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Retirement

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Original poster

Did anyone else have a "fuck it, I'm retiring" moment?

483 replies

MrsMoastyToasty · 25/09/2024 12:47

I'm in my late 50s, mortgage paid off, have worked since the age of 18. I'm so close to jacking my job my job in .

OP posts:
BigSkies2022 · 24/02/2025 19:38

Yes, I left work at 50. But I knew that between my rental property income and my pensions, the first of which would kick in at 60, I'd be fine. I'm coming to the end of a decade in which I've studied, written, volunteered, been a support to elderly parents, husband and son, improved my fitness and health generally, improved my house and garden, travelled, and generally had a good time. It's been a bit lean, financially, at times, but that's been no hardship and I've enjoyed finding ways to be frugal and still enjoy myself.

My first pension kicks in this year, and I will very much enjoy the extra money each month. I feel like I've had a good decade to get healthy, happy and work out what's important to me; and now I'm ready to rock my first golden decade!

Puzzlesss · 25/02/2025 18:57

overthinkersanonnymus · 05/02/2025 18:54

I'm 38 and have felt like this for 10 years!

Ohh not. I am surprised how many young people already feel burn out. I even hear it from people who have not even started their working life.

Puzzlesss · 25/02/2025 19:02

MrsMoastyToasty · 25/09/2024 12:47

I'm in my late 50s, mortgage paid off, have worked since the age of 18. I'm so close to jacking my job my job in .

Did you make the decision?

Puzzlesss · 25/02/2025 19:03

MrsMoastyToasty · 19/12/2024 00:08

I've decided that in 2025 I will reduce my hours again by another day.

Sorry, ignore previous question. Hope you are enjoying part time work

Elmrosie · 01/04/2025 18:24

I handed in my notice today! Last day is 30th June, although I have 5 days holiday left to take on top of what I have booked already.

BG2015 · 01/04/2025 18:46

@Elmrosiecongratulations- it's a great feeling isn't it. Enjoy your countdown.
im on 47 working days left.

Elmrosie · 01/04/2025 20:28

@BG2015it really is. I must work out how many working days I’ve got left, might be less than you as I have 9 days leave booked, the various bank holidays and then 5 days left to take!

BG2015 · 01/04/2025 20:30

I’m a teacher so I’ve not included holidays, weekends, bank holidays plus I don’t work on Fridays.

Elmrosie · 01/04/2025 20:31

I finish on 30th June, got to work out my total. I have an old-fashioned calendar so I can cross the dates off.

Elmrosie · 02/04/2025 09:59

52 working days at most for me, plus I have 5 days holiday left to take.

Rictasmorticia · 02/04/2025 10:20

DH decided he wanted to buy a flat in London so that he could have some ‘’me space’. He had gotten into some selfish habits. I asked if he wanted a divorce. No, the idea was he would live there Monday to Friday and come and play happy families at the weekend. Kids had all left home but he did not want them to know.

All sorts of lies emerged about the circumstances, but I knew it was not an affair.

Two years earlier I had been made redundant from a job I loved and was working in one I hated. I was looking after his mum, my mum and stepdad (all really horrible people), supporting my kids by baby sitting. Generally I never had a minute to myself.

The killer line was “I can’t afford to run two houses”. So I thought ‘that’s it I am chucking my job in’ . Best decision I ever made. I took six months off then did temp work for 18 months. Then gave up completely. I was 55.

LCM001a · 02/04/2025 11:16

@Rictasmorticia did your husband get his flat?

well done for prioritising yourself in all of that.

Rictasmorticia · 02/04/2025 12:12

No he could not afford it without my salary. We are still together 25 years later. I think he has forgotten but have not forgotten . Some years ago I got a huge inheritance and immediately split the money between my kids. He is not going to get a penny of my money.

Middlechild3 · 23/04/2025 08:05

Puzzlesss · 25/02/2025 18:57

Ohh not. I am surprised how many young people already feel burn out. I even hear it from people who have not even started their working life.

Show quote history

My friends daughter, a year into her job after graduation age 22 asked me once if this was it re work. You just get up go to work and go home every day for decades? lol

Floofydawg · 24/04/2025 22:29

I've just started my final job before retirement. 2 years and I'm done. I'm 55. The aim is to not give a shit for 2 years whilst giving the impression of doing a sterling job, and banking as much money as I can. The end is in sight.

CraftyGin · 24/04/2025 22:31

MrsMoastyToasty · 25/09/2024 12:47

I'm in my late 50s, mortgage paid off, have worked since the age of 18. I'm so close to jacking my job my job in .

I did 4 years ago, aged 56.

Great decision to retire. I can now do whatever I like.

greenrollneck · 24/04/2025 23:56

Oh I wish. If I could afford it i would in a heartbeat.

BG2015 · 25/04/2025 04:51

I'm currently on holiday and dreading going back on Monday after 2 lovely weeks lying in the sun.

But, I have 44 work days to do and then I'm done. I know it will fly by but I just don't want to be there. I've been doing the bare minimum as it is.

Counting down the days.

Elmrosie · 25/04/2025 07:50

@BG2015I cross each working day off on a calendar! Getting down into the 30s was a big morale boost.

We have a hybrid working model and are supposed to be in the office 50% of the time. I’ve decided to do minimal compliance, which in practice means not bothering to go in on Wednesdays when the trains are at their worst. It makes a huge difference.

Werecat · 25/04/2025 12:28

@BG2015 it’ll fly past. And once you’re down. To 30 you get to start saying ‘well, I’m leaving soon so just to make sure this isn’t expected to be long running?’ every time they try and give you work.

Floofydawg · 25/04/2025 13:41

Werecat · 25/04/2025 12:28

@BG2015 it’ll fly past. And once you’re down. To 30 you get to start saying ‘well, I’m leaving soon so just to make sure this isn’t expected to be long running?’ every time they try and give you work.

I wonder if I can get away with that with two years to work 😂

chimichangaz · 25/04/2025 17:05

Today is officially my last day at work although it’s a days’ leave as my last ‘actual’ day was yesterday.

That feeling of freedom when I woke up this morning……..priceless.

I’m having a few months off then looking for something part time/contract for my travel and ‘extra’ spends.

BG2015 · 26/04/2025 06:10

Congratulations! Enjoy your new freedom!

abracadabra1980 · 26/04/2025 07:27

I said 'fuck it' around 2021 when I lost my bff (50) to cancer, and started planning my 'out'. Am in the process of doing just that right now (58). Have taken financial advice, kids are now financially independent, am in the middle of downsizing then I'm off with my unused (8yrs) campervan and my dogs to potter round Europe. Have ran my own business for years which I still enjoy and may do a bit of freelance work once I've done everything that I want to do. In the last 2 years I've gradually cut down my hours to accommodate myself and my hobbies. I have a near on perfect work/life balance, but have always been asset rich and cash poor. Having lost several more ancquantances after bff, also to cancer, I'd rather release equity now, while I hopefully have at least a decade or so of good health and wing it. I'd rather spend now, while I'm fit, and don't mind sitting watching telly all day when I'm mid-late 70's. Never been so much TV choice for the elderly as there is now!

fussychica · 06/05/2025 13:01

I said fuck it to my well paid job when I was 46 and DS was 10. Paid off the mortgage and moved abroad for a decade. Sold the house n UK once we had decided to stay. Came back for various reasons. Now 68 and get a state pension in addition to my work pension. Likewise DH. We have a small detached, easy to manage, bungalow in a nice town in the south west. Comfortable life with plenty of short-haul travel. DS fluent in a couple of languages and now has a good job in London after going to university in UK.
Have never regretted it.