[geeteeohguy]

Good stuff here. I just hit 62 but also retired at 60, planning ahead on retiring at 55 when I was in my mid 20's, but 55 came up sooner than expected, and I was able to promote and top off my pension with a higher salary for the last 4 years of my career. I lost my dad 14 years ago at age 79, he was tired of life and had simply given up. I lost my mom in 2021 at age 88, due to cancer, and she had never gave up. Her life was fully lived until the last week on the earth. (My folks had divorced when I was 7 in 1968). I had to 'clean up' my father's estate, which was the hardest thing I've ever done---a run-down, old house full of stuff that had degraded into junk....but everything had his mark on it. It's tough throwing a lifetime away into a couple of dumpsters. My mom gave me a few things, mainly the photo albums, but she had nothing, really. Since I retired I am still getting used to the idea of not being productive on a daily basis---I think like most of us here, we like to 'fix' things and figure things out and be challenged....it comes naturally. Sitting around not doing much is ok, but IMO not the healthiest plan of operation. Those who prepare to die tend to die. Most of the really old, productive guys are like Jim...they never plan on dying. So every day is a gift, and a new adventure. I'll also say that these guys tend to have very good genetics and CAN do what they want to do....Guys like Gene Winfield and Ed Iskenderian (whom I met in 2022 when he flagged the drag races at Eagle Field at age 100). From what I've seen, those who remain active are the ones who live the longest, pretty consistently.
I'll add, my dad, who was always very busy and productive, once told me in his late 60's that 'my productive days are over' and he declined into a life of inactivity. I was dumbfounded. Now, in my 60's, I can feel less motivation and energy to do the things I did a mere 15 years ago....like build a garage from scratch with hand tools in three weeks in December because I had bought a basket case Model T and had to pick it up from out of state at the end of the month. Which I did. And had the car driving within 6 months. I could NEVER do that now, and moreover, have no desire to. I sold the T in 2018 after many years of driving it, and giving many family members rides in it who are no longer living.
Turn the page. Everybody's different and what works for one may not work for another. I have found with age that TIME is the most precious commodity I have, and that many times, LESS actually is MORE....the less 'stuff', the more 'freedom'. I would rather travel and explore than go to swap meets these days, as I don't need more 'stuff'. That said, lately I've been looking into getting into another '30's or '30's coupe like the '37 Chrysler I had 25 years ago. Something like a '39 or '40 Ford with a hopped up flathead or an early OHV V8 swap. So I still have something left in me, I guess.
It's funny, since I've retired, the jobs I have had the opportunity to take and the $$$$ that is available. I'm more 'desirable' now than when I was a young guy, due to experience and qualifications. Thing is, I don't need the $$$ or want to be accountable to anybody. Bottom line, do what works for YOU. We can't all be 6-foot-4 strapping lumberjacks with all of our born-with hair like Pontiac Jim, but we can try to be our best.

 

[ponchonlefty]

rage,rage against the dying of the light. i will not go gently into that goodnight.

 

[Noangelbuddy]

Ya, I could dye all the grey too............but I am OK being/looking older. If I cut the beard and cut the hair short, I can look younger, but, I am am planning on retirement at some point in my life and it will be in the woods away from people, secluded, and I gotta have the "mountain man" look to go with the tobacco chewing I have to take up and the shotgun leaning on the porch swing. Oh, and maybe an old hound dog.

If you retire to the woods, please maintain access to the forum. Your experience and advice about cars will continue to be needed.

 

[PontiacJim]

I am sure I sound like an ass and my posts may seem harsh and cold, but that is not my intent - I just find this a sad post and one in my mind that puts the cart before the horse and imparts the message: prepare for your death by not burdening your children in obligating them to have to sort through your belongings.

I wonder if Johnnymoto would be feeling this way if his dad was still alive? His post seems to reflect the message of getting rid of stuff while you are still alive to save your children's feelings and frustrations in disposing of the stuff you collected after you die. Some people are the type who have to plan their lives - ie the plan for early retirement and are caught off guard when they did not plan on, nor expected, the death of a loved one.

