Plan for Retirement, But Don't Make Too Many Commitments Too Soon!

by Marilyn Allen
(Shawnee, OK)

Hello from Marilyn in Shawnee, OK!

Well, I am 56 and retired 2 1/2 months ago after 33 yrs, 3 months and 3 weeks of working for the same institution. I had worked my entire adult life with a week or two vacations a yr.

I couldn't imagine what it would be like to not work for the rest of my life. I, too, have several hobbies to pursue and have been looking for this day to come.

Was I scared? YES!

Did I have doubts? OF COURSE! This is a life-changing event!

Were there surprises? YES.

1) I felt abandoned until I had my home email working so I could communicate with those from my former workplace. I felt a need to know what was going on with the people there as well as the work itself. Weird. For about a month I was still very much a part of my former workplace.

It's not so much that way anymore. Of course I still keep in contact. I have friends there; and they still ask a work question from time to time.

2) Recently I am feeling a little depressed and I'm not sure why. I think it's because my initiative is down. I had several things planned for the first few months of retirement. That might have been a mistake. I should have made some plans a little further in the future.

I have enjoyed being a housewife (that may sound strange to some of you, but it's a new experience for a lifetime out of the home worker). But I've enjoyed it so much I don't want to interrupt it. It's hard to explain. I'm having fun being around the house.

I went on vacation with a friend of mine for a week the end of June. Next week I am going to a china painting seminar for another week. I was suppose to go on a float trip this past weekend but canceled it because I wanted to spend time at home.

My suggestion: Don't plan alot of activities too quickly after you retire. Enjoy just being at home for several months WITHOUT any commitments.

My decision to retire might have been slightly premature for financial reasons; but due to a change in boss's and an upcoming complete financial system overhaul at my workplace, I took the plunge.

Yes, I too may be a little young to retire, but I worked years to be able to do it. My original plan was to work another couple of years so my house would be paid for. So instead I took a draw from my retirement to pay it off along with some other bills so I could be debt free.

For several weeks after retiring, I was in complete wonder and disbelief. Everyday felt like Saturday. Even today - it's Monday - and guess what - I did not have to get up at the crack of dawn to get ready for a 30-45 minute commute to work. I don't have to drive in bad weather.

It was raining the other morning and I sat out on the back porch and watched it rain. Wonderful! It is still unbelievable.

If I go into the city to do some errands and come home around 3 in the afternoon, I still have the feeling of "oh, I get to come home early today". You know, the feeling when you leave work early for a couple of hours off. That didn't happen very often with me, so that had a very satisfying unique feeling about it.

My Saturdays used to be basically a day of rest for me except for doing laundry and some housework. So with everyday feeling like Saturday for a couple of weeks meant my body was in rest mode and I didn't do much. But that changed almost overnight.

My energy was up and I started major overhauling of this ol' house which was part of my plan after retiring. I was at lightning speed for a few days then it dawned on me. Why am I in such a big hurry? I don't have to hurry up and get this done because I have to go to work in a few days. I can take my time and do a more thorough job. I am telling you these things because there are small, subtle differences in thinking.

Do I regret it? No. As I said, I'm young. If I want to return to the workforce I can and I may; but right now I have no plans to. I don't need to financially; although with the economy like it is, it makes me wonder. LOL

I still get up early. I don't want to waste my days. Some days I don't do a whole lot. I am a Christian so my major quest is to seek the Lord and see what He wants me to do. I am extremely excited to work for Him. I have the time; I am young enough to be active; and I want to do it.

Do I know what my calling is yet? No, but it will come. In the meantime I will pray, study the Word and give praises to my Lord Jesus Christ. Am I anxious to know what it is? Of course. I'm only human, but I'm also excited.

Comments for Plan for Retirement, But Don't Make Too Many Commitments Too Soon!

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commitment
by: BoBraxton

My former employer non-profit offered me "Good retirement" March 4 and the last day I was allowed to work was 2009 June 30, completing eleven years full-time.

From that day forward I have been writing. The form that I use allows me to be writing "all the time," even in my head. First I write in longhand, then my work goes into word processing.

I enjoy being at home a lot and also yard and garden activities outdoors. We have a fairly large corner lot in the suburbs, having lived in this one place since 1984.

I have been looking for an on-line community from around my retirement last paid work.

ms
by: marie

I LIVE IN SCOTLAND AND HAVE JUST HAD CONFIRMATION THAT I CAN RETIRE IN 12 WEEKS AFTER WORKING FOR 28 YEARS.

I AM PLEASED ABOUT THIS AS I HAVE BEEN REQUESTING TO RETIRE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. NOW IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED I AM REALLY SCARED!!

