OMG! @abasket - are you me?? I feel exactly like you do. My dh (whom I love dearly) retired last year and promptly told me not to give him any lists as he wasn’t doing anything for a while. I can’t even relate to wanting to do that. I don’t want to just sit around. Thankfully, after a while, he went took another job but he re retired this week. I think the second time around is going to be easier on both of us. He seems to be more interested in doing things around the house and meeting up with friends. My problem is that I am use to having the house to myself for hours and I know I will miss that again.
I’m 50 and already looking forward to retirement. In my dream scenario, DH learns to bake and garden (something I am terrible at) and we spend a lot of time walking the dog, reading and rocking in rocking chairs.
I posted earlier, but did not elaborate…
I have several reasons for not retiring now:
- I was a SAHM for 10+ years so I have already had a break from the outside work world. And for me it reinforced the fact that I do enjoy the business world.
- H’s job is well paid, 40 hours/week, low stress. Mine is sometimes more hours, both are flexible. We both have generous leave policies and health benefits are good. I don’t want to have to pay a lot for medical insurance right now if I don’t have to.
- We will eventually relocate/downsize but will wait to see where the kids end up. We hope to eventually have at least one grandchild, but that’s not going to be soon.
- FIL retired early which seemed like a good decision at the time, but now MIL is widowed and concerned about money. We may need to help her out (I am happy to do so).
-H needs to find some hobbies/something to do in retirement.
H retired 4 months ago, and we have moved. I have found a walking buddy, and he has joined a bicycle group. I think that is key - finding things to do with others.
I’ve mentioned this on this board before, but when my dad retired, he started writing mystery books out of the blue. He had never written anything in his life but he was a good storyteller and wrote fun, snappy books. He got published and spent the last years of his life writing and traveling around to book signings, author appearances, writers’ conferences and other events promoting his books. He LOVED it and achieved some modicum of success at it. That was the best model I ever saw for how to retire.
Finished ‘how to make your money last’ book. The first part was some psychological stuff that was very good. The rest was great money evaluation and recommendations.