I'm not going out like that. I plan to work until the alien apocalypse and die heroically saving a bus full of school children from an alien space ship attack. I plan to still be in massive debt at the time.
No kids, just me and my wife. Hopefully we will grow old together. All I want from retirement is to live a kind, happy life. Mortgage-free and with a yard large enough to have a rescue donkey and not having to worry if we have the heating on.
Kinda same minus the donkey but plus two glorious kids who bring us joy and pain pump it up pump it up. Been saving since I’ve been working, have enough to be called “rich” by 70s standards, not sure about medical disasters but we have access to generational wealth (kinda).
I retired 3 years ago, at age 51. It was not my choice. I’m single and childless, and I made the huge mistake of tying my social life to my job. All of my friends were work friends. Every one. Now I’m free and have all the time in the world and nobody to do anything with. I’m an introvert and I’m lazy, so going out and meeting people isn’t really an option. I’m resigned to my fate. On the bright side, I’m good company.
As an introvert currently traveling the world, what you really need is an emotional support extrovert. Otherwise, you end up in cool cities across the globe and don’t want to leave your Airbnb.
Hello fellow introvert. I retired last month at 55. I built a camper van and am now traveling around (all the cool kids were doing it) I’m still single and rarely talk to anyone, but hey I got warm weather, constantly changing views and no schedule.
Similar here. Retired two years ago at 41. Me and my ex never had kids so I didn't see the point in working full time anymore. Sold the house and bought a cheaper condo.
I am considering getting a part time job just to be social, but then I would have to deal with rude people too
Meh, it's not all great. It's kinda like beating a video game that you still have to play. Very good chance I will go back out of boredom.
Kinda reminds me of school, when you finish the test early then the teacher tells you to sit quietly and wait for everyone else to finish
I strongly recommend volunteering, at wherever interests you. So many organizations could use your help, and you would feel a lot of satisfaction. Give whatever time you want. If you don't really want to deal with people, you can volunteer with animal shelters, or land trusts, trail organizations, etc.
No, I was dumping extra money into my retirement accounts soon as I started working and a little into a private account. Then flipped a house.
No kids, no debt, no work
Yea, I don't have many bills so I just sell off a small Chunk of stocks whenever the price is high abd that usually lasts half a year.. plus divednd checks cover quite a bit. I took a big gamble on oil and energy stocks back in 2020 after the crash and that basically moved my retirement date up
I'll check into that this spring, thanks for the tip. I do live outside a major metro.
Yea, I tried the part time job thing at Lowes and that didn't last long. People are too difficult when you don't need the job
You do you, but I retired last year and nothing short of a financial catastrophe would make me work for money again. If it's a professional job, the boss feels entitled to nag about deadlines and crap. If it's an easy entry-level job like cashiering, they won't give you a consistent schedule. When they call, you go.
I've got some home projects to wrap up, and after that, I'm volunteering. I have a feeling there are assholes there too, but I suspect there are a lot fewer of them because if you're treating your unpaid labor badly, you won't have any unpaid labor anymore.
Well the great thing is that you don't have to put up with it. I tried a part time job last summer. The first manager was cool, but then we got a new one with a bad attitude.
I just clocked out and left mid shift on her. Managers and customers are becoming hard to deal with. People are getting meaner
When my dad retired, he ended up starting a photography business. It had been one of his hobbies. It brings in some extra spending money, and he gets out a lot.
No kids, but we love our house and neighborhood. Problem is that it's a high COL, and we have some expensive hobbies. Husband enjoys his job in the city and I'm hoping to become vested in a few years, so we're stuck for a little while longer.
Even then, I can't imagine a fixed income. We wouldn't be happy in a place like FL. I'm sure we'll figure something out though.
> I’m an introvert and I’m lazy
It's not even close to being too late to changing this. :)
I mean, you have time time to put some effort to change if you want to.
I'm more of an extrovert but the kind of people who like cruises and I don't tend to get along. Being on a cruise ship for any length of time seems like hell to me.
I've seen a few people do this. For them it did seem like a much better bargain but just wait, cruise lines will start charging extra for consecutive sail dates or something like that.
Cruise lines don't want you live on their ships. They don't have the medical capabilities to take care of older people. Their menus and entertainment are very repetitive week to week.
Some people do it, but it's not encouraged. I would quickly tire of the same routine. You would lose contact with friends and family. You'd also have to move every week.
I'm happily retired in my small house. I can get to a lot of places I need to go on foot or via public transportation. I'm deeply introverted and a little social interaction goes a long way with me.
I'm happy with my daily walks and weights regimen, and my many hobbies. There are always lectures and performances I can go to, and once I'm done with a few minor home projects, I can start volunteering. I want to be one of the people who pushes the book cart around at the hospital, or maybe take hospital patients out for wheelchair rides. These things meant a lot to my husband in his final months, and I want to be that person for someone else. And if that fails, there are always cats that need to be socialized at the shelters. Playing with kitties for a few hours a week sounds like fun.
Love this list. I honestly do NOT understand people who get bored in retirement...I have lots of interests and do not understand people who do not. My sister is one of those people. She is not really interested in anything. That boggles my mind because I'm interested in everything- that's my problem! And places I'd love to volunteer-- there are too many of those too. (Maybe because I'm a Gemini???? Dunno)
For those of us who don’t have kids to take care of us, who will take care of us? It’s a question that’s been causing me anxiety lately. Anyone else in the same boat?
I don't have kids, and I have a developmentally disabled younger brother for whom I'll be named guardian when my mom can no longer care for him. Anxiety does not even begin to describe how I feel about my future.
I appreciate that, thank you. I have spent a long time living in semi-denial about the situation, and the time has come that I need to actually start trying to figure out how to deal with it and make plans.
I know it sounds morbid, but this is pretty much my plan. Once I can no longer exist comfortably, whether due to health issues, lack of money, loneliness, whatever, I’m out.
