So How is Retirement Working Out ??

teejay99 · BELLE RIVER, ONT

So How is Retirement Working Out ??

thirty8 · WINDSOR, ONT

I am in my eighth year of freedom and I could not be happier. I still wake up at 5:00 A M but it is good knowing I do not have to get up and get mobile. We travel a lot and enjoy doing whatever we want to, we do some volunteer work to give back a little and help out those who need a helping hand ! We have 3 different groups that we meet with for breakfasts, lunches, and or dinners about once a month. We go have breakfast with the grandkids once a week and drive my granddaughter to school. We are heading west soon and will take in Barrette Jackson in Scottsdale and the Grand National Roadster Show if all the flooding and mudslides stop soon. Sold my 38 Pontiac and onto other things. Life is good ! !

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

My retirement has been a journey. I sold my business in 2003 and "retired" . That didn't last too long. I got ambitious and remodeled the basement and redid the landscaping in the yard. That took a year and a bit and I got bored so I went and got my AZ license and drove truck for 3 1/2 years. Best job I ever had, there were no tight schedules for me to keep and the company was great. I retired again as my wife had a heart attack and I was getting up to 68 years. We then sold our house and moved to Cambridge, BIG MISTAKE as we went in to an apartment. 1 Year we moved back to the falls and bought a house and I have been busy ever since. Happy happy. Finishing up the house this winter and should be all caught up by summer and I may actually be able to enjoy my car. Retirement is great but just stopping and doing nothing is the pitts.

By the way Teejay. I see you are in Belle River. A few years back I bought a tranny from a fellow named Oscar. If you know him and see him let him know its working fine and haven't had any issues and give him a hi for me.

GhostPost · ONTARIO

#2 not by choice, but making the best of it and the cards I am dealt.

REBEL · RUTHVEN, ONT

H.J. Heinz kicked me out do to sale just two months before my retirement date.
Out for 18 months now and wish I was still working.
I need a routine or a deadline to meet.
Now if its to cold or to hot I don’t have to go out. And that is not good.
Rebuilding 57 to go racing, see if that helps me to keep busy.

JPB · AYLMER, ONT

GhostPost wrote:
#2 not by choice, but making the best of it and the cards I am dealt.

Me as well . ("-")

henry · CORNWALL, ONT

#5
Ignorant, stupid, naive thought being on time, learning the product lines, being accurate and giving great customer service was the way to success, HA !
Success is being a french speaking suppository for the boss' ass, focking up every order, going out to smoke every 10 minutes and bringing a coffee to the boss everyday.

So the cars sit til all french speaking people are dead I won't need to babble about poutine and 5 pack-a-day habits.

poncho62 · ADMINISTRATOR

Our plant closed in 2006, went back to US.......We sold in Georgetown and moved up here just in time for the 2008 downturn. I work part time delivering for a NAPA store, much less pressure than my middle management job at the plant. The money sucks, but am making do.

studeshaker · BUCKHORN, ONT

i've been out for almost 10 years, went at age 53. working future did not look very promising so i put together a plan and packed it in. i figured if i drew my rrsp out as a small monthly income it would last 10 years and be tax free, it's worked out quite well. i built a new house and shop over the last several years and the sale of my lakehouse will provide a nice income and a better tax rate because the funds are non registered. with that and the cpp/oas there won't be any worries. i also help out a disabled buddy at his small engine shop and make a few bucks. so far - so good.

tc · ST THOMAS, ONT

Been retired for six years now. As they say "livin the dream" Just playing with cars and the grand kids.

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

I went in 2008/09 got laid off for winter driving gravel truck & as you know that was a bad yr. Went to go back in May & found out boss sold 3 trucks over the winter so no job, pulled the plug at 61 yrs. old & applied for CPP as I didn't want to go back to 'long haul" trucking. Get my OASP now but that's it other than investments that are taking a $hit kicking right now. Haven't had many boring days as I keep busy with cars, house renos [when I can afford them]Know many who are 'bored' stiff and a few who didn't last long & passed away & some with big GM pensions that are working 2 part time jobs to survive as they say they can't live on their pension?? I'll trade them any day for my income!!! It's all in how you handle it & keep busy & watch your $ & cents. Enjoying "MY" time now, cause you never know when your birth certificate will "expire'

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Things are looking up . I only need to work till I die now.

Lightspeed Mike · BELLEVILLE, ONT

slim wrote:
Things are looking up . I only need to work till I die now.

Lucky you, I will still have to work for another 2 years after that......

