The holiday season is here. This post was contributed to Leisure Freak by Jim McKinley, a retired banker and the creator of Money With Jim. Having fun while staying on seasonal financial track is a win.
Financial planning for the holiday season is a vital aspect of ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable celebration. As the holiday season approaches, it’s essential to recognize the significance of smart financial management. In this article, explore practical and proactive tips for achieving financial success during the holidays. By following these strategies from Leisure Freak, you can ensure that your festivities are filled with merriment rather than money worries.
When it comes to holiday financial success, creating a comprehensive budget is the foundation of your strategy. Consider all the expenses that the season entails, from gifts to decorations, travel, and hosting. A well-thought-out budget will help you keep track of your spending and avoid overspending on impulse purchases.
Start Saving Early
The early bird gets the worm, and the early saver gets the stress-free holiday season. Start saving for the holidays well in advance to build a financial cushion. Consider opening a dedicated savings account to separate your holiday funds from your regular savings. This will help you stay organized and committed to your financial goal.
Budgeting for Hosting a Holiday Party
When planning your holiday party budget, it’s essential to account for hosting expenses, and among them, you’ll need to consider any necessary home repairs. To streamline the process and ensure your event preparation is efficient, you can explore the convenience of using a home maintenance and repair app, such as the Frontdoor app to help manage your home. This app not only allows you to easily schedule service appointments but also keeps you informed about the repair status. Furthermore, you can connect with service professionals who can provide repair quotes and offer assistance with maintenance tasks, making it a valuable tool for your holiday party planning.
Gift List and Spending Limits
To avoid the common pitfall of overspending on gifts, create a gift list for your loved ones and set spending limits for each recipient. This approach ensures that you stay within your budget while still spreading holiday cheer. It’s the thought and love behind the gifts that truly matter, not their price tag.
Capitalize on Sales and Discounts
Holiday sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer great opportunities to save on your holiday shopping. Keep an eye out for discounts and deals on items from your gift list. By shopping strategically during these sales, you can maximize your savings and get the most out of your budget.
Monitor Spending Closely
It’s essential to track your holiday expenses regularly. By monitoring your spending, you can identify any potential budget overruns and make adjustments as necessary. This proactive approach will help you stay in control of your finances and avoid any last-minute financial surprises.
Starting a Side Business for Extra Income
If your regular income doesn’t cover your holiday expenses, consider starting a side business to generate extra income. Whether it’s selling handmade crafts, offering a service, or any other skill you possess, a side business can help bolster your holiday budget. Be sure to look into any necessary licenses or permits for your business to stay on the right side of the law.
Marketing Your Side Business
To make your side business successful, you’ll need to market it effectively. Utilize free marketing channels like social media to reach your target audience. Additionally, consider using an online logo maker to create a professional and appealing logo for your business. A well-designed logo can help your business stand out and leave a lasting impression on potential customers.
Achieving financial success during the holiday season is entirely within your reach. By following these proactive strategies, you can create a realistic budget, start saving early, budget for hosting, set spending limits, capitalize on sales, monitor your expenses, explore side business opportunities, and effectively market your endeavors. Implementing these tips will ensure that your holidays are filled with joy and free from financial worry. So, take charge of your finances, plan ahead, and enjoy a season of celebrations without the burden of financial stress.
Much thanks to Jim McKinley for sharing these timely tips on how we can stay on seasonal financial track through the holiday season.
Author Bio:
Jim McKinley is a retired banker with almost 30 years of experience. He created Money with Jim to share his advice and other resources on a variety of financial topics. In his spare time, Jim spends time with his family and his dogs and he maintains his website. It’s a very lovely life that he is grateful for every day.
This post was contributed to Leisure Freak by digital nomad and writer John Smith. Retirement no longer means sitting idly by; instead, it has become an opportunity for adventure and freedom. Enter the digital nomadism world, where retirees embrace a unique lifestyle that combines work and travel. By becoming a digital nomad after retirement, you canexplore the globe while continuing to earn an income remotely. In this post, we will talk about how to work and travel as a digital nomad after retirement. So, let’s embark on this remarkable journey together!
Now that you’ve decided to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle after retirement, it’s time to assess your skills and interests. Take a moment to reflect on your vast array of experiences and identify those transferable skills that can be valuable in the remote work landscape. From project management to writing, teaching to consulting, there are numerous options to explore. Additionally, consider your passions and interests. What truly excites you? Whether it’s photography, graphic design, or coding, aligning your work with your passions will bring fulfillment and joy.
Planning Your Finances
As you set off on your digital nomad adventure after retirement, careful financial planning is crucial. Begin by evaluating your retirement savings and income, ensuring they cansupport your desired lifestyle. Create a comprehensive budget that accounts for travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and other necessities. Consider alternative income streams like freelancing, online consulting, or monetizing a hobby. Diversifying your income can provide stability and flexibility while traveling. Remember to factor in healthcare costs and insurance coverage as well.
Choosing Your Destinations
One of the exciting aspects of ways to work and travel as a digital nomad after retirement is choosing your destinations. Research digital nomad-friendly locations that cater to remote workers, offering reliable internet connectivity and supportive infrastructure. Consider the cost of living, safety, climate, and cultural experiences. Each destination has its unique charm and opportunities. Explore visa requirements and limitations for your chosen locations, ensuring smooth entry and stay. Whether it’s the bustling streets of Bangkok, the serene beaches of Bali, or the historic cities of Europe, the world is your oyster. Embrace the freedom of choice and embark on a journey that aligns with your dreams and aspirations.
Setting Up Your Remote Workspace
Creating a productive remote workspace is essential as you embark on your digital nomad journey after retirement. Start by selecting theright technology and tools to support your work. Find co-working spaces or cafes with reliable internet access where you can work comfortably. Ensure you have a comfortable chair and a desk that promotes good posture. Organize your digital files and documents for easy access. Set boundaries to separate your work and leisure activities. Experiment with different setups and find what works best for you.
Managing Your Time and Workload
Managing your time and workload effectively is key to a successful digital nomad lifestyle after retirement. Establish a routine and schedule that aligns with your travel plans and personal preferences. Set realistic goals and deadlines to stay focused and motivated. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Utilize productivity tools and techniques like time-blocking or the Pomodoro Technique. Delegate or outsource tasks when necessary to alleviate the workload. Embrace flexibility while staying disciplined to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Regularly reassess and adjust your schedule as needed to optimize productivity and enjoyment. With effective time management, you can make the most of your digital nomad adventure while meeting work commitments.
Building a Professional Network
Building a robust professional network is crucial for success as a digital nomad after retirement. Leverage online platforms and communities to connect with like-minded individuals in your field. Attend digital nomad meetups and conferences to expand your network further. Collaborate with local professionals in your chosen destinations to gain insights and create potential business opportunities. Foster meaningful relationships by offering your expertise and support to others. Actively engage in conversations and discussions to build rapport. Embrace the power of networking and cultivate a strong professional community while traveling the world.
