Early Retirement during the Pandemic

Three weeks into retirement and I have to admit, it feels like 3 years. 2020 has been an odd year for everyone. Retiring during a pandemic is a bit anticlimatic.

In January I was offered a retirement incentive at work. Being of a certain age I was eligible. My husband of 6 months had retired but I did not feel ready yet, so decided to wait at least one more year and declined the golden handshake.

In March, I left the classroom on a Friday afternoon and never did go back to that classroom to finish the school year. Remote teaching with Google meets and me posting videos of myself reading aloud books to my cell phone became the norm last spring.

Summer was almost normal but then it really wasn’t. People wearing masks in stores, empty restaurants and hotels, orange cones all over the beach parking lots to ensure spacing and limited numbers, and the absence of group barbeques including no community beach camp or even a Lobsterfest last summer was disheartening. I did manage to do lots of outdoor hiking and most of the things on my summer bucket list. Summer lasted a bit longer for me.

The news was forever draining. The death count on COVID cases, the protests that turned into riots around the world and that contentious presidential election with neighbors posting signs and flagpoles to highlight their political affiliation was exhausting – in fact, is that election over yet?

What a year. I chose not to risk my health and return to in person teaching in September. My decision did not go over well at work, so I took that retirement incentive after all and made it official.

Due to restrictions I did not have a big retirement party or even celebrate with an amazing trip. Plans for such things will have to wait until the COVID cases go down and a vaccine is available to people like me.

But there is hope. 2021 is right around the corner!

A little old lady in England got the first vaccine this week to prevent COVID-19.

The schools have been open and children have adjusted well to the masks. In fact the statistics have shown schools are safer than restaurants and other enclosed public places.

In January, there will be an inauguration and new president in the USA. A fresh start we can hope.

Reading blogs about retirees I notice a few important themes. Planning ahead for such a life changing event is great, but it doesn’t always happen that way. I love to read about young adults reaching the goal of retirement. A movement called FIRE (financial independence, retire early) has encouraged workers to discipline their spending, save and have enough to live on comfortably at a younger age than is typical.

My journey into retirement isn’t exactly early but I am curious how others embrace not working. I’ve been working full time my entire adult life. This is definitely a new life chapter and not sure what exactly is written in this one as it’s all uncharted territory, but I am excited.

After sending an assorted batch of old VHS videos and 8mm tapes to iMemories, I finally had the time to download hours and hours of videos from when my boys were little. I love watching those precious moments and hearing not only the boys voices, but my parents and my late husband’s voices as well. Using my new technology skills I learned from teaching remotely, I created family movies for everyone. Now if I can just get someone to sit down and watch them with me!

My cousin has done quite a bit of research on the geneaology of our family tree. I joined Ancestry.com this fall and enjoy learning about all the distant relatives I have discovered. The website has a wealth of information and clues to help you find people. In fact I was so impressed to see photos of a castle in our family tree that was posted to someone else’s tree.

It doesn’t look like anyone lives there anymore.

Now I have a new perspective on traveling. Wouldn’t it be exciting to visit places where my ancestors lived and learn more about who they were. Many retirees plan to travel, visiting exotic places, learning about different cultures and relaxing on cruise ships that pamper and feed us. I do believe these opportunities will come back so in the meantime I will stash away a separate account for future travel expenses and continue to research and take notes on places to visit.

Of course, the biggest obstacle to travel and a carefree lifestyle may indeed be finances.

My salary won’t be the same and I still have a mortgage. Options are downsizing or cutting spending. Right now I have been making an effort to cut spending. Writing down what I spend money on is a start. I tried selling stuff I found around the house (sorry kids). Eating at home instead of restaurants is cheaper. Thinking twice about spending on new clothes or tattooed eyebrows (a recent whim that I did not follow through with) is a step in the right direction. Renting out a room or working part time in the spring when it is safer are thoughts I have considered as well.

What about health and wellness in retirement? I am fortunate that my retirement package offered a pension that included family health care at the same rate I paid while working. Vision and dental are no longer included but always ended up costing more anyway. At age 65 we will go on Medicare as a secondary insurance and when my son turns 26 he will be on his own.

As we age our bodies change, in case you haven’t noticed. As a kindergarten teacher I was always moving, and bending over. My aching back no longer acts up but I notice my days are more sedentary. I read a great article in the NY Times about how we can counter hours of sitting with just 11 minutes of walking. The recommended amount was 35 minutes but the point was, get up and move to help you live longer. On line exercise classes like yoga have been nice but I look forward to joining in person classes next year.

I’ve had lots of time to decorate the house for Christmas and it looks beautiful thus bringing me joy. I have some shopping to do as we will be celebrating early with one son and his girlfriend next weekend. Son number two will be staying in Colorado this winter so I need to get a package together ASAP for him.

Not being one to “waste my retirement” I make an effort everyday to get in a good walk or use the exercise equipment in the house. To keep the mind alert, I do a daily crossword puzzle and read books; some for my book club and then some other high interest topics (scrolling endlessly on Facebook, does that count as reading?) Although I do miss socially getting together with friends, I try to keep in touch with loved ones on social media and Facetime calls.

Hopes of heading to Manhattan for day trips to museums and Broadway shows are on hold this year. We newlyweds are happy to snuggle on the couch and binge watch Netflix shows or the occasional Holiday special as the dark evenings come earlier this time of year.

Relaxing in my newly renovated home has been nice. We have plans for a road trip next month and I am hoping to do some skiing this winter as well.

Just wanted to catch up on writing my blog. Thank you for reading. Wishing you all peace and good health this season and in the new year.