I just listened to a segment on talk back radio..........
it basically said
We look at life as 'how long we have lived'
we should be looking at life as 'how long do we have left' It got me thinking........
I know a little morbid, but true I think
I retired at 55yo a year ago, i decided I wanted to get out there on the road and enjoy it while I was young enough and fit enough to do the walks and climbs around the Kimberley and Gulf.
I am 56yo now, worked for 38 years, hopefully I have a good 20 years before life and health on the road starts to fail me to enjoy myself. I think I have earned my time.
Sometimes we sit too long and think about it.
Thoughts anyone?
jetj said
03:43 PM Dec 7, 2013
Hi Baz,
Seize the day!
I'm still procrastinating about the ideal vehicle to travel with. Your decision to retire sounds to me like a good one. I enjoy reading about your travels.
Pejay said
04:21 PM Dec 7, 2013
You know both my parents and my sister & brother in law sat/sit at home in their retirement and were/are absolutely miserable, and try and make us miserable - and guilty - for 'getting out there' and enjoying life!! Now that we are 'free' we can take off and do our own thing without any worries - watch out Australia, here we come!!!!
justcruisin01 said
05:10 PM Dec 7, 2013
MOTTO; If you think that you can do it today, then you should have done it yesterday.
Onedodger said
05:45 PM Dec 7, 2013
We were once accused of, Driving around doing nothing but waiting to die.
Well when I told them they were ill informed as we are now busier than ever and enjoying our retirement to the max, they were aghast.
I then reciprocated saying that then one could consider the opposite for them, IE. Staying at home waiting for the grim reaper. And being miserable.
We got our point across.
Our children have even suggested that we should travel more than we do, at least they see the light.
Must admit they are into camping and seeing what good old Oz has to offer.
Gerty Dancer said
06:56 PM Dec 7, 2013
Having worked with elderly people for 30 years, I've learned a lot from them... primarily "Get out there and follow your dream while you can!" That means different things to different people, you could become a Grey Nomad, or you could enrol in University.
Also there's the lesson not to leave yourself flat broke in your last years, I've seen that life can be very hard for 90+ year-old people who didn't think they'd live so long, and they need care and help that must be paid for somehow.
native pepper said
07:44 PM Dec 7, 2013
I retired at 27, after an NDE and 18 months life prognosis. Changed my diet and lifestyle and hit the road playing music, didn't wait for the supposed inevitable. Now in my late 60's, still traveling and playing music, fitter and healthy than in my 20's, no medication and rocking along. Many many I know has passed, so just look ahead and plan. Whatever happens I'm happy as haven't wasted my life as an economic clone repeating my days over and over.
We only live once, unless someone has verifiable evidence proving the opposite. You can retire any time you want. All you have to do is plan your retirement, so you are responsible for your foot print on the planet, can support yourself and have a bloody good time.
Plan your future fully and do it, if we don't take life on, we just become victims of life circumstances created by others. Create your future and you create your life. Retiring to live, is healthy and good fun.
chris & terry said
08:09 PM Dec 7, 2013
MOTTO ALL WRONG: If you think that you can do it today, then you could quiet possibly do it tomorrow, or may be even the day after. Life's a beach.
GaryKelly said
08:58 PM Dec 7, 2013
Yep, retiring from work shouldn't mean retiring from life.
The Phantom said
09:29 PM Dec 7, 2013
A number of years ago, I took 12 months off work to build my house. It happened to coincide with the last 12 months of the life of one of my friends dying with an inoperable brain tumor.
One day, listening to ABC Radio, I heard an interview with a researcher studying people living under a death sentence similar to the situation of my friend.
The researcher has asked these people what their biggest regret had been in their lives and he was astounded that, overwhelmingly, the said that they wished they had taken more risks during their life. Not physical risks but the risk of turning your back on your comfortable situation. The risk of walking out on the job you hate and trying something different, the risk of walking away from a poor relationship.
My friend died some months later and I have endeavored to live my life as if there is no tomorrow. I have walked out of employment that I hated and pursued something different.
You know what. I have no regrets whatsoever.
I am currently on the road with my wife (done 6 months so far) and will not return home till at least October next year (in time for a 50 year school reunion). I will then sell my house and all my material possessions and go and live in France where we own a small cottage. Who knows what comes after that but I'm not going to sweat about it.
