MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: xcvator on March 08, 2013, 07:53:24 PM
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My question is for all the swaggers that have retired. :cheers:
If you really enjoyed your work and the comradery that often goes with it, how did you handle the transition from working to no work, except what you wanted to do ? I don't think finances will be a problem within reason, but there is only so much fishing, golf and gardening you can do.
I guess the my biggest problem is that I do my job well and I enjoy doing it, but there is a bit of money tide up in plant and equipment that will have to be sold to keep the G'ment( centre link ), tax man and superannuation requirements happy :'(
The date is set 31/12/2013, the decision has been made,the train is in motion, I should be happy buuttttt (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sad058.gif)[/url (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
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Nike
If I was in a position to retire (2 year old means I'll be working for the next 20 years) I would retire in an instant and work a few days a week at Rays, BCF, ARB etc selling stuff and talking crap :)
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Best thing I ever did was leave "work" and run Mandrake's as a hobby - I can play in the man cave , garden , go out , play lawn bowls , camp etc etc ..
Mandrake
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I have 14 years and 2 days to go to retire, i have to retire at 60, i do plan to retire and not work so hopefully my plan does work.... good super for me and my wife should see the plan work...
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Make sure you have enough interests to keep you going.
Try volunteer work in an area you feel comfortable. one or two days a week. You will probably find you are short of time to do 'other things' as you will take longer to do tasks, 'there is no rush to get that job done'.
Reading is good. since retiring over three years ago, I've read about three hundred novels (library, not purchased. Or on trips, buy from The Sallies and give them back at the next Sallies location).
Grandkids?
I'm sure your better half will find something around the house that needs doing :-)
I enjoyed my job but do not miss it in the least since retiring. A new life!
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I found "retirement" a bit scary. I think there's a male/female thing here too. Males tend to be known for what they do but females are known for who they are. I liked the idea of a "change of pace" so am working "in patches" - work a few weeks, have a few weeks off. It seems to be working for me. If that's possible for you, that's what I would advise.
Cheers
S.O.
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Retirement is big talk around our place at the moment. I gave up my job seven odd years ago ( charter boat skipper- boat builder) so that we could affoard to buy our first home together (both second time wed). We moved to the country where we could affoard to buy a house and have not looked back. On Thursday the 28th March Annie will retire after 44 years as a high school teacher, I know she is looking forward to our big trip away but still enjoys her work but is looking forward to her retirement.
But full time retirement is not on the cards Annie would like to do some contract teaching in the west next year. Plus looking to do some volunteer work where we can.
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Hi,
I left early to miss out on a building relocation. It would have meant a longer commute, and CBD traffic. Otherwise I would have stayed (perhaps?)
I now wonder how I ever found time to go to work. Heaps of stuff to do re landscaping, setting up camper, making stuff I now have time to make, learning stuff all the time re digital photos, GPS etc.
Never a dull moment!
Love it!
cheers
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Do you really retire? I finished work and retired last year, or so I thought and now seem busier than I ever was with fixing up the house, catching up with friends for lunches, checking up on 15 grandchildren and being the SWMBO,s kitchen bitch ;D But I like cooking and doing things around the house and getting up when I want and never having to hear an alarm clock again. :-* I do miss getting the day off occasionally with pay but I guess I can take any day off now, with the SWMBO,s permission >:D One of the best aspects of retirement is we can take holidays whenever we like and are not locked into work times or school holidays, there is nothing better than being at a nice campsite and being almost the only one there. 8) Well, after that I might go and pour myself another Bundy and contemplate if I should do anything tomorrow, or even if I will get out of bed,,,,,,,I LOVE RETIREMENT. :cheers:
Trevor
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I suppose I will retire some time - after all I'm 67 this year - but I enjoy my work too much, having reached a position in my industry where I am known across the country. I think of myself as transitioning into retirement as we usually take about 12 weeks as holiday each year: the next bit starts at Easter when we head off for a 6 week trip to Europe.
Besides my super took a big hit because of the GFC so I need to boost it up a bit! Wish the government would let me put more than $25,000 in each year without taxing it to hell.
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I'm too busy to retire.
I'm flat out now, I don't have time to take on any more tasks......
Retirement would be just another commitment I have no time for.
One day.........
But probably not soon.
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When I retired 12 months ago after 50 years grafting in the building game, I carried ondoing jobs for mates that i'd worked with over the years(sparkies/plumbers) Sold the workshop/yard so now have a garage and shed full of gear i've accumulated, it's a shame not to use it now and again. :D
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Retire..????
No way.. not going there,, I'd be bored Shitless and divorced within 2 weeks. :cheers:
BHG
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I thought I would be retiring soon with crook back and our wonderful police force trying to get rid of me straight out the door. However I have clearance from the doctors so back to work on Monday. :police:
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I suppose I will retire some time - after all I'm 67 this year - but I enjoy my work too much, having reached a position in my industry where I am known across the country. I think of myself as transitioning into retirement as we usually take about 12 weeks as holiday each year: the next bit starts at Easter when we head off for a 6 week trip to Europe.