Staying Healthy and Ensuring Well-being
While living the digital nomad lifestyle after retirement, prioritizing your health and well-being is paramount. Take care of your physical and mental health by incorporating self-care practices into your routine. Find fitness facilities or engage in outdoor activities to stay active. Manage travel-related challenges like jet lag and unfamiliar cuisines by practicing mindful eating and getting sufficient rest. Seek out medical facilities and ensure you have adequate health insurance coverage while traveling. Prioritize mental well-being by practicing stress management techniques and seeking support when needed. Remember, a healthy and balanced lifestyle is the foundation for a fulfilling digital nomad journey after retirement.
Embracing Cultural Experiences
Embracing cultural experiences is a delightful aspect of being a digital nomad after retirement. Immerse yourself in the local customs and traditions of your chosen destinations. Learn the basics of the local language to enhance your interactions and connections. Participate in cultural events and activities, such as festivals or cooking classes, to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture. Engage with locals and fellow travelers to exchange stories and perspectives. Visit historical sites, museums, and art galleries to appreciate the rich heritage of each location. Embracing cultural experiences enriches your digital nomad journey, fostering personal growth and creating lasting memories.
Conclusion
Embarking on a journey of traveling as a digital nomad opens up a world of adventure, freedom, and fulfillment. By assessing your skills and interests, planning your finances, and choosing suitable destinations, you can lay the foundation for an exciting lifestyle. Setting up a productive workspace, managing time and workload effectively, and building a professional network contribute to your success. Prioritizing health and well-being and embracing cultural experiences enriches the journey further. Remember, as a digital nomad, you have the flexibility to adapt and adjust along the way. So, take the leap, explore new horizons, and savor the endless possibilities that await you when you work and travel as a digital nomad after retirement.
Much thanks to John Smith for sharing his expertise with Leisure Freak readers.
Author Bio
John Smith is a seasoned digital nomad, travel enthusiast, and inspiring writer currently writing for Family Affair Moving Orange County. With a passion for exploring new cultures and sharing practical advice, John offers insights and tips for retirees looking to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle. Through his engaging writing style, he aims to inspire others to live a fulfilling and adventurous retirement.
There sure are a lot of open opportunities today and recruiter contact has recently escalated. Something of a surprise since I haven’t updated an online resume in over a decade. After a recent back and forth with a recruiter about an interesting opportunity, I’ve come to realize that at this point I might just be an unemployable retiree. Surprise! It has nothing to do with stale skills.
Many years ago when I retired early at the age of 51, I had a plan to retire early and often. I spent years being pigeonholed during my long engineering career to support all the legacy crap. The tedious old money-makers that new people didn’t want to learn while denying me the new fun stuff. So my plan came with a list of paid adventures I wanted to learn and do. My retirement gigs were fun and rewarding to jump in and out of. I basically ran through my list and have since enjoyed stepping back from all of that while remaining open to maybe one day doing it again. But can I?
There are many stories about how people want to retire and do some type of paid work. I’ve always believed retirement is the absence of NEEDING to work, not the absence of work. A philosophical view and lifestyle that I have lived for over 13 years now.
We always hear warnings about people who retire and then want to return to work but they didn’t maintain or gain the necessary new skills to remain attractive to the hiring system. I know that is a real thing to be cognizant of and work to address. However, what I’m now experiencing is something else. It’s something that I think every retiree who is open to working in retirement might also find one day happening to them.
My years of retirement freedom living life on my terms have changed my definition of rewarding work and what I’m willing to do when trading my time for money. After decades of obligated work duty acceptance, I stuck to a narrow and focused target of what I would accept doing in retirement. Career servitude certainly changed me over the decades. But there’s little question that over time, my early retirement has also changed me from what I was in the first years after ditching my long career.
I’ve had a lot of time to think about all of the sacrifices I had to make in order to succeed in my past career and now a financially independent retirement.
Too much of my career had over the top unacceptable treatment. Today I wouldn’t tolerate any of it regardless of outcome. Rejecting some of those workplace shenanigans were put to the test in my retirement gigs. I just successfully refused to bend and offered to immediately resign. But I now feel even more rigid about my work acceptance parameters. Here are a few observations that make me believe I may have reached unemployable retiree status.
Advanced BS Detection
I used to be a lot more trusting. Giving a pass to some contradictory statements or work scope discrepancies that seemed to drift throughout a conversation or opportunity interview. Not so much now. My BS detection kicks in and I immediately feel the need to call it out and clarify. Strangely it’s something I’ve found that interviewers and especially hiring managers aren’t used to and don’t appreciate. In the past I just took mental notes and knew what to watch out for later if I accepted the position. Today I’m not willing to go anywhere near there.
Rarely does someone get past my working in retirement screening. But the last time that an interesting opportunity did, I actually cleared through a couple of interviews to the final hiring manager and director interview. This was the earliest realization that I may be an unemployable retiree. I had laid out clearly what I was willing to accept throughout their earlier interview process. Now these two were mentioning things beyond the earlier interview agreed position scope. All of a sudden there were required position elements that were consistently mentioned as my having zero interest in doing.
The moment I brought it up in that final interview I sensed hostility toward my gall to even mention it. I knew what that alone meant. Even if it was favorably explained to me, I knew that I wouldn’t be high on their hiring list just for having the audacity to raise the issue. Nor could I trust it wouldn’t rise up again later if we did decide to move forward. At that point I decided we were wasting both of our time. I simply said it doesn’t sound like it’s a good fit. That was my way to politely end the interview.
Lack of Needing To Prove Myself
As far as I am concerned, as a financially independent retiree I’ve got nothing I need to prove to anyone. There seems to always be a competitive element to the workplace. Be the best, go the extra mile, surpass expectations, bell curve performance rating, etc. and be able to prove it. It all ends up being compared to peers with metrics that are meant to drive competition to drive higher productivity. Something that doesn’t necessarily result in higher compensation. It’s a way to have overperformers cover for the underperformers so that the business continues without delay. I get it, but I’m no longer interested in any of it which is an unemployable retiree stance to have.
I find that a lot of managers need their carrot and stick practices as a primary motivation. As a retiree I just want to do the best job possible and no longer seek climbing in job status or chasing any other corporate-world carrot of the day at the cost of my personal life. Meaning, I will gladly trade some of my time for money doing the agreed upon job scope that I accepted and if it isn’t enough, then let’s just part ways.
As a financially independent retiree I consider any paid opportunity as a learning and doing experience of interest that will ultimately run its course one way or another. Not being motivated by carrots or having fear of any sticks may just be the definition of someone being an unemployable retiree, even in this wide open job market.
Overtime Will Never Pay Enough
Money was never the primary reason for any of my paid retirement gig adventures. So time always beats money ever since I retired early. In today’s understaffed environment, whether due to mismanagement, design, or bad luck finding people, overtime seems to be the business go-to. When I was a young parent I had to work all the overtime I was offered. Something about financially desperate employees really plays well into the employment system. Now that isn’t the case for me which I think takes me to, and even beyond, unemployable retiree status.
