If you are not retired and you are thinking about it, how do you envision your retirement? What what you consider your ideal day? On whose terms would you like to retire? I am currently semi-retired, as I cannot retire fully yet, but my employer had other ideas. I became a victim of age discrimination. not wanting to have such an experience again I decided to place my retirement vision and goals in my own hands. These questions are important to me. In fact, I recently read a very interesting article that really opened my eyes to how widespread these issues are. I thought that I would share it with you.
Welcome @Vernon Wilson and great post! There are certainly a few folks here who have asked just about the same question and frankly, there aren’t many answers to the problem itself. It seems though, you’ve come to the bottom of the mountain and made some decisions on your own however forced they may be. At least you’re not looking to be a greeter at Walmart or a security guard at some mall and are taking the risk that a few take earlier in life and depend on yourself and your own intellect. As for myself, I’m retired and mostly live from check to check but I do manage a few houses for someone and perform home renovations as they come up and if I wish to do them. My wife does some on-line work to subsidize things in her back pocket so all in all, we’re fairly happy. Not that a cozy bank account wouldn’t be nice but things are working thus far. I guess, no matter what age we are, the object of appreciation is not to get old. Set your goals as you always should have and go from there. Know that from now on your health has to be factored in just as the employer who betrayed you because of your age did. Above all, don’t fire yourself because of a few setbacks. Keep chugging away, make a few investments if you want, work however you want and have fun for a change. Again, welcome to our little neighborhood. I think we’re a good group and there are certainly many fine people to meet here. Have fun by all means!
I have had my Retirement Choice for 26 years and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and have no regrets. I am still retired but in a totally different phase.
I retired 4 years ago, and didn't change much. I stayed in the same house and do some of the same stuff. I injured myself 5 days post-retirement, so that changed my lifestyle. My wife is a seasonal full-time worker yet, and a part-time year-round employee of her church. We do some agriculture, but sold the livestock, as my lady couldn't do the heavy work and I was unable after my injury. Just like winning the lottery, after retirement the best plan is not to change anything unnecessarily until to have a good plan in place and you have transitioned successfully.
I never really worked and was a stay at home mom so my life hasn’t changed much in that respect....of course being a mom was a job and not a vacation.
Assisted Living is a Lifestyle believe it or not and one that takes some time to learn and settle in. It's not the fantastic Lifestyle that I enjoyed in my 50's 60's & 70's but is quite comfortable for me at this stage of my life.
@Lon Tanner I think the best thing all of us can do is assess where we are at both physically and financially.....and then be flexible enough to make the right choice. I admire how you were willing to give up perhaps some freedoms and personal dreams to assure you are safe and well taken care of.
Thanks Bess. What freedoms I gave up were necessary and I was fortunate to have fulfilled my personal dreams. I could have stayed in my large home and paid some one to come in and cook, clean, look after me, but that would be a Lifestyle not beneficial to my well being.
Like Lon, I live in a Senior Living community, but I don't have his physical restrictions, thankfully. I get out and about often and simply do "my thing." Whatever that may be. I am free spirited and still live that way. I live here as I do have vicious arthritis flare-ups that flatten me. Also, they have to keep an eye on my cardiomyopathy, so my son feels better that I am here. It's OK, but the food isn't.
@Lois Winters Did you just move recently, or am i dreaming. These Senior Living Communities seems to be great places, a far cry from the Personal Care homes, not going to be my upcoming move. The Senior Living life looks something i would like to look into, sadly nothing like that in of our rural places. would have to Brandon, a small city an hour away, and there's Winnipeg, our provinces capital, two and a half hours away. Will be a big thought when i feel the time is here.
No, Micki, I haven't moved recently. I am contemplating a move down the shore near my son, but it will be a transfer within this community to a new building down there.
Well, I will not be moving anytime soon as long as this pandemic has me in a lockdown situation. Also, I am told the new location will not open until all the virus has either mutated and weakened and subsequently died or is at least dormant. Thus, it's Marley and me and chatting with friends and my son on a daily basis via phone. So far, we're ok and that's all that matters at the end of each day.
I'm totally and happily immersed in the activity I've been enjoying for the past 22 years, which I had planned during my previous 37 working years: NOT WORKING! Hal