What makes for a happy retirement?

[Rufusdog]

Several years ago my wife and I bought a book entitled, “How to Die Broke”. We leave it out occasionally to remind our children of our philosophy…no kidding. We’ve made it clear to our children that when we die we expect that the only substantive asset left will be the house and its contents Plus some cash/investments to cover our final expenses. All five of them (a second marriage for both of us) had their post secondary education and all that that entailed paid in full by us so they could start their working/real lives debt free; this was their inheritance and they understand this. They know all of us have had a cushy life compared with our parents/their grand parents, all of who were born during or just after WWI. Our parents lived through the SpanishFlu pandemic, most of WWI and it’s messy aftermath, the Great Depression, WWII, including the Blitz. According to the book, you know you’ve really died broke when the cheques to the undertaker bounce.

 

[Twelvefret]

Several years ago my wife and I bought a book entitled, “How to Die Broke”. We leave it out occasionally to remind our children of our philosophy…no kidding. We’ve made it clear to our children that when we die we expect that the only substantive asset left will be the house and its contents Plus some cash/investments to cover our final expenses. All five of them (a second marriage for both of us) had their post secondary education and all that that entailed paid in full by us so they could start their working/real lives debt free; this was their inheritance and they understand this. They know all of us have had a cushy life compared with our parents/their grand parents, all of who were born during or just after WWI. Our parents lived through the SpanishFlu pandemic, most of WWI and it’s messy aftermath, the Great Depression, WWII, including the Blitz. According to the book, you know you’ve really died broke when the cheques to the undertaker bounce.

I would like for the house to be used by grandchildren so they have no mortgage and can save up for their own house preference. My house is 64 and the interior doors don't fit well. It matter not to me except when someone is changing and Hazel, the Lab puppy burst into the bed room.

I find I need little. A friend and I were talking, neither of us plans to ever purchase another shaving tool.

If the 2015 Suby and the 1999 Tahoe hold out, I can never need another mode of transportation, plus., I can ride a bicycle to the grocery.

Maybe I need a One Wheel........ Onewheel Pint – Shop e-scooters (shopescooters.com)

 

[R181]

Is a "Grumpy Old Man" a higher status than "Forum God"? LOL!!!!!

No, I say that from seeing what happens when there is no up to date Will and the ensuing mess. Also, my wife was a legal secretary and can tell you some horror stories about that too. It really is a no joke situation.

Bob

 

[wintoid]

With me, Chris, the lack of routine was initially quite a problem. After 50 years of working - mostly in jobs that I enjoyed - I had a definite sense of wasting my days and feeling that I should be doing more. It took quite a few months for that to wear off and for me to accept that I’d earned the right to do just what I wanted.

This is my fear, in a nutshell.

 

[WildVieLong]

From what I've seen, purpose is what you want to be happy. The money doesn't matter so much as long as one has a reason to be alive and get out of bed each day. .I think most need more to look forward to than "whatever I feel like doing".

 

[Rufusdog]

Gene Perret, “Retirement is wonderful. It’s doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.”

 

[R181]

When you have spent you entire life working, on retiring it can be hard to realise your self worth/reason to be alive is not the job you did.

Bob

 

[TobyC]

 

[TobyC]

 

[Vacumatic]

When you have spent you entire life working, on retiring it can be hard to realise your self worth/reason to be alive is not the job you did.

Bob

Very true.

A friend of mine collected pen and ink drawings throughout his life, he would have wept to have seen his children throw them away after he had died, hundreds of pieces.

I worry about the disposal of everything that I hold dear, including tools and 'stuff' in the garage.

There is a line in one of the Oceans film, "I want my last cheques to bounce".

Perhaps a happy retirement is just down to freedom from need and having people around that you care for and will care for you.

.....and getting laid on your birthday whether you feel like it or not.

 

[Rufusdog]

@Vacumatic I too have worried over what will happen to our “precious” items after we die. We have an extensive collection of original paintings and a few Inuit and other stone carvings. I think our children appreciate what we have and likely would take care of most of it after we’ve shuffled off our mortal coils. On the other hand, I’m not so sure they have a similar appreciation for my collections of shaving brushes, fountain pens and solid brass reproduction candle sticks. My wif certainly doesn’t. As for my small collection of mechanical watches I think they’ll be okay. Nevertheless, I have reconciled myself to the fact that once I’m dead I won’t care and I can’t do anything about it anywpay.

 

[Twelvefret]

For me, I cannot expect my family to value my musical instruments and art work. They can do what they want, but I suspect if I provide a value they will not get taken.

 

[R181]

Nevertheless, I have reconciled myself to the fact that once I’m dead I won’t care and I can’t do anything about it anywpay.

That is the bottom line for me also.

Bob

 

[Boycie83]

My wife thinks my razors are about £10 each (not sure how she got that impression.....) - someone is going to do well on the second-hand market when I pass.

 

[TobyC]

My wife thinks my razors are about £10 each (not sure how she got that impression.....) - someone is going to do well on the second-hand market when I pass.

Do you have anything worth more than ten???

Tell her I'll give her fifty bucks for the whole mess if she covers the shipping.