How did you do it? (Survive the Waiting)

[ValerieJo]

I have 3 more years until I can retire (provided everything doesn't take a crap). I absolutely hate my job, but they pay me a lot of money to be here and it's a mile from home and I have decent vacation time.

The President of our company will retire in a few months and that will make me the oldest person in the company (59). The company I work for is definitely not female friendly (especially to us older ones).

In the last 2 years or so, we're hired about 20 people. I would say all (except for 1) are in their 20's and early 30's. In addition, the boss I've had for 8 years transferred to another department so my new boss is younger than my kids.

I try to take it one day at a time and try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Has anyone else been in my situation and how did you deal with the waiting until you could retire?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Sign me - Tired of Cubical Hell.

[quirky3]

Yes, I can relate! I joined TOTV in 2011 but will not be retiring till the end of 2014. In the meantime, I have retirement calendars that I check off each month (and each week now). I have started prepping my house for sale and I have spreadsheets of info ready - just need to wait it out.

Try to make the best of whatever free time you have, and visit TV a few times if you can. You are in good company!

[Bonnevie]

if you have vacation time saved....use it to get away from your job -- multiple long weekends for instance
one thing I told myself I would do (but didn't do) was to start cleaning out the house to prepare for ultimate move. I told myself to do a room as though I was moving tomorrow. unfortunately, I didn't do that and it was a mad dash to get thru everything right before I moved. If you plan to sell the house you have, have a realtor give you tips on how to get it ready...that way you'll be working toward your goal instead of just being miserable. I also ended up retiring sooner than I expected....using savings to hold off taking social security

[vorage]

Many of us were in your shoes. Many of us had jobs that changed significantly and we had little interest in changing with them or contributing to a new corporate culture. But believe me when I say that the satisfaction of bowing out gracefully in your own time will be worth it. Think of these three years as an investment in your real future. Meanwhile, find something about your job that you love and do it well in spite of everything and everyone else. That could be important if you feel yourself being pushed out to soon. Make your position as "elder statesman" a valued one. If you still feel invisible among all the "youngsters" so be it. Take all your vacation time and use it to come to The Villages as often as you can. Three years from now, you can let the doors swing shut behind you with a smile on your face and joy in your heart!

[buggyone]

I have 3 more years until I can retire (provided everything doesn't take a crap). I absolutely hate my job, but they pay me a lot of money to be here and it's a mile from home and I have decent vacation time.

The President of our company will retire in a few months and that will make me the oldest person in the company (59). The company I work for is definitely not female friendly (especially to us older ones).

In the last 2 years or so, we're hired about 20 people. I would say all (except for 1) are in their 20's and early 30's. In addition, the boss I've had for 8 years transferred to another department so my new boss is younger than my kids.

I try to take it one day at a time and try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Has anyone else been in my situation and how did you deal with the waiting until you could retire?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Sign me - Tired of Cubical Hell.

The actuality of hating your job but going to it can be very dangerous to your health. You are 59. Stress from your job can bring on a heart attack. Being paid a big salary is not worth damaging your health. If there is any way of an early out retirement even with a reduction in pension, consider doing it.

The only other thing to do is continue working and not thinking 3 years down the road but stay focused on showing everyone you are the best thing that ever happened to the company and they would be lost without your knowledge and experience.

[SantaClaus]

I agree with buggyone, I'd want to carefully think about your priorities and see if there is a reasonable way to retire earlier and save your heart the stress. I highly recommend "How to Retire the Cheapskate Way" by Jeff Yeager to help evaluate what's really important to you and to do a reality check about what you really need to retire. If you decide it's not possible yet, do what I do, spend tons of time on here dreaming and planning. The stresses of today are more easily dealt with when you have a vision for tomorrow. Go on and start preparing for TV. Start downsizing your stuff. Think about decorating your future home and selling furnishings that are too big or not the right style for your vision of a FL home. Oh, and take every vacation day you have coming! My wife was sitting on something like 20 vacation days, some carried forward from previous years, when she got laid off. Don't be more committed to your company than they are to you. My 2¢

[tippyclubb]

Stay focused my friend on your long term goal and keep your eye on the prize. This is what we did for the last five years. No matter how bad our work was we pushed ahead knowing in a few years work would not be in our vocabulary.

We spent countless hours on this forum and made a few visits to TV, which also helped knowing this would be our future. There were plenty of days Tom & I thought we could not work one more day, but somehow we managed to go everyday.

On our last visit to TV we bought our home we had dreamed of for so many years and in a few months we will be moving down for good. Looking back the time went by quickly, and it will for you too.

[gomoho]

Husband retired at 55 'cause he was in a similar position as yours. We talked about it and decided we would do with less in retirement, but at least we would be doing it together. I believe a few more years may have killed him. Never looked back, no regrets and here we are 12 years later doing just fine.

[Barefoot]

Once they're retired, I think a lot of people regret not retiring earlier with less money.
My Mom always said "Don't wish your life away".
Make every day count.
A long life isn't promised to any of us.

