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Original poster

Early retirement - would you?

34 replies

Sensateria · 21/04/2021 16:44

DH and I are figuring out if we want to do this. We can definitely manage it financially. We are thinking we will take a “year out” to start with and see how it goes rather than calling it retirement which seems a bit too final. We are both in our 40’s, fit and healthy, children are older teens, we have 2 dogs.

How would you spend your days?

OP posts:
northerngal2021 · 21/04/2021 16:47

Wow how much do you have saved to be able to do this?

Fluffyandsilly · 21/04/2021 17:02

I would do this in a heartbeat if DH and I had paid off the mortgage, had enough in pensions and had enough money saved.

DH would probably still work part time as he's Self Employed so has that option.
Otherwise in regular daily life we would read, listen to podcasts, exercise, play with the cat, do a lot of home cooking, as well as eating out.
We'd have more time to do things like cycling together, or just going for long walks to a pub! I'd also have time to do craft projects by myself.
I'd like to think we would move to our forever home and have the time and energy to get it perfectly decorated, and do all the odd little jobs you never seem to have time for.

We'd also visit family, go for days out and weekends away, go on holidays.
If I got bored I might volunteer at an animal sanctuary.

Original poster
Sensateria · 21/04/2021 17:05

We’ve sold a business and invested the money which will provide an income.

I’m worried that we will both get bored, although I seemed to fill my days quite easily in lockdown. Just wondering how other people would spend their days.

OP posts:

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Retirement & pensions
wombatgoeswild · 21/04/2021 17:05

We have mostly retired.

We do dog stuff, endless amounts of housework (tho am never tidy) and just whatever needs doing.

I like it. Can always add extra stuff, eg volunteer somewhere, if bored. Key advantage is choice.

SuperintendentHastings · 21/04/2021 17:06

No I wouldn't because I like working.

PinkCookie11 · 21/04/2021 17:07

Omg if you can more than afford it then why not?!
I wouldn’t think twice!

Plenty things to do;
Go to more scenic places for dog walks
Time away
Visit different cities
Take up a hobby
Visit family if live far away
Even just going to a nice little cafe
As pp can always volunteer day or two a week if you needed something to split week up

Original poster
Sensateria · 21/04/2021 17:07

If I got bored I might volunteer at an animal sanctuary.

Funnily enough I’ve just applied to be a “cat cuddler” at our local cat sanctuary for half a day per fortnight. I’d love to have my own cat sanctuary.

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 21/04/2021 17:09

I think a “gap year” sounds like a lovely idea

My worry would be mentally switching off and wondering what the purpose of life is if you retired. Would you end up in a deep abyss of self reflection feeling like you’ve got a long wait of waiting to die? Or would you be ultimately fulfilled by your new life?

Madamswearsalot · 21/04/2021 17:10

I like @Fluffyandsilly's plan! Sounds bloody lovely.

At this moment in time, despite moving into a different job that's better than the last, I'm so disenfranchised with work in general (I mean, seriously, what is the point of it all?) I'd retire in a heartbeat.

I'd be inclined to try a year first - see how it sits with you. Depending on the field you work in you could try finding a non-exec position for a charity or even a company which would give you a bit of money and keep a toe in the 'corporate' world.

I'm green with envy that you have the option. Enjoy it if you do it!

BoogleMcGroogle · 21/04/2021 17:18

We’ve been in a financial position to be able to give up work for a couple of years. As have several people I know who’ve invested well or sold businesses ( we are mid forties). I don’t know anyone who has actually chosen to stop working though. I guess, from our point of view we still feel young, full of ideas and energy ( but also knackered because that’s family life) and we want to stay that way. I love my work. I’d be worried that stopping work would slow us down and be prematurely ageing (maybe that’s my own narrow thinking). Our plan is to stop at about 55 but I’d want to have a plan for something else to do (vineyard, llama farm, research projects, charity trustee roles, whatever).

minniemomo · 21/04/2021 17:19

I think a career break - but could you use your skills to work pt for a non profit perhaps, many are desperate for younger people. I hope to retire by late 50's but was hopelessly bored the 5 months I was out of work this year - I don't need to work exactly but I'm bored if I don't

SunshineCake · 21/04/2021 17:21

Dh has. It's great. Plenty to do. No regrets at all and I did have a moment of panic when he first told me.

