Retirement

[SEA Traveler]

Retirement! I thought surely after reading the synopsis for threads being started in "The TeakDoor Lounge" where it says "This is the place for fun, a laugh and a joke and a bit of light hearted banter, come in and pull up a stool, Tell us what your day was like" that this is where this thread belongs.
After 37+ years of working for my country's federal government, I am now retired. I'm not sure that all the retirement planning in the world can possibly prepare one for the feeling they have on the day of retirement. After signing out from work for the last time yesterday, I drove home lost in my thoughts. First, I missed the exit off of the expressway that I wanted to take; second, I made a turn in the wrong direction to where I wanted to go, and third, I took a turn onto the expressway in the wrong direction. Yup, lost in my thoughts about the future. WTF!
Anyway, I did finally make it home. Wife was not yet home from her job at the child development center yet. I was going crazy thinking about the impact of this retirement. What had I done?
When the wifye got home I gave her the run down on my drive home from work. With my questioning my retirement decision I started driving her crazy as well. Anyway, we did go out and celebrate if that is what you want to call it when one retires. The wifey thought I would be over joyed but being a workaholic my whole life and wondering how things were going to go in Thai had me second guessing myself.
Could not sleep last night. Tossed and turned. I got up and ran through all the numbers again. OK, it was doable with a healthy stand by fund. House in Thai is paid for, no real expenses in Thai except for utilities, food, fuel and insurance for the car and a little savings requirement for a trip back to the home country occasionally. Other requirements that need to be funded are paying the X her monthly alimony (still not remarried after all these years - too bad for me), and the house in the home country still has a mortgage. I seriously thinking of selling that as it will eliminate any spending on something not being used. Other considerations include renting but that might just be too difficult when living in Thai.
Back to the retirement story. After not sleeping last evening, I thought about calling the boss and telling him to hold up on my retirement papers. and that I wanted to come back in on Monday.... status quo. I know if I did that I'd be driving the boss craqzy also. Anyway, I think I just have to get the thoughts off my chest, on paper, and take the retirement for what it is. A new chapter in life. After all, I have the movement transition to Thai to look forward to. I've earned it. I'll probably drink alot today. Got to get through the first few days and then it will be packing up for the move to Thai. Caio for now.

[barbaro]

Hi, can you say this again, so we can understand it?

Perhaps you can wait until tomorrow, when you are thinking more clearly.

Gracias.

[Thetyim]

How old are you ?

Retire whilst you are still able to enjoy it.
If you leave it too long then you have worked all your life for nothing

[SEA Traveler]

Hi, can you say this again, so we can understand it?

Perhaps you can wait until tomorrow, when you are thinking more clearly.

Gracias.

It already is tomorrow for me. Won't be thinking any more clear.

In summary, it is just a little tough coming to the realization that retirement is an actuality and not knowing what is around the corner.

Notiong more. Nothing less.

[SEA Traveler]

How old are you ?

Retire whilst you are still able to enjoy it.
If you leave it too long then you have worked all your life for nothing

Khun Thetyim. 57! My thoughts exactly. It isn't like I haven't contimplated this 100 times already and planned for it. It is just a matter of the reality setting in and making the adjustment. I do plan on slowing the pace down a little so the overall health and longevity thing to enjoy retirement might is here. Thanks for the words of advisement. Khun T.

[blackgang]

For damn sure, retire as soon as you can and get it coming in, you have earned it, then if you want you can work as you want for someone else.
My dad worked 3 extra years to get the max, was retired for 2 years and had a stroke and sat 11 in a wheelchair.
I went til I was vested in a couple of locals and they asked if I wanted to retire as there were more members than they could keep busy and the older vested hands could retire, so i took mine at 58 years old, still came back to work if the job was a good long hour 7 days a week where the money piled up quickly, and worked outside of my union doing pipeline work and only worked from April til october and then went fishing, completely retired at 62, moved here and got married and built a house.
Now got everything done and just waiting to die.

[barbaro]

^^^ OK,

Best to u, sea traveler.

Cheers.











and you're buying.

[Loombucket]

Retirement

I can understand where you are coming from. After working for the same firm for all those years, the prospect of retirement, and the not going to work, will seem a little daunting. All those routines that one practices, the getting up and getting to work at a set time. The squeezing all the DIY into the week-end stuff and trying to relax on the Sunday, because it is the only day left.

You can still have a routine, but now it must be worked out by you and Mrs. Sea and not by your employer. It will take a bit of thought so don't be put off too easily. Enjoy your drinking, get it all out of your system and start anew. Lots of folk here have done it already and they will be able to help you when you need them.

[SEA Traveler]

For damn sure, retire as soon as you can and get it coming in, you have earned it, then if you want you can work as you want for someone else.
My dad worked 3 extra years to get the max, was retired for 2 years and had a stroke and sat 11 in a wheelchair.
I went til I was vested in a couple of locals and they asked if I wanted to retire as there were more members than they could keep busy and the older vested hands could retire, so i took mine at 58 years old, still came back to work if the job was a good long hour 7 days a week where the money piled up quickly, and worked outside of my union doing pipeline work and only worked from April til october and then went fishing, completely retired at 62, moved here and got married and built a house.
Now got everything done and just waiting to die.

I'm beginning to feel better already Khun Blackgang... but in no real hurry to meet with the inevitable. Thanks for the pick me up.

[jandajoy]

Good luck to you SEA. Take it easy, day at a time. you'll be right.

[Thetyim]

Retirement does have an affect on many people because they feel a loss of identity.
You can no longer associate yourself with your work.
I read somewhere that uniformed jobs were the hardest to retire from

[SEA Traveler]

^^^ OK,

Best to u, sea traveler.