What I Would Do If The Perfect Opportunity Presented Itself
I try to believe that I could revert back to my slightly more bendable early retiree self if I was presented with the perfect gig. It would have to be something I really wanted to do. I do think even with the introduction of some slight employment shenanigans I could temporarily fake it until I could either mold things my way or get a big enough taste to feel good about just walking away if it was unbearable. Even getting to that point will rely heavily on what I have always done to land my past paid retirement adventures.
Trust My Screening Process
It takes a lot to get to me. Much has to be in perfect alignment for me to even engage in the first place. I am getting a lot of recruiter emails and a few voice messages and nothing passes the smell-test these days. Having already gone through my list of jobs I wanted to learn and do in my retirement, I can’t think of anything at this time that I would even entertain. It would take me believing in the people, project, business, or cause to peak my interest.
Be Brutally Honest
In all my retirement gig interviews I honestly said what I will and can do. The way I see it, there’s no reason for either party to have false expectations. Whether they believe it or not, what they see is what they get. It would only happen if it is a good fit for both of us. Not sure that would fly in today’s environment. Seems the world values bluster, exaggeration, and self promotion over truthfulness or facts.
Stick To The Payable Strengths That I WANT To Use
I’d stick to my skills that I would love to use and the job itself. I have no interest in working using even payable skills that I hate doing. On top of that, there’s no interest in climbing any ladder to something more. The truth is a retiree is a short-termer. It’s no secret that I am older, why would either party tiptoe around it?
Tell Them Why I Really Want To Do It
Obviously if it gets to this stage, the match of resume, skills, and job scope have been perfectly aligned. Explaining why I want to do a job just ties it together. Especially if there is any question of overqualification. Everyone then knows exactly where we stand. Frankly, I can’t think of anything today that could get me past this hump to even tell myself let alone an interviewer. This issue makes me now really believe I’m an unemployable retiree.
My plan to retire early and often is a great plan. It is a rewarding lifestyle to adopt and I’m optimistic under the right conditions that it still could be in the future. But like everything else in this world and life, nothing lasts forever. This retirement philosophy will have to evolve as we always seem to change. I think we end up at some point deciding for ourselves that we are an unemployable retiree. Something to consider as time goes by living a life of FIRE.
This article was contributed to Leisure Freak by freelance writer Olivia Farrell.
Did you ever notice that people seem to show signs of aging much more quickly once they retire? It’s as if they become old overnight. And there is a reason for this. While there are many good sides to retirement, like more free time, there are also downsides. Once people retire, they have no more everyday work to keep them mentally and physically active. We decided to tell you about some of the health benefits of working after retirement, especially early retirement, so that it might change your mind on this issue. However, you must keep in mind that this does not apply to every job. Some jobs are highly stressful, such as police officer or firefighter. Those and any other similarly stressful job you shouldn’t continue after retirement. Also, you don’t have to keep working the same job or work full-time. It’s all about balance.
Less likely to get a serious disease
Research has shown that people who keep working after retirement are less likely to get serious health issues. This is connected to the fact that you are active and have less downtime when you are working. Often when people retire, they let themselves go a little. They indulge in unhealthy foods, sleep more, and are overall less active. That can lead to diabetes, higher blood pressure, etc. Better health is a great incentive to keep working. As we said before, you don’t have to work full-time. Just a few hours daily are enough to keep you healthier and give you some structure and balance.
One of the health benefits of working after retirement is an improved mood and mental health.
There is a big difference between working because you have to and working because you want to. One of the main reasons people start to dislike their job and get frustrated is because it has become a necessity. They have to work because they need financial security. That can take the joy out of almost any job. Many people start off loving their job, but over the years, it just becomes another obligation they have to do. All of that changes once you retire. Then you can do your job again, not because you have to make money but because you can enjoy doing it instead. It allows you to reconnect with the love and excitement you once had about your job. It also gives you a great sense of freedom you didn’t have before. This is exceptionally beneficial for a person’s mental health.
You are more likely to stay in shape
One of the benefits of working after retirement is that you are more likely to stay in shape. People who have to get up every day and go to work are more motivated and disciplined. These are fundamental traits for anyone who wants to work out regularly. Staying in shape is a lot harder when you are retired. There is a good reason for this. A lot of people, when they retire, stop taking care of themselves because they have so much time on their hands but zero structure. And that can be very damaging. Working out is essential not just for physical health and looking good but also really important for a person’s mental health. Working out gives us energy and makes us more focused and happier people.
You are more likely to stay in shape if you continue working. Alt-tag: Older woman doing yoga.
You may think that financial security has nothing to do with the health benefits of working after retirement but let us explain. Financial security is directly tied to a person’s mental health. According to experts, one of the leading causes of depression and anxiety in people is fear or financial insecurity. When people retire, their income becomes smaller. That can be a cause of many mental health issues and severely damage the quality of your life. If you keep working, even part-time, you will save yourself all this trouble, and you won’t have to worry about having enough money. Also, this money will be handy if you develop unexpected health issues because healthcare, even with the best insurance possible, can still be very expensive.
It will keep you sharp
The first thing that usually declines for people who retire is their brain. Once they stop working, they also stop actively working on solving problems, which your brain needs to stay sharp. You have probably heard a doctor recommend that you should do a crossword puzzle every day. As with any other muscle in our body, our brain also needs exercise. Otherwise, it will slowly decay. People who keep working are more focused. They notice things better and also have a better memory. However, you can simply switch if you are tired of doing a tedious office job every day and don’t want to keep doing it. Once you retire from that job, look for something else. It can be any other job. What is important is that it stimulates your brain and keeps you active.
It’s important to still have a healthy social life once you retire.
One of the health benefits of working after retirement is a healthy social life
One of the things retirees often complain about is loneliness. And loneliness quite often leads to depression, sometimes in a very severe form. Once they retire, many people lose touch with their coworkers/friends, which can really damage their social life. People are social beings, and to be happy, and mentally well, they need to have friends and a healthy social life. It’s much better to keep working and stay in touch with other people; it can do wonders for your mental health.
In conclusion
As you can see, there is so much more to life after retirement. Just because you filled certain requirements and now can retire doesn’t mean you have to do it. You should pay attention to the many mental and physical benefits of working after retirement. And as we said previously, you don’t have to work full time or even stay at the same job. Find a job after retirement that will be fulfilling and keeps you active.
Much thanks to Olivia Farrell for sharing this informative post with Leisure Freak readers.
Author bio:
Olivia Farrell is a freelance writer from New York but has spent her life traveling around the world, learning about health and wellness. She has honed her craft writing for Personal Trainers Dubai and now focuses on giving people the best advice for their mental and physical health.
I sometimes find some of the new personal finance and career trends to be amusing. Most times it’s a new clever repackaging of what has always been around. Lately my amusement is about how some people are using quiet quitting to make a statement about their dissatisfaction with their careers. Why does it amuse me? Because it’s nothing new. Here’s another flavor that has always been there. A slightly more aggressive form I’ll now call quiet retiring. It may be a possible new trendy path to slowly ending your career if quiet quitting isn’t enough.
Ask yourself:
Have you saved for retirement but can’t quite get there with stunted market performance and inflation?
