Retirement.....what are you gonna do? (1 Viewer)

[matttyl]

Not sure this goes here, but I saw a stat recently of I think the 9 AM wake time in retirement. There is like a 6 year life expectancy difference if you wake up prior to 9 AM than if you wake up after it. Getting up earlier and doing things in retirement leads to a longer retirement.

 

[jwb]

We've travelled a lot in the past 20+ years so we'll probably cut back when we retire. Our ultimate goal would be to retire in Italy but that's probably a longshot. Realistically, we'd like to get a house in upstate NY or maybe someplace like Wyoming. A little piece of property where we might have a few goats, ducks, dogs or whatever. I do voiceovers and my wife is in accounting so neither of us ever plan on stopping working. Hopefully ignore the news and live life quietly.

Voiceovers? That's pretty cool. You should do a separate thread at some point about this.

It's mostly corporate work so it's not that exciting. Although I almost got the vo for the WIX.com commercial that played during the Super Bowl. I would have started a thread if I got that one!

Totally understand. I do copywriting. People say all the time "wow, that's so cool", but truthfully, writing 6 pages on scar reduction crème or car insurance (etc) isn't all that interesting.

That said, I like what I do, and my retirement plan is "not retiring". I can work from anywhere, anytime, and cannot envision a time when I don't earn money.

 

[gameday]

Also interesting. And although I realize this is extremely sexist, if I did chose someone it could never been a woman. I guess I've always been comfortable with the baby bonds available via exchange traded debt, preferred stock, etc and i'm very familiar with that market and how to navigate it.

Maybe i'll change my mind... but I've read dozens of books about money, I read about it almost every day, I'm very on top of things. I felt like I missed my calling to be a financial planner of some sort. It would be incredibly difficult for me to trust anyone.

I guess I've got too much of my grandfather in me.

He's so extreme with his views of money that he won't even trust an exchange traded fund or an index fund.

He only will deal in individual equities or bonds or preferred stocks... other than transaction fees, he's offended by the idea that anyone will make any money off his money even if it's only 0.09% expense ratio like spy

I used to think along those same lines. My wife was a stock broker and we made all our own decisions. We did very well and could have retired when we were 40. In fact, we had made preliminary plans to sell our place in Silicon Valley and travel around Europe for a few years. Then she unexpectedly became pregnant and all those plans went out the window. Didn't want to raise a kid outside of the US.

We engaged an Estate attorney to map out a Living Trust, we fully funded our kids (now have 2 of 'em) college funds, and found a Financial Planner. His team developed a plan that reduced our investment risk yet generates similar returns to what we were experiencing. And, his plan covers all our taxable accounts, deferred income accounts, retirement accounts, etc. It also maximizes future Social Security.

Based on our expected income needs we have a nearly 100% chance of hitting our plan since we have far over-funded it (due to unexpected bonuses and higher recent returns). So, at this point I no longer care about squeezing out every single penny and I don't mind paying the Financial Planner. My main concern is peace of mind, and knowing we are set for the duration of our retirement.

So, back to the OP's question, I still have no idea what I'm going to do in 20 months when I'm done working.

Have you considered starting a business?

Yes, many times. The problem is that I no longer want to work that hard. I spent 20 years building several successful companies on the West Coast and I know the type of commitment that takes. I've had 3 heart attacks and will need a heart transplant at some point (hereditary problem). If I do start a company, I will do it with my older son so that it's something he runs. I've have many ideas and the one that is most promising is in IT security.

 

[Bonfire]

Stage a bloody coup in the HOA then abuse my power, poop on squirrels, and masturbate furiously in local Denny's bathrooms on a rotating schedule.

 

[roadkill1292]

8:30-9:00 - check my investments and see how the market is doing.

Before I retired I was obsessed. Every day I tracked and updated to see how close I was to retiring.The day I retired a switch went off and I no longer cared anywhere near as much. I check at best once a month now.

I used to be obsessed as well. The day I hired an outstanding Financial Planner it all changed. Now, I meet with him once a quarter to go over results and strategies, and I never even fret about it beyond that. Best move we ever made.

Interesting.

I couldn't do it (or at least i don't think i could)

I feel like I know more than most of those guys do and just don't feel like they could accomplish anything for me, and I'd be offended paying someone that knew less than I did on the subject.

Most of the bonds I wanted to get into had buyins way above what I could afford. Once I found out that by using a planner, I could get into specific bonds, the choice to move became easier.