I am not a planner, I am a "wing-it" type - meaning I am more fluid and can adjust to changes and adversity and roll with it because plans for some of us prove to backfire and bare no fruit other than frustration and anger. I can flex, zig when life zags, and this can be very un-nerving and difficult to accept when someone is a "planner" or has to have a direction. As long as I am not hurting anyone physically or emotionally, and they me, then what does it matter? Does not mean I don't have an opinion, because I always have those, and it does not mean I am always right or wrong, nor anyone else right or wrong. Live and let live and leave me alone and I will leave you alone, but always remember that resistance begets resistance - you push me and expect it right back. So I am not a "planner" nor live a life that is linear - Carpe diem (seize the day) because I may be dead tomorrow and all my planning won't have gotten me anywhere and I may have missed out on life putting plans over the alive time I did have. Have know those who knuckled down in life with the goal of doing "things" when they retired and had time only to be set in life for retirement and then die, never affording the chance to live that assumption, yes assumption. of doing "things" when they retired and had more time - time ran out.

“The root of suffering is attachment” and “Do not lose yourself in the past." These are phrases I live by. I live for the present, whatever it may be. Not an easy task and very few can honestly follow these phrases you have to be willing to let go or give up without reluctance or resentment those things we can be attached to, both the physical and emotional. Does it minimize our attachments or require us to live like naked monks on a deserted island with nothing? Of course not. To be attached to things is human, but when the loss of things we are attached to cause us pain or regret, then we are suffering. If we lose those things we are attached to and can see the joy in the opportunity to have those things and attach to the memories in a positive light, then there is no suffering. Clinging to past memories can also be a form of attachment and some people do live more in the past and don't move forward - it's like at a point in their lives that instead of walking through life looking forward to the next day, the future, they turn around and walk through life backwards looking at the past that they don't want to give up. I have known people who fall into this category, everything in their lives are measured by those 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990' when we used to............ their lives are a throwback from that point in time when they stopped facing forward and their lives and thinking seemingly capture the past that they are lost in - and this includes memories of deceased family.

If I begin to sell off stuff and minimize my belongings, it is not because I don't want to burden my kids in having to do it. I will be doing it because I choose to or I am ready to check myself into the old folks home and have wild and crazy sex with all the widows because I outlived their husbands who had worked hard and planned for their retirement and died - thank god for viagra. My kids (and grand kids), who have hopefully matured into responsible adults in their 70's by the time I kick the bucket, will have no issues handling my estate and disposing of my stuff.

When people customarily ask me "How are you doing?", I quickly respond with a smile and 1 word, "Sparkling." That always gets a smile back and a positive comment. Then I tell them, "I woke up breathing and with a pulse and after that, the rest of my day is a piece of cake." Try it sometime and see if you can put a chuckle, and memory, into someone's life that may need a lift. Our lives are not our own. From birth to death we are bound to others, past and present. Our birth is the beginning of our future and in every choice, good or bad, we birth a path to a new future. We have eyes to see and yet some never see, and ears to hear but some never hear. Maybe Johnnymoto's dad sent him to the forum so he could see these words, and hear his dad telling him to live his life in the present and not in the past, and to move forward "sparkling."