Are you at the end of your go-getter rope, hating the soulless job stress that’s slowly killing you?
Need a way out of the stressful grind or crappy unbalanced work life and still collect your paycheck and benefits in a corporate world that favors newly attained employees?
If you answer yes then you might want to consider just retiring in place using a quiet retiring slacker retirement strategy. Use your talents and skills to get most of what you really want: Less stress, reduced obligation, and the happiness that comes with taking control of your life.
8 Steps To Pull Off The Quiet Retiring Slacker Early Retirement
We’ve all seen and suffered from the “retired in place” at some point in our workplace. At least that’s what we used to call them in my first career. The long-time employees who seemed to escape all the BS and stressful hard work assignments. Those slackers love their jobs and found a way to stay employed. Best of all it’s successfully done by people of all ages. They just may be onto something!
If you’re tired of being a go-getting keister buster and wisely saving for early retirement but can’t get there soon enough, then transforming yourself from Go-Getter to No-Getter may be the answer.
This plan is all around refocusing your talents away from climbing the ladder to relaxed coasting. Something that has to be done covertly and carefully because management isn’t going to just allow you to do it. If they hate quiet quitters, they will really dislike you doing this.
In a nutshell, the quiet retiring focus is about creating a work environment where stress can be sloughed-off or passed-on. Where eventually management only assigns you the easiest of tasks and allows you to skate by, being virtually unaccountable. All while still collecting your paycheck and benefits like health insurance until you have enough saved to ditch the rat race on your terms.
Who knows, it may also provide a big send-off severance check if you eventually get tossed during a downturn. If sticking it to the man floats your boat, then there’s plenty of that too.
Step 1- Identify and Then Mirror the Retired in Place
Change the way you think about those retired in place that you’ve disdained. As a stressed out go-getter I used to just shake my head wondering how in the hell do they get away with it. It’s time to flip that thinking. Instead of thinking they are unmotivated banana slugs, admire how brilliantly tuned-in they are to management’s mental blind spots. Those who successfully retire in place figure out the perfect balance of doing as little as necessary while setting a low bar for expectations. Yet they’re able to stay employed for as long as they want. Show up and leave on time with nothing but stress free fluff in the middle. Yep, that’s the ticket!
Management just wants things done. They always find it far easier to force the motivated ladder climbing go-getters to do things because a slacker can’t be 100% relied upon to come through in time. They can’t even identify a motivating carrot to dangle in front of them.
The slackers where you work have found the exact low effort success recipe for your company’s culture and management. Learn from them through observation. Research, admire, and study their work, actions, attitude, demeanor, and imaginative but effective excuses. Then create your own quiet retiring strategy.
If there are no quiet anything slackers to be found, then you might want to cancel this plan. Maybe you can become their first ever to attempt this in your organization but it’s more likely that your employer’s management has figured it out. You’ll most likely fail, sooner than later.
Step 2- Be the Biggest Cheerleader
It all starts here. Can you hold your nose to be a cheerleader and enthusiastically cheer every decision and accomplishment within your organization whether it’s total BS or not? If you can’t then your quiet retiring plan may fail. It’s the one thing that management really likes about employees. It’s a slacker perception smokescreen and it somehow always magically protects them. It works so well that any teammate who complains about a cheerleading slacker is looked at as more unfavorable by management than the slacker is. Slackers may not be considered a reliable go-getter, but by God the good slackers sure are perceived as the most engaged, happy, and positive employees on the team.
Always smile and openly compliment the others who will ultimately be picking up your slack. Be the one who suggests a potluck accomplishment lunch or group success celebration. Create visibly awkward moments by calling out for team hugs, high fives, and fist bumps. Take all the teammate eyerolls that you will be getting as a sign that you are on the right track. You are noticed and remembered for enthusiastically being there for the team.
Step 3- Being in the Right Spot
Look at the size of your organization. There has to be enough people to hide within and to carry the load of doing all of the hard stuff and BS that you won’t be doing anymore. If you are on a small team or there are already too many quiet quitters or retired in place, then consider transferring to another team or department.
An internal company move will allow you to begin your quiet retiring by coasting under the guise of “new person ramp-up” in training. I have seen successful slackers stretch that time-line out for years while successfully deploying the other slacker retired in place tactics.
Step 4- Easy Does It, You New No-Getter
Don’t make the mistake of going too fast into your quiet retiring. If you’ve been the stressed out go-getter for many years then you can’t just immediately retire in place. Slide into it slowly. You must gradually cause lower expectations. Drop the ball and get a few, I’m worried about your lower performance discussions before going full bore. Just use the “I’ve got personal issues I’m working through” excuse.
Start by just letting slide all of the crap you absolutely hate doing. But do still hold a high level of competence and performance for things you actually enjoy doing or that are super important to management as far as performance objectives or team metrics. There’s still opportunity to score some easy performance bonuses and raises during the early stages of your descent into quiet retiring. Then slowly start to let other things slip here and there until you can move into full retired in place operandi.
Gradually trim back everything that causes work stress but do the things that you can still be happy doing. While you’re most likely trashing any career accomplishment legacy you might have, it’s important to have a reason other than money and benefits for keeping up the charade and showing up.
Step 5- Don’t Volunteer to Lead But Enthusiastically Join
There’s always going to be a proposed important project or activity in a staff or team meeting. You know, the ones that have stressful short timeframe or will be extremely difficult. Never volunteer. Sit back and let a ladder climbing go-getter do that. But once it looks as if it will be a team effort, jump in as a tag-along. It doesn’t matter that you have no intention of working hard. What matters and will be remembered is that you enthusiastically offered to help and was part of the team. Team success will also land on you no matter how big of a slacker you were.
If you are unfortunately assigned the lead by management then make sure it becomes a team effort. If it isn’t obviously going that direction, start by saying “this sounds great. I have a lot on my plate but I think I can make room”. Then start complimenting a team go-getter so they get dragged into your team. While working on the project make sure to throw in a lot of “WE” talk with the other assigned team members. Reminding everyone this is a “WE” situation will make the go-getter(s) overcompensate for what will be your quiet retiring performance.
There is one exception to this step or rule. Do volunteer to lead any celebration type activity to be a compliment to your cheerleading efforts and then milk the crap out of it to avoid other stressful or hard work assignments.
Step 6- Exaggerate Your Work’s Importance and the Effort It Takes
Even as a retired in place slacker you will have work that you will be doing. It’s important to inflate the work you choose to do. Your quiet retiring task is to spin your wheels for as long as possible. That way you appear too busy to be assigned anything more and especially anything hard. Always smile and talk about how difficult and important your work is. Remember that many managers have no idea what the actual work is or how it’s done anyway.
Step 7- When All Else Fails, Buy Treats
It is highly recommended that you strategically shower a few inexpensive treats on your coworkers and team while you retire in place. Sometimes a slacker’s best strategies will wear thin or fall short. Buying team treats is an important part of any quiet retiring toolkit. Especially when you have successfully dropped the ball and your team has had to carry your load. Even when being late to a meeting, treats like doughnuts, cookies, or bagels are the perfect smokescreen tactic to deploy. Even cheap day-old or old halloween candy works. It’s a companion action to being the biggest cheerleader.
