1 year after corporate downsizing- thoughts on *retirement*

[Bigdawg]

A squirrel wiped out my entire crop (6 tomato plants in a grow box) while I watched, helpless, from my kitchen window. It even ate the tomato flowers. Defeat Garden. Next year I'm planting something that grows underground.

Daisy makes a great Tomato saver tool. You can use it right from your window.

 

[supernova72]

The thing that would concern me (I'm not retired yet) is isolation, especially being a single male. Men aren't as good as women at building and maintaining friendships or discussion partners. Marriage provides some protection, but you're not married, and neither am I. I've always been introverted and don't have much of a social life outside of work.

I'm not at all worried about finding hobbies and interests in retirement -- I've got plenty of those -- but the risk of isolation does concern me. Maybe because I was reading about it last night ... stories of old men, aging, isolated, dying alone.

Don't mean to be a downer. Just keep in mind that you don't want to get isolated. Try to find things that keep you connected -- volunteer activities, PT work, church involvement, adult learning center stuff, etc.

OP here. What I've noticed is after a few months of car projects and decomposing there can be gaps in the day. I use the gym/bike/run/yoga but that does not take all day.

Daily interactions outside of that and family maybe a bit isolated yes. Coffee shops and pubs don't fill the void completely either I've found. I do date here and there still believe it or not.

Definitely a lifestyle adjustment that has taken longer than I expected to get used to have 50 hrs a week given back to me.

 

[supernova72]

I have been retired about 14 months and I will say the first few months were a little awkward but found my way ad I have not looked back. I was ready and I had many hobbies so staying busy wasn't a problem it was the social part that was an adjustment for me.

Find something you love and take it to the next level.

That is a good tip and find something I love and take it to the next level. I have a few idea's in mind. Cheers.

 

[YVRRocketSurgery]

Thought I would share some thoughts after a corporate buyout (layoff) 1 year into ER *retirement*...

Thanks for sharing your insight. I enjoy reading everyone's take on the transition as I'm gliding to within 5 years of my target.
I do project management work too and we're all always at risk at my megacorp.

I also don't miss the job and don't feel like I lost my "identity". I hear that a lot. I was pretty beat down the last two years.

I've read the "losing your identity" spiels too and it doesn't resonate with me. I just feel work is just one component of my life that will get replace when I retire.

 

[kimcdougc]

DH worked for mega corp for over 30 years. Worked 50 to 60 hours a week. Finally talked him into retirement 3.5 years ago and he has never, never looked back. We both volunteer at different places.

We had to re-adjust for him being home all the time. Now everything is great.

Good luck figuring it all out.

 

[trapperjohn]

If the social aspect of a part time job is more important to you than the income, when you interview, let the interviewer know hat you're retired and only want the job in order to keep active and keep your skills sharp. Emphasize that you only want a PT position, that pay is certainly something you'll consider, but it is not primary, and (if it seems appropriate) you would jump at the opportunity to mentor less experienced employees.

I crafted a message like that when I was looking for a PT teaching position at a local university. I had no problem landing an adjunct (PT) faculty position.

 

[misshathaway]

Daisy makes a great Tomato saver tool. You can use it right from your window.

Is it a squirrel gun? Instead of buying the tomato cages like everybody else I stuck an old trellis in the grow box, providing the squirrel with a nice sturdy ladder to get ALL the tomatoes. My grandfather was a farmer! I am a disgrace to his name.

Wait ... next year, MA will have it's pot regulations in place and I can plant pot.

OP, as you can tell from this thread, there is a new world awaiting you where you have the time to spend on completely frivolous summertime activities. You should see my tan.

 

[misshathaway]

Whoops. I see that you've already been ER a year. I'm close to the 2 year mark. Biggest internal change during the second year was much less concern about what I "should" be doing.

 

[supernova72]

If the social aspect of a part time job is more important to you than the income, when you interview, let the interviewer know hat you're retired and only want the job in order to keep active and keep your skills sharp. Emphasize that you only want a PT position, that pay is certainly something you'll consider, but it is not primary, and (if it seems appropriate) you would jump at the opportunity to mentor less experienced employees.

I crafted a message like that when I was looking for a PT teaching position at a local university. I had no problem landing an adjunct (PT) faculty position.

Great tip on how to craft that message. It still feels weird to tell someone I'm retired but yes I get your point.

 

[Blue Collar Guy]

A squirrel wiped out my entire crop (6 tomato plants in a grow box) while I watched, helpless, from my kitchen window. It even ate the tomato flowers. Defeat Garden. Next year I'm planting something that grows underground.

Defeat Garden. Im crying, too funny, thank you

 

[supernova72]

Whoops. I see that you've already been ER a year. I'm close to the 2 year mark. Biggest internal change during the second year was much less concern about what I "should" be doing.

OP here:
Had a friend just suggest to me that I need to move on from the what I think I "should" be doing ironically enough.

 

[Rianne]

OP here. What I've noticed is after a few months of car projects and decomposing there can be gaps in the day. I use the gym/bike/run/yoga but that does not take all day.