I was like you in that I never expected to need a planner since I managed my money more than well enough to retire early, but I can now say I was wrong about that. My planner easily covers her fee in what she has provided.

And although I realize this is extremely sexist, if I did chose someone it could never been a woman.

Welcome, Time Traveler from 1955!

 

[mquinnjr]

Two chicks at the same time.

You guys are slipping.

 

[Jack White]

Stage a bloody coup in the HOA then abuse my power, poop on squirrels, and masturbate furiously in local Denny's bathrooms on a rotating schedule.

You could live forever with that plan.

 

[FUBAR]

I think if you're under 40, for most people the thought is so far off it is just a dream...

38 and no.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

If I have extra time on my hands I will appear at City Council meetings, County Board meetings, and various community forums and candidate town hall meetings to rant, more or less incoherently about subjects obviously off topic. I plan to make the watch list of several law enforcement agencies.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Two chicks at the same time.

You guys are slipping.

Just about to post this

 

[snogger]

What do you plan on doing each day in retirement?

I think the typical answer is either travel (well, you can't travel every day unless you are very well off) or to do nothing. If nothing is your answer, what does that mean (lots of tv, computer, gym, etc???)

20+ years before I can fully think of what we will do.. But..

Wife and I do know that one of our first trips after retirement will be to travel in a Class B RV from Montana to Arizona over a few months starting in August..

Basically chasing the Fall colors all the way down using this map ( with some side trips off the main course).

 

[Chadstroma]

I actually put some thought into this recently as retirement is starting to come into the thinkable future. I don't want to sit around all day waiting to die and I don't have major hobbies that most older people I know of have like golf or working on cars.

Of course travel will be a big part of what I want to do but you can't travel 24/7. Maybe writing? Try to keep active with some sort of excercise and maybe take some classes to keep mentally sharp. I really am still in the phase of hashing that out.

My main focus for retirement right now is rebuilding my retirement fund after the disaster of 2008 which really knocked me back and several 'lost' years after with being out of work or underemployed. If I do THIS right then I have more options for what I can do when I actually retire. Through some charity work and dealing with people's finances on a daily basis, I have seen way too many people that their whole retirement is basically how to financially survive to the next social security payment. No thanks.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Find someone who makes good wine and is hard up for cheap labor. Will work for wine imo.

 

[Chadstroma]

Two chicks at the same time.

That's it? You would do two chicks at the same time in retirement?

 

[Dentist]

8:30-9:00 - check my investments and see how the market is doing.

Before I retired I was obsessed. Every day I tracked and updated to see how close I was to retiring.The day I retired a switch went off and I no longer cared anywhere near as much. I check at best once a month now.

I used to be obsessed as well. The day I hired an outstanding Financial Planner it all changed. Now, I meet with him once a quarter to go over results and strategies, and I never even fret about it beyond that. Best move we ever made.

Interesting.

I couldn't do it (or at least i don't think i could)

I feel like I know more than most of those guys do and just don't feel like they could accomplish anything for me, and I'd be offended paying someone that knew less than I did on the subject.

Most of the bonds I wanted to get into had buyins way above what I could afford. Once I found out that by using a planner, I could get into specific bonds, the choice to move became easier.

I was like you in that I never expected to need a planner since I managed my money more than well enough to retire early, but I can now say I was wrong about that. My planner easily covers her fee in what she has provided.

And although I realize this is extremely sexist, if I did chose someone it could never been a woman.

Welcome, Time Traveler from 1955!

oh com'on.. if i was from 1955 I'd tell the female financial planner to go get my slippers and get back in the kitchen, slap her on the bum and call her "toots"

AT least in 2015 I can be honest that I'm having a sexist opinion and state that and move on.

That should earn me at least 1995 status.

But honestly I can't hardly stand doing business with just about any woman. Real estate, legal, accounting, any of it really.

 

[gameday]

Here's a forum I follow regarding retirement. These guys are extreme, but some of the ideas make sense.

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/

 

[NewlyRetired]

What do you plan on doing each day in retirement?

I think the typical answer is either travel (well, you can't travel every day unless you are very well off) or to do nothing. If nothing is your answer, what does that mean (lots of tv, computer, gym, etc???)

20+ years before I can fully think of what we will do.. But..Wife and I do know that one of our first trips after retirement will be to travel in a Class B RV from Montana to Arizona over a few months starting in August..

Basically chasing the Fall colors all the way down using this map ( with some side trips off the main course).