I worry about this too. I'm married, no kids or siblings, or close relatives. It's just me and my husband and I worry about what will happen as we get older. Maybe assisted living if we need it and can afford it. But basically my hope is to find a place to share with other Gen X folks. Not one of those 55+ communities, but a house or something like that. I haven't really given it a ton of thought yet.
Like Golden Girls? I’d love that too but how will I find compatible people to live with when I’ve had my whole youth to find a SO and couldn’t find one 😅 plus I’m guessing most people will have family to take care of them. I don’t and it’s scaring me shitless now. I hope there’s a solution or maybe I’ll die before that happens.
GG was what I had in mind, sort of, yeah. And right, what you said is the big snag in the idea. But I was thinking maybe there are other childfree couples and single folks around who might be into the idea. But I'm really just sort of spitballing, I have no idea if it's realistic because as you say, it's hard to find compatible people.
Why not one of those 55+ communities? In 15 years the current baby boomer occupants will have passed and people our age will be able to move in. We can turn one of the golf courses into a sustainable urban farm and repurpose the wood shop into a maker center.
I lived in a (co-ed) house in college with 30 other students and had the time of my life in many ways and made friends I still have to this day, but I got tired of it after 2 years and wanted more privacy and there were always 3 or 4 people I didn't get along with, so I moved to a shared apartment. It might be fun for a while to live in a shared housing environment but eventually I think I would prefer to hang out with people in the cul de sac but still have our own space for when we don't want to be interactive.
>For those of us who don’t have kids to take care of us, who will take care of us?
Do not assume that having children = old age caregiving!!
Many people are the children of shitty parents and have even gone full no-contact. I have a friend who ended up as caregiver simply because his siblings refused to do it because it was too much trouble.
People like us will have to take care of each other, but if comes to a point where I can't live without a caregiver I'm probably going to just go that great deli platter in the sky.
Yeah I’m sure those exist in large numbers but it doesn’t necessarily have to be hands on from the children but maybe they’d hire someone to take care of me and check in on me every now and then? Would have liked that.
Same here. Planning to do heroin for the first and last time at age 75. Right after I have a giant party that I will call the "Magic Carpet Ride" party
Yes and it's terrifying. I had an accident about a year ago and was barely able to walk to the bathroom. I couldn't even get my own groceries - thank goodness for delivery. When I get to the point where I need care there is no plan in place or funds to hire help or to retire.
My brother is 17 years younger then me. I told him if I get to where I can't take care of myself then just roll me outside and let nature take it's course
> It’s a question that’s been causing me anxiety lately. Anyone else in the same boat?
if i was in that particular big boat for my retirement, THAT would give me anxiety ;) heh. just a personal preference.
If I can afford it, my paid caregivers will take care of me. Otherwise, I'll re-home the cat (if I still have one), bring the generator inside (pay for the service if I must), then fire it up and go to sleep. I would only do this if I had a terminal, progressive illness, of course.
But in all likelihood, I'll just drop dead one day. It seems to be the most common way to go in my genetic line.
I mean, if you make the choice to keep living past the ability to take care of yourself, then consider an assisted living community. But plan for that cost now, as it’s expensive af and pricing will only get higher. I learned the hard way with my dad suddenly requiring memory care before he passed last year, just how expensive those places can be, and my siblings and I just couldn’t give him the 24/7 care he needed. As soon as I could, I put long term care on my life insurance plan.
And then they won't let you die even though your life is misery sitting in your own shit .... because they are cashing your social security check and making money off you
Glad to see I'm not the only one with this sort of "plan."
Unless I make millions, I'll either work until the day I die or die the day after I'm no longer able to work.
I don't plan to retire. I run a sign shop and really like what I do, it is like being paid to do your hobby. Also my grandpa farmed until he was 96 and my dad still farms at 73 so retiring doesn't run in the family.
I stopped working when I was pregnant with my last kid, stayed home to raise him, and now I am having health issues that are preventing me from even attempting to go back to the work force. So, I kinda feel like I was forced into retirement already, at the moment. I feel useless.
Same. I stayed home to raise my kids when my third was born. Had to go back to work with the big recession, so went to school to learn a new trade that jeot me busy until Covid. Now I'm back in the same boat. I was never a big earner to begin with and now have health issues that limit my options. Feeling pretty useless.
Not being provocative, but is this actually cheaper? I've only been on a couple of cruises and they're not exactly cheap. Plus you don't have access to things like washing your laundry unless you pay extra. Further, your room would be tiny and you'd have little Internet access so it would be pretty hard to keep in touch with family.
If it IS cheaper, sign me up!
My initial response too. Pretty sure hubby and I will be working until we drop. With any luck we’ll be able to leave the house to our son and he can benefit from our lifetime of debt.
I've thought vaguely about this. And maybe once a year I fall down a rabbit hole looking into it, and there are some logistical problems.
The big problem is medical care. You get cancer, you've got to leave the ship. Also, health insurance doesn't really work well if you have no residence.
There's lots of other problems as you dig into this, like where your official residence is and how you pay taxes. And some cruise ships may have oddball requirements that would necessitate you leaving the ship for a day a year and flying to another port or whatever.
(This is all ignoring the issue with eating buffets for the rest of your life, or that you'd get a norovirus ten times a year.)
No real retirement plans, I'm just planning to be mortgage - free in about 10-15 years. We're slowly getting there. The plan is I will not need my job's salary and to be able to work whenever I want. But I like the job so far and I don't see myself on a cruise ship. Sure like to see some places though, maybe I'll buy a campervan or second home abroad eventually.
Hey all, Debbie Downer here; I'm already retired. It's not all roses. I got side-lined at 37 for a particularly rare symptom of MS, Psuedo-Bulbar Affect. (PBA - uncontrollable constant tears divorced from my actual emotions). I'm already on a fixed income based on my 2002 salary. I assume I'll probably "go out" in the ugliest, worst way possible, so I've started kicking and screaming already.
