| LIFE I'm not used to being off for all the holidays

[sean]

For decades, I worked in restaurants and retail. And for decades, the only days we had that were guaranteed off were Thanksgiving and Christmas day (and Thanksgiving wasn't a given, even at a restaurant).

New Year's Day? Work
MLK Day? work
Memorial Day? work
Independence Day? work
Labor Day? work
Christmas Eve? work

Now, I get all those days off (paid) including Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also get the Friday after Thanksgiving off (also paid) and either the day before Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas (paid) if they fall in the middle of the week, like last year. So I got Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off, all paid. We only worked last Thursday and Friday. And now I'm off today. It's weird. I'm honestly not used to being off that much and still getting paid.

So my suggestion is this...

DON'T EVER TAKE A FULL TIME JOB IN EITHER RETAIL OR RESTAURANTS! Not only do you only get 2 holidays off per year, but it will slowly suck the life out of you and beat down any semblance of humanity you had left.

 

[rick4bama]

@sean I had to go get a tire repaired, so after it was repaired, I ask April when you want to eat at. She just told me to pick so it was either Cracker Barrel, IHOP, Waffle House. I pick WH, had a sign in front open Christmas and New Year.

 

[alabama mike]

I have been retired since June 15th and I am ready to go back to work.

 

[Rsedge72]

I was lucky I guess I’ve had all holidays off during my 30 yr career. Now I retired and started my own business. I took 10 days and spent them with my daughter, son in law and grandkids in Nevada. Doing nothing but contacting clients and a little paperwork. Now I’m back and paperwork all day today!!! I’ll finish up around mid-night and be in crestview (about an hour away) by 5:30 in the morning. So kinda reverse what you did, in a way. I’m determined to be a 5%er in 2025!!!!, my goal anyway!!!!!

 

[TerryP]

I’m determined to be a 5%er in 2025!!!!

AH, the Pereto Principle in your world isn't 80/20, it's 95/5.

 

[Rsedge72]

AH, the Pereto Principle in your world isn't 80/20, it's 95/5.

Well the 5%er thing was always a kinda joke between myself and a buddy of mine. We’d always add that to the end of any convo about work/money/career… I did it out of habit. I even edited the post to add it in. . Wasn’t really thinking about it, then I posted that and “BAM” the inspiration/memory Freuded me!!
, guess it was an inside joke that I parroted without an inside man…

 

[Rsedge72]

Oh and whomever said the 5%er line would always get the response, “that’s my goal anyway”.

And in my line of work the pereto principle is 99%-1%

 

[Krimson]

I have been retired since June 15th and I am ready to go back to work.

This is my 4th year of retirement. First few months we were stationary and I was bored out of my mind. We started traveling and I didn't miss work at all. When we stop for a while i usually find something to do like redoing my grandmother's house when we're home or camp hosting when we winter in the keys. If you find something you like doing i think you may find that you like that better than working, at least that's been my experience.

 

[TerryP]

This is my 4th year of retirement. First few months we were stationary and I was bored out of my mind. We started traveling and I didn't miss work at all. When we stop for a while i usually find something to do like redoing my grandmother's house when we're home or camp hosting when we winter in the keys. If you find something you like doing i think you may find that you like that better than working, at least that's been my experience.

I can always find something to do. Heck, spent the last hour looking for an L shaped Allen wrench (8) and I can't find...

 

[Krimson]

I can always find something to do. Heck, spent the last hour looking for an L shaped Allen wrench (8) and I can't find...

I bet I have 4 sets, all with the same one missing. The fold out sets are harder to lose.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

This is my 4th year of retirement. First few months we were stationary and I was bored out of my mind. We started traveling and I didn't miss work at all. When we stop for a while i usually find something to do like redoing my grandmother's house when we're home or camp hosting when we winter in the keys. If you find something you like doing i think you may find that you like that better than working, at least that's been my experience.

I have been retired since June 15th and I am ready to go back to work.

