• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Life After Quitting My Job

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
10,762
Reaction score
7,057
Points
749
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
Well, upon other Tugger's suggestions, I started a new thread off the "About To Lose My Job" one. That one is history- beaten into the ground. Time to move on.

One of my ex coworkers sent me a text and said the employer is having a XMAS party at 6pm on the 21st and because she and another employee work evenings at the front desk he wanted to know if they A) don't want to get paid and come to the party (which is being held in the employee lunchroom) or B) do they want to work the evening shift and get paid? (No joke).

Then later on she said it got better They changed the date of the party to the 19th and said they are not having it catered and wanted everyone to cook something.

Don't you just love this kind of holiday spirit in the workplace?

Anyway, it has been 2 months since I resigned and I must say it has gone fast. I have not done anything special at all. Just living life day to day without having to cram the activities of daily living into evenings and weekends. I laugh when people ask me how I spend my time, as if there is something special I should be doing every day.Then they ask me other things- like my plans. I tell them I already did a lot in 46 years of working! Why the hell do I have to do anything at all other than live? LOL!

I was able to take my time and do some Fall chores around the house, though the weather was awful- incredibly rainy. I did have 2 lunch dates with two friends that live a bit far from here. We picked a middle point to meet. That was enjoyable.

I was doing my daily walking and litter pick up on our road (which never ends). And I have been trying to deal with the town and DEC regarding the flooding issue on our property.

Not having that paycheck I am watching our spending like a hawk and cutting back on some things in the budget. So I work on that- shopping car insurance, etc. heck- I always said I was a homemaker- that is my work- there is plenty to do. I always said I had no time to work!

I also spend a lot of time researching things and reading. Hubby had open enrollment and we had to make decisions about his HSA (not contributing next year) and Medicare. Still have more learning to do. His employer is no longer providing paid life insurance or AD&D or contributing to the dental premium, so we are paying for that ourselves through his paycheck now. Never ends. And always gets worse on that front. Doesn't help that his salary is capped either. But at this point he still has his job, though it is very shaky now what is going on there.

But we had some medical bills we had to lay out money for- my colonoscopy and my husband's eye surgery (angle closure glaucoma) and issues I have with my leg. (I had to drive my husband down to the eye doctor over one hour away at night in driving rain- 2 x- because the doc only does the procedure at the end of the day. Meanwhile, I have bad night vision- was very stressful for me.)

I had some set backs health wise- nothing at all drastic but enough to slow me down - 1) with the side effects form the Shingles vaccine and 2) with a problem that arose with my left leg.

The leg thing is getting me down because I am now slowly gaining weight and not used to not being able to go outside and walk (and I need it in this cold, winter weather) - I can't exercise the same way right now. Primary doc said it was muscular- ruled out DVT with an ultrasound, but I also went to an orthopedist today and he said he is sure it is a Baker's Cyst, gave me a cortisone shot and prescription med and ordered 6 weeks of physical therapy. He didn't think an MRI was necessary and I was happy to hear it as it would be another big bill. I turned down having the cyst aspirated for now. Figured that would be more money, and he said it might still be needed again at a later time, plus small risk to it, so I just went with the shot.

I can't tell you how insane this is making me. Not being as mobile. Supposed to keep my leg elevated and iced. How much rest can I get? On my job, I was in constant motion, even though I was still overweight, at least I always moved around for the most part. I was out and about- in the fresh air and sun.

I have an appt next week for the PT evaluation. I also have my standard annual appt with my GYN doc. I also am going to apply for disability off my private policy because the insurance company told me I do not have to be employed to qualify to put a claim in as long as I am under 65 years old and cannot do the activities involved in my last job. There is a 90 day waiting period (countdown would be 10/1 when this started) so theoretically I could be much better in a few weeks- or it could take longer, so I will put it in just in case.

My last job I was in and out of the car 20 times per day- carrying things, walking through parking lots and up and down stairs, etc. Something I cannot do right now. I am using a cane for support. I feel like I am walking like I am 90 years old! Stairs are the worst! And hills- up or down. So I am going to give it a shot. If accepted, it would help financially right now until I heal.