 

[Baaad65]

Who you kidding it is your intent 🤣🤣 Most people if they're lucky have to clean out their parents stuff that's the way it goes, my parents did for their parents and I'll have to do it for mine and my mom is a borderline hoarder, she probably will slam the door on my hand of the roll off dumpster I'll need at their house 😬 Just remember people to sign your titles to your goats and such over while you still can so your heirs don’t have a pita with the DMV 😁 This has been a heavy thread but that's why this forum is great and the people better 👍 Now can we talk about LSA's or the biggest tire that will fit my '65 gto 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Baaad65]

....so to be honest I did not mean any disrespect to Johnnymoto or anyone that has lost their parents, I just have a habit of lightening up a subject by being a dick. I have only lost my my wonderful FIL five years ago on the 12th of March (wow time flys) but my parents aren't far behind I fear, dad and mom have spent a couple of days in the hospital in February. Dad's battling Parkinson disease walking with a cane and falling down sometimes, has had every joint replaced, three back fusions and quadruple bypass, and now trying to balance his diuretic between passing out from low BP and congestive heart failure but still drives (to fast) and comes into the office three half days to check up on us at 85 years old. Mom (82) has started down the dementia road sometimes not knowing our kids names or what she was saying mid sentence and has stopped driving, didn't even know how to dial 911 when dad passed out, her back is so twisted she can only do pain management with opioids, epidurals and nerve ablasions any more. So maybe this is how I deal with it by clowning around here. Now really will a single plane intake kill that much bottom end 😉

 

[.97391]

With a little luck, just a few days away on the 21st of March, I will be hitting 70. In my own mind, I am still 18 and bulletproof. However, sometimes life has a nasty habit of rising up and reminding me that that's not true. Considering other people I know who are the same age as me, I'm in really good shape and very healthy. I'm not perfect, I do need to drop some weight and I'm attempting to get my mind right so I can make that happen, but still all in all I have it pretty good. As far as whether or not to divest yourself of all the material, things that might cause your family pain after you've gone, or to save it for them, why not just talk with them and ask them what their preference would be? After all, they are the ones who ultimately will have to go through that experience.

My .02

Bear

Oh definitely yes !!! Matter fact, today I spoke to my older son about it, in person, and yesterday I spoke to my younger son, in person, and told them my plan. “I will get rid of everything I own before I go to the Afterlife “. I will give them what they want, and dispose of what they do not want, simple as that. I joked that I will also leave them some dirty underwear so they can smell it and remember my stinky ass forever, they said there is no need for that, “they will remember it anyways” they said !!! But that is the perfect happy medium, take what you want, rest will be gone.

 

[RMTZ67]

I had been visiting my mother and remodeling her house pretty frequently for the past five years. I got tired of seeing her house unfinished since my dad passed 10 years ago. She lives 80 miles from me .
I was visiting my mother at least twice a month, we would have coffee in the morning then do some improvements on her house, have lunch and chat some more then back at it.

My siblings are such knuckleheads to put it lightly, that they would say...I don't know why your doing all this work, she has been living like this for years and she is already 84. Not u nderstanding that their gonna profit from this as well. Never mind I'm paying for everything .
I tell them if she enjoys it for one day it was all worth it.
She is still doing good health wise. I told my siblings she may outlive them, her mother made it to 100+.

 

[.97391]

....so to be honest I did not mean any disrespect to Johnnymoto or anyone that has lost their parents, I just have a habit of lightening up a subject by being a dick. I have only lost my my wonderful FIL five years ago on the 12th of March (wow time flys) but my parents aren't far behind I fear, dad and mom have spent a couple of days in the hospital in February. Dad's battling Parkinson disease walking with a cane and falling down sometimes, has had every joint replaced, three back fusions and quadruple bypass, and now trying to balance his diuretic between passing out from low BP and congestive heart failure but still drives (to fast) and comes into the office three half days to check up on us at 85 years old. Mom (82) has started down the dementia road sometimes not knowing our kids names or what she was saying mid sentence and has stopped driving, didn't even know how to dial 911 when dad passed out, her back is so twisted she can only do pain management with opioids, epidurals and nerve ablasions any more. So maybe this is how I deal with it by clowning around here. Now really will a single plane intake kill that much bottom end 😉

Sorry man about your Family situation too, not easy not easy. Never being honest and funny will offend me. The reason I started this Thread is to make all think about what we have to go through when Family members leave this World, so we plan and do whats needed before WE, go old and Pass Away. Many of our cars, are here because someone in the 60s or 70s got them, and left them when they died, along with many other things, and the more clear and planned this happens, the better it will be for everyone. I have a plan to do it before I die, its not my idea either, a few months ago I heard a friend tell me that he already had sorted everything out and each one of his belongins, had a name and the pertaining paperwork done, and that, hit me like a brick in the head !!! Is not that clever ????