TeeBee · 21/04/2021 17:21

God no, I'd go up the wall with boredom and my mind would become lazy.

SunshineCake · 21/04/2021 17:23

Should say this came about because he got ill so I'd rather he hadn't been poorly but the retiring is the positive out of a negative.

Amelia666 · 21/04/2021 17:23

Why not go for it - you can always volunteer or do some part time work or consulting if you get bored... or start another business

If you’d love to have a cat sanctuary why not do that?

Fabulous to have options OP!

BettysCardigan · 21/04/2021 17:26

I wouldn't think twice. I'd retire and do another degree, or do more writing, or find part time hours in a nice little shop or cafe. Or volunteer. Or bake. Or do anything else really!!

Original poster
Sensateria · 21/04/2021 18:05

@ShirleyPhallus

I think a “gap year” sounds like a lovely idea

My worry would be mentally switching off and wondering what the purpose of life is if you retired. Would you end up in a deep abyss of self reflection feeling like you’ve got a long wait of waiting to die? Or would you be ultimately fulfilled by your new life?

This is what I’m worried about, and why I only want to call it a year out for now.

We’d be looking to start the break this time next year. DH stayed on as an employee in the business we sold, he has a 9 month notice period and then there is a one year non compete clause from the time of us both having ended our employment with them (I stayed on as an employee for 3 months after the sale to do a handover of my role).

He’s totally burnt out and has lost all energy and enthusiasm for work. He hates being answerable to the new owners and having to run decisions past them that he’d previously have made and actioned, now these things go to board meetings and there’s all the corporate bullshit that goes with that. He’s found it really difficult to be an employee. I think he’d feel loads better after a year off.

I have my own separate little business which provides a decent income but I can’t say I love it, I’ve become fairly bored with it and it would be very easy to wrap up and then restart if I take a year out or longer.

We’re both at the point of being fed up and unfulfilled with work that we are thinking “what are we actually doing this for”.

I’ve really got into gardening over the past 12 months, I’ve loved pottering about doing some housework and cooking and walking the dogs, and now the world is opening up again and we’re not restricted to our local area (we have a motorhome), and gyms and cafes and the swimming pool has reopened. But then I panic that without an actual plan we might, as a PP said, age prematurely or lose all motivation to do anything at all.

OP posts:
midsomermurderess · 21/04/2021 18:21

To be in a position to do this in your 40s with teenage children suggests you made some very good career choices and fiscal choices when quite young and also that had some very good luck. Well done you. Very few people will be in your position so wont be in able to comment on whether you should go for it or not.

moreofalurker · 21/04/2021 18:22

Girl your living the dream do it! Anyone would jump at the chance.

Nix32 · 21/04/2021 18:23

I would do it in a heartbeat! Life is about so much more than work. Enjoy!

notagainmummy · 21/04/2021 18:23

Maybe take time to train for something you would really love, and work at a part time job that gives you satisfaction. I'd be bored not working all the time.

Hughbert · 21/04/2021 18:28

I'd be bored or drunk. The thought of different walks, visiting cafes or more housework makes me sad. If that is what my retirement may look like, I shall work until the day I die.

HappyThursdays · 21/04/2021 18:29

I took 6 months off in a similar (though not the same) situation as your dh. I can't tell you how much better I felt at the end of the 6 months. I had a load more enthusiasm and went back to a better role. If I had had enough money, I wouldn't have bothered going back! Corporate bullshit is totally exhausting mentally if you are used to calling your own shots.

Do it, I'm sure you will love it. I also ploughed myself into gardening funnily enough - I made loads of fruit and veg beds and home grew everything we ate for a year and still have loads of stuff in the freezer! Takes a lot of time up! And I got really fit and focused on my health.

Love51 · 21/04/2021 18:30

Yes I'd do this if I could afford it. I don't lack imagination to find ways to fill my time (even if I do spend too long on Mumsnet)

HappyThursdays · 21/04/2021 18:30

my days actually got so busy I wasn't sure how I would ever fit work in again Blush