Thursday, September 5, 2019

I'll Take the Time, Thanks!






The other day I was talking to a gal friend who wondered if she would enjoy retirement and if I ever missed working. She (who knows a bit about my financial situation and experiences) also wondered if I was feeling hemmed in by the difference in income from the working days and now and if I was worried I might need to make further cuts or return to work. I  jokingly told said friend that I would live in a travel trailer rather than ever get a job again.

That was kind of simplistic, first, because I am not poverty stricken by any means although my income is slightly low compared to many and truly fixed. And I don't have that "pot" of money that is an IRA or 401K to pull from immediately for large expenses.  I have a monthly income that never changes except for COL increases. There is no "how much should I put out per month to live on".

Things have changed a little bit from that article on the sidebar. Thanks to cost of living increases in Social Security and Pension, I''ve increased a bit from that thirty thousand dollar mark and am in between thirty four and thirty five thousand annually. Still less than 3000 monthly. Also simplistic because occasionally, very occasionally I add a bit of cash to my pot. But that's generally silly low effort stuff like earning gift cards or occasionally selling something I make.

But for Kathy, and anyone else wondering (retired or pre-retired), here's where I am on the working versus not working or the time versus money issue in retirement:

I don't want to spend my retirement working, and I am willing to make the savings decisions necessary as I go along the path. It's that simple. Even the hard, not fun decisions (which don't come too often, thankfully). I would much, much, much prefer to have the free time for myself than try or put any effort into income at this stage in my life! Like the title says, when it comes to the time vs money equation, I am always going to choose free time to do what I want!  The Frugal Retiree is also the Lazy/Leisurely Retiree

Most of the time those decisions are easy to make:  We've been cutting the food bill but eating well. I made that capsule wardrobe list (posting on Friday) and am determined to only add what I need and what works with other clothing.  I've decided to shop first from the second hand market when possible-for sustainable as well as financial reasons. When the gals go out for happy hour or lunch I have an appetizer or choose from the ten dollar menu most of the time. My goal is to get my SUV to 200 thousand miles. I take the time (most of the time) to consider and compare purchases. When I travel I chose options such as Airbnb, earn gas cards through Kroger, take advantage of discounts and enjoy the experience as much as the paid sightseeing options. I do mainly free and extremely cheap entertainment with a couple big exceptions this year. Thanks to Silver Sneakers I work out at all kinds of nice health clubs for free. And I made the big step of downsizing my overall living situation in order to free up funds for my lifestyle (not a difficult decision to make but an admitted pain logistically as others can attest).

Occasionally there is a hard one, usually when it comes to spontaneous purchases, and those times when I wish I could be giving adult children more (although they both now make equal to or more than I make!). I wish, for example, that I could contribute more to adult daughter's wedding (although she's forty years old, makes what I do, and I am already spending money for travel, hotels and clothes. Mother guilt!) I've begun planning on some big travel again post tuition payments including a two week road trip and a possible cruise. For me that means save save save rather than pull extra money out of investments for a quick deposit.

But the hard ones are never enough to convince me to return to my quilting business, look at part time work or take a similar step. And in fact, to keep my time to myself, I would be willing to make greater cuts than I have to this point if it became a true need to do so. I want my life to be about health, hobbies, helping others, family, experiences and freedom. And I am willing to make cuts everywhere to enjoy all of the above. But not to make the effort of added income.

Because (again, for me) the very, very best part of retirement is to have time to myself, to make my own schedule, to sleep when I want to and get up when I want to. To spend a day reading and sitting on the swing with an iced tea (my body has had to give up those mimosas and wine). To spend another day painting pottery and then lunching with friends (for a whole thirty bucks for both events). To shop only on the weekdays. To have a week (this one) full of volunteering and another one (next week) full of sewing. To grab my car, drive for a day, spend the night and come home the next day on the spur of the moment. 

Right now it's eight thirty. I'm sitting up in bed with a pillow on my lap and my tablet on top of it, typing and drinking my morning coke. At some point here I'll get up and have some oatmeal and juice, and then I'll sit outside with the dog for half and hour to an hour reading or writing. I need to go to the rec center and work out for at least forty minutes. After that I pan to chill and work on whatever project grabs my fancy and then go and help serve dinner to the homeless families sleeping in my church. Then I'll come home, read, cuddle with the dog, and go to be early. Tomorrow will be different. But it will be spent exactly the way I want it to be.

To keep that freedom, I am happy to cut an expense here or there.

24 comments:

  1. I'm pre-retired - pulling the plug at the end of this year. This was a great post for me to read. I think I will feel like you after I retire, and my time will no longer be traded for money. And I will make the necessary lifestyle adjustments to ensure it happens! Thanks Barbara.

    Deb

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    1. I was forced into retirement by my husband's stroke and his need for a full time caregiver so retirement was not even in the planning stage. But now that I'm in it, I wouldn't give it up to go back to work. Like you, I'd downsize to living in a travel trailer before I'd seek job if money because an real issue. Besides, there's no security in working at our age. I see some people who are and they look so worn out, I feel sorry for them.

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    2. Deb, I'm sure you will do well. Retiement in general is a wonderful thing, even for those forced into it early in my experience.

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    3. And yes, when I do work,or even when I take surveys for money, that is always for the extra stuff-never for the basics. I make sure that I am situation so that all the basics and much of the fun stuff comes out of my money and that if and when I do earn or sell a quilt or whatever, that goes for a special extra.

