Retirement

My key to retirement is to keep busy with some sort of project daily. It doesn't need to be massive. In fact just the opposite. Something that can be started and completed in a short time period. That gives me a sense of accomplishment every day. I don't want to sit down at 7 pm and look back at the day and see that was all I did all day. Sit around.... It was hard in the winter in Michigan. Much easier in the south, as my preferred "projects" are doing something outside. I mow more often than needed but it gives me a project and I like to mow.
Also, my secondary Medicare coverage includes membership to a gym. I started one just before the covid shut down and because I am a caregiver for a frail MIL I avoided going. Just started using it (LA Fitness) finally. That gives me something to do every other day.
 
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I'm trying to figure out a boat-related side hustle to overtake my regular gig so I can retire. I'm generally pretty well-versed around boats and have a lot of current job-related skills that could be transferred. I never thought I'd be seriously looking at retiring before I turned 60, but my wife is retiring this year and moving into her second career. There's lots of super-flexible job options out there that I haven't really ever considered, but I'd like to enjoy retirement and my boat while I'm still youngish.
 
Ramblin' Guy said:
I'm trying to figure out a boat-related side hustle to overtake my regular gig so I can retire. I'm generally pretty well-versed around boats and have a lot of current job-related skills that could be transferred. I never thought I'd be seriously looking at retiring before I turned 60, but my wife is retiring this year and moving into her second career. There's lots of super-flexible job options out there that I haven't really ever considered, but I'd like to enjoy retirement and my boat while I'm still youngish.
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'Easiest' option is to become a certified surveyor. No overhead. You need to work as an apprentice under someone after you get your certification.

Other options -

1. Start a mobile detailing business
2. Start a mobile marine repair business
3. Captain services
4. Boat instruction
 
Since we are in Canada with seasonal issues, I would never want a second career to interfere with my timing of my hobbies. So no boating related second careers. I want full time flexibility in summer months. A small marina down the coast from us was in bankruptcy a few years ago, and I briefly thought--hmmmmm.

But then I thought about our current marina owner, Kelly Hindson. He is around the marina all the time in the summer, dealing with all the issues of running a busy marina. He loves boating and has some great vessels all the time, but never gets to use them. Not for me thanks.
 
douglee25 said:
'Easiest' option is to become a certified surveyor. No overhead. You need to work as an apprentice under someone after you get your certification.

Other options -

1. Start a mobile detailing business
2. Start a mobile marine repair business
3. Captain services
4. Boat instruction
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I like the way you're thinking with the surveyor thing. It's almost like becoming a realtor, but not a lot of sales involved since that part's done.

I'm too old to work at detailing (that's a lot of physical labor!), but the marine repair business is interesting. I probably would stay away from engine mechanical (there's a lot of folks that do that probably better with the right specialized equipment), but there don't seem to be a lot of general marine handyman-type repair people out there to deal with minor electrical debugging, appliances, equipment installs, etc. That seems intriguing.

I'm also considering electronics installation. I'm pretty good at things like that and it combines a lot of disciplines.

Captain services and boat instruction are also interesting, but I would have to get my captain's license first. Still on the table. I used to do yacht delivery in my younger days so I have experience.

Lots of good thoughts here!

Jim
 
Gofirstclass said:
Pirate Lady, I tried to PM you my phone number in case you wanted to text/call about any financial questions but couldn't find a way to do it.

Help?
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Thx for offer, right I am good, come late fall when boat is tucked away and I done working I will have a lot of time for planning. Not panicking yet.
 
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Thanks for all the support. I found out today, of the 137 cut, most were yesterday. Some come June July and August. I am one of the very very few extended to September so it seems the company is taking into account my 28 years of exemplary service and keeping me around as long as they can.
With good planning this may be a good thing.
Frankly, the company is transitioning to cloud based computing over next 2 years, and I really don’t feel like learning all new stuff.
OH! So this morning I was working on a particular software problem that was pissing me off, so at 12 I said screw this I’m done today, went to boat and started getting it ready for launch. I might enjoy this.
 
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My wife retires in 90 days (age 60) after 40 years at the local utility and I will go (4/23) at 63. I'll find stuff to do with new grand children, boating,and travel, etc.... What I won't be doing is any more Microsoft Dynamics Accounting software demos.. :) For the long winter here I might just have some Bourbon in front of the fireplace....
 
firecadet613 said:
Start out part time at a boat yard. Where I store, a few retired guys run the hoist and handle moving and blocking all the boats. Not a bad gig to keep busy, just playing with boats...
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I have thought about asking my marina or one next door to help out, even as a volunteer.
I’d like to hang out with the bikini girls on the gas dock but they probably think it’s creepy.
 
Pirate Lady said:
Blindsided this morning. After 28 years with the railroad I was informed that on 9/7/22 my position is eliminated. Strange it’s 1 week to the day after I turn 70. 1 of 135.
On the positive, they will continue my salary and benefits to 9/7/23. And still get the bonus in the spring. Then between railroad retirement and pension I will collect almost as much as working.
I was not expecting this and I am in shock. I have 6 weeks vacation to burn by September so there is that too.
I don’t know what I am going to do everyday. I never contemplated retirement, thought I’d work forever.
The boat will keep me busy thru then but it’s going to be a bad winter with nothing to do.
I never expected this. It’s going to be different.
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I think your in the best possible situation you could possibly be in. Imagine going to work one day, getting assigned a new long term project and then led into a room with HR in it and 15mins later your on your way home for good. Happened to me at 56 just like that.

You have months until your not actually working anymore and then you have another year of pay and benefits, then your at almost full pay in retirement at 71. Sorry man, but I don't feel bad for you, actually happy that you will now be able to do what ever you want to.

Man Sign me up! I wish I were you right now!
 
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SKybolt said:
I think your in the best possible situation you could possibly be in. Imagine going to work one day, getting assigned a new long term project and then led into a room with HR in it and 15mins later your on your way home for good. Happened to me at 56 just like that.

You have months until your not actually working anymore and then you have another year of pay and benefits, then your at almost full pay in retirement at 71. Sorry man, but I don't feel bad for you, actually happy that you will now be able to do what ever you want to.

Man Sign me up! I wish I were you right now!
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And in pretty good health it seems! We should all be so lucky...
 
Guys wake up call, here and with friends yesterday. Buds looked at me and said “have you lost your mind?” It’s time let it go. They right. And then my Pirate Lady told me….

1955CFBE-91FB-4343-8C60-85D68CABCEC5.jpg
 
Gofirstclass said:
And you know your Pirate Lady is spot on, don'tcha! :cool:
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Ya, I really had a friend look at me last evening and said “JFC, you be 70 soon, you earned this, why would you want to keep working?” With a few expletives thrown in. Was a wake up call. I am good now, thanks.
 
Tim Fila said:
I'd be like, "Do I really have to wait until September?"

Tim
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Same here. I was supposed to be done on April Fool's Day, but got talked into staying on another year. For some reason, the motivation seems to be at an all-time low since then...
 
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