Leaving the rat race forever

Jamie · 21st September 2007, 18:08

Recently returned from a lovely few days up in Staithes, North Yorkshire, with wife and Pooch. it was bliss, had a ride on the famous north yorkshire steam trains...tootled around fabulously historic towns and for the first time in our lives we spent a day walking happily down the cleveland way towards one of the last surviving world war 2 radar stations... it has been a little piece of heaven....the trouble is....I am having a genuine struggle to com to terms with our life here in this country....I cant seem to understand why life in blighty is such an uphill struggle....I would love to step away from the rat race and work part time, spend some more time with my wife before its too late... Ive seen this happen tooo many times, my dad worked his hide off untill he was 70 then fell and broke his hip which destroyed his retirement plan, its a bitter Irony, a hard pill to swallow.

Selfish this may be... I would love to retire now, while i am still resonably fit....while I can walk.... while there is still some beautiful places to see....before my time is over.

I know this sounds a little desperate, maybe it is....I am not a religous person and truly believe this life is our only chance....after that its over. I just wish we I could find a way to enjoy it now and not have to work untill we are too worn out to enjoy the fruits of our labours.

I dunno....I am rambling here....am I on my own?

stocktake · 21st September 2007, 18:19

Hi Jamie, my thoughts exactly, just turned 50 and it does dawn on you that you cannot go on forever, I can no longer catch my 18yr old son, in fact have to look the definition of sprint up in the dictionary.
It does seem that there must be something in the statistics that show there are so many expats abroad that just to sit back from the rat race and ENJOY........

Christopher · 21st September 2007, 18:21

I am 100% behind you - I have lived in 4 countries in the last 13 years, and by far the biggest struggle I have is living life here in the UK - I don't know what it is but it does feel like a rat race, I love my job, but it seems no job is safe, as an academic - for example - the last thing I have time for is to think! I spent almost all my time chasing $$$'s to keep the university going (not the research) and then we now "teach" rather than allow students to expand their mind .... I digress ... I have said many a time. A part-time job on some hill in Spain (or a bach in good old New Zealand) is becoming more and more attractive ...

Seize the day!

Tatts · 21st September 2007, 18:24

Sounds good at first.

I 'retired' in 2001 when I was 40. I've worked since leaving school at 16. Great I thought, life of taking it easy, doing what I want, when I want, and all the other good stuff.

However. I was bored rigid indside 3 months. I spent too much time on the PC, ending up turning night into day, and vice versa. I also missed the craic & banter I got from working.

I should have known better; I used to get bored whilst on leave after a few days.

I enjoyed being off when the weather was nice, but I got stir crazy otherwise, and found work very shortly afterwards.

Everyone is different though, might work for you. It didn't for me!

Jamie · 21st September 2007, 18:26

I seem to remember that we work in a similar field Chris?....I too love my job...but it seems to be more manic everyday, I keep thinking 'when this Crisis is over It will all be back to normal' but it never is....we seem to jump from one emergency to another, whilst the company keeps raising your targets and the government keeps moving your retirement day further and further back.

I am close to having a belly full.....the trouble is if I walk away, I would have to give up all those 'things' that we think are precious...the car, the life style and the freedom to buy something if you need it...listen to me...am I brain washed?

Simon · 21st September 2007, 20:28

Not mad Jamie, I'm all for that way of life myself.

It would be much better to have our retirement when we're all young and fit. Then, when we start getting older and feeling the 'strain' of enjoying ourselves, we might venture into some sort of work...

We could, I suppose all pack our bags and go start our own country somewhere.

WeeMan · 21st September 2007, 20:56

Would love to join you and do the same!.....but to sum it up, the reason I can't in one word..............BILLS!

