I might be the first one to tell you NOT to buy the ZT mower. While it is very manuverable, every time you make a sharp turn, the inside rear wheel is simply pivoting on itself and grinding the grass away. There are tractors with 4 wheel steering that might be better in that regard but cost even more.
When I was 59, I decided to build a large workshop onto my house. My wife was very supportive and the plan was to stay put when retirement rolled around in a few years. It was my hobby to build and fix things and the shop would allow me to do that for ourselves, family, and friends. There were thoughts of a small side 'business' too which would keep me busy, help pay the bills, and meet some new people. That was the plan and it took me nearly 3 years to build (had to finish within time frame allowed by building permit). In the fall of 2021, I moved my equipment in and started setting it up. This was what I was waiting for. Then in December of '21, my wife suffered a severe stroke, spent 9 weeks in the hospital, and passed away. Now I find myself asking what's the point. Where's my sense of purpose? I tell this story as a parallel to the main story because there was mention of sense of purpose. It can change very unexpectedly. There was mention of the possibility of things changing. It can and does. I wish I could round up my story with advice on how to deal with the above questions but instead I'm still looking for the answers.
Make sure you have passwords to all that matters. Not that it's a big deal but my late wife left behind a laptop that is useless w/o the pasword. To say your wife "left you the greatest gift..." is pushing it a bit. Yes, I believe she would want you to be happy but finding that happiness so late in life, finding a sense of purpose, is not so easy. I was 61 last year when my wife passed at age 66 and while I've met several women, it's not so quick to re-establish a meaningful relationship. And I agree about finding out some things about family history. At some point, there is nobody anymore that knows the details.
The least answered question is the one I feel the most attached to. It's been said before "Location, location, location" and that to me can't be said enough. A house can be changed, remodeled, even torn down and rebuilt but there are some things that can't be changed. I love where I live except for one thing; there's a rifle range within earshot. It's a constant reminder that there's violence in the world. On the positive side, I can walk out my back gate and literally walk for miles in the woods (public land) without crossing any roads. I (and my neighbors) have trees. You really can't plant 50-100 year old trees that give shade in the summer. Sure there are leaves to clean in the fall but I wouldn't have it anyother way. I also live on a court (or as some call it, a cul-de-sac). Great to not have thru traffic. And finally, I have an acre to cultivate as I please. I chuckle at the HGTV shows where people are looking for things like crown molding; a real easy thing to add even if you can't do it yourself.
When COVID hit, my wife felt an extra need to get wills drawn for the two of us (at the time I was 60 and she was 64). We got Suzy Orman forms and filled them out. Had trouble getting them notarized because of the pandemic but finally did. Fast forward to February 2022 and my wife passed (not COVID). I went to county clerks office to file her will. Later found out that she had already done so, I also found out that we didn't need to and them lastly found out the will was invalid since it left everything to a trust that didn't exist. Then had to spend $5k for lawyer to assign me as executor (probate), state law didn't grant me what the will intended, and I have to wait 7 months to see if any claims are made against the estate. In the end (haven't gotten there yet), her daughters will receive more than they would have which is fine because I know my wife was going to sell the house to one of them below market value and I choose to honor that intent.
Retirement for me will be no more schedules. Plain and simple. Sure, there will be planes to catch for fun travel. There will be appointments for whatever. But these will be few and far between compared to going out 5 days a week, regardless of the weather or mood. An d if there's a person I don't particularly like or get along with, I can walk the other way. I can't wait!
That's the one beauty of internet shopping. Not necessarily getting the best price but getting the best product that can't always be found in local stores. Buying a quality product, especially when you're young, is cheaper than buying a POS and then having to buy another when the first one breaks.
When asked the question "Do you excercise?" in my on-line dating profile, I wrote that I find it humorous that a guy will pay someone to mow his lawn and then pay (at a gym) for the privelage of moving heavy weights around. It all kind of boils down to the type of person you are. I feel good at the end of the day if I have accomplished something. Others don't need that.
Comments
I never heard of a "main fuse circuit breaker". It's either one or the other. And it was probably killed by the reverse polarity.
Post: Manpower in Action
Link to comment from October 25, 2023
Retiring in a home with 3 floors?
Post: On the Road to Home
Link to comment from October 18, 2023
I might be the first one to tell you NOT to buy the ZT mower. While it is very manuverable, every time you make a sharp turn, the inside rear wheel is simply pivoting on itself and grinding the grass away. There are tractors with 4 wheel steering that might be better in that regard but cost even more.
