Retired People: What Surprised You?

[tirolski]

I was hoping to hear about lifestyle things, not really money.

Everyday is a blessing.

There’s not a lot of need to be in a hurry.
Plan yer time to take advantage of weather windows for outdoor fun stuff or chores.

Enjoy & help yer family, friends, neighbors and folks ya meet & greet along the way.

Dogs age much quicker than we do.
Ya can learn a lot about life from being with dogs.

 

[ciscokid]

Wow great thread, didn’t realize so many here are retired.
I’ve had a couple adages I’ve stuck to for decades, “money comes and goes, time just goes”. And “don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today”.
We don’t know how much time we have, live life to the full.
I’m glad I made 8 yearly western ski trips in the nineties when I was in much better shape and costs were more affordable, made decent $ and didn’t worry about getting hurt.
Unfortunately my wife wanted nothing to do with skiing. But she loves golf so that is our pastime. She also has to work 3 more years before Medicare, I took SS at 62 as she had me on her health ins.
8-9 months of the year I’m busy golfing but skiing has waned unfortunately. It’s still 4 yrs off but I’m looking forward Lord willing to FREE skiing at Nubs Nob @ 70.
I don’t have a whole lot of suggestions, just enjoy your loved ones, each day is a gift. I’m thankful for my wife of soon to be 43 yrs, my daughters, 2 great son in laws and 7 grandkids. What price can you put on two of your teenage grandsons giving you a hug and them telling you they love you on Christmas? Priceless!

 

[jasonwx]

My husband and I work with a good financial planning group. The advice I got was to go ahead and start Soc. Sec. payments sooner rather than later. Meaning a few years before age 70. So I did. Since we have other retirement income, that money helps my ski trip budget.

i'm taking ss next year at 63... my financial planner aka my wife has it all planned out

 

[Peter Minde]

In an ideal world, I would have delayed taking social security. But my personal trining biz cratered with the lockdown.