Hugh, in Hindu thought, you are entering the fourth stage of life, moksha, where enlightenment is obtained. It's the time to look back on what you have done and what you have achieved and reflect on the wisdom gained. It is the payoff for all your hard work--the destination phase of life's journey.

Too many people get stuck in the previous, acquisitive stages and never reach enlightenment. They die worrying about money, as if it is some sort of measure of their worth as a human. I think that's why so many Americans are unhappy.

I've lost so many friends and family lately--to accidents, cancer, other diseases--that I worry about money far less than I worry about time.

If your career in the biz doing safety is anything like working on shows you spend WAY more time with cast and crew than you do with your family. What I've seen on my end is that people are retiring and missing the camaraderie, pace and accomplishment of seeing the finished product.

Personally I can't wait to retire. I fish, golf, hike and have other hobbies that are neglected due to the hours we work. The week just takes it out of me and I have a hard time just finding energy on the weekends to have fun, mostly just pacing myself to recharge my batteries to hit the ground running on Monday.

Maybe finding something that you can volunteer a few hours a week, just to get out and mix socially.

It's funny, I worked with a set decorator who recently retired and is Vegan. He thought since he cared so much about animals he would volunteer at an animal rescue/ shelter. Saw him a few weeks ago and asked how it was going. Said he quit doing it, all he was doing was hanging around a bunch of angry Lesbians.

Now that is funny. ^^^

Animal rescue freaks are in a class by themselves. And I’m an animal lover.

If ya split a huge bunch of humans and canines into groups based upon sex....

How many groups will be bichez?

:)

Let's be frank, most if not all of us married up. I've met some of you losers and it isn't pretty. Frightening, honestly.

Hugh and Donna spent a few days here at Casa De Pepe a year or so ago in their RV and I can tell you without reservation that those two are as connected as they come, wonderfully so.

The fact that Hugh was able to marry Donna begs discussion of BF and Unicorns. YMMV.

My work colleague retired 6 months ago... "sick of this $hit and of working with the other guy (who is a pain)"...
Now he's sending me feelers to see if we need help (we do), I think he's cleaned his shed, fixed up his house and is bored out of his mind and tired of Honey-dos. I'm gonna try to give him some honest work if we can swing it with HR and all the computer crap that needs to happen to reinstate him... It happens ! I think my hobbies will keep me busy enough, but he wants to escape his wife's rule, I get that...

Good advise from all, thanks. Yeah I traveled a whole lot and made good coin (not as good as some of you may think) besides living in the Los Angeles area is expensive. I'd move but my son and his wife are expecting their first baby in six months and they live only a mile away. Thinking about it some more, I'm not going to pursue consulting, if it drops in my lap and is extra fun (like spending a few weeks in Prague (I love Prague), I'll consider it.

I divorced up.

Wow, you dudes are old!

Good luck to all, in whatever activity you old farts end up enjoying in retirement.

Beautiful.

Sounds like you are in good shape. Take something that would be fun if it falls in your lap. You may need to put out a few feelers for that to happen so people who hire people will remember you are alive.

My financial guy keeps telling me I could retire a bit early. I am skeptical at 56. My wife is 6 years older and she would love that. At least that is what she says now. The skepticism comes from worrying about health coverage. I'm a type 1 diabetic and insulin ain't cheap. For those who retired well before Medicare kicking in, how do you manage getting and keeping health insurance?

I don't accept projects unless I can buy a 1 43 scale model of the car I'll be working on ;)

If the choice is mine I've no plan to just stop working and retire but to just become more selective on what projects I accept which I hope will give me more free time to do retirement things.

So much good advice, not much to add other than to ask a question. Do you guys really need such a big land yacht? Selling up and renting or down sizing would free up a lot of cash for worldwide travel

I've easily spent most of my disposable income on world travel, luckily my wife shares this mindset too and having someone to share the memories with make where we go, what we see all the more special

That's it entirely.

I retired 4 years ago, 51 now, started Tru6 as a fun venture and it's sort of gotten out of hand but in 4 years I think I've worked 3-4 days.

Seriously, doing stuff like this is so terribly fun, I can't even tell you:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/967934-restoring-3-bar-grille.html

Outside of Tru6, so many other completely different and fun big projects that I am working on as I can. I don't think Indian gourmet hot dogs are doing to be a thing though. Sure, a chicken vindaloo hot dog with a paneer center would be fantastic, especially with Indian condiments attached to the outside of the package, but a lot of hoops to jump through to bring a food to market.

People who retire with enough money to travel the world for years, and do so, have my utmost admiration and respect. Motion is one of them. I am not.

People who retire and do nothing but sit around or do small things here and there, I just don't understand.

I can’t imagine going to work when I already have the best job ever (retirement). YMMV

I can afford to do this at seven days from 63.

Please come cap me in the noodle at sub 75 if I sound like this.

[QUOTE=Captain Ahab Jr;10548215

So much good advice, not much to add other than to ask a question. Do you guys really need such a big land yacht? Selling up and renting or down sizing would free up a lot of cash for worldwide travel
[/QUOTE]

"Need" is a relative term. We will go out to the beach every few weekends and a week at a time to a place like Zion or the Grand Canyon, and a month or more at a time on an extended trip at least once/year.

If you only use one once or twice a year, definitely rent. My payment on my new Winnebago is about that of a mid-priced Lexus. Its definitely not economical, but its probably cheaper than driving and getting a decent hotel room every night. Also, pulling over for lunch in your own kitchen, and getting a piece of trim while you're stopped is also nice.;)

Those first seven will be something, I'm sure!

Hugh, feel your pain. "retired" from the day job 4 and half years ago at 45. Ran my own business before I left and continued to after I left. Hired some great staff to help it run at a high level. Earlier this year got an offer I couldn't refuse. I took it. Plenty of $$ for the hours. The best part is, because I don't need it, I can leave any day... So far it has been fun to be back at it, but when it isn't fun anymore, bye bye and back to my coaching my staff as my only gig.

Cheers

Grandkid a mile down the road coming in six months is going to eat up a lot of your time, and the urge to travel will abate some. You will know just exactly what I am talking about in a year or so.

If you don’t know what to do , why not spend some of your free time thinking about it ?
No deadline for an answer .....