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I retired, so that's a different discussion. It's tough on "older people" who are "only" in their 50's and 60's. I tried to stick with companies, and even the

by k310 2y ago

I retired, so that's a different discussion. It's tough on "older people" who are "only" in their 50's and 60's. I tried to stick with companies, and even the university, but funds came and went (mostly went) in university and aerospace. Tried to hang in there with Sun, but things were starting to implode there. So, a succession of "Let's pretend you're a contractor" and "You are a contractor" jobs with increasing difficulty of interviews, and startups that never really did start up. I would ace the in-person interviews, and even exams, but failed the age test repeatedly, but that all ended just prior to actual retirement. All that said, I can separately give advice on retiring, mostly what NOT to do. Later, Good Luck. Old and true friends, however few, are one of the richest treasures you can amass.

mattbrewsbytes 2y ago
Can you enlighten some of us that might be a decade or two behind you on what not to do in retirement?
- k310 2y ago
  Sorry for the delay. I had to think some things through. OK, I can only comment on my own experience. Background: and your mileage will definitely vary. Just after going on Social Security, I got divorce papers filed against me. The result was selling the home and going off to separate new places. I moved out before the sale, having the majority of "stuff", so their absence presumably helped the sale process, but I had limited funds, so I moved to the country from the Bay Area. So my advice really applies to moving to the country. First, it's liberating in a Thoreau sense. Tons of self-discovery past any disagreements. Heck, marriage lasted 27 years. And, depending on where you land, gorgeous. I am on a ridge and have 140 degree or so unobscured views with mountain backgrounds for sunrises and sunsets. So, other than the deer eating everything not behind a doubled-up 7 foot fence, a photographers paradise of sorts. Three main wildflower species put on an annual show. I do miss growing roses and a few veggies, even in tubs. Roses are candy to deer. But the caveats on country living are several. 1. It is lonely, and a very small population to make friends with. 2. It is a ton of work to do alone, and help is hard to find, expensive or dodgy. 3. I am near Yosemite, but don't go often because it's a long drive alone, a full day of lugging heavy camera gear and drive back. 4. Former friends, even new friends from cities 50 miles away seem to experience a moat effect, and when they do come, go straight to the Park and head right back. 5. There is one hospital in town, and too much of an amateur hour. I gave a complete strategic plan to someone on the board, with answers! No change. 6. Stuff breaks, there are wildfires/evacuations. Power goes out for a week at a time, during fire or winter storm. A 250 gallon propane tank (with Generac) will keep power on for about a week. I've run very low twice. 7. Many people live by UPS and FedEX, because there are a handful of stores in town. I make the 50 mile drive to shop weekly. 8. Without city water, you need the electricity to pump water and keep pipes from freezing, via heat tapes. So, while it has been amazing, (MAIN TAKEAWAY) I do advise having an escape, whether it's just renting on the coast for heat waves and natural disasters, or being near people. My visits back to the bay have been wonderful. I lived in the area 30 years. I had this idea long ago, but never got my act together. Plants die if you just leave them. They also die if you leave them with forgetful neighbors. (OOPS) So, I have plastic plants these days. For "normal" people, if you can live where there are services, lots of varied people, medical facilities and stores. Great. Someone can carpool with you to beautiful places, lakes and streams. Less driving! Even Paradise can be lonely, so the story goes! BTW, before landing where I did, my daughter and I toured various places, including a day in Paradise, CA. A couple of years after I moved here, Paradise burned to the ground. So sad. I am glad I made that non-choice and still feel compassion for those who lost everything. Some lost their lives. I can't advise on financials. I usually get these 180 wrong.
handohando 2y ago
What's your age? How did you manage transition from going full time to contractor to retirement?
- k310 2y ago
  I am 75 now. Honestly, contracting jobs were part-time at best, so work just wound down. My wife at the time was a Registered Nurse (you want to talk about job security?) and 5 years younger, so she never understood how hard it was to be an older techie without a big network. She filed for divorce and I'll say more to matt_s in this thread about what to do or not do in retirement as I collect my thoughts. Divorce is not helpful, but I started collecting Social Security, and then we got separate places just before and after the home sold. Kind of a rough landing.

by k310 2y ago

mattbrewsbytes 2y ago

Can you enlighten some of us that might be a decade or two behind you on what not to do in retirement?

k310 2y ago
Sorry for the delay. I had to think some things through. OK, I can only comment on my own experience. Background: and your mileage will definitely vary. Just after going on Social Security, I got divorce papers filed against me. The result was selling the home and going off to separate new places. I moved out before the sale, having the majority of "stuff", so their absence presumably helped the sale process, but I had limited funds, so I moved to the country from the Bay Area. So my advice really applies to moving to the country. First, it's liberating in a Thoreau sense. Tons of self-discovery past any disagreements. Heck, marriage lasted 27 years. And, depending on where you land, gorgeous. I am on a ridge and have 140 degree or so unobscured views with mountain backgrounds for sunrises and sunsets. So, other than the deer eating everything not behind a doubled-up 7 foot fence, a photographers paradise of sorts. Three main wildflower species put on an annual show. I do miss growing roses and a few veggies, even in tubs. Roses are candy to deer. But the caveats on country living are several. 1. It is lonely, and a very small population to make friends with. 2. It is a ton of work to do alone, and help is hard to find, expensive or dodgy. 3. I am near Yosemite, but don't go often because it's a long drive alone, a full day of lugging heavy camera gear and drive back. 4. Former friends, even new friends from cities 50 miles away seem to experience a moat effect, and when they do come, go straight to the Park and head right back. 5. There is one hospital in town, and too much of an amateur hour. I gave a complete strategic plan to someone on the board, with answers! No change. 6. Stuff breaks, there are wildfires/evacuations. Power goes out for a week at a time, during fire or winter storm. A 250 gallon propane tank (with Generac) will keep power on for about a week. I've run very low twice. 7. Many people live by UPS and FedEX, because there are a handful of stores in town. I make the 50 mile drive to shop weekly. 8. Without city water, you need the electricity to pump water and keep pipes from freezing, via heat tapes. So, while it has been amazing, (MAIN TAKEAWAY) I do advise having an escape, whether it's just renting on the coast for heat waves and natural disasters, or being near people. My visits back to the bay have been wonderful. I lived in the area 30 years. I had this idea long ago, but never got my act together. Plants die if you just leave them. They also die if you leave them with forgetful neighbors. (OOPS) So, I have plastic plants these days. For "normal" people, if you can live where there are services, lots of varied people, medical facilities and stores. Great. Someone can carpool with you to beautiful places, lakes and streams. Less driving! Even Paradise can be lonely, so the story goes! BTW, before landing where I did, my daughter and I toured various places, including a day in Paradise, CA. A couple of years after I moved here, Paradise burned to the ground. So sad. I am glad I made that non-choice and still feel compassion for those who lost everything. Some lost their lives. I can't advise on financials. I usually get these 180 wrong.

handohando 2y ago

What's your age? How did you manage transition from going full time to contractor to retirement?

k310 2y ago
I am 75 now. Honestly, contracting jobs were part-time at best, so work just wound down. My wife at the time was a Registered Nurse (you want to talk about job security?) and 5 years younger, so she never understood how hard it was to be an older techie without a big network. She filed for divorce and I'll say more to matt_s in this thread about what to do or not do in retirement as I collect my thoughts. Divorce is not helpful, but I started collecting Social Security, and then we got separate places just before and after the home sold. Kind of a rough landing.