Moving on (to retire or not)

Mike C · Senior Member

RE: Moving on (to retire or not)

JulieM · Veteran Member

Mike C wrote:
Yep the plan is definitely to do it..
Just have to get the young brides conditions met and what ifs covered :)

The real question for me is when to pull the plug and go....

thanks for all the comments and advise. It helps enormously knowing that there are people of all walks of life successfully living the dream.

Even those that have been hit by a Mack truck and still getting on with it.

best regards to all and hope to catch up somewhere on the road in the next few years or so.

cheers

Mike

You'll be fine, maybe your wife can pick up a bit of work on the way if she's bored or develop a different hobby......yes I know what it's like to be hit by a Mack truck but now I say 'I retired by accident' :) JulieM

Legendts · Senior Member

JulieM wrote:

....yes I know what it's like to be hit by a Mack truck but now I say 'I retired by accident' :) JulieM

Love your attitude and take on life JuieM biggrin biggrin

Shogun · Senior Member

Hi Mike

Im in Geelong too and agree with what most of the others saying mate.

I travelled for about 6 months a year or so ago and came back to build my company up and now have decided that ...stuff it...Im going back on the road. I pick up my new Jayco motorhome up in a couple of weeks and then will do short trips this next 12 months, then head off full-time next year.

I have set my company up to be able to work a bit if i want as i travel but mostly I will be out in the playground, exploring the is beautiful country.

The what ifs...well what if you don't go...you may never go.

As for health well there's lots of hospitals and doctors out there in the towns around the country so you should be fine.

If you want to have a chat about it, message me and we can catch up in town somewhere if you want.

Cheers

Brett

Mike C · Senior Member

Hi Brett

Have sent you a PM

cheers

Mike

bowlerbear · Senior Member

Hi Mike, I'll put my two bob's worth in. I retired at the end of last year. I still had a mortgage and realised I needed to sell my house to fund retirement if I wanted to do any travelling. I am 67 and am now on the road full time driving a Nissan XTrail and towing a baby camper trailer. I thought I would freak when the pay packet didn't go in the bank but the pension did but I am surviving very nicely. I have a vey small allocated pension as well but in the big picture do not have a lot of super and most of what is there is from the sale of the house. I get more "what if's" from my kids (I am a solo) but do my best to allay any fears they have and obviously we keep in touch although not necessarily by phone. If I didn't phone for a couple of weeks they wouldn't get concerned but if I don't post on facebook they would be wondering where I am.
Like all the others say, just go and do it. There is so much info in all the different sections on this site, get your wife to read them herself to see what people are saying and doing.
I am sure you will look back and wish you had done it sooner. Good luck.

jetj · Guru

Mike,
I understand fully what you're saying and I've been there. Couldn't see outside the circle of what I was doing. I had an opportunity to get out and took it with abandon. A different view from the outside and never looked back.

Often the happiest people are those with the least living on a pension.

There will be a time that you will break free, and I guess you will know the time is right.

Mike C · Senior Member

Hi Neil
We have probably passed many a time on that long road into Melbourne.
That's my worst fear too.. wait too long and that Mack truck will come out of left field throwing all plans to waste..
It still find it amazing (and I take my hat off to them) those that did get hit literally and still had the drive and strength to get back on the road to enjoying life.

will PM my contact details

cheers

Mike

-- Edited by Mike C on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 07:48:06 AM

Mike C · Senior Member

Hi Chris and Janette

I have often chatted with full timers when we have travelled and have yet to meet one that said "I wish I had stayed at work longer" it always seems to be the best move they ever made.

I have had the opportunity over the years to travel most of the world and its often amazed me that where there is wealth and people have stuff there is always stress and frustration. Where there is poverty and struggle people have people and not stuff. They are often suffering for food. housing etc but always have community, family, friends, give freely of their time and know how to be happy. One often wonders what's it all about.

We have the Motor Home back now (8 months off the road due to a break in and being vandalized) and once the weather warms up a bit will do some short trips.. perhaps on one of them we might just forget to head home for a year or two :)

Take care and as always I appreciate the community here and hope to catch up with you all around that camp fire in the not to distant future,

Cheers

Mike

NeilnDi · Member

Hi Mike, We are in a similar situation as well - I am nearing the big 60, live in Geelong area, travel to Melbourne and back for work nearly every week day and CAN'T WAIT to hit the road. Our problem is not whether to do it, but how can we do it sooner. I am fortunate that my partner is as keen as I am. We have no reservations at all regarding selling up the house and hitting the road - getting rid of that mortgage burden will be wonderful. No more rates, no more power bills! My worst fear - that something might happen between now and selling the house, or that our time on the road is cut short for so e reason. Bring it on! Happy to get together for a coffee if you want - I'm sure our enthusiasm will be infectious. All the best. Neil

Shaky · Member

Just do it. I had the same dramas and am retiring in September, on long service leave now and doing a short trip. Met the first anti early retirement person today and his negativity about needing to work and HAVING SOMETHING TO DO just floored me. He had to be home to do a job even though he was retired!