We are trying to decide between Class C and Class B. We want to travel the country once my daughter goes to college.

What makes you prefer the Class B?

 

[igbomb]

I think if you're under 40, for most people the thought is so far off it is just a dream...

I dream of a condo on the beach and sleeping in.

This. I'm 20 years away from retirement and all I can envision doing is just chilling out for a while. I know that won't hold interest or have anything in common with what retirement will actually be, but from my seat today just taking a break sounds like heaven.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Here's a forum I follow regarding retirement. These guys are extreme, but some of the ideas make sense.

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/

Here is another one that is very non extreme.

Just a lot of people who either retired early or want to, how they did it, and how they go about their retirements. There is a ton of good non financial specific info in here.

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/

 

[BeTheMatch]

It would be really nice if soft drugs were totally legal by time I retire and the whole autonomous car thing was in full effect.

I"m really counting on the driverless car thing being a part of my retirement era.

I don't like driving but I would like to travel domestically... but i want to watch movies/tv or read whilst doing it.. not have to keep my eyes on the road

This would be better than the Internet.

 

[Dentist]

It would be really nice if soft drugs were totally legal by time I retire and the whole autonomous car thing was in full effect.

I"m really counting on the driverless car thing being a part of my retirement era.

I don't like driving but I would like to travel domestically... but i want to watch movies/tv or read whilst doing it.. not have to keep my eyes on the road

This would be better than the Internet.

but I want my car to be wifi connected also. i want the internet AND a driverless car. First world greed!

 

[snogger]

What do you plan on doing each day in retirement?

I think the typical answer is either travel (well, you can't travel every day unless you are very well off) or to do nothing. If nothing is your answer, what does that mean (lots of tv, computer, gym, etc???)

20+ years before I can fully think of what we will do.. But..Wife and I do know that one of our first trips after retirement will be to travel in a Class B RV from Montana to Arizona over a few months starting in August..

Basically chasing the Fall colors all the way down using this map ( with some side trips off the main course).

We are trying to decide between Class C and Class B. We want to travel the country once my daughter goes to college.

What makes you prefer the Class B?

We had a Class C and it was nice for a family.. But with just two of us when we retire a Class B will be cheaper Fuel wise and easier for parking, driving, camping, etc.. Basically just a Larger Van

 

[NewlyRetired]

What do you plan on doing each day in retirement?

I think the typical answer is either travel (well, you can't travel every day unless you are very well off) or to do nothing. If nothing is your answer, what does that mean (lots of tv, computer, gym, etc???)

20+ years before I can fully think of what we will do.. But..Wife and I do know that one of our first trips after retirement will be to travel in a Class B RV from Montana to Arizona over a few months starting in August..

Basically chasing the Fall colors all the way down using this map ( with some side trips off the main course).

We are trying to decide between Class C and Class B. We want to travel the country once my daughter goes to college.

What makes you prefer the Class B?

We had a Class C and it was nice for a family.. But with just two of us when we retire a Class B will be cheaper Fuel wise and easier for parking, driving, camping, etc.. Basically just a Larger Van

Thanks, we are looking at smaller Class C's. I just want to make sure I am comfortable enough if I will be months on the road with it n

How is sleeping in a Class B?

 

[Dentist]

This. I'm 20 years away from retirement and all I can envision doing is just chilling out for a while. I know that won't hold interest or have anything in common with what retirement will actually be, but from my seat today just taking a break sounds like heaven.

you see this is the thing... If it were just possible to get like a month or two off... that would provide so much relaxation for me and allow me to recharge some batteries and really test out a semi-retirement.

Alas.. I've never had more than 8 days off in 14 years... I've only taken a full week off 3 times. Most of my vacations are like Wed through Sun.

 

[snogger]

Find someone who makes good wine and is hard up for cheap labor. Will work for wine imo.

I have a 12 Vine Vineyard.. Takes me about 8 hours each fall to harvest and crush.. You are more then welcome to come help.. I always have bottles of wine from the previous season in my cellar( OK, it's my basement but it works ) which I'll share

 

[Slapdash]

Whatever the #### I want to.

 

[snogger]

What do you plan on doing each day in retirement?

I think the typical answer is either travel (well, you can't travel every day unless you are very well off) or to do nothing. If nothing is your answer, what does that mean (lots of tv, computer, gym, etc???)

20+ years before I can fully think of what we will do.. But..Wife and I do know that one of our first trips after retirement will be to travel in a Class B RV from Montana to Arizona over a few months starting in August..

