Retirement.

[Vann]

I retired yesterday, woohoo.

My last day of work was actually Boxing Day (due to my wife booking a holiday that clashed with my final day - I had to take leave for the final three days).

Actually, I've been burning leave since my 66th birthday, 8 weeks ago. I had 37 days owing, so I've only worked two weeks over that period.

I'm pleased to see the end of shift work (the last 20 years, 8 months) and hope to now establish better eating habits, as well as getting better sleep patterns. I've been going for a 30 minutes+ walk every morning (most of last 8 weeks).

Yesterday marked the end of a 48 years, 11 months and 7 days career in the rail industry. I wanted to retire while I still have my health (or most of it), having seen too many workmates die shortly after retirement, or worse still, die before retirement.

But this isn't really "nothing to do with woodwork". My wife has a "to do" list (don't they all!) which includes plenty of woodworking jobs around the house. And I have a workshop to sort (so I can move in there again) and hheaps of tools to repair/refurbish and to sort into keepers or disposal.

But got to get this 10 day holiday over first.

Happy New Year all.

Cheers, Vann.

[Tonyz]

been there tried that, wifes list got too big, cleanup of shed was too daunting, like a teenagers bedroom, so went back to work TWICE. Mind you I had a much more chequered work variety than you. I figured the other day from age 15 like middle last year, Ive been in 15 different careers. Get bored very easy.

[verawood]

All the best of everything in your retirement.
Keep up the exercise, and your other intended changes.

[BobL]

Congrats and all the best. 49 years in any industry is a pretty good achievement.

I managed to retire when I was 58 which is some 9 years ago and haven't missed working a single day since.
My "Honey Do" list is about twice as long as when I started retirement - I really need to crack onto this.
These days I'm spending about 2 mornings a week on a bandsaw mill and although I come home knackered I'm very satisfied as it's so different from pushing paper and dealing with people at Uni. Plus it's good to keep moving and lifting stuff if you can.

Hope you can sort your shed out and get some quality time in there.

[Scribbly Gum]

Congratulations Vann - a retirement certainly well earned.
I found that I had to make my own list, otherwise SWMBO's list would always have new items added to it, most of which I didn't want to do :)
Start a pattern of giving yourself shed time every day, so that it becomes a given and not a "...where are you off to.......??" moment each time.
Enjoy your time now, you won't get it again
Cheers
Tom

[Chesand]

I fully retired 9 years ago after having worked part time for the previous 16 years. following the sale of my share in a business.
I have not missed it and often wonder how I ever had time to go to work. As well as physical activity it is important to keep the brain working but time in the shed should cover both to a great degree.
I keep a list of jobs to be done and if the one at the head of the list is not done in 3 months, it goes to the bottom and starts again. :D

Enjoy your time - you have earned it.

[crowie]

Top marks Vann for starting a daily walk as part of your retirement routine.
The shed is my saving grace in retirement as I was forced into early medical retirement.
Saying that, community volunteering has also been a God Send, giving time to the local community club plus participating in the home visitor program got me out and about.
Enjoy the time as you adjust to a new way of life, cheers crowie

[Vann]

Thanks guys for the "likes" and the kind words.


...Mind you I had a much more chequered work variety than you. I figured the other day from age 15 like middle last year, Ive been in 15 different careers. Get bored very easy.

I have had a bit of variety. 1973-1976 did my apprenticeship as a coachbuilder; 1977-1980 tradesman; 1980-1999 draughtsman; 1999-2001 position made redundant - redeployed back to coachbuilding; 2001-2016 driving electric comuter trains in Wellington; 2016 & 2017 got caught speeding - demoted to guard; 2018 - 2021 servicing diesel locomotives.

You could say I've designed, built, maintained and driven trains!

Cheers, Vann.

[Vann]

...Start a pattern of giving yourself shed time every day, so that it becomes a given and not a "...where are you off to.......??" moment each time...

Thanks Scribbly, but no problem there. It's more likely to be a problem if I don't go out to the shed and do some outstanding jobs.

Luckily my 17 yo daughter (yeah I started late) loves woodworking and is often out in the shed using my tools and machines on her projects. That's earned me LOTS of brownie points with SWMBO.

Cheers, Vann.

