If you are over 60, can you advise me ...

I retired from employed work as an academic at the age of 60 and began my own antiques business dealing online. I now have several shops. I had been involved in the antiques trade since the 1960s - first as a collector and from the 1970s as a part time dealer at local antique fairs. I first ran up against Ebay when I was working in the USA in the late 1990s. When I returned to UK I opened a shop on there and began selling my surplus stuff. I work far harder now than I ever did in my employed jobs because I am working for the best boss I ever had!

I was 55 DH was 62 spent a lot of time sailing the Greek islands.

I retired at 60 to spend more time with my young grandson and his sister who was born two months after my retirement, as well as with my daughter who is a stay at home mum. I also spend time painting watercolours and sewing . I have decorated several rooms, updated some or all of the furniture in every room and treated myself to a new kitchen which I thorouhly enjoy and which makes cooking much easier and more enjoyable. It is lovely to spend time in the way that suits me, sleeping in and not having to deal with idiots at work. I enjoy having short holiday breaks with my partner at a time that suits us rather than someone at work, and generally doing what I like. Yes, my income is greatly reduced but I had saved up for my retirement and am managing well. I do not run a car (since selling my last one several years before I retired) and instead cycle or walk into town or get a bus or a lift. I wanted to have a chance to enjoy my family and my hobbies while I am still fit and well enough to do so. It was a good decision which has made me very happy.

Happy Birthday, Hutcho. I qualified as a reflexologist and subsequently volunteered at Mind, as well as treating clients at home. Also, I joined a local swimming club, to improve my confidence, in addition to learning French and rescuing a dog. It was fun. Enjoy your retirement.

My first grandchild, Tom, was born 2 weeks before my 60th birthday. I had the privilege of holding him during my birthday picnic. My life changed from that moment on. It was like being born again - the light in my life that changed my whole outlook on life. I had done a lot of travelling for long periods and I was happy to cut that down for a part in my grandson's life. He has just finished 7 years university for a doctorate in Science and has landed the most fantastic job with a marvellous salary. I am so proud of him I want to burst sometimes. My grand-daughter was born 2 years later, and she too is magic. While they were young my darling daughter allowed me to borrow them often, until they kind of grew out of nana when they got to secondary school. But we are very very close and every second given to them was a seed that grew happily. Follow your heart when you reach 60 - only go for things that will enhance you.

Retired early, and for a few years just enjoyed having more time for things like zumba, Pilates, gardening, days out and seeing friends. A few years ago we took the plunge and have moved to a completely new area for us to be nearer our daughter and her family. We look after our darling grandson a couple of days a week, my husband enjoys his walks and I'm loving creating my new garden.

When I turned 60, we moved to the coast, and both volunteered at the local heritage railway to meet people. 12 years later, we're still there. I have driven steam trains, and all sorts of other exciting things, and would do it all again. Find somewhere interesting local to you, and go for it!

I retired and life is wonderful.We took the plunge moved house to a whole new area,made new friends and started mew hobbies. Released capital bought a caravan upgraded our car and started touring this country until covid hit.Just on our first outing in our van got 7 holidays booked of exploring and enjoying life to the max!!

I spent my 60th birthday in Norfolk with a very good friend who organised a lovely birthday for me. It was one of the best weeks I have ever had going places, meeting her friends, eating out in gorgeous summer weather all spur of the moment. I drove all the way alone over 400 miles in my little car and enjoyed it all. Since then I have moved to my dream cottage by the sea, nothing swanky just a little cottage in a lovely little coastal village, made nice new friends, taken up private tutoring here and life is the best it has ever been, slow, relaxed, pleasant and interesting. I do what pleases me when it pleases me. I have my little dog and we go on adventures together. I have a few milestones that I would like to meet over the next few years but now I can take my time doing so. Enjoy your birthday and what the future holds.

As much social/educational and fun stuff as you can fit in and as many active things as you feel able/want to do. Keep as fit and strong as possible and laugh a lot . Start dancing, climbing, kayaking , languages - whatever ! I did a lot of voluntary work and to be honest it was so much like being at work I might as well have stayed at work! So my tip would be any vol work you might do should be the total opposite of your working life! But mainly I would say keep active .

Retired at 65.
Spend time on your hobby, if you have one. If no hobby, think about what you would like and go for it, (Walking, sewing, photography, painting, DIY, gardening. Whatever takes your fancy )
Join U3A.
Was in a walking group for years, helped run the Travel Club, am a member of three other groups that take my interest
Pursuing my hobby, which very fortunately was also my career when working, and participate in the local Club's activities, which entails attending shows (WHEN they happen, now!)
Volunteer for whatever group you wish to support. Help OH with some of their interests.
You have years ahead of you to do the things that you have always hankered after.
GO FOR IT!

