Thanks,
Shirley

You'll watch more 'home improvement TV" during the week (so you don't have to watch Oprah and Judge Judy).. You'll spend more on craft projects and home improvement.

You'll think you're going to save money on dinners out by cooking your own. Meatloaf is outrageously expensive if you think about it! ... Try to find someone to share dinners with (hey.. the lonely lady down the street might be a gold mine!)

You might want to check out 'activities' that will be available to you . ... stuff you already do is cool, but what about the other hours? What is the time frame? See what you can find out. Bingo? Volunteer Causes?

Plan on no more than four lunches with your old work buddies... you're gone.

My expenses for the house etc are the same as when I worked.

If you have a library near-by get started using it and you can read your newspaper and magazines free that way.
If you don't have a cell phone get one of those that you buy your time for it and carry one in your bag when you go out for emergencies if need be.
Try to plan a schedule of activity even if it is just a reminder to water the plants. Coming from high stress active job can leave you in daze for a while.
You'll love it.

Gina: No worry here about staying 'connected' to anyone at work, at least those that are in the same building as I am. We have one gal who retired 4 yrs ago and still pops in and out at least once a month....that will NOT be me. I don't think this gal knows she's 'gone' yet.

Minnie: Thanks for advising about the cell phone AND the type to get. I'd been wondering if I should do that and you've just confirmed that decision. Also thanks for idea of making a schedule for a while to keep myself from going into 'shock' when I no longer have such a hectic daily routine.

Shirley

Some say that you'll probably need to plan on something like about 70% of the income that you had - less gas, wear and tear on car - or transit (though you may want to continue using pass). Lower clothing, cosmetics, hair costs. Gifts for colleagues' celebrations, etc. Eating out, especially if you're part of a couple, for it sure is easy to figure that, with two incomes, one should spoil one's self by eating out on Wed. Or Fri., rather than making supper at home. Especialy if Hubby isn't kitchen-friendly.

As income is usually lower, there'll be fewer dollars going to income tax.

You'll likely find that your interest in work stuff will drop off rather quickly - and former workmates may be less than enthusiastic about carrying on long-term close relationship - some jealousy over your good fortune enjoying your freedom. Different interests.

If you are in good health, have an active mind and some interesting skills, maybe choose to develop income-producing project(s) after retirement.

Some folks who thought they'd not be interested later find such things interesting - bed and breakfast, crafts, consultancy, etc. Lots of options available for many.

Use a variety of methods to contact a number of long-term and recent retirees, pick their brains about what they'd expected, whether their expectations panned out, what their experiences were , what they'd do differently - there's a thread here dealing with that subject.

Then - become a retirement consultant. Call a number of local businesses, offer your services to their staff.

Question? When should one begin to plan for their retirement?

Answer: The day they're born - every day that they wait makes the preparations more difficult.

If Grandpa/ma invests $600. at the birth of his/her first grandchild, and can get 15% rate of return on the investment, when that child attains the ripe old age of 65, that child will have a million dollars of asset.

As will 4 other grandchildren.

And over a quarter million ($290,000.00) for the sixth one.

No allowance for the erosion of income due to tax, or of value of the underlying asset due to inflation.

Good wishes for the coming days.

joyful guy/Ed