Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Downside to Retiring

I’m way too young for that. Tired of working for idiots and narcissists who take credit for everything I did and then crapping on everyone beneath them when schitt goes sideways. Last job ended on the whim of the new CEO who, to make a name for himself, unilaterally decided to shut down the smaller divisions of the company, even though we were quite profitable. “Too little to worry about”.

Best thing ever. I started my own consulting gig and rep for a couple different companies. I don’t have to do a bunch of pointless BS anymore and basically work part-time. No, I don’t make as much over the course of the year, but when I am working, I’m getting paid well! Screw the corporate dumbasses. I’m much happier now and have time to help my aged parents.

Gives my wife more time to invent things I have to do, and buy chit I have to maintain...but, no "work" pressure.

I like that.

Sold out in 2008 don't know how I got everything done when I worked 70 hour weeks.
I find I don't lack for having to do things. I tae the weekends off.

I did 30yrs as pest control specialist, some good years a lot of lean years. I put money away in a 401k. At 48 retired, went to start withdrawals from my 401k. Had like $36000, not nearly enough to retire I had it in a fund that really didn’t make money. So back to work as a landscape worker. Long days, seems like everyday is a Monday. Not going to lie I cry myself to sleep at night. I’m 50 back to square one again.

After 34 years as a LE, I retired. Wow, once I got away from that game, I felt much better. Even my wife says I am a different person. I took a federal army base job where I deliver the mail and packages to contractors, and army buildings. I can say that for once in a long time, I am content and happy with what I do. No bad outcomes and all the folks I encounter are nice. I do not hate what i do and do not mind going to work. The worst part of my job is the drive in. No regrets!

Very good news!!!

I'm going to work till I die if you call it that. Been making a living fishing and hunting for 50 years. About 20 years ago we decided to slow down and started farming and now I only fish when the fish are biting. In a couple of months I'll be on Medicare and I'm looking forward to getting my cataracts fixed, hearing aids and some dental work done. Been a great run with few regrets.

Downside---You never get a day off

Been retired for 12 years.
I first wondered how I ever had time to go to work, but, have adjusted.

Sold my business and retired a month before turning 60 - when my Air Force pension started. Sixteen years of bliss, so far.

Seven-day weekend is true, more time for doctor visits is true, also. Your body stops working when you do, it seems.

To answer the question asked on page one, we tell people we're retired so you working stiffs will know where your SS payments are going. To us.

Thing is, "use it, or lose it." I should work more, and harder.

Retirement for me is pretty much the same as it was at work, but less fishing…

Problem with not working is when do you take a break?

I retired in 1997. Haven't found a down side.

I got a call from a buddy this past week. She finally quit her job and is partnering with a mutual friend to do IT consulting. We'd always promised each other that we'd jump ship and go into business together.

At first, I said, "Count me in." They want me to manage the Managed Services aspect of the business. That is, at least in part, outsourcing small businesses' Help Desk. That was my bread and butter for over 20 years.

I was sitting there contemplating getting back in. The next phone call I got was from another old work buddy. He spent 20 minutes bitching about how his email is screwed up and he can get no help from his company's IT. About 10 minutes into the call, I realized that I was free of all this, and I'd be stupid to jump back in. My buddy with the new consulting firm called back yesterday and I told her to count me out. After that, I took a nap.

I have to say, I was a happy little stress monkey for 40 years. There was nothing quite like the smell of a server room on fire. However, I also have to say that my time has passed. I just spent 3 hours doing load comparisons with my Brown Bess and then switched over to 25-06. I got up, drank my coffee , watching the sun come up and had breakfast and my second cup at the shooting bench, just outside my bedroom window.

I'll take this view over a dark cubicle any day:

I have no desire to retire... I wouldn't know what to do with myself on a daily basis.

I just don't set well. I've known folks that are like me... They retired and died within 6 months to two years.
Just mentally wasted away...

Besides, my wife expects me to always be there for all the money she thinks she needs. She's always wanting more of it, and then expect me to just put all of my social security checks in a bank savings account for her. She thinks her retirement years are to expect everything in life that she's "always wanted", with tears in her eyes.

Guess she zeroed in on me from a distance, 30 plus years ago...

I don't set on my ass very well. Working and contributing to society up onto the day you die, is something I consider a blessing not a curse. Up until being self employed, I use to work 70 to 75 hours a week. Now at 70 y/o, I'm pretty much the only slave on the plantation at my house. I do everything, because my wife is "always tired" and " I can't I've got to go to work!" Yeah, 36 hours a week, pushing paper from one side of her desk to the other, answering phones and making phone calls.. and she's "exhausted".. I gather that is where the expression came from that 'we were made for each other'.

Women.. choose wisely.

Get up every day, get dressed and do something worthwhile.
Words of wisdom from my Grandpa

I retired the month after I turned 60. Been at it over 10 years now, and still LOVE it!

As stated, every day is Saturday, AND every night is Friday night!

I figure with social security and my pension, I'm getting holiday pay seven days a week!

Virgil B.

I haven’t really worked a traditional 9-5 in decades. I can’t really see myself ever fully retiring as I like fishing and I will probably die in the wheelhouse. I have a plan to start easing back on things when I hit certain ages.


My wife has fair warning that when I hit 56 (when I kick my youngest out) I am buying the best troller money can buy and I will casually troll, hunt, cruise southeast Alaska.

I retired 5 years ago at 58. Went back to work part time 3 1/2 years ago driving transplant surgeons around the state. I only work 2 days a week usually Tuesday and Wednesday. Extra cash doesn’t hurt any. Because of health issues, my wife had to retire early and gets no pension. That was a decision we both made. Been married to her for going on 42 years. I’d work up to my dying minute to take care of her.

Ron