As the say in the ads, "Just Do It"
The Phantom
Helena said
10:07 PM Dec 7, 2013
When we first started travelling we took weeks to decide if we had enough money to travel being on the pension so in the end we thought O.K. let's do it if we find we haven't got enough money to manage it we turn round and come home well 15 years later we are still going away in our van still love every minute of being away sure we have a unit as a home base and at times have been grounded but age is no barrier we are determined to keep going and doing what we like best travelling this great country of ours and seeing as much of it as we can while we can.
navynurse said
10:22 PM Dec 7, 2013
You would be suprised how many patients I have had that were on their first big trip & got here & had to go to hospital. The majority have been heart scares but accidents & various illness's have quite a sway also.
Everyone I have spoken to had the same story "Should have started earlier".
That convinced me to order the van & start seeing more of Australia.
I must say most of my visitors have made a good recovery & managed to continue the trip to some degree.
The moral of the story is don't go through Rockhampton as there seems to be a curse on travelers.
Allan
Cloak said
08:49 AM Dec 8, 2013
And stay clear of Indian fake doctors that we slap on the wrist and let go free.....
Typical Aussie soft outcome.
DarylC said
10:13 AM Dec 8, 2013
Unfortunately not everyone has the option of retiring early. You have to be financially independent with investments capable of covering your expenses & not hoping for government hand outs.
I'm lucky to be in that position but just. I have been retired now for 6 years & not yet 60. I figure if i need to go back to work in my early 60s at least I have experienced retirement.
I too saw friends come to the end of their life before or shortly after retiring & didn't want that to be me.
ken thomas said
11:32 AM Dec 8, 2013
To true Daryl
If you can, get out there and do it
Ken
Mr B2 said
12:52 PM Dec 8, 2013
I think so, But it is only an Attitude, which can be changed at any time,
I was told I was going to die at 18. Motor cycles, Most of them are dead now,
I snow Skied, I water skied, I rode big fast motorbikes, I danced Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, I camped in out back, remote spots,
Travelled Oz Extensively,
Continously being told I was going to die, From all the dangerous things I did,
I still do all of the above except water Skiing, Its too Boring stuck on the end of a string for me,
My Attitude was, If I am going to be dead, I will get as much fun in first as I possibly can, Hahahahahaha
I retired at 63, after 50 long hard years with my nose on the Grindstone,
It was the same day. I stepped onto my new, Second hand, 34 foot Sailing Catamaran in Fiji, Bought, Sight Unseen, in Fiji,
I had a day and a half to learn all systems aboard this vessel, Then the PO left for Hawaii, I was on my own, Hahahahaha
Well six weeks later, and sailing all around Fiji learning my new boat and its Myriad of electronics , I set sail for OZ,
Again, I got the, Your Gonna Die. Crap from every one, Hahahahaha,
Am I an Experienced Sailor, Bluntly, NO, Have I crossed an Ocean in a boat before, NO,
So I solo'd it back to OZ, I didnt die, But I did get it thrown up on the rocks while anchored,
Latest on the repairs is January 2014, Then I am going to sail it to the Kimberlys,
Very strange, No one says I am going to die going to the Kimberlys by sail Boat, ????????????
I got the same negative attitudes when I said I was going to import a Coach from the USA to retire in and travel OZ,
I dont care, I still went ahead and got it here, Love it, Its a fantastic Coach to drive, It just floats along,
No, I didnt know any thing about importing a Boat or Motor home, either, But I did it, Hahahaha. Another, its too hard, From the experts,
Its so easy now to do any thing, Internet and Google,
I only ski on Grouse days up there, Google Snow Cams, Crap weather, I stay home,
Three day forecast on the weather, Every night on TV, gives you good sailing for three days in your direction, Then wait till the TV gives you more clear days, Hahahaha
Google on the Coach, where can I go first, Tried the Otways for size on the roads and learning to drive it, 2000 Kays,
I dont like Caravan Parks, So where do all the Motor Homers go that dont use C/P's,
Google again, Grey Nomads, Greens lake , Like minded people like me, So I tried going there, Yep, full of live, real and active people, Like me, and very very Friendly,
I even got to see another M/H the same as my Motor Home, At Greens, Thats a WOW, for me,
The Attitude comes from, Jealosy, Laziness, Embarasement, and a couldnt be Buggered to even try, Not neccesarily in that order,
Jealosy, that they know that they could do it and wont,
Embarrasement, that you are showing them that they can do it and wont,
The Rest, Stick to your TV And Die, Simple,
I just wish the Stick in the Muds would get off the backs of the Doers,
Yes, I do have a Use by Date, and I am using it all up as best I can,
I did set my self up to be a self funded Retiree, But thanks to our Greedy Govt, and their Capital Gains Tax,
I am now on the old age pension and broke, Instead, Double Taxation,
Thats Life, Enjoy it now,
You may fall over and break your hip, That will slow you down, some what, Hahahaha
pambaz said
02:12 PM Dec 8, 2013
We had friends who talked and talked about buying a van and travelling. They retired ,bought the van ,talked some more about the big trip they were going to do one day,did little trips for a few years and then when they at last started to do the Big one (6 weeks into it) she got very sick and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. End of travelling. All their dreams dashed.
