Retirement....is it all it's cracked up to be ?

Kazzydeyna said:
Reading this thread I realise I am bloody lucky.
I’ve worked now for 40 years, and whilst I’ve never had a glamorous or high-powered job I am in the position whereby I am going to three days a week in two years, and retiring fully in three years.
I’ll have no mortgage, no car loan or any other debt, £100k in the bank and an annual income from my three pensions combined of about 75% of my current salary.

I’ve never been rich and won’t be rich in retirement but I’ll have enough coming in to pay the bills and have a holiday once a year, and savings enough to cope with any big bills (replacing a car every five years, and mrs Deyna is insisting on a new bathroom and new bedroom furniture).
I’m happy with that.

The point of my post is to say that in my 20’s and 30’s (and into my 40’s if I’m totally honest) I earned less than pretty much all my mates and had a chip on my shoulder (which I kept very much to myself) about the career choices I’d made as a younger man and was envious of my friends and contemporaries. It wasn’t until I hit 50 that I realised it’s not about having a tonne of money coming in, it’s about having good people to share your life with. Thankfully, I took my dads advice 30 odd years ago and always paid as much as possible into my pension(s), along with buying a house as soon as I could and that’s what’ll give me a pretty decent and stress free life as I get older.

My advice to anyone wanting it is to not kill your self Chasing a lifestyle that is unrealistic but be thankful for what you’ve got and make the most of that.

I’ve looked forward to retiring since I was 16 and am now starting hobbies that’ll keep me occupied when I do finally fuck work off for good.
Can’t wait.
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The bit about your early life is like mine especially my best mate who is a plasterer down south, same age as me earned 3/4 times if what I did he’s blown the lot, I’ve retired and he’s still grafting his body is fucked he’s in a rented house and he’s got nothing for retirement, I was always envious of his clothes and lifestyle when I was younger but he’s screwed now, im not gloating but it’s just a cautious tale.
 
Blue Maverick said:
The bit about your early life is like mine especially my best mate who is a plasterer down south, same age as me earned 3/4 times if what I did he’s blown the lot, I’ve retired and he’s still grafting his body is fucked he’s in a rented house and he’s got nothing for retirement, I was always envious of his clothes and lifestyle when I was younger but he’s screwed now, im not gloating but it’s just a cautious tale.
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There's a lot of truth in that post about people who can't see past the latest iPhone, new car every year etc. even top footballers can blow everything never mind a guy in the street on a good wage.
 
blue b4 the moon said:
There's a lot of truth in that post about people who can't see past the latest iPhone, new car every year etc. even top footballers can blow everything never mind a guy in the street on a good wage.
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Never understood the need for high end material things. A mate does. He's 66. Still working and will for a few years yet. Still got a mortgage. Wife still doing part time work. But they must have the latest Iphone, watch, fridge with Internet etc etc. House gets refreshed every 3 years. This means paint, carpet and furniture. To the latest colours. Madness.

One of the reasons why I was able to retire is that I've never been like that. The mortgage was the only debt I've ever had. Never had a credit card either. We saved for everything. All instilled into me by my frugile Dad.

And if we fly United and pop our clogs tomorrow then the nephews/ nieces will be very happy!
 
FogBlueInSanFran said:
My dog has also been a big beneficiary of my retirement — two walks every day, right after breakfast (always me) and just before dinner (me if I’m not cooking). We all get more exercise!
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I think dogs are great for retirees. You have the time to spend with them, and they force you out of the house at least a couple of times a day whatever the weather.
 
BimboBob said:
Never understood the need for high end material things. A mate does. He's 66. Still working and will for a few years yet. Still got a mortgage. Wife still doing part time work. But they must have the latest Iphone, watch, fridge with Internet etc etc. House gets refreshed every 3 years. This means paint, carpet and furniture. To the latest colours. Madness.

One of the reasons why I was able to retire is that I've never been like that. The mortgage was the only debt I've ever had. Never had a credit card either. We saved for everything. All instilled into me by my frugile Dad.

And if we fly United and pop our clogs tomorrow then the nephews/ nieces will be very happy!
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Us too, never had debt apart from a mortgage, that was until the CSA almost ruined us and when that was over we were in deep shit financially but, fought our way back out of that hole in 4/5 years.
 
Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese said:
BM going to the dogs. 7 pages in and no one has suggested the op gets himself a Thai bride less than half his age.
I honestly wonder what's happened to this place at times.
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I dont think that would go down too well with the wife if I'm honest.




But a nice thought non the less.
 
city2 said:
You’ve done your time and we never know what’s round the corner I retired 4 years ago at 68 and never missed it apart from missing the crack and the gossip. Be prepared for not knowing what time or day it is and also doing things at your own leisure without having to get things done in a certain time.
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You shouldn’t have been tooting at work. Naughty that.
 
I'm 57 next year and will be retiring. Had a job since I was 16 and a pension from age 18. No mortgage, rent or debt so should be OK. I plan to spend more in the early years which is likely to be cut back when i am older. No point scrimping in retirement as the government will only take it or use it to pay care fees :)
 
Stoned Rose said:
I’d retire today if I could.

If we didn’t have bills to pay and mouths to feed would anybody choose to go and do that every day? We’re only doing it because we have to.
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I could have retired years ago, thing is I actually enjoy my job if we ever get less busy I'll cut hours but as it is I'm quite happy.
 
Retired last year. Lucky to be financially secure. I’m not rich but I haven’t had a mortgage since 2008. I have 2 decent pensions and a good lump in the NS&I.
Point is I love it.
Your other problems don’t disappear but life is easier.
I play golf twice a week and do the ironing. The wife is a primary school secretary on 24 hrs a week. We live on the beach and walk the dog there twice a day.
It isn’t perfect but could be worse.

I never miss work at all and still keep in touch with friends I made there over the years.

I know it comes down to money, but if you can afford it, do it.
 
TheBlueCat said:
Retired last year. Lucky to be financially secure. I’m not rich but I haven’t had a mortgage since 2008. I have 2 decent pensions and a good lump in the NS&I.
Point is I love it.
Your other problems don’t disappear but life is easier.
I play golf twice a week and do the ironing. The wife is a primary school secretary on 24 hrs a week. We live on the beach and walk the dog there twice a day.
It isn’t perfect but could be worse.

I never miss work at all and still keep in touch with friends I made there over the years.

I know it comes down to money, but if you can afford it, do it.
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Sounds like you’re doing well, great stuff, just a pointer though being a beach bum living on the beach gets harder when you get older
 
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