Retirement

Oscar Mike said:

We were pretty fortunate in our working careers. I was able to quit working without any debt whatsoever. Had I any debt I would still be in the mix. Being debt free is a B-L-E-S-S-I-N-G.

Good luck in your retirement plans. Perhaps we'll meet down the road somewhere and reminisce about how the world couldn't have made it without our working 80 hours a week... .

BTW, how did the body work come out on the Brave?

Click to expand...

BTW, thanks for bringing this topic up for discussion.  As for the Brave, no body work done yet.  CW was so backed up I saw no need to park it there over the holidays.  I have 5 acres and its a lot safer here.  After 1/1 we will revisit their work schedule.

I am one year and 3 days from retirement, but it hasn't "hit" yet.  People ask about post retirement plans and I don't yet have a clue.  Workaholics usually pick up few hobbies and fewer non-work related friends.  We just joined a WIT club and hope to at least get some once a month socializing in during 2015.  Clearly the challenge is on!  Just have to figure what I want to do when I grow up.

Long ago I read a book that taught, "do what you love and the money will follow."  I have, it has, and I've enjoyed the ride.  Although I don't work as much as my customers would like, I think I will need a 12 step program to sell and get out. 

Driving the truck and the MH are pretty much the same.  Except I do have the Bose Ride System in my truck, which is a computerized seat which compensates for bumps giving me a very smooth ride, and more gauges.  The biggest difference when driving the MH is the time of the stops.  Oh, and I don't have a shower in the truck. 

Well Tom and I never did debt, we were raised to be extremely debt adverse, so that sure isn't the reason.  He just
likes working.

Having been a member of a WA group (Workaholic Annon.) it was somewhat of a revelation to find that most of us think we are working the hours we do "for our family".  Reality is that we do it for ourselves and the feeling of worth  and the "high" that it provides.  I'd better find some worthy projects in a year.  We are involved with a disaster assistance group and the RV comes in handy, but no plans for sitting around praying for tornadoes.  LOL....

For the first third of my career I was a Union Carpenter, I was mostly a heavy industrial carpenter doing concrete form work, large scale projects, refineries, mines, and such. I learned my trade inside and out because I loved my job. The middle third of my career was as a Project Superintendent and then as a Project Manager, again I loved every minute of my work. I thrived on the never-ending stress, and I was pretty darn good at what I did. In 1994 I had had enough of making money for other people and I founded JMB Construction, Inc. That's when the real work began.

We started out in business with but a few thousand dollars in the bank, 2-sons, a mortgage, and a car payment. I worked every waking moment, from the time I got out of bed until I went back to bed 18-20 hours later. I literally was putting in 16-18 hours a day, eating fast food, and surviving on coffee and cigarettes for the first several years. At my peak we had 17 projects going at one time, and I loved it.

I 2009 I had a melt down. My body and my mind couldn't take the stress or the constant lack of sleep any longer. I had been going down hill for a while but I couldn't see it myself. I just pushed myself harder, until one day I just collapsed. On that day I quit working, it was that sudden. In 1 1/2 years from now I will begin my retirement, I consider retirement the day when I begin to receive a pension.

Today I am slowly getting back into the mix of work, but I hope in a healthy way. we purchased a piece of property that we are going to develop, so I am in charge of that project. I love construction, and so I am hoping that the development game will satisfy me for a couple of years.

I am still having a problem keeping my priorities straight. I gave up a recent trip for the business. I need to take Gary's advice and make a priority shift...

I retired 20 years ago at 49 and haven't missed work one time.  You just have to have your finances in order.

I went in to announce my retirement "because I want to travel/see the country". The counter offer (unsolicited) was "how about half pay and be available for consulting half time wherever you are?" It turned out that the questions were rare, but I did that for over two years until a reorganization would have resulted in a changed environment so I fully retired.

This was the perfect transition for me but I suspect that the ability to retire depends on the individual. Some simply aren't ready, while others need to think through what is important to them (BOTH OF THEM). We've met several couples where only one was "Living the Dream" while the other missed the grandbabies and home. And not every couple can live together in 350 sq. ft. Our advantage wss that we had the time to determine that we were compatible in retirement before committing to it!

