Just joined the forum, took the hint and decided to introduce myself!
My name is David, I live in South Yorks. I’m 54 and about to leave the world of work – yippie!
Whether I can afford to or not is another matter of course! Actually I believe I can. I’ll be ‘time rich and cash poor’ but I’m happy with that.
I have been a secondary school teacher for the last 31 years. Was going to hang on until my 55th birthday next year and take my reduced pension but the ‘b**gers’ have got to me and frankly for, ‘sanity and health’ I’ve decided I have had enough and, have enough savings (bang goes the camper van I had been saving to ‘maybe’ buy!) to see me through 'til then (next April). So I handed in my resignation. Six weeks left – just about survive, I think!
Thought I’d check out a few sites and look for canny suggestions and hints and tips from others to eek out that reduced pension and savings.
Look forward to reading through the forums and contributing.
I don’t know much about pensions etc - but hope you don’t lose too much by retiring early (we do have a money & finance section where you might want to post tho).
I don’t blame you retiring early - I’d much rather be time rich and cash poor
I have probably failed already as this is my second response to this - my first seemed to disappear in to the ether - no doubt, I’ll end up with two almost identical missives!
Looking at your profile I felt compelled to point out that I too am from South Wales but was cruelly snatched away to The Wirral before I could talk and complain. Still have many relatives I visit down that way though.
Money is going to be very tight - but there are always options. I have simple and relatively cheap tastes and hobbies - so sure I’ll survive. As long as I can afford petrol to go out on one of my motorbikes, I’ll be happy.
I am basically a ‘special needs’ teacher so have taught many subjects. Most often though I have taught English.
You can call me whatever you like - professionally I will have been called far worse I can tell you!
As much as I now rather feel I have given as much as I can I HAVE enjoyed my teaching career, even in an always ‘challenging’ environment, BUT times have changed and it’s not the same career that I entered as a 'starry eyed youth. Far too much interference and many, many changes in the last 10 or more years and rarely for the better. Quite happy to pass the baton on.
I thought money would be “really tight” when I retired, but I am getting along quite well. When I retired I moved to a small town where living expenses are low. Bought a house for about half of the price of similar places in the big city.
welcome to the forum!
