So who

Lala

Lala

Well-known member
Is retired on here and how do you spend your time ? Would you rather be working ? Or not ?
I partially retired at 51 ( 53 now ) down to 28 hours. I’ve been on leave this week and I’ve had such a nice time chilling, dog walking, reflecting, shopping, going for coffee, people watching, gardening, housework and diy.
I‘m thinking of reducing my hours to 3 days now, at my own expense, I just can’t be arsed anymore after 36 years in work.
How do you lucky retirees spend your time ? Any regrets ?
 
Lala said:
Is retired on here and how do you spend your time ? Would you rather be working ? Or not ?
I partially retired at 51 ( 53 now ) down to 28 hours. I’ve been on leave this week and I’ve had such a nice time chilling, dog walking, reflecting, shopping, going for coffee, people watching, gardening, housework and diy.
I‘m thinking of reducing my hours to 3 days now, at my own expense, I just can’t be arsed anymore after 36 years in work.
How do you lucky retirees spend your time ? Any regrets ?
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Partially retired, down to 18 hours. Will be finishing next summer when my youngest graduates and can afford to keep me in the style I expect.😉

I find plenty to do on the 5 days I'm not in work and will continue to do so. Sitting about doing nothing will be the worst thing I could do.
 
Dog walking 2/3/4 per day. Golf…….part of a great crew for ‘roll-ups’, supporting ‘pool (of course). I can only watch rugby these days, both codes. I read a lot but also do the jobs my mistress orders. Holidays.
I only know what day of the week it is by what I’m doing.
PS, I don’t like decorating or gardening but I do them………groan.
 
Been retired two years now and haven't regretted a single minute.
All these people saying retire as soon as you can, I'd say retire as soon as you can AFFORD IT.

I enjoy my golf (now able to play loads of open events at the drop of a hat), cycling, getting out and about, DIY, gardening, holidays, especially holidays 😀

Even two years down the line I still wake up between 5.30 and 6 though😵‍💫
 
Retired in 2007 for the first time but stayed in work for a further 3 years, retired again in 2010 when we moved from Blackburn to Norfolk, worked there with a mate window cleaning a couple of days a week whilst we lived there. Moved to Whitby, North Yorkshire in January 2019 and I've not worked since.

My wife works for herself from home (Upholstery and Soft Furnishings) so I help out with furniture stripping occasionally when needed. We've also taken up homesitting so travel about a bit doing that.

Retirement is fantastic though and as Wizzer says, do it as soon as you can, life is too short to carry on working if you don't need to. Your health will be far better for it!
 
No intention of ever retiring but that's just me probably got it off my Dad who worked until his late 70's.

We both work hard and both play hard football,concerts,nights out, dining,pub once a fortnight to meet best friend,holidays etc my calendar is always full and up until last November had a dog to look after.

I'm just full on 24/7 and feel guilty when I have a very rare lazy day.😃
 
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Retired finally in 1998 after working since 1950.
Retired from CS in 1990 and then got a job as a Warrants Officer with Bedfordshire Police.
MrsDP was still working at the time,
Did that for 8 years until she retired.
P.S. She's younger than I am. 😉
 
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Davepick said:
Retired finally in 1998 after working since 1950.
Retired from CS in 1889 and then got a job as a Warrants Officer with Bedfordshire Police.
MrsDP was still working at the time,
Did that for 8 years until she retired.
P.S. She's younger than I am. 😉
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we knew you was not a spring chicken Dave but retiring from CS in 1889 is stretching your pension a bit lol
 
Fortunate to retire in my early 40s (20 years ago), and have never regretted it. Wouldn`t suit everyone, and you need to keep a structure, have varied interests, and exercise body and mind. Can honestly say that I am never bored or have wished to go back to work.

I could see how working one or two days a week would suit some in order to enjoy the free time more. All depends on your circumstance/nature.

