I was standing on the side of the road putting on my hip boots Saturday and a buddy I used to work with seen me and stopped. He said what in the world are you doing I thought we retired to enjoy life. I got to thinking about what he said as I eased down the creek. When i got to the first trap that had literally took me 30 minutes to set the evening before I seen the 50 pound beaver that had been stopping up the county road . I took him out and reset the trap. I got back to my truck and parked about 150 yards at the next bridge. The first couple of traps were still set I crossed back to a ditch that is on private land to check some. I have been obsessed with trapping never could do it when i worked 65-75 hours a week in an aluminum plant. Worked 9 years in a paper mill before an accident robbed about half of my strength and they made me retire. When i first started I found me a cocker made like a caulking gun that you ratchet the trap makes it easy. I got to the first trap on 33 there on the farm that has been flooded for 25 years some of you probably know where i mean. I rented an excavator and cleaned that beaver infested ditch all the way down to Robinson Creek. Anyway back to the story. As i got to the first trap beaver number 54 looked like a blonde bear as i took him out. I set down and just enjoyed the moment. Anyways if a man gets to do what he loves is he retired or not? I know some of you are like me back then you go into a plant when its not daylight every day and come out after it's dark or vice-versa . I been there especially when i put 2 girls through college and they graduated debt free. I run route trucks for years. On the milk route I had to load out every morning at 3. Worked for Golden Flake for 6 years when I was in my 20's it was a good job you were out all time even worked Goose pond and all the fish camps. Frito-Lay took over the market in the 80's and cut my check to where I had to find something else. I don't even know where my ramblings are going this morning but jbateys post made me thankful. I will end by saying first off be thankful to the Lord for what you have and give your heart to him. Don't be the man i used to be. If i ever got a day off I thought it was a me day. I was either catching bass or crappie. I duck hunted deer hunted quail doves and oh man how i like to turkey hunt. Also life's circumstances change. I worked 4 different jobs that shut down and left my family struggling keep your head up and plow on. Life is short take time to enjoy it. Take time to be with your family I am fixing to be 66 a lot of times me and my buddy will take pictures of the sunrise as it comes up when we are fishing or hunting. I always give Jesus thanks because i don't deserve to see that beauty. I also know i have a lot more sunrises behind me than I do in front of me. Well this is the longest post i ever made but i was inspired to do it and it may not even make sense. I got to go get water flowing for duck hunters today and I got about 10 traps to set . I cant wait lol

If you are doing what you love....is it really work?

There are lots of "projects" I take on around our home/farm that can be hard work and frustrating but are rewarding when completed. I think staying active is the key and enjoying God's creation is the daily reminder of how fortunate we are to have an awesome, loving God!

After a recount of pictures it was 53 but I just caught 54. Life is good.

Do what you love in retirement. Work part time, trap, hunt, fish, travel, chase the wife around the house…. 😂
I just hope my body holds out to retirement. Last two years I feel like I’m getting old…..
Trapping takes time for sure, gotta check them traps daily.

I crossed the finish line two years ago and have not found one thing about retirement I don’t love. Have started doing vacations with the wife which was not something we did much, visiting the kids/grandkids who all live in Utah frequently, spend way to much time and money making my deer/turkeys very happy, goes on and on. Only negative is my body is pretty jacked up with arthritis which limits me physically so I can’t get done quite as much as I would like.

I am turning 55 this July and will have 30 years in the classroom for my rule of 85. It is time for me to retire.

I love retirement , best job I've ever had.

Believe I’m gonna officially pull the trigger and go out on Jan. 3. That way they have to pay me for all of my vacation next year. 😜

Shaw that’s the ONLY way to go out. Don’t leave anything on the table.
I get 5 weeks of vacation every Jan and our yearly bonus is around that time.
Cash out and say BYE!

I'll roll over to 62 in a little over a month and I don't see me going out for several more years. Wish things were different but when other people make decisions that effect everything I have to do, well you just keep on doing what you can do. Glad some can enjoy retirement sooner rather than later.

Retirement shouldn't mean sedentary. Keep moving and you're fine. When you stop moving the end won't take near as long to arrive.

I’m hitting it Dec 31st. Will be 65 Jan 6th. Looking forward to all the little projects around the house. Lots of travel in the future sleuth the wife and good Lord willing, a little more time in the woods and on the water.
I’ve watch too many wait too late to enjoy retirement.
I’m a bit scared as I’ve worked since I was 13 and full time since 18.
Ready for a wonderful next phase.

I'm planning to cut out February 1st if nothing too crazy happens. Just turned 53 but put in almost 30 years in state retirement and have saved and saved just so I can retire early. My wife retired last August at 48 and is loving it. Like others have said, I believe in retiring as early as you can afford as long as you have hobbies, part time work, etc to keep you moving.
Can't wait for the extra time for projects, trips, and more time on the water and in the woods.

Retirement , part of the American dream.... if your doing what you love doing you're not really working.

I retired march 1st this year, turned 65 in September, like been retired but, my take is retire whenever you want to weather it be 53, 63 or 73 whatever works best for you.

I would literly pay a million dollars to retire today at 52 of course I don't got it but I would pay it gladly. enjoy all you guys, my dad retired at 51 and never regreted it. the time from 51 to being blind in his 70's went by fast

Dec 31st is my last day as well. As long as my stocks keep paying quarterly dividends, I won't have to cut back on expenses.

4 years now for me after 40 years at UPS ! I havent missed one day working! Fish and hunt when ever I want to! Wife works part time at home and can punch out any time she wants! A uncle died a week after he retired and a guy at work also died right after he retired! I did it early at 57 so I could enjoy it! My advice is do it as soon as you can!

My last working day is January 22nd...hanging it up after 40 years of burning coal. One of the last dinosaurs....HA

Congrats to all you guys!