Dealing With Retirement

[Pugsley]

The time I've dreaded all my life is drawing near, I'm about 18 months from retirement and it scares the hell out of me. I've worked all my life, summers when I was in school and full time year round since. I've always been lousy at vacations, by Tuesday morning I want to go back to work. I'll have a small pension and a little in the bank but not enough to travel, (bores me anyway), probably just enough to keep me in smokes. When I think of being retired I think of my father, played a little golf the first couple years, then sat in front of the tv for the last 14 years of his life. I'd rather put a bullet in my brain pan than end up that way. I know there must be some members here who are retired. How do you keep from going bonkers with all that free time on your hands?

[ncstogie]

If you don't wan tto reitre, why do you have to?
Did you consider part time work, or volunterring at something you like to keep you busy? Perhaps even work in a local cigar shop?

[Cigary]

Hey Warren,,,retirement is not easy if you don't prepare your mind to accept a totally different environment. I retired at 42 and I am 55 now and I wouldn't go back to work unless it was at a cigar B&M,,,and I'm not actively seeking even that. I was a 16 hour a day workaholic,,,not by choice but because my responsibilities required that many hours and a 80 hour a week was normal for me. Now that I am retired I don't miss work one little bit,,,what I miss was the structure of having duties and keeping my brain functioning as it used to. I travel a lot with my wife,,,it's big world out there and plenty to see. I enjoy golf sports and I relax and sleep whenever I want,,when I want. The biggest hurdle you will face is to keep your mind occupied,,,whether you choose to read, travel, sports or doing volunteer work,,,that is the secret. Good luck!

[Strick]

I'm eligible to retire now but I am going to keep on working as long as I don't mind getting up evry morning and going to the office. I do have a plan to do it in about 2 years and get out of this city. I will find a part time job doing something that I enjoy as well as put some miles on my bike taking some trips. I know for a fact that I will never be able to just sit around cause i can't even do that on my days off. Got to stay busy doing something...

[rab1957]

I was in law enforcement for 27 years. I retired and took a job at a regional police academy so I could start on my second retirement check. When I leave there I'll probably get a part time job for cigar money.
I’m like you, I could sit around doing nothing, can’t afford it either right now.
My father retired from the Air Force after 23 years, took a job with the FAA and was there for 20 ½ years. After that he worked part time until he was in his mid 70’s. He’s 87 now. It’s in the genes.

[Stinkdyr]

Crikey. just think of all the scuba diving you could do. big oceans out there, lots to see!

[dinoa2]

Warren-- hope you can adapt but keep working if you can and that is what you want. myself, am about 8 years from possible retirement (if social security is still there) and right now, I am burned out at my job and enjoy any time off I get. even enjoyed the time I was forced to take for medical reasons. might change my mind when actual retirement comes close . will miss the money but right now, that might be all I would miss. keep your chin up and smoke a good one today

[nativetexan_1]

Retired at 52 (the wife did, too). Moved to a small farm and spent time chasing after a few cows. That was fun, but I got tired of fixing fences. Seems as though the purpose of cows on earth is to destroy fences. Got involved with the local political party of my choice, geneological society, reading, traveling, starting smoking cigars, and finally took a part-time job just to stop the wife from looking for part-time jobs for me in the newspaper, and take care of my mother's finances. That fills enough time. The rest, I do what I want (or the wife wants). Built a deck on the back of the house, piddle in the workshop, watch Glenn Beck, ... Retirement's great, IF you have sufficient income.

[Theophilus]

I'm in school to be a philosophy professor. They say that philosophers never retire, they just die! So I guess I'll working until I die is not so bad if I enjoy working.

[CobraSkip]

I've retired twice. Really didn't enjoy it, so each time I went back to work. Now I work 3 weeks then take a week of SCUBA diving. Works for me.

[c2000]

Originally Posted by nativetexan_1

Retirement's great, IF you have sufficient income.

There you have it,, if you don't have the money to pretty much do what you want than you are going to be in trouble. The first few years I had trouble with retirement now I like it..

Jerry in Minnesota.