Retire Feb 1st any advice?.... I did it.....

Yea Denny, things are better. Bob, glad to see you chime in. Keep the 23rd of April open for the next bunch. Should be a good weekend before my last 5 days of work. I guess on Thursday the shop will buy lunch for us all to celebrate them getting rid of me. 😄 Larry
 
Retiring in the winter is a good thing.
I agree with some posters that spring might be a better choice than winter but then you might be in the "Busy Season" right off the bat, for me that is boating. Dock work, boat preparation, etc, etc.

I left during the winter because the company where I worked moved their facility to a geographically undesirable location twice as far from my home thereby making the decision for me. I like the winter season, it gives me a little time to relax.
Steve
 
No matter how much you have saved for retirement it is never enough, don't be surprised by the burn rate.

I really hope your wrong on this point. It's the thing that scares me the most. After all, I've spend my whole adult life trying to get ahead and make more money. Just when I make it to a place where I want for nothing (materially speaking), I'm going to cut my income by 30%.

If I had not meticulously calculated budgets, spending needs, income details, I'm not sure I would have the guts to go.

That said, you can't buy time and I feel life just ticks away every day. It IS time to go.
 
Last edited:
Retire Feb 1st any advice? 1 week to go

We took about 3 years off and I left my job to go overseas to do some missions work . 2006 though 2008. My pay cut to do so was 80% !! From six figures to less than $30K per year. We never once thought we wished I was back at work because we didn't have enough money. After 3 years the short term mission ended and I went back to work. Those were 3 of the best years of our married life. Money is never a good reason to not do something you feel is necessary to do. God supplied all our needs. And happiness is not measured by your bank account.
 
Last edited:
Nicely said Mike. We'll be OK, If not, I'll try to get the wife to work 2 jobs. After a 12 month countdown, the last week is here. Hope they'll be easy on me. I'll know by Tuesday how the week will end. Have one to pull on the frame equipment tomorrow and hope not much more. Actually kinda slow for the winter season and we are buisyier then a lot of shops. Larry
 
Go to the range at least four times per week. Only shoot bullets that you cast. Keeping yourself in ammo will chew up a lot of free time.
 
Feb 1st. I will have been on this retirement job for 2 years......Its been great for me and the wife..........Aug.-Jan(deer season), Jan.-March( shooting & going places)March-May 1st(turkey season), May-Aug.(fishing/farming & shooting)............NEVER a dull moment.......God has blessed us.
 
Thanks again for the good advise and funny posts. Today was rough but the end is near. Today I got one more job then told the boss to leave me alone. There is enough for me that I'll be busy till Friday and I would like to leave after lunch with my tools, finished or not. It really is hard to believe it finally over. If anyone lives close to Cleveland Ohio, come join us on April 23rd for the NE Ohio bunch. 4 more days, Larry
 
Ok Larry, here's the plan. Friday afternoon, back your car into something. (The boss's car comes to mind.) Then come back Monday AM as a customer and watch as somebody else does the body work. Then you'll know your truly done! :-)
 
Last edited:
Larry, a lot of us are living vicariously through you this week...wondering what it would feel like to know that Friday, you're DONE!
Congratulations sir! I'm about 4 years behind you.
(3years, 10 months...but who's countimg?)
 
I've been retired for 15 years now, since I was 55. All the above is good info and one thing I'll say is, don't tie yourself down to another job. If you do feel the need to work just to keep busy that's fine. Just don't come to rely on it so you have to keep doing it. You'll find that you'll eventually ease yourself into a routine that suits you. I try to exercise to just stay healthy, not a gym or anything, just regular walking and some strengthening exercises. Not into really healthy foods either. I figure life is short and I really enjoy good food. I budget what money I have to allow for shooting, hobbies and the occasional cruise vacation or two. Oh, and do the things you like now because old age problems may limit you in later years. LIVE LIFE AND ENJOY THE FREEDOM!
 
I retired at 47.. so more'n 20 yrs. What Krell1 said is great advice. Would have liked to give him 10 likes. What ever you do enjoy the years. Luck to ya...OH more huntin fishing and having fun!!
 
Can't believe they scheduled a crappy job in Dec for me to do this week. Guess the pre madonnas would complain if they had to do it. Oh well, it should be done tomorrow. Won't finish the one job and will leave time on it for someone to finish next week. Only 3 more days and I'll be free, thank God. Larry

Have to call bgrafsr to see when he and Steve want to shoot at the club. This will be the start of the weekly retiree morning shoot.
 
Last edited:
Retirement tips that worked for me

I retired a couple years ago and after a little adjustment I'm enjoying it. Busy as I want to be but on my own terms.

If you are a social creature you may miss the daily interaction with your co-workers but there are plenty of ways to fix that.

1. Part time job or business. A buddy of mine and I started an LLC teaching concealed carry classes - it's going gangbusters!

2. Volunteer work - I do some tutoring in the elementary school I went to 50 years ago - very satisfying.

3. Keep up a regular social schedule. I have breakfast and dinner with 2 different groups of folks each week.

4. Try something new - I'm thinking about learning how to (or trying to learn how to ) play the piano.

5. Take a class. I was a German linguist in the Air Force so I am brushing up on my Deutsch.

Just a few ideas - I'm sure the rest of the folks have some good ones to offer as well.

BTW - I've got an older brother who won't retire - says he won't know what to do with himself. I keep telling him you can be as busy as you want to be but now YOU get to choose what you are doing!!
 
Hello Larry, late to this thread but congratulations on the upcoming retirement.You won't be sorry.I have been retired 6yrs.Took me all of a day to make the adjustment.I liked what someone said about the ripple in the water,that's a good analogy.I do work in a gunshop 2 days a week but it's not really work.You will find plenty to do.Hanging at the club shooting with the guys is a good idea,moving/delivering cars for a dealer is a good way to make some gun money.I bought a mid life crisis mustang that l didn't have to turn any wrenches on unless l want to,enjoy it a lot.Have a cabin and acreage 40 min from our home and spend a lot of time there.Put a rifle and pistol range in and use it all the time.Stay active health and enjoying retirement go hand in hand.Hope to see you in April,maybe we can do some shooting.The picture below shows the new rules you live by in retirement.Good luck.
Dave
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    22 KB · Views: 30
Hi Dave, hope you make the bunch. Not to sound like an idiot but today was rough. Finally got the **** job done, took all day. Will be OK tomorrow and after lunch on Friday I'll start to put everything in boxes and load the truck. It should have been an easy week but it's over. Larry
 
Hello Larry,nice to hear from you.Once you leave you will feel the weight leave too.Sounds like it's been a hassle the last couple years where you worked so its that much easier to walk away.Retirement is what you worked for all these years.Start Monday morning by getting a 2nd cup of coffee and finishing the paper at the time you would be rushing out the door.Unless things have changed each day gets better.You never realize how much you did every day until you no longer have to do it. More time to devote to other things like "The Bunch " and things you want to do.You will be fine,remember every day will be Saturday after you leave.My friend used to tell me after he retired if it was any better he couldn't stand it,tell me that when you see me.Good luck hope to see you in April.
Dave
 
Back
Top