To Retire At 56? Or Rough It Out...

[bigpearl]

An interesting and insightful read, thanks to all contributors, (yes I read all 14 pages,,,, as we do) makes one wonder/ponder retirement and at what age we do this, for me I picked 60, a little over 2 years away, my choice, knowing the trials and tribulations before me/us can get it together to make the move. Others I see are much younger and enjoying the successes of their choices, older also, envious? Yes. As others have keenly stated in this and other posts "I should have done it sooner". We do it when we are ready, I have lived in PH on and off for over 2 years, It was really work and holiday mode over the last 6 years, now comes the move, enough for retirement yes,  5 years ago nope, wasn't ready, still learning. Expat sites such as this opens ones eyes to the realities and on the ground info that we all share, if not for this and other like minded sites I may never have decided to take the plunge and move countries. It was difficult to move states 17 years ago, some 2000 kilometres, another country now is easy.

See you all in La Union.

Cheers, Steve. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

On 3/2/2012 at 10:36 AM, Dave Hounddriver said:

 

I retired at 52 years of age. I had 'just' enough income to maintain the minimum lifestyle I expect in Philippines. I have been doing it 4 years now. I am surrounded by guys with a lot more money who are 65 plus. I would NOT trade my life for theirs. No way, no how

 

Having this thread pop up to the surface reminded me of what I said way back 5 years ago.  Truer words were never spoken.  I feel exactly the same 4 years later but I feel compelled to add (for accuracy) that while I gave notice of my retirement at 52 years of age I did not actually retire until my 53rd birthday as it made a large financial difference (at that point each year does).

[RBM]

16 hours ago, russellmania said:

Whats the deal with Dumaguete..why you dont like it there?

In my opinion, Dumaguete is the most congested, dirty, crowded and has the status of the worst behaved traffic I have experienced in any city here of a similar size. I emphasize this my opinion based on extensive motorcycle traffic throughout the country. The only time I enjoy here is leaving. Even the famed boulevard  unless one walks it at full or close to full tide the stench is over powering, as for the the restos here, over priced and there is far better just south of Robinson, if one cares to play Russian roulette to get there.

 

Sorry dave Jack kev and others how ever this as said is my take and relates to the city only.

[Dave Hounddriver]

6 minutes ago, RBM said:

unless one walks it at full or close to full tide

Dumaguete has its pluses and minuses and I fully understand how someone could dislike it.  If you were to walk the boulevard at high tide you would hate it more.  That is because all that stinking sewery sea water splashes over the top of the sea wall and onto the walkers at high tide (only at the VERY high tides so its not always bad.)

[russellmania]

It seems a lot of the medium size cities are getting more and more crowded, and guys are going to smaller cities or the province for less hectic lifestyle. I visited Dumageute about 8 or 9 yrs ago, and it looked like a regular city in Philippines to me,just average.

[OnMyWay]

2 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

Having this thread pop up to the surface reminded me of what I said way back 5 years ago.  Truer words were never spoken.  I feel exactly the same 4 years later but I feel compelled to add (for accuracy) that while I gave notice of my retirement at 52 years of age I did not actually retire until my 53rd birthday as it made a large financial difference (at that point each year does).

I also re-read the entire thread and found it interesting.  Some members that used to post a lot are gone, and 1 or 2, at least, have passed on.  Which gives more weight to the "retire now and enjoy life" opinion, as you never know when your time is up!

I'm very happy I pulled the trigger at 56, and my savings have held up reasonably well.  The saving took a hit to buy my long term lease here in the freeport, but it looks like that will be a good investment.  I'll start SS at 62 in about 18 months, and it should be smooth sailing after that, as long as my health is good.  In June I am going to buy some Pacific Cross health insurance to cover any serious health issues that might arise, and I will probably choose a high deductible in order to keep the annual premiums down.

I think I have commented in some of Bows threads before that I was in a similar pickle as him at a similar age.  Hated my good paying job and what the company had become.  Single, lonely guy with all the toys; big house, cars, etc.  Like so many said here, all that doesn't mean sh*t in the long run.  Now I enjoy a happy family life surrounded by my loving wife and 3 daughters.  Yes, like any family we have some ups and downs, and life's challenges will always be there, but having a solid family unit and seeing my girls grow up has provided me with real, genuine, happiness that I would never have experienced in my old life.

Now we are going on our first "meet the family" trip next month.  It should be very interesting to be back in the U.S. for the first time in 5 years.

[earthdome]

6 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Now we are going on our first "meet the family" trip next month.  It should be very interesting to be back in the U.S. for the first time in 5 years.

Let us know what you find has changed in the 5 years you have been gone from the US. I think many would find that interesting.

[OnMyWay]

18 minutes ago, earthdome said:

Let us know what you find has changed in the 5 years you have been gone from the US. I think many would find that interesting.

Yes, I think Old55 started a thread for that.  I'm sure I will have a lot to share but we don't leave until next month.

[i am bob]

I retired from the Air Farce when I was 36 and blew all my savings into a business I gave to my ex-wife...  Supposedly to give our kids a better life...  Took 6 months for her and her mom to drive it from $2.4 mil (on paper) to $0.00...  6 more years of child support and I was out of debt...  42...  If only I had thought of coming here at 42 years of age...  Ok... I waited until I was 56...  Almost 57...  So much I lost in between...  But maybe for the best..?  Stay tuned for future updates...  Lol!

[Jack Peterson]

5 minutes ago, i am bob said:

I waited until I was 56...  Almost 57...  So much I lost in between...  But maybe for the best..?