I volunteer to be this year's experiment. February 28th is my last day. I get to consolidate two houses, selling the one in Kennesaw, and settling in for good at the lake. I never fully landscaped at the lake, so that will be a project. Also, looking after my Mom, she's been a trooper keeping up her place, but it's time to help more. She's about 25 minutes from the lake.

We'll be pretty busy with all of that, but I'm also looking at '25 and '26 travel. We'll do some regional travel this year, and I'm angling for a hiking trip either out west (The Enchantments, John Muir or Grant Teton loop) or perhaps Scotland or Ireland. If it's May or October shoulder season, I should be able to fly to London for $750 max, tent camp most of the time and have an entire hike of the West Highland Way run in the $1,500-$2,000 range, including airfare. Intentionally, my budget for personal travel (without my wife) is spartan, and it will not include significant sightseeing beyond the hiking experience. She insisted that I go ahead and hit places to hike while I'm in decent shape, and we can be tourists in those places later. I plan to approach international hiking the same way I do domestic backpacking trips - get to/from the trailhead as quickly and cheaply as I can, hike/camp, and get home.

Other travel - a trip to Disney World will be this year or next, this one focused on my six y/o grandson (which is the only reason I would ever go). My wife and I are planning a trip to Europe either late this year or in '26.

Personal development. I want to get my Wilderness First Responder designation in the first 18 months of retirement. Industry wise, I've committed to nothing other than agreeing to testify at a trial later this spring.

RTR,

Tim

 

[Krimson]

I volunteer to be this year's experiment. February 28th is my last day. I get to consolidate two houses, selling the one in Kennesaw, and settling in for good at the lake. I never fully landscaped at the lake, so that will be a project. Also, looking after my Mom, she's been a trooper keeping up her place, but it's time to help more. She's about 25 minutes from the lake.

We'll be pretty busy with all of that, but I'm also looking at '25 and '26 travel. We'll do some regional travel this year, and I'm angling for a hiking trip either out west (The Enchantments, John Muir or Grant Teton loop) or perhaps Scotland or Ireland. If it's May or October shoulder season, I should be able to fly to London for $750 max, tent camp most of the time and have an entire hike of the West Highland Way run in the $1,500-$2,000 range, including airfare. Intentionally, my budget for personal travel (without my wife) is spartan, and it will not include significant sightseeing beyond the hiking experience. She insisted that I go ahead and hit places to hike while I'm in decent shape, and we can be tourists in those places later. I plan to approach international hiking the same way I do domestic backpacking trips - get to/from the trailhead as quickly and cheaply as I can, hike/camp, and get home.

Other travel - a trip to Disney World will be this year or next, this one focused on my six y/o grandson (which is the only reason I would ever go). My wife and I are planning a trip to Europe either late this year or in '26.

Personal development. I want to get my Wilderness First Responder designation in the first 18 months of retirement. Industry wise, I've committed to nothing other than agreeing to testify at a trial later this spring.

RTR,

Tim

Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy, also sounds like a great time. I'd love to hike some of those trails, really want to do a thru hike on the AT. Scotland and Ireland are both on our lists as well.

During my first 6 to 8 months of travel i told my dad to make me a list of all the things he needed done. He worked me like a borrowed mule for the 6 or 7 weeks we were there, didn't get to do any of the hunting and fishing I'd planned. The next spring I told him to have a couple of weeks of stuff for me to do. It's nice to get to spend prolonged time near them and help them out.

Didn't know wilderness first responder was a thing, sounds like something I'd enjoy.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy, also sounds like a great time. I'd love to hike some of those trails, really want to do a thru hike on the AT. Scotland and Ireland are both on our lists as well.

During my first 6 to 8 months of travel i told my dad to make me a list of all the things he needed done. He worked me like a borrowed mule for the 6 or 7 weeks we were there, didn't get to do any of the hunting and fishing I'd planned. The next spring I told him to have a couple of weeks of stuff for me to do. It's nice to get to spend prolonged time near them and help them out.