I will tell you, I never expected this. I hope I can get back to some kind of normalcy soon. This is not for me I can tell you that! (It reminds me of those stories of you hear that people retire and then they die or get very ill right afterwards.) I guess the litter is going to pile up on our road for now.

Of course, the holiday just went buy and another one's coming up, which makes time go even faster. I love not working but still am worrying about the future financially.

Meanwhile, the irony is if I was working and this leg thing would have happened to me, I wonder how that would have panned out? Funny how life is.....
 
Last edited:

bbodb1

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2016
Messages
4,305
Reaction score
3,824
Points
348
Location
High radiation belt of the Northern Hemisphere
Resorts Owned
RCI Weeks: LaCosta Beach Club, RCI Points: Oakmont Resort, Vacation Village at Parkway. Wyndham: CWA and La Belle Maison, and WorldMark.
Beaten into the ground......
Or a TUG classic? :D
 

b2bailey

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2007
Messages
3,682
Reaction score
2,620
Points
598
Location
Santa Cruz CA
Since I was one of those who requested a 'new' thread, thank you!
:)
I am sorry to hear of your health issues, and wondered the same thing about not being able to do your old job with your current leg trouble. Hoping the private disability policy kicks in for you.
 

DaveNV

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
22,003
Reaction score
29,217
Points
1,348
Location
Mesquite, Nevada
Resorts Owned
Free Agent
You had no time to work, is right! Your plate is still very full. Slow down and breathe for a bit. It's all about pacing. :)

I mentioned in another thread that I had abdominal surgery the first part of November. I took three weeks off work (I have a lot of sick days accumulated.) I expected I'd be laid up for most of that time. Not so. After less than a week I was off all pain meds, I was up and around, and as long as I was careful, I could do anything I felt up to doing. I was also bored to death. Some days I didn't even turn on the TV or my computer. I was amazed at how much time I found I had available. But I had to do something constructive.

So I started clearing out the clutter at my house. It's amazingly cathartic. And as I moved things out, I cleaned everything around it. (When was the last time this refrigerator was cleared out, all the shelving and walls of the fridge washed, and then the cold stuff replaced, in an orderly fashion? I'm guessing NEVER...)

I wasn't able to finish all the chores I wanted to do, and I still have plenty more junk to get rid of. I had to go back to work last week, but I now have a very clear idea of how the first part of my retirement days will be spent starting next Summer, when I hope to formally stop working. I'm looking forward to it!

I hope you can find a balancing point between energy and activity. Good luck!

Dave
 
Last edited:

Bwolf

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2007
Messages
897
Reaction score
124
Points
404
Location
MA
Hopefully, Mary Ann, things do get better. For so many of us, life seems to be a struggle. Happy Holidays to everyone!
 

pedro47

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
22,072
Reaction score
8,535
Points
948
Location
East Coast
Wishing you better days. There is only person that can help you and will always have your back. That is God. Trust in Him and everything will be alright.
.
 
Last edited:

Talent312

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
17,462
Reaction score
7,277
Points
948
Resorts Owned
HGVC & GTS
When my DW retired, she got bored and started volunteering for stuff.
Now, she holds two treasurer's posts in local and district organizations.
IOW, she does the same stuff she did while working but w/o getting paid.

I say: "I'm retired. Now, it's me-time... and it's an endless weekend."
.
 
Last edited:

Timeshare Von

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
7,031
Reaction score
1,637
Points
599
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Resorts Owned
Wyndham (77k points at Myrtle Beach/Westwinds)
Mary Ann . . . I too hope the "leg thing" works out. I'm glad you're settling into retired life. And yes, some employers (companies & bosses) can really be clueless!
 

heathpack

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
4,651
Reaction score
3,750
Points
598
Location
Los Angeles
Resorts Owned
Hyatt High Sierra and Highland Inn
Disney’s Grand Californian and Hilton Head Island
Marriott Barony Beach and Mountainside
MVC Points
Sheraton Broadway Plantation
I am currently listening to an audiobook called Getting Back to Happy by Marc and Angel Chernoff. The subject of the book is positive psychology, which is not just “positive thinking” but instead is the field of study of wellness (as opposed to illness) of the brain. This book in particular is about transitions in life- getting through/past life changes that make you stressed, overwhelmed, depressed etc and coming out in a better place in the end. You could maybe borrow it from the library but if you don’t have an Audible.com account you can sign up for a free trial and get the book for free that way. Might be a convenient way to access the book while you’re laid up.

