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I'm fifty next birthday, and until a couple of years back figured I would semi retire in early sixties. Something like three days a week looking after only my premium customers. Not so sure now though. With all the financial turmoil and uncertainty re pensions, I fully expect to be working full time in twenty years time, health permitting of course. Still, most of the time, I wouldn't have it any other way
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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I graduate in 9 months here with a degree in computer science,..starting a new career at 58,....I figure if I stay healthy (which IS the game plan at this point) that will give me seven years before I normally would have retired had the economy held up,...it looks like I may wanna work a few more years here now just because I can,..I've seen what the economy can do to a fixed income(retirement benefits) and it is not pretty,...so I guess my plan now is to work until I am no longer able or society makes me quit,...whichever comes first.
[ November 20, 2010, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: Tim Barrow ]
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Please let me know your finincial secrets, Glenn, they sound like an improvement on mine!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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I retired when I was 23. That's when I quit working form someone else and instead started to do the things I wanted to each day. While every day is not perfect I can honestly say If I wasn't doing it for a living I would do much the same just for fun.
I believe it is important to follow our dreams - to live the dream each day as we are able.
We are on track to pay off our major mortgage in a few months. Once that is gone our other debts should melt away much faster leaving us in a debt free position within only a few years if things go according to plan.
That in turn will make 'work' even more fun as it won't at all be about the money.
THAT for us will equal retirement.
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Quick answer..no...that decision was made 3 years ago.
My decision to retire, though, was not based on a desire to quit working but a desire to avoid winters in Canada. Unfortunately, you just can't run a one man business if you are not around for half of the year.
I truly loved the sign business.
Yes, the economic downturn hurt us too, but we were fortunate to have diversified our holdings so that we weren't hurt as much as many folks, both retired and still in business.
I wish good luck to those who wish to retire and to those who wish to work until they tip over and to those who are already retired.
May we all live a long time to enjoy whichever choice we make or made.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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In my entire life I have never worked for anyone other then myself, all this year I thought I was going to be 68 on my next birthday which is next week and now I find out I will be 67, so in reality I gained a year I do everything the way I want it done and never look back
amazing isn't it?
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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I doubt I will but I got a kick ass retirement fund set aside cause I guarantee any hope the US.GOV is gonna hellp me out when Im older is loss of hope
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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If you really love what you do, then what would retirement really be? Doing something you love less? I plan on working until I drop and loving every minute of it. All the guys I know who retired, spend way too much time eating mashed potatoes and going to the casino. Even if my advanced age slows me down, I will still love doing it and considering I have improved in speed and experience, it is more about tackling projects that are more creative and challenging. I do not know a soul who is retired and not bored out of his of her mind, unless in poor health. At some point, I know I will be able to work as much as I want and still get the modest social security check to pay my health insurance, so what is the big deal? So what if I have to wait til I am 70.
In looking at how I feel now, compared to ten years ago when I was 49, I guess I am a bit stiffer in some joints and like sleeping a bit more, but my work has steadily improved and so have the quality of my clients. I love going to see a customer that I have worked for many, many times and they are glad to see me and never question my charges, but just send the check. It is genuinely nice to be appreciated for having some creative service that others value beyond just a quick payment.
Travel? Been all over the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Headed soon to the Caribbean for a winter cruise which is hardly rough travel and will enjoy a ten day vacation. Would like to make another long road trip somewhere in the US... maybe Florida at some point, but I still love thinking that my work is the most enjoyable thing I love doing.
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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After all these years, I still haven't made my "fortune", and maybe I never will. The thing is, I don't care anymore. I love my work; I make a decent living; my health is good; we basically have no bills. I don't care if I work til I"m 98.
I've never considered what I do, a "job". It's a craft; one I'm proud to be a part of.
If the fortune comes, so be it. If not, I'll just keep praying that the Good Lord continues to bless me with what I already have....peace.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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According to my countdown, I have 3467 days til I retire, which would make me 50. I'm still pretty much on pace for that, although the birth of my youngest may cost me a year or two. At that time, I'l probably work part time and have someone else run the business.
Before I started my company's 401k plan and I only had a few employees I maxed out 7 years worth of SEP contributions. Now the company has a 401 plus a match, which I also max out every year.
I'm all for doing what you love, but I'm not going to assume that I'll be able to, and thus able to live off that.
I'd rather be able to retire when I want, yet choose to work if I so decide to - rather than the other way around.
Losing my old man at age 57 has a lot to do with my philosophy on the subject. After he died, 50 became my goal post. He retired at 55.
"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
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75 for the first job and 80 for the second. Should be ready to pop wheelies in my state of art wheelchair by then. Never quit....time has a way to slow things down and make your decision making easier.
[ November 21, 2010, 08:01 PM: Message edited by: J & N Signs ]
-------------------- Mario G. Lafreniere (Fergie) J&N Signs Winter did show up! Posts: 1257 | From: Chapleau, Ontario | Registered: Jun 1999
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I'm Like Dan and Joey.. I really never had a JOB per say except when I went crazy and created one for myself. So will I every just stop doing what I love.. Not until the Parkinson's kills me.. In a few more years though I am going to Dan's to help with the Squiggly Painting since that will be a Natural Style for me.
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I do everything the way I want it done and never look back
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