For The Working Fisherman

[Mobasser]

I still work about two days per week, helping a friend with a small contracting business, but I basically retired not long ago.                     Now, I still get up early, but instead of jumping out of bed, calling guys, loading tools or racing to the lumber yard to get materials, my morning routine has changed.                                                   Since I've retired, I get up, brew some fresh coffee, and log on to BR, and take my time reading through all the great info here. It's been an adjustment, and feels weird at first, but Im liking it, and liking it a lot.                   For you guys that are out there hitting it every day, hopefully, you'll reach your retirement and enjoy it. Maybe you'll have some more time for fishing, and catching up on things you couldn't do when you were busy working.                                                          Fresh coffee and BR. It's become my new thing, and it's a great way to start the day.                            

[ironbjorn]

So many people get jealous at a person's retirement. In my mind retired people put the work and the time in. One day, God willing, it will be my turn. Also in my mind, retirement means you successfully completed your obligations to your family and society. But I'm also weird in that, being in my 30s, I welcome old age and becoming a grandpa because all that means is that I was blessed with a long, good life. Hopefully I get there.

[Tatsu Dave]

2 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

So many people get jealous at a person's retirement. In my mind retired people put the work and the time in. One day, God willing, it will be my turn. Also in my mind, retirement means you successfully completed your obligations to your family and society. But I'm also weird in that, being in my 30s, I welcome old age and becoming a grandpa because all that means is that I was blessed with a long, good life. Hopefully I get there.

Wow.....good post. You are right, its a time when you can actually spend some time doing what you really want. In fact I think I'll go fishing this afternoon to celebrate, probably won't go like yesterday but any day doing what you want is a good one. 

[Mike L]

23 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

So many people get jealous at a person's retirement. In my mind retired people put the work and the time in. One day, God willing, it will be my turn. Also in my mind, retirement means you successfully completed your obligations to your family and society. But I'm also weird in that, being in my 30s, I welcome old age and becoming a grandpa because all that means is that I was blessed with a long, good life. Hopefully I get there.

Nothing weird about wanting to be a grandpa and looking forward to spending your own time in your own way  when you finally hang it up!!

 

Trust me,

As it all gets closer, your life becomes more exciting. 
You can’t feel it now, it will take awhile yet, but you’ll get there. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Scott F]

I stopped talking about retirement to those who still have to go to work every day. They don’t like hearing about how great it is. Back when I was working, retirement seemed like one of those things that are fun to dream about but was never really likely to happen. Like winning the lottery. Being able to live and pay your bills without having a job just seemed like a fantasy. But, here it is. Good planning, having a 401k, and living within my means is making retirement even better than what I could have hoped for. Even if you are still in your 30’s and retirement seems like it will never get here, it will be here before you know it. Plan for it, save some of your money. 

[TnRiver46]

Retirement: what used to occur when companies cared about human capital 

 

Now we are all just pennies waiting to be pinched one day 

[gim]

40 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

So many people get jealous at a person's retirement. In my mind retired people put the work and the time in. One day, God willing, it will be my turn. Also in my mind, retirement means you successfully completed your obligations to your family and society. But I'm also weird in that, being in my 30s, I welcome old age and becoming a grandpa because all that means is that I was blessed with a long, good life. Hopefully I get there.

I'm also in my 30's and retirement is many years off.  I'm still planning for it though, primarily from a financial long-term strategy (luckily, according to my financial advisor, I am on pace to do it when I want to).  My Father has been retired for about 7 full years now and my Mother just retired in May.  Am I jealous?  Of course I am.  They earned it.

 

Can't say I'm looking forward to being old though.  I enjoy my youth, energy, athleticism, and ability to physically recover in a relatively short period of time.  Most of those will be going away at some point, probably well before I retire.  The one thing we all can't defy is Father Time.  I don't see myself playing ice hockey, racquetball, or flag football anymore when I'm retired.  I see more coffee, bass resource, fishing, and golf.

