I retired yesterday…what a strange thing to do.
Comments
Congrats!! I'm sure it's a weird feeling,.
What's next?
What's next?
Congratulations on passing such a significant milestone. I image the mixture of feelings is fairly common. 21 years in one place before finishing is a great achievement. Tell me you don’t have two years worth of pent up DIY to complete?
Congratulations! It’s a great achievement - you’ve charted the course to your retirement and navigated the journey through. I don’t think many will be able to say that they have as much control.
That said, having executed a plan that’s been in the making since 2019 you can probably give yourself permission to take it a day at a time, at least for a little bit! Let the next grand plan form over time
We are generally social animals so it’s probably not weird to have mixed feelings about leaving any sort of “troop/pack/herd”. From what you describe with learning about markets and IFA tools and the like you have no problem picking up new skills and knowledge. I have a hunch you’re going to really enjoy your retirement.
Thanks.
First up is the weird timeless week of Christmas and New Year, but as the kids head out of the house for work on 2nd January, I wont be…
I have mapped out some “goals” for 2025:
First up is the weird timeless week of Christmas and New Year, but as the kids head out of the house for work on 2nd January, I wont be…
I have mapped out some “goals” for 2025:
- Dry January (failed at least 2 times previously)
- Build the Lego Millennium Falcon, the large 5000+ piece one, sat in a massive box unopened in the bottom of my wardrobe for the last year.
- Play some video games on my new Xbox Series X, I have a list of a few games but really looking forward to GTA 6
- Go to 12 places in the UK, one per month and stay overnight, places we've never been before or not spent much time in. First up in January will be Newcastle, to walk across the 3 main Tyne bridges, take some photos and make a short video of our trip. I had a terrific curry at the My Delhi restaurant a few years ago so will try that again. I am now looking at locations for February's trip. If this works out and we enjoy it, I will plan to continue next year.
- Take a couple of holidays, probably Europe, we've not been abroad since 2022
- Wife wants to go to the Munich Christmas markets next December so we'll have a couple of nights there
- Continue learning and exploring my iPhone photography snd videography skills, I have brought a gimbal, a cinemorphic lens, some ND filters and started using CapCut for editing. It's something I'm not particulalry good at but I enjoy learning about it and trying to get better.
- Start reading again. I have 50-60 books, including all of my favourite author, Stephen King's books that I haven't already read, to get through.
- Visit and spend more time with my parents, in laws and wider family.
- Start planning renovations of our en-suite and main bathrooms, they are long overdue and being budgeted for 2026
Congratulations! Now when that meeting fails without you, just remember that your consultancy fee needs to be astronomical.
Too right, but I think I would rather have shards of hot bamboo inserted under my finger nails that sit through that tedious bollocks again!AntonHunter said:Congratulations! Now when that meeting fails without you, just remember that your consultancy fee needs to be astronomical.
Congratulations, that’s nice and young to retire - inspirational!
Any top tips on how to start learning how to make financial plans like you did? I’ve still got a lot of working years left but it would be really motivating to know that I’m working towards towards something planned.
Any top tips on how to start learning how to make financial plans like you did? I’ve still got a lot of working years left but it would be really motivating to know that I’m working towards towards something planned.
Congratulations and good luck
I am so envious of you. Well done sir. I cannot wait to exit the corporate rat race too.
Congratulations RF, must be a great feeling :)
Well we pretty much followed Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps except for his investing recommendations, we chose to invest our pensions and a stocks and shares ISA in US, Global and Technology equity index funds, and added to them each month, never sold or panicked when the markets did. I have also built up a "risk-off" cash position equating to 4 years worth of inflation adjusted living expenses, we are not invested it in bonds or bonds funds, I don't like them. Our investment portfolio is 80% equity index funds and 20% cash. Which some would say is quite aggressive and "risky".BigMonka said:Congratulations, that’s nice and young to retire - inspirational!
Any top tips on how to start learning how to make financial plans like you did? I’ve still got a lot of working years left but it would be really motivating to know that I’m working towards towards something planned.
If you are a higher rate tax payer and have a salary sacrifice pension, that's a great way to save tax efficiently and I was hammering contributions as soon as the mortgage was paid off.
Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps?srsltid=AfmBOorI09gp_TSXNCuK2E6HTQoRogZFwm-S6PMRaW8TmvAuV5zyIH3o
This video of Warren Buffet and the Berkshire Hathaway 2013 letter to shareholders, tells you all you really need to know about the stock market, (in my opinion) I found it quite inspirational and still do. Many will say the recommendations are flawed for a UK investor but I have ignored the doomsters and gloomsters and I'm the one retiring early.
?si=m_mCC9SpVyPhCxVS
Read page 20 of Warren Buffets 2013 letter to shareholders: 2013ltr.pdf
and read page 17-19 of the 2011 letter https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2011ltr.pdf
Congratulations to you. Enjoy.
RandallFlagg said:
- Go to 12 places in the UK, one per month and stay overnight, places we've never been before or not spent much time in. First up in January will be Newcastle, to walk across the 3 main Tyne bridges, take some photos and make a short video of our trip. I had a terrific curry at the My Delhi restaurant a few years ago so will try that again. I am now looking at locations for February's trip. If this works out and we enjoy it, I will plan to continue next year.
