Great attitude... "Maybe I'll stay longer" is my retirement slogan...

I'm happy for you..

I have been retired now for 9 months and have absolutely no desire to do anymore consulting...when I first retired I thought I would enjoy doing some consulting but the further I get from what I used to do the less desire I have.

Plus....now I am doing things I LOVE to do...found out that being a volunteer can be so rewarding.

My last 3 years I made the type of money I'd never made previously in my life. I wanted to work until FRA. I was still at the top of the food chain to finish my career. Still enjoyed the work. But, you need a fully functioning short term memory to do my job.

You never know what may come up in your brilliantly conceived retirement plan. Plan accordingly.

100% with you. I still get the occasional call to help, and sometimes I do, but more chatting on the phone. ANd like you say, I'm doing what I love, I don't have time for stress. I still teach scuba so I guess some (my wife) says I still work, but it's a passion, I don't it when, where, and how I want, and I pretty much do it for free. But you're spot-on, once you retire and the stress fades, life gets amazingly awesome.

I am on the final week countdown!

Well, just went over my first year of retirement. So far, I've become the primary chef in the family and have learned that while I doubt any Michelin Chefs have to worry, I'm actually not too bad (reflected in my Christmas presents of a brand new knife set (very swanky) and a cast-iron skillet (my first).

Gotten quite a bit of writing done - finished a novel, three novellas, and six out of eight short stories for a collection. Worked with some absolutely wonderful artists for illustrations for two of the books and have several more novels/novellas I hope to finish in 2025.

Also survived my first go with tax season. Learned my 401K wasn't taking out enough for state taxes, but luckily, I had the foresight to put X into a special savings account to cover any tax shenanigans and there was more than enough to cover it.

Going to try and have some fun this year - got several conventions that I'm going to attend around the eastern US (and one in St. Louis this fall). Being retired means I don't have to take leave to go and can take a day or so longer to get there/back without stressing or driving 14 hours straight.

Also, got the first email from work asking if I was interested in coming back. I tried really, really hard not to send them a snarky reply back. I guess I should be flattered that they thought I did a good enough job to reach out, but no thank you. I'm not bored or frustrated with my retirement. I'm having a blast and am going to enjoy my freedom as long as the ol' body holds up.

Congrats. I'm down to 36 days.

My boss is asking me to stay an additional 30 days as they have yet to find a replacement for me. He hasn't sweetened the pot for me to stay, so my answer to date is "No" ;)

I've spent the last several months closing down our family business that we've ran for over forty years. It's ran its course and gave us a comfortable life but it's not fun closing it down. Everything is taken care of except closing down our Profit Sharing which is almost completed. At this point I am effectively retired at 63 which means I'm paying for my health insurance out of my pocket for a year and eight months.

We are in the process of selling off some property we operated our business on. That will give me a cash infusion to increase my investments and also a wad to blow.

I have no bucket list or anything like that. No real desire to travel and see the world.(The wife might differ on that) I'm just a tumble weed rolling along with the wind. Any way the wind blows!

Thats cool. finish line in sight. :thumb:

So long old guy I never knew or worked with?

As any good retirement begins.:thumb:

Wow, that had to be tough emotionally with all the memories etc.

Congrats on your retirement!

Best of luck to you and it sounds like you have a good handle on things. :thumb:

I have mixed feelings about it for sure but I'll make the best out of it. I regret not having a business to pass on like my dad did but I'll do my best to leave a nice inheritance behind.

Try a little travel, you might find it pleasantly addicting...

Be careful with that "can you stay" mantra. I did that and it took them 18 months to find my replacement. I finally had to give them a firm deadline that I was leaving.