I quite like this in between period although I certainly have no desire to start drinking at 10am! πΈ I am however on my 3rd coffee!! ☕☕☕ It is a time when I have no idea what day it is and I eat cold roast potatoes for breakfast (doesn't everyone?)
I rather like this time to think and reflect uninterrupted on my life. What do I want to do now and in the future? What plans shall I make? And every single time I think about it I always come back to the question "When can I afford to retire?"
A few years ago I had a solid plan. I would retire at 55 in 2021, sell my house and travel with my long term partner who was going to do the same. We would spend 6 months of the year in Australia and the other 6 months travelling/exploring Europe and the UK in our campervan. Then when we were done we would buy a smallholding and become eccentric grandparents to our blended family. Obviously that plan died a death when the relationship unexpectedly ended.
Then the global pandemic hit and the plan for the last 2 years for the whole world has been survival. And it looks like next year is going to be more of the same. So I've spent the last few days thinking and planning and working stuff out and researching. I want to survive AND thrive!
I did my annual binge watch of The Good Life. I've spoken before about the influence this series had on me in my childhood! Info HERE for non Brits! It is of it's time (1975) and being more knowledgeable now about growing vegetables etc I can see the flaws in it. But it's themes of self sufficiency, frugality and make do and mend still resonate strongly with me. And it has inspired me.
So, doing what I do best, I got a pen and paper and went through my 2021 bank statements, credit card statements and salary slips. I made (many!) lists of expenses, necessities and luxuries. I investigated pension ages and pension amounts. And after a few days of much adding up, I think I've got a solid retirement plan again.
A plan that doesn't rely on anyone else. Just me! I'm quite proud of that π
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