I WORRY ABOUT WHAT I WILL DO; I NEED STRUCTURE, ROUTINE ETC AND I HAVE 3 ADULT DAUGHTERS EACH WITH A CHILD AND WHILST I AM HAPPY TO HELP I NEED 'ME' TIME. MY HUSBAND MAY CONTINUE TO WORK FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BUT THIS IS GOOD AS WE BOTH NEED TIME TO PREPARE FOR RETIREMENT AND HE NEEDS TO HAVE A FOCUS AT THIS TIME.

I CANNOT LOOK FORWARD TO RETIREMENT AS I THOUGHT I WOULD!! I AM REALLY SURPRISED BY THESE FEELINGS???

If you are afraid to retire because of no money
by: Anonymous

Like the previous commenter, I don't know if anyone still reads this, but there is an e-Book on Smashwords and on Kindle Amazon about not having enough money to retire on.


It is called "55 and Scared Sh*tless -- Retiring without Money" and it helps everyone to get some additional income during retirement using their job skills and experience that they had in the working world.

At Smashwords you can download the book without a fancy reader and read it on your computer:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/259619

Or if you have a Kindle you can get it here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADM5JBA

The book has a very interesting chapter on problem solving that is applicable to any major problem in your life.

You don't need a kindle, they will give you a kindle reader to use books on your computer...

Planning to retire in one year..
by: Anonymous

I don't know how long ago the messages on this board were written but if anyone is still reading this I'd like to comment.

My plan is to retire the summer of 2012 (next year). Financially I should be fine, better than fine, so that's not worrying me. What to do with my time is.

I live alone and don't really do anything now except go to work, come home and watch TV and play a little on the computer and go to bed. Yep, I lead a very useless life.

I think I'm doomed. And here my time is being spent telling total strangers something because there isn't anyone else to tell. Oh well. Thanks to all the other comments about being scared to retire. It was helpful reading them.

wendyAnonymous, I pray you left your email address when you submitted your comment, so you get notice of this being published.

Amazon Book to check out -- Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways To Start The Rest of Your Life

I am taking a class right now on the book... it's really great for figuring out what you value in life and to see the broader scope of all your options! Plus -- it's only $10.. isn't that worth your future happiness?

Seriously -- I am going to do tele-classes from this website soon based on this book. I have retirement all together in my neat little box now, after one year, content and happy with life. But going through the class helped me to evaluate life too.. it's really good for making you think about your retirement years!

I don't know your age, but you could be retired 10 yrs, 20 years, or longer. Don't get the Defeated attitude -- please! There is life after retirement.

Please get the book.. you've got a year to plan who you want to be next!

Don't simply worry about it, read and do something, anything, any little plan or movement at all will move you towards a satisfying retirement!




Scared to retire
by: Joe

I am only sixty three years old and had hoped to work for another two or three years,but was recently diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and their are possible very serious changes to our Pension plan at work.

Part of me says stay for another year and the other half of me says get out now - don't gamble with your pension - take it now.

I am wondering if any one else has ever faced this kind of situation and what they did.

Wendy: Where I worked, LOTS of folks retired to "lock in" their benefit. Many employers are doing pension reductions, health care reductions, it's very scary. It sounds like you aren't quite ready.. and that's another whole issue...

BUT when you retire, that benefit is THE benefit you get for life. Period. They usually don't increase and few have cost-of-living any more...
it's valuable to have the greatest income coming in, we don't know the future, and you could live on that income for 20, 30 years.

No easy answers!

Retirement -- I'm scared too
by: Willie

I'm scared to retire too...but I'm going to do it anyway. Thanks, Marilyn. You have given me some ideas and a lot more courage.

Note from Wendy: You could both consider joining my NEW Yahoo Email group for Retirement Transition.. check it out here. That way, we can all talk about the life changes in going from actively employed to retired!

Plan for Retirement
by: Wendy, Retirement-online.com

Thanks ever so much for sharing your story!

Several comments:

Work chit chat is not the same after you leave. I've had several "close friends" I have worked with over the years, when they leave, its just different. Even if you think you still want to know whats happening, you really don't care any more... and if you aren't there at work on a daily basis, you can't keep up with the happenings.

On this website, my favorite joke is:
Hey Retired Guy, How many days are there in a week? Retiree's Answer: 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday
and I can't WAIT to live that, just like you!

Finally... I can really relate to wanting to be a homemaker. I've never done that.. started working right out of high school and never stopped. Despite hectic weekends, I've never had time to leisurely make a recipe, or clean my own house... and I actually look forward to that day (or, I should say, I think I do... might change my mind later, and say THIS IS NO FUN! grin!)

Thanks for your story! Wendy

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