Retired, What now???

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Retired, What now???

by Steve Zenz
(Milwaukee, WI USA)

I just retired from teaching/playing music last July. I am 59 and have worked since I was 14.

I really looked forward to my freedom but now feel lost. I never really had any hobbies. All I knew was work and survival.

I have a safe teachers pension but can't use my 401K due to the economic downturn. I'm learning how to live on less money, cannot sell the big family house and my wife is resentful because she is still trapped in the working world.

I really don't know what to do. Going on a diet consisting of tofu and celery and walking around the block with the rest of the geezers doesn't sound like much fun.

At this point the "golden years" don't seem that golden.

Wendy's Comment: I hear you... people always think about the financial issues of retirement, but they don't think much about what to do AFTER you retire! I often use this at the beginning of my Pre-Retirement Planning Programs:

Most folks spend more time
planning for a two-week vacation,
than they do for retirement...
(and the retirement years can be a period of time as long as you have worked).

You need to do something -- part time "fun" work, volunteer, find a hobby. What did you do before your "teacher/married guy" years? (grin!) Did you have dreams of doing something? Take a class -- learn photography, painting, join a gym, start a monthly lunch get-together group with other retired teachers... get busy!

p.s. Ever consider a website? Make an income while you write a purely informational site?

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Retired, What now???

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Retirement Depression: My Step by Step
by: GIgi

Hey, I retired and did the following steps to help with the blue Mondays or when everyone else went back to school, except me.

Just think of the advantages... School life is so stressful and teaching is the most stressful occupation next to air traffic controllers. I have been on sabbatical for the past year, retired one year and have had some down times.

I have taken the following steps and it helps, but my aunt had a great statement when I said I might go back to work... She said, ?You can't fail at retirement"...

So here are my steps:

1. Start a business... mine is a gourmet jam and art business called The Snow Buttercup Company.

2. Volunteer... I volunteer at Amarillo Botanical Gardens and The Texas Parks and Wildlife.

3. Travel... I have been traveling all year and recently started adventures of hiking and climbing all the Rockies in Colorado.

4. Start a hobby... well; I started taking professional jazz and classical singing lessons... Love it... And I bought a new baton and started twirling again. Taking up classical baroque flute and possibly the harp..guitar!!

5. Join a club... I joined Amarillo Master Gardener Program, Amarillo Herb Society, and Master Naturalist Program of Texas. And Aerobics at the First United Methodist Church

6. About money... well I am in the same situation, but am learning to budget on less. Shop at thrift shops and eat all organic...
AT home... Plus make your gifts for people!!

7. Do what you loved to do when you were 10.... What was that? Mine was archeology, medicine, twirling, sports, hiking, riding bikes, swimming, and designing clothes for my paper dolls ( now I am sewing again)... making a quilt for my college age son, out of his old T shirts! And tie dying...Designing my own clothes and making them!

8. Visit your grown kids and try to help them as they travel on the fast track. I was on the fast track for many years, now the fast track will just have to do without one less rat!!!! HA!

9. Exercise: I took up skiwalking. Go to skiwalking.com to find out about it. Latest craze in Europe. It burns 800 calories per hour and when it snows in the Texas Panhandle, I plan to take up cross country skiing..

10. Meditate, pray, and set goals... Set new goals, write your biography, and start your bucket list. I recommend meditation tapes by OSHO. It guides you through your problems and also helps you to realize your dreams.

Finally we have to Go for it.. We don't fail in retirement do we? No Failure!

Have fun.. get busy living or get busy dying.. La Dolce Vita.. Live the Sweet Life!!!

When skies are gloomy, when troubles coming to you, take a happy attitude, and sing!

Best regards -- GIGI

In the same position
by: GIgi

Hey, I retired and did the following steps to help with the blue Mondays or when everyone else went back to school, except me.

Just think of the advantages... School life is so stressful and teaching is the most stressful occupation next to air traffic controllers. I have been on sabbatical for the past year, retired one year and have had some down times.

I have taken the following steps and it helps, but my aunt had a great statement when I said I might go back to work... She said, ?You can't fail at retirement"...

