Interesting in VDH's "The Second World Wars" the US infantry on the ground had an enormous number of backup in logistics, medical, food etc. While we all loathe the bureacuracy, it seems they had a real positive effect..
As my company is in OH but a bunch of grand-kids in NJ, we have friends in both spheres. Cost of living in Western PA, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan is about 1/4 less than Mass. All the aforementioned have thriving culture even though they don't regularly read the NYTimes. My sister moved from a swanky Boston suburb just a few weeks ago.
48 here, likely to be working until the finishing line.
Currently out of work and getting used to the reality that nobody wants experience, just the gulliable cheaper bods..
Currently out of work and getting used to the reality that nobody wants experience, just the gulliable cheaper bods..
I made a career change to teaching at 42 and retired at 65.
My plan was to retire at 63, but in my school system there is a significant pay step at 20 years. I ran some numbers 4-5 years ago and it became apparent that if my "high-3" years of income were at the 20-year step, it would significantly increase my retirement income. Simultaneously, it made me wait to collect SS, so that was increased by waiting as well.
Looking back, it was a good move. I had three consecutive years of pretty good kids and 20-odd years into my career I had my teaching routine down pat.
My plan was to retire at 63, but in my school system there is a significant pay step at 20 years. I ran some numbers 4-5 years ago and it became apparent that if my "high-3" years of income were at the 20-year step, it would significantly increase my retirement income. Simultaneously, it made me wait to collect SS, so that was increased by waiting as well.
Looking back, it was a good move. I had three consecutive years of pretty good kids and 20-odd years into my career I had my teaching routine down pat.
It is expensive here, but it is living nearly on the edge of the ocean that is one of the things that keeps us hooked. My wife's ancestors came over in the 1630s and have not strayed from MA in 4 centuries, seems ingrained somehow. My family is scattered to the 4 winds, but have strong MA connections too. I have a lot of long time friends here. There are some health concerns that also keep me anchored to this neck of the woods, admitting though that good medical care is available elsewhere.
I'm a year older, I am thinking somewhere between 2024 and 2027 to retire. There are many days where the inclination would be to retire much sooner. LOL As long as my health holds up and no one is interested in any of my sideline activities I'll probably keep plugging away. 😀
Sadly, most folks who have retired in the last 10 years have lived in an environment of low inflation. That's now in the rear view mirror.
Were the short term rates at a level commensurate with the rate of change in consumer prices, you would have short term USTreasuries at 6%
Were the short term rates at a level commensurate with the rate of change in consumer prices, you would have short term USTreasuries at 6%
New on here this week. I retired myself at 60 almost twelve years ago having grown frustrated by ‘korporate karp’, office politics and ticking boxes being seen as more important than doing the job properly. Never looked back, never regretted bailing out - not for one single second. We feel we live comfortably, albeit modestly, but we are happy. Not interested in keeping up with the Jones’s, ‘big’ holidays or fancy cars.
"What day is it?"
Retired Stuey to still-working wife.
Retired Stuey to still-working wife.
Yep, I don't like weekends and public holidays any more. Too many people around!
I never liked weekends and holidays BEFORE I retired. It was far easier to run errands during the week and make up the time at night and the WEEKEND.
Pulled the plug earlier this month. A list of reasons as long as your arm.
Pulled the plug earlier this month. A list of reasons as long as your arm.
And @OldGreyDog, don’t get me started about checklists, or I’ll say something that would make me violate my NDA.
Was working at a large aerospace company and left for a smaller job (huge pay cut). That was in Jan 2022.
I thought it would be a good retirement job but the work was too menial and uninteresting.
Did that for about 18 months and the large aerospace company asked if I'd be willing have lunch and talk....
Anyway, have been back since Nov 2023 and it's as crazy as I remember 🤣
About to turn 63, have tentatively set April 2027 as the retirement month (will turn 65).
My wife retired in Dec 2024 at 63. So far she hasn't nagged me.
Of late I am becoming more interested in retiring. At the very least I could sleep in, get back into shape and my lawn would start to look respectable.
@wg_ski; totally get the errands on the weekend thing. When I do manage to do some of that done during the week it's a lot easier and less crowded.
With the current turmoil in the aero industry, maybe I will be RIF'd!
I thought it would be a good retirement job but the work was too menial and uninteresting.
Did that for about 18 months and the large aerospace company asked if I'd be willing have lunch and talk....
