What would you do if you didn't have to work?

Jamsiek · 18-02-2015 10:10PM

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Do all the travelling and the hobbies you wish, but.....

Don't buy a second home.

Who will look after it when you are not there? Will the agent live in it, or give it to his mates when s/he knows you can't be there? Who would you rent it to? will they wreck the place. Too much already. Not worth it.

Rent in a place you want to go to, No hassles whatsoever.

Would you want to got to the same place all the time just because you own it?

How many holidays and trips would you get all around the world for the price of a second home?

I thought of doing it myself, but couldn't be ar$ed with the hassle of the maintenance and the concern. Rather be travelling elsewhere.

Just a thought.

But follow your dream just the same, Each to their own and all that!

Good points there, maybe I should rethink that one
I know some people that have done it and I can guess that it takes a lot of work.

Spanish Eyes · 18-02-2015 10:16PM

Jamsiek wrote: »

Good points there, maybe I should rethink that one
I know some people that have done it and I can guess that it takes a lot of work.

And money too forever, for management fees, agent fees and local taxes and all the rest. And if you want to sell, it can be a pain in the butt too.

Spend the money you have on travel wherever you want to go.

You will get to see a lot of places instead of hassle and worry I reckon. That is why I did not go ahead with my little place abroad in the end.

And boy am I happy I didn't now.

If I want to spend the winter in a warm climate I can rent from someone else who has taken the risk, and I can pick and choose the property too!

Best of luck.

MrWalsh · 18-02-2015 10:28PM

Perpetual student, so many things I'd love to study if only I had more time.

I'd exercise more, take up things I keep putting off for lack of time, like photography, bee keeping, cookery, etc..

I'd watch lots of films, read lots of books. I'd explore more, close to home as well as further away.

Id probably do something I liked part time for work.

Mostly though I'd just enjoy not having to work. I was redundant for a period of time and I studied during it and it's been the most enjoyable time of my adult life.

I definitely intend to retire early, if possible.

Spanish Eyes · 18-02-2015 10:44PM

MrWalsh wrote: »

Perpetual student, so many things I'd love to study if only I had more time.

I'd exercise more, take up things I keep putting off for lack of time, like photography, bee keeping, cookery, etc..

I'd watch lots of films, read lots of books. I'd explore more, close to home as well as further away.

Id probably do something I liked part time for work.

Mostly though I'd just enjoy not having to work. I was redundant for a period of time and I studied during it and it's been the most enjoyable time of my adult life.

I definitely intend to retire early, if possible.

I am you, a few years ahead, maybe MANY years ahead, but what the heck.

I retired really early by today's standards.

I have re read the classics that took up too much time to enjoy and give time to before,

I cook for Ireland now, and my family and friends are grateful recipients, and I bask in the glory of eating it aswell!

After I finish my French course I will go to France for a few weeks to practise it,

Not into film or bee keeping but each to their own.

Roman Civilisation is next for me to study and enjoy, then off to Pompeii and Bath. Or maybe other places that are more relevant. We shall see.

I think we all have to follow our dreams, in a practical way of course!

MrWalsh · 18-02-2015 10:48PM

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

I am you, a few years ahead, maybe MANY years ahead, but what the heck.

I retired really early by today's standards.

I have re read the classics that took up too much time to enjoy and give time to before,

I cook for Ireland now, and my family and friends are grateful recipients, and I bask in the glory of eating it aswell!

After I finish my French course I will go to France for a few weeks to practise it,

Not into film or bee keeping but each to their own.

Roman Civilisation is next for me to study and enjoy, then off to Pompeii and Bath. Or maybe other places that are more relevant. We shall see.

I think we all have to follow our dreams, in a practical way of course!

Dear future me, please write down the secret to early retirement and hide it in my gym bag, you know where I keep it. I'll check tomorrow and I won't let on you told me. See you in 20 years!