Basically chasing the Fall colors all the way down using this map ( with some side trips off the main course).

We are trying to decide between Class C and Class B. We want to travel the country once my daughter goes to college.

What makes you prefer the Class B?

We had a Class C and it was nice for a family.. But with just two of us when we retire a Class B will be cheaper Fuel wise and easier for parking, driving, camping, etc.. Basically just a Larger Van

Thanks, we are looking at smaller Class C's. I just want to make sure I am comfortable enough if I will be months on the road with it n

How is sleeping in a Class B?

No idea,haven't used one yet.. Like I said have 20 years before it will happen..

I do visit some RV sites here and there to look at the different models.. here is a pretty good one

 

[snogger]

Whatever the #### I want to.

 

[NREC34]

Weed

 

[E-Z Glider]

What do you plan on doing each day in retirement?

I think the typical answer is either travel (well, you can't travel every day unless you are very well off) or to do nothing. If nothing is your answer, what does that mean (lots of tv, computer, gym, etc???)

Not true. You can travel insanely cheap and go to stunning beautiful places if you do it right. The 3 biggest keys are booking last minute, going to off-the-beaten-path places (Costa Rica, Roatan, Belize, DR, Mexico, etc) and going during the off-season.

I plan to travel and fish a lot.

This is one of the things I'm really looking forward too.. you always hear about those people that got a great deal last minute.. or get a great deal flying on weird days... or like in Vegas how it's practically free to stay Sunday to Thursday because all the traffic is Friday and Saturday.

I'm looking forward to being able to take advantage of all those deals..

Right now i'm stuck in a mode where i only can take vacation mostly during high seasons, and generally have to utilize weekends to minimize down time at work... it's the worst and most expensive way to travel..... You can get a lot further for your dollars when you can see a deal and be like.. hey honey we're leaving for Costa Rica... in 2 days... pack your bags!

Have friends that do this. In the past couple years, they have stayed at an all inclusive in Cabo for $49/pp/wk (yes, week) and a beachfront villa in Costa Rica for $149/wk. These places are already open and operating and they'd rather have people there instead of being empty. Most recently, they stayed at this place in DR. Cost them half the price of what you'd pay for a crappy, smelly 2 BR condo in Ocean City, MD. Its sick what's out there if you know where to look and are available to go at the drop of a hat.

 

[James Daulton]

Sleep with his wife?

 

[E-Z Glider]

My mental image of E-Z Glider

I wish I had hair/beard like that. I definitely wouldnt mind being "stuck" on an island for a month or two.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Probably a lot of farting.

 

[chet]

Wife beater with orange stains from eating Doritos in bed waiting for my kid to come home for lunch so they can bring me a cold beer.

 

[Dentist]

Probably a lot of farting.

yeah, but i'm doing that at work too, what's the difference.

frankly, If no one is around to enjoy said farts aren't they of less value?

 

[glock]

NOT retiring to Florida.

"Heaven's waiting room..." said my father not long before he died.

 

[Brony]

My mental image of E-Z Glider

I wish I had hair/beard like that. I definitely wouldnt mind being "stuck" on an island for a month or two.

You definitely seem to be a low maintenance traveler. Work travel has spoiled me forever unfortunately. .

 

[E-Z Glider]

My mental image of E-Z Glider

I wish I had hair/beard like that. I definitely wouldnt mind being "stuck" on an island for a month or two.

You definitely seem to be a low maintenance traveler. Work travel has spoiled me forever unfortunately. .

I look at it 2 ways. I didnt travel to wherever Im going to see the inside of a house/hotel and no matter where I go, its not going to be as nice as my house at home. A vacation house/hotel is just a place to sleep that's near where I want to be.

 

[glumpy]

I've been trying to get back to the coast ever since leaving after school. Still the goal but at this point I'm looking forward toward career #4 and it's no closer to either retirement or saltwater.

 

[Capella]

I'm funna count my $tacks

 

[NewlyRetired]

Sometimes it is the small things.

Today I went outside to do some spring clean up and rake up some leaves.

The wind was not cooperating.

Before I retired, I would fight it out, get stressed out, because it would likely be the only time I could do the work.

Now I just put down the rake, came inside to play Diablo and will worry about the leaves during a less windy day.

Having free time is invaluable.

 

[FUBAR]

8:30-9:00 - check my investments and see how the market is doing.

