Among Friends

[tarsmom]

I know a lot of you sweet ladies are retired, and I have 2.5 years to go.  I have a few classmates from HS that have retired already (we meet for an occasional Saturday breakfast).  

So what did you do differently?  Did you stop spending money on clothes, jewelry (QVC?) going out to eat?  How about the salon?  Did you let your hair go gray or did you keep going to your salon, but just not as often?  

Or did you keep doing mostly what you did while you were working?  Go out to eat once or twice a week?

I work with all young people and my family is mostly gone now so I don't really have anyone to ask .

I'm starting to think about how my life will change and what I will do.  I don't have GK and my only child lives out of state....I'm hoping he will find someone someday and settle down.

Any input is appreciated!  

[TX-starlight]

I had to retire a few yrs too early, due to my moms health. I took care of her 3yrs before her passing & prior to my actually being able to draw my SS. I had already let my hair go natural. I keep it cut on regular basis. I make time for family & friends & I stay busy almost constantly. I'm working on getting my house back in order, due to combining moms leftover household things. I go to eat regularly with school & work friends. I attend every sporting event of my g-kids. I sleep late, & stay up late, sometime all night. I have more free time to relax & do what I want, WHEN I want. That's the most enjoyable thing, is doing what I want, with no schedule (except for kids sports, which I dearly love). I don't spend money on jewelry, occasionally buy clothing.

[Bannafanna]

The best thing, is you only do what you love to do. Financially, you do what you can afford and in your budget. I live the same style as I did while working. My budget restrictions usually comes down to domestic or travels abroad. Retirement is a blessing. Enjoy your freedom and keep moving. Your wellness is the key. 

[Kachina624]

I let my hair go gray and started sleeping late, and later, and later.  Now I sleep most of the day and stay up most of the night.  I relocated from West Texas to New Mexico to help my parent who became legally blind.  They are gone now so I'm here all alone and the friends I made have died.  My relatives are all in Pa.  My life has become rather lonely.

[bonnielu]

I retired after 30 plus years of teaching.  I am now busier than ever... we square dance 6 times a week.  We visit our daughters, we go to dance festivals.  We have saved our money so are not lacking for funds or more importantly  for friends.  

[Katcat1]

@tarsmom  A lot depends on your income when retired and your savings.  I live in a one bedroom apt. that I love that has a large deck.  I still purchase clothes but usually what I need and sometimes because I like it.  Meet my BFF for lunch, I like to play card games on line (Spades, Hearts) to keep my mind alert, read, and looking forward to planting flowers in pots for the deck.  Love going to bed late and waking up late to NO alarm.    I have a cat that I love dearly that keeps me company and we play together.

[mac116]

I'll try to address all of your questions from my experience .

I spend less on clothes and jewelry because my lifestyle is more casual.

We eat out less because I have more time to cook.

I still color my hair, and go to the same $$ salon.  I really need to have a GOOD haircut.

I miss the camaraderie of people at work.

I read more, garden more, and walk more than I did before.

With all of that said, it has been a HARD transition for me.  I occasionally work at a part time job which I enjoy.

[Katcat1]

@Kachina624  It's good you have PA friends you can talk to on the phone.  Life sure changes as you age because you lose loved ones.  You have to learn to fill up your time no matter what it is.  Take care.  You can talk to me anytime you want.  

[GusMo]

I am sending in a retirement letter first thing in the am. 

I was hoping to wait a year, but there have been so many changes at work, this is the time. I think/hope I will be ok financially, but I do worry about being bored. I am giving 3 months notice, so I need to come up with a plan. 

[Kitlynn]

I love being retired! My husband and I own a business but I worked at a different company as I was working when we met. He takes off Fridays at noon and that is date day. We go out to eat every Friday and sometimes during the week. I cook when I am in the mood and I do enjoy trying new recipes. I am a night person so I stay up as late I want and sleep in. I am an avid reader so I really love being able to read to my hearts content. I go to lunch with friends off and on. I don't spend a lot on clothes as I went through my closet and purged to just what I really love and enjoy wearing. I get my hair cut and colored every five weeks along with a pedicure just like I have always done. I really enjoy planting flowers and gardening in the Summer. It is pretty much just do what I want when I want and it rocks!!!