Didn't know wilderness first responder was a thing, sounds like something I'd enjoy.

I've done the AT, pieced it together (south to north) over 16 years, finished it in 2005. It was a great experience and the logistics were a piece of cake.

I was pre-med for a few years and worked in a hospital throughout college. When I changed to business, I kept working there, and I've maintained an interest in medicine and first aid over the years. It's helped me be an informed patient and family member over the years. The WFR is a 5-7 day classroom/field instruction and the test. I want to be more fully equipped to handle a backcountry incident, so it's a natural fit for me.

Honestly, after planning to retire over three years ago, and having seriously planned and prepared for that event in the five years prior, I've accumulated more ideas and goals than I'll ever realize. I understand it. Also, we have a significant social network in Georgia that will probably take us over there a couple of times a month - often enough that I'm not changing my GP, dentist or barber yet. My wife will probably get over there even more often.

 

[Krimson]

I've done the AT, pieced it together (south to north) over 16 years, finished it in 2005. It was a great experience and the logistics were a piece of cake.

I was pre-med for a few years and worked in a hospital throughout college. When I changed to business, I kept working there, and I've maintained an interest in medicine and first aid over the years. It's helped me be an informed patient and family member over the years. The WFR is a 5-7 day classroom/field instruction and the test. I want to be more fully equipped to handle a backcountry incident, so it's a natural fit for me.

Honestly, after planning to retire over three years ago, and having seriously planned and prepared for that event in the five years prior, I've accumulated more ideas and goals than I'll ever realize. I understand it. Also, we have a significant social network in Georgia that will probably take us over there a couple of times a month - often enough that I'm not changing my GP, dentist or barber yet. My wife will probably get over there even more often.

I hope you enjoy it and accomplish as many of your goals as possible.
I know I won't accomplish all of mine, not enough time unless I lived way longer than average, but I'm sure enjoying the ones I do. My goals have changed a bit over the last few years too. I had all of these things I wanted to do, don't get me wrong there's still a list, but my priority has shifted I guess. Most important thing to me now is being present and making it a point to see the good and appreciate it.

 

[musso]

I like to always remind people when they’re out and about during holidays, that they may believe their god is the reason for the season, but they need to give thanks to the workers who give them the privilege to celebrate their holiday, and to tip accordingly!

 

[TerryP]

I bet I have 4 sets, all with the same one missing. The fold out sets are harder to lose.

Oh, I have one. It wouldn't work. The space was so small it was all I could do just to get the bolt started...then it was quarter turns at a time on a 1" bolt. Took over an hour to mount a kick stand on my bike.

 

[rick4bama]

Oh, I have one. It wouldn't work. The space was so small it was all I could do just to get the bolt started...then it was quarter turns at a time on a 1" bolt. Took over an hour to mount a kick stand on my bike.

That why went you buy something that need to be assembly it come with one.

 

[TerryP]

That why went you buy something that need to be assembly it come with one.

IF you remember, I picked up the new bike during the Thanksgiving holidays this year. They don't come with kick stands. I had one on my old Giant that was relatively new. No need to buy a new one.

 

[Krimson]

IF you remember, I picked up the new bike during the Thanksgiving holidays this year. They don't come with kick stands. I had one on my old Giant that was relatively new. No need to buy a new one.

Kinda crazy to me a bike wouldn't come with a kickstand.

 

[TerryP]

Kinda crazy to me a bike wouldn't come with a kickstand.

It wasn't off the $99 rack at Walmart!

Dude, it had to be assembled by a certified bike shop after it was shipped here or it wouldn't have been under warranty. I literally had to "test ride" the bike, had adjustments made to the millimeter on things like seat and handle bar height. I literally had a 30 day check-up on the bike.

IF they would have put a new stand on at CRC (bike shop) it would have been $31 plus labor (figure another $10) and tax.