Well after reading most of the comments on here has really given me hope and a lift. I retired just before the outbreak of the virus and my plan was to take up some art courses as well as doing some voluntary work for animals in shelters but sadly the virus put a stop to all that so basically I have been stuck in during most of the virus outbreak shielding on and off. I have had my vaccinations and I feel I should now begin to at least enrol in an art course! And I could now look into voluntary work with animals. Also one of my main goals now is to lose weight that I gained during lockdown. I bought myself some walking shoes and will now start some serious walking! ??

I forgot to mention, I was 66 when I went to uni.
I also forgot to say I wish you the best of luck whatever you choose. Just don't fade away.

I went to Art School and got a degree in Fine Art. It was something I had always wanted to do, but family finances weren't great so I had to get a job.
As Septimia said, she wasn't the oldest in her group, and neither was I. The oldest student was 86 - she had been a nurse, so felt that as her DH had died, she could please herself.
I loved being accepted by the young students, it was because we had so much in common with the course that age didn't matter.
So, if you have a dream- Go for it

I’m nearly 68. At 60 I still had my youngest son at home, along with a couple of Afghan boys I was fostering. I was also teaching ESL classes from home, leading a house church, looking after grandchildren, volunteering as a family support worker and running safeguarding training courses. For relaxation I was taking free online courses in subjects that interested me and researching my family tree.

For the past six years I have been running a small homelessness charity, which takes up a lot of my time. I was hoping to ‘retire’ by the time I’m 70, but my husband has recently resigned from his job and tomorrow will launch a private consultancy business, so as his newly appointed junior partner I will be working alongside him. ? I was always very involved in his work, so it’s really an extension of what I’ve been doing for the past thirty years or so, but (as long as the work rolls in) I shall be getting paid rather than doing it for free. ?

I took early retirement before 60 to care for my husband. I voluntered at a society for the visually impaired for 5yrs until we sold our house to downsize and move nearer the sea and our son. From that point I joined a social group and a choir and made lots of new friends. Until covid came along I was enjoying regular pub quizes, meals out and walks .No regrets.

In my 50's I was doing freelance complementary therapies, but needed some form of regular work to keep the cash flowing. I started working as a support worker at 58, working with people with learning disabilities. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I retired when I was 67 mainly because I felt my body wasn't coping very well any more. I made lots of friends who I'm still in touch with. I now have 2 small GC they keep me busy.

P.s. forgot to say ‘Happy 60th’ *Hutcho! Hope your retirement brings you good health to enjoy whatever your plans are.

Retired at 63 hoping to enjoy the rest of my life but ill health then happened and am now in a wheelchair. Enjoy the rest of your life.

I have so enjoyed reading all these posts as they are an insight into people’s lives (I’m nosy) and they have illustrated how diverse a group retirees are. Some of you have suffered life’s slings and arrows and sadly had to alter course abruptly, some of you are industrious and motivated, others intelligent and still yearning to learn. Thank you SO much for sharing your retirement stories - reading them has passed along a pleasant half hour or more.
#lazygran
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I had always intended retiring a few months before my 60th but sadly my DH died very suddenly (he was just turned 54 and 5 yrs younger than me). Couldn't face going back to work so retired a year early. Now have a part time job which I really enjoy and have joined a ladies walking group. Of course, this is not the retirement I envisaged and I miss DH desperately, however I am trying to make a life for myself. I no longer have the dreaded Sunday night blues about work which is a blessing and hopefully once we are back to normal with Covid I will be able to socialise more. I really don't miss my old job at all.

I took early retirement so I could travel with my husband and am looking forward to doing it again Been to Kenya, Uganda on safaris vistited historical sites like great wall, Anka Watt, matchu pinchu, been on bullet train i Japan seen the bloosm season Like to go to concerts, theatre and cinemas and there are a lot for free tickets out there you can get last minute

I took my (NHS) pension and returned to my job from full time to 3 days a week and love it! Best of both worlds, more free time, but still plenty of income. I also have an allotment, bought myself a greenhouse and an electric bike and had our first grandchild at Christmas last year, so we have time to visit my daughter, partner and grandson regularly. I also meet up with friends for long walks too putting the world to rights.

Retired at 57 never looked back. Have gone onto study various things trained in mental health because I could. Worked for a veterans charity.
Visited NZ and had several cruises. At 66 I’m now deciding what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Granddaughter born 2 years ago was icing on cake ?

I had to quit teaching because I became very unwell. Prior to teaching I had done a number of different jobs and took on the same course of action after. I was 54 and my confidence had been shot to pieces.

I tried several different jobs and found on all of them that it depended on the quality of training as to how successful I was. I trained as a manicurist and did mobile work mostly with older customers. Great fun.

If you don't need the £ don't bother with any of the above. Do a degree, travel, enjoy your family now you have more time. You have earned it.