Retirees, Those Soon To Be and the Hobby

I just retired last Wednesday - was a long road but I am there.  Will be able to spend a lot more time on the layout.  Hope to finish up many of my partial areas as I like to move around for a change of scenery.

We decided not to downsize , keep the house and pool for the grandkids who love to come over and bring friends and swim for the day.  Have plenty of house projects to do also.  Also get to keep my layout that I have been working on slowly for the past 15 years. There is enough to do on it to keep me busy for a long time. 

Never have been to York.  I will probably put that on my list of things to do.  And obviously will have more time to spend on the forum.  Enjoying already - JP

@Bill Sherry posted:

Never have been to York.

Being only a couple of hours away, you should REALLY put that on the bucket list!

I “pulled the pin” the end of May 2019 following a 40 year career in rail logistics. I loved what I did for 37 of those years till we became overburdened with MBA’s whose every waking thought involved adherence to a process. Suffice to say the last 3 years were no fun! The heck with that!

I was fortunate I was offered a generous buyout which also bridged my medical coverage till I went on Medicare last Fall. As an old industry colleague told me a week or two ago, “after 55 it’s nothing but maintenance”. And this goes to Peter’s comment above; stay physically active, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet! And keep your brain active!

One of the best “mental changes” that came with retirement was that Sunday nights became “just another night”. For many years prior to retirement, Sunday evenings came with a certain combination of both dread and anticipation as I contemplated the week ahead. Sunday nights are exponentially more relaxing now!

As I mentioned above, I loved what I did for a living for many years. One advantage for me in retirement is I have been able to maintain my interest in rail logistics but, that interest is now recreational rather than professional. I’ve also got time now to indulge my other major area of interest - Civil War history.

Retirement is what each of us makes it and so far I have no regrets! 👍

Curt

@PRR8976 posted:

Looking back, when I started this topic almost 5 years ago, I never imagined that it would have over 600 posts and have such interest. Thank you for everyone who chimed in and offered their thoughts. A few posts before, I said that I hope to have less than 2 years now before I can retire, maybe 12-16 months.

I may have also mentioned before that sadly early posters Bruce D. (Electroliner) passed away and I believe also Pre War Pappy, probably some others, too.

In the current horrendous COVID environment, if there is any silver-lining, it helped me to do a dry-run of sorts on what retirement might be like by working 2 days in the office and 3 from home.

Happy New Year and good luck to all,

Tom

Tom - when you first started this post I didn't join in as I had way too long to go before retirement.

While reading everyone's post over the years, I am now down to 45 months. The time has flown by. I could go sooner but we are busy looking for that perfect retirement home.

I know everyone has different circumstances on their retirement options.   April of last year I turned 54.   I was eligible for free healthcare.   I received a little over 50% of what I made as a pension.   Between the different deductions I paid while working and the amount I was saving, I actually saw more money from my pension check than working.   I was tired of the stress.   Every vacation I got call after call.   Nights and weekends.   I now work part time for them.   Now they’re afraid I’ll leave so I’m treated differently.   I don’t get the calls.  I don’t feel the stress cuz I can walk anytime.  Down 45 pounds since October.   Every once in a while I’ll be driving down a country road, a certain song will come on, and I feel like I’m 18 again.  Retirement is that **** good.  I can’t believe how much I’ve changed from that kid after I started working, and I want to get a little of that back.   Don’t wait for the perfect anything…go when the numbers work.   Life is short.  

I was self-employed for 35 years and retired last year. Over that time, I played with trains, as I did before, during and after. Retirement means re-inventing myself, perhaps doing teaching.  Trains never left my agenda. Mark

I’m now in the home stretch. 11 months and counting!  Can’t wait to join all of you.  

@Sean007 posted:

Tom - when you first started this post I didn't join in as I had way too long to go before retirement.

While reading everyone's post over the years, I am now down to 45 months. The time has flown by. I could go sooner but we are busy looking for that perfect retirement home.

Sean,

  Good for you that the end is in sight/the headlight is at the end of the tunnel...45 months seems doable. Good luck.

