To pay off the opportunity cost of having returned to school last (my last four years, of twelve, at the university level), I'm going to have to work until I'm something like 75.
Given that the men in my family tend not to live much past 70, it looks like retirement is not a great option for me.
Which is good, because I don't have an IRA or anything...
Besides: "REtire? Damn, I'm tired already, you mean I gotta get tired again?"
I'm 25 and retired (sold a software company two years ago). Bored out of my mind, thinking about medical school or an exercise physiology Ph.D.
present wrote:
To pay off the opportunity cost of having returned to school last (my last four years, of twelve, at the university level), I'm going to have to work until I'm something like 75.
Given that the men in my family tend not to live much past 70, it looks like retirement is not a great option for me.
Which is good, because I don't have an IRA or anything...
Besides: "REtire? Damn, I'm tired already, you mean I gotta get tired again?"
There wasn't really an opportunity cost if you weren't/aren't planing to save for retirement. Those years are now you'd call a sunk cost and shouldn't be factored into your future decisions. What matters is how much you make now and how much you save/have saved. That will determine when you retire, not those years lost in school. So don't make it too complicated. Just start saving and and you can retire when you feel like it/are able to.
true story wrote:
I'm 25 and retired (sold a software company two years ago). Bored out of my mind, thinking about medical school or an exercise physiology Ph.D.
even though most people think you are 'joking', I know that you are not. We are wired to strive, to be useful, to have a purpose for living. You have lost that temporarily. A college pal of mine ended up in your situation, though he is 33; and for 5 years now he has been miserable. His day is: going to Starbucks and hanging around for 3 hours in the mornings, reading papers, talking to people, etc. and actually envying the people who leave because they have to be somewhere with someone depending on them. He goes home, watches tv, eats lunch, surfs the net. Kids home from school, he visits with them, but, they too, have things to do. (dad is just kind of thought of as a 'lost soul' hanging around the house. Dinner time. tv, too much wine and bed. He is thinking of voluntering for the Peace Corp or something as he can't take much more of this. (he tells me). when he calls he keeps me on the phone forever.
Well, I'm returning to the coaching ranks for a different reason...raising 3 kids. I quit my original coaching (the head coach was a sexist non-communicator in a combined program no less). I stayed very busy during my "retirement," however...organized races, coached age group track, worked out, got involved in USATF and officiating plus all the stuff that goes with being parent (carpooling, dr's apt., homework etc. etc. I am totally looking forward to being with college athletes and a somewhat quiet office (no Sponge Bob and Dora hee hee).
Volunteer at marathons, meets, XC. That'll keep you busy, at least on weekends. I found that the majority of Certified Officials, writers, photographers, and some video people are retirees, rich kids, freelancers with real careers, or have nothing else to do. You'll be in goof company.
I had timed it out all wrong..I quit putting on free comunity races, stopped coaching, quit the running club because of personalty diffrences, goals etc..
Now, the knees are finally going after 75-80,000 miles.
So, I thought it would help just to work the finish lines at all the old favorite races.
It does keep you in the mix and is good socially.
And you never know, maybe a miracle will happen with the joints-ha.
I wish I would have waited to coach, put on free races..until AFTER I retired.
Why me wrote:
Your dad needs to run and find running friends to run with. If not then some other social activity, maybe a health club. He could also get a part-time job. I don't think it's the work he's missing but interacting with others. I have about 13 to 15 years to go but there's a great running community where I live and a park that many other runners gravitate to. I will not miss the 1 hour commute or the many morons at work. I will love getting up when I want, doing what I want, when I want.
______________________________________
Running isn't for everyone.
Skuj has it right. I liked working and I like retirement even better. Don't turn the TV on until the six o'clock news and you will find plenty to do. Whatever your interests are, there are sure to be many clubs in that area that you could join. Be a big brother. Volunteer at a local school to teach remedial reading or math, the list goes on is you like that kind of work.
Volunteer at your local park; lead nature walks. Organize a "Friends of the Park" to help keep it clean.
Write your community newsletters. Volunteer at the local humance society; walk the dogs, play with the kittens.
There aren't enough hours in the day to do all of this and run, too....................so running comes first. Which is fine.
I tend to stay away from the professional field I pursued for some forty plus years - Accounting. Retirement is a new life with unlimited possibilities.
FS
Oops - before the grammar police get here - should be "if" and "humane". Do typing errors count?
Your dad will be an alzy very soon if he keeps sitting around feeling sorry for himself.