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Retirement begins in 30 days

Posted on 12/30/25 at 9:51 pm
Posted by Everyday Is Saturday
Member since Dec 2025
4 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 9:51 pm
After 30+ years w/company, elected to retire. Worked for same company out of college. Weird but awesome!

The good (great):
- feeling of weight lifted off shoulders
- no pressure to work over holidays
- no work travel to plan
- no major reorganizations to deal with
- no more corporate bs / complexity

Blessed beyond measure: family, health, financials.

For those who have blazed this trail before me, all tips, do’s/don’ts and hints are welcome!
Posted by UltimaParadox
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2008
51599 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 9:57 pm to
Congrats I hope to get there one day.

Hopefully you have some hobbies to keep your mind sharp
Posted by FnTigers
Member since Sep 2021
2548 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 10:04 pm to
I'm not close to retirement, but my dad recently did.

Find stuff you enjoy and stay active. Don't be a couch potato and sit in a recliner for the rest of your life.

Volunteer places. Travel. Enjoy your grandkids if you have em. Most importantly, serve the Lord!



Congrats!
Posted by JohnnyKilroy
Cajun Navy Vice Admiral
Member since Oct 2012
40356 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 10:05 pm to
Congrats baw. Hope to be there soon.
Posted by bigjoe1
Member since Jan 2024
1506 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 10:17 pm to
Take care of your health. You and your wife get in a gym and lift weights and get in some cardio.
If you have your health you have the opportunity to do all of the things you've dreamed about in retirement
Posted by PGAOLDBAWNevahBroke
Member since Oct 2025
115 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 10:17 pm to
Sounds heavenly. I wonder if i’ll ever get there
Posted by wiltznucs
Apollo Beach, FL
Member since Sep 2005
9264 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 10:24 pm to
I spent 20+ years in healthcare; and what I learned there is this. The sooner you get around to sitting around doing nothing, the sooner you’ll be dying. Stay active; both physically and mentally. Congratulations. I hope to join you a decade from now.
Posted by Kashmir
Member since Dec 2014
9741 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 10:59 pm to
Keep moving. Sit down, go down.
Posted by RedMustang
Member since Oct 2011
6917 posts
Posted on 12/30/25 at 11:06 pm to
For me, I felt guilty at first. I had worked my whole life and it was weird not having anything to do. Don’t make any rash decisions and you’ll figure it out as you go along. Find something you enjoy whether it’s work or hobbies. For me, I work three part time jobs, but I can set my own schedule for all of them. I made it a priority to golf with my buddies every chance I get. Good luck!
Posted by Bow08tie
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2011
4534 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 2:27 am to
Even in retirement a man has to have purpose.To still be a contributor

As others have stated stay busy and moving. Do what makes you satisfied. Step out of comfort zone and open new opportunities

Honey do list does dwindle so don’t rely on that…
Posted by wfallstiger
Wichita Falls, Texas
Member since Jun 2006
14771 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:53 am to
Pay it forward

Figure out a way to invest in others the knowledge you have gained...volunteer or part time gig with non-profit.
Posted by LSUmajek
Kemah
Member since Dec 2013
585 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:56 am to
Congrats!

Looking back, what would you suggest for someone in their mid thirties to get to retirement?
Posted by FLObserver
Jacksonville
Member since Nov 2005
15854 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:00 am to
Have the exact date nailed down for my retirement. Just not sure on the timing .
Posted by CenlaLowell
Alexandria, la
Member since Apr 2016
1229 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:03 am to
The problem I'm going to run into is after Hurricane Katrina everyone seperated so I really only talk to my brothers and co workers. Working is going to really hard for me to let go of.
Posted by Armymann50
Playing with my
Member since Sep 2011
22056 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:21 am to
I retired at 56 and purchased an RV to travel at 58. Been to 37 statesso far.
Posted by Everyday Is Saturday
Member since Dec 2025
4 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:03 am to
quote:

Looking back, what would you suggest for someone in their mid thirties to get to retirement?