Post: Nothing Saved
Link to comment from July 12, 2023
When I was 59, I decided to build a large workshop onto my house. My wife was very supportive and the plan was to stay put when retirement rolled around in a few years. It was my hobby to build and fix things and the shop would allow me to do that for ourselves, family, and friends. There were thoughts of a small side 'business' too which would keep me busy, help pay the bills, and meet some new people. That was the plan and it took me nearly 3 years to build (had to finish within time frame allowed by building permit). In the fall of 2021, I moved my equipment in and started setting it up. This was what I was waiting for. Then in December of '21, my wife suffered a severe stroke, spent 9 weeks in the hospital, and passed away. Now I find myself asking what's the point. Where's my sense of purpose? I tell this story as a parallel to the main story because there was mention of sense of purpose. It can change very unexpectedly. There was mention of the possibility of things changing. It can and does. I wish I could round up my story with advice on how to deal with the above questions but instead I'm still looking for the answers.
Post: Ask Before Quitting
Link to comment from June 17, 2023
Make sure you have passwords to all that matters. Not that it's a big deal but my late wife left behind a laptop that is useless w/o the pasword. To say your wife "left you the greatest gift..." is pushing it a bit. Yes, I believe she would want you to be happy but finding that happiness so late in life, finding a sense of purpose, is not so easy. I was 61 last year when my wife passed at age 66 and while I've met several women, it's not so quick to re-establish a meaningful relationship. And I agree about finding out some things about family history. At some point, there is nobody anymore that knows the details.
Post: Sharing the Journey
Link to comment from June 10, 2023
The least answered question is the one I feel the most attached to. It's been said before "Location, location, location" and that to me can't be said enough. A house can be changed, remodeled, even torn down and rebuilt but there are some things that can't be changed. I love where I live except for one thing; there's a rifle range within earshot. It's a constant reminder that there's violence in the world. On the positive side, I can walk out my back gate and literally walk for miles in the woods (public land) without crossing any roads. I (and my neighbors) have trees. You really can't plant 50-100 year old trees that give shade in the summer. Sure there are leaves to clean in the fall but I wouldn't have it anyother way. I also live on a court (or as some call it, a cul-de-sac). Great to not have thru traffic. And finally, I have an acre to cultivate as I please. I chuckle at the HGTV shows where people are looking for things like crown molding; a real easy thing to add even if you can't do it yourself.
Post: What’s Your Answer?
Link to comment from April 15, 2023
When COVID hit, my wife felt an extra need to get wills drawn for the two of us (at the time I was 60 and she was 64). We got Suzy Orman forms and filled them out. Had trouble getting them notarized because of the pandemic but finally did. Fast forward to February 2022 and my wife passed (not COVID). I went to county clerks office to file her will. Later found out that she had already done so, I also found out that we didn't need to and them lastly found out the will was invalid since it left everything to a trust that didn't exist. Then had to spend $5k for lawyer to assign me as executor (probate), state law didn't grant me what the will intended, and I have to wait 7 months to see if any claims are made against the estate. In the end (haven't gotten there yet), her daughters will receive more than they would have which is fine because I know my wife was going to sell the house to one of them below market value and I choose to honor that intent.
Post: Case Closed
Link to comment from March 8, 2023
Retirement for me will be no more schedules. Plain and simple. Sure, there will be planes to catch for fun travel. There will be appointments for whatever. But these will be few and far between compared to going out 5 days a week, regardless of the weather or mood. An d if there's a person I don't particularly like or get along with, I can walk the other way. I can't wait!
Post: What Is Retirement?
Link to comment from February 1, 2023
That's the one beauty of internet shopping. Not necessarily getting the best price but getting the best product that can't always be found in local stores. Buying a quality product, especially when you're young, is cheaper than buying a POS and then having to buy another when the first one breaks.
Post: Time’s A-Wasting
Link to comment from January 18, 2023
When asked the question "Do you excercise?" in my on-line dating profile, I wrote that I find it humorous that a guy will pay someone to mow his lawn and then pay (at a gym) for the privelage of moving heavy weights around. It all kind of boils down to the type of person you are. I feel good at the end of the day if I have accomplished something. Others don't need that.
Post: Time’s A-Wasting
Link to comment from January 18, 2023