15 Ways to Tell if You Are Ready to Retire

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In my life experience, I have determined that the stress and pressures of the day are made up of two parts: work / work related and household family life. For a two year period, I worked abroad with out my family. I had a very demanding 40-60 hour a week job, but I lived in a fully-furnished hotel-type apartment. Transportation, internet, satellite, maintenance, housekeeping was all covered. All I had to focus on was work. It was one of the most enjoyable and relaxing two years of my adult life. On the other side of the spectrum, there was a period in between careers that I was just a domestic warrior. I would get up at 0530 with my wife, drive her to work, exercise at the gym, visit the library, run all errands, pay bills, shop, do some laundry, and then pick up my wife. By the time Friday night came around all the drudgery of life was done and weekends and holidays were fully enjoyed! However, in my normal life that is a compressed balance of work, activities, errands, shopping,etc,etc, etc, every weekend or holiday becomes a time to catch up on house work, organizing the house, maintaining the car, or some other necessity. See, one or the other is easy, but both combined is horrible. So, I think partial retirement it is the way to go. Work two or three days a week, take care of daily chores and then enjoy the four-day weekends and holidays all the time.

Walter Meier 9:22PM July 01, 2010

Will healthcare reform make people more aware of their long-term care needs? http://www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=2809

Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson of WA 1:03PM July 01, 2010

When lobbyists are allowed to pay off the lawmakers, what do you expect will happen? I do what my boss wants me to do, so do the lawmakers. They are told what to do and are paid well for it. Most lobbyist pay off both the Democrates and the Republicans. That way, no matter who wins, they are on the payroll. We get to vote,but we only get to choose which crook is going to get the money. It would be nice if this was not true, but that is the hand we are dealt. The only thing we can do is to figure out how best to play it!

phil theman of OH 10:21AM July 01, 2010

I agree with Gilbert Chapman, the luxury car salesman. I had a chance to see some "retirement" in action. I walk my dog every morning and decided to make stopping at Starbucks a part of the walk. As I would drink my coffee sitting with the "retirees", I was struck by the conversation I was hearing.....it was all in the past tense! I also noticed all the folks coming in and out, some happy, some looking pressed for time, but all having some purpose and a reason to get going. I stopped sitting for the coffee break. I can't see myself ever completely retiring. Some people like sitting and watching CNBC all day or gardening or clipping coupons. I can't speak to what it's like for a female, but in our society, the quickest way to irrelavance for a man is to utter the words, "I'm retired". The whole mood changes and is different. I like what I do. I have been in sales and marketing my entire life with some other interests in real estate and a wholesale car dealership. I might die of something but it won't be boredom.
Nik

Nik of AZ 9:34AM July 01, 2010

In keeping active why not get paid for it as long as you can.
Who knows what it will cost to live next year. Is you money really safe?
Many people just don't have enough set aside for retirement & will have to work.

Floyd Brown of WI 9:28AM July 01, 2010

I was offered early retirement at 58 years of age and did so with a $147 a month pay cut(less than lunch money). Not looking back and enjoying every minute! For those who say they cannot afford to save 25% or more for retirement..I say 'Then I guess you can afford to go to work.' Good luck!

Ron of CA 3:31PM June 30, 2010

Three years ago, at age 60, I found myself with an opportunity to 'test' retirement, and if I didn't enjoy it, I had the option to returing to my profession in the latter part of this year.
Well . . . I accomplished all I wanted to (read 150 fine books, traveled, etc.), and observed the all the old men (and women) in my upper middle class neighborhood who spend 3 hours a day in a garden, watch MSCNBC & FOX, and Scooter Store advertisements and . . . have very little contact with the outside world).
Even though money is 'no problem' for my wife and me, I will go back to work . . . and continue to work until the day I die ! ! !
Quite simply, I enjoyed my career as a luxery car salesman, and have no desire to become a grumpy old man. I love life, and the NEW people I met every day while in the world of commerce. Likewise, I am tired of hearing senior citizens who were never 'on fire' within their chosen fields say they 'burnt out'.
Retirement is terrible, and I pity the vasted majority of people I've observed !

Gilbert W. Chapman of PA 2:24PM June 30, 2010

There comes a time when the rat race is just too much to bare and its time to go smell the roses. I am giving my kids money now, and I plan to die broke..... spend it all since you cant take it with you. Try some Mindfulness meditation and read some good books.... there is more to life then solving other people's problems. Take some time to solve your own.

Ron of NY 10:18AM June 30, 2010

You're a pretty upbeat dude. You must a riot to hang out with.
Look for answers and don't be so cynical....nah...just blame the government....past, present, future. And, by the way, if the "weapons of mass destruction" were there, you'd be kissing Bush's butt. The French, British, and German intelligence agencies all agreed that there was a high degree of probability that Iraq had some form of those weapons prior to our invasion, a fact conveneiently dismissed by the hidsight boobs/blame everyone else folks still out there. In the words of the billionaire pig (now a socialist since has multi billion $$)), MOVE ON. I'm sure your therapist would agree with me.

Jim of NJ 10:18AM June 30, 2010

Typical BS...everybody wants something for nothing and just blame it on 'Bad Government'. Well if you had eaten healthy, exercised, not smoked and attempted to live in a environment that was somewhat healthy you wouldn't need to be worrying about health insurance. But no, 40% of ALL Americans are FAT..!! It's a fact, just look around...you are what you eat and you are a victim of your environment. Barak got stuck with what we have now and thus far I haven't seen any books on how to dig our way out of what was inherited from his mentally challenged predesessor. They start wars, screw-up the economy and bingo...please help me on how to fix it and complete my retirement all you geniouses and experts out there. And please maybe then tell me where the 'weapons of mass destruction' are..??

Rickster of WA 8:08AM June 30, 2010