Getting made redundant

I sold a business couple of years ago when I was 48 which meant I could probably retire if I wanted too as long as I didn't take the time honoured advice of the SMB and go full on coke and prostitutes mode.
Hadn't had a mortgage/debt for long time so was able to invest in property and other start up businesses over the years. The other businesses more or less run themselves.
I went thru a stage in first year when I did everything that I couldn't do whilst grafting.....simple things like ganin to bed late watching tv....getting up just in time to give kids a send off to school...spend the day out shopping....gym etc etc.
Was great for a while.
Now I find myself getting back into being active in the other businesses as I don't think I'm ready to do completely nowt.
At 51 I have given myself a 5 yr plan to expand the business portfolio but do it on a part time basis and then the kids will be at an age where if it interests them it can be something they can get involved in. If not I'll sell and hopefully be more suited to full retirement life.
 


Yes. Have never really trusted or more to the point known what to do with one. Will look in to it. Anything to avoid? How much talking to put in from now to be comfortable say?
There’s loads of guidance on moneysaving expert, basically put in as much as you can into a pension scheme, you get the tax back, so every 60 quid you put in gets bumped up to 100 quid
 
This. Most normal people want to achieve something fortunately.

I retired at 47, and felt a bit too young to do nowt even though I've got an overseas holiday home and loads of hobbies. So I am voluntarily semi-retired now with a few avenues of earning some money and giving something back off my skills and experience at the same time..
 
After 31 years, I am getting my redundancy notice next week
They decided that 2 people could do the work of 4, so we were asked to apply for the 2 roles, the one closest to my current role is 6k less, the other one about 2k less, I didn't apply for either, My line manager phoned in a panic to tell me I was missing the application deadline and I told him " I would resent working harder for less money and didn't think that would be fair on the company.
I've about 2 1/2 years until my pension starts, with my redundancy money and savings I will have the same income as now with a bit to spare.then with my private pension I can easily live to my current standard so it wasn't a difficult decision.
I'm looking for something to entertain myself, got grandkids that keep me smiling, a wife (no) to spend a lot more time with, I fish for a hobby.
What did my fellow seniors do when they finished work?
If you enjoy walking join a walking club, some good walks and keeps you occupied and healthy. Several walks of different distances, shitty conditions at the moment but enjoyable. http://sunderlandwalking.club/
 
After 31 years, I am getting my redundancy notice next week
They decided that 2 people could do the work of 4, so we were asked to apply for the 2 roles, the one closest to my current role is 6k less, the other one about 2k less, I didn't apply for either, My line manager phoned in a panic to tell me I was missing the application deadline and I told him " I would resent working harder for less money and didn't think that would be fair on the company.
I've about 2 1/2 years until my pension starts, with my redundancy money and savings I will have the same income as now with a bit to spare.then with my private pension I can easily live to my current standard so it wasn't a difficult decision.
I'm looking for something to entertain myself, got grandkids that keep me smiling, a wife (no) to spend a lot more time with, I fish for a hobby.
What did my fellow seniors do when they finished work?

I retired at 50.
Spent a year doing nowt to be honest
Then started volunteering in a NHS Trust, I'm now a Trustee and spend about 20 hours a week.
Also mentor first year medical students at the Uni.
Couldn't have imagined any of this when I left work
 
Do you have any particular passionate interests? Maybe get into a niche, research it and write a book?? Or just make up a fiction book and wait for the calls from Hollywood.

I’ve got an idea for a novel on the back burner. As soon as I have some more time I’m going to get it written. If it gets made into the film and I get a modest deal I’ll be retiring to do the things I want to do.
That's a great idea, however my writing skills would never get me published You should write it now, I know a pal who put off and it never got written, another does monthly articles for magazines, often gets free holidays out of writing as well.
Go for walks, go for bike rides - gets better as you get fitter.
Read - great to be able to have a few uninterupted hours with a good book.
A bit gardening, jobs around the house. I created a small workshop in the cellar and got some decent tools together - makes all the differance.
Not really volunteer work, but I do a bit to keep the village tidy.
Meet up with freinds. Might not work for you but I've got mates that are retired, so we have days away together to museums or exhibitions or just places of interest. Sometimes using public transport, cheap train tickets etc. Just the fellas, had some great days out.
Shopping and/or browsing becomes a lot less stressful when you can do it off-peak.
Also, if you have kids you'll no doubt get roped in to helping them in some way.

Been retired for a few years, I can honestly say I've never been bored.
I already meet up with some pals and spend a day on a pub/food crawl, they are all retired and we have a great time
A membership for Durham CCC is quite cheap. Spend many days in the summer watching the cricket.
My Summer is spoken for, I have 4 or 5 weeks away fishing, I should manage another couple now I have time
, done the stop off at train station pub crawl a few times.getting fitter is my number 1 plan
I’m lucky enough to do something I enjoy for a living I suppose
It's a few years since I enjoyed the day to day work, I still get a kick out of getting a good result but the pointless form filling, email answering and way we are treat outways the good parts.
 
That's a great idea, however my writing skills would never get me published You should write it now, I know a pal who put off and it never got written, another does monthly articles for magazines, often gets free holidays out of writing as well.

I already meet up with some pals and spend a day on a pub/food crawl, they are all retired and we have a great time

My Summer is spoken for, I have 4 or 5 weeks away fishing, I should manage another couple now I have time
, done the stop off at train station pub crawl a few times.getting fitter is my number 1 plan

It's a few years since I enjoyed the day to day work, I still get a kick out of getting a good result but the pointless form filling, email answering and way we are treat outways the good parts.
I'm semi retired mate and took that as an opportunity to watch England play cricket in some of the best places in the world. The downside is I'm early 50's and ran out of places to go to.
 
I can't afford to retire at the moment, but I've made plans - the trick is to keep busy but doing something you enjoy

The below may appeal to some:-


as the title says, its basically men in sheds doing things with wood - especially good if feeling a bit lonely or at a lose end and are handy
 
Perfect age to retire...I was 57...redundancy package and then private pension at 60..go for it
it would be ideal mate, still active and healthy to enjoy long and full retirement , unless you love your job must be awful to graft until 65, so much more to life
I can't afford to retire at the moment, but I've made plans - the trick is to keep busy but doing something you enjoy
running clubs
walking clubs
go out for lunch twice a week somewhere
go on coach trips and visit places
take up golf / fishing
volunteer work
spend more time with partner
gardening
more holidays (if pension decent anyway)
list could be almost endless really , loads to see and do without needing a massive budget
 
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I can't afford to retire at the moment, but I've made plans - the trick is to keep busy but doing something you enjoy

The below may appeal to some:-


as the title says, its basically men in sheds doing things with wood - especially good if feeling a bit lonely or at a lose end and are handy
We have a Man Shed in the village, I might go and have a look, I'm just worried its full of old Men lol
 

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