Hi I am new here

[Kitty]

A little about myself I am a not so young 60 taking an early retirement from Gov service with a combined time of military and civil service of 39 years...
Needless to say I have a lot to learn about retiring....

Also,needless to say my mind is more than a little warped by decades of gov. work. I went through a period of depression about retiring last year-it's like I was giving up or giving in, yadda yadda, or something. It took a couple of months but I got over that feeling now I am anxious to get the retirement thing over and move on with the few years I have left.

This site is great wish I had found it earlier. I admire folks who took matters into their own hands and took ER. Life is just to short to waste working at something that doesn't make you feel good about you.

I think as I read the posts here I will get more insight into the next phase of my life and what I want to do with it. I am looking forward to your posts.

 

[haha]

It took a couple of months but I got over that feeling now I am anxious to get the retirement thing over and move on with the few years I have left.

Kitty my dear, first thing is to lose that "the few years than I have left" business. You might have 40 years left! Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and it can be long and fun.

Mikey

 

[artist59]

Kitty, welcome. My grandmother lived to 92, you may have and should live as if you have many years ahead of you - enjoy.

Mikey: I have to say that reading your posts, you really come across as a wonderful guy!!

 

[laurence]

I second that, 20 years of active living is more than likely in store for you, and you could have twice that! My grandpa in law is crossbow hunting at age 76 and chops enough firewood to last him those Wisconsin winters. You are going to have a blast!

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

So Laurence, has your grandpa in law ever caught any crossbows?

 

[laurence]

Not when he's drinking!

I guess I should clarify the prey is deer, and he only hunts what he can eat/use. He and his wife came all the way to San Diego for our wedding, and just a couple of weeks before we realized it was their 50th anniversary the next day! So we planned a big thing for them at the reception, gave them a nice present etc. and later on thanked them for coming out for our wedding despite the fact it was their 50th anniversary. He responded, "There is snow on the ground back home, you think you gotta twist my arm to spend our anniversary at the beach?"

 

[wildcat]

Kitty my dear, first thing is to lose that "the few years than I have left" business.

Agree with Mikey. My Dad is a Fed and can retire if he wants to but he really has no interests in life. I feel bad for him & hope he realizes what life has to offer besides work & a paycheck. I started reading the "Your Money or Your Life" book and it has me thinking quite a bit. May help you. Other people here will have better recos than me.

 

[Cut-Throat]

Agree with Mikey.  My Dad is a Fed and can retire if he wants to but he really has no interests in life.  I feel bad for him & hope he realizes what life has to offer besides work & a paycheck.  I started reading the "Your Money or Your Life" book and it has me thinking quite a bit.  May help you.  Other people here will have better recos than me. 

Your Money or Your Life is a good read as far as expenditures are concerned. The Investment Advice of Buying 30 year Treasury Bonds kinda Sucks though.

 

[Kitty]

Thank you all for the warm welcome, it feels good.

I have read a few books on the topic like Your Money or Your Life, Retire Wild and Free, and a few others I can't remmember right now.Wild and free made me feel more optimistic about this retirement thing.

Those who have known Gov. Employees that are or have retired know how big a deal it is for them. The "G" takes your mind over little by little sort of like being assimilated by the org. that had 7 of 9 on Star Trek II. You will be assimilated it is futile to resist.... or something like that. Well, I was assimulated and morphed, now I am about to make my escape-I will always wear the scars though. A late escape is better than no escape.

Has anyone here moved overseas if so where?
Kitty