I understand. I spent decades teaching medical and graduate students and I was perpetually impressed with their intellect, engagement and focus. Interacting with them was always a delight and a challenge.
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Thinking about retirement?
- Thread starter ahofer
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Yes, thinking a lot about retirements:
- Trying to balance the risk of outliving my income vs the risk of not enough time (life) to spend my savings: should I work a couple more years to have a safer and maybe a slightly higher retirement income, or should I enjoy those couple of years in retirements right now living more frugally and "fearing" of not enough money (each year is becoming a bigger percentage of the time I have left)?
- Trying to assess the value of my current job (besides the $): I don't hate my job, it can even be interesting at time, but it is not a big passion. It does bring some social interactions, some structure, some problem solving, some learning. I know myself: I might lazy away from most of those once I retire: no structure, just do "whatever I want". Won't the days, weeks and years pass even faster?
- Trying not only to put aside money, but also health for retirement. I have been lucky to not have any major health issues so far, and I am actively "putting aside" health for old days: zero junk food, systematic physical workout (cardio, strength, flexibility and range of motion, balance).
So, lots of thinking, but no decision yet. Status quo with regular balance between work and life.
- Trying to balance the risk of outliving my income vs the risk of not enough time (life) to spend my savings: should I work a couple more years to have a safer and maybe a slightly higher retirement income, or should I enjoy those couple of years in retirements right now living more frugally and "fearing" of not enough money (each year is becoming a bigger percentage of the time I have left)?
- Trying to assess the value of my current job (besides the $): I don't hate my job, it can even be interesting at time, but it is not a big passion. It does bring some social interactions, some structure, some problem solving, some learning. I know myself: I might lazy away from most of those once I retire: no structure, just do "whatever I want". Won't the days, weeks and years pass even faster?
- Trying not only to put aside money, but also health for retirement. I have been lucky to not have any major health issues so far, and I am actively "putting aside" health for old days: zero junk food, systematic physical workout (cardio, strength, flexibility and range of motion, balance).
So, lots of thinking, but no decision yet. Status quo with regular balance between work and life.
There is plenty to do so start now. If you have hobby double down on it, buy some new accessories that you have thinking about. Plan a trip or surprise adventure to another place near by with your partner or friend. Find a local cause, not political, and get involved. Soon that magnet of the new you will quell those doubts about what to do and who are your new and old friends. Only two of my old work buddies are in my favorites in my phone but our get togethers are fun, lots of hiking.
Retirement was the worst thing i have ever done.
Like the Sarah Winchester legend
"The legend states that Sarah Winchester believed she was haunted by the ghosts of people killed by Winchester rifles. If that statement alone doesn’t indicate a shifting in attitudes towards firearms, I’m not sure what does. In this story, Sarah visited a well-known medium in New England who told her that she must continuously build a house, never laying down the hammer, based on the requests of these tormented spirits. From her séance room in the mansion, she was guided by these architects. These directives from beyond the grave have been used to explain many quirks in the house. For example, a stairwell to nowhere and a door that leads outside to a large and deadly drop. In the legend, Sarah believed if she stopped construction, she would die."
Like the Sarah Winchester legend
"The legend states that Sarah Winchester believed she was haunted by the ghosts of people killed by Winchester rifles. If that statement alone doesn’t indicate a shifting in attitudes towards firearms, I’m not sure what does. In this story, Sarah visited a well-known medium in New England who told her that she must continuously build a house, never laying down the hammer, based on the requests of these tormented spirits. From her séance room in the mansion, she was guided by these architects. These directives from beyond the grave have been used to explain many quirks in the house. For example, a stairwell to nowhere and a door that leads outside to a large and deadly drop. In the legend, Sarah believed if she stopped construction, she would die."
babayaga
Member
Having a hobby or 2 is key! So is having friends. I enjoy golf with guys I used to work with and fiddling with both of my stereo rigs. I have friends that I've hung with since before we were driving, 50+ years ago and we play golf every Friday for as long as the Mid-West weather allows. In the winter, I like messing with Excel, Applescript, Python, etc. Reading is also enjoyable. When you reach late 60's, you need to keep your brain and body active. Be happy, there's lots to enjoy.
A lot of clever or amusing stories since you posted, but on a practical level, are you likely to be spending far motre time at home listening to music, or even having it playing in the background?
I ask because that's exactly what I found after retiring. I had been using SET amplifiers but it seemed daft to continue with these expensive to run and expensive to maintain amps if they were running 8 or 10 hours oer day.
I decided to move to ss but only if I could equal or better the sound. After a multi- amp home demo session lasting a year or so, I found a Class D amp that ticked all the boxes. Now I don't worry about these costs and music sounds even more life-like than before.