 

[.97391]

I had been visiting my mother and remodeling her house pretty frequently for the past five years. I got tired of seeing her house unfinished since my dad passed 10 years ago. She lives 80 miles from me .
I was visiting my mother at least twice a month, we would have coffee in the morning then do some improvements on her house, have lunch and chat some more then back at it.

My siblings are such knuckleheads to put it lightly, that they would say...I don't know why your doing all this work, she has been living like this for years and she is already 84. Not u nderstanding that their gonna profit from this as well. Never mind I'm paying for everything .
I tell them if she enjoys it for one day it was all worth it.
She is still doing good health wise. I told my siblings she may outlive them, her mother made it to 100+.

That is very commendable sir !!! What makes you happy, is what makes you happy. I do the same, I help others for free, a lot. Why ? I do not know, but it makes me happy. Many times I have been asked why I do it, and I do not know why, what drives me to care so much about others, I do not know, but again, it makes me happy, I guess I was born missing a few nuts and bolts !!!

 

[Jared]

Just remember people to sign your titles to your goats and such over while you still can so your heirs don’t have a pita with the DMV 🤣🤣🤣

This actually is not as difficult as you think. My dad had two cars, one of which I have sold already. A PoA helps a bunch with this but I'm pretty sure I could have pulled it off without. His daily driver was an easy sell. It was a low mileage 4x4 pick up with a V8. The other one is a 81 Corvette that's been sitting for at least three years and has no title because it's registered in RI. This could limit the locations that I can sell the car into. Plan for that car is to make sure it starts once the weather turns, then decide what it's worth in it's current condition. Valuing it is going to be a bit rough. It has the disadvantage of being a year that is not desirable, is a love it or hate it color (tan over brown two tone), and it needs work. On the other hand, it only has 65K on the clock and is extremely clean and rust free.

 

[RMTZ67]

That is very commendable sir !!! What makes you happy, is what makes you happy. I do the same, I help others for free, a lot. Why ? I do not know, but it makes me happy. Many times I have been asked why I do it, and I do not know why, what drives me to care so much about others, I do not know, but again, it makes me happy, I guess I was born missing a few nuts and bolts !!!

I think it's because you got all the right parts.

 

[.97391]

I think it's because you got all the right parts.

You know, sometimes I wish I could care in a lesser amount, it takes a great deal of my time. But, is like an adiction, it does nothing for me, but I sure feel good doing it.

I think it's because you got all the right parts.

Jajaja, in this World, in todays World, I am not so sure anymore, but thanks for the compliment, at least every once in a while some one calls me a good person, most call me a heavy fool, the perfect example of a living writing talking “elephant in the room“. Thank you again.

 

[Baaad65]

This actually is not as difficult as you think. My dad had two cars, one of which I have sold already. A PoA helps a bunch with this but I'm pretty sure I could have pulled it off without. His daily driver was an easy sell. It was a low mileage 4x4 pick up with a V8. The other one is a 81 Corvette that's been sitting for at least three years and has no title because it's registered in RI. This could limit the locations that I can sell the car into. Plan for that car is to make sure it starts once the weather turns, then decide what it's worth in it's current condition. Valuing it is going to be a bit rough. It has the disadvantage of being a year that is not desirable, is a love it or hate it color (tan over brown two tone), and it needs work. On the other hand, it only has 65K on the clock and is extremely clean and rust free.

You're not in Illinois, my MIL had a heck of a time.

