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Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 10:26 AM Jan 2020

I've noticed that retirement has greatly enhanced my ability to set "Goals and Objectives"

I hated this process, when I was a corporate worker bee. Earning a living by showing up (on time, or early) to successfully complete a day's work and then go home just seemed an inadequate plan, to my manager. But now, nearly 5 years out from the "hive", I may have finally cracked the process.

So, here goes. Since I'm still hearing the occasional spinning tire on the unplowed inclining streets surrounding my house, I'll limit my outside activities to tossing out some snow melt onto the driveway and refilling the bird feeders. Then I can devote the rest of my day to making, and later consuming, Navy Bean Soup. That way I'll have the strength to dismantle the large snow/ice berm the eventual snow plow will undoubtedly deposit at the end of my driveway. That, in turn, will give me a great excuse to make a nice, strong hot toddy.

One day at a time, my friends. One day at a time.

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I've noticed that retirement has greatly enhanced my ability to set "Goals and Objectives" (Original Post) Siwsan Jan 2020 OP
I'm continually amazed at how busy 'my retirement' is . . . empedocles Jan 2020 #1
I'm learning to balance the busy with the self indulgent Siwsan Jan 2020 #3
As you complete your annual performance self assessment brokephibroke Jan 2020 #2
So far, I'm FAR exceeding my retirement expectations. Siwsan Jan 2020 #5
Curious. How "young"? brokephibroke Jan 2020 #11
I'm curious too! Pacifist Patriot Jan 2020 #14
My union contract set retirement benefits started at age 62. I retired on my 62nd birthday Siwsan Jan 2020 #15
Pending what happens with healthcare costs brokephibroke Jan 2020 #18
My health care was carried until I was eligible for Medicare Siwsan Jan 2020 #21
After hibernating for 4 days, I'm going to tackle the city plow's chunk of ice at the end of SharonClark Jan 2020 #4
It's nice to be able to procrastinate doing some things, isn't it? Siwsan Jan 2020 #7
I'm sitting here at 9am in my PJs. I've managed to let the dog out AJT Jan 2020 #6
Sounds like an ideal day Siwsan Jan 2020 #8
Today in my retirement. Polly Hennessey Jan 2020 #9
I have free HBO, right now, so I'm going to finish binge watching "Gentleman Jack" Siwsan Jan 2020 #10
Yep, one day at a time. After 20 years of retirement justhanginon Jan 2020 #12
We really should count our blessings - cosmic or otherwise. Siwsan Jan 2020 #17
You are so right! I feel so lucky to have great supportive kids justhanginon Jan 2020 #20
I am happily still driving a 2002 Saturn station wagon Siwsan Jan 2020 #22
Contentment is the key to a happy life especially justhanginon Jan 2020 #27
Surely, you meant to include a nap in your well-planned day!? JohnnyLib2 Jan 2020 #13
Well, if Sophie Stinky Toes (my tuxedo cat) will allow it Siwsan Jan 2020 #16
For me retirement sort of reminds me of Golden Raisin Jan 2020 #19
The very first snowstorm, after I retired, was a thing of joy Siwsan Jan 2020 #23
Great minds and all that. I went through a kite sewing stage justhanginon Jan 2020 #24
Ha, that was my first thought after retirement, too. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2020 #28
If Medicare was available to 50 year olds, I would retire right now. Yavin4 Jan 2020 #25
Mine, too. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2020 #26
Will be a year soon Freddie Jan 2020 #29

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
3. I'm learning to balance the busy with the self indulgent
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 10:41 AM
Jan 2020

Since I'm so busy, 3 seasons out of the year, doing gardening and yard work, I love spending some serious down time, during the Winter. Of course, in about 6 weeks I'll be back at garden planning and seed starting so my busy (but still fun) time still outweighs any stretches of 'down' time.

brokephibroke

(1,883 posts)
2. As you complete your annual performance self assessment
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 10:36 AM
Jan 2020

Would you say you exceed expectations, meet expectations, or needs improvement?

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
5. So far, I'm FAR exceeding my retirement expectations.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 10:56 AM
Jan 2020

It's funny because I was just reflecting back and, for so many reasons, retiring as "young" and early as I did was one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
15. My union contract set retirement benefits started at age 62. I retired on my 62nd birthday
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:21 AM
Jan 2020

I actually left 6 weeks before that, taking an extended 'vacation'. I had accrued the maximum number of PTO (personal time off) hours allowed by the contract, so the company let me take them, all at once. I had just lost my sister and mother, within a 3 week period, so the company had some understanding and compassion for my situation. And, while I was off for that 6 weeks, I continued to accrue even more time off. So, I got what I considered to be a bonus check, after I retired.

My plan had been to work until, at least, 65, but life threw me some turns that made me realize the importance of enjoying life, while I'm healthy enough to do so. (My sister was younger than me and had 3 kids. That hardly seems right.)

brokephibroke

(1,883 posts)
18. Pending what happens with healthcare costs
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:29 AM
Jan 2020

That’s my target as well. No union for me so I have to buy my own plan and that may be $$$$.

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
21. My health care was carried until I was eligible for Medicare
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:52 AM
Jan 2020

The company I worked for didn't offer a pension, but we had a 401K plan that they, at one time, contributed generously towards. I left just as things turned bad, and the company was 'partnered with' another health care company and their union contract was not nearly as strong as ours. So, I left just in time because benefits and wages both took a hit.

I never, ever, EVER thought I'd be in the position I am, right now, which is retired and with investments. I still sometimes think I'll wake up and still be sitting in a cubicle, desperately trying to ignore annoying co-workers. I guess my savings habit, good health and low maintenance lifestyle is paying off. At the very least, I am finally approaching feeling really content.

SharonClark

(10,005 posts)
4. After hibernating for 4 days, I'm going to tackle the city plow's chunk of ice at the end of
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 10:45 AM
Jan 2020

the driveway TODAY. Just like I said YESTERDAY.

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
7. It's nice to be able to procrastinate doing some things, isn't it?
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:00 AM
Jan 2020

I can remember getting up at 3 in the morning to shovel enough of the driveway clear, for me to, at least, make it to the street. And then, parking the car on the street, hoping it doesn't get stuck, while I shoveled a pathway clear, again, at the end of the day, so I could get to the garage.

Now I just pour another cup of coffee and look out the window, with a self-satisfied smile on my face.

AJT

(5,240 posts)
6. I'm sitting here at 9am in my PJs. I've managed to let the dog out
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:00 AM
Jan 2020

and make coffee.........the rest of my day will consist of showering, going to the drug store, pickling up my favorite coffee creamer, then collapsing on my couch and binging some british detective series on Acorn. And it's only Monday...I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
8. Sounds like an ideal day
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:05 AM
Jan 2020

The birds, the cats, and my little self are fed and watered so I'm going to start the soup. I will have to go out, tomorrow, to replenish my Chardonnay supply. Priorities, priorities.

Polly Hennessey

(6,747 posts)
9. Today in my retirement.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:07 AM
Jan 2020

Leisurely breakfast after leisurely feeding the dogs (2), the cats (3), the bird. Then leisurely dress to take Alex to the groomer and Scout to dayboard, next go see 1917 with my sister, then a leisurely late lunch, pick up critters, go home put on my warm snuggly and leisurely watch the news, then watch episode 7 of Giri/Haji on Netflix. Next crawl into bed with my doggies, read a cozy mystery, 😴. Rinse, repeat in some similar fashion. Best part: no one absolutely no one tells me what to do. Ta Da!

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
10. I have free HBO, right now, so I'm going to finish binge watching "Gentleman Jack"
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:09 AM
Jan 2020

I take full advantage of such opportunities.

justhanginon

(3,287 posts)
12. Yep, one day at a time. After 20 years of retirement
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:11 AM
Jan 2020
I find my goals and objectives have changed significantly. Started retirement years with a lot of energy, goals and objectives. I saw my kids a lot more, rode my bike daily, hiked, gardened, did some, traveling with friends, etc. My goal and also my objective then and now was simply to enjoy life. Twenty years later and this morning my goal is to fill the peppermill, grind three days worth of coffee (hopefully not confuse the two grinders) and find some papers for updating my trust. That'll probably do it. I think the first ten years wore me out.