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  2. I agree with this post. I've only been retired for about 8 months but I wouldn't trade my time for any amount of additional income. Now if I were to win a lottery...that would be okay. But financially I'm okay and once the house is sold, I'll move to something smaller that will cost even less.

    I keep telling people, I highly recommend retirement!

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  3. I love being retired and could never go back to the overly busy,stressed (but,at the time, satisfying) work lifestyle I used to have. It's been 6 years now. I spend much less money than I did when I worked. I used to shop at Chico's, have manicures,pedicures, and massages.I had housekeepers (waaay too tired, after 2 jobs, to clean!) ..Now, I have enuf clothes to last the rest of my life, but I still have a clotheshorse mentality,so I shop at consignment stores when I HAVE TO fill the urge. We downsized the house. I buy drugstore makeup, not Nordstroms. I have a $25 haircutter and I use L'Oreal at home for color.No fancy stylists for me! I splurge on what's important to us: Good groceries, since I cook at home almost all the time, we only go out to a bargain lunch once every week or two. Trips: We do an exotic trip every other year, it seems.. we've saved up for it.But in between we visit small Az. towns within driving distance and have a ball! I use my HOME for entertainment, to swim in the pool, home brewed coffee on patio, girlfriends over for cards or happy hour.. pretty inexpensive and fun. We also volunteer in areas we feel drawn. That's fun as well as helpful to others. So, I don't need to work anymore!!! Slowing down a bit, savoring, re organizing so you can relax and enjoy retirement.. it's all worth it!! Tomorrow: A free concert at our local center for the arts, a mexican dinner at home first ( i love to cook!!) and a visit through the art gallery adjacent to the arts center (free.)There is SO MUCH out there to enjoy when you have the time- -for very little $$ .

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  4. Freedom and Time are indeed Priceless!

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  5. After six years of retirement, I totally identify with Downton Abbey's Maggie Smith - "What is a week-end?"

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  6. I agree 100%. No more working for me. Retired life is too wonderful to spoil with a job.

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  7. I, too, LOVE spending my time doing what suits me. I was lucky enough to be a stay home Mom for most of her little life, and working part time after that. I have the same amount of income as you do but I seem to spend way more! How DID you fit in tuition! Now that school has started for the wee ones and the parents are going back to work ... I hope to repay myself for a fabulous year of being together.

    I just love your post!

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    1. It was a struggle. And close to six hundred dred bucks monthly. I admit it.

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  8. Shortly after I retired, a quad trip was rained out. My friend and I went to the calendar to pick another day. The next 3-4 weekends were taken up with one thing and another between the two of us. Then it hit me - what about Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri? We laughed and laughed. That's when we really knew we were retired. I'm 6 years into retirement; the slow mornings and uninterrupted time never get old.

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  9. We have compatible ideas about retirement; it is a pleasure to not have to go in to work and solve problems and face pressure there. And I had a good job, I was a librarian. I have been retired 10 years and found that expenses are less in retirement.

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  10. Making changes is perhaps the hardest part of retirement, but once done make life wonderfully simple.

    God bless.

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  11. Not trying to be conflicting here but I am so lucky that in my retirement I am in my own paid for home in the Midwest (fairly low cost of living area) and from what I've read you've been able to find family owned then shared housing. (Not being critical here but that hoping that helps you also) that even with a retirement of high 30's to 40's or maybe even more the cost of housing is insurmountable to some. We all know some cities/areas where safe (not moldy, bug infected, crime ridden areas) would not be affordable on that income. Would you find a one bedroom safe apartment out of your range in your area? Moving and a travel trailer is sometimes not an option. Cutting food, clothing and outings possibly would still not get some retirees the ability to be able to "make it". I really count my blessings.

    ReplyDelete
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  13. Greatest thanks to Dr Oyagu for his herbal drugs that he prepared for me and when i start using it in just 2weeks i was completely cured and that ended my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE i am so happy and grateful to Dr Oyagu . after reading about him on a testimony of Jason Cash on a blogger. i knew suddenly Dr Oyagu was the right Doctor to cure my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE. i discuss with Dr Oyagu and he prepared a herbal medicine for me and when it got sent to me in south korean . i used the herbal medicine and 2weeks and i went to check up again. after 15years of suffering from HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 at last i am smiling once again. Dr Oyagu also has remedy to others disease like COLD SORES,HIV/AIDS,DIABETES.CANCER,HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND MANY MORE. I oblige everyone to contact this powerful herbalist Dr Oyagu and be free from your suffering. contact his WhatsApp line: +2348101755322 or his Email:Oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com

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  14. I Can't still believe that i got cured from Genital Herpes through herbal treatment from Dr Oyagu who I met through the internet, I actually couldn't believe it at first because it sounded impossible to me knowing how far I have gone just to get rid of it. Dr Oyagu send me his medicine which I took as instructed and here I am living a happy life once again, a big thanks to Dr Oyagu, I am sure there are many herbal doctors out there but Dr Oyagu did it for me, contact him oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com , also call or whatsApp him on +2348101755322

    ReplyDelete
  15. The absolute first thing to do is to think about the current financial situation, in many cases, your finance and financial situation are solid. retirement planning

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Thanks for stopping by! I love to hear from others, and I also love to hear all points of view.. Just leave the profanity and insults at home, OK? Thanks!!