, and as a result, have no health issues.  I haven't seen a doctor for 31 years, and don't expect to ever see one again.  Every year my health gets better.  It's much better now than it was 40 years ago.  

I worked for 48 years and never got paid for a holiday so now every day is a holiday. I lost about 60% of my pension due to the collapse in 2008 but I decided that May of 2012 would be my last at working. I may work PT sometime in the future but I doubt it. Having too much fun not working and playing with trains.

Never find me working till I am 70 and above. It may be fine for people that work at a desk but for somebody who has done physical work for the most of their working life, working past 65 is not going to happen.  

What the he-- am I doing wrong???

Left the house at 7 this morning---got home at 11 tonight

Crazy

Not complaining---glad to be busy

However---retirement---not even on the radar

Weddings coming up

Getting kids started---yes, they all went to college

Etc, etc

I'm not sure I could sit still long enough to be retired  

Joe S  

A perfect example of a "Knock On Wood" statement. Good luck!

After 2 weeks being retired this is the best gig yet! Only thing holding me up on train layout is my right shoulder, as last 9 days of work I was unloading 4 -4x4 foot boxes of water melons so have been to chiropractor 3 times and doing exercises and with luck all will be well in a weeks time.

We have been looking at places to go and see train related like steamtown and even going toYork next year just to see what it's like in person.

All I can say to others is start planning now and if you can learn to cut down on utilities used you would be amazed at cost savings. 

An example 2 years ago electric bill for August 475.00 yep Phoenix is hot n humid we started washing clothes on off peak hours while working yet! we also went to 60 watt led light bulbs learned to turn power stip for tv and all those appliances with a clock really how many clocks do you really need? We set AC thermostat to 80 degrees use pool more to cool off replaced the pool pump with a new variable speed pump and have trimmed August bill to 250.00 rest of cooler months range 110 to 147.

as to health insurance if you go early retirement unless the companycontinues for you then it's up to you to get an individual coverage, be prepared for a long search as it goes like this a high deductible renders a cheaper monthly premium and vice versa sounds simple right! Wrong they also have all kinds of variables tossed in no or very limited Dr copays an equal out ofpocket cost and on and on We spent 2 months just looking and comparing policies some days we had headaches so bad trust me after this one to do item to retire all else seems like a cake walk.

As to 401k my advice stay away if I would have really looked at the end where you retire and want to take money out no way would I done it were the type we can set money aside and never touch it so if you younger folks can do it put same amount into a savings account pay the interest every year then come retirement you can take as much as you want no penalty for taking more than allowed no added income year to year now to me that's way better than any 401k or Ira. Only my opinion do as you like just go in with eyes open and do look at the end when you want to take it out.

Now I'mgoing to do what some retiries do drink coffee on patio and decide what I really want to do and going to work isn't even on the radar.

Hope all have a great train day or whatever else you have a mind to do.

$oo

$oo Line, I gotta agree with just about everything you wrote.  The part I can't abide is the 401k bit.  A savings account?  Really?  The return the past 25 years has been modest to say the least.  A diverse portfolio with the emphasis on the stock market is a better return for the long haul.  As for withdrawing it, sure you have to pay taxes on it, but it's taxed at the normal rate.  Prudence.  Stay the course.  And for all you youngsters out there, plan NOW.  

POTRZBE,

as to portfolio lucky you all I worked with and some neighbors whom choose the long haul are working to recoup anywhere from $35000 to $100,000 lost doing as suggested we went savings account I'm retired there not!

yes savings isn't what it was but from what I see that option sure beats the stock market these days better a small house flinch then a big empty goose egg.

I respect your right to opinion don't get me wrong just seen things from other side of fence.

as to telling the younger folks to start now is correct you think oh plenty of time and poof times up I agree 100% on that with you.

as to the withdrawing of 401k I realize now you pay the taxes on what you take out but do you know the federal government and or the plans administrator tell you the maximum allowed to with draw without an additional penalty these weren't told to some at inception of it all. 

yep your right one must do homework but did anyone here think you would be told exactly how much per year you were allowed to withdraw.

that's why if I had it to do again i would choose a savings taxes paid no added income and no one telling me i'll be penalized for using my own money true.

I have to say this has become a bigger response to thread than I expected but am guessing there's more of us reaching the golden years now if we only had a forum that could tell us how to fix aging arms [pistons] and legs [side rods] so we worked as good as 23 year olds now that my forum friends would keep us in good form! can you hear my laughter.

I hope all here have a great day for those of us retired, a good day is still able to be upright and full head of steam and no derails in sight.