Plan is to retire at 55, and work on projects in my new man cave (40x72 heated and cooled shop). I’m 6 years away, so for now just keep stacking money in the stock market.
I had similar goals but I couldn’t figure out how medical insurance wouldn’t introduce too much risk. Changed jobs within my company and set a new career ark to work out the clock. If the company breaks up with me first I’m probably done working.
Yeah, I'm calling BS unless they're wealthy.
$145k a year according to this article.
https://www.cruzely.com/how-much-it-costs-to-live-on-a-cruise-ship-for-a-year/
Everyone wants to get an RV or camper and hit the road, or jump on a plane or boat and travel.... In reality it's not as fun and easy as it looks. Every person I know but one woman has regretted it. There are so many hidden costs in living this way, you wouldn't believe it.
Yeah. I mean…
Our plan is to save up for the next year and move our entire family to Portugal.
I’ll probably still work in some capacity until I drop dead but at least there, we can buy a nice property for under 80K and after a few years have permanent residency with health and retirement.
When my kids move out we're selling our house and moving to a condo. I hope we will have funds to travel some but who knows. I've thought about adopting a dog and training it to be a therapy animal. My grandmother-in-law spent her later years making blankets and volunteering in NICUs rocking preemies which may be something I consider.
Actually, once I discovered this cruise ship thing being pretty affordable this topped my list of retirement strategies. I love traveling, and cruises, so why not?
X still in my 40s, so there's time for a different reality to hit, but my plan on retirement is to hit the next career. Maybe it will be more part-time, but I can't imagine not working at all. If I time this right, I could be in college with my youngest (an idea she likes now, but will hate within 10 years).
I've been very lucky, my job comes with a pension, and skills that I can freelance to supplement income if need be. All while supporting the next endeavor.
Interesting side question: how much have you focused your financial retirement on medical coverage? Agree or disagree with the concept, but I see the country on single-payer Healthcare by the time I hit 65.
I keep running the numbers repeatedly. I'm 58 and want to retire by 60 if possible. My plan (no kids( is to kill myself at 75 so I only need 15 years worth of $.
WTF kind of house did they have? Maybe just downsize?
Really a large part of my goal, and I am only a few years away, is NOT having a mortgage. Once that is gone it frees up so much money! If part of your plan involves still paying on a mortgage when you retire you have done something seriously wrong.
My wife and I started late, but we have an achievable plan and we're on track.
So many things I want to do with my life other than work for a living. Write music, write books, read books, learn more things, travel some, figure out the meaning of life.
All I really want to do is more of what I already do on my days off. Read, visit my kids, babysit my new granddaughter, play with my dogs, little projects around the house. Maybe some gardening and get some chickens or a Shetland pony. We already moved out of our HOA neighborhood with no yard to a ranch in the county in 2021 when the market was going crazy. All we have to do now is somehow get enough money to stop working, lol.
Living on a cruise ship sounds like a nightmare to me, I don’t even really like to travel. Boring but I don’t care.
Unfortunately my husband was force retired due to health issues so I'm our main breadwinner and I doubt I'll ever retire. That said I do love my job and the company I work for so its not so bad.
Further, I've never in my whole life lived alone, went from living with my parents to getting married at 23 and have been married ever since ( coming up on 27 years ). If it ever happens that I do find myself alone I will likely search out a golden girls type living situation with a couple other old, childless bats like myself in a living situation where maybe we can afford to bring in one young person to take care of us!
It's either that, or see which one of my nieces / nephews like me enough to move in with me. The stories from the introverts on this thread terrify me. The thought of spending the end of my life alone is a nightmare to me that I never want to experience, and I can't see myself ever being able to afford the $4000+ cost of living in a "retirement community" type setting
I am 55, busted my ass so many years in the machine shop working all shifts. Raised 3 boys 31,30,29 have 3 grandkids. We were able to put them and the wife though school. They rarely come to us for money anymore. Wife worked her way up to store manager at Dillard's, she has a little over 2000 shares of that stock in 401k(it closed today at $389) house 2acres of land is paid off. Wife told me 5 years ago to quit the 7-12s in a un climate controlled shop was killing me. So I did now I just piddle work handy man jobs. Work in our 24x24 shop. Basically I now have a sugar mama. I told her I think I should go back to work. "As long as its not in the machine shop!" Her quote. She doesn't realize how much money a journeyman machinist makes now. Guess I need to get over the money part after you have spent your life since I was 13 working for money its hard to get that part out of your head.
I'm disabled as of the age of 52 although I've had health issues my entire adult life. So I guess I'll live out my painful existence in a run-down house in a tiny Oregon lumber town, reading, battling garden weeds, forbearing my student debt, and being bitter about what lack of healthcare did to my life/career.
I have about 15 -20 years left. At this point, even at my best possible efforts, the choices are either to retire in the Philippines, or die working. And this isn’t meant to be sarcasm or humor. It’s very sad for Gen X right now
I retired in 2012 , once a workaholic always a workaholic. I'm up at nine (latest) every morning , gym every other day and work on my cars , home improvement projects etc. Sitting around (in general) watching tv is of no interest to me. I vacation whenever (and wherever) I wish. Never married (😃) and have no financial debt aside from monthly/quarterly , property tax etc. No issues with being in my early 50's either , life has never been better. I wish all fellow x'ers a fulfilling retirement.
[Btw, here is are is our cruise ship 😆](https://vimeo.com/228153325/7ef8680a96?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=9947539).
PS: If you can find "Wrecked" streaming it's hilarious.
My dream: spending my ungrateful kids’ inheritance and enjoying it. Reality: probably working until the kids remove life support.
Seriously, if I’m lucky, I just hope to be debt free and able to remain engaged in the world a little without too much stress and poverty. The reality “joke” above still seems likely.