Spanish Eyes · 18-02-2015 10:57PM

MrWalsh wrote: »

Dear future me, please write down the secret to early retirement and hide it in my gym bag, you know where I keep it. I'll check tomorrow and I won't let on you told me. See you in 20 years!

Twenty years ago, I decided I was going to retire early.

So five years ago I decided to pay down the mortgage (no holliers or much extravagance), pay down debts (not much there TG), and get the house sorted with all the things that needed doing whilst on full salary.

Whew. Did it, during the bust too. But I was lucky, I didn't buy into all the extravagance of upping the mortgage or borrowing when it was so easy, I figured what for? It has to be paid back at some stage!

So my common sense paid off.

Go for it.

We are here for a good time, not a long time.

Although both would be great just the same!

Wompa1 · 18-02-2015 11:00PM

Research new technologies. Do certification exams. Play video games (I only get to play about once a month now). Travel more. Maybe learn how to play guitar. Try to write a book.

entropi · 18-02-2015 11:22PM

If absolutely financially secure? Take up new hobbies, learning how things work and how the world itself works. Travel to places and learn about different cultures. I would probably then put some of the skills and knowledge I gained towards some volunteer work and improve the situation in that place if possible.

Alas, one can dream!

lilium inter Spinas · 18-02-2015 11:32PM

I'd somehow try to convince the people over at Michelin that I'm a savvy food connoisseur with the palate of a god, enough until I've weaseled my way into becoming a fancy critic-type person. Traveling for great food and getting paid for it? Feck yeah! 8D

Spanish Eyes · 18-02-2015 11:32PM

entropi wrote: »

If absolutely financially secure? Take up new hobbies, learning how things work and how the world itself works. Travel to places and learn about different cultures. I would probably then put some of the skills and knowledge I gained towards some volunteer work and improve the situation in that place if possible.

Alas, one can dream!

Please dream.

You will be financially secure one day. Plan for that.

J Mysterio · 18-02-2015 11:33PM

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Roman Civilisation is next for me to study and enjoy, then off to Pompeii and Bath. Or maybe other places that are more relevant. We shall see.

Go to Herculaneum too, its down the road. The town by, Portici, is fascinating too and has a wonderful market (poor but vibrant and alive).

Spanish Eyes · 18-02-2015 11:54PM

J Mysterio wrote: »

Go to Herculaneum too, its down the road. The town by, Portici, is fascinating too and has a wonderful market (poor but vibrant and alive).

Herculaneum is on the list, well when in Ro... sorry Naples/Sorrento, it is a no brainer.

I understand that Herculaneum was the holiday coastal town for the likes of Pompeii, and is still quite buried in pyroclastic flow that when it is fully recovered it will be better than Pompeii!

The Romans were so advanced when you think about it. I can't quite get my head around that, when you think how uncivilised the following centuries were really.

Sewage in the street, the Black death, no running water and all the rest of it apres the Romans.

I haven't studied any of this for donkey's years so apologies if I am jumping the gun.

Jamsiek · 19-02-2015 12:58AM

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

And money too forever, for management fees, agent fees and local taxes and all the rest. And if you want to sell, it can be a pain in the butt too.

Spend the money you have on travel wherever you want to go.

You will get to see a lot of places instead of hassle and worry I reckon. That is why I did not go ahead with my little place abroad in the end.

And boy am I happy I didn't now.

If I want to spend the winter in a warm climate I can rent from someone else who has taken the risk, and I can pick and choose the property too!

Best of luck.

Thanks but I have no plans to buy, it's just something I might do if I won the lotto of never had to think about money.

I share your interest in travelling, I always try to get to see new places so I think the novelty of going to the same place might wear thin.

J Mysterio · 19-02-2015 01:17AM

Yeah, Herculaneum is better preserved... Wooden objects survived. Tapestries, mosaics, floorboards. Fantastic spot.

I loved tbe town Portici as well, its mayhem

jobeenfitz · 19-02-2015 01:30AM

I always struggled to get up in the morning. I still hate it. I like listening to the radio and then getting up in my own time. Eating breakfast slowly before warming up into a decent human being.

