51 year old scared of early retirement

[Midpack]

I just online reserved three Zelinski books and a Clyatt book at the local public library.

I think you'll find them very helpful, especially How to Retire Happy, Wild & Free and/or Career Success without a Real Job both Zelinski and Work Less, Live More Clyatt, you're on your way...

 

[flyfishnevada]

I think you'll find them very helpful, especially How to Retire Happy, Wild & Free and/or Career Success without a Real Job both Zelinski and Work Less, Live More Clyatt, you're on your way...

Ooh, just reminded me. Need to go check out Career Success without a Real Job and Work Less, Live More.

 

[Tractor guy]

FWIW, our company gave a reduction in force offer in late 2008 that forced people to decide in about 4 weeks if they wanted to retire. Most of them retired 2-3 years earlier than they "planned" because the offer was good enough that they were money ahead doing this. None of them had their retirement activities in place and most had been working 50-60 hours/week in jobs they enjoyed. I've talked to a dozen of them and none of them regretted the decision. Of the 12, I only had 1 mention that he was a little bored in the winter. The rest complained they didn't have enough time to keep up with their social lives.

I just retired 2 months ago. I've had a couple of slow days but only because I've not gone out and over committed myself to volunteer activities.

 

[sailwc]

Hi Sally,
Many good suggestions for you in the posts. I like to think, if your job is causing you high stress or anxiety or unhappiness you will find a better quality of life without it. Finances may not be perfect but it sounds like you are a very smart lady and can certainly make it work. I find my expenses have decreased in some areas now that I can shop, eat out and play at off peak times. And, finally, if you want social interaction there are many more meaningful opportunities to connect with people other than the workplace. Good luck!

 

[Purron]

This thread is interesting because I have a bit different outlook. For the past 15 years I've been a telecommuter, so I have had zero social interaction with coworkers. I am looking forward to ER'ing next year so that I can spend less time down in the basement by myself all day.

Good luck on your decision

Now this is an interesting observation. And to think I begged to telework all those years....

 

[obgyn65]

Well done Sally. Yes you deserve it. You only live once. Enjoy.

At age 51, I deserve it, yes?

 

[sally123]

I vegged out for about a year. Then I started looking for volunteer opportunities.

bbbamI, you may not believe it, but this is the most encouraging response. I did not consider vegging out for a year, because culture of our society is that one has to thrive for something all the time otherwise you are a loser. At my stage of life, I do not need any more accomplishment. I want to live a life just for the sake of living, not thinking about having to do something. Thank you!

 

[travelover]

bbbamI, you may not believe it, but this is the most encouraging response. I did not consider vegging out for a year, because culture of our society is that one has to thrive for something all the time otherwise you are a loser. At my stage of life, I do not need any more accomplishment. I want to live a life just for the sake of living, not thinking about having to do something. Thank you!

My biggest accomplishment in retirement has been giving myself permission to do whatever I want and to disregard other's expectations of me. This doesn't mean I sit around and expect DW to cook and clean - the total opposite, I have stepped up to most of her responsibilities (she still w*rks), as well as the chores I did before I retired. This monkey doesn't dance to the accordion anymore.

 

[RonBoyd]

bbbamI, you may not believe it, but this is the most encouraging response. I did not consider vegging out for a year, because culture of our society is that one has to thrive for something all the time otherwise you are a loser. At my stage of life, I do not need any more accomplishment. I want to live a life just for the sake of living, not thinking about having to do something. Thank you!

Have you peeked at this thread?

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/what-did-you-do-today-37868-303.html#post998965

 

[Moscyn]

My biggest accomplishment in retirement has been giving myself permission to do whatever I want and to disregard other's expectations of me. This doesn't mean I sit around and expect DW to cook and clean - the total opposite, I have stepped up to most of her responsibilities (she still w*rks), as well as the chores I did before I retired. This monkey doesn't dance to the accordion anymore.

Good sharing. I agree with you entirely. People keep asking me what I do all day but hey, I've ER - I just do what I need and/or like to do. I know DH appreciates my ER especially since my cooking and home-making skills are improving with much creativity. Some of my friends appreciate my ER as I organise little get togethers, co-ordinate and make restaurants bookings, etc. All these add up to lots of activity in a day.