Congratulations and lol. I’m also retiring at the end of the year apart from some ned stuff, and we’re doing exactly the same! In fact I showed your post to my wife and she didn’t believe I wasn’t RandallFlagg for a minute.
We’re doing coastal towns round the UK, going anticlockwise from Suffolk, one a month, with a mission of possibly finding a house to spend 6 months a year in. Probably bump into you around Oban or somewhere.
Love this! Good on you. I wish I was more driven to learn how to take more control of my future. I just lump a decent amount into my pension each month and hope the pot will be sufficient.RandallFlagg said:My final day of work was yesterday. As Craig and Charlie Reid sang “It's Over And Done With”.
I am 57 and my wife is 54 and she is already retired. I have been planning this in detail since 2019 and the last few years of work have been a bit of a drag and I really came to resent and despair at being stuck on the corporate treadmill of subservience, it felt like an episode of Black Mirror at times. Workplaces can be funny old places, it's been fascinating observing peoples behaviours, the petty office politics, power plays, some of the self centred ego driven, borderline narcissistic managers. Now there will be no more pointless meetings, KPIs, reports, performance reviews, dull, tiring commute and gazing out of windows wishing the hours away on sunny days wanting to be somewhere else. Colleagues reactions have been varied and interesting, from genuine well wishes to resentment and even some denial, I had someone invite me to a meeting next week, when I told them that Friday was my last day, they just said well you're part of the team and everyone has to attend!I have DIYed our retirement finances and not taken any professional financial advice, I have learned much over the last 5 years with regards personal finance and used cash flow modelling tools to help determine how much retirement savings was enough, the same tools an IFA would use. All 4 tools I use align and suggest we'll be OK but, until the state pensions kick in, a good chunk of our required living expenses will remain subject to the vagaries of stock market returns via equity index funds within defined contribution pensions. The day I retire the market has a 2-3% wobble…typical!
Despite planning this, wanting the day to be here so much, and feeling completely out of love with working as an employee for so long, I have had mixed feelings this final week. I really didn't expect it but was given some very generous retirement gifts and a card with some lovely messages from many colleagues, which has left me feeling quite sentimental.
Time seemed to speed up the last few weeks and I felt like I was not in control of events. It feels like I have just suddenly stepped off a busy train and watched it pull away, all warm, filled with happy, laughing people and I am left standing on a cold, wet and lonely platform watching it disappear into the distance. For a moment I panic and think, my God, what have I done and now what do I do?
I have turned the final page of the final chapter of a 21 year story working in this last job. I will now pick up a new book and start at page 1. I have some ideas on how this new story will start but no idea what happens after the first few pages…
Congratulations.
It's all gravy from now on.
It's all gravy from now on.
This is a very inspiring post. Thanks, Mr F.
Congratulations.
My retirement involved no financial planning, I knew I could take a (reduced) pension and couldn’t face work anymore. That was it.
My youngest son is still at home and does a lot of work from home so I still get to listen to bits of the odd zoom meeting which does drive me mad and makes me realise how much of human life is wasted doing all that bollocks.
Congratulations.
I also retired at 57 after 21 years at the same company and felt exactly the same as you - I had more than enough of the corporate treadmill.
After 7 years of retirement, the feeling that it's all a dream and they will make me go back, is finally fading.
Do all of those things on your list and have fun - it's your turn now.
I also retired at 57 after 21 years at the same company and felt exactly the same as you - I had more than enough of the corporate treadmill.
After 7 years of retirement, the feeling that it's all a dream and they will make me go back, is finally fading.
Do all of those things on your list and have fun - it's your turn now.
Unbelievable! I can't wait to get out and about and learn about towns, cities and villages history, roam the plains in any direction I care to, any day of the week I want to. I like the idea of getting around the coastal towns, might try that in 2026. Have fun @vizviz said:RandallFlagg said:
- Go to 12 places in the UK, one per month and stay overnight, places we've never been before or not spent much time in. First up in January will be Newcastle, to walk across the 3 main Tyne bridges, take some photos and make a short video of our trip. I had a terrific curry at the My Delhi restaurant a few years ago so will try that again. I am now looking at locations for February's trip. If this works out and we enjoy it, I will plan to continue next year.
Congratulations and lol. I’m also retiring at the end of the year apart from some ned stuff, and we’re doing exactly the same! In fact I showed your post to my wife and she didn’t believe I wasn’t RandallFlagg for a minute.We’re doing coastal towns round the UK, going anticlockwise from Suffolk, one a month, with a mission of possibly finding a house to spend 6 months a year in. Probably bump into you around Oban or somewhere.
Well done and making the escape. Huge envy here. Especially as you are both still young enough to enjoy the time this will give you.
Congratulations M. Flagg. Well done for planning it all so thoroughly. Keep us posted and please send us the occasional postcard.
And very nicely written. Perhaps that's a skill you could put to use in your retirement.Heartfeltdawn said:This is a very inspiring post. Thanks, Mr F.