I was talking to her not long before she passed away and was telling her that we planned to do our half lap in a couple of years. She said don't put it off Just Do It !!! .So we did and now we don't hesitate if we want to go somewhere we just go.
If you are retired don't put things off. Nothing sadder than someone saying I wished I did such and such , now it's too late.
Golddetectornomad said
05:25 PM Dec 8, 2013
...and by the time we've reached our age we've learnt just about everything....all we have to do is try and remember it!.....how many are like me who studiously read every 'how to use instructions' that come with our new fangled gadgets...know it all at the time...kid ourselves we will remember everything we have read.....go to use the 'gadget' again and its like starting over...how the hell do I use it again?....or is it that we are so careful and don't want to buggger it up that we read it all again....I will never forget it THIS time.....go to use it again...dang!..how does it work again....its why I rarely give help in the Tech section...I know all about the gizmo they are discussing..I just cant remember it.....my biggest item I carry in my Caravan is the huge 'Instructions on how to use for every bloody thing I've got.....but feel really secure that I have them.....Dang...just where did I hide them again?...as I didn't want wifey touching them..far too important..or anyone stealing them and leaving me helpless....c'mon fess up!..who else constantly repeats to themselves I'm O.K. so long as I can find those S'tructions on how to use'......?..Lol...
If I had known how old I would get, I would have taken better care of myself and my memory functions....and to think I used to be the decision making Company Director for years...now I have to go back and check if I flushed the loo...how did we ever do it all remain totally in control, vice-like control, remembering everything for all those years....Lol.Hoo Roo
-- Edited by Golddetectornomad on Sunday 8th of December 2013 05:30:36 PM
-- Edited by Golddetectornomad on Sunday 8th of December 2013 05:34:16 PM
jetj said
05:43 PM Dec 8, 2013
Hehehe I lose the instructions and have to download them from the internet. lol I don't know how old you are but I'm still learning stuff. lol
Feral Errol said
07:51 PM Dec 8, 2013
I had a small gold claim at Corinna in Tassie for a few years when I lived at Luina. I used to work it on weekends with my family.
A retired bank manager from Hobart turned up one weekend, to try out his beautiful home made bank dredge/sluice box. He retired and built this masterpiece over few years in his spare time. When it was perfect he came out Corinna to try it out.
One of the saddest things I have ever seen, was him sobbing as he realised he had left it to late to be able to do the physical work required to operate the box.
He packed up and went home and I believe he died not long after. That had a profound impact on me and my family. It still shapes my decisions today.
Moral of the story ..................just do it, because you never what life has to offer next.
Wizardofoz said
10:03 PM Dec 8, 2013
I have probably retired too late at 70, however, I had a business that I simply loved and enjoyed and when I reached 65 I put it on the market, unfortunately times were not good and banks didn't like lending on business's...5 years later and 5 sales collapsing due to finance issues, I finally managed to retire.
Some might consider me too old, but to me. Life is just beginning and boy I am enjoying it!
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Sunday 8th of December 2013 10:04:28 PM
Golddetectornomad said
12:33 AM Dec 9, 2013
Simple......you can all live much longer if you give up everything that makes you want to live longer....
I might have a dicky heart, but I well remember when it was the other way round....Lol...Hoo Roo
antigoon said
03:13 AM Dec 9, 2013
Three useful little phrases for those who don't know when to retire 'best before', 'use before', and 'expiry date'. The catch is you have only one chance in this life to reach these dates in the correct sequence so make an effort to minimise the regrets you might feel if life throws you a curve ball and changes the order for you.
neilnruth said
09:20 PM Dec 9, 2013
I love sewing and patchwork. One day I was sitting looking at all my fabrics and projects and thought, I'm not going to have enough days left in my life (or hands/eyesight) to use all this fabric if I don't get on with it. So now I get on with it, use as much as I can and stockpile in case I can't do it as I get older. And I don't save the little leftover bits anymore for 'just in case' - I throw them out.
I just listened to a segment on talk back radio..........
it basically said
We look at life as 'how long we have lived'
we should be looking at life as 'how long do we have left' It got me thinking........
I know a little morbid, but true I think
I retired at 55yo a year ago, i decided I wanted to get out there on the road and enjoy it while I was young enough and fit enough to do the walks and climbs around the Kimberley and Gulf.
