Retirement

[RichA]

Half day a couple of times a week at the local dog rescue. 8 kennels to clean out one at a time. The dog(s) in that kennel go in the run for around 15/20 mins per kennel, and then get 5-10mins of my time playing with a ball. Some dogs take a while to understand what playing is.

Then feeding them, some of which have special dietary needs and some need meds. Then for those that are nearing adoption it’s training on a lead, sometimes with another dog as they’re taught to socialise.

Physically tiring without being too difficult. The special feeding and meds, along with the training and socialising needs enough brain power without it being taxing.

Our local rescue centre was the first place I looked at. They want volunteers, but only for cleaning up . It apparently takes months before volunteers are allowed to graduate to feeding and walking duties.

I'm sounding quite fussy and I guess I am. As much as I want to do something, I'm not willing to submit myself to being an unvalued dogsbody.

 

[nickjdavis]

I retire at 55 in December.
I definitely don't want a second career and don't need a proper salary but would like to do something maybe a couple of days per week. 55 feels too early to just walk dogs, play golf and drink coffee in the garden all day every day, as appealing as it is.
Looked into volunteering but most of it seems to be the scut work that they can't find anyone willing to do for minimum wage; why would they think an early retiree would want to clean their community centre's toilets for free?
Anyone gone through the same process and found a rewarding part-time job?
Ideally I'd like to help out a local small business, younger guys trying to make a go of it, just helping with admin and practical tasks but having been with the same employer for nearly 30 years I have no clue where to start.

One of my mates volunteers for a local charity....driving a van doing furniture collections...obviously there is no pay...but it keeps him active and out of his wifes hair for one day a week.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Being retired you tend to lose track of time very easily. Apparently it's 2025 now and we are already in the month of march.who knew

Just back from my club after a bite of lunch (Mrs Me is working today) - and I'm surprised it's already 14:30...

 

[NearHull]

I retire at 55 in December.
I definitely don't want a second career and don't need a proper salary but would like to do something maybe a couple of days per week. 55 feels too early to just walk dogs, play golf and drink coffee in the garden all day every day, as appealing as it is.
Looked into volunteering but most of it seems to be the scut work that they can't find anyone willing to do for minimum wage; why would they think an early retiree would want to clean their community centre's toilets for free?
Anyone gone through the same process and found a rewarding part-time job?
Ideally I'd like to help out a local small business, younger guys trying to make a go of it, just helping with admin and practical tasks but having been with the same employer for nearly 30 years I have no clue where to start.

When I retired (at 62) I thought that I would happen upon volunteer work, but it didn’t turn out that way. After a year or so, I discovered that the Police and Fire Service had an organised system of volunteering. I did it for a few years and used many different skills that I had picked up over the years. The jobs ranged from data entry to play acting as suspects for interviews and initiating 999 calls for training of call handlers to being the project manager for some new initiatives. I was also invited to help out in illegal cigarettes purchases. Very varied. Being ex-Forces , I also found the office humour to very familiar.

Eta. Though I worked one or two days a week, they were aware that if it was a nice day, I would be on the golf course instead.

 

[SteveJay]

I retired at 55, just before the pandemic, so the first year or so was very strange having relocated up North to be near wife's family.

I started taking art commissions during lockdown and built up a nice little business doing pet commissions. I was working as long as I was before i retired at times, but there was not a lot else to do!

I still do some now but not as many as I did (plug - if anyone is interested in having one down, please get in touch!). I also became an exam invigilator for a local school and do that for a couple weeks a year, as well as helping out a friend who is a plumber from time to time when he needs some labour to rip out bathrooms etc.

 

[Golfmmad]

I retire at 55 in December.
I definitely don't want a second career and don't need a proper salary but would like to do something maybe a couple of days per week. 55 feels too early to just walk dogs, play golf and drink coffee in the garden all day every day, as appealing as it is.
Looked into volunteering but most of it seems to be the scut work that they can't find anyone willing to do for minimum wage; why would they think an early retiree would want to clean their community centre's toilets for free?
Anyone gone through the same process and found a rewarding part-time job?
Ideally I'd like to help out a local small business, younger guys trying to make a go of it, just helping with admin and practical tasks but having been with the same employer for nearly 30 years I have no clue where to start.

Have you thought about the National Trust? A friend of mine volunteers and is loving it.

 

[RichA]

Have you thought about the National Trust? A friend of mine volunteers and is loving it.

That's a great shout. I live a stone's throw from Hatfield Forest. Thought it would be a good retirement thing 10 years ago when a retired cricket acquaintance was doing it but I had forgotten.

Also always liked the idea of lawn mowing, hedge trimming and basic gardening for local elderlies which might be resurrected rather than working for somebody else. Not sure if you need insurance these days for stuff like that though, even if you aren't taking money.

 

[Voyager EMH]

For several years, I've kept an eye open for anything that pays £10,000 a day.
I'm a celebrity medical hologram don't you know.
I could do the opening of new science centres, after dinner speaking etc.