You might find this really helpful and you transition from your former life to your new one.

Good luck!
 

Glynda

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
3,781
Reaction score
2,552
Points
599
Location
Charleston, SC
Resorts Owned
Bluegreen Points Lodge Alley Inn.
Brewster Green (two weeks).
I understand how a day can pass quickly once you stop working! I love my free time plus I've added classes at our Senior Center and volunteered at a nursing home for three years. I also volunteer for the Historic Charleston Foundation as a docent for their Spring tour of historic houses. On other days, taking my mother where she wants to go plus what I need to do fills the time quickly.

I'm so sorry that you are experiencing health problems now that you are free to do more! I hope that gets resolved quickly!

I'll be interested to read more about the Baker's cyst and what you end up doing for it. I have one my chiropractor discovered behind, and to the right side, of my right knee. Had ultrasound and the report was that it was a tumor. Had a MRI and the report was that it was a cyst. Go figure! I can't say if it caused pain or disability for me as I have other things going on. I was seeing the chiropractor for sciatica which he thought was causing me to have the usual sciatic pain plus some knee pain and what felt like hot poker shin splints burning just down the right side of my shin. Saw a Orthopedic surgeon who assured me I have a Baker's cyst and that it would probably go away. No draining mentioned. I had that before with a cyst on my head and the fluid just kept coming back and finally had to have it surgically removed. Ortho doc said my knee pain and burning shins was from my lower back problems and sciatica, but would give me a Cortisone injection in the knee and if the pain went away after a few day it was my knee! It did. No more shin burning, no knee pain. Till it wears off. He was so nonchalant about the Baker's cyst that I assumed it was from something else going on with my knee. Yet the reports show only a little arthritis in the knee. Hmmm...was it the cyst?
 

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
I understand how a day can pass quickly once you stop working! I love my free time plus I've added classes at our Senior Center and volunteered at a nursing home for three years. I also volunteer for the Historic Charleston Foundation as a docent for their Spring tour of historic houses. On other days, taking my mother where she wants to go plus what I need to do fills the time quickly.

I'm so sorry that you are experiencing health problems now that you are free to do more! I hope that gets resolved quickly!

I'll be interested to read more about the Baker's cyst and what you end up doing for it. I have one my chiropractor discovered behind, and to the right side, of my right knee. Had ultrasound and the report was that it was a tumor. Had a MRI and the report was that it was a cyst. Go figure! I can't say if it caused pain or disability for me as I have other things going on. I was seeing the chiropractor for sciatica which he thought was causing me to have the usual sciatic pain plus some knee pain and what felt like hot poker shin splints burning just down the right side of my shin. Saw a Orthopedic surgeon who assured me I have a Baker's cyst and that it would probably go away. No draining mentioned. I had that before with a cyst on my head and the fluid just kept coming back and finally had to have it surgically removed. Ortho doc said my knee pain and burning shins was from my lower back problems and sciatica, but would give me a Cortisone injection in the knee and if the pain went away after a few day it was my knee! It did. No more shin burning, no knee pain. Till it wears off. He was so nonchalant about the Baker's cyst that I assumed it was from something else going on with my knee. Yet the reports show only a little arthritis in the knee. Hmmm...was it the cyst?
As my physical therapist told me the other day, take tests and you’ll almost always find something wrong in the back or knees. Everything is connected and a good doctor will not look at the obvious.

My experience, damaged knees 25 years ago due to impact injury in a car accident. 21 years later knee was hurting, cortisone shot in knee did not work, four doctors said based on mri test I needed a knee replacement. This PT believed it was coming from my back so I went to a fifth doctor who agreed with the other four but when I pushed him I believed my knee pain was from my back, started testing me and then said it can be, let’s try PT on back instead of knee. Needle Therapy on back area and knee pain went away. No knee replacement yet.
 

bluehende

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
4,507
Reaction score
3,967
Points
598
As my physical therapist told me the other day, take tests and you’ll almost always find something wrong in the back or knees. Everything is connected and a good doctor will not look at the obvious.

