I’ve written quite a few posts about the economics of retiring. Today we’re talking about the mechanics. What will I do with all that time?
I was at a retirement party today and the guest of honor, who had just retired was asking me what I do with my days. He’s worked for years, what now?
It’s a great question and one I’ve struggled with and one I’ve heard from many of my retired friends as well as some considering retirement struggling with.
My Quandary
Great word Quandary.
I had my first job before I was 10. My 2 brothers and I managed to acquire all the paper routes in Ryal Side. We delivered the Boston Globe in the morning and the Salem News after school.
Papers were hard work and you couldn’t call in sick or miss a day. I looked forward to turning 16 so I could get a real job that was indoors.
I worked at a restaurant, a department store, I worked for a roofing contractor and in college, I cleaned bathrooms until I could use my networking skills to land a job in the computer lab.
I got an internship for the 2nd half of my senior year and transitioned right into employment. No time off after graduation.
Retirement
And then 35 years later, I’m retiring. I’m 56 and I’ve been working for almost 50 years.
So, I did what all retirees do at that point, I got a job. I started looking before I even left my job and within 2 weeks I was selling used cars. I wanted to try something new, I love cars, so why not? I lasted a few months then I retired again.
Most people I know haven’t gotten a job right away, but most struggle with the “what will I do?” question.
It’s OK Not To Work
This is the hardest part. We need to get over this huge psychological hurdle. Work is what we do. Our job and career is tightly linked to our identity. When we meet someone new and they ask something about us, we often respond by telling them where we work and what we do there.
How do we answer now?
Now we’re retired. And we’ve earned it. I worked for almost 50 years, I’ve saved a good chunk of my paycheck every month during my working years. I’ve invested wisely. It’s OK for me to be done with work.
Tired and Grouchy
I’m basically a nice person (I think) but we all get a little tired and grouchy as we get older.
We don’t feel as good. We have aches and pains. We don’t have the energy we used to. And if we’ve been working at the same place for a while, we may lose patience for some of the people we work with.
Our bodies are telling us it’s time.
But What Do I Do?
OK, let’s say I can get over the psychological hurdle. The question remains, what do I do in the 40, 50, 60 hours that I used to spend working.
Social
Social activities, whether it’s golf, lunch, meeting for coffee or doing something fun, are at the top of my list. I’ve always enjoyed these things, now I have the time to do more. But more importantly, it keeps us sharp. That’s from my doctor, not just from me.
I’m very concerned about Alzheimer’s. My mom has it, her sister had it, and as tough as it is for the person going through it, I don’t want to put my family through it with me.
Staying active socially is very important for keeping us healthy and happy.
Bonus: It’s also very important to hear well. Hearing is closely tied to brain health. I have lots of posts on hearing aids. If you can’t hear well, look into this.
Scheduling
Maintaining a robust social schedule takes some effort. Laugh if you will, but I do spend time and energy lining up activities. Recently, I got in touch with a friend I haven’t seen in over 40 years. We’re getting together for lunch.
Whether it’s coffee with Rich, a trip to Napoli Deli with Tony, Peg’s diner with Mike, or our weekly/bi-weekly golf outing, I spend some time lining stuff up for the coming weeks. Hey, that’s work too.
Home Projects
All that stuff we’ve been meaning to get to…start a list. Watch YouTube. Buy some new tools. Learm some stuff, take your time and have some fun. I put hardwood flooring in a shed – who’d’a thought?
Slow Down
My golf buddies and I joke about how when we lower our expectations, golf becomes more enjoyable.
It’s time to start to lower our expectations.
I don’t need to fill 40 hours this week.
I like to have an event each day. Sometimes it’s finding a new hiking trail and taking the dog for a long walk.
I read more. I look into things I wouldn’t have had time to look into before. I started a blog.
Once I got used to a slower pace, I sometimes end the week not knowing how I didn’t get as much as I’d planned done.
Save Money
It’s a personal finance blog so I’m required to say this. But it’s true. We have time for this.
I shop for car and home insurance every year. It doesn’t take long but it involves finding my current documents, entering stuff online, making some phone calls…But I tend to save a few hundred bucks every time I shop.
Here’s a post on some of the things my wife and I have done to save more. Read here and here.
We wouldn’t have had time for this while working – now, why not?
Some Don’t Have This Problem
I have to mention my wife because she has the opposite problem that I have. She has a million things she wants to do. And she’s good at all of them. She cooks, she makes jewelry, she builds custom shelving and cabinets. She’s built stone patios all over her garden.
She retired last year and hasn’t stopped since. Sometimes she goes out into the yard after coffee and I don’t see her til sundown.
This is awesome. She’s on a mission.
But for many of us, we don’t have that mission. And that can be stressful.
Wrap Up
Many folks feel confident about the financial side of retirement, but the question of what to do haunts many. It can be stressful.
First off, remind yourself you’ve earned this.
Secondly, ditch the expectation that you need to fill 40 hours per week.
Then have some fun.
I spent a good amount of time trying to find the best meatball sandwich. Why not?
Any ideas? Comment below.
Bonus Topic
The greatest thing about retirement is that we are no longer on the 9 to 5 schedule.
We don’t go out to dinner on the weekend. Why fight the crowds? Go Tuesday night. You’re off Wednesday (and every other day – remember?)
Same for golf. Golf on a Wednesday. Easier to get a tee time and lower greens fees.
My dad was a serial returner. He once returned 2 pairs of pants that he’d worn for 2 years. He told the clerk he didn’t like them anymore and he got his money back.
My dad’s secret. Do your returns at 10am on a Tuesday. We don’t work so we’re free. The people at the store have nothing to do – look around, it’s pretty slow. They’re happy to have someone to chat with and often would be happy to do us a favor (we’re old and on a fixed income you know).
My wife will still suggest a bike ride or kayaking or golfing on a weekend. I’m still working on her.