Sorry I think you may have told me that last time we spoke. Hopefully we'll have a good chat next time you travel with us. Re last year of 4th yr leavers. It pees me off we missed the 65 deadline. For state pension. Thought that would have made logical sense.
Many congratulations, I've been retired 9 years and it's been tremendous fun. Enjoy your retirement, good luck.
Enjoy, I'm 10 weeks into early retirement, the Mrs is about 7 years behind me, cos I'm old (shes young) and she's just about starting to get pīssed off wi me now
Hope you enjoy your retirement. I’m genuinely jealous and in awe of anyone who can retire and enjoy it. I’m 52 and we have worked all our lives with the intention of being able to retire at 55. Whilst we are still on track for that I’m seriously starting to regret the plan and not looking forward to it as I’m already questioning what I will do with myself.
Tbh mate, it's each to their own. My partner in crime (me a spark, him a fitter) finished on the same day as I did. Difference is. I'm 65. he's 70. He kept going as he did'nt know what he was going to do with himself. Single, Keen golfer but knackered knees. Took him a few months for him to not regret his decision as he missed the camaraderie of colleagues. Now enjoys company of his grandkids. And most times I try ring him, he's off gallivanting abroad. My biggest worry agonising over retirement early was affordability. Fortunately I'm ok. And wish I'd done it earlier. I could have managed easily enough.
I think retirement - particularly early retirement - is treated a bit differently when you're young like we are! I'm 37, and I suppose my whole plan is geared towards 'retiring' as early as possible, but in reality that just means stopping what I'm doing currently. I can't see myself ever not doing other bits and pieces of work as they come along, or even working full time - it's just that luxury of being able to pick and choose a bit more! Obviously I need to try and make sure I've got money in the bank - and hopefully a place to live - when it gets to the point where I really can't do anything, but at the moment I'm just working towards enough of a cushion that I don't have to worry in the meantime. I guess I see retirement as more of a financial goal than a work one, if that makes sense. I could quite happily conceive of myself as being 'retired' but also having a job,
I retired at 57. It meant a bit of sacrifice. The niceish car replaced by a 12 year old Toyota. Less holidays away. But I've loved every minute of it. I very rarely have to do anything I don't want to or don't enjoy. We're lucky enough to live in a lovely part of the world. My partner is amazing. Best years of my life. I know some people have difficulty adjusting but most do. I think it's tempting to keep working to rack up a big pot of money but you can get by on a lot less and I took the view that there's no point saving up a fortune and then being too old and tired to enjoy it by the time you do retire.
Same boat. Could probably do it at 57, but 57-60 will be my lad’s uni years, if that’s what he decides to do. So I’ll probably need to stay on the payroll for those last 3 years
I think your right, certainly that was always our aim, to be in a position, as it gets nearer in reality I just can’t see myself stopping completely for my own sanity and probably my Wife’s.
Totally agree on this, my Wife gave up work when she had our second child as she wanted to be at home for them, she earned more than me at the time and I was genuinely concerned how we would manage as we never had much money left over each month. In reality very little changed, how I describe it to people is if we were walking down street and saw a TV we would walk in and buy it for cash there and then after she packed up we would still buy the TV but would wait until we saved up for it, looking back it certainly helped we wouldn’t take credit on anything certainly helped. In short it’s surprising how much less money you can manage on.
Have a great retirement mate. You will not regret a minute. We must be of similar age. I started work July 3 1972. Worked for 38 years then made redundant in 2010 at 54. Never looked back. Just trimmed my cloth to suit and enjoyed life. Been retired now for 12 years and now have the added bonus of my government pension to help me enjoy life even more.
Yes we are mate..remember being up in Dundee in the 80's as some mates lived in Dudhope Street.. they live down here now but we're planning some trips up north for next year...
Give me heads up if you return to Dundee. Dudhope street not far from where I was brought up until the age of 8.
Late to this thread but @Skinner have a great retirement I hope you have a long and happy one and can do a lot of the things you wanted to do but never had the time! Im 60 next year and looking at when I can retire - probably can now but I think another year or so should mean I am able to do a bit more travelling etc - though its hard to plan at the moment with value of pension funds in nosedive