Step 8- CYA: Document Everything
There are times when slackers will be targeted for reprisal or dismissal. If your finances aren’t where you can otherwise retire, then you must CYA with documentation that can be used to secure a severance package or financial offer if things go south.
Any miswording or action that could be considered even remotely offensive to anyone, whether you were offended or not, should be documented. Dates, places, the issue, the offender, the audience, witnesses, etc.
Don’t play your hand unless you have to. At the first sign you may be in serious slacker employment trouble, drop the bomb. Say you have been working in fear and now need to bring atrocious behavior to the attention of company executives. Use your most inquisitive and sad look on your face and quietly ask, do you think I might need an attorney?
CYA documentation may not stop your termination but you may end up with a bigger severance package or offer to make both you and it all go away. It just could bridge your retirement savings gap.
If you have an impressive list of bad behavior there are always legal options. You may be a retired in place quiet retiring slacker but you’re also now a sympathetic or even maybe a pathetic victim in this rancid cultural stew that celebrates grievance. It just might pay off! Remember, you are the biggest cheerleader. You were always the lead for celebrations and you constantly brought treats to the team.
In Closing
Quiet retiring means you still have to show up to your job. But think of it as being about fulfilling your social needs and getting paid at the same time. Look, retiring in place isn’t some clueless “work until you die” retirement plan. If you are killing yourself in a stressful job and can’t quite retire yet, the quiet retiring goal is to purposely and happily retire in place while you continue building your retirement nest egg. Why should the actual lazy morons and ruthless manipulating idiots only get to pull it off?
LAST BUT NOT LEAST-
It is extremely important that you’re completely aware that this was written to be totally facetious.
There’s been talk about the trend of people “quiet quitting” in today’s post pandemic workplace. Then an old first career coworker told me of his stress and frustration about having to carry retired in place do-nothings. I was amazed to hear that some of the same long-time slackers were still allowed to work there from my days dealing with them over 12 years ago. They always tell everyone how much they love their jobs and the company. For some it must be close to 20 years of slacking their way to a stressless retired in place happy career. They have a lifestyle they never need to ever retire from.
As one unashamed retired in place slacker once told me, “I haven’t had much of a salary increase in years, but my hourly work pay has quadrupled”.
Personally I think doing any of these quiet retiring tactics takes much more effort than just pulling your own weight and doing your job to the fullest. Just set some rational boundaries, continue living below your means, and keep doing what you’ve done to become as successful as you are and can be.
This is just a little Labor Day mental musing based on my past corporate career encounters that crosses with today’s career trends. I’m funnin on both managers and slackers alike. This Quiet Retiring Slacker Early Retirement Plan is of course tongue in cheek. Or is it?
This post was contributed to Leisure Freak by Linda Chase, creator of Able Hire.
When you retire, you may first think about lazy afternoons on the porch or months-long trips to the beach. But, if your income and savings can’t keep up with your aspirations, you may find yourself one of the millions of retirees ready to go back to work after your “official” end date.
Unfortunately, those of us in the 55+ crowd face obstacles, from outdated work skills to being overqualified for the things we’d like to do in our encore careers. If you’re looking to get around these challenges, starting your own business may be the way to go. Today on the Leisure Freak blog, we share a few tips on how to launch a post-retirement business from the comfort of home.
As with any professional endeavor, it helps to start with a plan. This should include the type of business you want to start and a draft of actionable steps that help you make it happen. Another important thing to get out of the way now is forming your LLC. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you can use an online formation service to create your legal entity for far less than you’d pay an attorney. Keep in mind that while the limited liability and tax perks you’ll receive are at the federal level, you’ll need to confirm LLC formation laws in your home state.
Calculate Your Needs
Retirement often means a fixed income. Sadly, inflation has taken over, and a fixed income is the worst thing you can have as prices rise. It makes it exponentially difficult to plan your daily finances, which is likely what led you here in the first place. But, you do have to look ahead and try to calculate how much money you need each month. Huntington Bank shares tips on how to create a personal budget. Once you know your income gap, you can decide how much you’ll work.
Market Yourself
It doesn’t matter what industry you are in, you have to market your business. There are many ways to do this, including social media and networking. While these might be intimidating, many old-fashion marketing strategies, like flyers and business cards, still work well today. Even if you don’t have graphic design skills, you can use Word or a similar processing program to create simple files, which you can then convert to a PDF for your printer. You can then convert a PDF to Word to make changes as your service offerings grow. There are plenty of online tutorials that show you how to create designs in Word, which is much easier to use when you need to edit since PDFs have limited editing capabilities.
Best Home-Businesses For Retirees
While no one can tell you what you should do, there are a few businesses that make sense for retirees. These include:
Blogging.Blogging is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with the world, and you can choose an affiliate site to generate passive income.
Travel agent. If you’ve already spent much of your life traveling (or if you just want to travel) launching a travel agency is an excellent choice. In this capacity, you’ll get to help other people make decisions about family vacations and work destinations. As an added benefit, you may enjoy discounted destinations and you can write off your own travel on your taxes.
Why Work From Home?
There are many reasons that you should consider starting a business from home during your retirement. First, you’ll save money as you won’t have to pay a monthly lease for office space. Further, if you have any type of mobility issue, you won’t have to worry about getting back and forth to a brick-and-mortar location each day. Perhaps most importantly, having a home-based business gives you more freedom and flexibility to enjoy your retirement.
Entrepreneurship comes with a host of benefits for retirees, especially for those of us on a fixed income as inflation continues to rise. Today’s tips can help you get started, and you don’t even have to leave your home to add entrepreneurship to your list of accomplishments.
Much thanks to Linda Chase for contributing this informative article. It comes at a time when many people are rethinking retirement. Entrepreneurship in retirement is a way to meet many goals. The benefits extend to more than only those needing to earn extra income. As I always preach, retirement is the absence of needing to work, not the absence of work.
Author Bio:
Linda Chase created Able Hire to help people with disabilities build rewarding, successful careers. She hopes Able Hire will be a resource for people with disabilities seeking jobs and for hiring managers seeking a better understanding of what people with disabilities have to offer.
This article was contributed to Leisure Freak by Michael Everett, who is a chemistry teacher with a passion for house design.
Whether you’re a worker who switched to working from home or a freelancer working after retirement, you’ll need a comfortable working environment you can call your own. Although this space is essential if you want to remain productive, that doesn’t mean you will need to burn a hole in your wallet designing it. After all, not everyone has enough space for a separate room or enough of a budget to get help from professional interior planners. Luckily, you can do it yourself with the help of some of our tips. Don’t worry; these eight tips for setting up a home office on a budget won’t compromise your wellbeing. They will help you remain frugal, comfortable, and happy.
As with any other home design endeavor, you must create a budget. This will not only help you better understand how much money you can spend, but it will also enable you to control your impulses while making purchases for things your workplace needs. Go through your monthly expenses and put aside the money needed for this project. Be realistic about it, and do not spend more money than you can comfortably handle. This budget is the foundation the rest of the tips will significantly depend upon.
