HI Steve,
Well I've basically been retired for coming on 4 years.
I've found gardening and canning to take a lot of my time,not be too expensive,and I consider it an upgrade to my quality of life. Just last weekend I had a prty for 10 people in my old school house basement as we caned 216 quarts of sauerkraut. I give it away to friends and the elderly who enjoy it being homemade but don't do it anymore.
I fish and I hunt quite a lot. That's not very expensive and we have a freezer full of wonderful food.
I have collected some old cars over the years,and am beginning to work on those and that can be expensive.
Things break and must be replaced,so one never knows when that pops up.
I've wanted to live off the interest/dividends I have saved. So far we've been able to do that.
My wife wants a new kitchen,that will take this years saved dividends and I want a new shed for my old cars that will take next years dividends.
I sort of felt numb the last 4 years waiting for a passion to come up. You know buy a big boat, take up golfing.
It was elusive and nothing "out of the box popped up. We're both quite healthy, but were sneaking up on 70, so a bit of Arthiritis sneaking in.
They say travel when you are young enough to. In most of my working career I traveled 2-3 three nights every week. As a dealer we had NADA meetings 4 times a year - so travel was always in our lifestyle. I've actually enjoyed not having to pack a bag.
Of course we have two homes and that IS a lot of work. As it stands now,as long as we can do it we'll keep going with both. I think 2-3 years and we'll know which house to sell - leaning on staying in Wisconsin full time once my wife has redone the interior - which she has done quite a lot already.
I just think waking up every morning and doing what you feel needs to be done is just fine.
We have everything paid for so we have insurance,and taxes to plan on having.
A stash of savings for a rainy day gives me comfort,but I just act like it is not there.
I hope you find it satisfying and not lacking in any way. Additionally you have kids and a loving family - I'd say you have it well planned.
Heck even a chicken coop with an automatic door. Some guys just know how to live.<smile>
It takes a while to adjust to being by my wife all day. Now when I leave to go work on my old cars I have to check in and let her know where I'm going - so I've adjusted alot from being on the road and buying used cars all over the South.
It's a good wholesome change - I hope you find it very comfortable.
Bob |