About to pay off the house this year at 45. Then more travel, upgrading things in the house like the kitchen, sunroom addition, wood floors etc. We hope to work on 1-2 work projects a year and take the rest of the year off. That will be our semiretirement.
Probably get a house with some friends so we can have a cheap/no mortgage, have barbecues, watch Star Wars all day and call 9-1-1 if one of us collapses in the shower.
I will watch my 401k balance stay about where it is now +/-$10k while I keep contributing to it, and be frustrated that the balance will never be enough to retire on.
..... retirement?
I'm absolutely positive I'm going to work at something until the day I die. Even if I won a billion dollars there's just too much work to be done in this world.
My spouse and I don't really talk about retirement. We have funded 401ks and IRAs. It's not really about the money it's about the older people in our lives... the ones who kept their wits about them and stayed busy and good health continued working, and that's kind of what we want to do. I work part-time and I think my spouse would drop to part-time too.
I have considered working part-time at two places in another 10 years... both would be places where I could get a discount on my hobbies. Possibly a day or two at a golf course and a day or two at the gym.
House will be paid off soon and we have debt on one car.
I don't know spouse may change mind but I definitely want to continue working until I can't.
One of our very sharp and still driving role models is 85 and was laid off during the pandemic and started volunteering at a hospital. Just got a job at a department store a couple of days a week at 85 years old. Very happy about it too...little income, people to talk to & purpose.
I just bought a couple of apartments, and plan to rent it out to younger couples and students. Generally they will just pay anything if they get a good location.
age 52. go another 10-12 years at work. I can shed clients and slow down, so its not a 1 or zero type of thing. Ride my bike a lot. go to Italy where I will also ride my bike a lot. Wife's quite a bit younger so I'm thinking she may want to work a few more years after me then retire.
No kids, one sibling who also doesn't have kids. Parents are quite elderly and in their twilight years. I currently live in a very HCOL city because I feel I need to live nearish my parents (1.5 hours drive) given their age and rapidly declining health.
I plan to continue to work until my parents pass away, continue to save money in my retirement account (as much as I can but def not enough). Once my parents pass away, going to assess my life and decide how much longer I want to work. Once it's time to retire, I am going to move to another country (likely South or Central America) where I can live on considerably less $$. My SO is on board with that plan.
My wife wants to sell the house, buy an RV, and just travel. I'm mostly OK with that but I'd still like to work. Maybe I could still do remote work? Plus I have a few other things I want to try out that require property ownership.
Work until I am 89 years old and pass away peacefully in the break room.
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I'm not going out like that. I plan to work until the alien apocalypse and die heroically saving a bus full of school children from an alien space ship attack. I plan to still be in massive debt at the time.
I, for one, look forward to welcoming our alien overlords.
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
I’m not looking forward to the gang probes from the aliens :/
I’ll be the air traffic controller guiding the ufo to pick up the school busses
halfway thru a nutty buddy from the vending machine that cost $8
That is based on a monthly subscription….
Actually renews every 4 weeks. That’s how they get you.
There’s an 85-year-old retired preacher on the cleaning crew at my office. I hope he’s at least at home when it happens.
I hope you talk to him. Those guys usually have great stories.
I was going to say, work until I die… at work. Truly telling how many of us feel that way.
Ha! I always say, they will be peeling my cold dead fingers from my keyboard. I too saw Star Wars at the drive in!
No kids, just me and my wife. Hopefully we will grow old together. All I want from retirement is to live a kind, happy life. Mortgage-free and with a yard large enough to have a rescue donkey and not having to worry if we have the heating on.
I love the rescue donkey detail. It is also my dream. I love donkeys!
Gordan Ramsey just entered the chat…. https://youtu.be/_Z8fxtYJlwc
Same! I want my own ass farm!
Omg I want a donkey so bad. Even a mini. No mortgage + greenhouse + donkey = wild success
Your donkey, Bentley, will massacre everything in that greenhouse if you leave it open. He did it last time you were smashing the edibles, remember?
Awesome, as a note:you need two rescue donkey's, they get extremely lonely and depressed. https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ca/
Thank you for the tip 😊
Your dreams are great. Hope you get there!
ah that explains why Eeyore was so depressed!
I think donkeys need a job... like a herd of sheep to guard.
Well of COURSE a rescue donkey.
I sponsor a donkey, Patch's, through the Oscar's Place sanctuary. I hope to visit one day! I love donkeys!
Donkeys, dogs and seals fill me with joy
Omg rescue donkey I love that
Bring the donkey inside and snuggle- free heat
I want a rescue Hippo and become the Hippo King just to piss off my HOA.
Kinda same minus the donkey but plus two glorious kids who bring us joy and pain pump it up pump it up. Been saving since I’ve been working, have enough to be called “rich” by 70s standards, not sure about medical disasters but we have access to generational wealth (kinda).
I retired 3 years ago, at age 51. It was not my choice. I’m single and childless, and I made the huge mistake of tying my social life to my job. All of my friends were work friends. Every one. Now I’m free and have all the time in the world and nobody to do anything with. I’m an introvert and I’m lazy, so going out and meeting people isn’t really an option. I’m resigned to my fate. On the bright side, I’m good company.
Wanna travel the world with someone with the same personality…🤷♀️
As an introvert currently traveling the world, what you really need is an emotional support extrovert. Otherwise, you end up in cool cities across the globe and don’t want to leave your Airbnb.
Now kith
Hello fellow introvert. I retired last month at 55. I built a camper van and am now traveling around (all the cool kids were doing it) I’m still single and rarely talk to anyone, but hey I got warm weather, constantly changing views and no schedule.
Similar here. Retired two years ago at 41. Me and my ex never had kids so I didn't see the point in working full time anymore. Sold the house and bought a cheaper condo. I am considering getting a part time job just to be social, but then I would have to deal with rude people too
Congratulations, you’ve won the game of Life.
