Water-Man
US Veteran
So what's your plan and limitations?
Life after retirement...
- Thread starter coltle6920
- Start date
RudyN
Member
I have been retired a little over nine years and really enjoy it. Remember every day is a Saturday and then there is Sunday. ;-)
Boxhead
Member
It's been real good! You gotta have a plan and know your limitations.
Nice Just counting the days here....
Really looking forward to retiring, maybe next year. Have been socking away the shooting supplies. How much brass is a lifetime supply? Will be going to more gun shows, hopefully selling more than buying.
You guys keep driving up the prices on the blued steel and walnut, it be part of my retirement plan.
You guys keep driving up the prices on the blued steel and walnut, it be part of my retirement plan.
I guess I never thought about the "imaginary" checks. All my income is direct deposit, I pay most of my bills through my banks bill pay on line function. Most all my purchases are with a debit or credit card. But, I like to go to the bank and get cash to carry around. It makes me feel good just to have it.
I was able to retire at 55(almost 15 years ago) and get a very decent pension, even though our official retirement age is 62. I lost a few percent but with the mega overtime I had behind my name I came out ahead. Did a bunch of Honey-Do jobs but as my wife had a few years to go before retirement I rejoined the work force.
Had a CDL and got a job driving building supplies around to about ¾ of NYS. Good job as I enjoy driving and it basically was an 8-10 hour a day job with no weekends.
Worked that for a few years and totally retired when I quit that job and the wife would be retiring in a few months. Sold our house in the suburbs of Albany and moved out to what was our summer camp. Had a local contractor build a decent year around house and now we are more or less our own bosses and within reason do only what we want to do.
Have my own shooting range on property and other than a few weekends in the summer it's extremely quiet and peaceful up here.
I started working a Real Job at 16 and feel I'm entitled to enjoy what time I still have on the green side of the grass. There is a lot to do or not to do that choice is up to you but my advice is if you can retire, do it at whatever age suits your life style!
Had a CDL and got a job driving building supplies around to about ¾ of NYS. Good job as I enjoy driving and it basically was an 8-10 hour a day job with no weekends.
Worked that for a few years and totally retired when I quit that job and the wife would be retiring in a few months. Sold our house in the suburbs of Albany and moved out to what was our summer camp. Had a local contractor build a decent year around house and now we are more or less our own bosses and within reason do only what we want to do.
Have my own shooting range on property and other than a few weekends in the summer it's extremely quiet and peaceful up here.
I started working a Real Job at 16 and feel I'm entitled to enjoy what time I still have on the green side of the grass. There is a lot to do or not to do that choice is up to you but my advice is if you can retire, do it at whatever age suits your life style!
Retired at 51 so have been at it a while. Sort of used to feel a bit guilty about it but am pretty well over it. Among other things I'm trying to process and reload about 40 plus years of accumulated brass. Every time I think I've made a dent in it I find another stash.
My plan is to keep on keeping on.
My plan is to keep on keeping on.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
Being retired allows me to do things I couldn't do when I was working, I get to shoot 4 times a week at the range and then do a couple of pistol matches a week (not this time of year though, I refuse to stand out in the cold rain, my arthritis locks up and I can't pull the trigger). I just wish I could have retired at 35 so I could have more energy at the matches. Thankfully money isn't a limiting factor due to having a good plan when I was working. Not that I'm rolling in money, but if I'm frugal, I can do what I want without having to skip meals to buy ammo. (actually I could stand to skip a few meals 
)
)
DWFAN
US Veteran
I'm still kinda new at the retirement gig. Only been eight months. Feels like I've been doing it forever. No hassles, no stress and the wife doesn't nag me. I've got my little grip hobby to keep me busy a couple three hours a day and I took up the chore of doing the dishes. Keeps my hands nice and clean.
I get up when I wake up and go to sleep when I'm tired. I've also mellowed out quite a bit. I think that comes from not having to deal with stupidity every day. The wife won't retire for another ten years so if I'm lucky I'll croak by then. Don't know if I can handle "What are we going to do today honey?" Her idea of doing something usually requires manual labor on my part.
DW
I get up when I wake up and go to sleep when I'm tired. I've also mellowed out quite a bit. I think that comes from not having to deal with stupidity every day. The wife won't retire for another ten years so if I'm lucky I'll croak by then. Don't know if I can handle "What are we going to do today honey?" Her idea of doing something usually requires manual labor on my part.DW
model70hunter
Member
Wow, listening to all you older retired gentlemen talking about how great retirement is are right on.
I was raised on a farm, plenty of work, never done. The summer before my Freshman year I had Dad on his way to work drop me off in town with the lawn mower to earn a few bucks. I hauled some hay. I mowed and raked lawns. I spread top soil in new yards with a shovel and wheel borrow. I earned money for Levi Jeans and Doby Gillis shirts. Otherwise I would have worn Sears Roebuck jeans and shirts to school. Not the coolest.