   $oo

$oo Line, this has indeed turned into a good thread.  The time, it does fly, and it seems like only yesterday (it was around 1973) that a family friend told me not to put all my eggs in the Social Security basket and introduced me to IRAs etc. 

Thanks for your perspective.  Even a pancake has 2 sides.

I spent the last 15 years of my work life chasing some of the low lifes that would steal from their own parents because they hadn't planned well for themselves or thought it was their "right" to do so.

Like the train hobby, retirement has no one size fits all to it. The tread has been interesting. Two days into it and it's great. Ask me again in a year and I hope to say the same

I am learning as I go as to what works in retirement. At first I felt some sort of loss after the transition sunk in and then had to learn balancing getting enough exercise, taking care of health issues more proactively, and now I enjoy largely picking and choosing what I do, which I look forward to after the morning coffee looking out over the woods. Were all those years rain, snow or shine sick or well, day or night all worth it? No doubt about it, these are the best years of my life.

This is a decision I have been pondering for a year or so now. I have completed my time and then some now, would really love to call it a day and sign out for my last time. However at the age of 44, I really don't wish to be a sit at home all the time person and fight with my wife for the remote to switch between Doctor Phil and Jerry Springer lol. Also in this terrible economy I also can see it being very difficult to find another job to occupy me during the days. Even a part time job will be hard to find. So I struggle with these thoughts everyday, especially at 4:00am when the alarm clock goes off.

Congrats to all of you on your well deserved retirement(s), wish you all the health and happiness that there is to offer.

Mike

Congratulations.  After being retired for over 10 years, I need a calendar to know what day it is.  I do find the time to work on trains every so often.

cc

Join a gym or health club. Go regularly. Choose one close to your home so you have fewer excuses not to go. Keep a routine. The key to happiness and emotional well being is good health. Good health requires a strong body. A strong body requires regular weight-bearing or resistance exercise to moderate the negative effects of aging, specifically sarcopenia.

Rick

That all sounded good until you got to the "age of 44" part.  That's WAY too young to stop being productive in this or any society.  Sounds more like someone who is not happy with what he's doing, and that's a fairly easy thing to correct.  It might involve a bit of risk, but risk often brings its rewards.

I'm very happy for you in your delusional state. 

"I really don't wish to be a sit at home all the time person and fight with my wife for the remote to switch between Doctor Phil and Jerry Springer.."

Retiring at the age of 44 , or later in life has a lot to do with not sitting as a couch potato which gets to be a restless, boring and depressing vegetative state pretty quickly.

It takes some time to get used to the idea that you ...not your workplace determines what you do every 24 hours, and what kind of day you have.

One aspect that is positive is getting rid of that trying to squeeze in hobbies or other activities while trying to beat the clock. Like any hobby, model railroading gets old when it's a 24 hours a day proposition, so variety is the spice of life in retirement..some routines, some hobbies, checking out new potential interests, staying active, you are the boss. I think some folks dread this situation, retirement or avoid it when work has been the be all and end all of life. Its what you make of it.

Allen Miller, I don't think I am in a delusional state.  Why do you say that?  I have learned to cure almost all maladies that beset humans including cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.  So where is the delusion?  The engineer in me also allows me to solve problems that other people either can't solve or don't want to solve.  In the case of human health, drugs do not make you healthy, they kill you.  Vitamins and other supplements and a healthy diet will make you healthy.  Exercise is not a big contributor to health.  What is it that a doctor could do for me?  

You just answered your own question.  Wow! 

But here's hoping you have a long and healthy existence on this side of the dirt. 

NEWS FLASH...THIS JUST IN!!!

I've lowered my golf score!!!  I've been averaging a handicap of 18.6, but today I shot a 79 .  That's gonna do a number on my handicap, but it's the 1st time I've broken 80---E-V-E-R

Of course the next time I could shoot back up to 100 all too easily.

Ya see, retirement IS good for something

I turned my Thrift Savings Plan into an Annuity back in 2007.  I'm glad I did while the stock market was doing well, if I had waited a year, things might have been different.

If you have not seen a Doctor for 31 years, you better get your butt to one. Not one vitamin has ever been proven to be effective. Worse yet they can be harmful. I see a doctor twice a year for check ups and blood tests. If i had not went to the doctors I would be on the other side of the dirt. You have been very lucky so far, don't tempt fate.

david1, luck has nothing to do with it.  I have a good knowledge of human nutrition.  Whoever told you vitamins don't work doesn't know what he is talking about.  I have accumulated a large amount of evidence that proves they do work.  I have been studying human nutrition for 40 years.