I was asked one day if I was retired. Well now, I just had to stop and think about that for awhile. Am I retired or semi-retired, or am I just out of work? Good question, I just didn’t stop one day and say, “I am now retired”. No, it just sort of crept up on me and now I kind of like it.
As I got older, I weeded out all of my customers except for two. These two have been my customers for many, many years. I have learned what they usually expect of me, I know the employees, they know me, and we are friends. At least I feel we are friends.
In 2010, I worked a total of 160 hours and so far this year I have only worked 3.5 hours. That is down a lot from 2009 when I put in a thousand hours for the same two customers. I have done some additional stuff for them, but at no charge. Sort of a good will thing. Times have been bad, but I was old enough, so at age 66, I started receiving social security benefits. Being self employed, I have to pay 13.5% off the top to social security. That has been quite an amount over the years, probably a lot more than I will ever get back, so I don’t feel guilty taking it.
OK, so am I retired, semi-retired, laid off, or just plain out of work? I will let you decide. The truth is, I do not want to get busy again. I probably wouldn’t object to a small job now and then, but maybe out of the above choices, I am just tired. You know, “been there, done that” and now it is time for something different. At least something that doesn’t have a tight schedule affixed to it. I don’t mind doing work, or traveling, or playing, or whatever, as long as there is no strict schedule.
Know what I mean?
Indeed I do. I tell people I'm self-unemployed.
ReplyDeleteI am retired also and I am enjoying it. Wouldn't change a thing. Blessings jane
ReplyDeleteI too understand. I'm just doing my dues until I too can rest.
ReplyDeleteI got an early out with SS Disability and have adapted very well to not sitting in traffic going to a job where my bosses were all 25 years old and from India with a degree they got there in a year and a half and backpacks and hickeys. I was training them...Doesn't bother me a bit!
ReplyDeleteLike Frann, forced retirement, sucked at first, but I've gotten used to it now. But now days, I don't miss the work routine not to mention the commute!!!
ReplyDeleteforced into early retirement, no jobs after being laid off, so when unemployment ended, had to take it. LOVE IT!!!.. best thing? Never have to set that (*&^%$$#$ alarm clock.
ReplyDeleteLike u tho, worked a few hours along the way, with just one person. After the last one moved, i just never did it any more.
Sixbears, self-unemployed, yeah, I like that!!!
ReplyDeleteJane, I have worked from my home for many, many years and this retirement thing is just shifting one paying job to a bunch of non-paying work :-0
Grant, who said retirement was resting? Last thing you want to do is stop doing things.
Frann, Yep, I understand, but you didn’t stop working; now you work for yourself on your property. Isn’t life wonderful?
Ben, I guess I am just easing into it. Don’t know how I would have reacted if it would happen all of a sudden.
Trouble, Yes, there is a lot of good to be said about retirement. Now, if I can only get some miles on my 6 new tires. . .
When I retired, the first thing I did was to take off my watch! Haven't worn one since...and don't miss it at all!
ReplyDeleteHermit, I suppose the next thing you will do is toss out the calendar??
ReplyDeleteMe...me, I want in this club. I agree with all the above! I just want to know one thing from you...what did you retire from? I know you worked from home and just have a couple of customers left but what did you do for a living?
ReplyDeleteI used your question to write my blog today, Sunday. You can get your answer there, maybe more than you wanted.
ReplyDelete