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Is retirement all that it's cracked up to be? You know the stories. You sit and relax all day, watch TV or read a book. You take trips and you're carefree and so happy. You wish you had taken early retirement. Is this a myth or reality? Inquiring minds want to know. Elaine Shuel |
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Thanks Maisie. I'm glad things are going well for you.   Elaine Shuel
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Well I was forced into early retirement due to a downsize back in 2000. I felt I was too young to retire (with a very active mind) plus I did enjoy my job. However, the large company I worked for, sold to a competitor. So I did some consulting work and eventually registered my own company which I do from a home office. I also hired a contractor so I could still enjoy life (which I do!!
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I love retirement! I'm busy, busy, busy!! ....and it's the kind of busyness that I love!!  Yippy!!!!  If there is a down side to being retired, it is that I'm not as organized as I used to be....LOLOL.
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2/28/2015 7:20 pm |
I retired from the work for others situation years ago., I was lucky my financial planning or lack of it paid off well. I traveled for a couple of years then started pursuing my true vocation, my spiritual practice and art work. I met a man and fell in love - not with him but with Puerto Vallarta. I lived in Mexico for most of a year shuttling between there and the east coast to help care for my elderly mother. Then came one of those major turning points. My daughter and family got their own house about the same time my current living situation came about. My step mother approached me about renting a room to a disabled person her service club was helping (my son was still at my house), then another. I ended up with 7 residents and currently running a housing facility for adults with mental health issues so essentially I still work, but on my own terms and still contributing to society. I get to be involved with my grandchildren and help my sister and nieces out. Hardly sitting around watching TV. Retirement is what you make of it. Spiritwoman ^i^
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Thanks for that answer, Pat. Volunteer work is a good idea but if what I read on the subject is accurate, many need a part-time job or a hobby like you and Joe did, to make extra money. It's great that you found a way to turn something you enjoy, into a money making venture. Elaine Shuel
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That's great, Doug. It's nice to see you on my blog. I'm glad you have done financial planning to allow for a comfortable retirement, when it comes to pass. Elaine Shuel
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I believe that all depends on the individual, some people can't stand sitting around the house and others love it. Me, I am retired and I am enjoying doing what I want to do when I want to do it. I have no boss telling me what to do and no company stealing another day of my life for a paycheck! Sure I miss the big paychecks, but I don't need them any longer, plus I am no longer a debt slave. (I really like that) I still work, but it's here, doing what I enjoy and reaping the benefits. Why work until you are 65, or 70, why not earlier while you can still enjoy what's left of your life? We have no crystal ball telling us how many more years we have remaining, why take the risk?
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Well I was forced into early retirement due to a downsize back in 2000. I felt I was too young to retire (with a very active mind) plus I did enjoy my job. However, the large company I worked for, sold to a competitor. So I did some consulting work and eventually registered my own company which I do from a home office. I also hired a contractor so I could still enjoy life (which I do!! Elaine Shuel
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I love retirement! I'm busy, busy, busy!! ....and it's the kind of busyness that I love!! Yippy!!!! If there is a down side to being retired, it is that I'm not as organized as I used to be....LOLOL. It's great that you are enjoying your time. I have a feeling you'd have fun whatever you'd be doing. Great!!!  Elaine Shuel
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Welcome to my blog, akamatt. Nice to have you here. Yes to retirement being wonderful? Elaine Shuel
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That sounds fantastic, Bill. Thanks for sharing. Elaine Shuel
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Yes, it sure does. I wish both of you the best. Elaine Shuel
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I am glad to hear from you, RoseLady. I've wondered if you're alright. I'm sorry about your husband. That's unfortunate, regarding not being able to retire. I think that's probably more common than people realize. I hope others tell their stories, as you did. For the record, I doubt my boyfriend will ever retire. When you're self-employed and have no work pension plan, I don't know if you could afford to retire. Elaine Shuel
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I retired from the work for others situation years ago., I was lucky my financial planning or lack of it paid off well. I traveled for a couple of years then started pursuing my true vocation, my spiritual practice and art work. I met a man and fell in love - not with him but with Puerto Vallarta. I lived in Mexico for most of a year shuttling between there and the east coast to help care for my elderly mother. Then came one of those major turning points. My daughter and family got their own house about the same time my current living situation came about. My step mother approached me about renting a room to a disabled person her service club was helping (my son was still at my house), then another. I ended up with 7 residents and currently running a housing facility for adults with mental health issues so essentially I still work, but on my own terms and still contributing to society. I get to be involved with my grandchildren and help my sister and nieces out. Hardly sitting around watching TV. Retirement is what you make of it.  What a great thing to do, taking care of those with mental problems. I'm impressed and I'm sure many people are grateful for what you do. Good for you!!! Elaine Shuel
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I've been retired for about a year and a half. The first year I traveled and did what I wanted. Now I am pretty busy with volunteer work for an organization. Can't beat the commute--open my eyes, fire up the laptop, and I can be at work without even getting out of bed! I do like not being locked into a particular schedule, so I am free to help family when and where needed. The past couple of months I've been dog-sitting, which is a pleasure.
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I've been retired for about a year and a half. The first year I traveled and did what I wanted. Now I am pretty busy with volunteer work for an organization. Can't beat the commute--open my eyes, fire up the laptop, and I can be at work without even getting out of bed! I do like not being locked into a particular schedule, so I am free to help family when and where needed. The past couple of months I've been dog-sitting, which is a pleasure. It's great to be able to travel. I'm curious about the volunteer work you do from home. I wasn't aware there is volunteer work that one could do from home. If you'd like to elaborate, I'd be very interested and I would imagine that others would be as well. Dog-sitting sounds like fun. That's an excellent way to bring in extra money. Elaine Shuel
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I believe that all depends on the individual, some people can't stand sitting around the house and others love it. Me, I am retired and I am enjoying doing what I want to do when I want to do it. I have no boss telling me what to do and no company stealing another day of my life for a paycheck! Sure I miss the big paychecks, but I don't need them any longer, plus I am no longer a debt slave. (I really like that) I still work, but it's here, doing what I enjoy and reaping the benefits. Why work until you are 65, or 70, why not earlier while you can still enjoy what's left of your life? We have no crystal ball telling us how many more years we have remaining, why take the risk? You are so right. I know a woman who was waiting until retirement and had big plans. She passed away before getting to do the things she wanted. Enjoy life while you can.Elaine Shuel
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Thanks for sharing your experiences, earthytaurus3. Yes, it is different if one has enough to retire or one is strapped for cash. Elaine Shuel
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3/3/2015 10:48 am |
It's better than I ever imagined.
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It's better than I ever imagined. Elaine Shuel
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