I can relate to that. Since my retirement, my priorities have shifted to integrating my music listening with my environment and not just acoustically but also aesthetically.
That's so awesome. I can attest to the very serious, focused and strong intention engagement that my instructors had with me when I studied post secondary and how a couple of them where very engaging and made sure to confirm and clarify with me that I really did understand what I was learning and taking the extra time when recognizing that I was totally committed to my studies and that is all I was existing for at those times when attending studies. My marks where in the top grades and I emphasized to the teaching staff that this was going to be my occupation and a lifestyle job and they really did take that seriously and pushed me to be the best I could be. So I still think of them sometimes with great consideration and their memory is ingrained in my brain forever.
The same comment applies to you too @Ken1951.
Sigh* I achieved brain damage condition from reading too much daily news. I stopped reading for several months and then stuff happened and I was drawn back in and since then I am back to hours per day reading it. The stuff occurring is absurd to the 9th degree and it seems major issues keep occurring decade after decade and the same lame policies are used in attempts to solve them and nothing gets solved after huge sums of money are tossed at issues. It's sickening and the gravy train for some never ends.
EJ3
Master Contributor
100% do not get involved in a local group devoted to a political cause (unless you thrive on the following):
No matter what side of things that you are on, it is a recipe for: STRESS & MORE STRESS.
I have had enough stress and certainly do not need to have more.
In fact: I come here as part of my relaxation from stress.
Holmz
Major Contributor
And the moral of the story is that those same ghosts and séance people became audio dealers, and said that the system must always be changing.
And hence; “the work never ends”?
I've thoroughly enjoyed well over 10 years of retirement so far. One of the great things has been teaching as a volunteer both in person and online. There's an organization learntobe.org that connects volunteer teachers to students that I've used and highly recommend. As they say, if you want to understand something, teach it.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
There are so many stories of people moving to other countries like Portugal to retire, here's a recent one I came across;
archive.is
Personally, it's unlikely something I would do, due to a multitude of things, but I can see how this can work for some people.
‘I retired to Portugal – it’s like living in a five-star hotel’
archived 12 Aug 2025 19:52:51 UTC
Personally, it's unlikely something I would do, due to a multitude of things, but I can see how this can work for some people.
EJ3
Master Contributor
Perhaps just have homes/condos in different parts of the world and travel to the next one if the the next one in the climate that you prefer as the seasons change.There are so many stories of people moving to other countries like Portugal to retire, here's a recent one I came across;
‘I retired to Portugal – it’s like living in a five-star hotel’
archived 12 Aug 2025 19:52:51 UTC
Personally, it's unlikely something I would do, due to a multitude of things, but I can see how this can work for some people.
Travel by cruise ship to avoid jet lag.
Unfortunately this idea negates the idea of living well inexpensively (damnit! [certainly unaffordable for me]) but every so often you will get around to your beginning location to take care of whatever is needed there.
But, some, who have money (& do not have family obligations) have taken that route.
If you're looking for an overseas location don't forget the local income tax rate. For many countries and people it's 50% or more. However, Italy has a deal with a flat 7% rate (you still have to pay US taxes) for people living in poorer regions in towns with less than 20000 people. Some are really very nice and real estate prices are far far lower there than in most of the US.
I am glad none of you gents seem to have extremely expensive parents to take care of. Just got a curveball about mom's health cost. Could have bought KEF Muons but prefer my 86 year old mom living on... zero complaints. 
Life never stops throwing you curveballz does it..
Life never stops throwing you curveballz does it..
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They don't get ratings by reporting good news, and I don't see the point of being a passive spectator to misery. The same show every night, you only need to see it once and you're done. Like Cirque De Soleil
EJ3
Master Contributor
After spending 17 years (with 3 three week visits in-between) I came back from 9000 miles away to help mine (I'm an only child & brought my foreign wife with me to help) in 2018.I am glad none of you gents seem to have extremely expensive parents to take care of. Just got a curveball about mom's health cost. Could have bought KEF Muons but prefer my 86 year old mom living on... zero complaints.
Life never stops throwing you curveballz does it..
My curveball was having an accident after I was back that caused me to be unable to care for her for a couple of years (3 cervical vertebra fused together, vision issues, etc). But, my wife jumped in with both feet, making sure that I got back up to par while also helping me help my mother. I'm still not 100% (maybe never will be) but we have turned into a much closer family for it: As with you...zero complaints.
I wish that I had come back, sooner, though!
Sokel
Grand Contributor
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For one... John Kay... with heroin as his muse... is still alive at 81 and with the same partner for 60 years. Apparently the adage of "only the good die young" is more lyrical than true.
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