That seemed like yesterday, it was 1959. Since then I've always worked. One morning I woke up and found my self turning 65. I started all the Gov stuff, got my retirement money started and the next thing I know I'm almost 66.
Our company went thru some changes. I don't mind changes, I do object to change where jack mules are promoted and become pointy haired power freaks. One day my wife said write up your retirement, give them a date 90 days out. If they walk you out the door they have to pay you.Cool. I gave it to my jack mule, gee you woulda thought he'd be happy getting to hire a young yes man at 40% of what I earned. Nope he had a scowl. They were too tight to walk me out the door. With 90 days left I started practicing retirement. I did not want some big old culture shock after I retired.
I still did my expected walk on water job, but after getting the day lined out I would take a cup of coffee outside and stare intently at the sky, birds or anything non work related.
I have a farm. Some cows, horses and chickens. Will soon have pigs.
Mowing grass, moving dirt and hay, quiet, peaceful and rewarding.
No jack mule bosses. I am at peace with life.
Every morning starts with coffee. Plan my day, and go do it when I'm ready.
Money, sure I'd like to be able to pull out my stash cash if I had one and buy a Python or pre 27, but in reality I don't miss the big checks. This peacefulness is very rewarding.
I have not worn a watch for 16 months, I don't much care what the date or day is. If you are not yet retired, you need to catch the fast freighter here. Did I mention peaceful?
I was raised on a farm, plenty of work, never done. The summer before my Freshman year I had Dad on his way to work drop me off in town with the lawn mower to earn a few bucks. I hauled some hay. I mowed and raked lawns. I spread top soil in new yards with a shovel and wheel borrow. I earned money for Levi Jeans and Doby Gillis shirts. Otherwise I would have worn Sears Roebuck jeans and shirts to school. Not the coolest.
That seemed like yesterday, it was 1959. Since then I've always worked. One morning I woke up and found my self turning 65. I started all the Gov stuff, got my retirement money started and the next thing I know I'm almost 66.
Our company went thru some changes. I don't mind changes, I do object to change where jack mules are promoted and become pointy haired power freaks. One day my wife said write up your retirement, give them a date 90 days out. If they walk you out the door they have to pay you.Cool. I gave it to my jack mule, gee you woulda thought he'd be happy getting to hire a young yes man at 40% of what I earned. Nope he had a scowl. They were too tight to walk me out the door. With 90 days left I started practicing retirement. I did not want some big old culture shock after I retired.
I still did my expected walk on water job, but after getting the day lined out I would take a cup of coffee outside and stare intently at the sky, birds or anything non work related.
I have a farm. Some cows, horses and chickens. Will soon have pigs.
Mowing grass, moving dirt and hay, quiet, peaceful and rewarding.
No jack mule bosses. I am at peace with life.
Every morning starts with coffee. Plan my day, and go do it when I'm ready.
Money, sure I'd like to be able to pull out my stash cash if I had one and buy a Python or pre 27, but in reality I don't miss the big checks. This peacefulness is very rewarding.
I have not worn a watch for 16 months, I don't much care what the date or day is. If you are not yet retired, you need to catch the fast freighter here. Did I mention peaceful?
I liked my job while I worked and I'm very thankful for it. Most of the people that I've worked with were great. Some were not. My jobs fed and housed my family; put me and all my kids through college. My jobs gave me opportunities to travel all around this country and to various parts of the world. I've been both fortunate and blessed with a great wife, kids and family that made me want to follow "The Great American Dream". That dream was real for us. I officially retired in February, but in reality I skated last December on banked vacation and such. It's pretty much been a pleasant experience.
However, I will admit to some backsliding a little. Last April my company asked me to return for a temporary assignment and I said "OK". Being a smart fellow (and not too sure that I really wanted to do this), I quoted them an hourly rate that I was pretty sure would eliminate me from further consideration. They were either desperate or I was too cheap, because they accepted my ridiculous fee and sent me off down south for around 6 weeks of chasing huge machines all over the place, reporting on progress, and taking a bunch of pictures. Anyway, despite making an obscene pile of money (…and giving a lot of it back in taxes and SS penalties), returning to the grind (even as a temporary, part time, fancy-pants consultant) is something that I will never do again; even for 2 or 3 times the money. Being a road warrior isn't as much fun in my 60's as it was in my 20's, 30's and well into my 40's. My time, it turns out, is worth much more to me that just a pay check.