  I've said this before that there is a good book to adjust to retired life if you have not read it. I have no interest in the books sales, just to help others here. The book is "How to Retire Happy Wild and Free" by Ernie Zelinski. For those of us that had rigid 9 to 5 work lifestyles, I highly recommend it. It is an easy read and last I knew you can get it as an Audible book.

Tom

@juniata guy posted:

I was fortunate I was offered a generous buyout which also bridged my medical coverage till I went on Medicare last Fall. As an old industry colleague told me a week or two ago, “after 55 it’s nothing but maintenance”. And this goes to Peter’s comment above; stay physically active, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet! And keep your brain active!

One of the best “mental changes” that came with retirement was that Sunday nights became “just another night”. For many years prior to retirement, Sunday evenings came with a certain combination of both dread and anticipation as I contemplated the week ahead. Sunday nights are exponentially more relaxing now!

Retirement is what each of us makes it and so far I have no regrets! 👍

Curt

Curt, you are right.

All of my ailments can be attributed to ‘wear and tear’.  Maintenance is absolutely necessary!  I did leave a one item go a little long before seeking medical advice.

I called it the Sunday Night Blues!!

Mark

I was fortunate to be able to retire a few years early and continue my health insurance at the employee rate, so I jumped at the chance - I miss some (not all) of the people, but I don't miss the work itself or the political gamesmanship.  I haven't missed going to work for even a minute since retiring about 3 months ago - glad I did it while I'm healthy enough to do whatever I want.  The little white ball has kept me out of the basement lately, but that will change during the winter.

Health insurance costs are the big nut to crack if you want to retire early.  If that's the case for you, an affordable plan might be available on the affordable care act exchange, and you might even be able to qualify for an income-based subsidy.

Don't put it off.

When I retired at 64, my wife was working for the County and had excellent health coverage for us.  It would have been a lot more expensive if she didn't have the great health plan.

Retiring in about 18 months, my work is not stressful and my coworkers are good, but I'm really looking forward to more "train time".

Rich in SD

Odd advice perhaps, bon't don't wish-away a single day of those 7.5 years. They will go fast enough anyway. Like is a gift so enjoy all of it.

I have been retired since 2010. That is when I finally had all of the elements of the model train equation in place:

interest + time + space + money = layout

In fact, having just moved to the model train Mecca of the US, near York, PA, I am starting on my third and likely last layout. Summer time progress is slow because riding a bike or just being out in the back yard is too good to pass up. But, as fall approaches and there are no good football games on the layout will get a lot of my attention. The colder winter days will find me living in my basement.

I like early mornings because I am most cognizant at that time. Afternoon naps are common. Early evening and sometimes late at night I like working on trains. It is always kind of a fun challenge to solve a problem or get some wiring done.

If anybody can tell me about a model railroad club in or near the "Snack Capital of the US" I am all ears....

Michael,

  What state did you move from if I can ask?

Tom

Hey Tom, I moved from northern Pennsylvania near the NY border to southern PA near to Maryland....

Since I posted 6 months ago, I have been winding down my activities with the University, although it was proposed that I again teach in  the Fall.

I do miss the interaction with the students, from the bright-eyed unspoiled first year students to the seniors coming into my office to share that they got a job or got into their choice of graduate/professional school! I used to tell my students that I would do everything, but give grades for free. Making the judgement and entering grades (and attaneing meeting)  is what they pay me for!

Like the good doctor, Peter, my wife is in the same profession, a professor, who is not retiring. Our entire 40+ years of marriage have been spent centered around the University and its cycle of life. Because of my retirement and partially because of the pandemic, we have been able to cook and eat dinner together every evening, something that we had not been able to do since our early days of marriage. We also have caught up on regularly watching some TV together. No longer to both of us head to our home offices immediately after dinner for a few hours to catch up on work.

I have spent more time with Model Trains and Ham Radio than I did in the past 2 decades. Surprisingly, since I am not working in my home office as much, I have not been looking at the forum as much.

Now that we can get out more, I hope to make Amherst Railroad Society meetings when they start up again, as well as other organizations that we are part of.

I still could use some more time for trains.

Lad

I'm easing into retirement and discovering that every day is Saturday.

I have had to rename the days of the week to keep my head on straight.

There's Saturday-Monday, then Saturday-Tuesday, then Saturday-Wednesday, then Saturday-Thursday...

