Retirement...... how's it going?

**forHISglory** · 02-23-2008, 12:12 AM

If you aren't retired yet, when do you anticipate it? Are you ready? What do you think it will be like? Good? Bad?

If you are retired, is it what you thought it would be? Better? Worse? How did you prepare for retirement? What challenges do you face or anticipate?

I haven't been retired long, just since May, 2007. But let me tell you what, I LOVE it. I have been so busy, but it's stuff that I want to do and have time to do. The best thing about retirement? Sleeping late.

I worry about money a bit. We were super savers, and hubby is on a pension plan, but costs go up faster than you can shake a stick at. We saved almost 50% of our income and tried to live very frugally, as we prepared for this time of life. Now insurance worries me. We both work part time and enjoy it (just 2-6 hours a week), so that helps to pay the rising insurance costs. Some costs of living went way down after retirement, like gas and professional clothes. Other costs have gone up, like heating in the winter because we are home all day.

But over all this is a wonderful time of life and I'm enjoying it much more than I thought I would. I really had job withdrawal the first few weeks.

How about you?

**Fotobug** · 02-23-2008, 08:28 PM

Hi ForHisGlory,

I just registered about 5 minutes ago.

And I was just going to browse around for a while. But I came across your post and it grabbed me... because I'm also in the midwest, also retired in May 2007, also loving it and insurance is our largest concern/ expense right now, too.

I did not have job withdrawal - I was really ready to stop! I love not having to get up in the dark (in the winter) and being able to do projects at my own speed. My husband just retired last month so we are working on getting used to having both of us around.

Reading lots and being able to travel without regard to the academic year are my favorite things so far. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

**forHISglory** · 02-23-2008, 11:39 PM

Welcome Fotobug! I see you are from Iowa. And we are planning to move to Iowa!

I know what you mean about getting up in the dark. I had to drive 45 minutes to work, so it was up, dress, drive and eat in the car in the dark. Sometimes it was really late when I came home, so I drove home in the dark. People would ask me about certain things along the route, and I honestly did not know about them, because it was DARK!!!! It's so nice to wake to natural light, eat breakfast by natural light, and do my driving in the daytime. So retirement is great in this way.

Stay in touch and we can compare notes as we go along.

**sugarbaby** · 02-24-2008, 01:49 PM

When DH & I married almost 8 yrs ago we planned on retiring but along came his granddaughter age 5 and a yr. later another granddaughter born so I quit my job & became a SAHM again...he commutes 110 a day to work....retire? Nope it's "refire" here....over the hills & through the woods to anybody's house we go....haha!

**cab54** · 02-24-2008, 03:49 PM

HI! I'm enjoying retirement, too! DH's retirement, that is. I was a SAHM, formerly a nurse, and quit years ago when dh started his own biz an I had to run the boys to all of their sports on weekends (nurses work weekends).

BUT, I am glad to not be up at the crack of un-dawn, packing lunches, last- minute ironing shirts, keeper of the schedules, and working my life around everyone's dash-dash events.

Love it.

**cissylu** · 03-05-2008, 06:54 PM

I had ti retire early because of health problem`s. and I never missed it or went back.

**jvera** · 03-05-2008, 07:50 PM

I got disability retirement due to health problems. I don't miss my job and I love staying home. No stress to worry about.

My husband took an early retirement so we could be together. He lasted about a year and a half and then went back to work. He started a new career and really likes working. He plans to work another 10 years before quitting.

**larabelle** · 05-31-2008, 04:29 AM

I love working and have no intention of retiring any time soon. I work 12 hour shifts three days week and I am the type of person who has to stay busy so it is ideal for me. I am a registered nurse. I enjoy my time off gardening, sewing, puttering etc. But I really enjoy working.

**dolphin** · 06-23-2008, 03:46 PM

If you are retired, is it what you thought it would be? Better? Worse? How did you prepare for retirement? What challenges do you face or anticipate?

I retired in 2004 on Disability. I fought it and tried my best to go back to work in less than a year. I tried for 2 1/2 years before I was able to wrap my head around the fact that I would never work again. That was a hard realization after working for 32 years but I finally accepted it. I literally went through a type of grieving before acceptance came.

I didn't prepare for retirement so I depend on dh to provide most of everything we need. I am quite sure he will not retire until he cannot get up out of bed. That's just the way he is.

Our biggest challenges are the current economy (dh is laid off) and dh's lack of health insurance.

My dream retirement was to be living next a pretty lake where I could just walk out and fish every morning. Have a huge room in which to sew and make quilts and have quilting bees, go to church every Sunday and just enjoy my family.

**dortrust** · 06-25-2008, 08:59 PM

I am retiring on Monday. Very new. Actually I will not be retiring I will always be doing something. We have some real estate and will probably work on more in the future.

I do live on a pretty lake but I don't fish. I also want to quilt or sew but I will save that for winter. Try to go to church every Sunday ( want to get more involved.) Want to enjoy my family and get my home work under control so that I can enjoy them guilt free

**Quilting lady** · 07-12-2008, 02:21 PM

I retired September 2002, DH retired September 2004.
We love it, but the first six months was quite interesting while we adapted to lots of spare time.
My one suggestion is to make sure you have GOOD health insurance.
July '03 I developed breast cancer. May '04 DH developed colon cancer. Medical care would have absolutely devastated us had he not been retired military. As we tell people, 23 years of living in some really unpleasant places and situations have paid off. Big time!
So, think hard and long.
I beat mine, his has come back twice now.

**azangie** · 07-12-2008, 02:42 PM

I was fortunate to be able to retire very early in Dec 2000 when I turned 50. I LOVE it!!!!! I don't know how I had time to work cuz I so very busy now. Between my volunteering, traveling and lunching with friends, it's a busy life!!!! People at work told me, I'd be bored within 6 months. Boy, did I ever prove them wrong!!!!! Retired and loving it!!!!

**Fotobug** · 08-02-2008, 11:47 AM

I retired about a year ago and it's wonderful! My dh told me I'd be bored in 6 months, too - NOT. In fact, I was having such a great time that he couldn't stand it and he took early retirement Jan 1.

Now, THAT (having him hanging around the house more) was way more of an adjustment! Fortunately we each have our own "space" in the house and we both keep busy so we don't get in each others' way much.

Lots of travelling, making a small dent in my "books I want to read" list, spending more time with grandchildren, gardening, organizing about 100 years of family photos.... I have not run out of things to do and we don't even have a TV. (Well, we have one that we use to watch videos on but do not have any "television reception.")

Love the flexibility of retirement - I can go places in mid-week and take vacations during the school year (I was a teacher) when it is less expensive.

Unfortunately the flooding this spring took a toll on our budget and there won't be a fall vacation this year. But looking at the damage all around me I am grateful it was only our basement and I can live with just sacrificing a trip to pay for it. And actually it worked out well that we ARE retired because we've been able to do most of the re-construction work ourselves.

Barb

**cheapskate 49** · 08-02-2008, 08:45 PM

I have been retired for 4 years dh for 10 years.While I don't live near a lake or fish.I quilt and attend many quilting groups,we have a group that sews for charity,I garden and joined the board of a horticulture society I also knit and crochet and make many of my christmas gifts ...truly I don't know how I found the time to work LOL

**frugal-fannie** · 08-03-2008, 09:40 AM

I was planning on retirement in 2 years with my husband. I am 47 but now looking at least 5 years to end of 2013. My new job has a decent retirement plan which is rare and I actually enjoy it.You have to stay 5 years to get it.Of course I could change my mind in 2 years but we shall see.