My spouse and I both retired and now life truly begins

[Joe Nation]

No congratulations necessary. We've both heard that plenty this past week. We also have been asked over and over what we plan to do with all that free time. It's a tougher question than it sounds. Certainly travel, write, read, and all those other leisure activities are on the menu but what will keep us interested long-term. We're both relatively young. We're both healthy. We are fortunate enough to have some means to retire on.

The only answer that makes any sense is to give back to our community. Volunteering, teaching, helping others less fortunate, and making the world a little kinder with both our hands and our hearts. It's kind of selfish of us because there is nothing that makes you feel better about yourself than helping others. Giving is it's own reward as they say. And I have always found this to be true.

So I guess the short answer regarding our retirement plans is that we're going to be selfish. With any luck, very, very selfish.

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Congrats, Anyway!

I enjoy retirement immensely.
I substitute teach science & math grades 6-12.
I like it, and it seems useful.

[wiggs]

2. Good thoughts. Enjoy! nt

[Pinback]

3. Great perspective.

One of the things I’m most looking forward to as the summer unfolds is getting back to more volunteer work.

A retired friend wrote a while back and described her deep satisfaction at being able to teach citizenship classes to immigrants. She had several “graduates” who are now newly minted U.S. citizens! Now that’s a great use of time and a fantastic way to leave a lasting legacy.

Whatever you and your wife pursue, I hope it will be rewarding and fun.

[Tree Lady]

4. I used to feel guilty if I wasn't doing something

But then in a Thich Nhat Hanh book I read a page about doing nothing, I don't remember the exact words but basically he was saying how good it was to do nothing. Just sit and stare at a bird, the flowers in my backyard, etc.

Ever since I don't care what others think, I tell them I am enjoying my retirement and I started doing less and being more present with my life. Enjoying the small things.

Which helped me a lot since covid and we couldn't go out to eat or travel.

I retired early because hubby older than me and we can pay the bills with his pension, so I got SS early at 62. My kids used to bug me to get a part time job but now almost 65 they have given up. What are you doing today mom? Reading a book with dog by my side, going for a hike, dance class, wine tasting with a friend. That's my life. 😁

[Diamond_Dog]

5. Awesome, Tree Lady. Me too.

[llmart]

16. I agree wholeheartedly with Thich Nhat Hanh.

I believe that constantly being busy robs us of evolving into who we were meant to be in this world. I have to remind myself not to always be looking for work to do around the house and yard. I've adopted a motto of "no more rushing to do anything". There's no more multitasking, list making, shoulds or musts. I started in the work force at 17 right after high school graduation and worked until I was almost 70. Retirement is a huge adjustment, so I gave myself the first year of just settling into it and then the pandemic hit. Now that things are slowly getting back to normal I may do some spontaneous day trips to visit and hike in some new parks, or check out a local coffee shop or two. As I get older I find that I'm quite content to not have any agenda.

[brush]

6. The best thing about it is your time is your own. No boss,...

no job to get to, no stress. Enjoy.

You can even work on campaigns if you want...voter reg, canvassing now that covid isn't such a threat, phone banking.

[Skittles]

7. that is what I intend to do when I retire

I want to do some meaningful volunteering.....I'm thinking perhaps something to do with helping homeless folk.

[Throck]

8. Up yours.

Congratulations anyways.

Love the retirement plans. Nobel and kind. In alignment with mine.

[LakeArenal]

9. We agree totally. We said no more opinions from employers, parents or siblings!! Yay

We sold all our possessions and moved sight unseen to Costa Rica.

We are having the best time. Close to the time of our life.

Pura Vida as they say here. Have fun.

[DavidDvorkin]

10. Before long, you'll find yourself wondering how you ever had time for a job.

Last edited Sat May 29, 2021, 10:40 PM - Edit history (1)

[Peacetrain]

11. This!!!

Honest to God Mr Peacetrain and I ask that all the time.. How the heck did we get anything done before.. our day is full..

[betsuni]

12. My husband retired last year and I'm so happy for him.

Now he has time to read books, reads the whole newspaper and finds things he's interested in. Takes long walks every day. The best thing is that without the stress of his job he's much more laid back, doesn't get so upset at little things. Also, he loves doing the laundry and does more of the cleaning and even the shopping. We'll be moving back to his hometown this autumn and then he can think bout a job or volunteering and things like that. Life is beginning for him.

[Vdizzle]

13. Golf. Lots of golf.

[Mr.Bill]

14. Definitely find a volunteer job.

My wife and I both have volunteered at our local hospital for five years. When the pandemic happened, they shut the volunteer progeam down. My was was an RN and worked there before she retired. I have no medical education or work history, but there are things I can do. I ran the Surgery waiting room and checked people in.

You will find that with no money involved, about 90% of the stress from work is gone. You don't worry about your next raise, getting laid off, whether someone is making more than you and shouldnt, etc. I also worked on the scholarship committee and got to go to high school graduation cermonies and hand out a few scholarships. Fun times.

[UGADawg]

15. You sound like us 10 years ago. You will..............

see that retirement is a 3 legged stool.
Health, time and money. One will go it;s when and why.

[keithbvadu2]

20. 3 legged stool

[keithbvadu2]

17. Volunteering can help give you a sense of purpose.

Volunteering can help give you a sense of purpose.

Some folks retire to the rocking chair with wine or the fishing boat with beer.

Make sure that your volunteer work is to your benefit in self-satisfaction.

You can 'volunteer' to the point that you have a full time job that has stress, no pay, and no benefits.

[TNNurse]

18. Take it slow, it is an adjustment.

Two weeks after we retired, my husband was diagnosed with a liposarcoma behind his knee. This called for a trip to Vanderbilt ( a few hours west of us) and subsequent surgery and follow up appointments. People had asked us if we planned to travel when we retired, we did not know it would be back and forth on I-40 for the next few months. He is fine now but still, plans do not always work.

Also, give yourself some time away from each other, it will make the time together even better. We just celebrated 42 years together, but 24/7 every day is tough.

Enjoy, it is really quite wonderful.

[Gilbert Moore]

19. Been 6 years

Take it slow. Don't bite off more than you care to chew.

ANYONE, PM if you choose. Habitat, hospice, fundraising, travel, charity and a few more. PLEASE feel free to PM me. ANYONE !

[GulfCoast66]

21. Good for you. The only good thing about losing my very successful dad when I was 23.

It totally change in my perspective.

He had a great university job and saved 25% of his pay while still giving my sister and I a very good childhood and university education. All because he had so many dreams about the things he was going to do in retirement. Then died at 55 right after retirement. Mother is in great shape physically and financially, but I learned a real lesson. Don’t count your chickens!

Dad wanted to go to Europe a bunch after he retired. Never made it. At 55 I’ve been 10 times. Was going to buy a nice boat after he retired. Never got it. I’ve had one since I was 45.

I’m glad for you and this response is not for you. You made it and are about to realize your dream. I am very happy for you. This is for the younger people on DU. The few there are. Save your money, its important to do and the wife and I have saved well. Like you we are in a good place. But don’t defer all your dreams until you are old. It may not happen.

I’m younger than you so feel silly recommending anything. But I’d say get the traveling done first. Your ability won’t last forever.

I’m happy for you and look forward to when I can make the same post on DU. Hopefully in 6-7 years.