I wasn't sure whether I should start a new thread, or reply to this one. I'm in the adjusting/decompression phase (sort of) -- so posting to this thread made a certain amount of sense. I retired from Federal Service at the end of August and returned to the States from Japan. I thought I had retired, but soon after returning to the States I found myself signing up for a temporary (6 month) TDY assignment to New Orleans as a "rehired annuitant" with my former agency. So, I'm back on the payroll again, living out of a hotel (which is comfortable -- no complaints). The problem I have is that I am now a member of the "rehired annuitants corps" and could very well be offered (or, perhaps more to the point "tempted with") another TDY assignment when this one ends. On the one hand, it is nice to have options, but on the other hand, I suspect I am experiencing some type of separation anxiety because I find it very difficult to completely severe the cord. The siren call of the 'ol "supper dish" keeps me coming back for more. Has anyone else found it difficult to wean yourself from a steady paycheck . . . especially when you don't REALLY need it? Perhaps it's just my frugal nature . . . it's hard to pass up "easy money." And, part of the difficulty for me is that I have elected to defer my social security to maximize my payout. And, my conservatively invested nest egg isn't spinning off a whole lot of income at the moment. So, I'm sort of faced with a feast or famine scenario. If I work, I have substantially more income than I really need. If I don't work, my wife and I can certainly get by, but the budget is tighter than I would prefer. Perhaps I'm posting just to get a load off my chest . . . but, advice from others who have experienced similar transitions would be welcome.