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Almost 1 Year to Go Until I retire!!!!

lefty

lefty

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 24, 2002
Location
Menlo Park, CA USA
Moto(s)
'05 ZRX1200
Name
Ed
I have been at my job for 39 years. I plan to retire in about 13 months. I am sooo excited. I have been planning what my next 'jobs' will be. I want to do lots of volunteer work. I want to keep busy. I am passionate about cooking, so I hope to volunteer at a place where I can help prepare food for the homeless/elderly/needy/battered Women's shelter.

When I was in my 20's, I was in a Safeway at 5:00AM, prior to going in to work, and I saw this man, who I have admired ever since. He was this old Black Man filling up his little pickup truck with the day old bread from the store. He told me that he delivers bread to the homeless shelters/food banks. Ever since that time, I have always said that is what I want to do when I retire. So, that is what I will do. My last volunteer job, before Covid, was teaching reading at the East Palo Alto library. I may try that again too.

I have lots of hobbies, one of which is RC planes. I have just started flying again. So, I hope to spend a lot of time doing that. If any of you want to go out and fly rc planes, let me know.

What are your retirement plans?
 
I am a bit less than a year I think.

My plan is to ride a lot. Work to make barf better.
Study more history of California most likely. Write a book about Growing Up in Silicon Valley.

Maybe do video work for aspiring athletes looking for sponsorship… or just fun stuff.
 
The timing of this tread is interesting.
This topic has been quite the subject around my house.
I turn 66 in May. I'm gonna give my notice right after my birthday.
I have an odd dilemma. I spent 40 years in the automotive industry, counting the days til retirement.
Now I have a new problem. I'm reluctant to quit the best job I ever had.
A good problem to have, I suppose.
My son tells me I'm gonna need to go back to work after I retire, just to get some rest.
I'm gonna have no problem staying busy.
 
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You can do it! I retired over 10 years ago and figured I had enough hobbies to keep me busy with motorcycles, photography, astronomy and fishing, but keeping fit was one thing I needed to address! I joined a health club and hated repetitions exercises. Then I discovered pickleball and dropped 15 pounds immediately, although those pounds came back as I became a better player. At 75 my tires last longer and gas mileage gets better on the bike, but look out on the pickleball court. Just need to remember I'm not 16 chasing balls!
 
bmwbob51 said:
You can do it! I retired over 10 years ago and figured I had enough hobbies to keep me busy with motorcycles, photography, astronomy and fishing, but keeping fit was one thing I needed to address! I joined a health club and hated repetitions exercises. Then I discovered pickleball and dropped 15 pounds immediately, although those pounds came back as I became a better player. At 75 my tires last longer and gas mileage gets better on the bike, but look out on the pickleball court. Just need to remember I'm not 16 chasing balls!
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That is great to hear. I have two dogs, so I hope to do a lot of hiking with them.
 
Right on you guys. I have five or six more years. I cannot fucking wait but I also have a great job now. It burns me out, but parts will and I live my team. That said, I can't wait.
 
Melissa said:
won't make each working day or will not be living?
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My gramma told me, as she lay in pain for years suffering all manner of ailments half paralyzed from strokes, don't get old, die first. And she would grab my arm and beg to be taken into the hills and be left to die.

I'm falling apart and am starting to think like my grandpa, who's biggest concern was waiting too long...
 
Its gonna be hard for me to completely step away from what I'm doing.
I can't imagine doing more rewarding work.
I've told my guys I'd do this job for free.
Now I just may have to prove some of those words.
 
Establishing and coordinating the 14 year plan. A bit behind some here. Doing a soft transition with starting a solo business and navigating the next decade and a half. 2 little roommates that need a lot of attention, as that declines, I can get back to focusing on myself! :laughing

I expect to continue operating the business. Wife will be free to be retired (which I don't think she will do 100%).

Kids will do all they can to disrupt these plans. They are adversaries #1 and #2.
 
ctwo said:
My gramma told me, as she lay in pain for years suffering all manner of ailments half paralyzed from strokes, don't get old, die first. And she would grab my arm and beg to be taken into the hills and be left to die.

I'm falling apart and am starting to think like my grandpa, who's biggest concern was waiting too long...
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I'm really sorry to hear this. If I can be of assistance, please reach out.
 
gixxerjeff said:
Its gonna be hard for me to completely step away from what I'm doing.
I can't imagine doing more rewarding work.
I've told my guys I'd do this job for free.
Now I just may have to prove some of those words.
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That doesn't seem like something you retire from.
Retirement is the shift from doing what you have to do to earn a living everyday, to doing what you want to do everyday.
If you are already doing exactly what you want to do and you love it, then you are as good as retired already.
 
augustiron said:
That doesn't seem like something you retire from.
Retirement is the shift from doing what you have to do to earn a living everyday, to doing what you want to do everyday.
If you are already doing exactly what you want to do and you love it, then you are as good as retired already.
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But there inlies my dilemma.
My s/o has a terminal illness. We expect maybe 10 more years, if we're lucky.
Its a balancing act...I'm almost having to triage my time.
Deep down I know the right thing to do.
Its weird to call my helping others "selfish" but that's kinda where I'm at.
 
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Yeah....ooof.
I believe the solution is to step away from my full-time role but keep a toe in the water by doing some outreach and part time counseling.
Regardless, I'm hitting the eject button in May.
I confess I am looking forward to no particular schedule.
 
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lefty said:
What are your retirement plans?
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Get out on the motorcycle for a ride of 150 - 250 miles once a week. Do similar stuff in my 4x4 regularly. Travel a lot. Read a lot of books. Exercise regularly.

I've been at it for more than ten years, so that's the stuff I've stuck with.

Things I was going to do but haven't really felt like doing lately: grow a vegetable garden. After giving up on that, grow a flower garden. Mostly gave up on that too. Do a lot of watercolor painting - my heart is just not in it. Write my life history - could still happen.
 
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