[Scribbly Gum]

Thanks Scribbly, but no problem there. It's more likely to be a problem if I don't go out to the shed and do some outstanding jobs.

Luckily my 17 yo daughter (yeah I started late) loves woodworking and is often out in the shed using my tools and machines on her projects. That's earned me LOTS of brownie points with SWMBO.

Cheers, Vann.
Wonderful.
You are off to a great start.
I joined the Woodworkers Guild, which is a part of our local men's shed, and enjoy the company and the wealth of talent that is there.
Gets me out a bit as well
Tom

[woodPixel]

Thanks Scribbly, but no problem there. It's more likely to be a problem if I don't go out to the shed and do some outstanding jobs.

Luckily my 17 yo daughter (yeah I started late) loves woodworking and is often out in the shed using my tools and machines on her projects. That's earned me LOTS of brownie points with SWMBO.

Cheers, Vann.

This, without question, would be the most rewarding part of life.

Teaching others and enjoying a hobby.

My daughter is 25 and SWMBO and I have tried very hard to keep both our kids in our lives. My mother was distant - there is no way Im repeating that mistake with the kids nor grandkids. We intend to be pests :)


Congrats on retirement. I enjoyed to bit about being busted down :) I personally feel it adds character :)

[Treecycle]

Enjoy the retirement, it's a great life. I officially retired 12 months ago after using up 6 months of leave. Like you, I spent my working life with the one employer for 45 years after completing my apprenticeship with them. Had a number of roles over the years in maintenance and enjoyed them all. Even after having great employment, I haven't yearned to be back there for one day since leaving. Being able to do what I want when I want and not have to deal with the problems of others is fantastic. Enjoy your freedom and your life and make the most of both.

[AlexS]

Enjoy retirement, it's the best career move you'll ever make.
I retired 17 years ago, my hobby, woodwork, became an almost full-time career. Never been out of work since.

[lovetoride]

I retired from paid work about 5 years now. I fell that I'm busier now than I ever was as I still keep my hand in building websites and doing other random IT stuff for various non-profit organisations.

The only trouble I find with retirement is that you never get a break - it's full on for 365 days a year!

Jane

(I'm lucky I don't have a SWMBO. But I'm always doing renovation work for the kiddies places) https://www.woodworkforums.com/images/icons/icon7.png

[Chesand]

The only trouble I find with retirement is that you never get a break - it's full on for 365 days a year!

Jane

How true. You do not get any public holidays either. :D

[China]

As said above only problem with retirement is now you will be really busy and will have no spare time, plus if you are bit of a I can make this, fix this type of person don't dare tell any one you have retired.

[rrich]

Congratulations Vann on retirement!

I was unceremoniously 'Retired' Cinco de Mayo, 2003. My manager was terrified of the process, she was about 20 years younger than I. The words that she used were "Your position has been eliminated". All I could do was to laugh. I had done the homework and knew about the benefits. Because I was a considered a 'Commissioned' employee and a 22-year employee, the company paid me for 44 weeks with about a 60% raise. Then I retired. Because I was a laid off employee the penalty for 'early' retirement was 2.5% per year and not 5%. I still laugh every time I go to the bank.

Through sheer luck, I learned that there only two things that are very important in retirement. The first is absolutely critical, where do you get your health care. The second is, 'What are you going to do?' As for income, whether it be pension, savings, government retirement funding or the dole, it kind of takes care of itself.

Don't envy us blokes her in the US, because we have Medicare. To put it bluntly, Medicare is the road to bankruptcy. I watched my parents flirt with bankruptcy for medical care. Medicare only covers hospital and only at 80%. The retiree is left to cover 20%. The only good thing about Medicare is it will pay for supplemental coverage from a private insurer. Here, the best thing to do is to find a NOT-FOR-PROFIT HMO and sign up. Co-Pays are almost nonexistent, and coverage is about the best you can get.

Anyway, pardon my soap box and enjoy your 'Golden Years'.

[woodhutt]

I'm a bit late Vann but welcome to the Retirement Club. You are now officially an old codger and entitled to grouse. :U

[havabeer69]

i'm 35... will I even get to retire?

[China]

Not if Scomo has anything to do with it.

[BobL]

Not if Scomo has anything to do with it.

"You vill verk till you DIE!"