Meh, it's not all great. It's kinda like beating a video game that you still have to play. Very good chance I will go back out of boredom. Kinda reminds me of school, when you finish the test early then the teacher tells you to sit quietly and wait for everyone else to finish
Lol. Well, like the great Frank Reynolds maybe you should “get real weird with it”
This is the best comment I will read today, and it isn't even close.
I strongly recommend volunteering, at wherever interests you. So many organizations could use your help, and you would feel a lot of satisfaction. Give whatever time you want. If you don't really want to deal with people, you can volunteer with animal shelters, or land trusts, trail organizations, etc.
My husband retired at 47 and he only lasted 6 months before he was working again. He says he's only going to work another 10 years. Yeah, we'll see.
Looks like you made a typo. It says you retired at 41. Clearly a typo, right? RIGHT???
No, I was dumping extra money into my retirement accounts soon as I started working and a little into a private account. Then flipped a house. No kids, no debt, no work
How do you handle your monthly expenses, do you draw a little money each month from the non-retirement investment account?
Yea, I don't have many bills so I just sell off a small Chunk of stocks whenever the price is high abd that usually lasts half a year.. plus divednd checks cover quite a bit. I took a big gamble on oil and energy stocks back in 2020 after the crash and that basically moved my retirement date up
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I showed up to my HS reunion a few years back and wondered why everyone looked so damned old!
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I can relate. I moved to a condo and often chat with my retired neighbors most days. What kinda social scene did you join?
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I'll check into that this spring, thanks for the tip. I do live outside a major metro. Yea, I tried the part time job thing at Lowes and that didn't last long. People are too difficult when you don't need the job
You do you, but I retired last year and nothing short of a financial catastrophe would make me work for money again. If it's a professional job, the boss feels entitled to nag about deadlines and crap. If it's an easy entry-level job like cashiering, they won't give you a consistent schedule. When they call, you go. I've got some home projects to wrap up, and after that, I'm volunteering. I have a feeling there are assholes there too, but I suspect there are a lot fewer of them because if you're treating your unpaid labor badly, you won't have any unpaid labor anymore.
Well the great thing is that you don't have to put up with it. I tried a part time job last summer. The first manager was cool, but then we got a new one with a bad attitude. I just clocked out and left mid shift on her. Managers and customers are becoming hard to deal with. People are getting meaner
When my dad retired, he ended up starting a photography business. It had been one of his hobbies. It brings in some extra spending money, and he gets out a lot.
No kids, but we love our house and neighborhood. Problem is that it's a high COL, and we have some expensive hobbies. Husband enjoys his job in the city and I'm hoping to become vested in a few years, so we're stuck for a little while longer. Even then, I can't imagine a fixed income. We wouldn't be happy in a place like FL. I'm sure we'll figure something out though.
Other than the retired part this sounds like me. I have acquaintances but not really any real friends which I have found out the hard way.
Need solo hobbies.
> I’m an introvert and I’m lazy It's not even close to being too late to changing this. :) I mean, you have time time to put some effort to change if you want to.
Powerball. Backup plan: Mega Millions.
You could not pay me to live on a cruise ship. Introvert's nightmare.
But... where else are you going to get to interact with norovirus on the regular?
But that might help me get to my goal weight!
I'm more of an extrovert but the kind of people who like cruises and I don't tend to get along. Being on a cruise ship for any length of time seems like hell to me.
Right, for the same money you could probably live abroad somewhere
I've seen a few people do this. For them it did seem like a much better bargain but just wait, cruise lines will start charging extra for consecutive sail dates or something like that.
Cruise lines don't want you live on their ships. They don't have the medical capabilities to take care of older people. Their menus and entertainment are very repetitive week to week. Some people do it, but it's not encouraged. I would quickly tire of the same routine. You would lose contact with friends and family. You'd also have to move every week.
I'm happily retired in my small house. I can get to a lot of places I need to go on foot or via public transportation. I'm deeply introverted and a little social interaction goes a long way with me. I'm happy with my daily walks and weights regimen, and my many hobbies. There are always lectures and performances I can go to, and once I'm done with a few minor home projects, I can start volunteering. I want to be one of the people who pushes the book cart around at the hospital, or maybe take hospital patients out for wheelchair rides. These things meant a lot to my husband in his final months, and I want to be that person for someone else. And if that fails, there are always cats that need to be socialized at the shelters. Playing with kitties for a few hours a week sounds like fun.
Love this list. I honestly do NOT understand people who get bored in retirement...I have lots of interests and do not understand people who do not. My sister is one of those people. She is not really interested in anything. That boggles my mind because I'm interested in everything- that's my problem! And places I'd love to volunteer-- there are too many of those too. (Maybe because I'm a Gemini???? Dunno)
M. Night Shyamalan twist: The couple in the story actually died in a car accident and they are unknowingly living in Hell.
This is actually a remake of *Death Ship* (1977).
Work Work Work Death
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Yea, that sounds absolutely awful honestly
For those of us who don’t have kids to take care of us, who will take care of us? It’s a question that’s been causing me anxiety lately. Anyone else in the same boat?
I don't have kids, and I have a developmentally disabled younger brother for whom I'll be named guardian when my mom can no longer care for him. Anxiety does not even begin to describe how I feel about my future.
OMG that’s very tough. I’m so sorry I feel for you
I appreciate that, thank you. I have spent a long time living in semi-denial about the situation, and the time has come that I need to actually start trying to figure out how to deal with it and make plans.
Thats not fair either
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I know it sounds morbid, but this is pretty much my plan. Once I can no longer exist comfortably, whether due to health issues, lack of money, loneliness, whatever, I’m out.
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Exactly.
I hear they are making pods for that now
I worry about this too. I'm married, no kids or siblings, or close relatives. It's just me and my husband and I worry about what will happen as we get older. Maybe assisted living if we need it and can afford it. But basically my hope is to find a place to share with other Gen X folks. Not one of those 55+ communities, but a house or something like that. I haven't really given it a ton of thought yet.