I am 56yo now, worked for 38 years, hopefully I have a good 20 years before life and health on the road starts to fail me to enjoy myself. I think I have earned my time.
Sometimes we sit too long and think about it.
Thoughts anyone?
Hi Baz,
Seize the day!
I'm still procrastinating about the ideal vehicle to travel with. Your decision to retire sounds to me like a good one. I enjoy reading about your travels.
MOTTO; If you think that you can do it today, then you should have done it yesterday.
We were once accused of, Driving around doing nothing but waiting to die.
Well when I told them they were ill informed as we are now busier than ever and enjoying our retirement to the max, they were aghast.
I then reciprocated saying that then one could consider the opposite for them, IE. Staying at home waiting for the grim reaper. And being miserable.
We got our point across.
Our children have even suggested that we should travel more than we do, at least they see the light.
Must admit they are into camping and seeing what good old Oz has to offer.
Also there's the lesson not to leave yourself flat broke in your last years, I've seen that life can be very hard for 90+ year-old people who didn't think they'd live so long, and they need care and help that must be paid for somehow.
We only live once, unless someone has verifiable evidence proving the opposite. You can retire any time you want. All you have to do is plan your retirement, so you are responsible for your foot print on the planet, can support yourself and have a bloody good time.
Plan your future fully and do it, if we don't take life on, we just become victims of life circumstances created by others. Create your future and you create your life. Retiring to live, is healthy and good fun.
MOTTO ALL WRONG: If you think that you can do it today, then you could quiet possibly do it tomorrow, or may be even the day after. Life's a beach.
A number of years ago, I took 12 months off work to build my house. It happened to coincide with the last 12 months of the life of one of my friends dying with an inoperable brain tumor.
One day, listening to ABC Radio, I heard an interview with a researcher studying people living under a death sentence similar to the situation of my friend.
The researcher has asked these people what their biggest regret had been in their lives and he was astounded that, overwhelmingly, the said that they wished they had taken more risks during their life. Not physical risks but the risk of turning your back on your comfortable situation. The risk of walking out on the job you hate and trying something different, the risk of walking away from a poor relationship.
My friend died some months later and I have endeavored to live my life as if there is no tomorrow. I have walked out of employment that I hated and pursued something different.
You know what. I have no regrets whatsoever.
I am currently on the road with my wife (done 6 months so far) and will not return home till at least October next year (in time for a 50 year school reunion). I will then sell my house and all my material possessions and go and live in France where we own a small cottage. Who knows what comes after that but I'm not going to sweat about it.
As the say in the ads, "Just Do It"
The Phantom
Everyone I have spoken to had the same story "Should have started earlier".
That convinced me to order the van & start seeing more of Australia.
I must say most of my visitors have made a good recovery & managed to continue the trip to some degree.
The moral of the story is don't go through Rockhampton as there seems to be a curse on travelers.
Allan
Typical Aussie soft outcome.
I'm lucky to be in that position but just. I have been retired now for 6 years & not yet 60. I figure if i need to go back to work in my early 60s at least I have experienced retirement.
I too saw friends come to the end of their life before or shortly after retiring & didn't want that to be me.
If you can, get out there and do it
Ken
I think so, But it is only an Attitude, which can be changed at any time,
I was told I was going to die at 18. Motor cycles, Most of them are dead now,
I snow Skied, I water skied, I rode big fast motorbikes, I danced Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, I camped in out back, remote spots,
Travelled Oz Extensively,
Continously being told I was going to die, From all the dangerous things I did,
I still do all of the above except water Skiing, Its too Boring stuck on the end of a string for me,
My Attitude was, If I am going to be dead, I will get as much fun in first as I possibly can, Hahahahahaha
I retired at 63, after 50 long hard years with my nose on the Grindstone,
It was the same day. I stepped onto my new, Second hand, 34 foot Sailing Catamaran in Fiji, Bought, Sight Unseen, in Fiji,
I had a day and a half to learn all systems aboard this vessel, Then the PO left for Hawaii, I was on my own, Hahahahaha
Well six weeks later, and sailing all around Fiji learning my new boat and its Myriad of electronics , I set sail for OZ,
Again, I got the, Your Gonna Die. Crap from every one, Hahahahaha,
Am I an Experienced Sailor, Bluntly, NO, Have I crossed an Ocean in a boat before, NO,
So I solo'd it back to OZ, I didnt die, But I did get it thrown up on the rocks while anchored,
Latest on the repairs is January 2014, Then I am going to sail it to the Kimberlys,
Very strange, No one says I am going to die going to the Kimberlys by sail Boat, ????????????
