HorseFixer 2,013 #1 Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) Ive been at it nearly 39 years, After working a for my local County for nearly 25 years of that, And before as an HVAC Contractor for 10 years. I have decided that there is more to life than working.... Or at least at this point I think there is. watching family members die early a few years back and a sibling who drew (5) S.S. Checks then gone makes you think. Retireing early doesnt happen by accident.Im 57 and retireing before the age of 62 is almost unheard of these days, A friend of mine who guided me to this Told Meand said... Bob people dont plan to fail, "They Fail To Plan" I followed all of his advice,and here I am today.The 12th of Dec is my last day, I have A PLAN, And I have set Sail, but Im SAILING in unchartered waters.... Well Me and my first mate Capt'n Morgan Wish me Luck! ~Duke Edited November 13, 2014 by HorseFixer 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anglo Traction 761 #2 Posted November 12, 2014 Well done that Man . You'll find you'll have less time to do things though !. I also get the occasional support and enjoyment from the Captain (M) . May your retirement be long, happy and fruitful. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,919 #3 Posted November 12, 2014 Congratulations Duke! It's very true that with the proper planning an early retirement can happen. I'm sure there is some luck involved as well but most of that luck was probably created over the years of hard work and really isn't luck at all. I retired the first month after my 58th birthday (closing in on 2 years ago) and am enjoying the heck out of it. I'm sure you will as well and just think about all the extra time you'll have to play with your tractors. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #4 Posted November 12, 2014 Congrats Bob. Here's to a long and happy retirement with your real first mate, MJ. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #5 Posted November 12, 2014 Congragulations Brother Bob!!! I know you and MJ will be enjoying the heck out of this next chapter to your lives together 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,532 #6 Posted November 12, 2014 Congrats Bob. I retired at 56 after 35 years as a machinist. Glad I did, my grand daughter was 8 years old when I retired so we got do a lot of fishing and I was able to watch her grow up. She is in college now and we are still very close. Hope you enjoy your retirement. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,624 #7 Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) Congrats Duke! I hope you have a lot of time to work on the horses. I looked up my retirement portfolio and this is what it looked like..... Not happy, lol Edited November 12, 2014 by 19richie66 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,082 #8 Posted November 12, 2014 Congrats, Bob. I know you'll find plenty to do. Looking forward to seeing what kind of projects you come up with. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,410 #9 Posted November 12, 2014 I love that coffee table up there, Congrats on the retirement Bob ,, now you will have the time to get into that shed& finish off the Senior 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brrly1 1,146 #10 Posted November 12, 2014 Wishing you all the luck in your New endeavor!!! Hope things work out well. I was going to ask that question last week when I was going to sit down and wish you a Happy Birthday. So at this point I am going to wish you a Happy (belated) Birthday and congrats on the retirement. You earned it, Now go enjoy it!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ_Thanatos 516 #11 Posted November 12, 2014 Thats awesome! Good luck too you Bob. I'm sure we will be meeting up soon. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #12 Posted November 12, 2014 Congrats Duke! I hope you have a lot of time to work on the horses. I looked up my retirement portfolio and this is what it looked like..... image.jpg Not happy, lol I'm afraid that is the same thing I would see! I started life over again at 38 years old after 20 years in a previous marrage, and I still have a very large house payment until age 70! Duke I am very happy for you, and anyone else that is able to retire and enjoy the rest of their lives! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #13 Posted November 12, 2014 Well done Bob...now enjoy every day as a new day...my only advise is....don't ever look back and wonder what if....>> This year marks my 10th year and I wouldn't have changed one thing....I wake up everyday expecting a suprise before the sun goes down in the west..... PS....Just don't make any more reservations at the "Blue Moon Motel" near da big show!!....MJ will appreciate that!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,292 #14 Posted November 12, 2014 The problem with retirement is that all your friends and family think you got nothin' to do. So it's "hey Bob, can you this", and "hey Bob, can you that"? I swear to all that's dear to me, I'm busier now than before I took the leap. Well, I guess I should say congratulations. You really did do the right thing. Dying before you get to do the fun stuff sucks! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,139 #15 Posted November 12, 2014 Awesome news Bob!! So now you will have no excuse to miss the big show in PA each June !! Mike........... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rexman72 210 #16 Posted November 12, 2014 stay healthy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zieg72 209 #17 Posted November 12, 2014 Awesome, I am counting the days till I can go... Best of luck!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #18 Posted November 12, 2014 You said..."The 12th of Dec is my last day," you need to change that thinking right NOW...it is your 1st day. Damn, you sound like you are playing for Brady Hoke. Fair winds and following seas Mate...you will be fine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,274 #19 Posted November 13, 2014 You know what...I am going to go one step farther. You have been retired "cents" (squonk talk) you started working for the county...give me a break. The only difference is...wait for it...there is no difference. You are just done practicing after 25 years. You should be a professional by now!!! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,013 #20 Posted November 13, 2014 WoW thanks Guys! And a special to Anglo Richard, Frank, Dino Steve, Jim D, Racin Bob, Bob Maynard, Jerry for Voting and letting me in the Club! I pray for Smooth Sailing I'm about as nervous as a Hen Pecked Chick. A lot to think about. Its a funny feeling, I can't quite describe it. Steve 10-4 on the Brady Hoke thing, The Only other Job that's more Cushy than a County Maintenance Supervisor is An AT&T Lineman. Those guys go in those tents along side the road pretend they are working on one of them Road Side Boxes and they &*&4)(!/?>:;'" Then They &^%@~`<,-+= After that they /?';<*&@#.?`!@# Then take a nap with their splicing partner! ~Duke 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,527 #21 Posted November 13, 2014 Duke- I am very happy for you. I hope to be able to follow your lead when the time comes. I still have at least 15 more years... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 655 #22 Posted November 13, 2014 Congrats on the retirement ... I know that you'll sail just fine ... just as with almost everything you do - it'll be top shelf. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geno 1,929 #23 Posted November 13, 2014 Hey Duke, congrats on finding out there is more to life than working! I didn't wake up till I turned 50 and realized 70-80 hours a week for over 30 years had taken most of my life away. It still took me 2 years to learn to say no, I semi-retired a little over a year ago. I guess I will stay in the semi-retired state the rest of my life because there's too many tax deductions I gain by having the shop, but at least I only work when I want and for who I want now. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,536 #24 Posted November 13, 2014 Congrats Duke, like you I was worried last year (Sept. 30 2013) retireing after working 41 years as a Journeyman Lineman but guess what I have less time to do things now than when I was working who knew !!!!!!!! Good luck and many happy retirement years ahead. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DOC in Kentucky 178 #25 Posted November 13, 2014 Good luck Duke! I retired at 58 with almost 40 years in healthcare. Was the second best decision in my life, second only to my wife of almost 35 years. What really has amazed me is all the crap I don't do now when I have the time that I didn't do then because I didn't have the time. If this doesn't make since to you now, it will in a few months....LOL!!! Retirement to me is only the second best thing to my grandkids! CONGRATS!!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
