I'm getting on with life but with an eye on the end goal - early retirement.
Good luck ,may your God do with you .check out the e4 European footpathI've booked my flight and first four nights of accomodation for the Camino Frances.
Six or so weeks walking to mark my full transition from working life to retired life.
Starting 7th September, wish me luck.
I’m the same age as you and retired in January. My job was fine, but over the last few years I had lost all motivation so had been planning an exit for a few years.3 weeks today for me now before I hang the keyboard up at 55 yr 8 months.
I have never had more than a 3 week holiday off work since I started work in April 1986, and even before that I was a paper lad from 1980 so was getting up before 6 am as an 11 year old to earn my £2.50 per week
My current job is really well paid and I could easily do next to fuck all for years to come earning more than an MP, but cannot wait to finish, and will be getting by on a hell of a lot less. I have always done a lot of travelling and that will continue - I just wish that we had the choice of flight in the NE that Stanstead and Luton have!
Buen Camino!I've booked my flight and first four nights of accomodation for the Camino Frances.
Six or so weeks walking to mark my full transition from working life to retired life.
Starting 7th September, wish me luck.
Saint Jean pied de Port
Buen Camino
Think you are correct on that , around 50 a switch seemed to flick and I started to focus more on time. Kids were growing up quickly and I had a greater sense of what time was left ahead of me.
Good luck to him getting his money out of a pension before he's 55 (58 by the time he gets there)!
Tbf by that post its not something he’ll have considered.
He reckoned all they said was that there would be a tax deduction and he's have a form to fill in but they were happy to let him do it.
We were all going for a pint at newcastle college when Raj, a lad there said he was off to sort a pension out. How we f***ing laughed!
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You'd be surprised how common this thinking is with a lot of young uns , No planning for the future , They look at you like your daft when you tell them you put in more than the minimum into the company pension ( in my case a lot more).
Totally agreeLate 20’s right through to 60 I was in stressful roles managing teams and it definitely takes its toll.
I was at my old bosses funeral Monday, one of the kindest and most influential people I have worked with. I owe him a great deal. I was the youngest in the office, a real joker. It was lovely to catch up with one of the girls in the office at the funeral where we shared stories and laughter. At that time I didn’t have any team responsibilities back then.
At 60 I was burnt out. Had no enthusiasm for the role, no motivation and was tired.
Took the decision to get out. Finding it strange to adapt mind and know it will take time. Miss the money but not the stress and burn out.
You have to stop some time and it just felt right. My problem is I struggle to sit still, have to be doing something. Marrying later in life and thus having kids later in life can be challenging but something you just have to deal with.
I need to stop worrying whether I have enough money. That is partly a legacy from my old job mixed with guilt and wanting to do everything for my kids that I never had when I was younger.
If you think back to when you were in your early 20’s. You would have labelled 55 and 60 as old and here we are
You have to accept it and health becomes the key driver.
If you haven't already seen it there is a great film free on Amazon Prime called "The Way/el Camino" starring Martin Sheen and directed by his son Emilio Estevez. Martin Sheen's father was from northern Spain and emigrated to the US.I've booked my flight and first four nights of accomodation for the Camino Frances.
Six or so weeks walking to mark my full transition from working life to retired life.
Starting 7th September, wish me luck.
Yes, unless it is some sort of designated career such as armed forces, fire service etc (and maybe even footballers?) then unless you are unfortunately diagnosed with a terminal illness you can't touch it until 55/58
That reminded me - early 90s I contributed to an NHS pension for about 18 months and then left. As there was not that much service accrued/the cash in value was below a certain amount I could take the money out (minus the tax). I wish I hadn't done it, as even though it was only a small amount it would be worth more now.
Someone I know just announced their retirement and one bit of advice they are sharing to anyone they talk to is to get planning. Apparently my work does a early planning seminar and she is advising anyone from their 40s upwards to go to it.
Congratulations