Homer · BLOOMINGDALE, ONT

Number #3
After being in business for 30 some years the wife asked me when I am going to retire and I told her that I would come home and say that was it, No you cannot you have to give your customers a date she said to me,well I did and the last month was,do I have to get up and go to work.I have been retired 12 years now and still busy around the house cars and cottage.People still call for me to do small plumbing jobs and my reply is I sold all my tools.HA HA they are still in the garage.
It is nice now no call at 3 or 4 in the morning to go out to fix a toilet that has not been working for two or three weeks but it has to be done now

-- Edited by Homer on Tuesday 12th of January 2016 10:12:34 AM

teejay99 · BELLE RIVER, ONT

My retirement enjoyment just reaffirmed itself this morning ....woke up to our real first snowfall and I don't have to scrape or shovel , the ONE chore I absolutely hate . Neighbours are all out there working away and I'm nice and comfy rolling over for the second time . biggrin biggrin

supernash · WEST PERTH, ONT

Bummer Chuck. I thought you were still operating over there ! (Shop wise)

I've done a few drive by's over the years but was never sure if that was your show or not.

I turned left a couple times to grab a sled part or 2 from Carl and wondered.

When I stumbled on this site, and realized it was you, I felt like a total dork. (usually I'm just semi-dorky)

I guess bringing my car your way for some things ain't happening anymore if you're shut down huh ?

Never the less, if you're out and about, stop in and say hi. Stone house on the sidestreet beside the Hall. If you get to 23, you're too far, do the loop like the trucks.

B

toomuchjunk · S/W ONTARIO

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Nickeleye · COURTICE, ONT

slim wrote:
Things are looking up . I only need to work till I die now.

Was it you that said "Don't claim my body after I'm dead, someone will be looking for money" ??

Bob T · BRANTFORD, ONT

I'm glad there a few on here who are enjoying their retirement years. As for me , other than getting older, its been the best time of my life. I had enough at 51 [over 20 years ago] and thanks to a Union negotiated 30 and out pension . . plus other income opportunities I pulled the plug , sold the big house and bought a nice rancher on a double lot and built a 1000 sq. ft. shop with a hoist in my back yard. I also sold my 4500 sq, ft. shop at a separate location and I miss it every day. For the 1 st. 10 yrs. I traveled the U. S. swap meets and vended with one of my best friends a few of you might know Poncho Rendon. When he passed that stopped but I still vend occasionally at Rockton or Ancaster. My priorities now are family, friends and anything to do with automobiles. I have 6 collector cars [ 2 hot rods and 3 customs ] and I love working on them, cruising, going to swap meets / car shows/ races in the U.S. and Canada and hanging out with guys who have the same interests. That plus yard work and keeping the wife relatively happy I don't have much idle time. Hope those of you who have retired enjoy this time because it will come to a end sooner than later. Good health to all.

Redneck Rydes · TRENTON, ONT & SOUTH CAROLINA

I retired 3 years ago,sold the big shop and house downsized to a 8 acre wooded lot,bought a tractor to help do the hard work,cleared some land,and this summer going to build a cabin over looking the bay of Quinte,still riding a Harley and cruising in my 1996 Impala SS, spend My winters in the woods in South Carolina,riding down here and looking for treasures,I am very thankful that I have my health,after some close calls. Still up at 6:00 am to walk the dogs and go shopping on Craigslist,lol.

427CARL · CLINTON, ONT

#2 and # 3 for me Stress....

-- Edited by 427CARL on Thursday 21st of January 2016 08:01:29 PM

GMDad · CALEDONIA, ONT

#3 for me. Had worked in auto parts sales for 20+ years for a smaller independent firm. 3 stores and about 30 employees. One partner wanted out so got sold to a larger 75 store 5000 employees with a manager for everything. Lasted about 3 years and stopped at a Tim's one morning on way into work and sat there and asked myself WHY are you doing this to yourself. No fun anymore. Texted wife and said had enough. Left 3 weeks later. Collect RRSP dividends monthly told should last about another 8 years and that will make me 72. Do a little bit of parts delivery now and have an Amsoil dealership so little bits dribbling in. Good thing wife and I don't have expensive tastes or need to travel much. Have more cars than I need right now but spend a great deal of time in my 24 x 40 shop working on our cars and friends cars. Wife enjoys it as much as I do or more so very lucky in that department. Kids will each get a classic car but not much in the folding green stuff. Health is good so my 3 years into retirement have been very good for us. Like has been stated don't know how I had enough time to work all those years.

flatduck · SUDBURY, ONT

I retired at 55 years old 7 years ago cause I wasn t interested in going on strike again had enough of them in my 35 years , I had lot of plan for retirement bought a few project with plans but now lost interest in the hobby ain t sure what I ll do next lolllllllllllllllllll
2014 showed me that all of this thing about cars and toys just don t mean much when health problems start
so far now health is what is going to say what livewill be as for money I don t really care if I die rich or poor

el toro · LONDON, ONT

JPB wrote:
GhostPost wrote:
#2 not by choice, but making the best of it and the cards I am dealt.
Me as well . ("-")

Ya me too, not what I imagined. Just can't seem to get healthy enough to do what I want.

