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Post by KarenN on Apr 9, 2014 13:00:44 GMT -5
Ted and I have been discussing lots of options for a "semi-retirement." I am one who has a hard time not working, so I'm planning to stay in my job or field as long as possible, at least till 65, so another 10 years. I have a decent 401K built up and Social Security should still be there for me. Ted starts drawing his this year (HOW did that happen?) But what with the new store/business/his ministry - it won't look much like "retirement"! LOL
We are looking at Cimmaron NM (very horse friendly) as a retirement/vacation option. For us it would be the opposite of snow bird, though. OK winters are relatively mild, the summers are brutal. So we'd take our summers up in the mountains, winters at "home."
Our other alternative is to invest in a vacation rental in Belize with my dad and his wife. We'd buy a property there that we could live in part of the year and when we're not there, it would be rented out to cover costs. Probably not the most "horse friendly" option though.
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Post by Idaho Linda on Apr 9, 2014 14:15:38 GMT -5
Karen, Suggest some summer day that you come visit me. Fly into Spokane and I will pick you up. Summers in North Idaho are absolutely wonderful. And, I think I live in one of the best parts. I only put up hay for one day. It can be picked up in a couple of hours. All the rest of my hay is delivered in round bales as I need it.
Come on up and take a look. Make it a mini-vacation. It rarely gets over 90 during the day and the evenings always cool down at least into the 50's. I would love to have someone to ride with.
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Post by Idaho Linda on Apr 9, 2014 14:28:56 GMT -5
Oh, did I mention--no poisonous snakes? The garter snakes in my garden are probably the only snakes you will see.
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Post by Sheryl on Apr 9, 2014 16:49:14 GMT -5
So, I realize that everyone has a different definition of "retirement". For me it means the possibility of quitting work that I do primarily for pay... to free myself up for significant lifestyle change. That might mean alot of different things to different people - it might mean eventually opening a business, being more active in the community or just doing more of what I enjoy. I want a very active retirement and to be honest, I am the kind of person who probably runs a little hot and could learn to relax a little more... I want a slower pace and I want it to be people and animal focused but again very active. I don't get bored, I am not the type to sit around and vegatate. Yes, I love travel, culture, shows, going out and other things - but at the end of the day i am more interested in relationships and quality of day to day life than big ole trips.
I have saved aggressively and live modestly (well, as modestly as a horse person can!). It is true that I cannot begin to collect certain benefits such as social security or my pension for a good long time, but I can start collecting from most of my assets in 5 years...and some of them even sooner. I am working on a financial plan right now - so I don't have an exact target date yet.
Another benefit I have is that since I work remotely, I can actually start living some of this lifestyle (if I do figure out how to snowbird with horses) before I retire. I am not sure I will do that, but it is a possibility. I am single which has advantages but also means i need to think hard about the social aspects as no matter what... I am going it alone.
So, some of you will take this as being morbid, but i am just being practical. My only full blooded sibling died at 39 from breast cancer. My mother got malignant melanoma cancer in her 40s and eventually succumbed to it's impacts at 72. Her mother died of cancer in her 40s. Genetics don't determine everything, but I don't come from a line of female relatives that lived to be 100....
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Post by DorothyB on Apr 9, 2014 20:52:16 GMT -5
I can begin taking my pension immediately (although at a reduced amount).
Yes, being single has both advantages and disadvantages.
I'm also trying to figure out how retirement is defined for me. It is neat that you can "practice" some before really taking the retirement leap. Please let us know how this progresses!
I'm looking forward to retiring early while I'm still physically able to do many things that I might not be able to do at age 65.
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Post by MJ on Apr 13, 2014 18:08:26 GMT -5
Our retirement plans were going to be to build a house on property at Golden Hills, but with situations that have happened in the past year to year and a half, we will probably have to stay where we are with smaller excursions. At least I have him here with me and that is worth a lot.
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Post by Frostym on Apr 14, 2014 16:28:41 GMT -5
Amen to that, MJ. You are so blessed to have him still with you. My DH never got to "retire." He was looking at more and better work than ever when he got sick. But that's the way he would have wanted it. I stay busy managing his (our) estate but I'm blessed to be my own boss so me and the boss get along pretty well. I love where I live, close to family and friends. Here's where I'll stay.
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Post by MJ on Apr 14, 2014 18:59:31 GMT -5
I'm glad you are happy where you are Frosty, family and friends around are so very important.
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