We have done three short trips since I have been on long service, go back to work for two days and that's it, retirement at 55, my wife, the cougar, not because she is ten years older than me, she just snarls and growls a lot, has accepted it and that's that.

We have got to go through the downsize process and as natural history book collectors, there will be trip money there. Garage sales to get rid of everything else and trips to the Sally Annies with all the old wares and clothes. Ultimately, get rid of the house and go for the lifestyle thing, which is the only thing we need to organise!

The dog lady · Guru

Mike C wrote:
Hi all
I am battling with the do I or don't I finally pull the plug and retire syndrome..
Almost 60, reasonably self funded (down size the house and will be ok for a long time) still working part time in a job that I really am sick of (but the money is great).
Part time for the last few weeks means 50 hours a week from home including 2 hrs. on the road each day (Geelong to Melbourne and Back).
I read the great posts here with most of you out there enjoying life even just on the pension and so want to be out there with you all, My better half is 10 years younger than I (non working) and is sometimes of a like mind but has an endless supply of "what ifs"
What got you over the line and into this great nomad lifestyle.. do you worry about the "What ifs?" did your health improve? would you ever want to go back to a normal life style?
I am so tired of being the responsible one.. is that irresponsible?
here's looking (hoping) for that tidbit of advise that may just help me get over the line.
cheers
Mike

Here's another "what if" for you. What if you put off retirement and die doing a job you hate just to be secure and responsible? I worked for the ATO (horrible) and baled when I reached 61. Super only just enough to pay out the mortgage and buy my van with a little left over for emergency. Somebody moved the goal post and paying taxes for 46 years is apparently not enough of a contribution to deserve the age pension. Centrelink say I could work 8 hours per week (even tho my doctor says I shouldn't work) so no pension, and living on newstart not easy, but LIVING is wonderful. Do what will make you happy provided it hurts no-one. You don't get a second chance to get life right!

Mike C · Senior Member

Hi Shaky

What you are doing would be my ultimate dream but not so for the better half.. we are still working thru the options and hopefully will get there some stage not to far away.

Hi Dog Lady
That very "What if" is the one that worries me more than anything. I have totally given up on any chance of an old age pension.. Maybe sometime down the track there's a small chance but in the meantime I can only rely on that which I have saved.
One of my wife's biggest concerns is how will she survive the 20 or 30 years that she will more than likely survive me by, especially if we have thrown all our eggs into becoming Grey Nomads to satisfy my Dream.
Its not only my life that I am responsible for so doing what I want to make me happy may in fact cause another hurt in the long term.

Appreciate your responses.

Mike

danielkemp · Newbie

Mike - as previously stated - I TOTALLY get what you are saying. Ultimately, we have to be at peace with our choice. Good luck mate! (And just by the way....I was once told that we make our own luck because L.U.C.K could be interpreted "Learning Under Correct Knowledge." Asking questions in this and similar forum is a good start! All the very best, Dan

The dog lady · Guru

One other quick comment Mike. My better half was younger than me too, but he never made it past 54, so I'm solo anyway. But taking a year or two off to fulfil your dreams and unwind all the tension from doing a job you don't like doesn't mean you can't go back to a "responsible" lifestyle afterwards. And downsizing doesn't mean going destitute. Hope you can find a compromise that makes you both happy. Cheers, Marianna

Kantiki · Senior Member

Last week I took the plunge and retired. My colleagues are in shock and think it was a quick decision. In fact I had planned to do this two years ago but hubby health problems meant I had to stay. He is now doing well and back working full time. I am looking forward to spending time with family BUT I also hope this convinces him to quit work and go travelling. I am happy to try and pick up some work around the block. We won't qualify for any benefits but our savings and renting the house would make it possible, though it would be a tight budget. Anyway, the plans are starting,just wish me luck.

Mike C · Senior Member

Hi Marianna (nice name)

That must have been tough.. I have seen a lot of friends hit a wall with health issues and it really does remind us every day that time remaining is only getting shorter.
I often argue that getting on the road not only is fun but can really improve your heath.. Caught up with an old friend not long ago who's been driving around in an old converted london double decker. I couldnt believe how well he looked.. at least 10 years younger than the last time I saw him.

Hi Kantiki
You go for it.. wishing you all the luck in the world..

cheers

Mike

sandgrooper1 · Senior Member

Hi everyone,

I know this thread is little older but as my wife and I are now mid fifties this year our thoughts are turning to the future and how to plan for it rather than just arrive.

I am interested in the thoughts/plans of others, both around our age, those who have gone before us, and how plans for stopping work(ok retirement I guess) worked out.....the what if's and how to deal with the nagging doubts like ...do we have enough money, how much is needed ....and dealing with all the changes in rules. (Centrelink, government rule changes as time goes by).

I know this is generalised and I am not looking for specific money amounts coz everybody is different although budgetry approximates may help if you wish to share information.

