Morgana
regular
Reged: 28/08/2003
Posts: 12432
Loc: East Coast
|
|
Thats an interesting perspective... the way I see it, the boat is like a house that needs a lot more maintenance that your average semi, so almost a full time occupation!
Most non-sailing retired folk I know complain about endless lists of DIY... so maybe its quite similar!
--------------------
Bored?.... why not read my blog .... its the developing story of the trials and tribulations of boat ownership!
|
susyrosyworzy
regular
Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 8132
Loc: kjaw for the next year!
|
|
Hm, yes indeed, Neil - I'm usually so busy, doing lots of different things, I use the ole joke - I need a job for a rest! I'm off with Jack again for 6/7 weeks at the end of July (I bought the ticket this morning, so he can't change his mind!).
S x
--------------------
www.susysrunningawaytosea.blogspot.com
"As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It preserves the soul from desiccation." Humphrey Lyttleton
|
Guapa
regular
Reged: 24/09/2003
Posts: 4959
Loc: UK East Coast
|
|
Quote:
This my be a curious question: But are there any people that don't intend on retiring? A lot of succesful businessmen, artists and creative people etc, work right up until they die - Not because they necessarily have to, but because what they do is who they are, as opposed to the majority of people who just work their jobs counting the days down until they can stop? Ie. their jobs are simply means to an end (which is pretty unfortunate really).
People who really enjoy what they do are IMHO few and far between - the lucky few.
Lots of wage-slaves are counting the days. Me included.
I could have retired early next year; but as I have 2 teenage children I have signed on for another 5 years. I see it as my duty to keep working till they've finished their education.
Iso retiring at 44, I'll happily retire at 49 
Boat will be paid for, full pension, not a care in the world (provided there will be no health issues.)
We plan to sail around the world the next 8-10 years. After that, who knows?
Whilst off sailing I'd do all the things I never seem to have time for - read a lot more, really get to know people, write, teach ...
The main difference would be - I would work when I wanted to and take the jobs I wanted. Not because I had to or needed the money, but because I wanted to do something. Get reacquainted with 'job satisfaction'.
--------------------
Guapa on the web
I'll eat when I'm hungry
I'll drink when I'm dry
Don't boss me or cross me
Or I'll spit in your eye.
I think what I please and
I say what I mean.
|
Slow_boat
regular
Reged: 13/09/2005
Posts: 4877
Loc: My own cosy little world where...
|
|
There are people in my job who do a full thirty years then come back as support staff. It's usually because they either need to keep working to pay for mortgage/kids etc or they have got used to a lifestyle and don't want to change it. Good luck to them, I say.
For myself, I view retirement as a chance to change life, to do what I want to, not what I have to. I view three stages of adult life; Twenties is a time we have the opportunity to get out and sample life, have fun and take risks. Then with marriage/kids/mortgage comes responsibility so most settle down to a job to pay for them. Then kids grow up, a chunk of mortgage is paid off and retirement means freedom to go out and enjoy life again!
A job is just something you do to pay for real life. You can't buy time, no matter how rich you are.
--------------------
Funny old world, innit?
|
susyrosyworzy
regular
Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 8132
Loc: kjaw for the next year!
|
|
Quote:
You can't buy time, no matter how rich you are.
No, indeed. Off now for yet more jollification!
S x
--------------------
www.susysrunningawaytosea.blogspot.com
"As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It preserves the soul from desiccation." Humphrey Lyttleton
|
jordanbasset
regular
Reged: 31/12/2007
Posts: 202
Loc: Shropshire
|
|
Agree with you, I have enjoyed my job and have been lucky in that it allowed me to do different roles and spells of working abroad. I could carry on and earn more money but I am now ready for the next phase of my life, which I see as an adventure. It may be that it does not work out, but won't know until we try it. If it does not there are plenty of other things we may want to do, in no particular order, including unpaid work in developing countries, going on to do further education for the joy of learning (always wanted to do archeology), back packing, camper van etc etc.
You are a long time dead and life can throw you nasty surprises, want to do it while we still can - best wishes
--------------------
"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."
|
Conachair
regular
Reged: 24/01/2004
Posts: 467
Loc: Canaries
|
|
I packed in full time work aged 42, mainly as planning your life around a funny book by Douglas Adams seemed just as valid as anything else. No big planning process or anything, just seemed so obviously the right thing to do. No regrets, feel so much lighter not having a house with a loft full of rubbish half of which I couldn't remember buying and certainly didn't need. And bills! Remember them?
Plan was to drift south and see what happened. Seems to be going rather well. I'm south and things happen. After a couple of years away the term "retired" doesn't mean very much, if you feel the need to work then find some otherwise have the rest of the year off. Funds allowing of course. But then I don't have kids so i can do what I want. I suppose I'm hugely lucky in that after too many years as a rigger in the entertainment business I can pretty much pick and choose the more interesting jobs if i feel the need to work. But hugely lucky tonight means Ive been off site on a car launch in Germany for about 3 hours since last saturday morning and it must be tuesday by now. Singlehanding does have advantages in learning how to cat nap for days on end. And I agree with Nick to an extent as well, anything can become normal after a while. I find getting away from the boat for a bit of work and a few beers with some old friends now and again makes you appreciate it so much more when you get back. And boy I'm going to appreciate those Dorada and Rioja when I get back. Germany might make some fine beer but pork and cabbage looses it's appeal quite rapidly. 
|
SeaVenture
regular
Reged: 04/01/2007
Posts: 83
|
|
Retirement means different things to different folk. I say we're retired because my husband no longer heads to the office, but he's busier now than he ever was then. As for me, I'm a writer. I don't think writers ever retire--especially with computers and email around.
Michael's greatest hardship on moving aboard has been letting go of file boxes full of designs for things he yet wants to build. Who knows, maybe when he retires from sailing the world he'll have the time and space to construct that helicopter or whatever. One reason we bought such a large boat is that at least a fourth of his workshop has come with us, including a small welder and tons of other toys.
|
chockswahay
regular
Reged: 13/07/2003
Posts: 96
|
|
This is indeed interesting reading.
I have a question tho'........... How many people here have actually done it? I mean set sail full time. And of those how many are still doing it say 3 years later?
As some of you know, I tried it for 3 years (a little less) and discovered it was not for me.
Regarding my job I am extremely fortunate in as much that I get paid to do something I REALLY enjoy, so I do agree I have a bias.
Is 'living aboard' a panacea? Of all the people we met when cruising, the happiest one's were always those had had homes to return to, were well funded, and in practice only sailed for the 'summer months'.
Cruising full time is hard work, and spending the 'winter periods' in a marina is restrictive.
Just a thought.......
Chox
|
Troutbridge
regular
Reged: 19/03/2007
Posts: 333
Loc: Cruising, mon, cruising
|
|
I think it comes down to definitions. My idea of cruising is to follow the sun & avoid winters, but then I'm happy with the idea of long ocean passages. I suppose I would describe myself as a 'blue water cruiser'. When I went off 13 years ago (ran out of money & had to go back to 'real' life) it occurred to me I was happier voyaging than sitting somewhere for extended periods, so I guess that was my 'purpose' in life, to travel. Others are happy to sit in a marina and wait for summer (no criticism implied, different strokes etc). One thing is for sure, you can't rely on running away to sea to escape problems because so often the problems lay within ourselves. 
--------------------
Some see the glass as half full, some see it as half empty. I see it as too damn small.
http:/blog.mailasail.com/troutbridge
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
[Re: 
Edit
Reply
Quote