Since then, Mrs.Speedo and I have traveled to Alaska, Oregon, the Bahamas, Key West, Branson, Hilton Head, and a bunch of places in between. Right now I'm pretty sick of traveling, but next year we'll return to Hilton Head when it really gets cold around here, probably visit St.Martin, and maybe even do Paris and Germany (…and not on Fromer's Europe on $5 a day either, like we did back in the 70's). We're not rich, but with planning and for as long as our health holds out, within reason we can do these things. There's a whole big world out there. I guess that being a road warrior on your own terms is a lot more fun than doing it for someone else.
–S2
However, I will admit to some backsliding a little. Last April my company asked me to return for a temporary assignment and I said "OK". Being a smart fellow (and not too sure that I really wanted to do this), I quoted them an hourly rate that I was pretty sure would eliminate me from further consideration. They were either desperate or I was too cheap, because they accepted my ridiculous fee and sent me off down south for around 6 weeks of chasing huge machines all over the place, reporting on progress, and taking a bunch of pictures. Anyway, despite making an obscene pile of money (…and giving a lot of it back in taxes and SS penalties), returning to the grind (even as a temporary, part time, fancy-pants consultant) is something that I will never do again; even for 2 or 3 times the money. Being a road warrior isn't as much fun in my 60's as it was in my 20's, 30's and well into my 40's. My time, it turns out, is worth much more to me that just a pay check.
Since then, Mrs.Speedo and I have traveled to Alaska, Oregon, the Bahamas, Key West, Branson, Hilton Head, and a bunch of places in between. Right now I'm pretty sick of traveling, but next year we'll return to Hilton Head when it really gets cold around here, probably visit St.Martin, and maybe even do Paris and Germany (…and not on Fromer's Europe on $5 a day either, like we did back in the 70's). We're not rich, but with planning and for as long as our health holds out, within reason we can do these things. There's a whole big world out there. I guess that being a road warrior on your own terms is a lot more fun than doing it for someone else.
–S2
trapper704
Member
I pulled the pin in 1998, best job I ever had. But after awhile seems like your busier than when you were working. Only thing is you can say screw it and go hunting or fishing when you want to. Just wish my old body was 30 or 40 yrs younger.
goldenlight
Member
I miss earning enough money to live on, and having extra for fun.
rburg
Member
The not wearing a watch thing is important. I had that issue 30 years ago. My left arm was going numb. With some job pressure, I'd heard the heart attack warnings. So off I went to the doctor. She asked when I noticed it, so I told her when I looked at my watch repeatedly, and when I cut grass.
She actually suggested I don't do either. Not hard. Son had to take up the grass duties. And I discovered that not wearing a watch was freedom. I was pretty good at being where I needed to be, and on time. And if I wasn't, there was a whole list of people telling me about it. When you reach the point where you don't really care if you go places or not, you've got it made. The only places I want to be is meeting my grandkids. Now that is important. But I still have a wife to nag me into her schedule. But even that wanes. In one ear and out the other.
These gun show weekends are the ugly return to reality. I've got to leave the house at 0700 tomorrow. That will be painful. Not the getting up because I was semi-awake then anyhow. But knowing I've got to. Just like when I was working. But my son is going along, meaning he's driving (probably my Jeep, but its his choice). And I can watch the sides of the road for lost tools. And now that its nearly winter, I can look up the draws and look for old abandoned barns and deer and stuff. You know, important stuff.
She actually suggested I don't do either. Not hard. Son had to take up the grass duties. And I discovered that not wearing a watch was freedom. I was pretty good at being where I needed to be, and on time. And if I wasn't, there was a whole list of people telling me about it. When you reach the point where you don't really care if you go places or not, you've got it made. The only places I want to be is meeting my grandkids. Now that is important. But I still have a wife to nag me into her schedule. But even that wanes. In one ear and out the other.
These gun show weekends are the ugly return to reality. I've got to leave the house at 0700 tomorrow. That will be painful. Not the getting up because I was semi-awake then anyhow. But knowing I've got to. Just like when I was working. But my son is going along, meaning he's driving (probably my Jeep, but its his choice). And I can watch the sides of the road for lost tools. And now that its nearly winter, I can look up the draws and look for old abandoned barns and deer and stuff. You know, important stuff.
just jim
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 472
- Reaction score
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The not wearing a watch thing is important. I had that issue 30 years ago. My left arm was going numb. With some job pressure, I'd heard the heart attack warnings. So off I went to the doctor. She asked when I noticed it, so I told her when I looked at my watch repeatedly, and when I cut grass.
She actually suggested I don't do either. Not hard. Son had to take up the grass duties. And I discovered that not wearing a watch was freedom. I was pretty good at being where I needed to be, and on time. And if I wasn't, there was a whole list of people telling me about it. When you reach the point where you don't really care if you go places or not, you've got it made. The only places I want to be is meeting my grandkids. Now that is important. But I still have a wife to nag me into her schedule. But even that wanes. In one ear and out the other.
