I want to retire

Both my mam and dad worked. One day my mam said, "I've had enough of working. I've worked most of my life since I was 14 and when I wasn't working for money I was raising children. I've done my share." And that was it. She handed in her notice. I think that's how it is. Some people want to stay in work and others know when they've had enough. If, like my mam, you're in the financial position to retire then go for it. Life is too short and health too precarious to continue to do things that don't make you happy if you don't have to.

Perhaps when your husband realises how happy you are in retirement it might it seem more appealing to him.

Thanks PERRIN, I'll have a look at that website.

Thanks vampirequeen. Everyone we meet who has retired loves being retired. I've started finishing at lunchtime on a Friday which is a start.

Good for you gretel, enjoy your Friday afternoons

Retire as soon as you can, together. All our plans for retirement gone with the click of the fingers when my husband died at 60. He had never been ill, could out walk me and it came as a bolt out of the blue. So as long as you can afford to retire I would, I would even downsize to achieve it. I used to ask my husband to give up work we could have managed, but no he wouldn't, just another two years he would say.

Thank you Smileless2012.

Luckylegs9, sorry to read that your husband died at such a young age. It's so sad not to have any retirement time together.
Hopefully by the middle of next year we will be working two days a week.

You are now taking Friday afternoon off, could your working day not be shortened- eg if you work 9-5pm now, for a month or two could that be 10-4pm and slowly shorten the days or take a whole day off mid week now and again.

Good idea Charleygirl. Gretel might have to get tough with her DH. Once my knee is better I could recall the battling Grans regiment and we could march down and 'discuss' it with him if that would help?

Thanks Jane10 that made me smile. Did your knee surgery take place on time and if so how is your recovery going.?
Charleygirl, that sounds like a good idea. The phones are usually quiet before 10am and after 4pm and we do have an answerphone.

I feel your pain! I'm 67 next week and still work full-time. I enjoy my job but confess that by the end of the week I'm exhausted. I have a busy job which is all go with only 30 mins for lunch.

I have some crafting hobbies I can only do at the weekend but by the time I've caught up on the housework it doesn't leave much time for me. Himself is home all day, works a couple of hours in the evening but that's all.

We have a mortage which will be paid up next year. He has two small pensions which pay the mortgage and I pay all the other bills. I WANT to retire or at least cut down my hours, but can't afford to yet. Actually, we won't have much money at all once I've retired and it worries me.

But for you, I'd say if you want to retire why shouldn't you. Let him pay for his own hobby and you may find, once you retire, you have time for one of your own!

Good luck!

Hello Louizalass, thank you for your reply. Full time work at 67 must be very difficult. No wonder you are exhausted at the end of the week. I hope that when your mortgage is paid off that you will be able to cut down your hours.
I feel that if I retire before my husband when our pensions don't start until 65 and 66 then I won't have any income of my own ( apart from income from savings), which I would hate. I have started to finish work at lunchtime on a Friday which allows me to catch up on jobs around the home.

Next step gretel- finish work at lunchtime on Thursday! You need time for yourself and your own interests not just to do chores. If you need to take the interest from savings then do so. Its your hard earned money. Let it buy you some freedom.

Thanks Jane10. How are you.?

Still stuck at home mostly but mobility improving.
I was quite serious in my last post btw. I don't get my state pension for another 4 years but saved and saved so I could quite literally buy my freedom at 60. Its worth it!