 

[Noangelbuddy]

I had been visiting my mother and remodeling her house pretty frequently for the past five years. I got tired of seeing her house unfinished since my dad passed 10 years ago. She lives 80 miles from me .
I was visiting my mother at least twice a month, we would have coffee in the morning then do some improvements on her house, have lunch and chat some more then back at it.

My siblings are such knuckleheads to put it lightly, that they would say...I don't know why your doing all this work, she has been living like this for years and she is already 84. Not u nderstanding that their gonna profit from this as well. Never mind I'm paying for everything .
I tell them if she enjoys it for one day it was all worth it.
She is still doing good health wise. I told my siblings she may outlive them, her mother made it to 100+.

Your siblings are lazy knuckleheads. When your mom passes they will feel the pangs of guilt. Your mom is fortunate to have a good son like you. At least she has one who cares.

 

[RMTZ67]

You know, sometimes I wish I could care in a lesser amount, it takes a great deal of my time. But, is like an adiction, it does nothing for me, but I sure feel good doing it.

Jajaja, in this World, in todays World, I am not so sure anymore, but thanks for the compliment, at least every once in a while some one calls me a good person, most call me a heavy fool, the perfect example of a living writing talking “elephant in the room“. Thank you again.

I understand....🤔I am going to retire here within the next year and a half, and told my wife I am tapped out helping everyone out physically (except my mother and inlaws). I gave all I had to my employer (contruction working foreman) and everyone else. It's my turn.

 

[.97391]

I understand....🤔I am going to retire here within the next year and a half, and told my wife I am tapped out helping everyone out physically (except my mother and inlaws). I gave all I had to my employer (contruction working foreman) and everyone else. It's my turn.

Since I retired, I have been pushing the brakes, lowering the flaps, droping the anchors, and opening the braking parachutes to spare more time for myself. Many people do not hesitate to drag my behind to help them at any given time of their choice, but when is time for my problems, Houdini is no match on how quick they are invisible and can not be found !!! So I am doing my best to stick with my inmediate Family, they are a different story, they have always been there for me.

 

[slingshot]

Man... this thread hits close to home. My Dad passed 13 years ago at age 89. He was a mechanic (not a parts changer, an honest to God mechanic) and worked every day until he was 88 because he wanted to. I spent all afternoon today in my shop finally going through Dad's tools. I inherited half his tools, toolboxes, workbenches, torches, welder, grinders, vices, etc. Much I will never use. Made the decision to get rid of a lot of it. My kids are not as interested in cars or mechanics as I am. Every tool I pick up has a story though and it is a very hard process. Probably won't get rid of as much as I planned LOL.
As for the retirement discussion... My older brother was a banker and watched over Dad's finances after my Mom developed Alzheimer's and Dad insisted on caring for her.
One day when Dad was about 75 my brother asked me to meet him at Dad's to talk about money. I did and my brother proceeded to tell Dad that he was not rich but that he was financially secure and didn't have to work another day. I'll never forget Dad's response. "Boys, I'm going to tell you what your Grandfather told me when I tried to have the same discussion with him 30 years ago. There is a simple 3 question test that will tell you when to retire if you are financially able."
1) Do you enjoy what you do? If not, walk away--life is too short to be miserable. If you do still enjoy it, go to question 2.
2) Are you still good at it? If you've slipped mentally, if you've fallen behind technically--walk away. If you're still good at it, go to question 3.
3) Are you still in good enough health to do it? If you are facing serious health issues or are having trouble physically keeping up--walk away.
But--if you enjoy it, you're still good at it and you are in good enough health--why would you ever completely retire?
I'm now 64, a family physician with 33 years of experience--I enjoy what I do, I'm in good health (sure I have aches and pains, some arthritis, mild controlled hypertension, etc but I work out 5 days a week, watch my diet and weight and stay current on the medical literature and technology). I have cut my workload by about 50% from my younger years and take every Friday off and my wife and I travel for vacation at least 4 times per year. My retirement is funded, I have zero debt and all 3 sons are grown and off the payroll. I guess I'm like my Dad... no plans to retire.