Remember it`s later than you think...:)
 
Retired at seventy leaving my business partner to run it and call me in when he needs some of my input. I found turning me brain off harder than I imagined so now do a mix of things, walking, cricket, cricket administration, family, some projects for this or that business all of which are making life fuller and more rewarding.

The last year has been full on with all kinds of things achieved, places visited and new friends made so more plans are in the pipeline for a repeat of that.
 
Retired at 61 for about 7 months with lots of dog walking but typically Covid fucked things up. Was asked back by my former employer who wanted me back full time, that was 3 years ago. I didn't want that but agreed to work 2-3 days a week to suit me on a sort of zero hours basis, through another company. I don't get all the benefits I previously did but that doesn't matter as I don't have to adhere to holiday quotas etc & whilst I can be flexible for them if required I basically work when I choose to. It could all come to an end next week for all I know if there's a policy change to contractors, but I'm told "you're not getting away that easily" Generally I now have 4 day weekends :) but with life, family, trips away in the caravan etc general jobs & dog walking I'm certainly not sat on my arse much (unless on here) When it does end or if I decide I've had enough I'll be back to 7 day weekends. 👍
 
Wizzerboy said:
Been retired two years now and haven't regretted a single minute.
All these people saying retire as soon as you can, I'd say retire as soon as you can AFFORD IT.

I enjoy my golf (now able to play loads of open events at the drop of a hat), cycling, getting out and about, DIY, gardening, holidays, especially holidays 😀

Even two years down the line I still wake up between 5.30 and 6 though😵‍💫
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Who’s your home course?
 
Lala said:
Is retired on here and how do you spend your time ? Would you rather be working ? Or not ?
I partially retired at 51 ( 53 now ) down to 28 hours. I’ve been on leave this week and I’ve had such a nice time chilling, dog walking, reflecting, shopping, going for coffee, people watching, gardening, housework and diy.
I‘m thinking of reducing my hours to 3 days now, at my own expense, I just can’t be arsed anymore after 36 years in work.
How do you lucky retirees spend your time ? Any regrets ?
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Can't afford to retire but wouldn't anyway.
 
Retired in 2011 & find always something to do around the house, walking the dog etc + plenty of entertainment nowadays watching/streaming tv etc.

Retirement meant I was able to spend meaningful time with, & caring for, my late wife when the time required before she passed away, which was obviously equally painful yet irreplaceable, if that makes any kind of sense?

If I’m honest, I do miss the day-to-day office chat/interaction with colleagues/friends, as it becomes increasingly difficult to keep regularly in touch with people, but certainly don’t miss the ‘office politics’, which sadly seemed to become more of a feature from certain quarters as time went on.
 
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Bluecabinboy said:
Retired in 2011 & find always something to do around the house, walking the dog etc + plenty of of entertainment nowadays watching/streaming tv etc.

Retirement meant I was able to spend meaningful time with, & caring for, my late wife when the time required before she passed away, which was obviously equally painful yet irreplaceable, if that makes any kind of sense?

If I’m honest, I do miss the day-to-day office chat/interaction with colleagues/friends, as it becomes increasingly difficult to keep regularly in touch with people, but certainly don’t miss the ‘office politics’, which sadly seemed to become more of a feature from certain quarters as time went on.
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Sorry to hear that about your wife Blue. Yes it must have been precious time that you had with her when you retired.
 
First retired 20 years ago, then downshifted into another job until 2014 (great in that job with few responsibilities)

Been properly retired now for 9 years. Seem to spend most of the time ferrying family around and doing various odd jobs.

Having a great Time.
 
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65 in December but will keep working. Not sure what I will do. I have a private pension that kicks in then so could work 20 hours minimum wage and still be on the same money as now. My wife is six years younger than me so I'm not stopping at home whilst she gives me list of jobs for the day 😂
 
Work is becoming ridiculously procedural & if I adhered to all the bullshit new rules & regulations I’d never get anything done. If I read some of these procedures it makes me wonder if I can still do the jobs I’ve been doing for years, of course I can but when all this bollocks is written down it makes me wonder WTF is this all about. I think I’ll pack up completely either when finished by the company or when I’m fed up with the paperwork & shite we seem to have to put up with these days. I swear I’m surprised anything gets done at all. I mean I’ve been saying for years we’ll neither be able to go backwards or forwards for paperwork.
 
