If you are over 60, can you advise me ...

Thank you for the kind birthday wishes and all your great personal stories.

Your replies are encouraging. So much energy! I was not dreading or fearing the future and I am not really the type to be bored either. I already take classes and meet new people, attend cultural events, a little bit of volunteering, a little gardening (although I'm not very good at that, yet).

As I have been a housewife for the last few years, I think I'm ready to work again. I had a professional job that I quit when I had a baby in my 40's. Perhaps that was a mistake. The past few years I would like to have worked but I knew I couldn't go back at my previous level and couldn't face taking a job outside the field where I'd trained. I didn't know if I was unemployed or a housewife, ha. Now I can be retired! Being older seems to give permission to do something completely different.

Sounds funny to want to be retired so that I can take a job. I hope I can find one that pays a little bit.

I think it might be good for DH and I to have separate interests too, else we will get in each other's hair too much. Lockdown has been instructive in that respect.

I love Charleygirl's way of getting a job. I hope that happens to me. . I love YorkLady's advice to crack on whilst you are in good health. There seems to be a consensus about that.

Grandmall, I'm so sorry that your ambitious travel plans didn't work out. I can hear your disappointment. I hope that you find some activities closer to home that will make you happy.

One thing I am a little afraid of is spending too much of the retirement money too early. I have no idea how long I'll need it and I don't want to have financial worries when I am old. I'd like to save some to leave for my daughter.

Went back to university (after being made redundant into early retirement in my 50s), worked for a charity for 10 years. Bought a big, very old rundown house and garden (with DH) and restored it. I have numerous other interests so just cannot envisage being bored or unoccupied for a moment , unless I want to be. I have not been bored in lockdown.

Went on a world cruise and joined the U3A. You could be doing something all day and everyday. Classes and groups to suit all. Meet friends and family. Lovely!

Nothing made me as happy as I was when I was young. I did not know the meaning of 'acceptance' and I do now that I am nearly 90. Acceptance means doing what you like doing and not what is expected of you.

If you are short of money which is the case with the great majority your choices will be limited.

I've just moved to be closer to DC and DGC. No particular plans to do anything, we both had busy working lives and welcome peace, quiet and days with no plans.

I’m busy doing nothing and it’s bliss after years of working full time!

We both retired at 60 and have never regretted it. We packed our bags every winter and headed out to SE Asia to travel and explore for 3 or 4 months. It was easy to make friends and we were invited everywhere we went into schools, groups, etc to hold english conversation classes and we did this for 10 years. The pound was high at the time so living was cheap even in accommodation of an excellent standard. When we were home we spent the time just doing what we wanted, I went to craft classes and joined craft groups. Mr B was into running so that was his social outlet, we also made a point of having a few days away each month and cycling. Now that my health has taken a turn for the worse (I am 73) and insurance is sky high we have no more plans to travel except to Europe for a week or two each year when we are allowed. I would say do what ever you want but don't tie yourself down so you are flexible and can take anything that comes your way.

I used to help the police in a voluntary capacity for quite some time. I used to go out to vulnerable members of the community to make sure they had fire alarms working, nothing to trip up on and a safe place where they could keep spare keys to their house if they lived alone. We also used to advise them about services available to them. I also joined a Probus club and became President and then secretary. They have things to do 24/7 if you want. Line dancing with U3A and scrapbooking were other things, a book group, a poetry group etc. Don’t know how on earth I ever had time to work. Oh, and we travelled all over the world but that has finished now with Covid.Back to travelling round Australia but it is a big country so plenty we haven’t seen yet.

Hutcho one thing I would suggest is don’t worry about too far into the future. Do exactly what you want when you retire. Don’t worry about saving anything for your daughter. This is YOUR time!

My mum was like you and felt guilty if she spent her money on her as she felt she needed to save it for her children! I told her ABSOLUTELY NOT. She had given us everything she could in our childhood and this was now HER time to spend whatever she wanted on herself!

Eventually she wasn’t able to do much so don’t worry about your children, spend whatever you want while you can on whatever you want to. You have earned it.

retiring and spending more time together

I have loved learning to play with the piano, with time to practice. Ian working through classics and Latin A levels with a view to another degree. There is a great retirement education centre near me with loads of courses and like-minded people to go on trips and meet up with. I joined a writing group and do Pilates and dance classes. And I volunteer on the WI committee and on the governors of a local school. The other thing we love is cruising and going off to the seaside. I have never been so happy after 40years of a stressful and busy job in education.