I always remember when I was younger being told (when I was working silly hours), that I'd miss my kids growing up and I thought how silly. Well my daughters are now 18 & 16 and honestly the time has flown in and has proved to be true. I'm now Mon - Fri 9-5 and spend every minute I can with my, now 9 year old, son. Wouldn't want it any other way.

willshot · 21st September 2007, 21:12

I retired early 2 years ago after 33 years on the "railway". It was the best thing I've ever done.I live in beautiful North Yorkshire and make an effort to walk a couple of times a week, only 3 miles or so but some of it is uphill. I can honestly say I have never been bored. OK, I do spend more time than I should on the old PC but there's gardening, DIY, car maintenance and other chores to do. I meet up with old work colleagues once a week for lunch which fills some time in and keeps me in touch. I get up every day at about 8am and DON'T watch daytime TV - it's appauling !!!!!!
If you can financially afford to retire early then GO FOR IT

Like the man said, we're only on this earth once so make the most of it.

JohnDotCom · 21st September 2007, 21:27

I love my Job, Jumping from Country to Country with work ever changing.
I also love being at home, socialising and doing what I want,
but alas to do one I like everyone else need to do the other one as well.
I don't know where the time or money goes,
But hopefully one day I will retire to enjoy it all.
As said this is not a rehearsal, its the real thing, no second chances.

Gryphon · 21st September 2007, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie-Biker in a suit

Recently returned from a lovely few days up in Staithes, North Yorkshire, with wife and Pooch. it was bliss, had a ride on the famous north yorkshire steam trains...tootled around fabulously historic towns and for the first time in our lives we spent a day walking happily down the cleveland way towards one of the last surviving world war 2 radar stations... it has been a little piece of heaven....the trouble is....I am having a genuine struggle to com to terms with our life here in this country....I cant seem to understand why life in blighty is such an uphill struggle....I would love to step away from the rat race and work part time, spend some more time with my wife before its too late... Ive seen this happen tooo many times, my dad worked his hide off untill he was 70 then fell and broke his hip which destroyed his retirement plan, its a bitter Irony, a hard pill to swallow.

Selfish this may be... I would love to retire now, while i am still resonably fit....while I can walk.... while there is still some beautiful places to see....before my time is over.

I know this sounds a little desperate, maybe it is....I am not a religous person and truly believe this life is our only chance....after that its over. I just wish we I could find a way to enjoy it now and not have to work untill we are too worn out to enjoy the fruits of our labours.

I dunno....I am rambling here....am I on my own?

No your not rambling and your not on your own i am in totall agreement with you. I love this country but i think it is going down the pan real quick. And would happily move back to Australia or move to Spain tomorrow. Well Monday anyway got a meeting to go to on sunday

21st September 2007, 18:08	#1
Jamie Posted a thing or two In Limbo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,685 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Leaving the rat race forever Recently returned from a lovely few days up in Staithes, North Yorkshire, with wife and Pooch. it was bliss, had a ride on the famous north yorkshire steam trains...tootled around fabulously historic towns and for the first time in our lives we spent a day walking happily down the cleveland way towards one of the last surviving world war 2 radar stations... it has been a little piece of heaven....the trouble is....I am having a genuine struggle to com to terms with our life here in this country....I cant seem to understand why life in blighty is such an uphill struggle....I would love to step away from the rat race and work part time, spend some more time with my wife before its too late... Ive seen this happen tooo many times, my dad worked his hide off untill he was 70 then fell and broke his hip which destroyed his retirement plan, its a bitter Irony, a hard pill to swallow. Selfish this may be... I would love to retire now, while i am still resonably fit....while I can walk.... while there is still some beautiful places to see....before my time is over. I know this sounds a little desperate, maybe it is....I am not a religous person and truly believe this life is our only chance....after that its over. I just wish we I could find a way to enjoy it now and not have to work untill we are too worn out to enjoy the fruits of our labours. I dunno....I am rambling here....am I on my own? __________________ Finally given up trying to buy the last new rover V8 from Bristol, 2 years of haggling got me nowhere! Last edited by Jamie; 21st September 2007 at 18:21..