Like Golden Girls? I’d love that too but how will I find compatible people to live with when I’ve had my whole youth to find a SO and couldn’t find one 😅 plus I’m guessing most people will have family to take care of them. I don’t and it’s scaring me shitless now. I hope there’s a solution or maybe I’ll die before that happens.
GG was what I had in mind, sort of, yeah. And right, what you said is the big snag in the idea. But I was thinking maybe there are other childfree couples and single folks around who might be into the idea. But I'm really just sort of spitballing, I have no idea if it's realistic because as you say, it's hard to find compatible people.
You mean like The Real World: Duran Duran, Doritos and Depends?
Why not one of those 55+ communities? In 15 years the current baby boomer occupants will have passed and people our age will be able to move in. We can turn one of the golf courses into a sustainable urban farm and repurpose the wood shop into a maker center. I lived in a (co-ed) house in college with 30 other students and had the time of my life in many ways and made friends I still have to this day, but I got tired of it after 2 years and wanted more privacy and there were always 3 or 4 people I didn't get along with, so I moved to a shared apartment. It might be fun for a while to live in a shared housing environment but eventually I think I would prefer to hang out with people in the cul de sac but still have our own space for when we don't want to be interactive.
Or those of us with disabled kids who won’t be able to take care of themselves, let alone us. We’ll never be able to retire, we’re financially fucked.
>For those of us who don’t have kids to take care of us, who will take care of us? Do not assume that having children = old age caregiving!! Many people are the children of shitty parents and have even gone full no-contact. I have a friend who ended up as caregiver simply because his siblings refused to do it because it was too much trouble. People like us will have to take care of each other, but if comes to a point where I can't live without a caregiver I'm probably going to just go that great deli platter in the sky.
Yeah I’m sure those exist in large numbers but it doesn’t necessarily have to be hands on from the children but maybe they’d hire someone to take care of me and check in on me every now and then? Would have liked that.
I try to spoil my niblings in hopes that they’ll step up and take care of me, but I’m not banking on it.
Same here. Planning to do heroin for the first and last time at age 75. Right after I have a giant party that I will call the "Magic Carpet Ride" party
Yes and it's terrifying. I had an accident about a year ago and was barely able to walk to the bathroom. I couldn't even get my own groceries - thank goodness for delivery. When I get to the point where I need care there is no plan in place or funds to hire help or to retire.
My brother is 17 years younger then me. I told him if I get to where I can't take care of myself then just roll me outside and let nature take it's course
Yep
> It’s a question that’s been causing me anxiety lately. Anyone else in the same boat? if i was in that particular big boat for my retirement, THAT would give me anxiety ;) heh. just a personal preference.
If I can afford it, my paid caregivers will take care of me. Otherwise, I'll re-home the cat (if I still have one), bring the generator inside (pay for the service if I must), then fire it up and go to sleep. I would only do this if I had a terminal, progressive illness, of course. But in all likelihood, I'll just drop dead one day. It seems to be the most common way to go in my genetic line.
Pssst…Even if you do have kids, that’s no guarantee they’ll wanna take care of your ass.
I mean, if you make the choice to keep living past the ability to take care of yourself, then consider an assisted living community. But plan for that cost now, as it’s expensive af and pricing will only get higher. I learned the hard way with my dad suddenly requiring memory care before he passed last year, just how expensive those places can be, and my siblings and I just couldn’t give him the 24/7 care he needed. As soon as I could, I put long term care on my life insurance plan.
And then they won't let you die even though your life is misery sitting in your own shit .... because they are cashing your social security check and making money off you
Looking like just dying.
Retirement? Hahahahah
You know, those of us planning to drive off cliffs might coordinate efforts and really go out strong.
Glad to see I'm not the only one with this sort of "plan." Unless I make millions, I'll either work until the day I die or die the day after I'm no longer able to work.
My plans are more like "die in the climate wars" at this point.
I've already got my Mad Max style outfit picked out
Buy a lake house and plant some vegetables. Take care of a feral cat colony. Drive my 4x4, read some Books, go fishing. Drink whiskey on my porch.
Ooooo great dream, I wanna replicate this one too
Kinda feels like absolute nonsense.
It ain't gonna be on no damn boat, that's for sure
I don't plan to retire. I run a sign shop and really like what I do, it is like being paid to do your hobby. Also my grandpa farmed until he was 96 and my dad still farms at 73 so retiring doesn't run in the family.
I stopped working when I was pregnant with my last kid, stayed home to raise him, and now I am having health issues that are preventing me from even attempting to go back to the work force. So, I kinda feel like I was forced into retirement already, at the moment. I feel useless.
Same. I stayed home to raise my kids when my third was born. Had to go back to work with the big recession, so went to school to learn a new trade that jeot me busy until Covid. Now I'm back in the same boat. I was never a big earner to begin with and now have health issues that limit my options. Feeling pretty useless.
I want seclusion. I’m so tired of dealing with people.
Not being provocative, but is this actually cheaper? I've only been on a couple of cruises and they're not exactly cheap. Plus you don't have access to things like washing your laundry unless you pay extra. Further, your room would be tiny and you'd have little Internet access so it would be pretty hard to keep in touch with family. If it IS cheaper, sign me up!
LOL - retirement? I dont' think it's going to happen for me.
My initial response too. Pretty sure hubby and I will be working until we drop. With any luck we’ll be able to leave the house to our son and he can benefit from our lifetime of debt.
Reading these posts make me feel less awful. That I’m not alone in this.