Nothing so far.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Have you thought about the National Trust? A friend of mine volunteers and is loving it.

Don't choose the gardens unless you like to spend endless hours weeding.

I had a friend who retired and decided to do a few gardens.
Within a few months he had two vans and employed 3 staff., kept it going for a few years then sold it on.
Nice little earner for him but he worked crazy hours in the summer months.

 

[arnieboy]

I retired three years ago and apart from golf three times a week I volunteer at a local theatre. Meet and greet, security, bar, selling ice creams stuff like that. Probably see five or six shows a month.

 

[Fade and Die]

I retired three years ago and apart from golf three times a week I volunteer at a local theatre. Meet and greet, security, bar, selling ice creams stuff like that. Probably see five or six shows a month.

Sounds pretty good tbh.

Still got 4 years to go…My big boss is trying to get me invested in a potentially lucrative side project/offshoot. Would have excited me 10 years ago, but now I’m thinking “damn, I was hoping to coast in from here”

 

[Robster59]

6 months now till I officially retire. My last day will be Wednesday 29th January. They've finally agreed to replace me and the job was advertised last week. If I'm lucky I'll have 2 months to train my replacement, which may sound a lot but I only work 3 days a week to train them, including the Christmas holidays. And my job is quite involved and a lot to learn.
I know it's not going to be my problem long term, but I did give them plenty of notice and it would have nice to had more time. Still, I'll have been working for over 50 years by the time I finish and been doing this job for nearly 18 so I think I've done my stint.

 

[Tashyboy]

Sounds pretty good tbh.

Still got 4 years to go…My big boss is trying to get me invested in a potentially lucrative side project/offshoot. Would have excited me 10 years ago, but now I’m thinking “damn, I was hoping to coast in from here”

The word there is “invested”.

So the option is lucrative project v Time, yours.

I cannot think of a better investment than yourself, your time.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Yesterday four of us played a reciprocal at Brokenhurst Manor down New Forest. Three of us retired, one of us taking the day off and realising how nice it would be to be able to do what we were doing without any work worries or needing days off. And it was lovely. We had a great day out together.

We’ve been telling him this for ages as he doesn’t need the income from financial or pension perspectives. He talks of his projects and his work responsibilities - and he does like talking of all far away travel he does with work. However things are dawning on him how fortunate he and we are to be in a position to do what we can do.

 

[Robster59]

I've now installed a countdown app which sits on the main screen of my phone showing number of days to retirement - 182 to go!

 

[irip]

I’m now semi-retired.
It’s the best thing I have ever done.
We get to see the kids and grandkids a lot more and get time to just do the things we like when we want to.
Work is also much more enjoyable when you are only doing a bit here and there.
Mentally I’m in such a good place now and often find myself sitting just smiling enjoying a coffee and people watching as the world hurries around in front of my eyes.

 

[Tashyboy]

Yesterday four of us played a reciprocal at Brokenhurst Manor down New Forest. Three of us retired, one of us taking the day off and realising how nice it would be to be able to do what we were doing without any work worries or needing days off. And it was lovely. We had a great day out together.

We’ve been telling him this for ages as he doesn’t need the income from financial or pension perspectives. He talks of his projects and his work responsibilities - and he does like talking of all far away travel he does with work. However things are dawning on him how fortunate he and we are to be in a position to do what we can do.

Am not sure the word fortunate is the right word SILH for his situation. He has got to an age where he has put the years in. Missed out on birthdays etc due to putting the hours in. He is now at an age where others/ you are showing him there is a better alternative to what he has in his later years, where health becomes more and more of an issue. It is not selfish to have some “me time” in later years.
Hope he helps to work it out sooner than later with a little nudge from you

 

[Skytot]

Think I’ve resigned myself I can’t retire next year aged 61 but I think I should be ok to drop down to 3 days a week. Going to speak with a FA in a few months

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Am not sure the word fortunate is the right word SILH for his situation. He has got to an age where he has put the years in. Missed out on birthdays etc due to putting the hours in. He is now at an age where others/ you are showing him there is a better alternative to what he has in his later years, where health becomes more and more of an issue. It is not selfish to have some “me time” in later years.
Hope he helps to work it out sooner than later with a little nudge from you

I do see myself as being very fortunate. I’ve done the years but the throw of the dice have pretty much always favoured me - and many others slog away for just as long - but with less reward and less good fortune. I do not feel that I deserve what I have and am not entitled to it. Perhaps a perspective particular to me, though I suspect not.

Ps…makes it easier to play rubbish thinking I’m fortunate to be playing at all.

 

[RichA]

Just put my my papers in to retire in 4 months.
After factoring in annual leave, wfh and other abstractions I only have to commute into London another 33 times.

New kitchen measured up and ordered from Wren at the weekend. Just need to find a builder/fitter to do the business.

The house will be ready to rehome our long-awaited next dog in early 2026.

All ready to start looking after local lawns and hedges come Spring. MrsA helps run a local dance-fitness class and has already got a list of local older ladies asking how soon I can start.

Looking forward to the next chapter.