• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Let's talk about Retirement

themechanic

Oklahoma is OK
Local time
5:44 AM
Joined
Nov 11, 2012
Messages
16,463
Reaction score
19,411
Location
Moore, Oklahoma
What would you do for free or what is your dream job? In other words, what are you retiring to? This discussion is for those considering retirement and folks who have already retired.
 
I love cooking, baking anything to do with food. I'm a retired restaurant owner. I'd teach people how to cook for free.
 
I retired last year. Keep myself busy working on Hot Rods. Be it mine, buddy's, or customers. Keeps me active. I work on some interesting cars. Schedule when I feel like it. If I wanted to, I could work 7 days a week on customer stuff. I don't. Just spread it out.
Doug
 
I'm helping my dad with his process, he has 46 weeks of work left but 96 calander weeks. He works in a machine shop and does 7 12 hr shifts, 7 days off. He's retiring to... work in the machine shop only 32 hrs a week to keep health insurance and drive a potatoe truck in the fall like he always does. He gave up working on cars long ago, he might fish and hunt more but that's it.
 
My retirement day is fast approaching and I haven't figured what I want to do yet. I am just tired of going the hectic work pace I've been going for the last 20+ years and then rushing to get my own stuff done when I'm on my time. For me, it's just time to slow the pace down. Submit & I own 3 properties and just maintaining them will keep me busy enough.
 
I retired a few years ago. These forums keep me busy as well as 2 properties to maintain. As I get older I have less energy and drive and a lot more aches and pains. Cross those things off your list as soon as you can.
I always envisioned volunteering at the hospital or food bank but my body won't handle it.
 
When that day comes I will so down finish all projects at the house. Go to local car shows and sip on Jack Daniel's. Watch my grandkids grow up.
 
I've been retired 9 yrs now. Still have no idea what I want to do. I'll work on my car, but it costs money, ride my SxS but that to costs money, take my boat out but even more money. I tend to get very bored. I am extremely lazy by nature, 23 yrs in the Army w 11 yrs of it National Guard. 18 yrs LE n medically retired. Never looked forward to going to work 1 time in my life. I've always envied those who like their work. The only thing I've actually had a passion for was "chasing" Women. Not catching, just chasing. N I don't think there's any job doing that.
 
Last edited:
I’m retired. I was approached by a fella while he was trick or treating with his kids when he seen the old Cuda in the garage. He asked if I knew how to tune carbs. I let out a true LOL & said “Sure do!” He then asks, “Do you want a job?” I turned him down for the job but offered to teach him for free minus lunch as my fee. Being just up the block from me, gas isn’t an issue.

I retired to my garage. I’m working on my sons ‘91 Dodge W-150 4spd manual 4X4 V6 - V8-360 swap. In a little while, I’m heading down to see HEMIdon for some parts. While I’m not in great shape to twist a wrench everyday, when I can I do. If not, there’s enough around here to fill the void. Or I just chill and watch the horses, drink coffee, surf the net, watch some (not much) TV, relax, swim in the pool, cut the bushes, etc….

Im busier than ever.

A old high school friend also lives in state (Florida) and asked if I was bored yet. I said no but asked what’s up? His place of employment is a golf cart place. He said there behind on orders and could use a mechanic to help catch up. I worked there for several weeks. I overheard the boss say there lot was full again. So I interjected and he confirmed so. He asked if I wanted to learn trouble shooting the carts. I said no thanks and gave my two week notice promptly. He thought I was joking. I said no. Told him what I make in retirement only to watch his jaw drop.

It was a very good work environment. Half the fellas were home grown Floridians and the other half were from Oklahoma. What a great bunch. They all loved to hear how NY is and worked. Everything from weather to how houses are decorated. But it was an hour commute 1 way that did to quickly, oddly enough. I hated the hour commute into NYC. This seemed like a pleasure by compare.

I told them give me a call if things go FUBAR again, I’d be glad to come back temporarily.

Retirement is excellent. It was a bunch of paper work that was a PIA. But worth every grumble and complaint about the process. Which was not really hard or difficult but just simply annoying. A slow process that took a bit but worked very well. Totally worth it.

The wife got a RN job up the block a mere 6 or so miles away and the son and I work on the truck when he is t working.
 
I retired last year. Keep myself busy working on Hot Rods. Be it mine, buddy's, or customers. Keeps me active. I work on some interesting cars. Schedule when I feel like it. If I wanted to, I could work 7 days a week on customer stuff. I don't. Just spread it out.
Doug
Ditto here. While I don’t have customers anymore, I was well enough know in a small circle to be knowledgeable enough to easily start a Business, having nothing better to do than work on cars, it could have been easily a full time job working on friends cars. That’s how the first Business started. Been down that road before.

No thanks. It’s the hectic mess that comes with doing work for others in a hopefully timely schedule. Though 99% of my friends understand how things are and now the changing world slows things down even more, ugh!

Regular people just don’t get it. Demand demand demand… want it now and stupid cheap… LOL, yea, OK!
 
The first 6 years of my retirement, I worked hard at getting rid of the label of being a Homeless Veteran! God, I hated that! Now that that's behind me, it seems that working my somewhat neglected acre and 1/2 is enough to keep me busy with home repairs and yard work. I still have to flush cooling systems and get the rides registered and back into commission! At least it keeps me off the streets and outta trouble!
Now, if only prices of goods & services would help cooperate with my fixed income, that'd be great!!
 
For free, I'd teach young people, or for that matter anybody, all about classic muscle cars. From their history, development, and the experience of living the era. How to fix, repair, restore, & maintain. Any & all sweathogs welcome.
 
After 33 years as a 911 Dispatcher, I retired in 2020. I continue my public service as an Alderman for my city for 12 years. But, still looking for a piece of land or an existing building for my collector cars.
 
Not sure when I had time to go to work... but I'm gonna teach this one all about cars, whether she likes it or not!
kristal34thbirthdaysheacars 006.jpg
 
I have a year to my 65 target.
( waiting for medicare ) My brother and I will split weeks at the shop, 3 days on and 4 off at that time until it sells or leases out.
Then it gets real, my wife and I have a 4 bed 2 bath 2 story home that is paid for, our rental is very close to paid off.
Few bucks saved and both of us have decent ssi checks to grab.
Here is the kicker,
I have been laid up for 3 weeks, messed my knee up then had surgery to repair. I'm going back to work Monday.
The past 3 weeks have just about drove me crazy, I hate my recliner , I'm watching cooking shows and can't fix toast.
Once I retire, I am looking for a new job.
 
Retirement is an option at 59 . I plan on volunteering on a Mercy Ship (floating hospital ) , for at least three months . I'll be able to devote time to the Wounded Warrior project and help make prosthetics for kids . My wife is 15 years younger than I .We won't be spending any more time together than we do now . I'll be close to 80 when she retires ....
 
Between my never ending home remodel, cars and having coffee with other geezers, I don't know how I got everything done when I was working... Been retired since I was 60 and just turned 67..
I am starting to come to grips with my mortality,,, Have had some medical issues and they came on quick..... Don't think you are going to be healthy forever....
 
I've got plenty to do and plan to retire as soon as I can afford to (hopefully that will be in 3.5 years at age 58).
 
Last edited:
I retired at 52, young enough to run like the wind!! I now enjoy doing whatever the weather of the day allows. My wife and I enjoy shopping and running around all day. We eat out many times while on the run. A side from a few hiccups, life is great.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top