Community Chat

[freckles10]

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?

[Peaches McPhee]

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.

[wildcat fan]

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!

[AnikaBrodie]

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.

[lulu2]

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.

[Financialgrl]

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.

[151949]

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

[freckles10]

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

[qualitygal]

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.

[Sooner]

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!