Anyway, have been back since Nov 2023 and it's as crazy as I remember 🤣
About to turn 63, have tentatively set April 2027 as the retirement month (will turn 65).
My wife retired in Dec 2024 at 63. So far she hasn't nagged me.
Of late I am becoming more interested in retiring. At the very least I could sleep in, get back into shape and my lawn would start to look respectable.
@wg_ski; totally get the errands on the weekend thing. When I do manage to do some of that done during the week it's a lot easier and less crowded.
With the current turmoil in the aero industry, maybe I will be RIF'd!
In my 40s, been working self employed ~15 hours a week average almost all my adult life. I rarely have to set the alarm as well. The only "full time" I've had in my life were the 8 months of mandatory military service here in my country, and during a year or so of my education, and it SUCKED. Last 3 years or so I got extra-ambitious and took on a second area of work and probably got to around 30 hours total / week, and again it sucked and it actually cost me quite a bit of my health, so I stopped.
On the other hand, I would never want to work 0 hours either, because why would I be alive if I didn't accomplish anything. Retired people I know keep themselves busy as well, just in a way they like, not in a way they're mandated by a third party (well, wife maybe 😛).
So, long story short, I've had my optimal balance most of my adult life, and I doubt it will ever change much.
On the other hand, I would never want to work 0 hours either, because why would I be alive if I didn't accomplish anything. Retired people I know keep themselves busy as well, just in a way they like, not in a way they're mandated by a third party (well, wife maybe 😛).
So, long story short, I've had my optimal balance most of my adult life, and I doubt it will ever change much.
Went out at 55 with a company buyout - 29 years ago. Stuffed all I could into my 401k - rolled it over.
Had to keep working till around 63 to make family support payments. Did some consulting, then started taking SS (early). Lived like a monk for a few years prior and paid next-to-no income tax. AT that time my kids were applying for college and no income meant they could qualify for whatever financial assistance was available - which turned out to be a LOT. If you are in a situation like this - do your taxes "bottoms up" instead of "tops down" to see what the max you can make for a certain tax level.
Found a good broker and have coasted since then - market very good over the last 15 years. Future??? but we live frugally. Have an RV and spend the summer hosting at a local state park. Take a trip out West in the fall.
Did move to Central NY where it's relatively cheap (vs CT and downstate). And it's quite pretty - then there is the Winter!
Had to keep working till around 63 to make family support payments. Did some consulting, then started taking SS (early). Lived like a monk for a few years prior and paid next-to-no income tax. AT that time my kids were applying for college and no income meant they could qualify for whatever financial assistance was available - which turned out to be a LOT. If you are in a situation like this - do your taxes "bottoms up" instead of "tops down" to see what the max you can make for a certain tax level.
Found a good broker and have coasted since then - market very good over the last 15 years. Future??? but we live frugally. Have an RV and spend the summer hosting at a local state park. Take a trip out West in the fall.
Did move to Central NY where it's relatively cheap (vs CT and downstate). And it's quite pretty - then there is the Winter!
Last edited:
I left one job to set up my own firm with another guy, worked out well but decided to retire for wife's health reasons.
When I left the company I started, my old boss at the original firm asked me to come back...eventually I did some consulting for one of their employees.
I originally retired at 34 due to injuries from the World Trade Center (police). The excellent retirement and workers comp made it so I didn’t ever have to work, but the boredom led me to return to te workforce as a math teacher.
I have a mix of 2 pensions and defined benefit plans but at 58, I have no intentions of doing nothing in retirement. I like working and making a difference.
I wish you all a fulfilling retirement to do what you want to do and I sincerely hope that doesn’t mean doing nothing. We all have something to share to make the world a better place.
I have a mix of 2 pensions and defined benefit plans but at 58, I have no intentions of doing nothing in retirement. I like working and making a difference.
I wish you all a fulfilling retirement to do what you want to do and I sincerely hope that doesn’t mean doing nothing. We all have something to share to make the world a better place.
I retired 3 1/2 years ago at 55. I don't miss my old job at all. Everyday feels like a holiday now. I'm never bored and always have hobbies to work on.
Right now I'm painting the outside of the house. I started painting last summer, took a break during the winter, and should finish up this spring. This is retirement speed. No need to rush things anymore.
Right now I'm painting the outside of the house. I started painting last summer, took a break during the winter, and should finish up this spring. This is retirement speed. No need to rush things anymore.
LOL, I wish! I don't know how I used to have enough time to go to work.