My computer screen needs to have the day of the week displayed next to the date to help us lost critters.

I recommend retirement to anybody who'll stop and listen.  Sunday evenings and time itself are indeed completely different in retirement.  My late friend used to say, "The fat paper comes on Sunday, and the rest of the days - it doesn't matter".

Once you create your new calendar and patent it, come my way as I may be easily confused!

Tom

I find I forget what day it is too.  The last few weeks I have had to keep on track though with doctor appointments and PT.  Hopefully that will let up soon.  😄

Guys,

enjoyed reading the responses!  I have been retired for many,many,many moons and every day is a holiday! 😎

I have been playing with trains since about eight years of age & it never gets old!

So as this is my 78th trip around the Sun, I look forward to reading & watching all the activities this wonderful hobby brings.

Rufus

I keep track of the day of the week by having specific coffee cups for each day. For some reason it’s easier for me to remember which coffee cup to use “today” than to remember what day “today” is. 🤷

Curt

@juniata guy posted:

I keep track of the day of the week by having specific coffee cups for each day. For some reason it’s easier for me to remember which coffee cup to use “today” than to remember what day “today” is. 🤷

Curt

😄😄

@juniata guy posted:

I keep track of the day of the week by having specific coffee cups for each day. For some reason it’s easier for me to remember which coffee cup to use “today” than to remember what day “today” is. 🤷

Curt

You keep track of the days?  I stopped when I retired.  Once in awhile I used to when I used to watch TV network shows.  However now I watch them whenever I want using apps instead.

@Mark Boyce posted:

I find I forget what day it is too.  The last few weeks I have had to keep on track though with doctor appointments and PT.  Hopefully that will let up soon.  😄

Mark that is not bad I am still working and I cant remember what day of the week it is at least you have a way to track the days, each morning when I fire up my company confuser I have to look at the calendar to make sure what day of the week it is.. I have been working from home full time since Thanksgiving 2019 so I have the attitude that the job is paying me to practice retirement. At 68 the job is still fun and as log as there are new trains to buy and my wife sewing habit to support I will keep working. Besides Practicing for retirement is almost as much fun as being retired, I think!

@Bill Sherry posted:

I just retired last Wednesday - was a long road but I am there.  Will be able to spend a lot more time on the layout.  Hope to finish up many of my partial areas as I like to move around for a change of scenery.

We decided not to downsize , keep the house and pool for the grandkids who love to come over and bring friends and swim for the day.  Have plenty of house projects to do also.  Also get to keep my layout that I have been working on slowly for the past 15 years. There is enough to do on it to keep me busy for a long time.

Never have been to York.  I will probably put that on my list of things to do.  And obviously will have more time to spend on the forum.  Enjoying already - JP

JP......Come to York......join us for breakfast.......sometime in late September I will reactivate this thread......

https://ogrforum.com/...friday-april-24-2020

Peter

In retirement the days of the week are easy to remember because we get 6 Saturdays and 1 Sunday.

This and I go on a retirement forum. seems like everyone had a office job, no tradesmen. I was a machinist during the heyday of aerospace in southern Calif.

If you find yourself having issues remembering what day it is, might I suggest purchasing a “Retiree’s Clock”???

@chinatrain99 posted:

...snip... Every once in a while I’ll be driving down a country road, a certain song will come on, and I feel like I’m 18 again. ...snip...

Starts with "Take this job ......."?

@Dennis Rempel posted:

This and I go on a retirement forum. seems like everyone had a office job, no tradesmen. I was a machinist during the heyday of aerospace in southern Calif.

After I got out of high school I worked at Howard Aero Service in San Antonio converting WWII Lockheed Lode Stars into executive aircraft.  Top end, 300 MPH.  Later worked at Bell helicopter in the jigs assembling UH-1D's.  They are the one that are always being shot down in action movies.  Don't feel alone.

In my young years, I climbed microwave towers and power substation structures.  I’ve been as dirty as you could imagine with coal dust and fly ash in power stations, also so hot I could hardly stand it up on the furnace.  I have pulled cable through walls and drop ceilings.  I completed my BS in networks at age 48, and finally got the desk job at the telephone company when I was 51.  43 years total took a toll on my knees and back.  I saw technology change from vacuum tubes to logging the laptop into network equipment that I had no idea how it worked.  I was finally forced out with early retirement at age 63.  After 20 months retirement, I’m glad it came to that.