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
17. We really should count our blessings - cosmic or otherwise.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:29 AM
Jan 2020

I worked with SO many people who will never be able to retire, with any degree of security or comfort. Some do to being spendthrifts, some due to unfortunate circumstances. And, of course, some due to both.

justhanginon

(3,287 posts)
20. You are so right! I feel so lucky to have great supportive kids
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:51 AM
Jan 2020

and was able to save enough to live comfortably if not extravagantly, (my car is a 1997 Mercury). I lived very frugally while I worked as there was no 401k stuff from my employer until about ten years before I retired so I had to save and fund most of my retirement myself. Still live frugally, sometimes much to my childrens chagrin, but I am comfortable with my life style.

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
22. I am happily still driving a 2002 Saturn station wagon
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:59 AM
Jan 2020

I had a 401K but also was also a lifetime compulsive money saver. I can't even begin to guess the age of some of my clothes, but they are in good shape and still fit, so why buy new? I grow my own veg, and am one of the most frugal shoppers you will ever meet.

My entire family keeps nagging at me to travel and indulge myself. I love to travel and did a lot of that while in the Navy, and beyond. Maybe I'll do some traveling, again, but right now I'm content with my lifestyle, and that's all that really matters.

justhanginon

(3,287 posts)
27. Contentment is the key to a happy life especially
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 12:21 PM
Jan 2020

as we age. Still have things that we want to do but they lessen in importance and do not become a driving force. My attitude has become instead of feeling like "got to" it becomes "would be nice to if circumstances permit".

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
16. Well, if Sophie Stinky Toes (my tuxedo cat) will allow it
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:23 AM
Jan 2020

She likes to patty-paw my face, when she catches me sleeping. Time I spend asleep is time I'm not spending giving her treats and chin scritches.

Golden Raisin

(4,600 posts)
19. For me retirement sort of reminds me of
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:49 AM
Jan 2020

being a kid (long ago!) on a snow day. No regular routine. No school. You can go out and play in the snow all day or stay in and read a book, watch TV, or whatever. Nice. Also a nice feeling that I earned this after so many years of hard work.

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
23. The very first snowstorm, after I retired, was a thing of joy
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 12:02 PM
Jan 2020

I took a photo of my big glass of Mimosa, juxtapositioned against the blowing snow, outside, and sent it to my former co-workers. Cruel, indeed.

justhanginon

(3,287 posts)
24. Great minds and all that. I went through a kite sewing stage
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 12:10 PM
Jan 2020

made a kite from a rather distinctive work shirt. Took a picture of me flying it, showcasing the kite, and sent it to my old boss. Fun stuff!

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
28. Ha, that was my first thought after retirement, too.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 12:23 PM
Jan 2020

My last day of work was December 31, 2011. I'm in Minnesota where January always sucks, and when the first weekday snowstorm happened (very soon afterwards), I recall getting up and looking out the window and going back to bed, thinking about how I will never have to battle rush hour traffic in a snowstorm again. It was a great feeling.

Yavin4

(35,357 posts)
25. If Medicare was available to 50 year olds, I would retire right now.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 12:11 PM
Jan 2020

As it stands, I'm working full time and in school part time for a Master of Data Science degree.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
26. Mine, too.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 12:19 PM
Jan 2020

Later today I have some errands to run and some homework to do for a foreign language course I'm taking in what is perhaps a futile effort to keep my brain from rotting. In the meantime I am drinking coffee, watching the cardinals on my bird feeder and listening to my sleeping cats snore.

Freddie

(9,232 posts)
29. Will be a year soon
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 12:44 PM
Jan 2020

That I retired. But I spend my days watching the grandkids so I’m not exactly relaxing or doing what I want to do. Today is no school so the 2 big ones are here as well as the 15-month old (who is a pleasure to watch). I figure I’ll be really retired when she starts kindergarten...in 2024.

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