21st September 2007, 18:19	#2
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,591 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Hi Jamie, my thoughts exactly, just turned 50 and it does dawn on you that you cannot go on forever, I can no longer catch my 18yr old son, in fact have to look the definition of sprint up in the dictionary. It does seem that there must be something in the statistics that show there are so many expats abroad that just to sit back from the rat race and ENJOY........ __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

21st September 2007, 18:21	#3
Christopher Owners Club Director Rover 75 V6 Copperleaf Red, MG ZTT 190+ Lagoon & Early MGF Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rugby Posts: 9,287 Thanks: 105 Thanked 343 Times in 81 Posts	I am 100% behind you - I have lived in 4 countries in the last 13 years, and by far the biggest struggle I have is living life here in the UK - I don't know what it is but it does feel like a rat race, I love my job, but it seems no job is safe, as an academic - for example - the last thing I have time for is to think! I spent almost all my time chasing $$$'s to keep the university going (not the research) and then we now "teach" rather than allow students to expand their mind .... I digress ... I have said many a time. A part-time job on some hill in Spain (or a bach in good old New Zealand) is becoming more and more attractive ... Seize the day! __________________ Christopher in banana veritas

21st September 2007, 18:26	#5
Jamie Posted a thing or two In Limbo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,685 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	I seem to remember that we work in a similar field Chris?....I too love my job...but it seems to be more manic everyday, I keep thinking 'when this Crisis is over It will all be back to normal' but it never is....we seem to jump from one emergency to another, whilst the company keeps raising your targets and the government keeps moving your retirement day further and further back. I am close to having a belly full.....the trouble is if I walk away, I would have to give up all those 'things' that we think are precious...the car, the life style and the freedom to buy something if you need it...listen to me...am I brain washed? __________________ Finally given up trying to buy the last new rover V8 from Bristol, 2 years of haggling got me nowhere! Last edited by Jamie; 21st September 2007 at 20:13..

21st September 2007, 18:24	#4
Tatts This is my second home MG6 TL Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tarn Posts: 5,269 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 37 Posts	Sounds good at first. I 'retired' in 2001 when I was 40. I've worked since leaving school at 16. Great I thought, life of taking it easy, doing what I want, when I want, and all the other good stuff. However. I was bored rigid indside 3 months. I spent too much time on the PC, ending up turning night into day, and vice versa. I also missed the craic & banter I got from working. I should have known better; I used to get bored whilst on leave after a few days. I enjoyed being off when the weather was nice, but I got stir crazy otherwise, and found work very shortly afterwards. Everyone is different though, might work for you. It didn't for me!

21st September 2007, 20:28	#6
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Not mad Jamie, I'm all for that way of life myself. It would be much better to have our retirement when we're all young and fit. Then, when we start getting older and feeling the 'strain' of enjoying ourselves, we might venture into some sort of work... We could, I suppose all pack our bags and go start our own country somewhere.

21st September 2007, 20:56	#7
WeeMan Posted a thing or two Mazda MX5, BMW 520i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sunny Ayrshire Posts: 1,498 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Would love to join you and do the same!.....but to sum it up, the reason I can't in one word..............BILLS! I always remember when I was younger being told (when I was working silly hours), that I'd miss my kids growing up and I thought how silly. Well my daughters are now 18 & 16 and honestly the time has flown in and has proved to be true. I'm now Mon - Fri 9-5 and spend every minute I can with my, now 9 year old, son. Wouldn't want it any other way.

21st September 2007, 21:12	#8
willshot Posted a thing or two Ex-ZI190 owner. ,Ford Focus RS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Malton Posts: 1,573 Thanks: 1,123 Thanked 301 Times in 198 Posts	I retired early 2 years ago after 33 years on the "railway". It was the best thing I've ever done.I live in beautiful North Yorkshire and make an effort to walk a couple of times a week, only 3 miles or so but some of it is uphill. I can honestly say I have never been bored. OK, I do spend more time than I should on the old PC but there's gardening, DIY, car maintenance and other chores to do. I meet up with old work colleagues once a week for lunch which fills some time in and keeps me in touch. I get up every day at about 8am and DON'T watch daytime TV - it's appauling !!!!!! If you can financially afford to retire early then GO FOR IT Like the man said, we're only on this earth once so make the most of it.

21st September 2007, 21:27	#9
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I love my Job, Jumping from Country to Country with work ever changing. I also love being at home, socialising and doing what I want, but alas to do one I like everyone else need to do the other one as well. I don't know where the time or money goes, But hopefully one day I will retire to enjoy it all. As said this is not a rehearsal, its the real thing, no second chances.