03-29-2023, 10:04 AM | #23 |
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Edit: The other thing is that my life in the Navy for the first 12 years (as an enlisted sailor, then a Chief) and the final 13 years (as an officer) were much different. Having gold on my sleeve was nice and all and the money was better, but I missed the direct connection to the work that I had as a sailor.[/QUOTE]
Another 'Mustang'! Enlisted at 17 in '70, medic, PA school in '75, E7 in '77 and O1E in '78. Retired as O3 with a line # for O4 that I declined due to major health org job offer at age 37. |
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03-29-2023, 11:29 AM | #24 |
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We retired at the end of 2011. My wife was 61 and I was 64. Both of us had good jobs, but finally burned out with the ever-increasing work loads.
We're doing well financially with multiple income sources. Our portfolio continues to grow, despite the monthly draws. Our net retirement income is 50% higher than our net working income. I didn't expect it to turn out that well, but I guess years of saving, living within our means and being debt-free finally came to fruition. Having said that, retirement isn't much if your health goes to pot. I'm doing well, but my dear wife of 54 years has dementia. It didn't become clear to me until about 5 years ago, but now that I have figured it out, I can trace the early symptoms back 14 years. It is what it is.
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03-29-2023, 12:03 PM | #26 |
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Agreed. Sorry to hear that. My Mom had dementia. It ran strongly in the women in her family. My late sister was on her way to full blown dementia when she died this past September. I agree that once it becomes obvious, you realize the symptoms were there for a long time. My sister would repeat herself endlessly. Sometimes she'd tell me the same thing 3 or 4 times in a short conversation. It's a terrible disease.
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03-29-2023, 12:13 PM | #27 | |
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03-29-2023, 05:52 PM | #28 |
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03-30-2023, 06:24 AM | #29 | |
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Great thread idea - eager to learn more about those who are where I'll be in 20 yrs!
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THIS - I applaud you. This younger generation is in desperate need of role models and mentors, particularly by those who didn't grow up with access to screens 24-7. |
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sygazelle12413.00 |
03-30-2023, 07:46 AM | #30 |
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lol 49 year olds grew up with access to screens 24-7 too
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03-30-2023, 07:58 AM | #31 |
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How old are your children? |
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03-30-2023, 08:14 AM | #33 |
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I'm 43, I didn't have an iphone, ipad, laptop, multiple high definition tv's, high speed internet in my home growing up. But if you want to debate that we grew up with the same screens and personalized content as our children today, go for it my friend.
Back to thread topic - Personally I hope to never fully retire, but keep working in a job I enjoy. But I have that luxury because I will be inheriting some wealth, not a lot, but enough to be comfortable. |
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03-30-2023, 12:42 PM | #36 | |
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In addition to staying busy, I think it is equally important to allocate time and place for a bit of solitude. I have a favorite extra patio on a hillside and under our oak tree where I read, enjoy my kitty and views, plus soak up a little sunshine. Later, I take a dip in my spa, even if its raining. Good for the soul, good for the joints, plus enjoy the clouds, birds, yard.
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03-30-2023, 01:17 PM | #37 |
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I had trouble finding time to go to work as my activities and hobbies filled up my time. Retirement was the answer and it was the correct time for me. That was in 2008 and I have not regretted the decision once. I believe that you should retire as soon as you can if you can fill up your days as you wish. If you live to work as many do and have no interests in sports, hobbies or volunteering you probably should continue working as you will find retirement boring and your spouse will probably be happier spending the income. Retire when you are healthy and can enjoy the freedom of employment fully. The " Golden Years" can turn into the shit brindle brown years in the blink of an eye. Enjoy your days however you decide.
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03-30-2023, 08:50 PM | #38 |
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I started this thread hoping members would chime in tell their retirement story. It's not only inspiring for other retired folks, the posts have provided valuable information for those members still slugging it out in their respective careers.
