The Retirement Thread

[Paulus]

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.

I'm very much the same. I have the normal daily things to do, but I also have a plan for some extras for the day.
So far, after 6 years of retirement I have never been bored having nothing to do.

 

[Dave7]

Right - just had Lunch

Thanks to you lot I thought to check the sell by date on the bacon and had a Bacon Sandwich

properly

i.e. toasted bread (Warbies although I would prefer "proper bread" but SWMBO insists on us having Warnies Toastie!!!) with lots of butter on the warm toast and Ketchup

Only problem - bacon was from ALdi - not impressed
said it was "Thick Cut" - dunno what the thin cut is like but this was thinner than normal Tesco - nowhere near the Thick Cut version

and salty and watery


bit of a disappointment TBH

but the butter and Ketchup was good

You would enjoy a butty with bacon and lots of blue cheese on it.

 

[screenman]

How do you older retired people get to meet and keep in contact with the younger generation during the day.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

You would enjoy a butty with bacon and lots of blue cheese on it.

How dare you Sir

I demand satisfaction!!!!
(never get it but might be worth a go??)

who in the name of all the Gods wants rotten milk on decent butties???

and even then you want rotten milk that is clearly mouldy??

disgusting stuff!!!!

 

[Mo1959]

How do you older retired people get to meet and keep in contact with the younger generation during the day.

I don’t keep in contact with anyone. I don’t like people!

 

[Dave7]

I don’t keep in contact with anyone. I don’t like people!

In that case you should join my new swingers club.... not many members. TBH at the moment there is only me.

 

[welsh dragon]

How do you older retired people get to meet and keep in contact with the younger generation during the day.

I'm quite an anti social person. I'd be quite happy to never see anyone accept my family.

 

[Slick]

@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!

First class, thanks for that.

I think its clear that whilst there's the usual common threads that binds us, everyone has a slightly different idea of what a good retirement is all about. I get it, or I think I do. I am definitely more enlightened about my own retirement than I was.

I think I'll go the halfway house and go part time for a while first, to see how that fits me.

Thanks everyone, some really interesting stuff being shared.

 

[screenman]

I am beginning to see a problem here, I am very sociable and enjoy younger company.

 

[Mo1959]

I am beginning to see a problem here, I am very sociable and enjoy younger company.

Whereas I can already feel anxiety building up at the thought of the schools breaking up in 10 days time and having youngsters out and about disturbing my peace and quiet.

 

[Dave7]

I'm quite an anti social person. I'd be quite happy to never see anyone accept my family.

Can't you at least try my new swingers club?
I can put you up for a month

 

[Drago]

How do you older retired people get to meet and keep in contact with the younger generation during the day.

I walk Mini D to and from school with Bruce. All the kids love Bruce so daily I get to chat with kids as young as toddlers with their Mums through to teenagers.

@screenman will have missed the passing of my boy Lemmy and the arrival of Bruce...

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/meet-bruce.279154/

 

[SpokeyDokey]

How do you older retired people get to meet and keep in contact with the younger generation during the day.

I am not that interested in keeping in touch with much younger than me generations. Their heads are in an entirely different space to mine. I cannot relate to their wants, needs, fears, concerns, politics etc.

That sounds like I am closed off to new thoughts and ideas, and to some extent I admit that I am. Call it older-age conservatism!

The people who I like to meet are a similar age to me but who look younger, dress younger and act younger and do not carry the conversational hang-ups of my parents generation.

Admittedly, these are hard to find!

 

[screenman]

I walk Mini D to and from school with Bruce. All the kids love Bruce so daily I get to chat with kids as young as toddlers with their Mums through to teenagers.

I do not want the commitment of a dog, but I know they can be good icebreakers. Lincolnshire folk seem old in their forties, I may have to relocate. I seem to fit in well and enjoy the company of 20 to 50 year olds.

 

[screenman]

I am not that interested in keeping in touch with much younger than me generations. Their heads are in an entirely different space to mine. I cannot relate to their wants, needs, fears, concerns, politics etc.

That sounds like I am closed off to new thoughts and ideas, and to some extent I admit that I am. Call it older-age conservatism!

The people who I like to meet are a similar age to me but who look younger, dress younger and act younger and do not carry the conversational hang-ups of my parents generation.

Admittedly, these are hard to find!

You just found one, trouble is the people I am meeting are old before they are. Growing older is compulsory, growing up is not.