Retirement, would you if you could?

[gavroche]

The trouble was the society we live in is that you are constantly under pressure to buy more and more, therefore, one has keep working to substain that way of life. Once you realise that a lot of it is futile and completely unnecessary, then one doesn't need lots of money to have a good life with less stress, less pressure, more quality time and freedom from society's expectations to keep buying.

 

[screenman]

You whined enough about people buying direct from the States if I recall, wasn't that you?

Not me, I pointed out what was happening, not moaned about it. I only play at working which is why to me it is not like work.

 

[dodgy]

I think like others have said, the retire early thing will not happen for the younger generations. In years to come even the State Pension will be means tested, you can see it coming.

 

[Rusty Nails]

You whined enough about people buying direct from the States if I recall, wasn't that you?

My comment was meant as a light-hearted joke, not a political commentary, so I've deleted it because there is no need to derail another thread down the Brexit track.

 

[Gunk]

I sold my business two years ago and tried semi-retirement, I worked between 2 and 3 days a week. It definitely wasn’t for me, I’ve been back full time since July and I’m much happier, plus the money is nice! I’ll try easing back again in a couple of years time.

 

[Deleted User]

Not me, I pointed out what was happening, not moaned about it. I only play at working which is why to me it is not like work.

On the face of it I agree with Rusty, apologies.

 

[dodgy]

I sold my business two years ago and tried semi-retirement, I worked between 2 and 3 days a week. It definitely wasn’t for me, I’ve been back full time since July and I’m much happier, plus the money is nice! I’ll try easing back again in a couple of years time.

I see this often and it makes you realise, as if proof was needed, that we're all different.

 

[delb0y]

I'm in the "why would you work a day longer than you have to?" camp. There's no chance of any redundancy or EVR package, but at least that means my fate, or at least the decision making, is in my own hands. Had a mortgage for 33 years and through paying extra every month it'll finish a few years early - this year! I've never bought much, never had many holidays, or whatever, and have always paid as much into pensions as I can. Also we bought the biggest house we could afford, so there"s some equity there that will help in the years to come, fingers crossed. Just hope Covid doesn't get me before I can enjoy the fruits of a frugal life. I'm 58 in May. With a fair wind it'll be nice to knock it all on the head before 59 and go and do some early morning fishing / cycling / photography, write some more books, watch some late-night TV with SWMBO instead of having to always get an early night, get some bands back on the go, get a new dog, go on some holidays and have some pub-lunches, spend quality time with the family. Read some books. Play some chess. Paint and draw some pictures and ride the motorbike again. All that, pretty much, work (which year by year gets more demanding) has put paid to. Can"t wait to retire.

 

[tyred]

I'm only 42 but I definitely want to retire as the earliest possible opportunity. You get no overtime in the mortuary.

Unfortunately the earliest possible opportunity will probably be when I'm 137!

 

[marzjennings]

I'm 50 and counting the days before retiring which will be one day after our daughter finishes Uni. We've decided to pay for Uni which means working for another 4 to 7 years depending on where she goes to Uni and whether she does a masters or not. With Uni costing on average about $50k a year here in the states we didn't want her to start her life with almost a 1/4 million in debt. My wife just started working a 9to5 to pay for Uni. If she goes to the UK for Uni we may be able to retire a bit sooner.

 

[bagpuss]

There was a poster outside a local chapel many years ago,it read "never take more than you need"
One could read much into those words .
We all do the best we can and help others as much as we can . We just have to try and make sense of the madness .

 

[DCLane]

In years to come even the State Pension will be means tested, you can see it coming.

I can see this coming as well. However it's a massive vote-loser and for those who've paid in already (I've already done the full-term) making that means-tested affects their financial calculations. It'd certainly affect mine.

 

[Gunk]

I can see this coming as well. However it's a massive vote-loser and for those who've paid in already (I've already done the full-term) making that means-tested affects their financial calculations. It'd certainly affect mine.

and mine, can’t see it happening

 

[Beebo]

I can see this coming as well. However it's a massive vote-loser and for those who've paid in already (I've already done the full-term) making that means-tested affects their financial calculations. It'd certainly affect mine.

It will keep getting pushed back but I can’t see it being removed from anyone.
It would be similar to removing schooling or healthcare from rich people.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

It's boredom that kills newly retired folk who find the days are endless and have no purpose.

That’s one of the adjustments I’m working on. Not trying to fill my days with “productive busy-ness”. Being comfortable with not being busy, not feeling the need to be doing something “productive” all the time, not feeling guilty about “wasting” time doing nothing. Being happy to be in the present in a mindful way without judging whether it is “useful” or “productive” or not.