Daily interactions outside of that and family maybe a bit isolated yes. Coffee shops and pubs don't fill the void completely either I've found. I do date here and there still believe it or not.

Definitely a lifestyle adjustment that has taken longer than I expected to get used to have 50 hrs a week given back to me.

After living in offices most of my life, I discovered lakes, trails, forest preserves...I guess you'd call it nature. Now I volunteer like I'm getting paid for it. I meet the coolest people, most of them also retired pretty early. Passionate about what they do. Paycheck vs working for a reason other than making someone else rich...no comparison. Figure out that passion and go for it.

 

[38Chevy454]

Thanks for the update. I am just starting the retirement chapter of life; so your reflections, and also those from others, are helpful. There is a lot of truth to having a job to retire from, but also needing something to retire to. So get out the Nova and take some nice longer drives!

I think the switching from accumulation to withdrawal of the savings will be a tough transition for me also. As you said, after many years of just putting it away, now to change and take it out is a big adjustment. I joke that I am an engineer and so I can do math, so logically I know I can handle it. It is the emotional side that is challenging.

In my case I moved 1500 miles away form old work location and am building a new house and big detached garage, so my first year has plenty to keep me busy. Then time to be an over-educated mechanic working on my hot rods, or taking some nice longer RV trips.

 

[flintnational]

We just finished year 3 of retirement. I have a couple of thoughts.

- It only took a few months to get over withdrawing money vs. saving (maybe because it has been an up market?)

- While I began pursuing hobbies and interests upon retirement, it took a couple of years to fill my days. I now have to much to do and have begun to be comfortable with doing nothing if I choose.

- I like to make beer and wine. And like you, I have thought about opening a microbrewery. My DW reminds me I don't have to own the brewery. I can just go work at one part time.

- If you don't have enough to do, plant mint. It spreads so quickly your days will be filled pulling mint and trying to rescue your neighborhood from its invasive tactics.

 

[supernova72]

Thanks for the update. I am just starting the retirement chapter of life; so your reflections, and also those from others, are helpful. There is a lot of truth to having a job to retire from, but also needing something to retire to. So get out the Nova and take some nice longer drives!

I think the switching from accumulation to withdrawal of the savings will be a tough transition for me also. As you said, after many years of just putting it away, now to change and take it out is a big adjustment. I joke that I am an engineer and so I can do math, so logically I know I can handle it. It is the emotional side that is challenging.

In my case I moved 1500 miles away form old work location and am building a new house and big detached garage, so my first year has plenty to keep me busy. Then time to be an over-educated mechanic working on my hot rods, or taking some nice longer RV trips.

Might get the Nova out this week actually if temps drop a bit. I was trying to figure out if you still live in OH or have moved 1500 miles away? Cost of living in SEA is climbing but I plan to stay here since all my family is in a 40 mile radius.

For me the math part has worked out pretty well---but yea the emotional side of things has taken longer. This winter I plan to take a trip and find another project car to work on. I don't have a real "shop" but a decent garage. Trying to figure out if I need to invest in more tools (welder, two car lift, etc). Cheers.

 

[FreeBear]

Curious to hear from others on this forum about year 1 vs year 2. Cheers.

We're in our 3rd year of FIRE. Overall, we're settling into retirement now in our 3rd year of FIRE, but it has been a slow adjustment.

I was a Nervous Nellie during 2015 and 2016, in part because the stock market stalled out right after we retired. We ended up spending only half of our travel budget, which was also only half of our travel budget when w*rking. We spent on the lower end of our overall budget for the first 2 years

This year, we we're spending like crazy on dental and vacations. We'll definitely finish on the high end of my comfort zone. Sure, strong market return help spending more generously.

I also realized that it is more important to fund the next decade of "go-go" high activity years when DW and I are healthy and energetic than it is to fund the last 10 years of life and whatever it may bring. Sure, we are vulnerable to a bad early sequence of returns marketwise, but we want to enjoy an active lifestyle while we have the health and energy.

FB

 

[supernova72]

We just finished year 3 of retirement. I have a couple of thoughts.

- It only took a few months to get over withdrawing money vs. saving (maybe because it has been an up market?)

- While I began pursuing hobbies and interests upon retirement, it took a couple of years to fill my days. I now have to much to do and have begun to be comfortable with doing nothing if I choose.

- I like to make beer and wine. And like you, I have thought about opening a microbrewery. My DW reminds me I don't have to own the brewery. I can just go work at one part time.

- If you don't have enough to do, plant mint. It spreads so quickly your days will be filled pulling mint and trying to rescue your neighborhood from its invasive tactics.

Thanks. It's good to know it took a couple of years to fill the gaps. I'm doing better at forcing things in vs letting them happen a bit more naturally. I didn't expect it to take this much time but am adjusting to not having plan each day vs. what I did in corporate America for 31 years. I have not updated a powerpoint chart in one year which feels weird. Ha.

 

[supernova72]

For me, each year in has become more comfortable and seems like the norm. After more than four years, I can hardly remember what it was like to do the full time grind at a large company. I do work at a very pleasant easy PT job that I can do from home, 10-11 hours per week.