I got the same negative attitudes when I said I was going to import a Coach from the USA to retire in and travel OZ,
I dont care, I still went ahead and got it here, Love it, Its a fantastic Coach to drive, It just floats along,
No, I didnt know any thing about importing a Boat or Motor home, either, But I did it, Hahahaha. Another, its too hard, From the experts,
Its so easy now to do any thing, Internet and Google,
I only ski on Grouse days up there, Google Snow Cams, Crap weather, I stay home,
Three day forecast on the weather, Every night on TV, gives you good sailing for three days in your direction, Then wait till the TV gives you more clear days, Hahahaha
Google on the Coach, where can I go first, Tried the Otways for size on the roads and learning to drive it, 2000 Kays,
I dont like Caravan Parks, So where do all the Motor Homers go that dont use C/P's,
Google again, Grey Nomads, Greens lake , Like minded people like me, So I tried going there, Yep, full of live, real and active people, Like me, and very very Friendly,
I even got to see another M/H the same as my Motor Home, At Greens, Thats a WOW, for me,
The Attitude comes from, Jealosy, Laziness, Embarasement, and a couldnt be Buggered to even try, Not neccesarily in that order,
Jealosy, that they know that they could do it and wont,
Embarrasement, that you are showing them that they can do it and wont,
The Rest, Stick to your TV And Die, Simple,
I just wish the Stick in the Muds would get off the backs of the Doers,
Yes, I do have a Use by Date, and I am using it all up as best I can,
I did set my self up to be a self funded Retiree, But thanks to our Greedy Govt, and their Capital Gains Tax,
I am now on the old age pension and broke, Instead, Double Taxation,
Thats Life, Enjoy it now,
You may fall over and break your hip, That will slow you down, some what, Hahahaha
We had friends who talked and talked about buying a van and travelling. They retired ,bought the van ,talked some more about the big trip they were going to do one day,did little trips for a few years and then when they at last started to do the Big one (6 weeks into it) she got very sick and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. End of travelling. All their dreams dashed.
I was talking to her not long before she passed away and was telling her that we planned to do our half lap in a couple of years. She said don't put it off Just Do It !!! .So we did and now we don't hesitate if we want to go somewhere we just go.
If you are retired don't put things off. Nothing sadder than someone saying I wished I did such and such , now it's too late.
...and by the time we've reached our age we've learnt just about everything....all we have to do is try and remember it!.....how many are like me who studiously read every 'how to use instructions' that come with our new fangled gadgets...know it all at the time...kid ourselves we will remember everything we have read.....go to use the 'gadget' again and its like starting over...how the hell do I use it again?....or is it that we are so careful and don't want to buggger it up that we read it all again....I will never forget it THIS time.....go to use it again...dang!..how does it work again....its why I rarely give help in the Tech section...I know all about the gizmo they are discussing..I just cant remember it.....my biggest item I carry in my Caravan is the huge 'Instructions on how to use for every bloody thing I've got.....but feel really secure that I have them.....Dang...just where did I hide them again?...as I didn't want wifey touching them..far too important..or anyone stealing them and leaving me helpless....c'mon fess up!..who else constantly repeats to themselves I'm O.K. so long as I can find those S'tructions on how to use'......?..Lol...
..how did we ever do it all remain totally in control, vice-like control, remembering everything for all those years...
.Lol.Hoo Roo
If I had known how old I would get, I would have taken better care of myself and my memory functions....and to think I used to be the decision making Company Director for years...now I have to go back and check if I flushed the loo.
-- Edited by Golddetectornomad on Sunday 8th of December 2013 05:30:36 PM
-- Edited by Golddetectornomad on Sunday 8th of December 2013 05:34:16 PM
Hehehe I lose the instructions and have to download them from the internet. lol I don't know how old you are but I'm still learning stuff. lol
A retired bank manager from Hobart turned up one weekend, to try out his beautiful home made bank dredge/sluice box. He retired and built this masterpiece over few years in his spare time. When it was perfect he came out Corinna to try it out.
One of the saddest things I have ever seen, was him sobbing as he realised he had left it to late to be able to do the physical work required to operate the box.
He packed up and went home and I believe he died not long after. That had a profound impact on me and my family. It still shapes my decisions today.
Moral of the story ..................just do it, because you never what life has to offer next.
I have probably retired too late at 70, however, I had a business that I simply loved and enjoyed and when I reached 65 I put it on the market, unfortunately times were not good and banks didn't like lending on business's...5 years later and 5 sales collapsing due to finance issues, I finally managed to retire.
Some might consider me too old, but to me. Life is just beginning and boy I am enjoying it!
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Sunday 8th of December 2013 10:04:28 PM
I might have a dicky heart, but I well remember when it was the other way round....Lol...Hoo Roo