Besides my super took a big hit because of the GFC so I need to boost it up a bit! Wish the government would let me put more than $25,000 in each year without taxing it to hell.
Change the odd detail, and that's pretty much my lot too.......
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Retired 2 years ago just short of 56 and have not looked back. Just love it and have never been busier! My wife has now resigned (still got 4 years until she can retire) and we are about to head off for 9 months.
Wait until you have a medical scare and believe me, you will realise that life is way too short.
My wife being an emergency nurse and with my old occupation I could tell you so many stories of people being hit with tragedy and how their whole life changes.
A few years back a work colleague took early retirement at 54, bought a caravan, first trip he and his wife did was heading down south, they were setting up in a caravan park in NSW, putting up the van’s awning and he had a heart attack and that was it, all over!
I remember work mates telling me I would miss the interaction and conversations. When travelling this is not a problem. So many good people to talk to out there and almost all travellers are happy people.
They do say it can take up to 2 years to get use to retirement, so be prepared, but you will just love it.
Kevin
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but there is only so much fishing, golf and gardening you can do.
Come and do mine :D
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What about picking up one or two days a week on someone else's machine? Maybe on a weekend when they are off?
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Come and do mine :D
I did, remember :-*
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I retired 4 years ago from a job that I liked, but I have not regretted it one bit. I now find that I can do a lot more things that I was not able to while I was at work - i.e. fishing, travelling, camping. I go on at least 2 trips a year to the gulf fishing for barramundi and whatever other suicidal fish decides to hit my lures. I go on monthly holidays to either Philippines, Thailand or Singapore. My son has talked me into investing money into a little cattle breeding venture, and between us we now have 300 head of cows and 4 bulls. I spend a weekend every now and then drafting them.
To fill in my days here in Mackay while the weather is so sh***y, I have mastered the art of making collapsible crab pots. I make them out of 10mm galvenised steel rings, 900mm diameter, with 4 funnels and 4 poly 32mm posts. I sell these to my friends. The fun with these is getting the parts to Mackay. You would think the steel is GOLD, but you just can't get anything here in Mackay. I use prawn trawler mesh, and I went to the only ships chandlery shop here and asked for a meshing needle. The bloke behind the counter came back with, "That's that?" Enough said.
I am planning another 3-4 months up in NT after I come back from a fishing trip and a holiday to (I think) Phuket.
There just aint enough hours in the day.
Graham
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I forgot to mention. I am 68 this year.
Graham
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Im a long way off retiring but if I could tomorrow ,i would.I just cant imagine laying on my death bed looking up and thinking....geez i wish i could have worked more.........
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Work to live, not live to work.
I've started planning my retirement... I've only got 23 years and 6 months to get it sorted :'(
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Keith, buddy,
Exiting times.
I reckon that you need to start looking at selling your business, not your gear, There must be someone out there who would be looking for the contact list that you have, thats worth $$$$.
And once you've found that person (and I reckon you know who they mite be), offer them a deal. That deal mite include YOU coming back and doing a few hours/weeks/months work for the next few years (cash $$$$$$) to help them out when they need time off/extra hands. Think outside the square buddy. You have a business, not just equipment.
I wish I were you!
:cheers:
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I retired a few years ago, and would not even consider going back to work. I think most people are worried by the thought of giving up work, losing that steady income that builds up the superannuation, and the thought of all the 'dead' time that needs to be filled.
First up, let me assure you that 'dead' time does not happen very often. I used to talk to old workmates that had retired while I was working, and they used to tell me that they didn't know how they found the time to work. Outside I would be all smiles, but inside I used to be thinking that this guy was cracked. But they were right. Time is now not the enemy. Slow down and enjoy all you are doing. We have found that we have to block in time on the calendar to allow us to get away on a trip otherwise things get arranged and it hard to get away.
Sounds like you have a good group of mates from work, and that shouldn't change that much. You will find new friends as you expand into other areas of your life as well.
As said before, if you haven't hobbies, look at trying a few things out to see what interests you. Obviously travel should be high on the agenda, and the beauty of doing it when retired is that you do it so much easier. We have found that with no deadline to get back for, we are much more relaxed about where we are going, and how long we want to stay at each place. We often travel with another couple who both work, and we used to travel exactly as they do. Now we find that they do not truly relax. Sitting around to enjoy a marvellous sunrise, sunset, view or whatever, never really occurs to them. There is always that ticking clock that tells them they only have so many days to do the trip in.
Embrace retirement as the reward it is for all the hard work you have done over the years. Remember, you live on one of Australia's jewels, enjoy it.