Actually four years and four months!

OP here. Curious what type of PT work you do if you don't mind sharing? Thx.

 

[supernova72]

DH worked for mega corp for over 30 years. Worked 50 to 60 hours a week. Finally talked him into retirement 3.5 years ago and he has never, never looked back. We both volunteer at different places.

We had to re-adjust for him being home all the time. Now everything is great.

Good luck figuring it all out.

OP here. For me going from M-F 50 hours to zero hours was/is a big adjustment. Glad to hear you two have adjusted. I gave myself 2 months to figure it out and now it's been a year. Ha.

 

[pj.mask]

My mom was kind of bored until she started doing meetup groups for hiking/camping. Those are once a week type events but the key is you meet with the same people and develop relationships. She is planning some long trips with people she met there.

You mentioned bars but you really need reoccurring activities. A workout class, a group or club. Join a bunch, feel out the vibe. I met some friends at a local running group! Pick a hobby you are interested in (cars?) and joint a group. Find friends with similar interests and meet up on the weekends compressing your free time.

 

[brucethebroker]

1. My career was destroyed by the housing crash, and limped along PT for about 5 years. I was forced to discover how to retire (semi-retire) about 7 years earlier than planned. THAT requires an attitude adjustment.
2. Now, working at former career PT plus having a "hobby job" gives me about 20 hrs. a week. Enough of $ for our adjusted life style, plus $ to save, plus enough busy-ness to keep me occupied.
3. My psyche took a huge hit when the career collapsed. Looking back, I am surprised severe depression did not follow. It took a couple of years to bounce back mentally and emotionally.

BTW-beautiful Nova. A friend from HS bought one new in 1968 (basic model) and paid $1800 as I recall. If I was as gifted with rebuilding cars as you, I would not worry about staying busy. The auto junk yards are calling your name...........

 

[Koolau]

From some of the stories of "forced" retirement, I'm not sure which is better - to leave when you can't stand it any more or wake up one morning and find you no longer have a j*b. Assuming all else is equal (financial ducks in a row in either scenario) I would think it better to be "downsized" as you get parting "gifts." After I got fed up and retired, my Megacorp downsized 18 months or so later and I missed it. I wouldn't have traded the 18 months of freedom for the "gifts" the other folks got, but if wishes were horses, I wish that the day I got fed up, Megacorp would have downsized me. Hows THAT for a FIRE fantasy? YMMV

 

[Mdlerth]

1. My career was destroyed by the housing crash, and limped along PT for about 5 years. I was forced to discover how to retire (semi-retire) about 7 years earlier than planned. THAT requires an attitude adjustment.
2. Now, working at former career PT plus having a "hobby job" gives me about 20 hrs. a week. Enough of $ for our adjusted life style, plus $ to save, plus enough busy-ness to keep me occupied.
3. My psyche took a huge hit when the career collapsed. Looking back, I am surprised severe depression did not follow. It took a couple of years to bounce back mentally and emotionally.

Thank you for this personal revelation. Stories of overcoming adversity are both humbling and encouraging. I applaud your success, both in your career and in your outlook.

 

[supernova72]

My mom was kind of bored until she started doing meetup groups for hiking/camping. Those are once a week type events but the key is you meet with the same people and develop relationships. She is planning some long trips with people she met there.

You mentioned bars but you really need reoccurring activities. A workout class, a group or club. Join a bunch, feel out the vibe. I met some friends at a local running group! Pick a hobby you are interested in (cars?) and joint a group. Find friends with similar interests and meet up on the weekends compressing your free time.

OP here. All good tips and thanks. I don' t yet have a "regular schedule" except gym and running time (daily). Another car project in definitely in the mix. Cheers.

 

[supernova72]

1. My career was destroyed by the housing crash, and limped along PT for about 5 years. I was forced to discover how to retire (semi-retire) about 7 years earlier than planned. THAT requires an attitude adjustment.
2. Now, working at former career PT plus having a "hobby job" gives me about 20 hrs. a week. Enough of $ for our adjusted life style, plus $ to save, plus enough busy-ness to keep me occupied.
3. My psyche took a huge hit when the career collapsed. Looking back, I am surprised severe depression did not follow. It took a couple of years to bounce back mentally and emotionally.

BTW-beautiful Nova. A friend from HS bought one new in 1968 (basic model) and paid $1800 as I recall. If I was as gifted with rebuilding cars as you, I would not worry about staying busy. The auto junk yards are calling your name...........

OP here. Thanks for the feedback. Yea, the part about "your job has been surplussed" was a hit to me. I had never received a layoff notice in the 31 yrs I was at the megacorp. My close work friends tell me I'm blessed and will look back on this as a gift (I wanted to work 2 more years).

That was more of my dad had worked at the same company for 33 yrs as a top level manager and I wanted to match that. But as many have told me it's not the same company my dad retired from---which is so true. It might take another year to get my ducks in a row---and other project car. I love Nova's.