I'm not a rich doctor...but
When I took early retirement when I was 55 years old, my co-workers gave me a card that they all signed.
The front of the card began "Want to make hundreds of dollars a week for doing absolutely nothing?"
The question was answered when I opened the card.
"Don't quit your job."
I still have the card and smile every time I read it.
Whoever thought up the message on this card was wrong, of course. I may have been paid hundreds of dollars a week, but I had to be there 40 hours a week to collect my paycheck.
And, now that I'm retired I get the richest rewards of all by being able to spend my summer days on Montana's rivers chasing trout, and I don't waste any time in getting them. I'm one rich guy!
John
I have been retired since 2004
I have been retired for 5 years now, retired when I turned 55 years old. Worked hard all my life, and 55 is not middle age. Ask yourself, how many people you know that are 110 years old.......
You look at early history, not too many folks lived past 35 years. As civilization improved with more labor saving inventions, and medical discoveries for disease, and illnesses, the life span increased.
In the 1930's when Social Security was started, 65 years was Old, Really Old,
My Great Grandfather was born in 1861, and died in 1918, at the age of 57. My Grandfather was born in 1890, and died in 1951 at the age of 61. My father was born in 1918, and died in 1996 at the age of 78. We are on average living longer, but not everyone. Reading the newspaper, I see the announcement of who had died, and I notice that there is still a large gap in the age groups of people dying. So many died young as children, then there is a large gap with a large number of young adults. Later there are the folks that are in their prime (50-59) dying..... and so it continues.
I think how long you have has to do with what dangerous activities you are doing, and also who your ancestors are, and the DNA code that made you, and somewhat about how as you live your DNA become altered by every disease and virus that you have been infected.
So retire when you have done everything you need to do for raising a family, and paying off the house and car. Then retire and do something that you want and when you want. Get out of the Fast Lane, and slow down and start enjoying the things that your job and family commitments filled all the time you spent for over 30 to 40 years of you life. Now it is your time to enjoy the so called "Golden Years" before your warranty expires, or you get recalled by the Home Office! :D
My retirement is going fishing when the air and water temperature is just right, spend time just being out in the backyard in my chair reading, napping, or even tying flies or furled tapered leaders. When the urge strikes, I write an article, when I have an inspiration, or something worth sharing. I have time to play with my grandson, or help out in the neighborhood. I do what I want, when I want, and if I do not feel like doing anything (I don't)!
As in the movie "Forest Gump" Gump said it right, " eat when I am hungry, I sleep when I am tired, and when I have to go....well I go! Life is like a Box of Chocolates, you never know what you are going to get, until you bite into one!
Did I mention the Senior Citizen Discounts?
Not really retired, but ...
this year I have only worked about 4 months due to companies cutting back on the use of consultants (wife is still working so financially we are stable). Still, I am enjoying the time off. Not having to stress out over SEC reporting deadlines is the best part about not having to work.
I sure hope being 51 is middle age. It won't be until I am 75 before I can retire. It is then my kids will be out of college. lol
