Retirement, how hard was it?

[bulldog402]

Sold the house four years ago, bought the Mountianeer last year and plan on fulltiming it starting Dec 15 2010, when I retire. This has been our dream for years. It all seams so far away but yet so close. We can't wait. I know it will probably seam weird at first not getting up at 4:00 in the morning for duty, but we will just have to change this.

[Ozz]

Ouch! 4:00 in the morning. The time will fly for you, sounds like you are preparing well with the home sold already.
See you on the road.
Ozz

[tom41]

I worked in the grocery business for 43 1/2 yrs, ran stores for Kroger and Brunos, then produce buyer, I liked my job, but was stressful at times. then had my own food concession business also, Nancy and I worked lot of 7 day weeks, but always had a goal in mind..to retire and become fulltime rv'ers. its worked out just the way we wanted so far. It was a very different feeling when I did retire (2 times) I lost all my contacts in business, but have made so many new friends while traveling from all over. we are in waynesville nc right now where serveral of our good friends are here as we all meet each year at different locations. so this fulltiming lifestyle of ours is really working out beyond and above our expectations!

[mgdg]

Ozz, retirement easy, I waited 33 yrs for it!!Keeping busy,easy, lots of things to do around the house. I do it just like work, Mon to Fri I do the things that need fixin or built. Sat. and Sun. is for friends and family. The boss is still working so we do usually long weekend holidays and weeklong summer vac trips. Most of our work friends camp so we still get to see them. So as I don`t miss the work part of my life, I still miss some of my workmates that don`t camp. Winter will be a little tough but I keep inside projects for that. Enjoy it , all of us retired folks deserve it. We put our time in now its our time.

[Dustytuu]

I retired at 62. Love it! Wonder how I found time to work!

Don retired at 62 too but has been working part time this year. Now he is fully retired for remaining part of this year. Don't know if he will work any next year. He misses work. He is running out of "honey dos".
We have taken several trips this year and still have more planned. We come home for two or three weeks and we are gone again.

If we could sell this *&^%$#@ house we would be full time for a few years and then we plan on buying another house in AZ.
So Don is having an adjustment to make. He likes his work.
He loves to travel so I guess I will just dream up more trips to keep him happy.

[Driftwoodgal]

Ozz,

Interesting topic which is hitting really close to home for me right now. Owning our dog and cat boarding kennel for 27 years, working 365 days a year was getting very old when we sold the business. I am having trouble adjusting to the days when I have nothing to do here at the house. I have worked since I was 14, now 54 so the work thing is part of my personality. We have had the Monty out twice for weekends since we have semi retired, and have two longer trips planned for July. We are semi retired as long as there are some hurricanes this year. Bob is an insurance adjuster and would leave me for months at a time to work in Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina etc. That really is the biggest reason for selling our business as we were staying apart for months. You can't just up and leave a business because you wanted to see your hubby. Thus after lots of hand wringing we sold our paycheck. Time will tell if we have done the right thing. I know that my body says that it likes not having to groom Standard Poodles and Labradoodles. So right now I am in the stages that you were early on. The only routine that I am in so far is to make sure that I do some type of exercise every day. I walked four miles today and plan on walking the golf course tomorrow and beating up on a little white ball.

It is nice to hear about others transition into the retired world.

Since we already live in a warm state for wintering I can't get him to the Rio Grande Valley. Hopefully, I can get him to a rally.

Thanks again for your thread.

[Ozz]

Driftwoodgal,
It's interesting to hear the stories of this transition period of our lives, so many different personalities and life's experiences.
It is a big change for you, stay strong in your decision, use that drive you have, to be good to yourself, spoil Bob.
The exercises you are doing will help channel that energy.
You are still a 'youngin', enjoy.
Ozz

[JH Sechelt]

53 years old..... been retired one month and 2 days, sort of. Sold our School Bus business but I still go and pick the mail up & drop it at the office to see if the new owner needs any thing answered. He's figuring it out pretty fast. I have 2 daughters living up in Kelonwa, B.C, one had a birthday June 14th and the other June 16th. This was the first time I could just hook up the Monty and drive 400 Kms and spend time with them both on their birthdays. (fathers day was a bonus). Was nice to go away for 8 days and not have to worry about the business.

After 3 and a half years my DW was totally discharged from the Cancer clinic on the 1st Thursday last November...and I has admitted into the same Cancer clinic on the 3rd Thursday of November. Go figure. Oh well thank god we live where we do. anyways everything seems to be going OK for now.

Early Retirement..........No brainer, just glad we were able to put things away so it was feasible to do it now.

J&D

[Ozz]

John, glad you are enjoying the retirement, and are available to the new owner. I'm sure they appreciate being able to ask you for advice when needed. Hang in there and beat that Cancer.
See you on the road.
Ozz

[Old GI]

I've done it twice, I will probably try it a third time in a couple of years....maybe.

