![]() |
I'm 54 , and plan to F.I.R.E. (Financially Independent Retired Early) at 62 years old. I don't plan on working for a faceless corporation, until i'm too old to enjoy my life, and activities like most of my friends seem to be headed for.
I have plenty of projects at home on my farm, and love traveling...life is too short, and fickle for waiting. |
other thoughts
Being Canadian means I don't have to worry about massive health care costs and I will be able to buy retirement prescription and dental benefits from my employer when I retire which is great.
I have always been risk averse in a lot of ways and swapping the regular pay check for a pension cheque of about 50% net pay will be a shock. I do love this forum, because I can't really talk about this with a lot of folks thanks |
I retired at 50, that was 12 years ago. Life’s been great so far. I figure I don’t know how much time I have, so why would I want to spend it working.
|
Quote:
If you have the means and a plan to keep active, I would go for it. All the best to those who do - |
Quote:
After I was laid off from my middle-management bank job, I felt the same. I figured I'd just enjoy myself. I moved back home to KY, bought a house and fixed it up, bought a motorcycle, whittled down my to-read pile, kept an eye on the apt bldgs I own. After three years, I went back to work, just not in banking. Pure and simple, when I dreamed of retiring in my 50s I was thinking of my grandparent's 50s, not mine. I'm much better off physically than they were, and keeping active can be a chore when you've got the entire day to fill up. I'll try again when I'm 70 or so. |
My primary physician retired today, went to his Bon Voyage party this afternoon. His plan is to sail his cat to Australia, travel down under for 2 to 3 years, then sell the boat and he and his wife will return home. I thought this was appropriate. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1561672136.jpg
|
Quote:
Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about retiring at your age as they are only wishing they could do the same. You've worked hard, saved well, nothing wrong with enjoying the spoils. When I retire I'm sure I'll find plenty to keep me busy, don't plan on just stopping work completely but as the years go by I'll probably be a bit more choosy on what I do and who I work for. Last year I gave myself the summer off, every car I've ever worked on was someone else's top priority so after nearly 30 yrs I made my own project the top priority. I'll work the full year this year to refill the piggy bank bank but as I enjoyed myself and achieved so much last summer I'm already planning on having next summer off or switching to a 4 day week from Christmas. Money is a great commodity to have but so is time :cool: |
Retired 2-3 years ago at 58. Too busy doing absolutely nothing of consequence (and loving it :cool: ) to have time to respond with advice.
|
I retired a little over a year ago at the age of 60 . I have zero regrets other then health insurance . We found decent insurance that covers me and my wife ( also retired ) , dental and vision for $1400.00 a month . We had planned to retire by 60 for almost 20 years with our financial advisor . And we budgeted health care @ $2,000.00 a month so we are ahead . I stay VERY busy with projects but take the time to enjoy family/grand kids / wife the days go by quickly .
Do something to keep you busy , watching TV 16 hours a day doesn't cut it ! There is sooooooo much in life to enjoy . You can pick up a part time job doing something you enjoy for beer money . There are PLENTY of places that you can volunteer at and make a REAL difference to society . As far as I'm concerned it's a great time of life . |
Quote:
As for the stigma, I'll pile on and say to tell anyone who wants to butt in to butt out. |
I have one more thought to share on this topic. Years ago at my last company, one employee that I worked closely with, and who was close to retiring, died suddenly over the weekend. A couple of years after that, another colleague retired, left for a cruise, and had a heart attack while on the trip. Luckily, he lived. A few years later, another colleague in the office next to mine was found unresponsive on the floor of his office. Another colleague & I performed CPR on him until the paramedics arrived. No luck that time. Finally, my brother that was only a year older than me felt bad at work, went home early, and proceeded to die.
You never know when you’ll cash your chips, so don’t let others tell you when you should retire. You’ve worked your whole life to get to this point. Enjoy it! |
Quote:
my only thought is that if I try to retire early, I'm going to need a lot of money saved, because I'm going to spend it. I wouldn't necessarily live extravagantly, but travel and doing things to fill your free time could get very expensive. |
I get the same thing. I'm 52 and I at the point of my life where work is optional. A lot of people tell me I'm too young to stop working. Coincidentally these same people are in no position to retire themselves and will be working until they're dead.
|
Quote:
The only reason I got my current job 16 years ago is that the fellow before me died at work. If you can, enjoy your life. My wifely unit and I have some plans but we want to do what we can, while we can. |
I was in the same boat as you. I spent 30 years at the same company and I hated the last 10 years. The money/benefits were good. I knew I could retire at 55. That day came Friday March 13 2015. I never married and have no children.
I have a defined pension plus I still have benefits until I'm 65. I also put money away in RRSP'S and I have a good financial adviser. Since retiring I've done a little travelling. My g/f is retiring next year. I started running a couple of years ago. I run 3 days a week to stay healthy. It sounds like you're financially sound, there's no reason why you should keep working especially since you said you hate your job. There are a couple of guys where I was working that could have retired a few years ago and they're still there. I just don't get it. My old company employed thousands, I was just a number. One thing I'd like to add. I was at a visitation for a former manager yesterday who was diagnosed with cancer 6 months after retiring. Enjoy the second half of your life. There's life after work. Plus every day is Saturday. |
Quote:
|
I retired from policing at age 50, after 16 months went back. I missed the stress and doing something that had consequence.
|
Quote:
Meaningless study. Those who retire at 55 are smart with money and those who retire at 65 may be dumb with money. Or just might be smart vs. dumb in general. Like the 65s might also make other stupid decisions like smoking |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:43 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website