In my case, I've been retired for completely since 2016. The past 7 years of full retirement have been amazing for me. My wife (also retired) and I are still in good health and we have 2 kids and 6 grandchildren and they all live in our area. So, keeping busy is not an issue at all. My wife and I travel as much as we can. Before retirement, trips were usually 1 week and sometimes 2 weeks. Now, our trips have grown in duration to up 8 weeks. We figure while we are on the other side of the world, why rush back! So far, at about the 8-week mark, we are tired of being gone and missing our own bed and the grand kids, so we head home to start planning another trip. In my original post on this thread I asked retirees to offer advice to the yet-to-retire members. The only advice I care to dispense is what has worked for me. I shared this advice with my kids who are both now in their 40s. They both thank me for sharing this advice. They say it has helped them immensely. If you decide to go to college, pick a major that will help you have a career where you can make a good living. (Math, Science, Business, for example). When you get your first great job, DON'T go out and buy an expensive new car. Instead, save for a down payment on a house. As soon as you can qualify, buy that house. Contribute to your 401k or other retirement account to the maximum allowed. Once you have your house and your 401k maxed, then start thinking about splurging on things like new cars, $7 coffees, etc. Both kids have amazing careers, nice homes, and and they are tracking to be able to retire early. Other retirees have given advice on this thread which I think is very helpful. If you are still working and want a path toward a happy retirement, you'd be wise to listen to what they say. The advice I offered was to my kids and so far it's worked for them. Some may feel that it's too heavy-handed and that's okay. I fully get the opinion that you should live for today because you don't know what tomorrow brings. To me, it's finding that balance to where you are doing a good job preparing for the future and, at the same time, enjoying today. Each persons approach to achieving this balancing act will be different. |
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03-30-2023, 10:14 PM | #39 |
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When you get your first great job, DON'T go out and buy an expensive new car. Instead, save for a down payment on a house. As soon as you can qualify, buy that house.
Contribute to your 401k or other retirement account to the maximum allowed. ----------------------------------------------- We had a paid Fellowship, that when completed, we doubled the new hire's salary. I always advised them to contribute the max to the company's partially matching 403B. (free money) I also advised then whenever they got a raise, to bump the savings by half of the raise.. that way, you 'got a raise', but also saved more.. I only wish that I was able to start saving earlier than I did, but married early, kids ate up every available dollar... we couldn't start socking away till early 40's, but made up for it as best we could, but those missed opportunity years.. damn.. but 51year marriage, kids safe and us 'iron rice bowl' secure works now we're retired. |
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03-31-2023, 10:15 AM | #40 |
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Unless you can ride a regular bike 20+ miles, get an ebike. Preferably one that comes from a huge company with spare parts like Rad Power. The ones with center motors will be a boat anchor whenever the motor becomes obsolete. The one I have has over 7500 miles now, best retirement activity. We got the Hollywood bike rack that handles heavy ebikes and travel with them. Two inch receiver required. We rent VRBO's etc that are on the ground floor. Leave these out much unattended with any type of lock and they will be gone. It's been a life changer, see much more, go farther, unless of course you have a road bike and can go 21mph for an hour.
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03-31-2023, 12:27 PM | #41 | |
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Whatever we do to stay active and off the couch is helpful. It's great when you travel that you are fit enough to get out and explore. It keeps the weight down and it improves our well being and disposition in general. I'm more fit now than I was in my 30s! |
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03-31-2023, 01:39 PM | #42 |
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One thing I've learned, it takes me longer to get projects done. Shortly after I retired I had a project that before retirement I would have finished in a weekend. This simple project took me 4 months! I still haven't cleaned out my garage; in fact, it has actually got worse!
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03-31-2023, 03:14 PM | #43 | |
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He could start in on a phase of the project and work at it doggedly until it was done. I start in on something and I need to take a break after 30 minutes, then I never get back to it.
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03-31-2023, 06:19 PM | #44 | |
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