topic Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this in Community Chat

Ladies,your thoughts on this

freckles10 — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 15:45:47 GMT

I'm 53 and thinking about quitting my job after 18 years,I was sixteen when I started to work Thinking about doing some volunteer work. Has anyone done this?

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

Peaches McPhee — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 16:45:21 GMT

Well, it is a personal decision.

Can you afford to stop working? Can you support yourself until SS kicks in? What about health insurance?

Personally, I think 53 is too young to "retire", so I like your idea of doing volunteer work to stay active.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

wildcat fan — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:50:42 GMT

I agree with Peaches McPhee about finances. Before making any major decisions, it's important to think about how you will finance the future without that pay check.

Also, think about whether you truly want to retire or if you just need a career change. At 53, you have plenty of great years ahead. If volunteer work is what you want to do, then I'm sure you'll find plenty of organizations who could use your help. I wish you the best!

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

AnikaBrodie — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 22:43:32 GMT

DH and I did volunteer work after we retired. It was important to stay busy and involved and that's when we got involved in a pet therapy program. Giving back to our community is important to us.

Quitting or retiring is a major decision. Consider your options before making that decision.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

lulu2 — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 23:23:26 GMT

Due to medical reasons I was 52 when I took early retirement. (I was a teacher) After a year of therapy, I was able to volunteer at the hospital. I have not missed working for one moment.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

Financialgrl — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:54:12 GMT

Retired early when the job was transferring and I didn't want to move. I took very early retirement. When you retire, the number one issue is finding or having enough to keep you busy. I love to travel and when I retired, I worked more than a few part time and temp jobs and put that money aside in a travel fund. Temping was the absolute best solution for me - I was offered positions for a certain amount of money for a certain number of hours and I could accept/decline as I wished.

Volunteering was great if you can find the right thing for you. Friends and I have found that many volunteer situations start out fine and then push and want/require more out of you than maybe you intended. I volunteered one place where the office politics, cliques, and choosing sides made the environment difficult - if I had to put up with that, I'd have followed my job AND getting paid for the same aggravation.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

151949 — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:18:27 GMT

I think at 53 , unless a person has health issues, it is plainly just lazy to quit work and sit at home all day.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

freckles10 — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:21:43 GMT

Thank you everyone for your input,I will take all your suggestions into consideration.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

qualitygal — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:48:41 GMT

If you were a relative I'd suggest that you work as long as you are able. (Don't know your reasons for considering this). Volunteer on your off time. Sometimes the grass looks greener elsewhere and then you find out it isn't.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

Sooner — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:47:07 GMT

Obviously you have the finances to support you or you wouldn't be seriously considering retiring. If that is what you want to do, DO IT! Don't listen to judgmental people who know nothing at all about you. Lots of fine and noble people do not have to work. If you don't want to and don't have to, go for it!

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

qvcfreak — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 21:40:00 GMT

I'm 52 retired at 51 but I get a monthly check and insurance for life, retired from the State and I also have a 401K when I turn 59 plus social security later on. And I do a lot of volunteer work at our church plus teach CCE.

I will add, I worked 29 yrs. 3 months for the state. And I'm not lazy, I was just tired of all the ugly at work.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

freckles10 — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 21:58:26 GMT

Thank you again for your suggestions,and I am not lazy as I have worked 37 years straight,no kids,no break. Everyone has their right to their own opinion,but it's sad when people have to bash someone who ask for suggestions,apparently they are not so happy!

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

violann — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 23:29:32 GMT

I worked until 64, and wish I'd been able to work longer. I'm very active and involved- just miss the paycheck.

Re: Ladies,your thoughts on this

goodstuff — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 23:37:03 GMT

If you can afford to stop working and have access to good medical insurance, why not? You can do good, enjoy yourself, and learn new things doing volunteer work.......with much less stress and time commitment than working a full-time job. I've spent periods of my life working full-time, periods when I was a homemaker and involved in volunteer and church work, and now DH and I are enjoying retirement. All good in their own way. There's nothing "lazy" about choosing to do volunteer work instead of paid work, as long as you can live on your savings/investments/other income and stay involved in worthwhile pursuits. There are plenty of volunteer and learning opportunities to keep you engaged and growing. In fact, you might look at it as leaving a paying job to someone who truly needs it!