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Wizzerboy said:
Stanley Park

As we all know a bunch of charlatans have taken over the course and the council are very slowly coming round to the fact that they've made an almighty cock up.
Hopefully in the next 12 months the members will be able to take over and make a proper go of it🤞
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I hope it all works out.
SP is a decent course: challenging, without untamed forests of rough and priced for anyone/everyone.
 
Me and my wife both retired at the same time and so we decided to learn a foreign language instead of the usual hiking or gardening nonsense.
I believe that retirement falls into two categories, one is greedy and one is needy. Unfortunately it would seem that greedy is the frontrunner.
 
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Not sure I get what you mean about the greedy bit.
Anyway as for learning a language, yes, I started re-learning German from my school days when I partially retired. Sprucing up my limited French now too. All good for the mind 👍
 
I 'retired' in 2012 aged 50.... (long story..!), and I can confidently say that I've never had a day where I've been bored, or regretted my decision.
Actually, I sometimes wonder how I ever fitted work in all those years ago...!
I seamlessly took over all the 'duties' in and around the home, so that Mrs Seasider had nowt to do as she still works.
In my downtime, I decided to learn something that I wouldn't normally have done, so I set to learning to play drums.
I'm still learning, but at least I have stuck with it...!
 
Was told in February 2014 my job( Management Accountant) was being centralised to Head Office in Maidstone so after a long period ( nearly 10 months) it finally took place in December 2014 when I was 63 ( a few weeks short of 64).
I decided I simply didn’t want to go looking for another job as I had had enough of long hours and constant pressure and had been working since leaving University in 1971.
Managed to survive on my redundancy package until getting my state and a small company pension in February 2016 and whilst I miss the salary I certainly don’t miss the work and the stress and as a result I have had over 8 years of genuine retirement enjoyment as there is always things to do whether it be gardening or whatever and until Covid struck plenty of good holidays which would not have happened were I still working.
 
I gave up a well paid job at 55. Sold the house and moved somewhere quiet. I now drive an accessible van taking wheelchair bound folk to medical appointments. Between 30 and 40 hours a week. Not retired but it sure feels like it after spending nearly 40 years working shifts in factories.
Get to meet people and hopefully help a little.
 
Lala said:
Is retired on here and how do you spend your time ? Would you rather be working ? Or not ?
I partially retired at 51 ( 53 now ) down to 28 hours. I’ve been on leave this week and I’ve had such a nice time chilling, dog walking, reflecting, shopping, going for coffee, people watching, gardening, housework and diy.
I‘m thinking of reducing my hours to 3 days now, at my own expense, I just can’t be arsed anymore after 36 years in work.
How do you lucky retirees spend your time ? Any regrets ?
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Hi Layla. I'm exactly the same age as yourself. I was in the military 20 years and currently a call centre manager for a leading telecommunications company. But I'm retiring in November hence buying the static home in Knott End. I still wondering am I doing the right thing as God knows how I'm going to fill my days, but will find something to do. It's all about financial security aswell. Lucky for me I'm in a good position with my military pension. I will conclude and say anything is better than working. I have come to despice my job.
 
Poolabroad said:
I gave up a well paid job at 55. Sold the house and moved somewhere quiet. I now drive an accessible van taking wheelchair bound folk to medical appointments. Between 30 and 40 hours a week. Not retired but it sure feels like it after spending nearly 40 years working shifts in factories.
Get to meet people and hopefully help a little.
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Love this comment.
 
Also one last comment.. They say it doesn't happen but it bloody does. When you get over 50 in employers eyes you may aswell be on the scrapheap. The younger staff keep themselves to themselves and try and promote ideas I had years ago. I never noticed it before but I deffinatly do now. I have been in their position done that and wore the t-shirt. It seems my opinions in management meetings get skirted over and ignored. The next manager down from me is 29 age wise. So I suppose I'm classed as a dinosaur. Lol.
 