Cheers.

and you're buying.

Yes, it is a well known fact that I often buy the 1st round as I don't usually stick around too long.
Khun Milk.... Thanks for the well wishes! Good to know that I was able to get my thoughs accross. I'm now honoring the toast with a glass of grape juice. Thanks again. 1st round on me.

[jizzybloke]

You've worked for it now enjoy it!
You have a lovely house to make a home in LOS

[SEA Traveler]

Good luck to you SEA. Take it easy, day at a time. you'll be right.

Thanks Khun JJ. I am looking at getting up the back country sometime in 09. Day at a time as you say. Ciao!

[SEA Traveler]

Retirement

I can understand where you are coming from. After working for the same firm for all those years, the prospect of retirement, and the not going to work, will seem a little daunting. All those routines that one practices, the getting up and getting to work at a set time. The squeezing all the DIY into the week-end stuff and trying to relax on the Sunday, because it is the only day left.

You can still have a routine, but now it must be worked out by you and Mrs. Sea and not by your employer. It will take a bit of thought so don't be put off too easily. Enjoy your drinking, get it all out of your system and start anew. Lots of folk here have done it already and they will be able to help you when you need them.

Thanks Khun Loom... wise words in deed and as I am already somewhat established in Thai, the road and learning curve will not be as steep. U R correct about having some good and reliable friends being able to act as a sounding board. Thanks again. Ciao!

[SEA Traveler]

Retirement does have an affect on many people because they feel a loss of identity.
You can no longer associate yourself with your work.
I read somewhere that uniformed jobs were the hardest to retire from

not uniformed but close in that it was a close nit group that had an elite identity. the international aspect of things was nice but becoming a true expat with some leasure also has it's benefits. Thanks for the insight Khun T.

[SEA Traveler]

You've worked for it now enjoy it!
You have a lovely house to make a home in LOS

Thanks Khun Jizzy for your kind and supportive words. Lots more hard work to do on the new home front now. That will surely take my mind off any doubts I may still have now. Ciao!

[SEA Traveler]

I'd just like to add an addendum to the original post and this is that Mrs SEA has been very supportive in all this. She has made multiple sacrifices during our marriage and continues to have the faith and confidence in me to see things through with a successful ending. She has traveled with me to various foreign countries that I was assigned to and has always proven to offer sound advisement. "I like it when she says I'll go where ever you go. I turst you."

[blackgang]

I'm now honoring the toast with a glass of grape juice.

That sounds like an intelligent idea,
Just because you retire and move to a cheaper, warmer place to live does not mean that you will have to die a drunk, I have been here for going on 9 years and have only been to Vientaine in all that time out of Thailand and I have yet to have my first alcoholic drink.

It is not that I do not know how to drink here, I did lay around half of the sixties and half of the seventies drunk in and out of SEA and did think that I would pobly die a drunk here, but now I am happy without it, but I do know a lot of Expats that just can't seem to find anything to do sober.

[SEA Traveler]

I'm now honoring the toast with a glass of grape juice.

That sounds like an intelligent idea,
Just because you retire and move to a cheaper, warmer place to live does not mean that you will have to die a drunk, I have been here for going on 9 years and have only been to Vientaine in all that time out of Thailand and I have yet to have my first alcoholic drink.

It is not that I do not know how to drink here, I did lay around half of the sixties and half of the seventies drunk in and out of SEA and did think that I would pobly die a drunk here, but now I am happy without it, but I do know a lot of Expats that just can't seem to find anything to do sober.

Khun blackgang, it is not that I am opposed to an alcoholic drink, it is just that it is still in the morning where I'm located. Very nice that an alcohol dependancy is not a crutch for you. 60's and 70's in SEA could have caused some other dependencies though.

It isn't like I have never lived in Thai and SEA because I have but U R correct that there are plenty of other things to enjoy while retired. And, a little fermented grape, wheat or hops now and then can spics things up a little as long as it is after 1200...

my Dad always told me on the once in a while occasion when he was having a morning drink, "it's after 1200 somewhere in the world so ok to have a drink".

[NickA]

You can no longer associate yourself with your work.

I feel like that and I'm not retired

[nedwalk]

enjoy your retirement, i have a plan for mine i hope it works out, i ntend to get a hobby that pays enough to keep myself /fit footloose and fancy free and do as is my want

[navynine]

Retired in 93 at the ripe old age of 46, and have never looked back. It is and has been a great life................

[AnthonyR1]

SEA just jump in there and enjoy! enjoy the fact that you were smart enough, prepared enough and lucky enough to retire at an age that will still allow you to enjoy life.
some people have to carry on a lot longer, so enjoy!!!!!! i'm sure work will leave your thoughts soon enough
PS i'm envious

[Happyman]

Mine was unplanned !
Stuck in an endless queue to submit my work permit application in KL I was hot and pissed off with the bullshit you had to go through - fingerprint here- fill this in - bank details there-sign here- photocopies of passport and old work permit sign and fingerprint on each one - that fingerprint is smudged , go get another copy and do it again etc etc etc !

Dumped the paperwork in the bin and went back to the office - told the boss- who was also my best mate - that I was taking retirement 2 years early and that I was going fishing in Phuket for a few days ! See you next week !

Went in the next week - sorted out pensions EPF and tax paperwork - had a HUGE pissup with my colleagues - became an Independent Consultant to the company and moved to Phuket!!

Best thing I ever did - work when I want - go fishing when I want - do work for other people when I want - after 30 odd years being on 24/7 call and living out of a suitcase it was like entering a new world !!!

Once you realise that you don't HAVE to work unless you want to ( and it takes a month or so to get used to the idea ) Life is bloody great !

Enjoy your retirement SEA and good luck !i