Ernie

I retired last February, and don't miss having to go to work every day. I was ready for it. I worked my whole life to be able to retire at 62, but when the time came I wasn't ready to go. I worked a couple more years but in those 2 years my walking ability degraded quite a lot, and I couldn't do my job anymore. My wife is 8.5 years younger than I and she says she never wants to retire. That may change in a few years but I may not be able to travel much by then. We just use our coach for some weekend trips and when she is on vacation. I use it the most going to the race track with my son in the racing season. She refuses to drive the coach so I doubt very much we'll ever travel very much. Thought about buying a larger coach after I retired but realized I really didn't need one, and I have this one fixed up like I want it. Serves my purpose perfectly.

Good stuff.  366 days to mull it over...LOL

This doesn't effect most of you here, but I really need to find a facility for Sue Anne to go too.  Tom and I have never had
any time together for us and I crave that.  We have always taken care of her and I have no regrets but I told her the other day and dad and I really need some adult time together where we can still have it before we get to old.  I'm certainly not wanting to write her out of our lives in any way shape or form.  What I wish is I could find someone younger to come in and stay at the house with her or wish she could go to assisted living for a few months at a time.  Assisted living won't let her come in our area till she is 55 and I would be 80.  I have a short window of 10 to 12 years to do anything so the next year I'm going to see what I can get set up.  Honestly if she gets in the right place having people near her ago would be good for her too.  Just have to see what I can work out. Our remaining good years are limited and running down and I know it.

PatrioticStabilist said:

This doesn't effect most of you here, but I really need to find a facility for Sue Anne to go too.  Tom and I have never had
any time together for us and I crave that.  We have always taken care of her and I have no regrets but I told her the other day and dad and I really need some adult time together where we can still have it before we get to old.  I'm certainly not wanting to write her out of our lives in any way shape or form.  What I wish is I could find someone younger to come in and stay at the house with her or wish she could go to assisted living for a few months at a time.  Assisted living won't let her come in our area till she is 55 and I would be 80.  I have a short window of 10 to 12 years to do anything so the next year I'm going to see what I can get set up.  Honestly if she gets in the right place having people near her ago would be good for her too.  Just have to see what I can work out. Our remaining good years are limited and running down and I know it.

Click to expand...

Well my parents are at a place called the Cloisters.  http://www.thecloisters.com/  It is a wonderful place, and they have a great dinning room down stairs.  I know you live far from FL, but in the MH one just needs to point it in that direction.  The other reason I recommend it is that I've seen some younger people there that are developmentally challenged.  They ususally live on the 2nd floor, then someone takes them down for meals.  They make friendships there quite quickly, and many times another resident will go down to eat with them.  There are many activities there, such as Wii bowling, movie nights, crafts, painting classes, bingo, etc..  They have a lot right across the street where I park my truck or set up my MH an boondock, which I've done for weeks at a time.  The prices we've paid have run from $2,000 to $3,000 a month.  Here's their contact information; Phone: (386) 822-6900 or (800) 738-1222
E-mail us at [email protected]  Ask for Randy and Tell him Steve Heglmeier, said he could probably work something out for you.  He's a good Christian man and tries to do the right thing, not a by the book guy, a solutions guy, and also the guy that runs the place.  The only people they do not take is Alzheimer patients, they are "assisted living," not a nursing home.  So hopefully you could go to FL, get her set up, take a trip, and Deland is a great central location. 

While I'm down there, just 2 miles away is a nice repair facility if you need something done on your MH that you can't or don't want to do yourself.  In the other direction, behind the Publix is a repair facility that repairs items like generators, motors, transmissions, etc..  Deland is a really nice town, and is considered part of central FL.  Just about 10 miles away is http://www.hpfishcamp.com/ they rent boats, so I can always go fishing, see bald eagles flying freely, deer, etc..  It's not much in the way of a campground for those that like amenities, but it has everything I like, which is nature.  No paved roads etc. in the campground.  You feel like you're 100 miles away from everything.  There are other campgrounds close by, one is a passport campground in Orange City, FL, I think less than $20 passport price.  Many great restaurants close by, I recommend the Deland Fish House, and the Main Street Cafe.  Wow, just thinking about these places makes my taste buds leap for joy, I'm ready for my next trip.

