Good message. I've always liked Steve Harvey.

So what are you shooting for, Moni?

I love that. Thanks for sharing that. How interesting. I do love that guy!! :)

Alisande... my ex had such big plans for retirement. He retired in January 2014

For me, this is great, as I get a portion of his retirement... but for him...

His health isn't the greatest, and between Thanksgiving and Christmas he spent several tense moments in the hospital, and ended up with 3 stents near his heart.

No retirement fun for him at all.

I really don't want to end up like that. I need to get out, and enjoy life more, before it might be to late.

;)

So, I am thinking of quitting working... and riding bikes more often. I know, I can do it without the measly funds I mange to scrape together through my job.

Moni

Moni, that sounds so worthwhile. I hope you will go for it! Not only will you enjoy life more, but it will reduce your stress and provide exercise--two things to keep stents, etc., at bay.

You go girl!

{{gwi:2136269}}

If you are not enjoying your job and you can do without the extra income, then it seems to be a no brainer.

Sometimes you just need a light bulb (or in this case a lid on a jar) moment.

I would tell anyone that if you don't enjoy your job and can swing it financially to retire as soon as you can!

I retired in December at 62 (the earliest I could retire for full pension benefits) from a job that I gave 150% to for 10 years but it was never appreciated nor did I ever feel respected by management. I was going to hang in a while longer for the $ but then realized another six months wasn't going to make me or break me. I mulled it over for a few days then turned in my papers.

I am so happy to be away from that environment even though I have since developed some minor health issues that haven't allowed me to fully enjoy my free time yet. But no regrets...life is too short to be miserable just for a paycheck.

Moni, I retired in 2008, at age 58. I have enjoyed having my own time so much, but since moving from Florida, where I could work in my yard from dawn til dusk, I am getting a bit bored at times, so am going to fill it with volunteer work - I start this coming Wednesday. I also have my grandkids here, and a new one coming Feb. 9th, so I will be busy again - idle time doesn't set well with my personality. I say 'GO FOR IT'!!!!

Go for it!!

yep, I agree with everyone else -- if you don't need to work, you should definitely ride bike!

I love being retired. This past week I started watching a cousin's 3 mo. old girl who was born 8 weeks premature. I have her 3 days a week and her daddy's parents watch her the other two. She is so sweet and I hold her a good part of the day. I have plenty of free time in the evenings and weekends to attend ISU basketball games.

I quit my job last year. It's been 10 months. Like you I had an encounter, in my case with a customer that had a dream of living his life, not working a job that took all his time..... that made me think I should quit, I'd be better off.

I wanted more time, like you. while I still have my health to go running....pursue photography, read a book, watch a movie.

Within a month of quiting I ripped my knee, then when it was almost healed it ripped again.

I can still lift weights to build it up....I'm not giving up the dream. :0)

Retire! I looked at how much less money I would be living on and decided my work expenses pretty much equaled the difference. If any one in management would have ever said thank you or good job, I might still be there. NOT! Eliminating the winter driving stress is worth a million bucks! It's just so wonderful not punching that clock!

Moni:

Carefully consider your options before retiring. No matter what people say, having enough money (income) during retirement is very important for a carefree and happy life. You do not need to be rich, but you do need to have enough. As you age, expect an increase in health related expenses. From my experience, it is my health issues that is causing my largest expense increase. I am reasonably healthy for an old guy, but I am also on maintenance medications to stay healthy.

My retirement at age 62 was forced. My job was disappearing. The company had decided to greatly downsize its operations at my location. I was offered a buyout plan that was equitable, but the prospect of retirement did scare me. I was afraid of retirement because I was making good money and knew that we were spending at a goodly rate, a rate that I thought I could not afford in retirement. I had thoughts of continuing to age 65 and if all was well, I would have continued on a year to year basis to age 67. The idea was to grow retirement funds to sufficient size to be comfortable. That did not happen, however, the buyout did achieve that same result.

My daily expenses reduced. Savings came from no more commuting, clothing, and simpler food. Cutting out commuting was a biggie. That also reduced stress and I am much happier for that. We still take a yearly auto trip of 1000 to 3000 miles. last year, we did 2 trips.

So, what did I miss? I missed the daily contact with my peers. I did not have a circle of associates outside of the job. If you have a circle of friends that you see once a week, that will suffice.

I discovered that for me, I get bored if I have only one hobby or activity. I am happier if I have 2 to 3 projects to change to. Since I am a home owner, maintenance is one of those projects. Our local county trade school offers a number of low cost (to seniors) courses such as genealogy, clock repair, auto body repair, low level computer usage, choir, etc. These are good activities to keep your mind busy. It may be true that to keep your brain healthy, it need mental stimulation and exercise. One of my friends say, "Use it, or loose it".

Jem, you make some excellent points. I appreciate you taking the time and sharing them with me.

For the reasons of staying active and being around people I have this job.

But the pay sucks. The time off on the other hand is glorious. The work is hard. No rewards besides the measly paycheck.

Not wanting to end up like my ex, with bad health, and no option to enjoy retirement I decided to quit soon, but could not put a date on it, till I saw that video from Steve.

However, now that I decided to quit, I remember I have to stay with it, till my implant work is finished. If it weren't for that tooth, I would be out of there right away.

I will hang in there, till that sucker is paid for. Then, I will enjoy life as long as possible.

:)

Moni

Hi Moni ... what's this?

I didn't realize that teeth were needed for suckin' ... I thought that they were almost exclusively for bitin'.

Now that I don't have any ... does that mean that I can't suck?

Well ... at least ... mine are all paid for - or, more accurately, I guess - the lack of them.

ole joyful

Moni:

Having a tooth implant is no picnic. Its a 6 mo wait to see if the bone will fuse around the post before the job can be finished. I was facing the same prospect. One of my front teeth had broken off almost at the gum line, but the tooth was still alive and the root solidly affixed. My regular dentist had discussed 2 options, the first a cap and the second, an implant. The implant was recommended because she rated my 'bite' as too strong for a cemented-on tall crown. The implant was to cost as much as $5000 with the long wait for the jaw bone to fuse. Due to my age, there was an increased possibility that the implant would not fuse good enough and a chance of infection.

While I was mulling over the situation, an acquaintance of mine, who is a dentist, spied my missing tooth. He took a quick look and declared that he could fix it using another option, and he did, and it worked fine. He left the remaining tooth in place and did a root canal and prepped for a post and crown. A titanium post was installed and a ceramic crown was cemented in place over the post. The post added strength to secure the crown. This reconstruction was about 1/4 the cost of an implant and was done is less time. The root canal and prep work took about 3 weeks and the crown installation was done in one session. I have been pleased with the result.

However, I do not wish to second guess your situation. There are many variables to consider and for you, an implant may have been the best option. I mention my case for additional information.

My tooth is out since July. My post is in since 3 weeks ago. My implant comes in April.

I am staying till the end of the school year, and won't actually quit till near the end of the summer break.

The latter will ensure I get all monies due me (yes, I am making sure at all ends).

Moni

Moni, Girlfriend, Take Your Lid Off!

You've inspired me. Great way to start my day.