These gun show weekends are the ugly return to reality. I've got to leave the house at 0700 tomorrow. That will be painful. Not the getting up because I was semi-awake then anyhow. But knowing I've got to. Just like when I was working. But my son is going along, meaning he's driving (probably my Jeep, but its his choice). And I can watch the sides of the road for lost tools. And now that its nearly winter, I can look up the draws and look for old abandoned barns and deer and stuff. You know, important stuff.
Went to get my watch and the battery was dead. So I just grabbed my work watch and it's battery was dead too. So I keep a spare pocket watch and it to was dead. I thought to myself "ain't life grand when time means nothing"
Hate to say it but I do set an alarm clock to get up for a gunshow. Some things are still important.I would offer one caveat. Don't crow about it in the LGS, drugstore, or coffee shop, or whatever the local hangout is. Too many of the younger folks are looking at a retirement future less pleasant than ours. Troubles me to see talented young folks unable to find suitable work toiling at coffee bars and the like, or working part-time or not at all. Why stir up corrosive bad vibes and jealousy?
Almost forgot. Unless I missed something, nobody referred to the health problems that can and do plague us in later years. Emphysema in the morning is no bargain. Neither are chest pains in the evening. Don't ask how I know.
Best wishes and good shooting to all!
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Almost forgot. Unless I missed something, nobody referred to the health problems that can and do plague us in later years. Emphysema in the morning is no bargain. Neither are chest pains in the evening. Don't ask how I know.
Best wishes and good shooting to all!
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
I had to retire early...
I had to retire early but we had adopted a boy three years before, my wife has a decent job so I devoted the time to raising him. Somehow things work out.
I had to retire early but we had adopted a boy three years before, my wife has a decent job so I devoted the time to raising him. Somehow things work out.
just jim
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
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You are right, most of them will not be able to retire. All these years of a bad economy,student debt and inflation means it won't happen for most.
Out West
Member
I retired in December 2013. Spent a lot of time going to the range and way too much time and money on the internet. It got boring. Decided to go back to work. Don't know for how long I will work. Maybe things will change when I qualify for Social Security (should cover all my internet extravagances). Doesn't really bother me because its my choice to work and I can quit any time I want. Another thing I noticed is that many people retire and then shortly there after give up the ghost. Seems like we got to keep moving or the body thinks its time to quit.
Out
West
Out
West
smokindog
Member
Ummm, I'd also suggest not to crow on the internet about early retirement, pensions, and paid medical either. Unless you work in the public sector you probably don't have a pension or other such benefits today! I've got to keep working to pay the pensions/benis of those "public servants" that got to retire early 
And then I get told I don't pay my fair share because I get more salary in lieu of those retirement benefits, thus forfeiting more to the machine ... And no, I don't feel sorry for myself, I've made a very comfortable living for the past 38 years. I'd just like to have been allowed to keep more of that comfort of my efforts for the future. PS - don't forget to plan for significant tax increases to pay for the public sector benefits that have been unfunded and never approved by voters.
For those considering retirement, I suggest you use your preferred method of determining how much SPENDABLE money you think you need per year, put that aside, and live off that for a year BEFORE you actually retire to judge the impact on your lifestyle. I did that a few years ago and figured while we could "exist" we couldn't live and I wasn't about to exist my way to the grave.
I'm afraid the dream of the golden years is becoming just that, a dream. And I don't feel sorry for the younger folks. Besides the impact of "the youth vote" on the current economic climate, I know quite a few (my nieces and nephews included) that declined decent paying jobs out of college and in their field because they could get insurance until they were 26 from their parents and draw social benefits to help cover living expenses. One told me she was taking a year or two off on Thanksgiving. I asked her from what? No answer.
And then I get told I don't pay my fair share because I get more salary in lieu of those retirement benefits, thus forfeiting more to the machine ... And no, I don't feel sorry for myself, I've made a very comfortable living for the past 38 years. I'd just like to have been allowed to keep more of that comfort of my efforts for the future. PS - don't forget to plan for significant tax increases to pay for the public sector benefits that have been unfunded and never approved by voters.For those considering retirement, I suggest you use your preferred method of determining how much SPENDABLE money you think you need per year, put that aside, and live off that for a year BEFORE you actually retire to judge the impact on your lifestyle. I did that a few years ago and figured while we could "exist" we couldn't live and I wasn't about to exist my way to the grave.
I'm afraid the dream of the golden years is becoming just that, a dream. And I don't feel sorry for the younger folks. Besides the impact of "the youth vote" on the current economic climate, I know quite a few (my nieces and nephews included) that declined decent paying jobs out of college and in their field because they could get insurance until they were 26 from their parents and draw social benefits to help cover living expenses. One told me she was taking a year or two off on Thanksgiving. I asked her from what? No answer.
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