2- Designate a spot for your home office
As previously mentioned, you most likely won’t have enough space in your home for a separate home office. This is perfectly alright! Even a tiny, peaceful corner of your living room will do. On the other hand, if any of your other rooms have an odd spot you cannot seem to utilize, why not transform it into a cozy working area? Walk around your home and think about where your future office space would make the most sense. Opt for areas that have less traffic and are less noisy to stay productive even when working from home.
3- Remove any unnecessary items
A great tip for setting up a home office on a budget includes decluttering. Decluttering is an accessible way for you to maximize your home office space. Furthermore, it may even earn you some money! Clear out the space in your designated home office by either selling, donating, gifting, recycling, or throwing away any unnecessary items. However, you may rent a storage unit if you’re not ready to part with some belongings. It is also one of the top reasons why Americans rent storage units in the first place. You can use it when working from home and still keep an eye on your belongings. Alternatively, it will also give you the chance to deal with them at a later time.
4- Prepare a floorplan and a list of the necessary items
Preparation is vital if you want to reduce the number of funds you spend on redoing things you’ve done wrong. Measure the area you will turn into a home office and create a precise floor plan. Additionally, make a list of items you want in your new home office. This list should be categorized so that the absolute essentials are separate from things you may want but not need.
Some of the most notable essentials are:
A surface to work on
A seat
Devices such as computers, laptops, and tablets
Office and specialized equipment
5- Repurpose, bargain, DIY, or trade for needed items
We do not advise buying new office items straight away, even though you might be tempted to. Be creative and choose either DIY projects or repurpose old furniture or objects. If you have an old table that needs a bit of love, why not give it what it needs and save yourself some money to spend on other things? Also, do not neglect the benefits of used items! They are always more affordable, and you may find some hidden gems. For example, used art tools can be quite beneficial if you plan to start earning from your hobbies. Lastly, if you need to purchase items, always look for ones that are on sale or that you can bargain for.
6- Do not forget about ergonomics
Remember to take care of your comfort and wellbeing despite your desire to cut down on anything unneeded. After all, you will use your home office for many hours during the day! If your monitor is not at eye level, reuse old boxes or books to prop it up. On the other hand, if your chair is uncomfortable, invest in one that is more ergonomic. Whatever is troubling you shouldn’t be disregarded. Keep a close eye on how your home office makes you feel and make any necessary adjustments.
7- Decorate using items you already have
The decor you use in your home office is one of those things that can not only satisfy your eye but may also inspire you. And who doesn’t need a bit more extra motivation to work? You can choose different decor based on your style and budget. We suggest using whatever items you already have by giving them a new purpose or space. Place a clock above your desk to monitor the time or plenty of lovely photos to calm your mind. Plants will add a sense of life, quotes may motivate you, and candles can make your home office smell divine. If you ever decide to purchase something, keep in mind the mentality of “I deserve it” can be harmful if brought to an extreme. Especially if it makes you purchase more items than you may need.
8- Let the light in
While designing a home office, you may forget about an essential factor besides peace and quiet, and that is light. Good lighting can make or break your working mood and create a different ambiance. Make sure to have at least one source of natural light in whichever space you decide to set up your home office. Use mirrors and lighter hues to make the light bounce about the room. However, you most likely will require additional light sources. A good light, whether it is a desk, wall, or floor lamp, will help you stay focused and avoid eye strain. We suggest using lamps you may have already if you’re working on setting up a home office on a budget. When possible, pick those whose intensity can be altered and that do not add glare to your devices.
Thank you Michael Everett for your insights on creating a home office on a budget in a time when work from home opportunities are very attainable.
Author Bio:
Michael Everett is a chemistry teacher by profession but a passionate house designer at heart. He has been sharing his knowledge as a self-employed content creator for numerous websites, including Zippy Shell Northern Virginia. His favorite hobby is spending time with his cocker-spaniel dog named Ruffles.
This post was contributed to Leisure Freak by Lucy Reed, creator of the site Gig Mine to help like-minded business people take advantage of the growing sharing economy.
If you plan for the holiday season well and make your goods more appealing to customers, the holidays can be a time when business picks up significantly. But doing so well requires a combination of tactics that catch the eyes of customers who are eager for items to gift their loved ones.
A holiday-ready storefront communicates to passersby that you’ve adapted your business to this specific time of year. That encourages them to walk in since they can be reasonably sure that you’ve stocked items they’re looking to buy.
Find the balance between having an attention-grabbing storefront without making it too distracting, especially if your store is positioned near a busy road. Options here include multicolored lights, digital signage, and large props.
Prepare for a Spike in Footfall
The increase in foot traffic that accompanies the holiday season can be difficult to manage, leading to a diminished in-store experience. Passersby who see the store looking crowded and chaotic may also be put off.
There are a few things you can do to ensure a smooth experience for customers, even as people flood in:
Allocate more space to isles with in-demand items
Open more checkout points to reduce long lines
Place staff strategically throughout the store to help customers reach purchasing decisions faster
See if You Need to Hire Seasonal Staff
If you’re anticipating a particularly busy holiday season, check if your current staff has the bandwidth to handle all that activity without support. You might find that they don’t, meaning you’ll need to hire temporary seasonal staff.
The most crucial step is developing a comprehensive training plan for them, which helps meet the standards your business has set as they serve customers.
Create Unique Promotions
While most businesses reserve their best deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can stand out by giving unmissable offers on an additional, less crowded day. For even better performance, Zenbusiness.com recommends targeting your promotional campaigns at last-minute holiday shoppers scrambling to find gifts.
These shoppers may be especially drawn to a gift guide or catalog that makes it much easier for them to decide what to buy while showcasing your wares. Remember to spread the word about your promotions on social media so you can generate buzz. Also, keep business hours updated online to give customers an accurate idea of when they can pop in.
Make Your Online Touchpoints More Robust
If too many people land on your website at the same time looking for a good deal, it can end up crashing. Check that your server can handle an influx of visitors, and hire professional help if needed. The same applies to social media, where you may need more people managing your accounts to answer queries from potential customers.
Preparing for the Holiday Season Can Help Your Business Deliver Gangbuster Sales
The holiday often makes up the most successful period for businesses, and following the steps above can make that the case for you too. Check out Leisure Freak for more ways of growing your business, with a special focus on making it a ticket to early retirement.
Thank you Lucy for contributing this post to Leisure Freak and sharing these holiday preparation small business tips. Tips that can be adjusted and used throughout the year during every holiday period to increase opportunity.
Author Bio: Lucy Reed created Gig Mine to help others dig up sharing economy opportunities in a user’s area, all in a single location, so users don’t have to jump between multiple sites. It’s the new and improved way to get a gig job!
This post was contributed to Leisure Freak by antique furniture enthusiast Robert Plane.