@Dennis Rempel posted:

This and I go on a retirement forum. seems like everyone had a office job, no tradesmen. I was a machinist during the heyday of aerospace in southern Calif.

My paternal grandfather, who I never knew, was a machinist for Bell Aircraft in the mid-20th century. When my dad got the AF Oil Drum Loader 779 with his paper route money, my grandfather made him a duplicate set of oil drums, I assume on the sly. They are indistinguishable from the original.

He also lost the better part of a finger to a work accident. When he would see young children in the neighborhood picking their nose, he would tell them that that is how he lost his finger. There weren't too many nose pickers in the neighborhood.

Retired from my third career as a middle school teacher after 14 years of teaching. Lucky for me that's pension number three, and with that and social security and medicare, well, why wouldn't I retire at 65? Except I didn't: I still teach two classes a quarter as an adjunct at the university. But that still leaves me with lots of toy train time and some extra hobby money to boot. Retirement has been a great deal of fun and I'm loving it.

@juniata guy posted:

I keep track of the day of the week by having specific coffee cups for each day. For some reason it’s easier for me to remember which coffee cup to use “today” than to remember what day “today” is. 🤷

Me too, but they all look the same!  Wait, that's because the previous cups from the week are still in the sink waiting to be washed!

Just kidding...

@Bill Sherry posted:

I just retired last Wednesday - was a long road but I am there.

Congratulations on your retirement!

I turn 62 in January and plan on retiring some time next year, whenever we have fully moved into our new home and I have a decent down payment for my new boat!

Jim

Almost. Was scheduled to on 6/15, but things changed.

Works out for the better, as retirement budget won’t allow for my crazy, spur of the moment, gotta have that locomotive(s). So rescheduling till years end works well. Picked up those two I couldn’t find, and lined up the one last I knew of. I’m done.

ok, stop laughing, it sound good.

Last big purchase will be a Millhouse turntable. Only need to see how big the retirement train room will be.

@Jim M Sr posted:

Picked up those two I couldn’t find, and lined up the one last I knew of. I’m done.

ok, stop laughing, it sound good.

I can't stop laughing when people say such ridiculous things!

@Bill Sherry posted:

I just retired last Wednesday - was a long road but I am there.  Will be able to spend a lot more time on the layout.  Hope to finish up many of my partial areas as I like to move around for a change of scenery.

Never have been to York.  I will probably put that on my list of things to do.  And obviously will have more time to spend on the forum.  Enjoying already - JP

JPLoco--Congratulations on your retirement! I'm hoping to leave June of next year, but that may be flexible, we'll see.

Tom

@Mark Boyce posted:

In my young years, I climbed microwave towers and power substation structures.  I’ve been as dirty as you could imagine with coal dust and fly ash in power stations, also so hot I could hardly stand it up on the furnace.  I have pulled cable through walls and drop ceilings.  I completed my BS in networks at age 48, and finally got the desk job at the telephone company when I was 51.  43 years total took a toll on my knees and back.  I saw technology change from vacuum tubes to logging the laptop into network equipment that I had no idea how it worked.  I was finally forced out with early retirement at age 63.  After 20 months retirement, I’m glad it came to that.

Mark,

We have this type of work history in common. I was in my mid-thirties with a young family when I realized I could not continue working physically demanding jobs much longer. I ended up with a BSEE and a MSCS, but after 25 years of sitting at a desk my lower back gives me trouble so I can't stay on my feet for very long at a time. I can walk for about 30 minutes and then have to sit and let the feeling come back to my ankles and feet. Not circulation issues, nerves are being rubbed. Was it old injuries or atrophy? My orthopedic surgeon thinks it is both. He's already fused my neck and I've had my primary shoulder fixed, my lower back issues aren't serious enough for surgery. The pain of shoulder surgery keeps me from have the other arm fixed, I'll live with a little discomfort. I don't know about you but I can't image what physical condition I may have ended up in.

Getting old ain't for sissies!