The Retirement Thread
- Thread starter Dirk
- Start date
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classic33
Leg End Member
I thought you were aiming for a five minute mile.As those of you with long memories may recall, I returned to running 3 or 4 years ago and the mad pursuit of a 6 minute mile.
It quickly came to light that I have a knackered hip, so had to forget any ideas about fast times and settle for a gentle jog.
Bow I'm suffering persistent tendon problems in my left foot. I think, regrettably, the time has come to quite running and to up the bicycle mileage as a means of getting the olde blood pumping.
The good news is I'll need to buy a new bike. With the house move I whittled down the fleet, leaving me with only an ebike, the folder, and the Felt roadie.
The ebike is superb for locql transport, but if I'm riding for exercise purposes it's not optimum.
The folder is a great utility steed, but not ideal for long times and distances.
The Felt is a superb machine that I'll never sell, and is an ideal dry weather blaster, not so good for wet roads or poor surfaces.
So I guess it's time to buy another bike
What bike are you looking at?
Did you not get my previous cheques ? They must still be in the post.
Right......
I did not know the other 2 passengers.
I think it was last Thursday but not certain.
"They" told me I would be back for 0730.
Brown of course.
classic33
Leg End Member
No. They could be with that postcard I sent from Holyhead station, around 0500 in August 1983.
Did you get to see their faces. Watch for them around 1630 on Thursday.
"They", another unknown that you are working to/for.
There are some heathens on here that think it should be ketchup.
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Another load of washing in the machine.
The highlight of my day is, I've bought myself a new pair of slippers from Next.
The highlight of my day is, I've bought myself a new pair of slippers from Next.
No!!!! that cannot be right.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
@Slick
I echo what has already been said but will add or reiterate:
Do not wait too long until you retire. The older you get the more you realise that time really does not waiteth for any man or woman. It's easy to say and agree with but it really will come home to you maybe a decade or so down the track. At age 60 I did not realise the steps I would really have to take to stop my body declining like so many of my peer group (cycling certainly isn't enough) as the years have rolled by (I'm 67 now). Swat up on this on YT. Similarly, how my mental attitude to life would changed so profoundly. Some get up and go has gone! I enjoy, really enjoy, just chilling more than I ever did, have distanced myself from the political and social zeigeist (deliberately), and have developed a relatively fatalistic attitude towards life. Probably due to being closer to so many unavoidable truths. Act now in the light of future changes that you will/may expetience.
Priorities change as you get older and enter retirement. For the pair of us here it is health for self and partner, plus fitness of course, at the top of the list. Without either your retirement will be compromised. Health can take unexpected turns for the worse - if you have any Big Plans get them done asap.
Relationships. Some people can happily fly solo their whole life but we are, as a species, geared up for life as part of a pair. If you are part of a couple then plan together and do retirement together. You do not have to be joined at the hip but I see plenty of couples drift apart as health, libido and family commitments drive a wedge between them. Treat retirement as a fun time for two! And, as some have already sadly found out; partners are no more immortal than you.
Money, money, money... Yes, it's important to have enough to cover outgoings and life's eventualities in retirement. My advice: don't do quick & dirty calculations, do a proper projection for the years ahead. Build in life changing events eg kid support, how would your partner cope without your income etc.
Savings. It's nice to have plenty but you have to learn how to spend it. We came from poor families and have done very well financially, but we are still learning how to spend. Our savings still grow year by year and we never will have to worry about them running out. But, and it is a big but, it is easy to spend like a fool, much harder to spend wisely and add value to your remaining life. As long-term savers & investors the 'cling on to what you have' mindset can be hard to shake!
If you have kids & grandkids and are into kids (we are not) don't let your family steal your retirement. There is a difference between helping out with grandchildren and simply being a dumping ground and general family workhorse. Your own children are obviously younger than you! They are living their life, live yours! Controversial maybe, but we have several friends whose lives have been overwhelmed with GC duties but do not speak out for fear of causing a rift.
Practicalities. Sort your Will, LPA's, Living Will & funeral wishes as a matter of priority. Leave it too late and you may well regret it.
Work. Let it go. Even though you love it! I had a great career, loved what I did and retired early. Despite this, I wish I had never had to work at all. In retirement ie at 'normal-ish' retirement age, time is so precious, you don't have much left after all. Do not work unless you really need the finances. Seriously! Don't do it!
Best of luck with your decision making!