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My old man lasted 1 year retired and then mum sent him back to consulting and he is now happier then ever works his own hours and days but still feels like he is doing something.
I think the main difference is being a work person all his life he did not have many hobbies so as above only so much golf can be played
He and they are a lot better now but he said if he had his time again he would have wound down to retirement over 2 or 3 years and not just stopped cold turkey, especially as a Managing Director who was used to his mind going flat out in work mode from 7am to 7pm
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Sorry it took so long to get to this reply....I'm retired!
I loved the job I was doing, had many many friends, collegues and associates through it and was pretty shattered when the then CCP changed the goal posts....(work parameters)- Fuji would know it as P/SIP... so just hung in there until I could hopefully manage financially and retired at 54!
First thing we did was head off and do an extended time away travelling up through the centre, across the GRR , Broome, Cape Leveque, Purnalulu and back to Alice via the Tanami.... Then some time with our friends out around Kings Canyon area.
Now we spend our time Sailing, Camping, working (as volunteers) with Indigenous Kids (and other kids too), in fact all the things I wished I'd had more time for when I was working. Sure, I miss the pay every fortnight but managing ok. So no regrets at all ...... My advice - When you have the opportunity to "retire" grab it with both hands - there is a whole wonderful world to enjoy out there and lots of wonderful people to meet.
Cheers!
Sue
aka Desert Lover.....
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There was an article the other day that suggested that even with $1 million invested you may not afford the retirement you would like. Roughly 1 million invested should equate to around 50k a year with 5% interest, thats not a lot for a couple to live on and to go travelling often, new camper and tow vehicle, etc etc.
So what sort of money do those that have already retired get by on? Its a difficult question I know due to peoples spending habits and taste etc, but just trying to get an idea what you would need (in todays money) to have a comfortable retirement with a few months on the road each year.
I'm planning on retirement somewhere between 55 and 60 if the market recovers to cover the losses in Super etc.
Cheers
Mark
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Well my new house bills come to $13000 this year .. Food etc another $15000 Fuel / Travel $10000 - Maintenance house and vehicles $10000 - Thats $50K -
I should be broke in a few years but then I'll be 65 and Joolia will look after some of that !!
People you need to buy more Solar stuff as I can't afford to retire properly ... ;D ;D ;D
Mandrake
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Most Super Schemes have a benefits calculator somewhere in their content. Ok, they're a guide only, but mine is currently telling me that from when I retire in 12 years, We will have a combined income of pension and super of $53k (todays $) from age 65 thru to 85 ($28k of this is aged pension). This is based on a fund balance of approx $300k on retirement. If I add to it, or get a new job with higher contributions, the balance will increase.
After 85, well, its pension only. As the kids have left home, hopefully a lot more can be tipped into super. 500k will be a good target. If you want to retire earlier, say 55 or 60, then, yep, a larger contributions balance may only give you a basic income.
So, find your benefits calculator, and start plugging figures into it, its both an interesting and scary exercise.
Here's a link to mine:
http://www.csf.com.au/retirement-modeller (http://www.csf.com.au/retirement-modeller)
:cheers:
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There was an article the other day that suggested that even with $1 million invested you may not afford the retirement you would like. Roughly 1 million invested should equate to around 50k a year with 5% interest, thats not a lot for a couple to live on and to go travelling often, new camper and tow vehicle, etc etc.
So what sort of money do those that have already retired get by on? Its a difficult question I know due to peoples spending habits and taste etc, but just trying to get an idea what you would need (in todays money) to have a comfortable retirement with a few months on the road each year.
I'm planning on retirement somewhere between 55 and 60 if the market recovers to cover the losses in Super etc.
Cheers
Mark
Mark, dont forget to add the sliding scale because in the first, lets say 10 years you might want $60,000 per year but it will slowly reduce as you get older and medical issues start to take over, so in 20 years after retirement you will be living on much less. Thats why you need to do all the big ticket items early just in case old age and medical issues take over. A financial investor advised that in retirement with the right concessions your retirement rate you should aim for is approximately 65% of your income before retirement. In case you dont understand me what I am saying is if your current income is $80,000 then you should be able to live the same in retirement on about $50,000 (or what 65% equates to). There are a lot of different concessions that help reduce living cost like seniors card and other discounts for travel, I am taking a trip to Sydney on the train soon and the $113 return fare is reduced to $56.50 for senior card holders as example.
The main thing is dont think you need the same money you are now living on as it will be less, but I must say that it is better if all your assets are freehold and you are not paying rent.
I am living very comfortable and I dont have anywhere a $1m in assets.
Trevor
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Thanks Mace, areyonga & Mandrake. From the calculator it seems that you can still get a partial age pension even if you have a reasonable income from Super, I was not aware of this and hope it's the case as I always thought it was unfair to have a means tested pension when you have paid taxe's all your life.