First, Compound interest (1+k)^n is 8th wonder of world! We started immediately. Never stopped (even / especially in the “black swans” eg, 2008-10 Mortgage / Junk bonds bubble).

Recommendation: if not already doing so, buy assets that generate cash (eg, etfs/mfs - dividends) that will generate cash…on and on. I cannot amplify this enough! Take advantage of time to compound your cash. In your 30’s you have plenty of time ahead. Use it.

Second (related but moreso is mindset),
Income - Savings = Expenses. Our lifestyle followed Savings and not the other way around.

Recommendation: Live below your means. Pay your future self first. They will thank you more than you may realize.

Note - this is not to suggest FIRE / spartan lifestyle at all…we lived a very nice lifestyle but it was determined only after our investments were made.

Speaking particularly to those who seem convinced that 2 $80k+ vehicles in their 3-car garage w/golf cart, Ruth’s Chris lunches and multiple Disney trips per year while kids are drenched in Lululemon clothes…after private school and daycare, are lifestyle necessities. And they prioritize these before their savings/investments, if saving at all.

Recommendation: Don’t let others dictate your financial dependence/independence. The Joneses are not in control. You are.

Third, we did not chase the shiny returns. Generally speaking, strongly believe most will not beat the market over time. Therefore, we were not fancy. Invested in low cost broad market Index funds (eg, VTSAX, VTIAX). We did have mag 7 individual stocks, to supplement / not core. cumulatively the broad market returned 22X over 30 year career. That was good enough for us!

Objective was to create the financial independence that enabled us to have options to control our time / not be dependent on having to work. Blessed to be here!

Starting retirement at 55 and NOT have to live what inevitably would have been a miserable next 18 months in my final role. Thankful to have had the choice to say no to that.

If we can do it, most can do it.
Best of luck to you!
This post was edited on 12/31/25 at 8:18 am
Posted by fallguy_1978
Best States #50
Member since Feb 2018
53127 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:11 am to
quote:

Have the exact date nailed down for my retirement. Just not sure on the timing

I'm shooting for 60. It kind of depends on how our investments perform and if we can get our house paid off by then. I don't think the latter will be much of a problem.

12 more years or so if everything works out.
Posted by WhiskeyThrottle
Weatherford Tx
Member since Nov 2017
6978 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:28 am to
quote:

Starting retirement at 55 and NOT have to live what inevitably would have been a miserable next 18 months in my final role. Thankful to have had the choice to say no to that.



I thought Warren Buffet was posting here for a minute until you said this.

Congrats man. Your investment strategy follows the KISS method.

I've been with my company for 19 years now. I am indifferent on if I stay here until retirement or if I move on. I do enjoy the routine of what I have worked into but I also have a bit of an urge to move on with the offshoring and layoffs that have happened over the last 3 or 4 years. But we'll see where the wind blows.

What are some retirement goals that you have? Wanting to golf more? Travel? Take up different hobbies?
Posted by Everyday Is Saturday
Member since Dec 2025
4 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:53 am to
Thanks!

quote:

What are some retirement goals that you have? Wanting to golf more? Travel? Take up different hobbies?


To be completely open, have not yet figured that out!

Not a hobby guy (golf, fishing, hunting).

Have always been into health & fitness so will keep on keeping on there but with retirement twist (more hiking / extended outdoor activity events since will have more time).

“Second honeymoon” with wife as we are now empty nesters. The little things are big things stuff…projects together, Netflix nights, cooking, etc. Hoping she will join me above sometimes. Also some apart time will be factored in to keep us from killing each other!

Have kids out of state so will be traveling to be with them now and again. One plays college football so our “vacation” budget is his games.

Live music will be a feature. TBD on details.

Giving it 1 year to figure it all out and get into a retirement rhythm.

Welcome ideas, do’s / dont’s and appreciate all above. Some good ones!
Posted by HC87
Coastal NC
Member since Dec 2014
5506 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 9:07 am to
quote:

Hopefully you have some hobbies to keep your mind sharp


Staying mentally and physically active are essential to enjoying retirement and the fruits of your labor.
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