Retirement: an unsettling experience

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Well done, your going in all guns blazing and it sounds as if you're still healthy.I'm 63 and now retired and a big change is coming to me next monday as I'm having my lower right leg amputated.I'll be dammed if its gonna stop me but looking at things from a disabled point of view will be an eye opener for a while.

I am sure you are in good hands mate , best wishes to you 👍

[the other bob wilson]

Its all been quick.What started as a little injury on my toe at Easter time when on until I had 2 toes amputated but I still feel sick and have the strength of a day old kitten.I was given options but there was more than a slim possibility it would end up like this.My positivity comes from 2 things.1,I have magnificent children who have taken over insomuch a they've retired my wife and 2, that the doctors said my life could be back to some normality once I get a prosthetic leg and if I take to it.Meanwhile I'm about to get a life experience from a wheelchair for a while and must admit,like alot of us always thought it was always gonna be some other unfortunate bugger.

You have my sympathy and I hope things go well for you on Monday. You’ll know more about me than prosthetics, but they seem pretty amazing these days.

[Robin Friday's Ghost]

I retired in December 2019 aged 60. It was a bit weird for a while but I have no idea how much of that was down to retirement and how much down to lockdown. I started a PhD when I retired which keeps me occupied and my brain ticking over so I'm very happy with my decision.

[Swiss Peter]

I retired in December 2019 aged 60. It was a bit weird for a while but I have no idea how much of that was down to retirement and how much down to lockdown. I started a PhD when I retired which keeps me occupied and my brain ticking over so I'm very happy with my decision.

Very similar to me then. Impressive going for a Phd. I’ve thought of enrolling on an OU course but not sure I have the commitment ,

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Very similar to me then. Impressive going for a Phd. I’ve thought of enrolling on an OU course but not sure I have the commitment ,

My Inbox has been cleared, SP

[life on mars]

Gosh ,do envy you guys as I enter my first year apprenticeship

[splott parker]

Gosh ,do envy you guys as I enter my first year apprenticeship

That English Language degree will stand you in good stead

[life on mars]

That English Language degree will stand you in good stead

😄

[Splott-light...]

Which continent is next?

in continent

old bastard!!

[splott parker]

in continent

old bastard!!

Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans, where you been? Thought you’d retired

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans, where you been? Thought you’d retired

He is ris!

[Lawnmower]

Well done, your going in all guns blazing and it sounds as if you're still healthy.I'm 63 and now retired and a big change is coming to me next monday as I'm having my lower right leg amputated.I'll be dammed if its gonna stop me but looking at things from a disabled point of view will be an eye opener for a while.

So sorry to hear that mate. Hope that you can find a way to get over it - seems that with prosthetics these days that can do miracles.

Good to see you are ready for the fight.

Good luck 👍

[Splott-light...]

Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans, where you been? Thought you’d retired

just taking a slow canter toward the new season..

[Splott-light...]

good luck TBG, you always struck me as a very decent chap and you deserve to be free of the constraints of this bastard system, any regrets you may currently be harbouring are just due to psychological conditioning..

..fly TBG, fly awayyyyyy..

[Taunton Blue Genie]

good luck TBG, you always struck me as a very decent chap and you deserve to be free of the constraints of this bastard system, any regrets you may currently be harbouring are just due to psychological conditioning..

..fly TBG, fly awayyyyyy..

Jesus, I was only being whimsical. I have hardly been in a concentration camp during my working life.
I'm glad to see that you are still around and I will never forget that fleeting meeting with you outside the Romilly.
I still can't find my wallet though........

[Elwood Blues]

Very similar to me then. Impressive going for a Phd. I’ve thought of enrolling on an OU course but not sure I have the commitment ,

I had to take early retirement in 2004 at the age of 50 to look after my disabled wife .

Only realised last year when my daughter started her OU course that I am now entitled to a student loan to pay for the degree so I enrolled on a History and Politics BA with the OU last October. A few problems with my wife's health meant that I had to defer and start again in February but I have now just completed my first four assignments and will be submitting the fifth sometime in the next couple of days. The final assignment is due by early September. and I will probably start the next module in January/February.

It is quite hard work but if you are organised it is not too bad. Having been out of work for so long I have found concentrating hard but I have got better as the year has gone on.

You have actually got 16 years to do the degree ( if I take that long I will be 83!!) although I want to do mine in six by doing one module a year. You can do two a year if you think you can and get the degree in three years.

I would thoroughly recommend it, it certainly keeps the mind active.

[Tuerto]

I had to take early retirement in 2004 at the age of 50 to look after my disabled wife .

