topic Re: being Retired is nice in Community Chat

being Retired is nice

Goodie2shoes — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:45:46 GMT

I don't know about anyone else but I feel so blessed to be retired since April 2016 after a 45 year career as a nurse, able to get up when I want to in the morning, do my chores (housekeeping etc) when I want to ( I do keep everything clean, dishes washed, clothes washed, dusting, vacuuming etc) I can come and go as I please. I am able to shop as I please, buy what I want when I want. My 2013 Equinox only has 76,000 miles on it and I bought it new (it's paid for) . Now I did go through the repeat right knee replacement last year (some may remember my story) but I am fine, still a little swelling in the knee but it's ok. I feel so blessed at 70, type 2 diabetes under control, off all meds and I have lost weight so I had to replace my wardrobe. My children and grandchildren are doing well. Thank you Lord for everyday and every blessing ! Anyone else know what I'm talking about ? What's your story ?

Re: being Retired is nice

kaydee50 — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:36:08 GMT

DH and I both retired in our mid 50s. We have been very much enjoying the past 20 years. Can't imagine being in the workforce and are so thankful we don't have to be!

Re: being Retired is nice

Tallgal — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:37:44 GMT

Congratulations on your retirement! I retired last August 2020, every day I count my blessings. I am blessed to provide additonal volunteer support to the SPCA in my community. Life is good!

Re: being Retired is nice

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:38:48 GMT

I say a prayer of gratitude every day that I'm retired. Don't get me wrong, I liked my work in health care, but toward the end of my full time work it became difficult. I worked per diem a few years just to ease out , but now I enjoy my freedom, I'm never bored. I know some my age that are still working, and bless them, you have to do what is right for you.

Re: being Retired is nice

Goodie2shoes — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:42:28 GMT

@Tallgalwrote: Congratulations on your retirement! I retired last August 2020, every day I count my blessings. I am blessed to provide additonal volunteer support to the SPCA in my community. Life is good!

That's awesome that you were able to retire especially with the pandemic going on. I retired in April of 2016 and never looked back. I understand fully what these nurses are going through caring for covid patients. My heart goes out to them

Re: being Retired is nice

J Town Girl — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:50:48 GMT

Both my husband and I are retired. I took an early retirement and never had one moment of regret. I enjoyed the many years of working in my field but I knew when it was time to leave.

My husband and I often comment about how happy we are to be retired. We love staying up late at night and being able to sleep in until we decide to get up. For years my husband had to get up at 4:30 AM to be at work at 6:00 AM. For him it's a joy to sleep later in the morning.

We are so grateful to be out of the workforce. The thought of having to work through the pandemic and fear getting Covid-19 would have been frightening as neither of us had jobs that would have allowed us to work from home.

Re: being Retired is nice

SloopJohnB — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:52:27 GMT

@Goodie2shoes Anyone else know what I'm talking about ? What's your story ?

@Goodie2shoes Well, to answer your 2 questions..... Unfortunately, no, as I'm still working full time. LOL. And my story is, I can't wait until I can retire, too. I'm envious and happy for you. I would love to be able to wake up without having an alarm clock going off before the crack of dawn. Even with the pandemic we had to come to work every day as my position is not something I could do from home.

While I do enjoy my job, I so look forward to the day when I can make my own schedule, or not, and enjoy my life with my family.

Re: being Retired is nice

Mz iMac — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:57:45 GMT

Me leaving the office at the ripe young age of 50 on my last day of working in the rat race....

Haven't looked back since. That was 21 yrs ago. I've been partying each day like it's 1999 ever since.

Re: being Retired is nice

wilma — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:00:05 GMT

My husband and I both planned on working until we were 60 - 65, but circumstances resulted in us both retiring in our 50s. My husband is 64 now and I'm 58.

My husband worked for the US Navy as a civilian engineer. They closed our local facility and begged him to come to California, but he decided to retire early so he could stay here to take care of his aging parents. Fortunately, his retirement benefits, even at a reduced rate due to his age, are enough for us to live on. He is in good health.

I've been sickly since birth. I taught school for 32 years before retiring due to chronic health issues. I have debated returning since my health is better, and there is a shortage and need for teachers in my area, but my husband and doctors don't want me to.

We both loved our jobs so we miss them from time to time. We don't miss getting up at 5:30 in the morning though. We want to do some traveling before we both get too old, but it seems something always comes up that prevents it.

Re: being Retired is nice

On It — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:00:31 GMT

I enjoy not having to adhere to anyone's schedule other than our own. I resent the days that we have doctor's appointments. Coming and going as you please and no work issues to manage are nice perks.