A couple of years ago I gave up working on Mondays cos as a single man i felt I paid too much of my income on Tax, USC, PRSI, petrol etc., Then I cut down to three days a week and eventually to 2.5 days. Now I have decided at 52, to retire on pension and go away to somewhere warm/milder for next winter.

The plan is to Head to Spain in October, bring a few books, see what happens. This is what I will do when I don't have to work. If this doesn't work for me I should have plenty of time to think of another plan.

deviladvocate · 19-02-2015 09:51AM

I love the mix of big dreams of moving away or travelling or being a racecar driver, to little changes in every day sleeping patterns/ just doing what you'd be doing in your free time anyway, but all day! I think my favourite response is the guy who would just get a decent camper van and go have the craic around Ireland first! Something I've always thought would be great! I love reading the experiences from the few people that have actually done it, like the person above gradually winding down to a 3 day week seems like a great way to do it!

I also realised I never said what I'd be doing, as the OP that's probably where I should've started!

I love martial arts, and while I was at uni I gradually built a little gym in my garage at home, buying equipment here and there and letting it grow over time. Before I started working and had nothing but free time I was in that gym every day for hours at a time, now I'm lucky if I get time to go out to it more than twice a week, so I'd definitely spend more time doing that.

I love music and live gigs, and most of my holidays/ trips away are based around festivals or gigs, and I've been keeping that up pretty well but I'd keep doing that!

I love taking random trips, places like the beach, tourist-y landmarks or just nice places to go for walks, and haven't got to do that much lately, so I'd take that up again. I love meeting random strangers and having brief conversations with them, then never seeing them again and random trips are a great source of meeting interesting people!

I've always meant to get into reading more, but always put it off, I've read 2 books in the past year, so I'd like to think I'd put more effort into that.

And of course, given the financial freedom I would love to go travelling to some cool places.. See the pyramids, globekli tepe, go to Iceland or one of the nordic countries and enjoy the sights and visit a thermal spa (somehow just think they'd be even better there)

So keep it up guys! Keep spouting ideas for what you'd do if you had more free time!!!

MrWalsh · 19-02-2015 09:54AM

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Twenty years ago, I decided I was going to retire early.

So five years ago I decided to pay down the mortgage (no holliers or much extravagance), pay down debts (not much there TG), and get the house sorted with all the things that needed doing whilst on full salary.

Whew. Did it, during the bust too. But I was lucky, I didn't buy into all the extravagance of upping the mortgage or borrowing when it was so easy, I figured what for? It has to be paid back at some stage!

So my common sense paid off.

Go for it.

We are here for a good time, not a long time.

Although both would be great just the same!

I could pay off my mortgage tomorrow but where I live now is not where I want to stay. I dont have any other debt. But my mortgage repayment is quite small, its not really the mortgage that restricts me, its the general expense of living, eating! I need to work for that, plus holidays, study, etc...

How do you fund your normal day to day living expenses?

kylith · 19-02-2015 10:01AM

deviladvocate wrote: »

Why is this so bad? 3-12 is 9 hours sleep, a little more than what's recommended, but not excessive! What would you do in the hours you're awake? Why does it matter what those hours are if that's what you would naturally do, and like to do? Plenty of people work night shifts, so are they useless for sleeping all day?

I'm loving the responses so far!!!

Of course people who work nights aren't useless for sleeping all day! I don't know where you got that from.

Personally, if I wake up at 12 then I'm not dressed until 2, not ready to leave the house until 3, and there's little enough of a normal life you can get done between 3pm and 6pm. I was basically getting up and killing time until I could go back to bed, watching telly. I need something that I have to get up and get dressed for in order for me to be mentally healthy.

Guffy · 19-02-2015 10:04AM

Pre or post retirement... i think I'd miss the disappointment i feel every now and again when i click what I'm working at. So I'd prob watch Lost

AndyBoBandy · 19-02-2015 10:05AM

Sailing around the warmer parts of the world..

