I've resigned.

[neptune]

Some retire, and others have it thrust upon them. I retired four years ago due to the loss of sight in one eye. I would happily have continued working in my own small business at least until now. I worked for myself. Although i some times worked seven days a week, I only worked up to six hours a day, mostly.

I miss being able to drive, but life is all about doing the best you can with what you`ve got. I also spend quite a bit of time on the computer, and still enjoy cycling. I guess life is what you make it.

 

[flecc]

I guess life is what you make it.

Absolutely Neptune, my brother at almost 82 is a good example. He was forced to give up cycling five years ago due to a badly damaged arthritic knee, three years ago he had to have open heart surgery and now he has bowel cancer. He's undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy currently and will shortly be operated on to cut out the remaining tumour and take his bowel permanently out of action, meaning a colostomy bag.

But you might be amazed how he cheerfully accepts all that and how happy he is with life, having a circle of good friends, a full social life, a faithful dog he walks twice daily and his daughter and family living nearby. I haven't heard a word of complaint from him, just cheerful positivity. He is even enjoying his daily long country bus rides to the hospital for the current treatments!
.

 

[neptune]

Flecc, your brother is an example and an inspiration to us all. Long may he live.

 

[cwah]

You enjoy it,
I retired 14 years ago and have never regretted a moment of it.
People say "dont you get bored" but to be honest I never have enough time in the day to do what I want.
I do find that I have slowed down a bit now as I had a building firm before I retired that kept me fit but now ,at the grand old age of 55(yes,I was 41 when I retired), I find that I cant push a barrow as far as I used to ,or dig as much as I used to.
I did get an allotment after I retired but now the boys are older they wont eat much veg anymore and it became a pointless exercise growing the stuff.
I took up e-biking 2 years ago as a way of getting fit again after buying a normal bike then realising I was knackered after the first mile!
The answer was an e-bike,not for assistance but to get me back home when I ran out of puff.
I am getting fitter now and have started using my old pushbike a bit but with the invention of the BBS02 I find I can easily ride 50 mile in a day and my goal for this summer is to get from home to Whitby via Sustrans route 165,a distance of 77 miles.

What sort of job allow you to retire at 41? I want to do the same!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Banker, football player, formula 1 driver, politician, drugs dealer, events promoter.

 

[Nealh]

I have not resigned or retired but was made redundant 2 years ago @49 from my joiners job, I paid off the mortgage and after a few months took a lower paid job. I now am happier as I can choose my hours and when I work this in turn allows me more free time to indulge in my various hobbies.

 

[flecc]

I have not resigned or retired but was made redundant 2 years ago @49 from my joiners job, I paid off the mortgage and after a few months took a lower paid job. I now am happier as I can choose my hours and when I work this in turn allows me more free time to indulge in my various hobbies.

.
That's real wisdom. Far too many don't realise what a trap a good salary can be and how much happier they might be with less money and greater autonomy.
.

 

[Nealh]

My events were forced on to me but fortunately I was in a position to make the judgement and having some time and no worries to think about it. In turn my wife and and I have no money worries and have time and day to do as we wish.

 

[lectureral]

How interesting your stories are. I retired at 51 when my daughter was born and my wife (19 years younger) took over the providing (which she does very well). After a few years in Geneva her job has taken us to 3 years in Phnom Penh and next maybe Fiji. I am very happy looking after my little family - a son joined us two years after I retired - and have never had a moment's doubt that I have been very lucky the way things have worked out.

 

[Kinninvie]

What sort of job allow you to retire at 41? I want to do the same!

I had a building business that did pretty well.
We had contracts with high street shops and school refurbishments which were good money and had some good contacts with insurance companies.
I bought property abroad while it was super cheap and now villas that cost £12,000 to build are being rented out for £40.000+ a season

 

[cwah]

I had a building business that did pretty well.
We had contracts with high street shops and school refurbishments which were good money and had some good contacts with insurance companies.
I bought property abroad while it was super cheap and now villas that cost £12,000 to build are being rented out for £40.000+ a season

AAhhh.. you are a great investor. If only I could have purchased much earlier..
I have been looking to get into the property ladder since 2 years in london and property price has increased by 20% since then. So I suppose this price jump has made many happy landlords.