I'm a sucker for small towns.  And Deland does not disappoint.  It's also the home of Stetson University.  If you'd like to go to the beach, it's only a short 30 minute drive away. And Downtown Deland is within walking distance for myself and many of the residents, and they have excellent security inside the gated complex, and the guards are all helpful an friendly. 

The best I can say about the place, is if I needed a facility, and I've looked at over 50, (no exaggeration) that is the one I would want to be, hands down.  There is even a lady there that is in her 90's, still drives, and moved there from here in Lake Worth, TX.  That is 5 miles from where I live, and she always talks to me about Ginger Browns, one of her favorite restaurants here.  She claims she looked "everywhere" and that is the best place by far.  She's lived there over 10 years.  My parents have lived there for 4 years.  I hope it works out for you.

Carolyn, that is a huge burden especially as you grow older. You are faced with a tough decision, you and Tom are not getting any younger and owe yourselves some 'us time' without any guilt. She likely won't like it at first and may rebel, people in her situation thrive on routine and set patterns, hate change, but some tough love is in order here to save your sanity and the relationship. Tom will likely resent being tied down when he retires which will be hard on you. All the best in your decision.

Retirement is maybe the wrong word as things have become complicated.

These days, the doctors will keep you in good enough health to put you into a retirement home. At now about $4,500 a month, which eats a lot of financial resources. Many rvers had to come out of their rv for a reason.

On the reverse, my friend never had a chance to sell his business and retire, if you like the word. He died of a heart attack at age 73 riding his bicycle.

Some of my professional friends think that have two choices: die in place if they retire or work until they crash onto their desk. I think there is a third option. You find an interest, whether volunteer, making part-time money, whatever. But find an interest a hobby...whatever flips your bic. And I'm not sure just rolling around in an rv is enough for some of us, nor sitting on a beach drinking Margaritas in Margarita Ville.

So, I'm now in the middle of getting my certified rv technican/electical specialist. I will do a bit of my old business and do a bit of this technician service thing...and when my cash becomes available this 2015 or 2016, I know exactly what to buy.

I won't sell my home and go full time, and I will travel overseas a bit as well. But, I won't use a loan to buy an rv - not interested despite all the just do it encouragement I hear from time to time.

Every person finds their own path.

RodgerS said:

Retirement is maybe the wrong word as things have become complicated.

These days, the doctors will keep you in good enough health to put you into a retirement home. At now about $4,500 a month, which eats a lot of financial resources. Many rvers had to come out of their rv for a reason.

On the reverse, my friend never had a chance to sell his business and retire, if you like the word. He died of a heart attack at age 73 riding his bicycle.

Some of my professional friends think that have two choices: die in place if they retire or work until they crash onto their desk. I think there is a third option. You find an interest, whether volunteer, making part-time money, whatever. But find an interest a hobby...whatever flips your bic. And I'm not sure just rolling around in an rv is enough for some of us, nor sitting on a beach drinking Margaritas in Margarita Ville.

So, I'm now in the middle of getting my certified rv technican/electical specialist. I will do a bit of my old business and do a bit of this technician service thing...and when my cash becomes available this 2015 or 2016, I know exactly what to buy.

I won't sell my home and go full time, and I will travel overseas a bit as well. But, I won't use a loan to buy an rv - not interested despite all the just do it encouragement I hear from time to time.

Every person finds their own path.

Click to expand...

This is what I find most interesting about work camping.  If you can get a deal with a national park, you can volunteer/work in an area you want to know more about, and learn way more about the place than if you just visited.  The selling your house part for me, is scary.  I'd rather move all my stuff out to my farm, rent the house, and be ready to return once I've done all I wish to do.

What those who haven't retired need to know. There are no guarantee that you get to retire. My biggest fear was that something would happen that I couldn't retire. I worked at a big factory (Lockheed Martin) to many of my coworkers didn't make it to retirement. Some died some became disabled and couldn't do anything.
Yes there is a transition. Yes it can be stressful. My biggest issue was I had for a long time got up and was out of the house by 5:30. I had to get over the feeling I had to go somewhere.
Bill 

The other thing non-retirees might like to know ahead of time is that you might feel at "loose ends" for the first year.  Not getting up at a specific time every day and going somewhere tends to be disconcerting at first.  The feeling goes away as new activities fill up your day and you then wonder how you ever had the time to work!

