Retirement opportunity deal killers

[Focus]

I've heard that the longer one has been retired, the harder it is to give up certain aspects of retired life when opportunities (such as part-time work or volunteer assignments) are offered.

Only three months into ER, I'm already seeing the truth of this, and I've started to compile my deal killers related to new opportunities. At the top of my list would be having to start the day early (sleeping in has become too important) and managing other people.

What are your deal killers? What aspects of ER would you never give up?

 

[REWahoo]

What aspects of ER would you never give up?

Every last one of them.

 

[harley]

+1. I'm never going back, unless civilization as we know it ends.

 

[Nodak]

+2 could never go back

 

[audreyh1]

I've heard that the longer one has been retired, the harder it is to give up certain aspects of retired life when opportunities (such as part-time work or volunteer assignments) are offered.

Only three months into ER, I'm already seeing the truth of this, and I've started to compile my deal killers related to new opportunities. At the top of my list would be having to start the day early (sleeping in has become too important) and managing other people.

What are your deal killers? What aspects of ER would you never give up?

Opportunities?

Opportunities to work?

 

[Focus]

Opportunities?

Opportunities to work?

Could be. Maybe part-time or temporary. Or a volunteer assignment. Any new endeavor, really.

 

[harley]

Opportunities?

Opportunities to work?

Could be. Maybe part-time or temporary. Or a volunteer assignment. Any new endeavor, really.

I think Audrey's point is that many of us don't consider going back to work an "opportunity". More like a misfortune.

 

[Focus]

I think Audrey's point is that many of us don't consider going back to work an "opportunity". More like a misfortune.

I know, I know. It's a four-letter word! That's why I was trying to have "opportunity" encompass anything that involves an investment of time in retirement, whatever that looks like.

 

[stepford]

Every. Last. Damn. Second. of my current (and final) OMY is being spent so that I never need to avail myself of that "opportunity" again.

 

[harley]

Truthfully, I wouldn't give up any of my joy and freedom of retirement unless they were pulling a very large dump truck full of cash into my driveway. Even then I might say no. It's not so much the thought of getting up at the same time every morning, because I have to do that anyway. My 15 year old Chihuahua has a very consistent bladder and a difficult to ignore yap.

It's the thought of having to be somewhere for a set period of time. Every day. Even if I wanted to go kayaking or to the library. And being around a bunch of people if I didn't feel like it. And especially meetings. There's something about being FI that makes meetings either unbearable, or an opportunity to be an ass.

You're only a few months into FIRE you said. So you haven't developed the incredible resistance to employment that many of us have. I actually do have a small business, but the hours are random and rare, and I am fairly well compensated for them. It's the daily grind that would get me, even if it was just a couple of days a week. Since I have enough, why would I put myself through that?

I'll be interested in seeing if you return to this thread in a few years and have a different outlook.

 

[LarryG]

Just coming up on 2 years in my ER. Do I have deal killers? Oh you bet:

1. Anything requiring me to get up early.
2. Anything requiring me to be on a set schedule
3. Anything requiring me to be somewhere on a daily basis
4. Anything requiring me to commute in rush hour traffic (or any traffic)
5. Anything where I have a boss
6. Anything where I have to manage people (had my share of that)
7. Anything where I have to sit in meetings that I did not call
8. Anything with deadlines not in my control
9. Anything requiring me to travel where I do not want to go
10. Anything where I have to make and deliver Powerpoint presentations.
11. I could go on and on....

So if someone can find me a paid assignment that does not contain any of these deal killers, I'm ready to go!

So far no one has approached me with anything close

 

[Goonie]

If it has anything at all to do with employment or doing anything other than I'm doing or not doing currently, it's a deal killer!

I am 100% unemployable!

 

[unclemick]

Work is a four letter word!

I spent 7 hours today helping prepare a Church lunch and subsequent cleanup because 3 people went home with the flu and 2 no shows(flu also).

I never volunteer for nothing - I was only gonna help the Wife carry in some table decorations from the car.

Some days political correctness and nice sucks!

heh heh heh - Gonna dust off the old Curmudgeon Certificate and develop a 6th sense. Coulda stayed home and watched football.

 

[razztazz]

I would go back to work for 5 million dollars per day. Then quit after the first day. Maybe around lunchtime even. I could force myself to do it for that much

 

[W2R]

I can't think of any reason why I would ever want to work again.

Just before I retired, my agency broached the idea of me maybe doing some contract work for them later on. I smiled and told them the agency didn't have enough money to hire me.

 

[Meadbh]

Before ER I had notions of doing part time consulting. I did one project, but I just couldn't motivate myself to go out hunting for more. Then I had an offer to go back to work doing stuff I hate to do, in another city. I visited the work location and immediately noticed that my anxiety level was up. My subconscious did not want me to be there. No way was I was pursuing this "opportunity".

I do volunteer, but only in a way that allows me time flexibility. One of my friends recently quit a volunteer activity because it was beginning to feel like a job and was interfering with her travel plans.

 

[davemartin88]

My DW and I volunteer and help out in our area regularly but like others have posted, I don't get involved if there is a set schedule- don't mind supporting an event or two at a set time but nothing that would involve meeting weekly or monthly. I've been asked multiple times to join Rotary or other clubs but the weekly luncheons (along with other concerns) stop me- I tell them I'm happy to help with their projects if needed but don't want to be a full member with all that it would bring.

As for opportunities, I have a Bobcat and often get asked to take on jobs for payment but I really don't have an interest- funny how the requester reacts sometimes when I say no thanks. The last one was on the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving with family in town- neighbor calls and asks me if I want to make a quick $200. He then tells me he contracted to clear snow on a local development road and his truck won't start- frankly, his truck almost never starts. Felt bad but said no thanks and I think he was amazed I was passing up the "easy" money? He was able to find someone else to cover it.

 

[2B]

I'll get to find out soon enough. Only 3 more "in-office" days until I resign/retire on 5 Jan 2015.

 

[audreyh1]

I know, I know. It's a four-letter word! That's why I was trying to have "opportunity" encompass anything that involves an investment of time in retirement, whatever that looks like.

Don't conflate doing something worthwhile because you want to do it with doing something for money. Rarely do they overlap. Some people get lucky and get paid for what they really like to do. But there is still often a lot of cr@p involved when someone else is calling the shots because they are paying you.

Just because someone is retired, doesn't mean they aren't doing "worthwhile" things.

When we are retired, we have lots of time to do whatever we want - by definition we are investing our time in those things. Hopefully we are investing our time in things that are important to us.

 

[athena53]

I LOL'ed at LarryG's list!


My initial thought was that maybe I'd work PT at a local mutual fund company; a friend from church said they were always hiring people in Customer Service to handle transactions for 401(k) customers, no selling involved. Within about a week I decided it would cramp my style. I looked at the listings for temporary job agencies and they were either just plain awful ($10/hour for warehouse work, must be able to be on feet all day) or I'd probably be crossed off the list ("Must have receptionist experience"). Many were temp to hire. I don't WANT to be hired!


Probably best to leave those jobs to people who need them.

 

[Midpack]

I'd frame it just the opposite, not deal killers (who would contemplate work that simply meets their LCD barriers?), but an opportunity that was just too good to pass up.

If something came along that I was convinced would be more satisfying than retirement, why not while I am still able? However, that's highly unlikely, for me it would probably be getting paid to sail...not going to happen, on my terms. Getting paid to travel might be appealing too, but I don't have any credentials, so not holding my breath.

And there are several volunteer opportunities I am involved in, and others I'd consider (animal shelters/rights).

 

[athena53]

However, that's highly unlikely, for me it would probably be getting paid to sail...not going to happen, on my terms.

As soon as I find an employer willing to send me to interesting places (Business Class, please!) and write/blog about it, I'm in.

 

[RE2Boys]

Reading over this thread has made me realize how lucky I've been.

After retiring with two young boys 15 years ago, was a bit concerned if I was estimating things to close and sought seasonal jobs. For the past eight years, I've worked for a CPA firm where they treat me more like an independent contractor even though I'm an hourly seasonal employee. I think they know that I no longer really need the job so the hassle factors are minimal. Haven't even had a performance review yet, maybe because I don't work for anyone specific (though ultimately work for the managing partner). It's a win-win situation as I help in the busy season, I'm accurate, don't expect or want anything after April 18, I and they know my skill limits. I call my own hours but I'm very aware that I need to be of value to them when they need it. They recently merged with a nationwide firm but local folks have been great about keeping corporate policies from applying to me to a minimum. Never in strict compliance even with the dress code (they don't define my khakis or cords as "dress trousers"

My wife says she's never seen such an arrangement. I'll assume when they ask for the keys to the building that I'm done.

Current plans are to continue until 70 ( in 5 years) when RMD may kick work income into the 25% tax bracket and the boys will be close to finishing college, it'll be no longer worth it and DW and I can start a more typical "retirement".

 

[ronin]

I'd review surf camps around the world a couple of times a year for the right compensation. I'd even go back to this place in Nicaragua if I had to.

 

[omni550]

As soon as I find an employer willing to send me to interesting places (Business Class, please!) and write/blog about it, I'm in.

Almost 8 years ago, when MegaCorp was looking to reduce their product development staff by 30%, I was offered a nice severence package which I accepted. Less than a year later, they contacted me and asked if I would consider returning. As the job involved tons of travel to help resolve problems at supplier production sites, I said only if they could assure me visits to suppliers located in wonderful vacation spots (= non exist, btw).

I think they got the message.

omni