Baron Kurtz · 19-02-2015 10:13AM

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Firstly, welcome to the real world.

I'm reaching a point where I've made enough money to be able to consider giving up work and living relatively comfortably for the rest of my life. I don't want to do this though. I absolutely adore my job, and the sense of personal satisfaction I get from it is worth even more to me than the very generous remuneration.

That said, I sometimes have this idea about buying a smallholding. Grow organic vegetables, free range chickens and pigs, great beers. What would invariably happen I think is realising some of the products I'm producing are world-class and then to start selling them.

Rinse, wash, repeat!

I got as far as the first paragraph and without looking at the owner of the my-life-is-always-perfect post I KNEW it was you.

SeamusRamos · 19-02-2015 10:32AM

Travel around the world taking in football matches. Is that a bit sad?

Asmooh · 19-02-2015 10:33AM

being bored at home and try to watch a serie/movie every night or go to sleep early and hope my alarm goes soon again

Sorry, what WOULD you want to do... Well travel and spending more time on cars and on the track

deviladvocate · 19-02-2015 10:45AM

kylith wrote: »

Of course people who work nights aren't useless for sleeping all day! I don't know where you got that from.

Personally, if I wake up at 12 then I'm not dressed until 2, not ready to leave the house until 3, and there's little enough of a normal life you can get done between 3pm and 6pm. I was basically getting up and killing time until I could go back to bed, watching telly. I need something that I have to get up and get dressed for in order for me to be mentally healthy.

Why does normal life end at 6pm? Most hobby things are on in the evening to suit people at work, so you could do a sport or hobby any time from 6-9, you can read a book any time you want, watch tv any time you want, paint/ do artwork any time you want, I just don't get why you (not just you, so many people) have this idea that if you're not awake and active during "normal" times then there's nothing to do! I was way more productive when I had my 2am-11am sleeping pattern! Only for work I would never see the likes of 9am, and I wouldn't miss it one bit!!

Hoop66 · 19-02-2015 10:47AM

More exercise
More time with the kids
Spend more time shopping for and cooking nice dinners
Brew beer
More time to play PS
I'd quite like to have a lie-in, one day.

FTA69 · 19-02-2015 11:10AM

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

TBH going halfway around the world on an eighteen hour flight to eat food I don't like and be hot and sweaty, and get needles in my arms for malaria and all the rest doesn't float my boat.

I can see it all on Google Earth, and uTube!

Very depressing outlook on travel. The world is a varied and fascinating place that can offer you experiences and memories of a lifetime. To dismiss it all as some gaff to be endured or something you can "do on YouTube" is a bit silly, you might be able to see the Himalayas on Google Maps but until you've seen them up close, bursting above the clouds and breathed the air there, you've never experienced it.

Spanish Eyes · 19-02-2015 11:25AM

FTA69 wrote: »

Very depressing outlook on travel. The world is a varied and fascinating place that can offer you experiences and memories of a lifetime. To dismiss it all as some gaff to be endured or something you can "do on YouTube" is a bit silly, you might be able to see the Himalayas on Google Maps but until you've seen them up close, bursting above the clouds and breathed the air there, you've never experienced it.

I have done all the long hauls I want at this stage, China, SAm, USA, and so on. There is nowhere left at this stage that I desperately want to see on a distance basis. Russia maybe? But I would do that via a flight to Tallin, train to St. Petersburg and join the Trans Siberian Express. That is the only long distance trip I want to do now. No 18 hour flights,or malaria shots either :P

However, whilst doing all the long haul stuff when I was younger, I neglected Europe a bit! My post just meant that I intend to explore Europe a lot more now, since the Long Haul is no longer necessary for me. I've seen all I want to see of that!

And I want to explore Ireland aswell. There are so many things to see and do here, I think we forget about that and hop on the first plane to anywhere else first!

What would you do if you didn't have to work?

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