Iwannagofast · ONTARIO

#2 and not by choice, almost 9 years ago. Could be worse of course and I like to try to be a glass half full kind of person, so......we manage.

fleet 51 · PORTLAND, ONT

" OTHER " --- My wife messed up her health being a manager for the Telephone Co at 45 Yrs . A few yrs. later I had a really nice job with a # 1 CDN Co . as a Commercial Property Mgr . Started making a good wage for a guy with no education , BUT , one Jan morning while shaving , I looked at the guy in the mirror and said " slow down or die "-- So , I walked in that morning and resigned . I was 48 yrs old and I am now 75 -- So far , No stroke or heart attack -- The way I figured it , what's the point of having a bank account if you're in a box !! -- Hope this helps some of you because , once you take that " Dirt - Nap " you will be there for quite a while -- Live while you're alive . If you want it and can afford it , then have it !! --- GO CRUISING !! --- LATER -- DON / Fleet 51

shag766 · FOXBORO, ONT

Homer wrote:
Number #3
After being in business for 30 some years the wife asked me when I am going to retire and I told her that I would come home and say that was it, No you cannot you have to give your customers a date she said to me,well I did and the last month was,do I have to get up and go to work.I have been retired 12 years now and still busy around the house cars and cottage.People still call for me to do small plumbing jobs and my reply is I sold all my tools.HA HA they are still in the garage.
It is nice now no call at 3 or 4 in the morning to go out to fix a toilet that has not been working for two or three weeks but it has to be done now

-- Edited by Homer on Tuesday 12th of January 2016 10:12:34 AM

that's a good one i can relate to. i sold all my tools, lol. dad owned a plumbing business for years and retired slowly and i can remember him telling people the same answer if he didn't want a certain job. the next time i am out for a visit mom would be chewing on him to sell off a bunch of stuff in the garage so she could finally put her car in. "well ruth you never know if i need that for a certain thing again" lol all their tools and scrap copper, a plumbers legacy. lol

Ragtop · BELLE RIVER, ONT

Retired 15 years ago and lov'n every second of it. The company offered an early parachute and I grabbed it and hung on.

Hywayhauler · SUDBURY, ONT

I'm 34 years old, and I twist wrenches 5700 feet underground in a Nickel mine here in Sudbury. I've been doing this full time for 13 years and hate it. Can't wait to have my 30 years in and get the hell out of this man made hell...

I should of listened to dad and done anything but be a mechanic, at least not an HDEM...

MScott · EASTERN ONTARIO

Probably #3 and #4 although I'm not entirely sure about the last part of #4. biggrin Retired at 55, 19 years ago and am loving it. Health is still great and I'm still able to do almost everything I could when younger although sometimes a bit slower. I just finished building a 28' x 38' heated garage almost entirely by myself. Lost my wife of 37 years to the big "C" a few years back but other than that my life has been great.

shag766 · FOXBORO, ONT

slim wrote:
Things are looking up . I only need to work till I die now.

my freedom 55 turned into freedom 99 but it's still going to get a good undertaker to get the smile off my face lol

Rochie · LONDON, ONT

I pulled the plug in '08. It was that or lose my mind. I had had enough and couldn't cope with all the bull****! Too many women in upper management!!! Like Bob T., I'm building and enjoying all the aspects of the hobby/sport/whatever. Best part right now is I'm a ELTA Disciple of Speed, proud to be one and proud to be in the club with the best guys I could hope to be involved with.

-- Edited by Rochie on Thursday 21st of January 2016 08:00:14 PM

shag766 · FOXBORO, ONT

there is a lot of fortunate guys on this thread for sure. how many times have we heard or known someone who retires and is dead in 3 to 5 years. sorry for your loss MScott after 37 years, i can relate. my wife of 22 years passed with hep-c 14 years ago. still get the odd kick in the crotch.

teejay99 · BELLE RIVER, ONT

For some reason I'm remembering a customer I had when I was at the Ford Dealer ....guy worked at Ford most of his working life , took overtime whenever he could , made a ton of coin .....I heard he dropped dead about 2 months after retirement ......really shook me up that he didn't get to enjoy his pension . His wife did !

MScott · EASTERN ONTARIO

I hear you on people passing shortly after retiring. One of the things that prompted my early retirement was a co-worker who stayed on the job until 65 wanting to maximize his pension. 6 months later he had a massive heart attack and died. I wanted to max my retirement, not my pension.