ArdraF

PatrioticStabilist said:

He just likes working.

Click to expand...

I understand the need to keep busy, but I am reminded of an old analogy.  One phrase I have yet to see on a headstone " I wish I would have spent more time at work".  Doubt if I ever will.......

Well its more then that too.  We went to a financial planner years ago to see what we have to provide for Sue Anne.
At the time they projected savings of $500,000 for her and  half of Tom's social security, to provide for her in a private facility. She gets half of what I would have at full retirement now. For savings on interest at that time they projected a modest 4% interest rate or less and that along with medicare and Medicaid would let the money last for 30 years.  Well you know what's happened to that.

So we have issues, what we did to try to make it last longer for her was plan on keeping her home longer.  We have
no idea how long she will live.  Then of course we have to provide for us too.  And we can't afford to gamble with any
of the money.

Needless to say we have foregone things like a newer motorhome to help maintain it. Don't get me wrong we are not
doing without anything but you make choices that you otherwise would not have had to make.

I felt like if we could see her through her younger years at home and in a nice place then as she got older she might
have to go state supported it would work out.  It's part of that that motivated the working longer too I'm sure.  We do
have to provide for us 2.

We are pursuing the guardianship now and then going to apply for the state for whatever is available, but it all takes time.
I am looking or going to be at a facility near Evansville that once they have housing they then apply to the state and feds for funding along with her SS.  Now that would work out well, but of course they can only add to their campus when they can build more properties.  So do we look into helping fund one or no?  It's all confusing, tied up in government issues, just a mess.  I am still at a loss as to what route to go.

Think of this, just a few years ago a study showed 80% of the disabled such as she are still living home with a parent that is 80 or over and that tells you the seriousness of the problem and lack of facilities for them.  It's the hidden dirty secret in the US.

PatrioticStabilist said:

Well its more then that too.  We went to a financial planner years ago to see what we have to provide for Sue Anne.
At the time they projected savings of $500,000 for her and  half of Tom's social security, to provide for her in a private facility. She gets half of what I would have at full retirement now. For savings on interest at that time they projected a modest 4% interest rate or less and that along with medicare and Medicaid would let the money last for 30 years.  Well you know what's happened to that.

So we have issues, what we did to try to make it last longer for her was plan on keeping her home longer.  We have
no idea how long she will live.  Then of course we have to provide for us too.  And we can't afford to gamble with any
of the money.

Needless to say we have foregone things like a newer motorhome to help maintain it. Don't get me wrong we are not
doing without anything but you make choices that you otherwise would not have had to make.

I felt like if we could see her through her younger years at home and in a nice place then as she got older she might
have to go state supported it would work out.  It's part of that that motivated the working longer too I'm sure.  We do
have to provide for us 2.

We are pursuing the guardianship now and then going to apply for the state for whatever is available, but it all takes time.
I am looking or going to be at a facility near Evansville that once they have housing they then apply to the state and feds for funding along with her SS.  Now that would work out well, but of course they can only add to their campus when they can build more properties.  So do we look into helping fund one or no?  It's all confusing, tied up in government issues, just a mess.  I am still at a loss as to what route to go.

Think of this, just a few years ago a study showed 80% of the disabled such as she are still living home with a parent that is 80 or over and that tells you the seriousness of the problem and lack of facilities for them.  It's the hidden dirty secret in the US.

Click to expand...

Life is complicated as a caregiver, no doubt. You're an inspiration and a good model for the rest of us. My MIL is aging out, and we will be taking over her care in the coming few years, something that I am not looking forward to, but taking care of our family is of the utmost priority, IMHO.

My heartfelt prayers go out to you and yours.

We have it mostly worked out, my only problem is wanting to have just a few quality years with my husband.  He has
sacrificed to see she and us is cared for believe me.

It could be so much worse, I could have been one of the women with a disabled child that the husband dumped because
as you hear "they just can't handle it".  Believe me there are many many out there so we are working on this together.

It will all fall into place just going to take me work and time to get it done.  I want her safe and happy.

Happy New Year to all and I will let you continue to discuss the topic of retirement.  Like I said he finally is for sure this
year.