 

[Dawg52]

bbbamI, you may not believe it, but this is the most encouraging response. I did not consider vegging out for a year, because culture of our society is that one has to thrive for something all the time otherwise you are a loser. At my stage of life, I do not need any more accomplishment. I want to live a life just for the sake of living, not thinking about having to do something. Thank you!

Same here. I play golf most of the week, take the mutt on hikes. If I describe my week to someone who lives the 9-5 grind, they are either jealous or they think I lead an uneventful life. But I really could care less if they think I'm a slacker.

Sounds like you are ready to me. Enjoy it!

 

[bbbamI]

bbbamI, you may not believe it, but this is the most encouraging response. I did not consider vegging out for a year, because culture of our society is that one has to thrive for something all the time otherwise you are a loser. At my stage of life, I do not need any more accomplishment. I want to live a life just for the sake of living, not thinking about having to do something. Thank you!

You're welcome....do what makes you feel good.

 

[sally123]

Travelover, thank you for sharing. In some way I am already in a retirement mode. I still go to work 8-5 M-F and drop by my office on weekend, but it is out of habit. (You ERs can probably relate to it as to how things were toward the end of work life?) It is a matter of time that I gather my courage and FIRE myself and I will probably like it very much.

RonBoyd, I like the thread about normal average people living quiet life. (I hope I am not offending anyone) It is Saturday and I spend my day simulating my ER. I really enjoyed it.

Zelinski's Career success without a real job was more like how to earn book royalty, and Clyatt's Work less live more looked more like how-to of retirement investment. When I read them in my early 40s, they were eye opening. But right now, this forum is more inspiring. Thank you, all.

 

[RonBoyd]

But right now, this forum is more inspiring.

Amen.

 

[Bossonova]

Sally123, you might want to take a closer look at your funds to make sure you can tap into them over the next 8 years or so, without penalties and the such. It didnt seem like you had a lot of free cash, and most of the rest was in IRA and annuities.

On the non money side, one way to think of it is that you will at some point leave your work. That is a given. So you will have to make an adjustment at some point. It might be easier to adjust now than 10 years from now.

Good luck!

 

[chris2008]

More good read: "Get a Life" by Ralph Warner. It is on all the not money related issues of (E)R.

 

[sally123]

Bossnova, you are right on. Just as you say, my financial planner pointed out that I have enough after 59 1/2 but need a strategy for the next 8 years. I need to do more than current $500/mo saving for non-retirement account. It is assuring to hear from other people like you. You are also right that everyone retires in the end and it is a matter of when. Thank you.

 

[Midpack]

More good read: "Get a Life" by Ralph Warner. It is on all the not money related issues of (E)R.

Just put in a request at my local library. From the title I assumed it was one of the falsely reassuring books (telling people what they want to hear about $), so thanks for the heads up...

 

[chinaco]

Welcome.

If you are not sure about retiring... then do not do it yet. Sounds like you have some financial concerns anyway.

Take your time. Since you feel you are marginal in terms of being financially prepared... you can continue to save and accumulate more money.

Eventually you will feel more comfortable with it.

 

[martyp]

My observation is that work changes involve both a push and a pull. At some point your dissatisfaction with work will outweigh the social aspects. I've seen both kinds of people over the years. Those that retire and disappear and those that come back (as rehired retirees) because their social life is a work. I would suggest that you discuss it with your friends at work. Their support, or lack of, will probably be a big factor in your decision. I am ER'ing in a couple of weeks but my social life is not tied to work. Discussing it with friends, family, and coworkers has been a huge help mainly because so many are so supportive of the decision.

 

[sally123]

chinaco, thank you for your honest imput. I will give more thought on when to ER. Reading halfway through "The joy of not working" by Zelinski, I realized that the way I work is more like semi-retirement with a full salary. Being a boss myself, I can choose what I want to work on and go home at 5pm for my dog, while coninueing my piano lessons.

I just reserved "Get a Life" by Ralph Warner.

 

[Nords]

Just put in a request at my local library. From the title I assumed it was one of the falsely reassuring books (telling people what they want to hear about $), so thanks for the heads up...

Ralph Warner was one of Nolo's cofounders, which put them in a receptive frame of mind when Bob Clyatt sent in a query letter for his book idea...