My experience, damaged knees 25 years ago due to impact injury in a car accident. 21 years later knee was hurting, cortisone shot in knee did not work, four doctors said based on mri test I needed a knee replacement. This PT believed it was coming from my back so I went to a fifth doctor who agreed with the other four but when I pushed him I believed my knee pain was from my back, started testing me and then said it can be, let’s try PT on back instead of knee. Needle Therapy on back area and knee pain went away. No knee replacement yet.

I seem to be in PT a lot. I have usually found that physical therapists are some of the best and knowledgeable professionals that I have come across.
 

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
10,762
Reaction score
7,057
Points
749
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
Right now I just ordered a cane on Amazon as I have been sitting in a car dealership for 2.5 hours waiting for a car inspection and door lock repair! Getting out of the SUV my old, hand carved wooden cane slid and hence my leg and- ouch! Evidently the rubber tip
Must have come off! Well- all these hours at least I am keeping my leg elevated while waiting.

Then I have an hour drive home and have to still food shop. A whole day will be gone!

I guess the cortisone shot is not working- or the medicine. With my situation- the back of my leg- under the knee - hurts as well as my calf and shin.

I am getting discouraged.

I think half these doctors don’t know what they are doing. Really- my head hurts analyzing it.
 

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
28,462
Reaction score
17,213
Points
1,299
Location
Twin Falls, Eye-Duh-Hoe
I think half these doctors don’t know what they are doing. Really- my head hurts analyzing it.
I realized a LONG time ago that half of doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class. Don't try to analyze it. Too many moving parts. Take it one day at a time. If someone offers you something you think you'd find interesting to do (preferably for some pay- too many want 'volunteers') it might give you something to occupy your mind. I picked up my last paycheck almost 10 years ago and can't remember being bored- or getting everything done that I think should be. Oh well.

Keep up your spirits! We're with you.

Jim
 

bbodb1

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2016
Messages
4,305
Reaction score
3,824
Points
348
Location
High radiation belt of the Northern Hemisphere
Resorts Owned
RCI Weeks: LaCosta Beach Club, RCI Points: Oakmont Resort, Vacation Village at Parkway. Wyndham: CWA and La Belle Maison, and WorldMark.
Mary Ann,

Among the many aspects I find interesting about your stories is this - I think we (speaking in general here) are never as prepared for changes in life as we would like to think we are. It's like a door we see at the end of a long hallway. We want to travel that hallway because we want to see what is on the other side of the door. We're curious. We are adventurers. We want to know things, go places, and experience all we can. But at the same time, we often find that when we get to where we thought we wanted to go it is not what we expected it to be. I'm not saying the reality is always better or worse, just never quite like one anticipates it.

I'm suggesting that stages in life are a lot like this. As I think back through life, I can recall anticipating (what I perceived at the time) to be the next big thing (age, event of significance, etc) in life and anticipated it. But when the actual thing arrived, my preconception of what I thought might occur usually varied wildly from actually did occur. It has been (at times) a bit unsettling.
 

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
Mary Ann,

Among the many aspects I find interesting about your stories is this - I think we (speaking in general here) are never as prepared for changes in life as we would like to think we are. It's like a door we see at the end of a long hallway. We want to travel that hallway because we want to see what is on the other side of the door. We're curious. We are adventurers. We want to know things, go places, and experience all we can. But at the same time, we often find that when we get to where we thought we wanted to go it is not what we expected it to be. I'm not saying the reality is always better or worse, just never quite like one anticipates it.

I'm suggesting that stages in life are a lot like this. As I think back through life, I can recall anticipating (what I perceived at the time) to be the next big thing (age, event of significance, etc) in life and anticipated it. But when the actual thing arrived, my preconception of what I thought might occur usually varied wildly from actually did occur. It has been (at times) a bit unsettling.

Whereas unsettling at times, for me, better then anticipated other times.

Life is a mixed bag. I choose to be greatful for what my life is, looking at the good and accepting the bad is just part of the journey. Outlook to anticipate better is better then anticipating the worse. When it’s not what I expected it to be I deal with it then.
 

