Turning 50 this year, tired of working but still 10-15 years from retirement - any advice?

[Anonymous]

53 here. I did experience that at about 50....but that was more a result of health issues which sapped all my energy. In my case, it was a combination of cancer, cardiac, and diabetes. Won the battle with the first, second & third are under control.

Now, I sometimes have down days, but I enjoy my work and remain a high producer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:53 here. I did experience that at about 50....but that was more a result of health issues which sapped all my energy. In my case, it was a combination of cancer, cardiac, and diabetes. Won the battle with the first, second & third are under control.

Now, I sometimes have down days, but I enjoy my work and remain a high producer.

Aaaakk! What a thing to say. OP, this is very unlikely to be you.

[Anonymous]

I think about this too. I turn 50 next year. I feel more like I'm 35, but the thought of having to work Another 15 years or so is just depressing.

Managing expenses is definitely one way to go. Another is to find additional sources of revenue. Harder to make it happen but it's worth the effort.

The other thing to do is to find a way to love what I'm doing for my work, or find different work that I can enjoy. When I enjoy work it doesn't feel like work at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pay off your house. Make this your number one financial priority. Once you own your home you can retire.

Not if the ACA goes away

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but any advice on how to push through the tired feelings?

DH and I are 50 and over, and still have at least 15+ more years to go. Both of us still enjoy our work, but realize the economy and the health care uncertainty mean we can't retire until we reach maximum Social Security age. We haven't had super high paying jobs like many people brag about in the Money forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:53 here. I did experience that at about 50....but that was more a result of health issues which sapped all my energy. In my case, it was a combination of cancer, cardiac, and diabetes. Won the battle with the first, second & third are under control.

Now, I sometimes have down days, but I enjoy my work and remain a high producer.

Aaaakk! What a thing to say. OP, this is very unlikely to be you.

The point was there could be medical reasons...in my case, there was. I hope to god, for OP, if it is medical, it is more minor like thyroid. But being tired is a symptom. Sometimes of nothing, sometimes of serious.

[Anonymous]

47?. I started my Fed job at 25. I can't get full retirement until 62. My minimum age of retirement (born in 1979( is 57 with 30 years of service.

I have 15 and I feel like I've been working forever. I started in a science lab job at 21 out of college--until grad school degree when I started Fed job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:47?. I started my Fed job at 25. I can't get full retirement until 62. My minimum age of retirement (born in 1979( is 57 with 30 years of service.

I have 15 and I feel like I've been working forever. I started in a science lab job at 21 out of college--until grad school degree when I started Fed job.

Born in 1970. Not '79.

[Anonymous]

51 male. Think of all who have more serious issues like failing health. Working is a blessing because so many who wish to work are unable to. Like could be a whole lot worse...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:53 here. I did experience that at about 50....but that was more a result of health issues which sapped all my energy. In my case, it was a combination of cancer, cardiac, and diabetes. Won the battle with the first, second & third are under control.

Now, I sometimes have down days, but I enjoy my work and remain a high producer.

Aaaakk! What a thing to say. OP, this is very unlikely to be you.

The point was there could be medical reasons...in my case, there was. I hope to god, for OP, if it is medical, it is more minor like thyroid. But being tired is a symptom. Sometimes of nothing, sometimes of serious.

He said he was tired of working because he hates his job. I don't see how you get from there to cancer. You are projecting and it is not kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pay off your house. Make this your number one financial priority. Once you own your home you can retire.

13:58 here. Our house will be paid off next spring, and that's great, but we still have to save for retirement and finish getting our kids through college.

A paid-off mortgage is not the solution to all of life's financial obligations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay off your house. Make this your number one financial priority. Once you own your home you can retire.

13:58 here. Our house will be paid off next spring, and that's great, but we still have to save for retirement and finish getting our kids through college.

A paid-off mortgage is not the solution to all of life's financial obligations.

Agree. I want my house paid off by retirement (and it will be) but our mortgage is a small part of our expenses at this point. In fact I pay almost as much in health insurance premiums as mortgage. And twice as much for college tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:53 here. I did experience that at about 50....but that was more a result of health issues which sapped all my energy. In my case, it was a combination of cancer, cardiac, and diabetes. Won the battle with the first, second & third are under control.

Now, I sometimes have down days, but I enjoy my work and remain a high producer.

Aaaakk! What a thing to say. OP, this is very unlikely to be you.

The point was there could be medical reasons...in my case, there was. I hope to god, for OP, if it is medical, it is more minor like thyroid. But being tired is a symptom. Sometimes of nothing, sometimes of serious.

He said he was tired of working because he hates his job. I don't see how you get from there to cancer. You are projecting and it is not kind.

I did not suggest OP has cancer. Rather, I gave my example. There are many medical reasons why someone might be tired. For me, at least, when I am tired, and don't know why, I start with things like job or relationships. There are many medical issues that fatigue is a symptom. It is worth checking those out; most are minor (as I said elsewhere), some are major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 56 and right there with you.

Interested in responses because I have nothing.

Same here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:51 male. Think of all who have more serious issues like failing health. Working is a blessing because so many who wish to work are unable to. Like could be a whole lot worse...

and that is a reason to do nothing?