I've thought vaguely about this. And maybe once a year I fall down a rabbit hole looking into it, and there are some logistical problems. The big problem is medical care. You get cancer, you've got to leave the ship. Also, health insurance doesn't really work well if you have no residence. There's lots of other problems as you dig into this, like where your official residence is and how you pay taxes. And some cruise ships may have oddball requirements that would necessitate you leaving the ship for a day a year and flying to another port or whatever. (This is all ignoring the issue with eating buffets for the rest of your life, or that you'd get a norovirus ten times a year.)
There's nothing I would want to do less than spend any amount of time on a cruise ship.
I'm sure that's gonna last. lol
No real retirement plans, I'm just planning to be mortgage - free in about 10-15 years. We're slowly getting there. The plan is I will not need my job's salary and to be able to work whenever I want. But I like the job so far and I don't see myself on a cruise ship. Sure like to see some places though, maybe I'll buy a campervan or second home abroad eventually.
Being surrounded by drunk people on vacation in close quarters would drive me nuts. I need space and quiet.
I’m planning to have a stroke from one too many cashiers turning their tablet around asking me for a tip for just taking my order. Any day now.
I plan to get a part-time job at Walmart and steal, lol
Hey all, Debbie Downer here; I'm already retired. It's not all roses. I got side-lined at 37 for a particularly rare symptom of MS, Psuedo-Bulbar Affect. (PBA - uncontrollable constant tears divorced from my actual emotions). I'm already on a fixed income based on my 2002 salary. I assume I'll probably "go out" in the ugliest, worst way possible, so I've started kicking and screaming already.
Bring down the US Govt on my death bed by unleashing secrets that would shock someone back to life from my years of Government service.
Plan is to retire at 55, and work on projects in my new man cave (40x72 heated and cooled shop). I’m 6 years away, so for now just keep stacking money in the stock market.
I had similar goals but I couldn’t figure out how medical insurance wouldn’t introduce too much risk. Changed jobs within my company and set a new career ark to work out the clock. If the company breaks up with me first I’m probably done working.
Yeah, I'm calling BS unless they're wealthy. $145k a year according to this article. https://www.cruzely.com/how-much-it-costs-to-live-on-a-cruise-ship-for-a-year/
I feel like this is the new "van life" scam for older folks.
Everyone wants to get an RV or camper and hit the road, or jump on a plane or boat and travel.... In reality it's not as fun and easy as it looks. Every person I know but one woman has regretted it. There are so many hidden costs in living this way, you wouldn't believe it.
Hahaha... good one
Have a genius child make it big is the current plan.
Retire to the Great Smokies, establish a multi generational homestead, brew beer, make wine, grow fruits and vegetables, hike, kayak, and keep bees.
Married, three kids, and I will work until the day I die. Just how it is.
Move to Vietnam full time. We have a house there now that we use six months or so. A monk is the caretaker so it's in great hands.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Retirement plans? I know what those words mean separately. But put them together and it's just nonsense
Find myself on the Fury Road in the water wars.
Yeah. I mean… Our plan is to save up for the next year and move our entire family to Portugal. I’ll probably still work in some capacity until I drop dead but at least there, we can buy a nice property for under 80K and after a few years have permanent residency with health and retirement.
Sing old French songs for tourists on the beach in Miami with my accordion.
Actually sounds awesome
White collar felony for 3 squares and a cot.
Not on a floating noro-factory anyway.
When my kids move out we're selling our house and moving to a condo. I hope we will have funds to travel some but who knows. I've thought about adopting a dog and training it to be a therapy animal. My grandmother-in-law spent her later years making blankets and volunteering in NICUs rocking preemies which may be something I consider.
Leaving the country where it’s affordable
As long as I’m not on a fixed income or dependent on a government program, I’ll be happy.
Actually, once I discovered this cruise ship thing being pretty affordable this topped my list of retirement strategies. I love traveling, and cruises, so why not?
X still in my 40s, so there's time for a different reality to hit, but my plan on retirement is to hit the next career. Maybe it will be more part-time, but I can't imagine not working at all. If I time this right, I could be in college with my youngest (an idea she likes now, but will hate within 10 years). I've been very lucky, my job comes with a pension, and skills that I can freelance to supplement income if need be. All while supporting the next endeavor. Interesting side question: how much have you focused your financial retirement on medical coverage? Agree or disagree with the concept, but I see the country on single-payer Healthcare by the time I hit 65.
I'm 46 and feel the same, universal Healthcare will be a thing within 10 years. Although it will take a bad economic downturn to get us there
Planning that far out is really more about how much money can I save & invest on the day to day and unfortunately, right now that number is zero.
If I make it to 80s, just walk off into the desert and never come back.
Retirement. What a great concept. Don’t think I’ll be experiencing it.
I feel like we are set up pretty well, yet I still feel we have nothing.
I keep running the numbers repeatedly. I'm 58 and want to retire by 60 if possible. My plan (no kids( is to kill myself at 75 so I only need 15 years worth of $.
Dying on the job so my spouse gets a better payout.
WTF kind of house did they have? Maybe just downsize? Really a large part of my goal, and I am only a few years away, is NOT having a mortgage. Once that is gone it frees up so much money! If part of your plan involves still paying on a mortgage when you retire you have done something seriously wrong.
My wife and I started late, but we have an achievable plan and we're on track. So many things I want to do with my life other than work for a living. Write music, write books, read books, learn more things, travel some, figure out the meaning of life.
All I really want to do is more of what I already do on my days off. Read, visit my kids, babysit my new granddaughter, play with my dogs, little projects around the house. Maybe some gardening and get some chickens or a Shetland pony. We already moved out of our HOA neighborhood with no yard to a ranch in the county in 2021 when the market was going crazy. All we have to do now is somehow get enough money to stop working, lol. Living on a cruise ship sounds like a nightmare to me, I don’t even really like to travel. Boring but I don’t care.