MOXJO7282

Tug Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,524
Reaction score
1,300
Points
599
The only good things about retirement.; is for some of us retirees.
Everyday is Saturday and Sunday or a National Holiday.:whooopie:
I was thinking about this the other day and it was a little strange to think about because now I'm so focused on a M-F 9-5 existence and am euphoric on Fridays and depressed on Mondays. So what happens in retirement? Are Friday not as great but Mondays not as bad in retirement? Or is every day like Friday? That could be a problem for me because Friday is the one day I like to unwind after a tough work week and usually have a few beers. If everyday is Friday in retirement I'm going to be drunk every day.
 

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
I was thinking about this the other day and it was a little strange to think about because now I'm so focused on a M-F 9-5 existence and am euphoric on Fridays and depressed on Mondays. So what happens in retirement? Are Friday not as great but Mondays not as bad in retirement? Or is every day like Friday? That could be a problem for me because Friday is the one day I like to unwind after a tough work week and usually have a few beers. If everyday is Friday in retirement I'm going to be drunk every day.
I enjoyed going to work but love retirement. I was worried at first what will I do. I do what I want, when I want, at least a large portion of my time. Seems when I retired family obligations increased for me as the others who were still working expected me to do what they use to.

Your Friday can be on Monday, Tuesday any day you choose. You will be surprised how much of you day will pass by quicker then when you worked. Maybe when your happier and less stressed time flies by more quickly.
 

Talent312

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
17,462
Reaction score
7,277
Points
948
Resorts Owned
HGVC & GTS
Life is a mixed bag. I choose to be grateful for what my life is, looking at the good and accepting the bad is just part of the journey...

“Just remember, life is like a box of chocolates... [Y]ou eat all the ones you like, and the only ones left are the ones you don't like as much? I always think about that when something painful comes up. ‘Now I just have to polish these off, and everything'll be okay.’ Life is a box of chocolates.” -- From Norwegian Wood (1987) by Haruki Murakami

-- Used in Forest Gump (1994), with: "You never know what you're gonna get."
 

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
“Just remember, life is like a box of chocolates... [Y]ou eat all the ones you like, and the only ones left are the ones you don't like as much? I always think about that when something painful comes up. ‘Now I just have to polish these off, and everything'll be okay.’ Life is a box of chocolates.” -- From Norwegian Wood (1987) by Haruki Murakami

-- Used in Forest Gump (1994), with: "You never know what you're gonna get."
Chocolate makes everything seem better, except my weight.
 

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
28,462
Reaction score
17,213
Points
1,299
Location
Twin Falls, Eye-Duh-Hoe
I was thinking about this the other day and it was a little strange to think about because now I'm so focused on a M-F 9-5 existence and am euphoric on Fridays and depressed on Mondays. So what happens in retirement? Are Friday not as great but Mondays not as bad in retirement? Or is every day like Friday? That could be a problem for me because Friday is the one day I like to unwind after a tough work week and usually have a few beers. If everyday is Friday in retirement I'm going to be drunk every day.
You DO need to temper that last impulse- though many retirees don't. Many start the evening with a 'cocktail hour' that can stretch out , or start earlier (It's 5 o'clock SOMEwhere).

I have found that 'life unstructured' allows me to free-form my days. If I feel like working on a project for several days morning til night, that's OK, or If I feel like an afternoon siesta, that's OK too. But I find I lose track of what day it is. When DW was keeping regular office hours, I kept track (mostly) but since she is nearly as unstructured as I am, I find myself checking my phone for the day/date/time a lot more often.

Have fun learning what works for you, but watch the happy hours.

Jim
 

bogey21

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
9,455
Reaction score
4,662
Points
649
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
So what happens in retirement? Are Friday not as great but Mondays not as bad in retirement? Or is every day like Friday?.

I always seem to stay busy Monday thru Friday, wind down on Saturday and often find I am bored on Sunday. It has been that way since I stopped traveling 8 or 9 years ago...

George
 

Krteczech

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
679
Reaction score
733
Points
453
Location
Colorful Colorado
Resorts Owned
Towers at Mullet Bay, SXM
Silverado II, CO
With only 12 months experience as a retired person I agree that it is very easy to loose track of what day it is. Yes, you are free to travel, work on projects, hike, read, but checking my wall calendar and phone became a new routine for me.

Mary Ann, I hope your body heals fast and you can experience all what you were hoping for from your unstructured time.
 
Top