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

[MrsMoastyToasty]

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 want to. this week has been such a massive effort to motivate myself. But I'm only 56, can't afford to retire and have two kids still at Uni so have to carry on.

I had to, my DHs health had declined to a point where I spent every moment worrying about him at home alone. In total fairness, the career I'd had for nearly 3 decades had changed so much for the worse, going (apart from the financial hit) meant it was no hardship to retire early

But yes, I woke up one morning and knew I wasn't going back. No regrets.

In 3 years time. I will be 60. Mortgage will be paid. Can't wait.

It's so interesting reading this, so many men (and some women) I know are hitting their career stride in their 50s... that seems to be the decade a few high net worths I know made it to become millionaires, as they knew so much by then (about investments, and general business and how to make it work for them).

I very much hold these ambitions as well (I'm mid 30s), but reading this is inspiring me a bit more to think more broadly... I think I'm being a bit too focused on money! I also think I'm in a bit of an echo chamber where too much emphasis is placed on it.

Surely the answer is “whatever the fuck they like”?

I'm genuinely interested, hence the question. You're not retired, so ...

I plan to take up glass fusing, restart painting (acrylics), read the ‘to be read‘ pile of books, visit the local museums, watch movies…

it’ll be heaven. I’m only 41 though so have a while to go.

Thanks for all the replies (hadn't replied earlier because....ironically....I was working!).

Yes, but I can't afford to 🥹

Have things that you love to do that don't cost £££, inside and outside jobs,
Yesterday was dry here so I spent the day outside, sanding a pretty but decrepit upholstered bench, bought for £20 on FB Marketplace.
Today it was wet so I sewed the pleats into a curtain header.
Some days I just binge my current Netflix series!

Like PP said, I can do whatever I want to do - with no timetable!

When I stopped teaching I thought that I would supplement my income with exam invigilation - even signed up for it at 'my' school. But I never did - couldn't bare the thought of ever walking through the gates again.

Yep, I did it last year at 48. One of the best decisions I've made.

Yes, at 57.

I was counting down the days for two years before, and had reduced my days to 3, then that email popped up offering me voluntary redundancy of 12 months pay, which was almost all tax free.

I couldn’t sign on the dotted line quick enough.

I was going to get a little job, but I’m far too busy. No mortgage now, decent pension banked, kids all grown up with own houses. DH happy for me to stay at home and be an “home maker” whilst he does another 5 years.

Best thing ever.

i have 3 years max to go. My first ‘proper job’ was at 13 25 hours a week in a supermarket, when I wax at school. I had to hand nearly all my money over for my keep. I’m tired.

I still have a mortgage due to some (men) bad decisions. Nearly there & I have a lump sum that will pay off any remainder.

Is it because you don't like your job or for health reasons or because you want to retire and do something else (a hobby? travelling?)

I'm fed up with office politics, fed up with weak management, fed up with doing repetitive tasks, fed up with watching the clock. I'm cash rich but time poor.

I've started to take my (small) private pension to top up my very small part time wage until I'm 67. It means I hardly have to work and I do enjoy what I do, and the decision was very easy. I'm 56, and have lost two close friends and 3 acquaintances, all whom had children. to cancer in their 40's/early 50's.
I'm not prepared to take the gamble threat I'll still be healthy at 67. I'd rather take my pension early and enjoy my time with my children and grandchildren, have time for my hobbies, and if I have to sit watching TV all day when I'm 70, I won't care. I'm not bothered about travelling - did all that when I was in my 20's.

I had exactly this conversation this morning with a friend.
I take the dog out, meet ex colleagues, now like minded friends, for coffee or lunch. Read, go to the beach, woods, country parks. Read, play guitar .......I'm not on anything like my former salary but I'm OK and don't feel I'm missing anything.

I often think about it (50s) but too worried I may end up very poor in old age

so working a few more years

I have no desire to “potter” either, love playing tennis but already fit that in about 5x a week anyway 😁

i would like to travel and be in warmer countries, but for that I would need money, and so I work on…

it’s only on days with beautiful weather that I am sad about having to work (so this year that was about 5 times max)

I've been thinking about it every day for the last five years (56 currently) but just can't justify it to myself. I'd be fine, as would OH, but I see the way things are going and think I have to make enough money to make sure the children are alright too.

It's quite a good job, quite well paid and I like the people I work with but I'm so tired of it all. Quitting it while the kids struggle in shitty exploitative jobs would just be wrong. In some ways I wish it was worse so it would make the decision easier.

We should all be on four or even three day weeks already and no-one should be struggling if it weren't for the wealthy taking all of the money and the productivity gains and just telling us all to work harder, while gaslighting us about the 'benefits' of globalisation and how everything they do is wonderful thanks to 'diversity and inclusion'.

Bring on the revolution.

I'm 59 but retirement isn't an option for me. Had kids (3) a lot later than I would have liked so, although mortgage free, potentially looking at at least 2 sets of uni fees plus teens are very expensive!

@CuttySarcasm As you get older you realise the only truly precious thing you can buy is time. That’s it, you never get it back. DH was at a point where he could stash a lot of money from his wage but had zero time. A couple of our friends have died in the last few years, all under 55 it’s bloody sobering to say the least.

I'm starting to realise this, thanks for your honest reply. I think too many are so focused on the wrong things.

Very very true @ViciousCurrentBun

I made the decision last year to retire this summer and it was a huge relief. I started to receive a small pension from a previous job last year, but have been freelance for the last few years. I wasn’t a high earner by any means but we practiced living on my pension and earnings, along with as little as possible from DH’s job, putting as much into his SIPP as we could manage. I worked out what income we needed from his SIPP and once it reached the value we needed he gave his notice in too so we retired together.

DH could have carried on for longer and built up a much bigger pot but we have seen friends, colleagues and family not live to enjoy their retirement and we made the decision to prioritise time over money. We aren’t wealthy by any means but we have our health and we have enough money to get by on (by using our savings) until our state pensions kick in.

I currently feel like this (just 50), but I have a goal in mind, as well as a special needs child that needs supporting as an adult, so at the moment feel like I will never get there.
I was widowed when I was 42 so I have a pension already & other private income but I am terrified of giving up my self employed business & then not having a large enough income to support myself & my child but I am so tired juggling work & my caring responsibilities.
Just trying to keep going to the goal I have in my head

Yes. At 51 I'd had one too many 5am starts in the office (I was one of the directors) and it hit me that I was no longer enjoying the leadership role or the money that came with it. I know that I was in a fortunate position - I won't pretend otherwise. I resigned from the board and drove home the same day. Started painting, woodwork, cooking, walking and importantly... spending time with my partner. She now has a chronic heart condition and we're able to look back and think - wow, we've done some wonderful but simple adventures together. I know we were lucky. It happens and I'm pleased.

Reading posts like this makes me think of the likes of Biden and Trump and.. surely at their age this is what they want to spend their time doing? Maybe Biden had his own 'fuck it, I'm retiring' moment