Anyone tempted to hang up their keys?

[Jester]

I haven’t.
Might make it a day out soon as it’s not too far from me.
Thanks.

I grew up in the village down the road so went quite often particularly as a kid. Loved it dream world. also venom/vampire and more since I last went.

 

[vwcaliforniacornwall]

I’m an anaesthetist and 63 this year. I still love my work and plan to carry on until I’m 67. However, I have to restrict my hours compared to what I could do because of the ridiculous taxation system we have. I’m actually worse off financially if I increase my hours - so many in the same position and retiring earlier than they otherwise would do.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I have absolutely no intention of ever working again, we travel 3 months a year, have sufficient pensions to be ok, and as many have said, people get ill and die early, enjoy what ‘well’ years you can. You won’t be lying on your death bed thinking about the time you spent in the office!

Absolutely.
When I went Part Time in 2016 age 38, some people accused me of being lazy and an under achiever.
The truth is, I had a couple of close friends that had died quite young and realised life was too short.
I wouldn’t call myself lazy, I’m a grafter when I’m at work. But I value my free-time over my work time.
I just don’t have the drive to work further up the food chain to gain a status which is of little interest to me.
Different goals.

It’s a fine balance between having to work and needing to work. I realised am happy owning less. Life experiences trump any sort of possession...

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Many people don’t even start working until they finish university so let’s say 23. State retirement age for these is going to be 68 so if they expect a state pension that will be 45 years with majority NI contributions.
A private pension requires contributions and a really good salary.
The other way is to Work hard and save.
I made a very successful business but worked hard to get there taking financial risks but they paid off.
I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and wouldn’t have had it any other way.
The choice is yours.

 

[Vagophile]

The other way is to Work hard and save.

Years ago, on holiday in Spain, I met a Dutch couple who must have been in their late thirties and had occasional drinks with them. One day the conversation turned towards the employment situation at that time (70s). Asked about what he did the Dutchman said "No work; before now, work hard, make PLENTY money!" That always stuck with me.

 

[The Yorkshireman]

After the appeal from the chancellor yesterday for those who have retired early to return to work to bale out the economy, anyone tempted to spend less time in the Cali and more time back at work?

After the appeal from the chancellor yesterday for those who have retired early to return to work to bale out the economy, anyone tempted to spend less time in the Cali and more time back at work?

I retired at 50 after 32 years but went back in a support role despite the additional tax and resentment from some elements of the organisation to ‘double dippers’.
Finally walked away at 55 after a meeting where the PowerPoint of our departments new structure did not include my role.
It didn’t feel like it at the time but it was the best thing that could have happened. I spent time with my elderly parent's, help the kids and have traveled. I’ve also seen to many ex colleagues and friends as my wife puts it ‘not make old bones’.
So ‘Jeremy’

 

[mikej100]

...
On topic, I would happily spend time mentoring (say), sixth form students or similar. ...

I had the same thought when I retired in 2020 and found an organisation that has worked out really well for me and vanning. They seek a commitment to a timeslot for a half term and the beauty is that it's all online, so when necessary I've been able to hold some sessions from the van where there is reasonable mobile signal. They are well organised, supportive of the volunteers and focus on pupils who need a boost. I'd be happy to give more information.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Well this morning I had an early drive to Poole to pick up Des Curtis a 99 year old WW2 veteran and bring him back to Wendover for a signing event at Aces High. Des flew Mosquitos in the war and is wonderful company. I do get a small payment for this but really don’t consider it to be work - more of a pleasure and privilege

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Further to my post a couple of years ago and not really on topic but Des Curtis passed away on Monday a couple of months short of his 101st birthday.
He was a true gent and had an amazing life.
RIP Des.

 

[Perfectos]

Further to my post a couple of years ago and not really on topic but Des Curtis passed away on Monday a couple of months short of his 101st birthday.
He was a true gent and had an amazing life.
RIP Des.

A good innings.

i wonder how many today would do what they did.
lest we forget

 

[Jester]

Further to my post a couple of years ago and not really on topic but Des Curtis passed away on Monday a couple of months short of his 101st birthday.
He was a true gent and had an amazing life.
RIP Des.