Thank you. I do like writing, have no idea how I could undertake it in a formal capacity though...not sure the broadsheets are ready to give me a weekly column yet.Emp_Fab said:And very nicely written. Perhaps that's a skill you could put to use in your retirement.Heartfeltdawn said:This is a very inspiring post. Thanks, Mr F.
I’m always in awe of anyone that makes things happen for themselves when they ain’t happy……good on you RF! <3
Congratulations, that's excellent work! Enjoy your retirement, I hope it's long and happy. If your iPhone photography/videography and monthly trips ever bring you to Essex and you fancy a photography buddy, drop me a PM, I'm always happy to go out with my camera 
Regarding the feeling weird, it's a grieving process: you might find that some days are weirder than others, you might even feel like you regret it some days; but it sounds like you've got lots to keep you occupied so hopefully it'll settle down quickly.
Regarding the feeling weird, it's a grieving process: you might find that some days are weirder than others, you might even feel like you regret it some days; but it sounds like you've got lots to keep you occupied so hopefully it'll settle down quickly.
I have heard so many good stories recently about early / not old retirement.. you’ve got to have a plan for it and detailed plans for afterwards doing the things you need to and want to.
Chatting to a retiring 60 year old this week he said, the money is never going to be perfect but when your health mobility and interest in life are all good it’s a no brainer because who knows what is going to happen or when you or your loved ones might be struck down. I completely agree.
Congratulations and welcome to the club.
The first few weeks will just feel like you’re on holiday, especially as it’s Xmas and you probably would’ve been off work for a while anyway. Then it slowly starts to sink in that you don’t have to go back to work. Ever! It won’t stop your brain from waking you up at “get up, you need to get to work!” time for quite a while… those behaviours are ingrained and take a long time to exit the system.
The only thing I ever missed about work was the bants and social side but after a while you realise the only thing you had in common with some of your work buddies was the work. Any real friendships will last anyway.
Glad to hear you’ve got lots of plans and hobbies, that’s very important for your mental health.
Retirement is great. Enjoy!
Congrats! Stay busy and engaged in something (or lots of things like you plan to) and you’ll win retirement. Stay healthy as well, make sure you keep fit no point having all the time in the world if your health lets you down.RandallFlagg said:Thank you. I do like writing, have no idea how I could undertake it in a formal capacity though...not sure the broadsheets are ready to give me a weekly column yet.Emp_Fab said:And very nicely written. Perhaps that's a skill you could put to use in your retirement.Heartfeltdawn said:This is a very inspiring post. Thanks, Mr F.
That’s what I’ve observed (albeit from a limited pool of people) those that retire and give up on life tend to become unhealthy miserable old cunts. Those that live life and have goals have the best retirements and are generally nicer people!
You could probably start a little YouTube channel to help others with financial/retirement planning?
I’m in my mid forties now and while 57 might be a stretch I’m working towards being able to walk away at the earliest age possible. I hold people like you and others in high regard and as examples.
That’s brilliant! All the very best for enjoyable retirement devoid of pointless meetings.
Thanks all, agreed on the keep busy and set goals. I read recently that you should retire to something not just from something. I deffo need to work on my health, I do spend a lot of time in front of the computer and sitting around!
I will be getting back to long walks a few times a week after Christmas, I hate the cold but will get out there and push myself out the door. Also going to try and cut down the casual drinking...after Christmas though.
I will be getting back to long walks a few times a week after Christmas, I hate the cold but will get out there and push myself out the door. Also going to try and cut down the casual drinking...after Christmas though.
I am 57 and my wife is 54 and she is already retired. I have been planning this in detail since 2019 and the last few years of work have been a bit of a drag and I really came to resent and despair at being stuck on the corporate treadmill of subservience, it felt like an episode of Black Mirror at times. Workplaces can be funny old places, it's been fascinating observing peoples behaviours, the petty office politics, power plays, some of the self centred ego driven, borderline narcissistic managers. Now there will be no more pointless meetings, KPIs, reports, performance reviews, dull, tiring commute and gazing out of windows wishing the hours away on sunny days wanting to be somewhere else. Colleagues reactions have been varied and interesting, from genuine well wishes to resentment and even some denial, I had someone invite me to a meeting next week, when I told them that Friday was my last day, they just said well you're part of the team and everyone has to attend!
Despite planning this, wanting the day to be here so much, and feeling completely out of love with working as an employee for so long, I have had mixed feelings this final week. I really didn't expect it but was given some very generous retirement gifts and a card with some lovely messages from many colleagues, which has left me feeling quite sentimental.
Time seemed to speed up the last few weeks and I felt like I was not in control of events. It feels like I have just suddenly stepped off a busy train and watched it pull away, all warm, filled with happy, laughing people and I am left standing on a cold, wet and lonely platform watching it disappear into the distance. For a moment I panic and think, my God, what have I done and now what do I do?
I have turned the final page of the final chapter of a 21 year story working in this last job. I will now pick up a new book and start at page 1. I have some ideas on how this new story will start but no idea what happens after the first few pages…