Re: being Retired is nice

Vivian — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:02:39 GMT

My husband and I retired at the end of 2008. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Once I recovered we had a great time...traveling, dining out, visiting family and friends, working out M-F at the Y. A few years after that, my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. His grandmother had it so it was likely passed on.

In two weeks we are going to visit family, whom we haven't seen in a year. This will be no vacation. Rather, I want to see my 99 year old mother as well as my brother and sister-in-law, who lost their only child to drugs last year. All I can say is that you never know what life can throw at you. If you can retire, do it and enjoy it while you can.

Re: being Retired is nice

Another new name Sue — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:20:25 GMT

@wilma

Why don't you do some tutoring? No doubt there will be many, many kids lagging behind at this point. You could really make a difference in a child's life.

Re: being Retired is nice

Goodie2shoes — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:22:18 GMT

@Vivianwrote: In two weeks we are going to visit family, whom we haven't seen in a year. This will be no vacation. Rather, I want to see my 99 year old mother as well as my brother and sister-in-law, who lost their only child to drugs last year. All I can say is that you never know what life can throw at you. If you can retire, do it and enjoy it while you can.

Enjoy your visit with your mom ! it's a blessing that you can still have some time with her. 99 ! awesome ! I lost my mom last year from covid, she was 88. I'm thankful for those 88 years of her love for her children.

Re: being Retired is nice

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:22:56 GMT

@Goodie2shoes I retired right before the pandemic hit, so I feel like I'm just now settling in to retirement. Today I did some housework, weeded the flower bed and then went to the pool! I just feel so relaxed right about now. I've been able to travel to visit and sit for the grandchildren whenever I'm needed. It feels great being useful that way! DH is still working, so I'm not sure how it will be when he retires. TBD.

Re: being Retired is nice

wilma — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:26:57 GMT

@Another new name Sue wrote:
@wilma
Why don't you do some tutoring? No doubt there will be many, many kids lagging behind at this point. You could really make a difference in a child's life.

@Another new name Sue

I have signed up to volunteer tutor at a local community center. I should get more information soon.

Re: being Retired is nice

Mary Bailey — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:34:30 GMT

I'm happy for all you retirees! and a little jealous LOL

DH retired Sept 2020 at 66.

I hope I get to retire someday. I've been working since I was 16. This week I have 3 days off. Every month I take off a few days.

Re: being Retired is nice

kittykatkay — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:38:08 GMT

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT!!!

GOD blessed me with retirement at the age of 48. It was with a medical college and they gave only a certain amount of people (800 of us out of 8,000 employees) who qualified, 5 years added to their retirement along with 16% added to retirement $$$. I was making more staying home than if I continued to work. GOD BLESSED ME in that this gave me the opportunity to take care of my dear mom for 8 years before she passed.

I knew I would miss my colleagues, but this was a rare, unbelievable opportunity that never happened before and will probably never happen again. When I walked out of my office for the last time on that Friday afternoon at 5 pm......I picked up our microphone (that we used to page doctors, residents, employees) and announced in a clear, heartfelt, but happy voice....

"ELVIS HAS LEFT BUILDING"....and I did.

Re: being Retired is nice

ALRATIBA — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:56:53 GMT

Retirement is great!

I retired in Oct. 2010 - almost 11 years ago - after working almost 50 years!

I love having the freedom to do what I want, when I want to do it.

Re: being Retired is nice

godi — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 22:19:33 GMT

So grateful to be able to be retired and not have to supplement my income with a part time job. My brother has to work part time to make ends meet. (I do help) I think he enjoys it though. Some people need that schedule of a job and others do not. I have my DH and my brother lost his love this February so maybe it's a blessing for him to get out and see other people a few days a week. I for one to do not miss that dreaded alarm clock, Monday mornings and that commute. Such freedom. Sorry I'm rattling on here. ❤️

Re: being Retired is nice

lynnie61 — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 23:58:03 GMT

@Goodie2shoes And all you other retirees, congratulations! I have about 18 months to go. It’s so much harder than even 10 years ago. Understaffed, demanding, so busy. They offered packages to leave last year, I applied and was denied. So many tried for it they could not grant it to everyone. (Paid to go). I could probably afford to go now, but trying to hold out to 62. But my turn will come. Even since the pandemic, time has gone quickly.

Glad to hear that so many of you love it. I have worked since I was 16, so I am certainly READY! I know I will not miss the 5 am alarm clock and the commute. Have worked at the same company for 42 years.