Salisbury Hall and Handly Page were my play grounds as a kid but couldn’t decide which I liked best ie the Mosquito or the giant white Victor. As you say RIP

 

[Johnboy]

I worked hard until retirement at 61 - I enjoyed the job and achieved a lot. I could have carried on a few more years.... my pension pot would have been bigger with fewer years to spend it.....

I have since re-trained (myself) and have started making roofracks for Californias and Transporters - best of both worlds. My wife says that I haven't actually retired (I think she's right)

 

[This_one_goes_to_eleven]

I’m hoping to be done at 55 in less than 2 yrs. Will try to get a side hustle going , quite fancy being a cat sitter which combines both Cats and sitting and I’m a big fan of both of those things.

Cant wait to be done with actual work and I wouldn’t be going back.

 

[Saesneg Shaun]

RIP Des. What an amazing life.

 

[BigPritch]

There is no way I could return to the work environment, I wouldn't last a day.
I've been retired over 5 years, I don't 'need' to work, so in reality the first person that p...d me off..well....
Also as we are so screwed these days in what we can/can't say, as a teenager of the 70's my PC radar is somehwat way off....
So no...waking up looking out over countryside with the only thought of what to do that day, or where next to go....done my time..

 

[Corradobrit]

Further to my post a couple of years ago and not really on topic but Des Curtis passed away on Monday a couple of months short of his 101st birthday.
He was a true gent and had an amazing life.
RIP Des.

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View attachment 122734

The Mosquito was my favourite WW2 plane as a kid. Made of plywood and with 2 Merlin engines. Highly manoeverable and faster than a Spitfire in a stright line. Underrated plane IMO.

 

[Bellcrew]

The Mosquito was my favourite WW2 plane as a kid. Made of plywood and with 2 Merlin engines. Highly manoeverable and faster than a Spitfire in a stright line. Underrated plane IMO.

Certainly not by the Germans, the famous quote by Goring below, probably.

“It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy.”

 

[Corradobrit]

Certainly not by the Germans, the famous quote by Goring below, probably.

“It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy.”

Obviously a connoisseur.

 

[66tim99]

I’m hoping to be done at 55 in less than 2 yrs. Will try to get a side hustle going , quite fancy being a cat sitter which combines both Cats and sitting and I’m a big fan of both of those things.

Cant wait to be done with actual work and I wouldn’t be going back.

I’ve wondered about getting my drone pilots licence and selling my services as a side hustle when I retire.
Any advice from anyone very welcome

 

[Vagophile]

I’ve wondered about getting my drone pilots licence and selling my services as a side hustle when I retire.

Finding lost pets (usually dogs) by drone seems to be a profitable sideline.

 

[nickb77]

I’ve wondered about getting my drone pilots licence and selling my services as a side hustle when I retire.
Any advice from anyone very welcome

I had the same idea but after a bit of reseach came to the conclusion that the market is pretty saturated and many 'professional' drone operators are quitting. With the advent of sub 250g drones, pretty much anyone can become a drone pilot and I hear that estate agents get several approaches each week from folk trying to flog their drone services. It's so easy now that most estate agents can do it themselves anyway. Unless you have some very unique proposition, then chances are you're better just enjoying drone flying as a hobby. I'm away in Ireland at the moment in the Cali and the drone has enabled me to get some amazing shots and have a lot of fun.

 

[Corradobrit]

Most of the YT camper van vloggers have drones and it does add an interesting perspective to the content. Just don't use it too much.

 

[Kimbo]

I had the same idea but after a bit of reseach came to the conclusion that the market is pretty saturated and many 'professional' drone operators are quitting. With the advent of sub 250g drones, pretty much anyone can become a drone pilot and I hear that estate agents get several approaches each week from folk trying to flog their drone services. It's so easy now that most estate agents can do it themselves anyway. Unless you have some very unique proposition, then chances are you're better just enjoying drone flying as a hobby. I'm away in Ireland at the moment in the Cali and the drone has enabled me to get some amazing shots and have a lot of fun.

Got my Drone pilot licence when I retired, have to pilot the wife everywhere now

 

[KevH]

Hang up my keys?
I’d rather shove wasps up my arse

 

[TripleBee]

Hanging them up? I just lay them down when I get home, and I pick them up if I leave with my California.
And from the moment I don't need to work anymore, you will never find me working again, apart from working at home, for myself. I will never work again for any employer as soon as I can.

 

[CaliMac]

Just retired today at 59, feels fabulous I am lucky to have the option.