On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 07:44:56 GMT, "Bill Kiene"
wrote:

Hi All,

I was wondering how many people here are retired?

Any words of wisdom about preparing for retirement from the older retired
crowd?

I want to retire so I can go boating more often.

Yes. Find something to do. I have picked substitute teaching as a
means of staying as busy as I want to be. During my first six months
of doing nothing, I almost went totally bananas.

You can only fish and mow the grass so often. Also, most of the people
in this group sleep at some time of day, so you can't depend on a
good argument carrying you through 48 hours at a time.

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Retired?

Um, yeah, I guess so.... If you call being retired from the military, actually
"retiring". But with my teeny retirement pension from the Coast Guard, I
couldn't live off that and support my family. As it is now, it pays my
mortgage with a little change leftover. So, I stepped into the civilian world
and got a job, a whole new career, and at 42 years old, I still have a long way
to go before I retire!

Butch Ammon

My case is a bit different than most of the posters. 16 years ago, I
was hit with a severe hearing loss and being in sales, meant I had to
take the company disability package and get out. Which I did. I really
bit the bullet for the first year, but with SSA and my company
disability pay, I got along better than I had expected. The big break
is that taxes go way down. I concentrated on getting my outstanding
debts paid off. (House, car, etc) I even found room in the budget for
a small boat, my beloved 21 ft. Bayliner.....
The first year was frustrating, I had been in the work force since I
was 15 and found it hard to not get up and hit the road every morning.
But, by the time I was legally able to take a job (age 65), I no longer
wanted to give up my time. Age and infirmity has robbed me of most of
my boating/fishing companions, so I will probably give up the boat this
spring. Perhaps go to a small (15 -17) footer for fishing. Good
luck and enjoy your retirement.

Norm

I am semi-retired. After the last layoff, tried to retire (I am 60) but got
bored. So not wanting to commute to the Silicon Valley anymore, I got my
contractors license and do small jobs that bring in some money, and keep me
alert. My mother just turned 89 and she still works 1 day a week as an RN
at a convalescent home. Does not need the money, but keeps her interested
in the world, and helping out. The fact I am self employed allows me to
take trips when I want to. You can only boat and fish so much locally. So
buying a new diesel pickumup and a camper so I can tow the boat to BC and
fish Lloyds region and other distant venues. Maybe you can do some fly
tying classes for the local adult school or a fly shop. Seminars, sort of
like Jay Fair. Also get involved in some charitable work. Have to keep
some outside interests oor you get old quick.
Bill

"John H" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 07:44:56 GMT, "Bill Kiene"
wrote:

Hi All,

I was wondering how many people here are retired?

Any words of wisdom about preparing for retirement from the older retired
crowd?

I want to retire so I can go boating more often.

Yes. Find something to do. I have picked substitute teaching as a
means of staying as busy as I want to be. During my first six months
of doing nothing, I almost went totally bananas.

You can only fish and mow the grass so often. Also, most of the people
in this group sleep at some time of day, so you can't depend on a
good argument carrying you through 48 hours at a time.

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!