So, you’ve been thinking about downsizing lately? You still haven’t figured out what to do with some of your old furniture? Since you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve decided to sell it. We know it’s not the easiest thing to do. Saying goodbye to pieces of furniture that have been in your home for god knows how long is never easy. Still, we’re going to help you get the best offer. In the article below, you’ll find some tips on how to sell your old furniture for the best price. Stick around for some helpful info.
Since you’re probably new to selling old furniture, here we’ll try to show you how to determine the value of your possessions. First and foremost, see what you already know about the item you’re planning to sell. Here are some questions you might need answers to: Was it made by a famous manufacturer? How old is it? What’s the current shape of it? If you lack answers here, you might want to consult an expert antique dealer. You might want to get a quote from a couple of them. Also, check the online market for similar items and see how they’re priced. Now, your furniture doesn’t have to be antique-kind-of-old to sell it for a good price.
If your furniture’s antique, you might want to get a quote from a couple of antique dealers. Image Source
Try to be realistic
While determining the price before putting your item(s) on the market, try to be realistic. What do we exactly mean by that? Well, imagine you have a wardrobe that once belonged to your grandmother’s mother. You don’t want to underprice it, right? Since you’re emotionally attached to it, there’s a chance that you’ll overprice it so much no one will want to buy it. Keep in mind that the potential buyers don’t have that kind of bond with the objects you’re trying to sell. The best price is the one you can achieve by never going too low or too high. Finding something in-between is, as always, the best option there is. On the other side, being a bit more optimistic won’t hurt, not just when selling furniture. Find the balance!
Where to sell? (the price depends on the place)
When wondering how to sell your old furniture for the best price, it’s crucial to figure out where you will sell it. Here we’ll show you a couple of options when it comes to choosing the place where you’re going to sell your stuff.
Organize a good old yard sale (offline mode #1)
Now there’s a picture pretty much branded into our brains. Nothing like a good old yard sale! Raymond Carver covered it in his stories and poems, so it’s pretty safe to say that yard sales scream Americana more than anything else! If you have a lot of furniture to sell and some time on your hands, you might want to try this option. Maybe you’re a natural bargainer, and this option might help you get the best price.
If you’ve got some time on your hands, organize a yard sale! Image Source
Contact a consignment store (offline mode #2)
If you’re a bit short on time, this might be the best option. Contact a consignment store and see if they can send someone over to check your stuff. Please note that you probably won’t get a good offer since they plan to profit from selling your furniture later on. As we’ve mentioned, this comes in handy if you want to save on time.
Put in on the web
If you’re putting your items on the web, uploading quality photos is a must. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and imagine what you’d think if someone didn’t include the images in the ad. Also, try not to provide false information. Be honest with the buyer about every little thing that might need some repairing. Buyers know how to recognize fraud nowadays, and they’re more likely to buy an item that seems believable.
Preparing your items for shipment
Imagine someone bought the king-sized bed you put up for sale a couple of days ago. The buyer is not from your town and says they will organize the shipment; you just need to pack it the right way to avoid getting damaged during the transport. Don’t worry; we’ll tell you how to prepare it with ease. It’s very simple: first of all, clean it like a pro. Secondly, see if you can dismantle it into parts and wrap everything in bubble wrap and plastic sheets. If the bed goes as a whole, put a blanket underneath it and carry it safely to the truck.
Make sure to clean the object you’ve sold before shipping it to the buyer. Image Source
Learn some negotiating skills
Now, this is something that comes naturally to some people. We all have that one friend that’s a great bargainer. Let’s assume you’re not so good at it. The first rule of the process is: try not to lose your cool. Always know you have the option to turn down any offer you find unjust. By being honest with yourself, you’ll seem more confident to the buyers. As we’ve mentioned before, be reasonable when naming the price. That way, you’ll probably earn the trust of your buyers, and there won’t be any need for some serious haggling. Still, it would help to be well-prepared for the ordeal.
Final words
Those were some tips on how to sell your old furniture for the best price. We’re sure that by following the simple tips we’ve mentioned above, you’re bound to get the best offer for your old pieces. Put some of your natural trading skills into action! Most folks have them; they just don’t use them!
Much thanks to Robert Plane for contributing this timely article to Leisure Freak. There’s no time like the present to find ways to downsize, pickup some needed cash, and at the same time put unused or unneeded furniture into the hands of those who can use it.
Author’s bio:
Robert Plane is an antique furniture enthusiast with an almost religious approach to indie video games and 80’s VHS culture. A weird combination, but one that works.
Looking back over my early retirement there was a lot to love about my scaled-down retirement jobs. Right from the start of my journey to FIRE, my plan was to be open to paid work in early retirement. What some people refer to as semi retirement, I happily called what I was going to do “retiring early and often”.
For me it was all about being able to pursue interests. Interests that my long career wouldn’t allow me to do. That and shedding some of the stuff I didn’t like doing. I looked forward to accepting opportunities for just as long as I wanted to do it. That, and also gain the life flexibility I had sacrificed over the decades while serving the corporate world system. Basically, my paid work in retirement will be a rewarding adventure or it isn’t going to happen or continue. Here’s some of what I loved during my retirement work experiences.
The Best Parts About Working Scaled-Down Retirement Jobs
Done right, being open to taking on scaled-down retirement jobs has only upsides. Everyone will have to decide what “done right” looks like for them. I set my own working in retirement guidelines and stuck to them to leverage the work experience in my favor. Aside from getting to meet and work with some awesome people, here’s what I loved most:
Money wasn’t my motivation, it was learning and doing something I had interest in –
I had established my retirement funding to cover things regardless of my working. Anything I earned would be added to our overall net worth, not increasing our budget or spending. It freed me to purposely target opportunities based solely on interest. I could ask myself, if money was removed from accepting this position, would I still want to do it? There are some things, like herding cats (project management) that no amount of money could get me to do.
This mindset also made it easy to decide when it was time to end the job experience. I retired early again without hesitation from an encore career that paid more than my first long career. This mindset provides empowerment. No longer shackled to unrewarding work, unreasonable management, or a toxic work environment because of the need for a paycheck.
It allowed me to experience work in a different way as a paid observer. I was only there to perform my duties and absorb all I could without the pressure of attempting advancement for monetary reasons. I was able to learn, experience different interests, be rightfully paid, and simply move on once the itch was scratched.
The ability to leave it at the end of the day and not take it home –
My long telecom engineer career included 24×7 on-call. But worse than that was having to continually think about it to stay ahead of problems or plan ahead for the next day. What I enjoyed most about my scaled-down retirement jobs was being able to leave it all there at work. It was no longer my job to take care of the world. That was left for the career driven go-getters who still needed to.
The pleasure of having absolutely no pressure to over perform –
During my old career we had monthly accomplishment meetings with management. Where it was all about the question, how have you performed over the past 30 days? We had to prove our worth to keep our job and add to or subtract from our annual appraisal metrics for salary treatment. Make a measurable mistake or underperform in the last month of the year and they gladly erased all previous accomplishments that year. In fact, any poor performance month was used as a reason to withhold a raise. There was none of that pressure in my scaled-down retirement jobs. If there was, I wouldn’t have accepted the position.