[Medtrans]

Boy can we relate to your post. Our original plan was to wait until next August to retire and now we're not sure we will make it past this August. Corporate America stinks as they want so much out of you. The 11-hour days don't cut it when you're 62 as it's a young person's game. We did buy a house in TV a couple of weeks ago so we're ready if that day comes sooner - which I'm sure it will. Best of luck to you.

[B767drvr]

I have 3 more years until I can retire (provided everything doesn't take a crap). I absolutely hate my job, but they pay me a lot of money to be here and it's a mile from home and I have decent vacation time.



A "lot" to me is seven figures per year. To others, it might be higher… don't know. So, if you're making that kind of coin, suck it up for as long as you can take it, then retire and don't look back. If you've been doing that well for years, you ought to be fine in retirement, whenever you choose to take it.

As for "everything taking a crap"??? Is "everything" the broad stock market? The world? The US economy?

At three years prior to planned retirement, I'm sure you have a laddered bond portfolio (avg maturity of about 7 years?) and you should be fine when rates inevitably begin to rise. As a matter of fact, it will be an epic (perhaps once in a lifetime) opportunity in the bond market when rates rise. Cash is king when opportunity knocks. Panic will be widespread and so will be the opportunity. Patience.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

One day at a time. What we don't feel we can do for a year, we can do for a month. What we think we can't do for a month we can do for a week. If we think we can't do it for a week, we can do it for a day and if we don't think we can do it for a day, we can do it for an hour.

[Topspinmo]

yes, I have one week left to retire. House going on market next week. I been sick of working for 10 years now. THE DAY HAS FINELY ARRIVED for me. :a040::a040::a040:

[2BNTV]

I have 3 more years until I can retire (provided everything doesn't take a crap). I absolutely hate my job, but they pay me a lot of money to be here and it's a mile from home and I have decent vacation time.

The President of our company will retire in a few months and that will make me the oldest person in the company (59). The company I work for is definitely not female friendly (especially to us older ones).

In the last 2 years or so, we're hired about 20 people. I would say all (except for 1) are in their 20's and early 30's. In addition, the boss I've had for 8 years transferred to another department so my new boss is younger than my kids.

I try to take it one day at a time and try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Has anyone else been in my situation and how did you deal with the waiting until you could retire?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Sign me - Tired of Cubical Hell.

You situation is not unique. In the PC industry, young people were hired and had a age bias, against older workers. That's something, you will never change. Accept it as a reality, and move forward with your life.

The saving grace for me, was being connected to positive people on TOTV.

I would:
1. Start to declutter your home, and get ready to walk out the door, as soon as it sells. It will take a lot of time to decide what you don't want, as oppossed to what you want to keep,
2. Start making a list of what you might want in a new home and work to refine it.
3. Tke one week at a time and don't look too far ahead. All you have is the "present".
4. Developa n attitude toward management of, "forgive them father, for they don't know, what they do". It will help to subside your anger, as it is very unproductive.
5. "Always keep your eye on the prize".
6. Think positively, of what you can do, with "all that money", going forward.

"when you find what you want to do with your life, you want that life to start right away". Patience will be a good trait to develop, to preserve your sanity.

[california dreamer]

except what moved us out here quicker was my hubby's heart attack. that really sends a message of how short life might be for you. shorter than you think. so, we retired earlier, in our 50's, leaving behind secure govt job. but now our house has gone up 27% since buying here a year ago and we are happier than ever with our new friends and lifestyle. figure our what the heck you can do without and go for it!!

[Judith Ann]

It will be worth the wait!

[maryanna630]

I suggest you read the book 'Your Money Or Your Life ' and also 'The Millionaire Next Door'.
These totally changed our outlook. At this point in life, we are totally debt free and we live very simply. We have already made and lost a lot of money,worked sixty hours a week, had trophy houses, cars etc and come to realize that none of it matters. We want to be healthy, live where there is beauty, eat quality food and have a small, functional home with no high maintenance. We have lived in Mexico for nine years and we have our house for sale. The Villages looks like a place where we could be happy. We will see how it goes but I will tell you that time is guaranteed to no man; do what you want now.

[graciegirl]

I have 3 more years until I can retire (provided everything doesn't take a crap). I absolutely hate my job, but they pay me a lot of money to be here and it's a mile from home and I have decent vacation time.

The President of our company will retire in a few months and that will make me the oldest person in the company (59). The company I work for is definitely not female friendly (especially to us older ones).

In the last 2 years or so, we're hired about 20 people. I would say all (except for 1) are in their 20's and early 30's. In addition, the boss I've had for 8 years transferred to another department so my new boss is younger than my kids.

I try to take it one day at a time and try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Has anyone else been in my situation and how did you deal with the waiting until you could retire?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Sign me - Tired of Cubical Hell.