[Tennessee Boy]

I'm  trying to decide when to retire.  I don't have a pension plan, just retirement savings.  I'm sure I have enough saved but it takes a leap of faith to actually quit working.  I'm a software developer so once I quit I'll be an obsolete dinosaur in about 6 months. 

[813basstard]

Awesome! I’m sure you earned it. 
 

My retirement plans look like this:

Plan A: Powerball

Plan B: Boutique Heroin dealer

Plan C: Sell old golf clubs and left handed batting gloves at the flea market

[Functional]

Its all a persons attitude, I view people who can retire and be comfortable as people who won a part of life. Only sore "losers" dont congratulate and acknowledge what it likely took for them to get to that point in life. Do I wish I was at that point where I had an income and didnt have to work? Absolutely but I want to earn it and really feel the benefit and reward. I truly feel happy for anyone who can and does retire.

 

What I cant fully understand is people who can retire  but dont. I get to some that work is their hobby but I almost feel (in some cases wrongly) they might have focused too much on work and neglected building a great life with wife/kids/etc. Also keeps those under those people from being able to move up in their careers. I've seen that plenty to the point their "successor" was at retirement age by the time they either let go and retired or passed away. Cant imagine any job being worth sacrificing more time then necessary with my family and preventing those trying to get to that position/job themselves.

 

Might be way off there but just a bit of my thoughts.

[FishinBuck07]

I don't know if it is really jealousy, think it is more envy.  At least it is for me anyways, I envy the folks that are retired.  But those folks worked to get where they are today, so congrats to them.  I hope to be there some day!  People that get jealous of people who have worked their whole lives to retire the way the want to are just miserable people.  

[Tennessee Boy]

We all benefit from @Mobasser's retirement because we get to read the post he makes while he drinks his morning coffee.

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

I still work about two days per week, helping a friend with a small contracting business, but I basically retired not long ago.                     Now, I still get up early, but instead of jumping out of bed, calling guys, loading tools or racing to the lumber yard to get materials, my morning routine has changed.                                                   Since I've retired, I get up, brew some fresh coffee, and log on to BR, and take my time reading through all the great info here. It's been an adjustment, and feels weird at first, but Im liking it, and liking it a lot.                   For you guys that are out there hitting it every day, hopefully, you'll reach your retirement and enjoy it. Maybe you'll have some more time for fishing, and catching up on things you couldn't do when you were busy working.                                                          Fresh coffee and BR. It's become my new thing, and it's a great way to start the day.                            

I do the same, but I'm not retired. I work full-time from home and have been for almost 8 years. It has afforded me a lot of time with my family while my daughter grows up. It also allows me to go fishing in the evening when the days are long. But I plan to retire in about 5-6 years. The wife is already retired from teaching at 53 years old. She went back part time. I don't plan to part-time it when I retire. I just plan to fish more and wait on grandchildren, hopefully.

[T-Billy]

?

29 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

We all benefit from @Mobasser's retirement because we get to read the post he makes while he drinks his morning coffee.

Perhaps there should be a Mobasser morning coffee sticky!!!? 

Congratulations on enjoying your retirement Mobasser. God bless ya!!!

[DitchPanda]

People that can't be happy for somebody who earned retirement is a sad person indeed. Its understandable to be jealous but angry or pissy is kind of pathetic. My Dad retired 3 years ago and my mom will probably do it next year...they have worked hard holding down jobs and raising kids and now grandkids my entire life. Good for them and good for you @Mobasser...your retirement means better quality of life for you and better quality of reading for us here. I'm 38 and have been working full time since 17...I've had a 401k since I was like 20-21 so I'm planning best I can for my future. Hopefully I get there...if not I guess it wasn't meant to be.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Functional said:

Its all a persons attitude, I view people who can retire and be comfortable as people who won a part of life. Only sore "losers" dont congratulate and acknowledge what it likely took for them to get to that point in life. Do I wish I was at that point where I had an income and didnt have to work? Absolutely but I want to earn it and really feel the benefit and reward. I truly feel happy for anyone who can and does retire.