Before I retired I was obsessed. Every day I tracked and updated to see how close I was to retiring.The day I retired a switch went off and I no longer cared anywhere near as much. I check at best once a month now.

I used to be obsessed as well. The day I hired an outstanding Financial Planner it all changed. Now, I meet with him once a quarter to go over results and strategies, and I never even fret about it beyond that. Best move we ever made.

Interesting.

I couldn't do it (or at least i don't think i could)

I feel like I know more than most of those guys do and just don't feel like they could accomplish anything for me, and I'd be offended paying someone that knew less than I did on the subject.

Most of the bonds I wanted to get into had buyins way above what I could afford. Once I found out that by using a planner, I could get into specific bonds, the choice to move became easier.

I was like you in that I never expected to need a planner since I managed my money more than well enough to retire early, but I can now say I was wrong about that. My planner easily covers her fee in what she has provided.

And although I realize this is extremely sexist, if I did chose someone it could never been a woman.

Welcome, Time Traveler from 1955!

oh com'on.. if i was from 1955 I'd tell the female financial planner to go get my slippers and get back in the kitchen, slap her on the bum and call her "toots"

AT least in 2015 I can be honest that I'm having a sexist opinion and state that and move on.

That should earn me at least 1995 status.

But honestly I can't hardly stand doing business with just about any woman. Real estate, legal, accounting, any of it really.

maybe it's you.

my boss is a female attorney, she's awesome.

 

[Jobber]

Weed and video games. Also doting over my kids and hopefully grandkids.

 

[Weeber]

8:30-9:00 - check my investments and see how the market is doing.

Before I retired I was obsessed. Every day I tracked and updated to see how close I was to retiring.The day I retired a switch went off and I no longer cared anywhere near as much. I check at best once a month now.

I used to be obsessed as well. The day I hired an outstanding Financial Planner it all changed. Now, I meet with him once a quarter to go over results and strategies, and I never even fret about it beyond that. Best move we ever made.

Interesting.

I couldn't do it (or at least i don't think i could)

I feel like I know more than most of those guys do and just don't feel like they could accomplish anything for me, and I'd be offended paying someone that knew less than I did on the subject.

Most of the bonds I wanted to get into had buyins way above what I could afford. Once I found out that by using a planner, I could get into specific bonds, the choice to move became easier.I was like you in that I never expected to need a planner since I managed my money more than well enough to retire early, but I can now say I was wrong about that. My planner easily covers her fee in what she has provided.

And although I realize this is extremely sexist, if I did chose someone it could never been a woman.

Welcome, Time Traveler from 1955!

oh com'on.. if i was from 1955 I'd tell the female financial planner to go get my slippers and get back in the kitchen, slap her on the bum and call her "toots"

AT least in 2015 I can be honest that I'm having a sexist opinion and state that and move on.

That should earn me at least 1995 status.

But honestly I can't hardly stand doing business with just about any woman. Real estate, legal, accounting, any of it really.

maybe it's you. my boss is a female attorney, she's awesome.

I'm going to have to agree on the financial aspect. Realator would be fine as a women though.

 

[roadkill1292]

You silly neanderthals. Women will do almost all of the professions, including investment, medicine and politics, better than men. Our male descendants will consider themselves lucky to get jobs as firemen.

 

[DocHolliday]

I am not going to retire from my corporate job until I am about 60. I will then continue with my construction side business for a few years if I can physically do it. It will not be a full time job. I will keep it operating like I do now as a side business. When I am not physically able to do my interior remodeling, I will go to Home Depot or Lowes. I do not plan on totally retiring until I am close to 70.

With any available free time due to semi-retirement and then retirement, I hope to spend more time playing guitar, reading, and traveling. Hopefully, I will have grandkids to keep me busy too.

I want to have stuff to do but not have time constraints to get them done. That seems like the best part of retirement. Doing nothing is not a goal. I have never been able to sit still.

 

[James Daulton]

I'd love to retire around 58, move to The Keys, and get a part time job (2x/week or so) cooking. I love to cook and think it'd be a blast to do so in a restaurant (but not have to do so full time or depend on the income).

 

[George Jefferson Airplane]

Weed

For your Glaucoma?

 

[johnnycakes]

nothing, i'll be dead before i retire. does that count?

This.

 

[johnnycakes]

Wife beater with orange stains from eating Doritos in bed waiting for my kid to come home for lunch so they can bring me a cold beer.

Almost sounds like Hugh Hefner's retirement.