Keeping Busy

[Mobasser]

My dad retired from his job at the federal government at age 59. He had put in his years and was ready to retire.                                                  Within two weeks of retiring, dad started volunteer work. He organized food drives, winter coats for kids, and toys at Christmas time. His main thing was doing something to keep busy.                                                He told me that when I retire, try to find something to keep your mind and body sharp and active.                            Now that I'm retired, I work a part time job at roughly 20 hrs per week, helping a friend with a small contracting business. We do plumbing repairs, small carpentry jobs and general home repairs. He gives a good discount to seniors, so much of our work is for older folks.          Since I had years of experience in this work, and still have my tools, I was a good candidate for this job.                                          He can't afford to pay me a huge amount of money, but it's not about the money. It's about having something to do.                                                      I still have plenty of time to loaf around, go fishing, and do other stuff, but keeping busy after retirement is a good thing to do.                                                       It can be anything. A hobby, a part time job, etc. If you can afford to travel and see some new places, that's awesome.                                          Within the first month after I retired, I realized I needed this. I had become a couch potato, and boredom was setting in.                                   If your a newly retired guy, I'd recommend doing this. If not a part time job, then something to keep your mind sharp, and your body in shape.                                                 Keeping busy is important, not just for young men, but for us older guys too.

[813basstard]

That’s awesome!

 

At my current status I can retire when I’m 237. 

[TOXIC]

I also retired from the Federal Government but at age 62 because it upped my pension by 10%.  While I would never say your suggestion is wrong, I will say that it’s not a universal thing.  I have been retired for 3 years after 34 years with Uncle Sugar.  My job was highly stressful, required multiple moves and was at times very dangerous.  When I retired it was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.  I knew I could support my wife and I very well on my pension, the 401k, Thrift Savings Plan and some other investments I made.  The very last thing I want to do is go back to work, even part time.  Because of my experience, I have been offered jobs some overseas and some here in the states but I have no desire to re-enter the workforce even as an independent contractor and from home.  I commend your volunteer spirit and my wife is somewhat the same, she is the executive director of a local non-profit for that reason.  I am totally happy being a couch potato to some degree and spend my time researching topics that interest me, writing articles and reading.  I make sure I get enough exercise to remain mobile and be able to launch/retrieve my 21 foot boat myself, withstand a full 12 hour day on the water and still take trips to Florida and Michigan for “combat” fishing weeks but I’m certainly not interested in “working out” (sorry AJ?), I did enough of that in my younger years.  I feel like I’ve earned the right to slow my life down and r.e.l.a.x. My life now belongs to me for the first time since I started working at age 17.  No money worries, kids raised, nice house, good lifestyle. The world is my oyster.??

[TnRiver46]

^im with @813basstard, retirement not possible. I’m hoping for a quick death without medical bills while still working. Luckily it’s not up to me 

[Jig Man]

I worked with the public for 30 years.  When a bean counter decided money could be saved if they bought a bunch of us out, I jumped on the first bus out of town.  I volunteer at least 2 to 3 times per week,  I volunteer to let someone use the back seat in my boat if they can function by themselves.  Call me a grumpy old man if you choose because I am sure that is how most see me.

[Deleted account]

Other than not going to work, I don't do anything different now that I'm retired. For those who think you need a job or something similar after retirement for whatever reason, more power to you, and everyone is entitled to do or not do whatever they desire before or after retirement.

"If jobs were fun, they would have them at Six Flags and charge folks money to ride them"

[Darth-Baiter]

grrrr...i have 6 more years.  grrrr..

 

i'll be plenty busy when i retire.  i will learn new things.  a language, piano..something to keep my gray matter gray. 

[A-Jay]

Morale can be defined as the state of the spirit of a person as exhibited by confidence, cheerfulness, discipline, and willingness to perform tasks.

I've always accepted responsibility for my own morale.

Never counted on anyone or anything else to drive that deal.

Goes for when I was working and especially after I retired. 

If 'I'm busy', it's almost always by choice.

But definitely not a requirement. 

A-Jay

 

 

[Bankbeater]

I think your overall mindset is key.  I have seen a lot of my coworkers pass away within a year of retirement. I think it's because they identified themselves with the job and when they retired, or were forced to retire, they didn't know what to do.

I don't think I will have that problem.  I only have 2 or 3 years left before I can sign that paper, and I can already taste it.

[ike8120]

I will be retiring 3/31/23 company offered me a package

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, Bankbeater said:

I think your overall mindset is key.  I have seen a lot of my coworkers pass away within a year of retirement. I think it's because they identified themselves with the job and when they retired, or were forced to retire, they didn't know what to do.

I don't think I will have that problem.  I only have 2 or 3 years left before I can sign that paper, and I can already taste it.

 

Very true. Doing admin for the Navy for over 20 years, executing retirements for Sailors was one of my duties. It either went really well or really badly right after retirement for most. I have to say that for me personally, while I don't miss the endless meetings and the beating my head into a wall, I do miss some aspects of it, especially molding and helping junior Sailors.

[DitchPanda]

Well I'm about 26 years from retirement if all goes well...who knows. People are different: my moms getting close and I'd be surprised if she doesnt work part time or do volunteer work. My dad has been retired 4 or 5 years and if you told him he had to get a part time job he would kill you and your entire family.

[throttleplate]

Us retired may well be driving our electric scooters to a side hussle if social security ever gets cut off.

[Deleted account]

8 hours ago, throttleplate said:

Us retired may well be driving our electric scooters to a side hussle if social security ever gets cut off.

Soylent Green...

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Soylent Green...

Maybe, but we'll use the youngins' in it...they're much more tender.

[steve-pierce]

I agree with the OP, I retired last year at 55. I am single with no kids and all my friends are still working. I have no problem doing a lot of stuff solo but other that the weekend club tournaments, I don’t see a lot of people. I worked for Advance Auto parts for a week at what was supposed to be a driver job but they actually needed weekend register people. I’m not big on up selling and add on selling. I put in for Kroger stocking last week.