[capn chris]

Ozz,
Now I know why you have so many projects, toys, and mods! I still covet your Hadley horns!!! I worked 34 years, the last 20 in downtown DC, getting up at 5a to drive an hour into the office. I earned my retirement. DW and I love traveling and our goal was to go back to places we didn't have time to enjoy, and find new places we hadn't yet explored. The Monty and retirement give us that opportunity. The kids and their families are close by and we miss them, and they us, when we're gone, but we also visit friends and family all across the US when we travel. We keep a "life list" of places to go and explore. Headed for NY state in August so I can go for a sailplane ride. Always wanted to do that. We'll tow, camp,and explore along the way. Life is good. Enjoy each day, regardless of what time you decide to get up!!! I love the MOC signature quote on retirement "Got up w/nothing to do, and only got half done by bedtime!" Best regards,

[RKassl]

I am reading all these valuable posts, they have a wealth of information. My wife Nancy and I begin our 24 month count down to retirement. Many thoughts that you all have expressed run through my mind on a daily basis.

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[Grumpy]

Ozz:
I was 66 on May 28. I have been in sales traveling for 41 years. I am terrified of retirement. I grew up hard and poor in the oil fields of west Texas, and have never been without a job.

I can't imagine not having a job and some project to complete or some goal to accomplish.

I bought a 07 Chevy Duramax and a 3400 Montana in April to accompany my wife to her dog shows. We made our first trip 2 weeks ago. I had a ball!

Maybe I will get the courage to give it up sometime in the near future, but I know it will be a big adjustment.

Glad you are enjoying your retirement.

[Ozz]

Good luck Grumpy, you may want to speak with someone about the transition. Don't wait too long, there is so much you can enjoy on the road, I think you go a little taste of it, with your wife at the dog show. You have earned the right to retire.
Take that step, you will not regret it.
Ozz

[richfaa]

I worked 37 1/2 years for the US Government (Federal aviation Adm) Air traffic control, Airways facilities branch) Our job was all the electronics within the National airspace system. I loved my job,It was educational and a challenge every day. Then one day I just said..enough..this phase of my life is over..it is time to move on..it was not hard to do.I was satisfied that we had "done good" had a great retirement party, I walked out the door of Clevelenad air route control center.. and never looked back. We did whatever we wanted to do for the next 6 years waiting for Helen to retire..mostly driving charter and school bus when I felt like it. It bought a lot of goodies(the Montana and the truck) Helen data system specialist)retired and walked out of the same doors at the Control center Nov of 06 and we started on our great adventure 6 weeks later.We still look up when we hear a airplane.. We loved our jobs, that is history...this is now..

By the way Grumpy..Our goal is to spend a couple of days in Casper,wy, the down to Laramie and Cheyenne, Wy..then move on to Colorado Springs, Co..our project is to experience all the wonders these places will bring us.. Still have goals and objectives..but no time line..

[boylanag]

I believe that the best advice that I got regarding my hesitancy to retire was to not look at it as quitting anything, just consider it a change in lifestyle. I said earlier that I was always judging myself and probably others by their jobs. This new life style cuts this crap out and makes for a much more pleasant life. Simple, yes - Easy, no. But it definately is worthwhile (and takes less time that ever imagined). The people that we have met on this forum also are very helpful.

[boylanag]

I believe that the best advice that I got regarding my hesitancy to retire was to not look at it as quitting anything, just consider it a change in lifestyle. I said earlier that I was always judging myself and probably others by their jobs. This new life style cuts this crap out and makes for a much more pleasant life. Simple, yes - Easy, no. But it definately is worthwhile (and takes less time that ever imagined). The people that we have met on this forum also are very helpful.

[Parrothead]

Grumpy
Projects happen when you are retired also like mods to the Montana or a hobby. And with them goals to accomplish. Our goal is to see this beautiful land of ours. While we are at that we will build our N scale model railroad. I will continue my needlework and jewelry making. And finish my family history books. And read all of my Michener books. Ed will read his 23 volume set of WWII and so on and so on. Retirement is great, you just change your goals.
Happy trails....................

[Army Guy]

Congrats to all you folks who've been able to transition to retirement. I am also on my 22 1/2 month countdown to retirement. I've already started the process of downsizing and we sold out stick house 2 yrs ago and have been living full time in the Monty. We try to travel when ever we can and go to rally's and such but counting down the days. We are both ready for the transition and looking forward to traveling. I agree that you have to have goals and objectives, I just don't need the time line. As my dad used to say "Every day is a Saturday"

[RKassl]

Hey we are on a 24 month count down, just making sure that everything is in place for the transition. We have been preparing for this sine 1974. I just wonder if this time will fly or drag? We will turn around and the 24 months are gone? Only time will tell. Our plans are Alaska as soon as we stop work, probably for 3 to 4 months, with NO schedule to keep.