Congrats on the retirement
I semi-retired early in life, I'm 60 now
It's a long story I don't need to get into here...
I'll do the reader digest version
I pretty much just didn't go into work or an office away from home...
I pretty much just did
consulting instead of the physical aspects
I helped get a few of my better guys, their contractors licenses,
off my Construction/facility management for a large automotive
dealership group...
I'd organize the jobs & tell them where to go, collect checks
& pay the subs etc.
I did that for about almost 20 year, on my time line, didn't punch a clock...
I knew all the owners & they trusted me, that helped I'm sure...
I never really needed to search for work...
I've been a certified range master/instructor, for an indoor pistol/rifle range,
I helped to build for my B.I.L., who sold his interest in it shortly after...
I then did some property management, project management etc.
& a few select remodels or construction jobs...
I was still pretty young, I still wanted to add to my nest egg...
Nowhere near time to tap into the pension....
I Built another small business,
a Golf Pro Shop & equipment repairs...
While still doing the facility management stuff, consulting, part time-ish...
Racing, raising kids, golfing etc.
That lasted about 10 years, semi successfully
(retail business sucks)
I Dabbled in professional golf, while doing the other stuff,
it netted about $18,000 after 10 years
after paying for flights, travel, gas, entry fees, food & hotels, winnings,
it paid for itself... not much else
Got in the way of my racing at times... so I stopped
I had worked from home since 1997, 38 y/o, raising kids,
messing with cars, trailers, boats, bikes, quads, drag racing
going to kids games/sporting events etc.
(Lisa RIP, was gone a few years later) then all alone, raising kids...
When the house was completely empty, no kids, either all off to school
or married etc., its just the dog & me...
That was completely different...
Some years later & 2 moves later, Concord to Rancho Murieta CC
& then 10 years later, then to East of Sonora (Calif.)
then now I have my elderly father moved in & living with me,
since 2007, he keeps me busy...
My 1st few weeks/years "retired"
I think I worked far more hrs than my original company/job,
doing, just stuff...
It tapered off as I needed, only took on stuff, I really wanted to do...
Took a while to get control of it...
If the financials work for you, it will be great,
If you don't have ENOUGH, it can be tough at times...
IMO owning everything outright helps too...
Not having huge payments going out constantly helps a lot too...
Especially if you have some sort of
income/pension still coming in...
I don't race like I use to & I can't really spend $$$
"like a drunken sailor on shore leave anymore", but I'm happy...
I get bored easily, golf, racing, fishing, hunting & travel helped that aspect...
Now I just assume stay home...
I like it that way too...
I've sewed my oats, had a great time, don't regret much if any...
I think
if the finances are there & you can deal with the time thing...
It's a great deal...
Good luck I hope you
enjoy your own time
& do what you always wanted to do,
not what you have to do...