 

What I cant fully understand is people who can retire  but dont. I get to some that work is their hobby but I almost feel (in some cases wrongly) they might have focused too much on work and neglected building a great life with wife/kids/etc. Also keeps those under those people from being able to move up in their careers. I've seen that plenty to the point their "successor" was at retirement age by the time they either let go and retired or passed away. Cant imagine any job being worth sacrificing more time then necessary with my family and preventing those trying to get to that position/job themselves.

 

Might be way off there but just a bit of my thoughts.

Every person is a case study! Some people don’t have a wife or kids and work is all they know. Some people work to avoid their wife/husband! Some people can’t let go of their work responsibilities. Some people would be very bored if they quit working. I work with 3 people that could easily retire but won’t, 3 completely different reasons for each 

[Catt]

[the reel ess]

16 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Every person is a case study! Some people don’t have a wife or kids and work is all they know. Some people work to avoid their wife/husband! Some people can’t let go of their work responsibilities. Some people would be very bored if they quit working. I work with 3 people that could easily retire but won’t, 3 completely different reasons for each 

There's a salesman in our company that is in his mid 70's and has all the money he'll ever need. His children are grown with children of their own. He and his wife have dealt with the health issues that come with age. He's been saying he was retiring for 5 years now. It seems to me the only thing he really likes in life is working. To each his own.

 

A while back I was discussing with a coworker the possibility of taking a half day off to go fishing. I was hedging because I had a good bit of work on my plate. She said "On your deathbed are you going to say 'I wish I had worked one more half day'?"

[WRB]

I retired at 72 but only worked 3 days a week the last few years. Didn’t need the money and thought I was needed, the company is doing just fine without me.

My morning routine was getting up early to stretch to keep everything working. I was hard on my body as a youth paying for it now.

The habit of coffee and BR isn’t good imo, it keeps you indoors.

To 

 

[A-Jay]

Always an interesting topic.

I do so enjoy reading the wide variety of perspectives from both ends of the spectrum.

So much to think about. 

I stepped away from a 28 year military career that I loved, at 47.

Like anything new, initially, there was an adjustment period.

A few years into it, I worked from home for 5 years. (on line deal)

The $$ was nice, but once it felt too much like a 'job', I stopped.  

Been on A-Jay time ever since and am really enjoying it.

I was very dedicated to my career, but it was never 'who I am'.

It was what I did.

So when I stepped away I left nothing there and took all of A-Jay with me.

I use the same commitment & dedication so valuable to any career,

(but especially in the military), just about every day. 

Been pretty helpful so far. 

Either way whatever I choose to spend my time doing now,

it's almost always on my own terms.  

Financially, we're all in our own situation.

And I hope that the folks that are 'planning' for their retirement,

remember to take care of their 'human' along the way.

The home stretch is a challenge for all of us regardless of our bank account stats.

Our health & physical abilities play a huge role in how every minute of every day goes;

working or not. 

Being ready. 

Make the time now.   

Please don't wait until 'Retirement Age'.

 

Finally, I might not be 'working' for anyone,

but I haven't retired from anything. 

And when I do, I probably won't know it. 

A-Jay

 

[Jaderose]

Rock on, Brother, and congrats on your retirement.  At 53, I am beginning to feel the stir.  Working from home for close to 2 years has helped that.  The wife and I recently started a small business that it looks like can be as successful as we want it to be.  Right now, we are taking it slow and not jumping in too deep.  It's the sorta thing we both love to do and we can have fun and do it together.  I am settling into middle age/getting older quite nicely.  I was "rambunctious" as a kid/younger adult with plenty of drama and nonsense.  That is all behind me now.  The wild oats have been sowed.  Now, I'm just waiting on Grandkids and enjoying life with a woman I dearly love and my hobbies.  Quiet and very fulfilling

[PressuredFishing]

3 hours ago, Mobasser said:

I still work about two days per week, helping a friend with a small contracting business, but I basically retired not long ago.                     Now, I still get up early, but instead of jumping out of bed, calling guys, loading tools or racing to the lumber yard to get materials, my morning routine has changed.                                                   Since I've retired, I get up, brew some fresh coffee, and log on to BR, and take my time reading through all the great info here. It's been an adjustment, and feels weird at first, but Im liking it, and liking it a lot.                   For you guys that are out there hitting it every day, hopefully, you'll reach your retirement and enjoy it. Maybe you'll have some more time for fishing, and catching up on things you couldn't do when you were busy working.                                                          Fresh coffee and BR. It's become my new thing, and it's a great way to start the day.                            