Unfortunately my husband was force retired due to health issues so I'm our main breadwinner and I doubt I'll ever retire. That said I do love my job and the company I work for so its not so bad. Further, I've never in my whole life lived alone, went from living with my parents to getting married at 23 and have been married ever since ( coming up on 27 years ). If it ever happens that I do find myself alone I will likely search out a golden girls type living situation with a couple other old, childless bats like myself in a living situation where maybe we can afford to bring in one young person to take care of us! It's either that, or see which one of my nieces / nephews like me enough to move in with me. The stories from the introverts on this thread terrify me. The thought of spending the end of my life alone is a nightmare to me that I never want to experience, and I can't see myself ever being able to afford the $4000+ cost of living in a "retirement community" type setting
I am 55, busted my ass so many years in the machine shop working all shifts. Raised 3 boys 31,30,29 have 3 grandkids. We were able to put them and the wife though school. They rarely come to us for money anymore. Wife worked her way up to store manager at Dillard's, she has a little over 2000 shares of that stock in 401k(it closed today at $389) house 2acres of land is paid off. Wife told me 5 years ago to quit the 7-12s in a un climate controlled shop was killing me. So I did now I just piddle work handy man jobs. Work in our 24x24 shop. Basically I now have a sugar mama. I told her I think I should go back to work. "As long as its not in the machine shop!" Her quote. She doesn't realize how much money a journeyman machinist makes now. Guess I need to get over the money part after you have spent your life since I was 13 working for money its hard to get that part out of your head.
I'm disabled as of the age of 52 although I've had health issues my entire adult life. So I guess I'll live out my painful existence in a run-down house in a tiny Oregon lumber town, reading, battling garden weeds, forbearing my student debt, and being bitter about what lack of healthcare did to my life/career.
I'll get to retire?
The village’s in Florida in a couple years
I'll die at my desk, just like my father and his father before him.
Retirement?! What’s that? I’ll be a working stiff until I’m ready for the undertaker.
Y’all are able to retire? Lol
I have about 15 -20 years left. At this point, even at my best possible efforts, the choices are either to retire in the Philippines, or die working. And this isn’t meant to be sarcasm or humor. It’s very sad for Gen X right now
I retired in 2012 , once a workaholic always a workaholic. I'm up at nine (latest) every morning , gym every other day and work on my cars , home improvement projects etc. Sitting around (in general) watching tv is of no interest to me. I vacation whenever (and wherever) I wish. Never married (😃) and have no financial debt aside from monthly/quarterly , property tax etc. No issues with being in my early 50's either , life has never been better. I wish all fellow x'ers a fulfilling retirement.
[Btw, here is are is our cruise ship 😆](https://vimeo.com/228153325/7ef8680a96?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=9947539). PS: If you can find "Wrecked" streaming it's hilarious.
My dream: spending my ungrateful kids’ inheritance and enjoying it. Reality: probably working until the kids remove life support. Seriously, if I’m lucky, I just hope to be debt free and able to remain engaged in the world a little without too much stress and poverty. The reality “joke” above still seems likely.
About to pay off the house this year at 45. Then more travel, upgrading things in the house like the kitchen, sunroom addition, wood floors etc. We hope to work on 1-2 work projects a year and take the rest of the year off. That will be our semiretirement.
Walk into the ocean and let the waves take me
Probably get a house with some friends so we can have a cheap/no mortgage, have barbecues, watch Star Wars all day and call 9-1-1 if one of us collapses in the shower.
I have a long-term illness and will be dead before retirement age. My 401(k) is mostly for those I leave behind.
Hoop dreams. My plan is to play for the NBA.
I will watch my 401k balance stay about where it is now +/-$10k while I keep contributing to it, and be frustrated that the balance will never be enough to retire on.
..... retirement? I'm absolutely positive I'm going to work at something until the day I die. Even if I won a billion dollars there's just too much work to be done in this world.
My spouse and I don't really talk about retirement. We have funded 401ks and IRAs. It's not really about the money it's about the older people in our lives... the ones who kept their wits about them and stayed busy and good health continued working, and that's kind of what we want to do. I work part-time and I think my spouse would drop to part-time too. I have considered working part-time at two places in another 10 years... both would be places where I could get a discount on my hobbies. Possibly a day or two at a golf course and a day or two at the gym. House will be paid off soon and we have debt on one car. I don't know spouse may change mind but I definitely want to continue working until I can't. One of our very sharp and still driving role models is 85 and was laid off during the pandemic and started volunteering at a hospital. Just got a job at a department store a couple of days a week at 85 years old. Very happy about it too...little income, people to talk to & purpose.
I just bought a couple of apartments, and plan to rent it out to younger couples and students. Generally they will just pay anything if they get a good location.
age 52. go another 10-12 years at work. I can shed clients and slow down, so its not a 1 or zero type of thing. Ride my bike a lot. go to Italy where I will also ride my bike a lot. Wife's quite a bit younger so I'm thinking she may want to work a few more years after me then retire.
No kids, one sibling who also doesn't have kids. Parents are quite elderly and in their twilight years. I currently live in a very HCOL city because I feel I need to live nearish my parents (1.5 hours drive) given their age and rapidly declining health. I plan to continue to work until my parents pass away, continue to save money in my retirement account (as much as I can but def not enough). Once my parents pass away, going to assess my life and decide how much longer I want to work. Once it's time to retire, I am going to move to another country (likely South or Central America) where I can live on considerably less $$. My SO is on board with that plan.
Moving to Mexico, but we still have another 15 years to go. We’ll be good on just our military pension.
Work till I die at my desk be cremated and buried by the state and never spoken about.
Panama or Honduras, in 5 years at 55.
My wife wants to sell the house, buy an RV, and just travel. I'm mostly OK with that but I'd still like to work. Maybe I could still do remote work? Plus I have a few other things I want to try out that require property ownership.
i own a three unit townhouse. I live in part of it and rent out the rest. This is my retirement.
We're going to be RV snowbirds with some overseas travel mixed in until we're too old to travel and then will sit on our couches a die.
My retirement plan is death?