It should be law that nobody can work after retirement age. If they haven't made provision for being retired then they are stupid.
What chance have people got finding work when greedy bastards who have worked for 40yrs plus won't call it a day.
 
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FlytoKavala said:
It should be law that nobody can work after retirement age. If they haven't made provision for being retired then they are stupid.
What chance have people got finding work when greedy bastards who have worked for 40yrs plus won't call it a day.
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What a pathetic post…..if they want to carry on let them…it’s a personal choice…mine if you saw my previous post was not to but others might choose to …as for making provision for retirement it isn’t always easy unless of course you spent years working for the civil service.
 
Covid has taken its toll on me and has led to me finishing work 15 months before my 'due' retirement date later this year.
People were telling me I would be bored, never in a million years.
My advice retireme as soon as you can and not a day later, I now wonder how I had time to work.
 
bleach51 said:
++@##!What a pathetic post…..if they want to carry on let them…it’s a personal choice…mine if you saw my previous post was not to but others might choose to …as for making provision for retirement it isn’t always easy unless of course you spent years working for the civil
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Theres a good old generslisation if I ever I read one.
As a "civil servant" I think I've earned my pension, when it starts later this year.

Missed too many milestones with my kids growing up, worked 22 out of the last 31 Christmas Days, worked three figures of bank holidays over that period too not forgetting every other weekends..

My last role I was on call 24/7 for the last 4 years.

Regarding the actual CS pension enforced changes moved my retirement date back 7yrs, increased my monthly ££ contributions x3.

Not my definition of "easy".
 
Mcewans Mullet said:
Theres a good old generslisation if I ever I read one.
As a "civil servant" I think I've earned my pension, when it starts later this year.

Missed too many milestones with my kids growing up, worked 22 out of the last 31 Christmas Days, worked three figures of bank holidays over that period too not forgetting every other weekends..

My last role I was on call 24/7 for the last 4 years.

Regarding the actual CS pension enforced changes moved my retirement date back 7yrs, increased my monthly ££ contributions x3.

Not my definition of "easy".
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My other half worked for HMRC for 39 years and the pension( she bought a few extra extra years)was and still is a lot better than the majority get…and she acknowledges the fact….and yes you have earned it but it was a generous package in comparison to most of us.
 
Mancpool said:
Also one last comment.. They say it doesn't happen but it bloody does. When you get over 50 in employers eyes you may aswell be on the scrapheap. The younger staff keep themselves to themselves and try and promote ideas I had years ago. I never noticed it before but I deffinatly do now. I have been in their position done that and wore the t-shirt. It seems my opinions in management meetings get skirted over and ignored. The next manager down from me is 29 age wise. So I suppose I'm classed as a dinosaur. Lol.
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Fuck em
 
bleach51 said:
My other half worked for HMRC for 39 years and the pension( she bought a few extra extra years)was and still is a lot better than the majority get…and she acknowledges the fact….and yes you have earned it but it was a generous package in comparison to most of us.
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I'm not disputing that, what I do get the hump over is everyone thinking civil servant = working Mon to Fri day shifts.
 
bleach51 said:
My other half worked for HMRC for 39 years and the pension( she bought a few extra extra years)was and still is a lot better than the majority get…and she acknowledges the fact….and yes you have earned it but it was a generous package in comparison to most of us.
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How the worm turns.
 
I retired at 60, after 39 years. Then did some work online for 2 days a week. Then had my leukaemia experience last year. Although the health board wanted me to go back, I decided to call it a day at 63 to allow me to chill out. I have never regretted working and never regretted retiring and planned for the latter ages ago. Now spend more time with the family and friends, do jobs around the house without any time pressures and plan little trips out and hope to go much further next year. I also help another person recovering from leukaemia, who has mobility and other issues.
Of course, we all spend some time on here!
 
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