So here are my steps:

1. Start a business... mine is a gourmet jam and art business called The Snow Buttercup Company.

2. Volunteer... I volunteer at Amarillo Botanical Gardens and The Texas Parks and Wildlife.

3. Travel... I have been traveling all year and recently started adventures of hiking and climbing all the Rockies in Colorado.

4. Start a hobby... well; I started taking professional jazz and classical singing lessons... Love it... And I bought a new baton and started twirling again. Taking up classical baroque flute and possibly the harp..guitar!!

5. Join a club... I joined Amarillo Master Gardener Program, Amarillo Herb Society, and Master Naturalist Program of Texas. And Aerobics at the First United Methodist Church

6. About money... well I am in the same situation, but am learning to budget on less. Shop at thrift shops and eat all organic...
AT home... Plus make your gifts for people!!

7. Do what you loved to do when you were 10.... What was that? Mine was archeology, medicine, twirling, sports, hiking, riding bikes, swimming, and designing clothes for my paper dolls ( now I am sewing again)... making a quilt for my college age son, out of his old T shirts! And tie dying...Designing my own clothes and making them!

8. Visit your grown kids and try to help them as they travel on the fast track. I was on the fast track for many years, now the fast track will just have to do without one less rat!!!! HA!

9. Exercise: I took up skiwalking. Go to skiwalking.com to find out about it. Latest craze in Europe. It burns 800 calories per hour and when it snows in the Texas Panhandle, I plan to take up cross country skiing..

10. Meditate, pray, and set goals... Set new goals, write your biography, and start your bucket list. I recommend meditation tapes by OSHO. It guides you through your problems and also helps you to realize your dreams.

Finally we have to Go for it.. We don't fail in retirement do we? No Failure! Have fun.. get busy living or get busy dying.. La Dolce Vita..

Live the Sweet Life!!! When skies are gloomy, when troubles coming to you, take a happy attitude, and sing!

Best regards
GIGI

WOW! What a great post, Gigi!! Thank you! Wendy

Retired, what now?
by: Anonymous

I understand your lost feeling and the lack of funds that you expected to have.

I guess we just have to identify areas where we can feel we contribute - easy to say, but when you are depressed it is hard to think of things.

Also my retirement has coincided with the down summer time when nothing is happening and good friends are away.

I hope your wife realizes that this situation isn't forever and that she is helping a lot by working.

My friends at my ex-place of employment all envy me, but I feel envious when I hear of the challenges they are facing and their plans to meet them, whereas I am no longer allowed to contribute. TO add to all of this, ex-colleagues call me for guidance, as I supplied a lot in the past and I can't really do much for them, as I no have the power I did while an employee.

Wendy's two cents: Thank YOU anonymous! It only takes one persons words, to suddenly hit home for the intended... and make sense to their retirement, the rest of their life! I hope you find your own retirement peace...

Steve: Retirement - What now? Volunteer with AARP.
by: Anonymous

Hey Steve,

You had a head start on me. I didn't graduate
from the University until age 57. Before that it
was just jobs, or training for jobs.

After that I began my career as Editor of a new senior paper (5 years) and Director of a senior volunteer program (6+ years.)

I was 67+ when I retired and I was already doing what I wanted to do - volunteering. I had been recruiting volunteers for positions that sounded interesting to me and I applied for a position with AARP on retirement planning.

Thus I was learning and teaching at the same time. AARP paid my expenses to travel to the nation's capital, California and other states. Now each state has its own office and training is pretty much in-state, but I volunteered for AARP/VOTE for a few years and then I was an elected delegate to travel to the annual convention in Minneapolis.

An entire hotel was reserved for delegates. Al Gore was keynote speaker that year and I sure enjoyed my front row seat.

One year I volunteered as Tax Aide and attended a week of IRS training to get ready to help seniors at one of the sites.

AARP advised me of a fellowship and I was chosen to attend a Senior Issues Week in WA DC with Close Up.

I volunteered with AARP/WA 15 years before I moved and now I'm with AARP/OR. When they call us to meetings, lunch is provided and mileage is reimbursed. Conferences or events that last more than one day, include our lodging.

If this appeals to you, contact your State AARP. They can use your expertise.

Elinor Nuxoll, OR

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Retired, What now???

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Retired, What now???