Mostly looking at ways of rationalising our thoughts and maybe considering ages some have retired at and whether it was a good idea or not.....would you change anything?

Don't want much do I?

Cheers AL

wendyv · Guru

Al, we took early retirement in order to travel full time, while we were still fit enough to manage the remote and rough places. I was 52; he was 57.
It felt like a mammoth step at the time, as we were both leaving comfortably paid and rewarding careers and would never be able to return to the same positions.
We had to be careful with money while travelling, but managed quite well.
We kept our home base so still had to pay costs like rates while we travelled.
Finances got a bit easier when we eventually gained part age pensions.
Although it was not something we originally intended, eventually took some short term work in tourist establishments, up north - the work came looking for us! That was actually fun and added a little to the coffers.
Twenty years on, we are both so pleased we didn 't wait any longer to go travelling. Never any regrets about what we did.

sandgrooper1 · Senior Member

Thank you Wendy for your reply.

Your comment is the type of information that is of value to us.

Cheers AL

leajoy · Veteran Member

Hi Mike & Shez, we went through the exact same thing 2.5 years ago. Although there is only 4 years between us this was the first time it became an issue.....Paul was ready to retire and I wasn't at just 58. I had all the same concerns, worries and thoughts that Shez is having. What if we get sick, don't have enough money and how long will it last, what will we do with the house, we the comfort of a van for longer trips other than the Ulti etc etc. In the end it came down to one of us compromising. Either I stayed working and Paul compromised by not doing what we wanted to do OR I compromised and left work when I wasn't ready. We bought the van and took off for 3 weeks and I had to make my decision over the 3 weeks.

Luckily I made the right decision and I came home from that trip and resigned. Do I regret it....not one bit. Admittedly it took me 12 months to settle into retirement but now I am super happy I made that choice. We have had a house sitter in.....house problem solved. We have great neighbours as well. Money....yeah we cant splash it around like we used to but we don't go without either....but we really don't need that much now.....fortunately health wise both of us are pretty healthy but I do have to deplete myself of iron by blood donations 3 monthly.....have always found the help I need even when very remote.

From someone who was super dubious to now can't wait to get back on the road. We made the decision not to sell so we have a base to call home. We have come across people broken down, had accidents and unwell. Have top cover like RACV Total Care, our insurance company for van and car will also help us out if we are stuck. Yes it is a HUGE step and leap of faith but do not regret it. I have too much on my bucket list to cross off to keep on staying at home. At the moment our longest trip has been 8 months.....we just come home yo touch base for a bit in between trips.

If you want a further chat (we haven't seen you for years) perhaps we could meet up somewhere . Good luck with your decision. Leanne & Paul

brickies · Guru

All good advice above retired at 55 and now 71 and still happy with lifestyle , If your dead your cant live on $500,000 a year ,if your alive you can live on a pension .

dogbox · Guru

Mike C wrote:

Hi Sheba

Did a 5 month trip a few years back in a camper.. hadn't felt so good for many years so I know what you are talking about.
Lost 9kg and almost got off the smokes..
http://mikenshez.blogspot.com.au/
didn't get so many "what ifs" back then tho because it was simply a long holiday.

just go on another holiday for as long as you want, deal with the other things as they arise

Mike C · Senior Member

Hi All

Wow its 4 and a half years since I put up that orignal post how quick has the time gone...
We finally decided to do the retirement thing after a bit of a heart scare in 2016 and pulled the pin december 2016 finally finding a small house to downsize to in Buninyong just south of ballarat. Motorhome is sitting in the driveway and hopefully we will start getting out there this year (have a million renovations on the wifes list to complete first).
Thanks for all your responces and yes short holidays first hopefully extending as we get into the swing of things.

Leanne & Paul wow long time no see.. let me know when your next travelling thru or near ballarat and for sure we should catch up.

cheers

Mike

Yaketty · Veteran Member

We too are at that 'when to pull the pin' decision time. I'll be 62 in November, hubby will be 60 in September with me in a stressful but well paid full time job and he's a tradie whose work has been less than full time over the last couple of years. At home & work I average 6.5 hours sleep - first night camping last month 10.5 hours!

We don't want the catalyst for retirement to be a health scare - as often seems the case for some folks we know. Chateau Millstone is paid off & I've been salary sacrificing extra $ for years into Super - trying to counteract the scaremongering from financial advisers & Super consultants. When to do it & how much money is enough actually enough? The time will be one day this year. The $ will be whatever is the balance on that day. I have nearly 12 weeks long service due that I can take at half pay so the thinking is that's just about 6 months with a lesser income to ease me into a not-working mindset. We're both open to working as we go when we eventually head off on the Big Lap and wherever we are in Oz is only a plane trip from Perth should there be any urgent reason to get home.

We love hearing of other folks' transitions out of the workforce and into the playground - thanks all for the sage comments & ideas on this forum

As has been said by others, we're here for a good time not a long time!