I vowed to be reliable, do my job, and learn all I could from the experience. No more sacrificing my personal life or covering for incompetence, outdated and overworked software/hardware/machinery, or doing more than I really wanted to do. When I did go above and beyond it was because I really wanted to help out. Not out of some obligation to do it or an attempt to avoid feeling the sting of management’s retribution.
Being able to refuse accepting the thieves of personal life: On-call and overtime –
Turning down every offer of taking an on-call duty, working a nonscheduled weekend or holiday, and any overtime was a whole different feeling of freedom. This also endeared me to my coworkers who were hungry to earn extra money and saw me as someone not competing against them for that.
Free from legacy obligations –
Being new on a job means everything now touched is fresh and new too. In my long career there were a lot of things touched and worked on. Management created a fix-it-fast culture where they didn’t care who was really responsible. That meant anything worked on over the decades that broke, even when it was outside current job responsibilities, it still ended up in your lap because nobody wanted to take the time to learn or own it. Losing and no longer bogged down with legacy work history was a refreshing aspect to my scaled-down retirement jobs.
It wasn’t about money, but I still loved padding net worth while enjoying a retirement job –
Who wouldn’t love adding money to their portfolio while having fun working on their terms? Even my lowest paying retirement gig went towards our overall net worth. I had retired early with a modest mortgage that we had refinanced to get the lowest budget friendly payment possible. I was able to pay that off from my earnings over an 18 month retirement job stretch.
During one short contract I was able to divert almost all of my earnings to the 401k to approach that year’s federal maximum contribution allowance. It deferred taxes, reducing it to near zero on earnings other than Social Security/Medicare withholding during that earnings stretch.
It Wasn’t All Smooth Sailing, There Were Some Challenges To Retirement Job Bliss
Time off and vacation time offered, but with a catch –
After spending decades at the same company in my first career I was caught off guard by how my scaled-down retirement jobs managed employee time off. They didn’t. For all my corporate based retirement gigs it was put on the employee to make sure either the shift was covered or have a full backup person cover you. Difficult to do when everyone is already stretched to their limits with work.
We still traveled and vacationed while on these retirement gigs. I found it an intimidation strategy to get career driven employees to not take their vacation benefits. Getting time off under their rules was a challenge. I admit that because of my retirement work mindset where there was no financial fear of dismissal that I may have circumvented their time-off process a few times.
Scheduled to work weekends and holidays –
I accepted that I may have to work weekends and holidays as long as it was fairly assigned. It was tough to be unavailable to be with family when they were off work whenever I was stuck fulfilling my duties. I did experience having to work an early morning Christmas shift for the first time in my life. It went by fast and I kind of enjoyed the quiet day. We had already planned Christmas with our kids and grand-kids later that day anyway.
Unfortunately that Christmas the entire next shift of 2 called in sick (they weren’t) and I refused to work a double on Christmas. Somehow I was in more trouble than those fibbing illness. Turns out it disturbed my manager’s holiday. It was nice having that conversation with my boss the following day. Reminding him that I did my job duties and it wasn’t my job to make it easier for him to manage his people and the business. The joys of financial independence in all its full glory.
Income taxes were a handful –
To fund my early retirement in my pre age 59 ½ days I was living off of Sepp 72t IRA distributions. Something that I couldn’t turn off without IRS hassles. I then banked all work earnings, taking advantage of 401K opportunities when offered, use of IRAs, CDs, and a savings account. I had 10% federal taxes withheld from the 72t payments and I claimed Zero at the single higher rate on my work W4. With all of that I would still owe a big chunk at tax filing each year.
The longer on the scaled-down retirement job, unwanted legacy work obligations creep in –
The longer I worked a retirement gig, its own legacy work obligations that I had gladly moved beyond from began to show up again. There will always be some undesirable work that people will drag their feet doing. If you have proven success with it then management will pile it on you to make their life easier. It’s the nature of most jobs where excrement rolls down hill. It’s one of the reasons that added to my decision to end what I call my encore career. I wanted to learn and experience my interests, not carry operational BS because new or full time people didn’t want to do it and management just wanted it done without disturbing their own bliss.
Management trying to add unwanted scope –
When I was hired for my scaled-down retirement jobs it was well detailed what I used to do. They even mentioned the “overqualified” issue. I selected opportunities based on what I wanted to experience. I made it clear what I was there to do because I wanted to do it. My retirement jobs were perfectly scoped based on my being rationally unreasonable about that. But they can’t help themselves but to try and change the scope or rules. Sadly that doesn’t work for them once you are happy to call the relationship over if pressured to accept it. I did have a 4 month stretch until my contract ended where a new manager was unable to accept this dynamic and created a slightly hostile environment.
Turning down extra shifts, overtime, etc., on occasion caused some conflict with management –
Most of the time there was a ready supply of work go-getters willing to snap up any opportunity to make more cash. But when there wasn’t, my response of “no thanks” to their requests was less than acceptable. I hate to admit it, but they paid the price for my pre-retirement decades of work abuse and my unrelenting desire for a balanced working-in-retirement lifestyle. My refusals were always done with a smile and soft tone.
My Retirement Gigs Didn’t Last Forever, Nor Meant To
The list of my paid retirement work isn’t vast. I retired early at the age of 51 from a traditional and ravaged Bell System company as a lead engineer.
I took some months off and my desire to learn wireless technology guided me to a Wireless (Cellular) company Network Operations Technician position.
My interests in cable technology and past experience led me to an opportunity to become a Video on Demand Systems Analyst. It’s what became what I consider my encore career. Even though it was going very well and paid more in salary than my first long engineering career I got all I wanted out of the experience and then retired again.
Months later I accepted a short Cable Telecom Systems Analyst contract. The recruitment came from some people I enjoyed working with before. It started as the best contract experience of my life. Once that project ended after 2 short months I was extended 4 more months for another project. It was a lesser experience but tolerable due to my set retirement job boundaries.
Then one summer I worked as a Craft Beer bartender to help out in a small local coffee shop/Pub that I frequent. I worked during busy weekends and events. That was by far the most fun I have ever had while getting paid.
There were also some super short contracts that were more like paid tasks than anything else through the 11 years of my early retirement.
Going forward?
I have no idea what I may try to do next or when I will do it. I’ve become extremely picky about work now that I have met my jobs bucket list goals. Maybe never, it doesn’t matter. But I do know I will frame any opportunity I do accept to be aligned exactly with what I want to do under the retirement freedom rules I created.
I don’t consider what I do as semi-retirement. I believe that retirement is the absence of NEEDING to work, not the absence of working. What I consider “scaled-down retirement jobs” goes beyond having lesser responsibilities or salary. What it means to me is having a different mindset about it. Working on my terms, doing what I agreed and accepted that I would do, for as long as I want to without financial fear of losing the job or being forced into unrewarding situations.
I’ve had some fantastic and rewarding scaled-down retirement jobs over the years. They’re awesome because I set my own rules and I can leave before it can become a bad experience.
Because of this freedom to live this way, I’ve been simply retired since the first day I walked away from my long demanding career and during every one of my paid retirement opportunities since.