My advice is to take up some new hobbies, take a class, join a group of like minded people, and do anything to make you bloom where you are planted. Most of us would tell you that they were fairly happy THERE and very happy HERE.


Don't waste the time you have now in good health wishing for something down the road.


I have been told this by smarter people than me over time and didn't pay much heed.

[Rosie53]

I can relate! I have a job that pays a salary I never would have dreamed of. My husband and I fell in love with the Villages in 2011. We built the house and closed on it in January 2013. We sold our house before that and are living in an apartment. We visit TV a few times a year. We have 6 months left till we retire and go full time. This feels like the longest 6 months of our life! We talk of TV all the time.

[DaleMN]

Read "Desiderata". :doh:

[DigitalGranny]

I didn't hate my job, but I think the last couple of years were very difficult. Put a smile on your face every morning, and don't put off having a good day. Make the most of the "elder statesman" role, like others said. Pick a protégée and lavish your wisdom and support on them. Make your young boss look great -and he will cherish you. Take a load off him, but give him all the credit.

On the home front, purge your possessions! You don't need most of what you own. Get rid of it. Fix up your house to sell. Make it look great and modern --ask your younger co-workers for advice on what they like in houses. Get rid of any grandma looking stuff you own or if you want to keep it, put it in storage with your movers and put fresh, young, modern stuff in your house to sell it. Whew! You'll barely get done before it's time to retire and move to TV!

[Blessed2BNTV]

Oh the great wisdom we have on TOTV! And this is why I frequent this site.

OP wishing you the best and hope you found solace in the other posts.

[mickey100]

I didn't hate my job, but I think the last couple of years were very difficult. Put a smile on your face every morning, and don't put off having a good day. Make the most of the "elder statesman" role, like others said. Pick a protégée and lavish your wisdom and support on them. Make your young boss look great -and he will cherish you. Take a load off him, but give him all the credit.

On the home front, purge your possessions! You don't need most of what you own. Get rid of it. Fix up your house to sell. Make it look great and modern --ask your younger co-workers for advice on what they like in houses. Get rid of any grandma looking stuff you own or if you want to keep it, put it in storage with your movers and put fresh, young, modern stuff in your house to sell it. Whew! You'll barely get done before it's time to retire and move to TV!

That is really good advice. I was in a similar position, and just accepted the fact I wasn't going to get a lot of happiness from my job. I guess that's why we get paid to do it! But I used the time and money to get my finances in good shape; we got rid of all the extra "stuff" that had accumulated, and spent time fixing up the house getting it ready to sell. When I was at a point when I could retire, I finished up at work, put the house on the market, sold the house and moved all our belongings down to Florida in the space of about a month. It was great to make a clean break, and those 3 years or so gave me the time to be organized to make that happen. I was also in a position where I was able to reduce my hours at work the last couple of years. I sacrificed some salary, but it was worth it to have the time off. I combined that time off with my vacation time, and took extended vacations down in Florida.

Best of luck to you.

[graciegirl]

I didn't hate my job, but I think the last couple of years were very difficult. Put a smile on your face every morning, and don't put off having a good day. Make the most of the "elder statesman" role, like others said. Pick a protégée and lavish your wisdom and support on them. Make your young boss look great -and he will cherish you. Take a load off him, but give him all the credit.

On the home front, purge your possessions! You don't need most of what you own. Get rid of it. Fix up your house to sell. Make it look great and modern --ask your younger co-workers for advice on what they like in houses. Get rid of any grandma looking stuff you own or if you want to keep it, put it in storage with your movers and put fresh, young, modern stuff in your house to sell it. Whew! You'll barely get done before it's time to retire and move to TV!



I want to be around you as much as I can. What an attitude!!!!!:clap2::MOJE_whot::ho:

[asianthree]

I love my job so it's going to be hard to leave

[kgentile1010]

Buy a villa NOW and then come down on vacation as much as you can. If you buy one now, you will be part of the villages. Then when it's time to go permanent, you can sell your villa or rent it.

Then put a great big picture of it on your desk, and when times get tough, think about your wonderful Village happy home. You WILL be a Villager.

Next vacation, come down and BUY. :) And then WE all can say WELCOME!!!

[graciegirl]

Buy a villa NOW and then come down on vacation as much as you can. If you buy one now, you will be part of the villages. Then when it's time to go permanent, you can sell your villa or rent it.

Then put a great big picture of it on your desk, and when times get tough, think about your wonderful Village happy home. You WILL be a Villager.

Next vacation, come down and BUY. :) And then WE all can say WELCOME!!!

:clap2:I so agree. See? Lotsa people think along those lines and they don't work for the developer either. :MOJE_whot:

[ValerieJo]

Thanks to all who responded. You've all given my morale a much needed boost.

I actually feel like there is light at the end of tunnel. I am beginning to do as you have suggested and plan to start purging as much as I can.

At this point I am shooting for a December Lifestyle Preview visit as we are shut down over the holidays.

You are all so kind and generous. Thanks again for responding.