Lovetopaint037

As well as helping out with grandchildren I joined art classes and found that it completely distressed me. I painted anything that meant something to me and everywhere we visited. My grandchildren were painted from the time they were babies. They are depicted involved in various activities including painting as they used my materials. They are now in their twenties and I am still at it!!!

I don't usually talk about spelling errors but this one is open to massive misunderstanding so I hope you mean "de-stressed" and not "distressed"?

Retirement! Bought me a static caravan in a part of the country I love! First year got keys in may and spent 3 weeks out of every month there until December loved it. Then covid hit last year only managed 6 weeks due to lockdowns and so far not been able to go yet but aiming on being there as much as possible!

My story is taking redundancy and crossing off stuff on my bucket list while travelling the globe. It’s bliss jumping off the treadmill and finding a stress free existence and inner peace. Having loads of time to spend with my 3AC plus 5GC. I also walk for miles with friends, am learning Italian and do daily meditation. Ive lost 4 dear friends this past year and now my younger brother has terminal lung cancer, so I’ve had a lot of heartache but it’s making me focus on living my life to the full and enjoying every single moment.

Bought a camera for my 60th. I am now sharing the Chairperson role of the local camera club with a now close friend who I met on my first photography course

Early retirement when we bought a motor boat and sailed canals and rivers in Europe for two years.

Then we bought our present house in an area we wanted to retire to and are enjoying retirement.

Travel has not been possible due to the pandemic, but otherwise life is enjoyable.

Waking up everday.
And a very Happy Birthday Hutcho.

Firstly owning all my time is the bestest thing ever... To be spontaneous and carry spare nicks and toothbrush in case folk say 'stay over'... to enjoy just 'being' and getting pleasure replying when asked 'But what do you do?' responding with 'Live'... you don't have to be busy 'doing' 'being' is what life is about... I strive for contentment and live a life without 'busyness'... I tend my garden of wild plants, watch the bees devour and try not to disturb too much by neating everything up. I cook, walk the woods and forage and take time and not rush and of course The Archers... gone are the rushing, busy times, I love owning my time and just 'being'.

I was on a Family Holiday in Scotland on my actual 60th Birthday. Wonderful time, even though the weather was extremely temperamental - typical Scotland .

On my return home there was a stack of post behind the front door which I eagerly rifled through - looking for ONE envelope in particular ............................ my 'Over 60s Bus Pass' had arrived - www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets-and-pricing/over-60s/

If you're lucky enough to still have these where you live, I'd advise you to make the very most of it!

Incidentally, it gets even better when you reach the qualifying age for the 'National Bus Pass' www.gov.uk/apply-for-elderly-person-bus-pass.

I am 75 in a few months and since I retired have done voluntary therapy work with Children ( I was previously a Therapist)
Now I am a school reader and I listen to children reading .
Its all fun and keeps me
active

I have a list of uk places I want to visit ( and some in Europe) . I just book out of season in a cheap hotel or hostel ( some ate excellent and you can book a private room ) and take my camera. Sometimes I go with my sister sometimes alone. Just do whatever your passionate about, and enjoy your time to do as you like. A little word of warning, don`t let friends/family take over your time. My family did expect a lot of babysitting etc as they saw me as being `retired anyway with nothing to do` lol.

Became an independent consultant with my own company for a few years, then retired and started volunteering with a local hospice. We started travelling and have been to all continents including Antarctica, and had wonderful adventures. The children tease us about 'not another holiday of a lifetime!' We have alsi just gained our 8th grandchild, so that keeps us busy. I have continued my work on a committee of a national computer organisation running conferences for them, and I love craft. Your real life is just beginning! ?

I’m due to retire next year just working part time at the moment. I started writing a bucket list last year, places I wanted to visit in UK and abroad. Things I wanted to do in the house. Places I wanted to take my grandchildren to. Volunteer for dog charity. Start Pilates. Above all don’t take anyone’s s##t. I’ve been so looking forward to retiring it feels like it’s going to be a new chapter. Good luck it’s exciting times.

I'm with the others - retire as soon as you can afford to!
Join u3a and 'live, laugh, learn'; Grow your own food; Take holidays when you can; and write that book you always meant to!

I started reading again