Canadian Grunt
Recycles dryer sheets
I have come to the realization that this recession has been good for me as it has broadened my perspective on retirement and my outlook on life. Truth be known I enjoy work. Maybe not the work I am currently doing but work in general. I know this may be heresy on this board but that’s Ok.
The stock market, and in general the outcome, whatever that is, will have little bearing on my life as my portfolio will only enhance my life, not shape it. My retirement is secure as I have a pension.
Here is the crux of the issue. I think the idea of retirement has become an escape from reality, perhaps from a job that does not fully consume my work hours, maybe from a life that has been dulled by a lack of adventure over the last few years as I delayed a certain level of enjoyment for an earlier retirement.
It is becoming evident that the lifestyle I want is not a sub-par existence so I can have a great retirement. I need some sort of adventure to sustain a deep seated feeling that my life has meaning. The prospect of retiring in ten years to fulfill my adventures echoes hollowly with my desire to live life well now, and as long as possible. Large sacrifices now for a leisurely future, is starting to look like the wrong path for me.
It appears to me I could let my portfolio grow without adding too much more to it, work, and spend more of my available funds (not living above my means) on enhancing my enjoyment. Living well now and not delaying my satisfaction for retirement, but possibly delaying retirement for a better lifestyle now.
Here is the question;
Are you drawn to money and benefits over stimulating work, a better lifestyle, or work you would prefer to do? Would you sacrifice some retirement time to gain more enjoyment out of life now? For you older retired folks, If you could go back would you have lived more and saved less even though you would have delayed retirement?
This may be especially relevant now, since even the best plan may not achieve the outcome in the end, which would make earlier sacrifices futile.