greenini

We left work in '92, i was 43, DH was 47. we intended to get secondary jobs that would have been more fulfilling, but illness struck me, I got disabled and got SSDI and with his pension and our savings we have not worked for pay since.

We have volunteered at the food bank once a week for a couple of years, then quit because of logistics. DH began feeding a dear friend of ours in a nursing home his lunch daily and when our friend died, he continued to feed another lady at that table who had no one to come daily.

I found quilting, we both found camping and VW campers. We shop thrift stores for the fun of the hunt and to save $. We can cook in or eat out, as we live in a huge restaurant friendly area. It's cheaper to eat lunch out. You can go see movies in the afternoon when no one else is there and the tickets are cheaper! If there is live theater, volunteer to be an usher, you get to see the play for free.

Trust me, you'll find your way. It's a good suggestion to not plan too much at first and to rest up well. Maybe start setting up a quilting project or two so that they are ready to go when you retire.
Have fun and enjoy yourself most of all!

Quilterfay

Thanks every one for your responses, please keep them coming. My husband retired 15 years ago so it has been a difficult 15 years, as I wanted to be home as well. He has worked off and on in those years. Right now he is caring for our 2 year old DGD while her mom and dad work.
I worked from home for the last 4 years until we got a new director who made us all return to the office. I had left the office as I could not stand the BS at work and the politics.
I find when I come home from work and on weekends I don't want to have to do anything. No demands. Hopefully that will all disappear once I settle down after I retire.
Quilterfay

MrsGuava

I was like you...afraid as to how I was going to fill up my day.
I had a physically demanding job. It took me about 4 months to feel rested. I belong to a drop in quilt group and i clean our church once a week. I go out for lunch about once a week. I plan yard sales with my grandson. If he is busy, I go by myself.
Last week DH went! (found a Singer 101 in a barn attic!)
I do not read or watch TV as much as I thought I would. I do A LOT of quilting and have a nice shady yard.
One thing to be careful of: saying NO to people. Just because you are loose during the day, some think you want to run errands for them.

May in Jersey

One option is to go back to school, not for a career but for fun. Have you always wanted to learn another language, be a history buff, study art history, photography? DH has taken so many photography and history courses at our local community college that he earned enough credits for 2 AA degrees (he had many credits in other areas also). Now he just audits the classes, mostly photography courses. Since it's a 2 year college courses are limited but he has taken some photography courses several times, each time his professors give him more challenging objectives. You may enjoy student class trips to interesting places, nice to have someone else do the driving and parking.

Pam B

I just turned 55 in July and now qualify for early-retirement from our school system (I teach Kdg). Gosh, what a monumental decision it is going to be!!! I attended a retirement meeting on Weds. I really do not feel *old* enough to be retired and I know that unstructured days are really not good for me at all. I would, however, like the freedom to do some travelling when DH has to travel on business and also to, hopefully, be available to babysit if DS and DIL decide to have children (childcare nowadays is so much more costly than when my children were little). I would also like to be able to do some volunteer work.

I am not saying I will retire at the end of this coming school year but...I am starting to explore it and try to be able to make a wise decision when the time comes.

Barbshobbies

What free time? We still live on the farm we worked on, so every year we cut back a little. This year I gave up chickens, next year the big garden, (still have a little one)
Dh gave up milking cows 12 yrs ago, but has calves and helps out with farming at the neighbors. I mow a large lawn & orchard, I have 1 mini horse, 3 goats, 1 donkey,3 rabbits,2 chickens and a bunch of barn cats. And a big yard full of flowerbeds. And every years it takes us a little longer to do things too. My DH has a surry (with a fringe on top) and a driving horse, that we hardly have time to take a ride.

trolleystation

trolleystation

I have had two jobs most of my life. I retired from the office job 11 years ago, but still have my homemaker job. How is it that men can retire and looks for something to do and we have a never ending list???????

emerald46

There are so many opportunities out there just waiting for you to join in. Don't be afraid to take the first step and get out of the house at least 3 days a week!

isnthatodd

Same here :lol: