I'm 53. Had hoped to retire at 57 or 58 but that was before the 2008 downturn. That plus the fact that my youngest is 10 plus I have a 14 yr old & a 16 yr old all of whom will need support for their education. Ran the number before Christmas; now it looks like I'll have to work to 60 at a minimum. Unless of course I win the lottery ...
What they said. Think about retirement as a career change to what you want to do, not what you have to do. It doesn't matter how you do that, with a pension backing you up or not, but trying to do that that will keep you alive, happy and healthy.
Retirement, thats a joke. I do not know anyone at this point that can realistically retire at a decent age. My RRSP investments have been tanking like every body else. The cost of living is out of control. The buck does not go very far and you get little for it any way. I should have been smart in my youth and got a government job. The way i see it at this point, i am going to be working until i die. I was always smart with my money and i do have a fair amount put away in RRSP and other investments but i just have no faith in our countries future. All i see is bleak times ahead. I hate feeling this way but when you see what has been happening to global economies including our own. It is very hard to be optimistic. At the present age of 52, i see myself working until i die. Any government jobs out there with cast iron civil servant unions behind them that i can apply for? Just kidding, i think. Cheers. George.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
this is turning out to be a very interesting thread. there are so many different perceptions about one,s vision of retirement, and not one of them is wrong. interesting.......
-- Edited by tin indian on Monday 31st of January 2011 07:18:51 PM
I'm 53. Had hoped to retire at 57 or 58 but that was before the 2008 downturn. That plus the fact that my youngest is 10 plus I have a 14 yr old & a 16 yr old all of whom will need support for their education. Ran the number before Christmas; now it looks like I'll have to work to 60 at a minimum. Unless of course I win the lottery ...
You and I share the same story except we have a 14 and 16 year old only.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I retiredsix years ago ,age 54 ,23 years on my last job. I had not set aside any before that.I was offered a package witch I accepted, put money into rrsp.you know what happened to it. My wife and I collect ccp, she works 15 hrs. a week. The trick is to not have any debt. You learn to live different .We never traveled and probably will not .We sit and watch tv at night ,the only light is a 7 watt bulb and wear more sweaters. We will have to sell house ,downsize ,bank some money. George makes it sound pretty bad but think my wife and Iwill be fine. I have a 61 pontiac and ahot rod ,we go car shows in the states , visit the grand children life couldn't be better. If I had to do it over I would do it the same.
When I a say retirement, I don't mean quitting work. I mean doing what I want, when I want like some of you have said. I am thinking that likely means a job that will be part time and bring in maybe $700-$800 monthly to help pay the bills.
I love my job now, love getting up in the morning and going to work. However, I have seen people in the same situation who get grumpy and negative when they get older and stay at the same job for 25+ years like I have. Until 2010, I don't think I had ever told a customer to take a flying leap. I did that one day last year. Yes, it had been a bad day at work, and I still don't regret. However,tThat made me think that maybe I'm getting to that point and I want to leave on a positive note, not leave as a grumpy old guy nobody wants to work with any more.
As far as the economy tanking, I can live pretty cheap for 4-5 months of the year at a cottage that runs on propane and solar power. The economy can tank pretty bad and I can still live pretty cheap there. I'm serious, that is a very real option for us.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I retiredsix years ago ,age 54 ,23 years on my last job. I had not set aside any before that.I was offered a package witch I accepted, put money into rrsp.you know what happened to it. My wife and I collect ccp, she works 15 hrs. a week.
But you can only start collecting CPP at 60, am I right?
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
If you read all the comments.It seems like we all worked hard and are still. Its a DAMN SHAME that with all the money that we all put back into this country. WE"RE Thinking how and if we will be able to retire or DIE trying.The Government should be helping us hard working Canadians out.MY ancesters came here in 1749 thats as far back that we were able to trace it .And where I live it seems to me that if you are new to the country you can get free english classses baby sitting and even a computer.It seem like the Canadian Government helps out everyone else and forgets about us when was the last time did you go to the doctor or the emergency room because its FREE.I see stuff and here things every day and it just makes me stick.The men and women that worked hard in this country and fought to make it what it is must be rolling in there graves. Some of my cousins live in Chapleau Ontario which is 200 km from Timmins and they can"t even get a proper doctor there.Forget about us and be the Heroes (suckers) to everyone else. I JUST HAD TO VENT !
I won't be officially retireing until 65. Will need to work till then as I'll be 61 when my youngest turns 18 and heads off to college or whatever post high school. So by the time I'm 65 he'll have graduated college/'university. Then it will be the 6 kids turn to take care of us!!! That's what happens when you finish grad school at 31 and get married at 31!! you're ten years later in everything than most everyone else. Siemen
If you read all the comments.It seems like we all worked hard and are still. Its a DAMN SHAME that with all the money that we all put back into this country. WE"RE Thinking how and if we will be able to retire or DIE trying.The Government should be helping us hard working Canadians out.MY ancesters came here in 1749 thats as far back that we were able to trace it .And where I live it seems to me that if you are new to the country you can get free english classses baby sitting and even a computer.It seem like the Canadian Government helps out everyone else and forgets about us when was the last time did you go to the doctor or the emergency room because its FREE.I see stuff and here things every day and it just makes me stick.The men and women that worked hard in this country and fought to make it what it is must be rolling in there graves. Some of my cousins live in Chapleau Ontario which is 200 km from Timmins and they can"t even get a proper doctor there.Forget about us and be the Heroes (suckers) to everyone else. I JUST HAD TO VENT !
Ive been look for a spot for some vent stuff WATCH
Jails and Nursing Homes
Here's the way it should be:
Let's put the seniors in jail and the criminals in nursing homes.
This would correct two things in one motion:
Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.
They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheel chairs, etc.
They would receive money instead of having to pay it out.
They would have constant video montoring, so they would be helped instantly... if they fell or needed assistance.
Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.
A guard would check on them every 20 minutes.
All meals and snacks would be brought to them.
They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.
They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual counseling, a pool and education...and free admission to in-house concerts by nationally recognized entertainment artists.
Simple clothing - ie. shoes, slippers, pj's - and legal aid would be free, upon request.
There would be private, secure rooms provided for all with an outdoor exercise yard complete with gardens.
Each senior would have a P.C., T.V., phone and radio in their room at no cost.
They would receive daily phone calls.
There would be a board of directors to hear any complaints and the ACLU would fight for their rights and protection.
The guards would have a code of conduct to be strictly adhered to, with attorneys available, at no charge to protect the seniors and their families from abuse or neglect.
As for the criminals:
They would receive cold food.
They would be left alone and unsupervised.
They would receive showers once a week.
They would live in tiny rooms, for which they would have to pay $5,000 per month.
They would have no hope of ever getting out..
"Sounds like justice to me!"
-- Edited by 427carl on Monday 31st of January 2011 08:49:07 PM
A senator charged with fraud and banned from sitting in the upper chamber since 2007 continues to charge taxpayers more than $10,000 a month in travel, hospitality and office expenses on top of his $133,000 a year salary.
RCMP charged Senator Raymond Lavigne with fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice over the alleged misuse of Senate funds for travel, and getting a staffer to do personal work for him.
Lavigne was kicked out of the Liberal caucus, and for almost four years, he has not been allowed to sit on Senate committees or set foot in the Senate chamber without special permission from the Speaker.
Lavigne, who's from Quebec, has repaid back $24,000 since being charged. A ruling in his case is expected this week.
Senator Raymond Lavigne, charged with fraud, billed taxpayers $30,787 in expenses in one three-month period last fall.(Montreal Gazette/Canadian Press)
But while his case has dragged on, he has been allowed to continue spending public funds.
Government documents obtained by CBC News reveal that in one three-month period last fall, Lavigne billed taxpayers $30,787 in expenses on top of roughly $33,000 in pay.
Those charges to the public purse include over $8,400 in travel, $17,708 in "office" costs, and $4,528 for living expenses in the Ottawa area.
Since he was barred from the Senate chamber in 2007, Lavigne has cost Canadian taxpayers more than $700,000.
Exactly what kind of Senate work Lavigne does for his paycheque and expense claims has remained something of a mystery.
His website carries a large banner notice that is an apparent attempt to explain what he has been during the time he hasn't been sitting in the Senate.
It reads: "According to the rules of the Senate of Canada, Sen. Raymond Lavigne participates in public business throughout the country."
Elsewhere on his website, it says that on one occasion, his public business was meeting with "some of the best-known Quebec artists."
Numerous colour photographs of the senator in a grocery store attest to his work in the community, having been "present at the grand opening of a new IGA store."
An independent audit released last month was harshly critical of the entire Senate for spending taxpayer dollars without necessary controls, often without senators having to produce receipts.
The audit prepared by the accounting firm Ernst and Young also found cases of senators taking their spouses on international junkets at public expense, and filing claims for undocumented "miscellaneous expenditures."
The unelected senators have refused to allow Auditor General Sheila Fraser full access to their books to conduct a detailed audit.
BLEEDING US TO RETIREMENT/DEATHDO THEY WORRY? DO THEY HAVE PENSIONS?
I wish we would all be able to do something.I think to come to this country is a privlege and why should we have to pay for them,and all there kids.Our Primier DUMB DUMB McGINTY was going to give $40 millions in scolorships to foreign students with high marks What about our own kids.
...I can live pretty cheap for 4-5 months of the year at a cottage that runs on propane and solar power. The economy can tank pretty bad and I can still live pretty cheap there. I'm serious, that is a very real option for us.
I remember your cottage photo's that you posted. That sounds like a great option!
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"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
I read through all the posts, wow , what a hard working, down to earth bunch we are, I mean that in a respectful way. We all have pretty simple goals and ideals about retirement.
I guess in a way, I'm semi retired at 41,,,, some would say. I work a northern fly in camp job 7 days in 7 days home. I'm in my 15 year there, 4 weeks holidays ( 28 days ) , that means I'm only away from home 22 weeks a year....
hmmmmm..not so bad I guess..,
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later...rog
AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
...I can live pretty cheap for 4-5 months of the year at a cottage that runs on propane and solar power. The economy can tank pretty bad and I can still live pretty cheap there. I'm serious, that is a very real option for us.
I remember your cottage photo's that you posted. That sounds like a great option!
The drawback to that is no workshop. However, there's 22 cabins on the lake and it would be fun just helping out other cottagers with their projects.
There is a retired couple there now, he's 70. They live there from May to October. He has a backhoe, every power tool known to man. He's on the go constantly helping guys out. I got him to come with his backhoe to dig a hole for me to bury our bricks when we pulled down the chimney last fall. He wouldn't even take fuel money until I forced it on him!
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Senator Raymond Lavigne, charged with fraud, billed taxpayers $30,787 in expenses in one three-month period last fall. (Montreal Gazette/Canadian Press) 