I'm a long ways off from retirement, life gets in the way of fishing alot. I love fishing from my boat, don't get me wrong it's amazing, but someone who may only have 2 hours spare time each day, I'd rather fish twice a week for two hours off the bank fishing points and dropoffs, than once a month taking the boat out. Also casting in the backyard has been of great pratice. Hope you enjoy retirement, you earned it.

[JustJames]

I’m not retired yet but shouldn’t be too long. I’m not really looking forward for retire life though. Things might change, more time for the boss not bass, more traveling but still place where I can fish or golf. 
I just love my life right now, I live where I dream to retire to. I can fish and golf every day if I wanted too. I work night(been doing for 10 plus year) so I can spend time doing my things during the day when my wife is at work(of course weekend only for the boss/wife).

BTW I used to be a coffee snob, buy small variety of coffee beans (Kona is my favorite) and grind them fresh in small batch, so I can have fresh hot black coffee 2-3 cups a day. Now I settled with just Keurig cup so I have more time fishing.???

[the reel ess]

28 minutes ago, WRB said:

I retired at 72 but only worked 3 days a week the last few years. Didn’t need the money and thought I was needed, the company is doing just fine without me.

My morning routine was getting up early to stretch to keep everything working. I was hard on my body as a youth paying for it now.

The habit of coffee and BR isn’t good imo, it keeps you indoors.

To 

 

You know what they say about that. The day after you retire someone else is doing your job.

[Mobasser]

18 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Always an interesting topic.

I do so enjoy reading the wide variety of perspectives from both ends of the spectrum.

So much to think about. 

I stepped away from a 28 year military career that I loved, at 47.

Like anything new, initially, there was an adjustment period.

A few years into it, I worked from home for 5 years. (on line deal)

The $$ was nice, but once it felt too much like a 'job', I stopped.  

Been on A-Jay time ever since and am really enjoying it.

I was very dedicated to my career, but it was never 'who I am'.

It was what I did.

So when I stepped away I left nothing there and took all of A-Jay with me.

I use the same commitment & dedication so valuable to any career,

(but especially in the military), just about every day. 

Been pretty helpful so far. 

Either way whatever I choose to spend my time doing now,

it's almost always on my own terms.  

Financially, we're all in our own situation.

And I hope that the folks that are 'planning' for their retirement,

remember to take care of their 'human' along the way.

The home stretch is a challenge for all of us regardless of our bank account stats.

Our health & physical abilities play a huge role in how every minute of every day goes;

working or not. 

Being ready. 

Make the time now.   

Please don't wait until 'Retirement Age'.

 

Finally, I might not be 'working' for anyone,

but I haven't retired from anything. 

And when I do, I probably won't know it. 

A-Jay

 

A-Jay, very well said.  I've known a couple of guys who retired from auto plants, Ford and GM. Sadly neither lived a long time to enjoy they're retirement.                             There's something about that assembly line work. The worst thing you can do is go home, and sit in front of the TV all day.                                                         I would recommend two things. First off, as you say, try to keep yourself in decent shape, as best you can.                                             Secondly, if you don't have a hobby, find one. It can be anything that holds your interest.                                                         Hobbies of any kind can help to keep your mind sharp, and keep you thinking, and get your mind away from all the day to day nonsense that goes on.                 For all of us here, it's fishing. It's been the single thing that's driven me since I was a young kid. I've never lost my enthusiasm for it, and still learning about fishing all the time.                                                             When we retire, we still need something to do, both mentally and to whatever extent, physically also. It's what keeps us going.