This was a question from someone I've known for years. He tends to be very negative and is not someone I'd frequently associate with if it were not for a circumstance of fate: he is the significant other of a good friend but I don't hold that against her. (Have you ever noticed how negative people suck the life out of you?) Well, I explained, yes, I do have a job but it is because I choose to do it. I do not HAVE TO work. So I leave it at that since I know it is useless to try to explain myself to someone who just doesn't "get it."
I choose to work because I've found job that feeds a passion, not my pocketbook. That, to me, is the big difference. In my previous job, if I did not feel like going to work, I could not easily call in sick. There is not such thing as a substitute principal, although we have individuals assigned to carry on while we are off campus. It's just not the same. Our presence is required 99% of the time.
Now, I get to choose the days and times I work. I have tremendous flexibility, with the exception of having to meet seven times between September and December 1st for a two-hour seminar. But then, I was the one who decided on the dates/times, so it's not that bad. On some weeks, I have no scheduled workdays'these are my "free" days. On other weeks, I may work a day or two.
And a bonus: I get paid! I plan to use this extra money to expand our travel plans and increase my contributions to
~ 21 possible workdays (not counting Labor Day)
~ Of these, 11 days are completely free
~ My longest work day: 1 day @ 6 hours
~ On 7 work days, I have scheduled ~3 hours
~ 2 days will require working ~ 2 hours
~ My net pay estimate: ~ $34 an hour (after 33% withheld)
While the money is nice to have, it is not my reason working. My part-time work is a self-imposed experiment because, to confess, I was afraid of having way too much time in retirement. Back in May, when I decided to take the final step into retirement, I had some doubts... about having too much time on my hands, not enough to do, and well...I guess I just needed to be needed somewhere for something. And so, I applied for my PT job at a local university and also accepted a consulting contract with my former employer. When the academic year is over, I may choose to continue working... but then, maybe I won't. Gotta love having choices!
September 11th, 2008 at 10:44 pm 1221173055
September 11th, 2008 at 10:56 pm 1221173779
Because he WANTS to. We keep joking with the man that he needs a second job. He's never worked just one job before ... I hope I can retire at 53 and work if I want to.
September 12th, 2008 at 08:53 pm 1221252818
But anwyay, on the flip side, my dh's mom just "retired" and my dad probably will in a few years. They are the types who will work forever. Their retirement marks the day they are free from the 9-5 grind, for sure. & that is a definition I understand. (Oh I am totally that type too - I will work when I don't need to, but I Would consider it retirement).
I'd just say, "retired". People won't get it, but other people don't matter.
September 13th, 2008 at 12:40 am 1221266419
I think to me, and possibly other boomers like me, retirement defines a time in life where I am free from the "9-5 grind" as you aptly put it. But I still have the need to be involved in work that gives me a sense of purpose. Some of it will be as a volunteer and some I may get paid for.
In my first post I said I was "rewiring" and this is how I see my life now. I've rewired to be able to work on projects that I care about and to have more control of my daily life and definitely my health. The key thing is that if I had not financially planned for this day, I'd still be stuck in that stressful grind.
At a university meeting today, I met six other "retired" educators who, like me, are also supervising student teachers. Yes, boomers are definitely redefining what it means to be retired.
Thanks for your comments. I enjoy reading your posts, and I admire your financial astuteness. I probably could have retired at 45 if I had been more like you at 30.