 

[armyadarkness]

But--if you enjoy it, you're still good at it and you are in good enough health--why would you ever completely retire?
I'm now 64, a family physician with 33 years of experience--I enjoy what I do, I'm in good health (sure I have aches and pains, some arthritis, mild controlled hypertension, etc but I work out 5 days a week, watch my diet and weight and stay current on the medical literature and technology). I have cut my workload by about 50% from my younger years and take every Friday off and my wife and I travel for vacation at least 4 times per year. My retirement is funded, I have zero debt and all 3 sons are grown and off the payroll. I guess I'm like my Dad... no plans to retire.

Glad to hear that you have it all under control. We share many similarities.

It appears to me that most of the users here do... many seem "in their zone", and blissfully enjoying life with their families and GTO's. But many of us have long roads ahead!

I was forced to do a career change at age 50, and so retirement isnt going to happen. In the modern financial world, Im not sure that anyone can simply "walk away". It's near impossible to do anyting without financing, anymore, and once you do, you're married to it! Man, I'd love to walk away, but I'd have to live in a homeless shelter, if I did.

 

[geeteeohguy]

Man... this thread hits close to home. My Dad passed 13 years ago at age 89. He was a mechanic (not a parts changer, an honest to God mechanic) and worked every day until he was 88 because he wanted to. I spent all afternoon today in my shop finally going through Dad's tools. I inherited half his tools, toolboxes, workbenches, torches, welder, grinders, vices, etc. Much I will never use. Made the decision to get rid of a lot of it. My kids are not as interested in cars or mechanics as I am. Every tool I pick up has a story though and it is a very hard process. Probably won't get rid of as much as I planned LOL.
As for the retirement discussion... My older brother was a banker and watched over Dad's finances after my Mom developed Alzheimer's and Dad insisted on caring for her.
One day when Dad was about 75 my brother asked me to meet him at Dad's to talk about money. I did and my brother proceeded to tell Dad that he was not rich but that he was financially secure and didn't have to work another day. I'll never forget Dad's response. "Boys, I'm going to tell you what your Grandfather told me when I tried to have the same discussion with him 30 years ago. There is a simple 3 question test that will tell you when to retire if you are financially able."
1) Do you enjoy what you do? If not, walk away--life is too short to be miserable. If you do still enjoy it, go to question 2.
2) Are you still good at it? If you've slipped mentally, if you've fallen behind technically--walk away. If you're still good at it, go to question 3.
3) Are you still in good enough health to do it? If you are facing serious health issues or are having trouble physically keeping up--walk away.
But--if you enjoy it, you're still good at it and you are in good enough health--why would you ever completely retire?
I'm now 64, a family physician with 33 years of experience--I enjoy what I do, I'm in good health (sure I have aches and pains, some arthritis, mild controlled hypertension, etc but I work out 5 days a week, watch my diet and weight and stay current on the medical literature and technology). I have cut my workload by about 50% from my younger years and take every Friday off and my wife and I travel for vacation at least 4 times per year. My retirement is funded, I have zero debt and all 3 sons are grown and off the payroll. I guess I'm like my Dad... no plans to retire.

My dad was an MD for 45 years (Internal Medicine) and hung it up at age 75. It was his whole identity. Who he was. He took himself out at age 79, keeping control of his destiny to the last. His younger brother is also an MD and is now 85 and in good health, but practiced until 83. Both of my grandfathers were MD's as well---one a surgeon and the other an obstetrician. They practiced until they died....one at 63, the other at 77. Of course, I myself became a mechanic. I decided at an early age that being 'on call' 24/7 sucked!
I look at Gene Winfield at age 95 with a full head of hair actively restoring the Man from UNCLE car he designed almost 60 years ago, and at 62, wish I had half of his energy. Genetics are important. This is a very cool topic, even though the author is now out of the picture.