Only realised last year when my daughter started her OU course that I am now entitled to a student loan to pay for the degree so I enrolled on a History and Politics BA with the OU last October. A few problems with my wife's health meant that I had to defer and start again in February but I have now just completed my first four assignments and will be submitting the fifth sometime in the next couple of days. The final assignment is due by early September. and I will probably start the next module in January/February.

It is quite hard work but if you are organised it is not too bad. Having been out of work for so long I have found concentrating hard but I have got better as the year has gone on.

You have actually got 16 years to do the degree ( if I take that long I will be 83!!) although I want to do mine in six by doing one module a year. You can do two a year if you think you can and get the degree in three years.

I would thoroughly recommend it, it certainly keeps the mind active.

Good Job, Elwood! May i ask, is an OU degree heavy on the pocket? Fully understand if you don't want to answer

[mrbluejay]

Its all been quick.What started as a little injury on my toe at Easter time when on until I had 2 toes amputated but I still feel sick and have the strength of a day old kitten.I was given options but there was more than a slim possibility it would end up like this.My positivity comes from 2 things.1,I have magnificent children who have taken over insomuch a they've retired my wife and 2, that the doctors said my life could be back to some normality once I get a prosthetic leg and if I take to it.Meanwhile I'm about to get a life experience from a wheelchair for a while and must admit,like alot of us always thought it was always gonna be some other unfortunate bugger.

Good luck Sneg ����

[Swiss Peter]

I had to take early retirement in 2004 at the age of 50 to look after my disabled wife .

Only realised last year when my daughter started her OU course that I am now entitled to a student loan to pay for the degree so I enrolled on a History and Politics BA with the OU last October. A few problems with my wife's health meant that I had to defer and start again in February but I have now just completed my first four assignments and will be submitting the fifth sometime in the next couple of days. The final assignment is due by early September. and I will probably start the next module in January/February.

It is quite hard work but if you are organised it is not too bad. Having been out of work for so long I have found concentrating hard but I have got better as the year has gone on.

You have actually got 16 years to do the degree ( if I take that long I will be 83!!) although I want to do mine in six by doing one module a year. You can do two a year if you think you can and get the degree in three years.

I would thoroughly recommend it, it certainly keeps the mind active.

That's very interesting, not least because I had considered doing something History-based myself. Good luck with it. You've prompted me to look into it further!

[Re-sign Carl Dale]

Just seen this post. Congratulations TBG! Well deserved free time.

I get told by clients that it's a strange feeling. Having something to retire TO is as important as having something to retire FROM.

Maybe the egg stained string vest is your thing maybe not!

Couple of (non financial!) tips that I've picked up by those who I think have done it well are:

- have a structure for your ideal week (ie your timetable) - obviously just doing things that you want to be doing!

- don't rush into anything. There are so many potential calls on your time, volunteering, hobbies, socialising, looking after grand-children, that some people can feel more under pressure than when they were working.

[Jimmy the Jock]

weak, that is.

Lost your marbles already.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Just seen this post. Congratulations TBG! Well deserved free time.

I get told by clients that it's a strange feeling. Having something to retire TO is as important as having something to retire FROM.

Maybe the egg stained string vest is your thing maybe not!

Couple of (non financial!) tips that I've picked up by those who I think have done it well are:

- have a structure for your ideal week (ie your timetable) - obviously just doing things that you want to be doing!

- don't rush into anything. There are so many potential calls on your time, volunteering, hobbies, socialising, looking after grand-children, that some people can feel more under pressure than when they were working.

Howdy, RSD. Your having come to this thread late (and there's really no excuse for that, old fruit ) you may not have read that I do indeed have a timetable. Different types of physical exercises in the mornings and intellectual pursuits in the afternoons (improving my German and Spanish and re-starting Welsh): that's when I am not walking with friends and/or leading group walks, attending gigs and City games etc. I have evening classes to continue (and I may start one up myself) and I shall be travelling domestically and further afield. I have no progeny (having decided to spare humanity my contribution to the gene pool) nor partner so my time is my own. I dropped down to being part-time four years ago (oddly, for beneficial financial reasons) so it's hardly a big transition in reality.
Now where's that vest....

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Lost your marbles already.

And to think that you were chatting me up a few messages ago

[Jimmy the Jock]

As my usual travelling companion to City games isn't around for the Millwall and Bristol City games it would be good to have a pint before or after a game. Even better if you fancy a decent walk in the hills the following day - as I could stay over in Cardiff in the modest campervan I am experimenting with.

That sounds like a plan . I am looking at the Bristol game . I need to get cover on the van , I am sure I will get that sorted.

[Jimmy the Jock]

And to think that you were chatting me up a few messages ago

A good friend never misses a put down .