How do you spend your first week of retirement after working full-time for forty-five years? ANY WAY YOU WANT!!! That's the free part of happy and free. How about the happy part of happy and free. Well, my blood pressure has dropped ten points as well as my heart rate- really. No exaggeration, I check it every day- down ten points! Here's the kicker. If the Rapture had occurred and the world ended at 6:00 pm Saturday, May 21st, I had one glorious week!
Retirement started on Sunday. Why Sunday? Because I had no Sunday work anticipation blues. No homework. No meetings for which to prepare. No having to play fireman putting out flames of the latest disaster that erupted over the weekend. My round of golf was not played under the pall of work the next day. Actually, Sunday did involve some work considerations. I heard from the Golf Pro at the City of Denver's Kennedy Golf Course. I need to be in Denver on June 2nd for my job interview. Yes, I will be returning to work- at a golf course! If I can call that work. They pay me for part-time work and I can play unlimited free golf at all city courses. Life is sweet!
Monday was the first day of my "retirement schedule". I have read several books on retirement and even though I seem to be the perfect candidate for a happy and free retirement, maintaining a schedule is important to stay mentally busy and active. My day starts with a leisurely morning from 6:00 to 8:00 reading the paper, drinking coffee, healthy breakfast and listening the radio followed by a one hour walk. I'll talk about my schedule in a later post. The word I would use to describe my first day was, unrushed- if that's a word. In the past, I would try to get in as many things possible on my day off rushing from one activity to another. Not Monday! I had to stop at my Honda dealer to pick up sunglasses left the Jeep I traded earlier ($167/mo gas savings) when my dealer asked if I had a minute. Well, I sat and gabbed like a retired guy for almost an hour. Unbelievable- but great!
Every day was busy and never boring. I started working on my list; shopping for a guitar (used), studing the right fly fishing equipment I'll need, long walks with Mrs. Wonderful, lots of golf and a ROCKIES GAME at Miller Park. I even sat on a bench in downtown Lake Geneva relaxed watching the flatlanders.
What have I learned about retirement? Planning is important. Turning off the TV is a must. I'm happy to say that so far retirement IS an opportunity to spend the rest of my life carefully exploring and planning interesting times and adventures. It's all possible because I'm RETIRED HAPPY AND FREE!
P.S. I have to remember- take a camera so I can add picture to my blog!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
One More Week to Go
It’s starting to sink in. I’m retiring this week. I made it through the surprise retirement party Saturday night. I know they were thinking- don’t yell “SURPRISE” too loud. He might have another heart attack!! (Only your true friends can make heart attack jokes.)
I’m excited. Mostly I’m excited because I’m anticipating a great new life adventure. There will be monumental changes. The word that occurs to me over and over is adventure- having new adventures exploring more of the world and people around me and the time to take my time doing it.
But first, a thought I had that’s melancholy and joyful at the same time. I have worked with some wonderful people. I have tried to call many of them last week to say, “you know, the good ‘ole days were really GOOD-OLD-DAYS!” I will miss them.
Now for the reality check. How can you make retirement affordable? I have my 12 fundamentals. Fundamentals developed from books blogs and articles I've saved over the years. I like to say my best original ideas were stolen from other people. Anyway, here are some people from whom I stole great tips.
"The Simple Dollar", a great daily blog and "365 Ways to Live Cheap" from Trent Hamm
"Your Money or Your Life"The best book I've read on your relationship with money, by Dominquez and Robin.
You'll find these tips imbedded in their works.
1) Spend less than you make. Duh! Write down every penny that comes in and goes out of your life. You'll be surprised- this will change how you spend money.
2) Don't shop for entertainment- shop for a need then LEAVE.
3) Grocery shop from a list and don't impulse buy. Shop once a week. Not small, we need... shops.
4) Anticipate needs. Buy items on sale. Do your research.
5) Buy it used.
6) Keep things until they're worn out. Then repair them yourself.
7) Do preventive maintenance. On your body and "your stuff"
8) Do you need two cars? What's your gas mileage? Can you use public transportation?
9) Check your insurance premiums regularly. Insurance companies are notorious for increasing their rates, loosing market share, then reducing rates to get market share back. Shop rates!
10) Get rid of credit card debt!!!
11) Save money. Save for short term goals and emergencies in a savings account. For long term funds, such as retirement, take advantage of IRS retirement savings plans; IRA's, 401K's etc.
12) Increase income. Utilize a talent or passion in your life and find a way to make money at it.
A word about gas mileage.
I sold my Jeep Liberty last week. I was getting 15 MPG. I traded the Jeep V-6 engine in on a Honda Accord 4-cylinder. I'm getting 30 MPH on the Honda. I will save $2000/yr. That's $167/month savings. You don't have to be retired to appreciate how that helps your budget!
Budgets, like diets don't work unless there's a lifestyle change equal to the challenge. Are you motivated? Am I motivated? You bet I am because it makes it possible to be RETIRED HAPPY AND FREE!!
Dave's Busy
Now for the reality check. How can you make retirement affordable? I have my 12 fundamentals. Fundamentals developed from books blogs and articles I've saved over the years. I like to say my best original ideas were stolen from other people. Anyway, here are some people from whom I stole great tips.
"The Simple Dollar", a great daily blog and "365 Ways to Live Cheap" from Trent Hamm
"Your Money or Your Life"The best book I've read on your relationship with money, by Dominquez and Robin.
You'll find these tips imbedded in their works.
1) Spend less than you make. Duh! Write down every penny that comes in and goes out of your life. You'll be surprised- this will change how you spend money.
2) Don't shop for entertainment- shop for a need then LEAVE.
3) Grocery shop from a list and don't impulse buy. Shop once a week. Not small, we need... shops.
4) Anticipate needs. Buy items on sale. Do your research.
5) Buy it used.
6) Keep things until they're worn out. Then repair them yourself.
7) Do preventive maintenance. On your body and "your stuff"
8) Do you need two cars? What's your gas mileage? Can you use public transportation?
9) Check your insurance premiums regularly. Insurance companies are notorious for increasing their rates, loosing market share, then reducing rates to get market share back. Shop rates!
10) Get rid of credit card debt!!!
11) Save money. Save for short term goals and emergencies in a savings account. For long term funds, such as retirement, take advantage of IRS retirement savings plans; IRA's, 401K's etc.
12) Increase income. Utilize a talent or passion in your life and find a way to make money at it.
A word about gas mileage.
I sold my Jeep Liberty last week. I was getting 15 MPG. I traded the Jeep V-6 engine in on a Honda Accord 4-cylinder. I'm getting 30 MPH on the Honda. I will save $2000/yr. That's $167/month savings. You don't have to be retired to appreciate how that helps your budget!
Budgets, like diets don't work unless there's a lifestyle change equal to the challenge. Are you motivated? Am I motivated? You bet I am because it makes it possible to be RETIRED HAPPY AND FREE!!
Dave's Busy
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