I echo what has already been said but will add or reiterate:
Do not wait too long until you retire. The older you get the more you realise that time really does not waiteth for any man or woman. It's easy to say and agree with but it really will come home to you maybe a decade or so down the track. At age 60 I did not realise the steps I would really have to take to stop my body declining like so many of my peer group (cycling certainly isn't enough) as the years have rolled by (I'm 67 now). Swat up on this on YT. Similarly, how my mental attitude to life would changed so profoundly. Some get up and go has gone! I enjoy, really enjoy, just chilling more than I ever did, have distanced myself from the political and social zeigeist (deliberately), and have developed a relatively fatalistic attitude towards life. Probably due to being closer to so many unavoidable truths. Act now in the light of future changes that you will/may expetience.
Priorities change as you get older and enter retirement. For the pair of us here it is health for self and partner, plus fitness of course, at the top of the list. Without either your retirement will be compromised. Health can take unexpected turns for the worse - if you have any Big Plans get them done asap.
Relationships. Some people can happily fly solo their whole life but we are, as a species, geared up for life as part of a pair. If you are part of a couple then plan together and do retirement together. You do not have to be joined at the hip but I see plenty of couples drift apart as health, libido and family commitments drive a wedge between them. Treat retirement as a fun time for two! And, as some have already sadly found out; partners are no more immortal than you.
Money, money, money... Yes, it's important to have enough to cover outgoings and life's eventualities in retirement. My advice: don't do quick & dirty calculations, do a proper projection for the years ahead. Build in life changing events eg kid support, how would your partner cope without your income etc.
Savings. It's nice to have plenty but you have to learn how to spend it. We came from poor families and have done very well financially, but we are still learning how to spend. Our savings still grow year by year and we never will have to worry about them running out. But, and it is a big but, it is easy to spend like a fool, much harder to spend wisely and add value to your remaining life. As long-term savers & investors the 'cling on to what you have' mindset can be hard to shake!
If you have kids & grandkids and are into kids (we are not) don't let your family steal your retirement. There is a difference between helping out with grandchildren and simply being a dumping ground and general family workhorse. Your own children are obviously younger than you! They are living their life, live yours! Controversial maybe, but we have several friends whose lives have been overwhelmed with GC duties but do not speak out for fear of causing a rift.
Practicalities. Sort your Will, LPA's, Living Will & funeral wishes as a matter of priority. Leave it too late and you may well regret it.
Work. Let it go. Even though you love it! I had a great career, loved what I did and retired early. Despite this, I wish I had never had to work at all. In retirement ie at 'normal-ish' retirement age, time is so precious, you don't have much left after all. Do not work unless you really need the finances. Seriously! Don't do it!
Best of luck with your decision making!
Mo1959
Legendary Member
- Location
- Perthshire,Scotland
Had a wander along to Aldi for a few bits and pieces. All this talk of bacon made me buy some.
No wonder I don’t cycle during normal hours now…..that road just gets busier by the day. We now have three schools, Aldi, B & M and so many new houses out that road that it is just non stop and it’s the road I would mostly use to set off on a spin. I need to start getting out really early again if I want a ride.
No wonder I don’t cycle during normal hours now…..that road just gets busier by the day. We now have three schools, Aldi, B & M and so many new houses out that road that it is just non stop and it’s the road I would mostly use to set off on a spin. I need to start getting out really early again if I want a ride.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Thrown caution to the wind and nought a Ribble gravel bike thingy. Normally I'm very anal and like to ride them and spend ages mulling it, but I've thrown caution to the wind. Now is a time for action, not caution.
As my hero, General Patton, once said "a good plan violently executed today is better than a perfect plan next week." This is the approach I've taken.
I quickly whittled a shortlist down to two for my notional grand, a Felt and a Wibble. Both very similar, the Felt slightly better brakes, the Wibble slightly better wheels. In the end I decided the orange paint on the Wibble looked saucy, so before breakfast was even digested od ordered one.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al-sport/?colour=orange
I’m just at the beginning of this new chapter of our life and two months in just starting to get into the groove.
Some brilliant advice here, thanks!
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I know different people handle retirement in different ways, but for me keeping a routine is beneficial. I know what I'm doing each day and at what times, otherwise the inclination will be to piss away ever day and get nothing done.
But I'm not anal about it. It's a general guide designed to keep me moving. If circumstances or even merely the weather dictate I can be flexible and put stuff off, or chop and change. It gives me a nice balance between doing what I want when I want and still being motivated to get stuff done.
But I'm not anal about it. It's a general guide designed to keep me moving. If circumstances or even merely the weather dictate I can be flexible and put stuff off, or chop and change. It gives me a nice balance between doing what I want when I want and still being motivated to get stuff done.
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welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Washing is on the line. Hopefully it will dry
numbnuts
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gone over the hill and far away
I have often wondered why one puts sauce on anything , if its a nice bacon sandwich surly the taste of the bacon is enough
OK each to their own
