Mowing for another year

[37 chief]

I was thinking of quitting my mowing jobs. I am not making a lot, but it gives me the ability to do what I like to do. I received a couple calls already, and said ok. I might stop a couple long distance jobs. My JD 401 seams to be running great. I replaced the blades last year on the flail mower. I put new front tires on my 96 Dodge 3500 last year, so no problem there. At 82, I'm glad I can still do it. Anyone out there would like to stop doing what you like to do, but just keep going? Stan

 

[rick n ohio]

Maybe you should just down size a little bit .keep a couple jobs close to home just to have something to do because you know your going to miss it.

 

[Dave BN]

At 67 1/2 I still work part time. I now do light maintenance and lawn care at the last place I worked. It's fun and keeps me busy 2 or 3 days a week. Having tractor and equipment knowledge paid off.
Dave

 

[Tony in SD]

Miss Candy keeps me busy with a back log of projects. So I guess I can’t quit lol

 

[Pete-IN]

I was thinking of quitting my mowing jobs. I am not making a lot, but it gives me the ability to do what I like to do. I received a couple calls already, and said ok. I might stop a couple long distance jobs. My JD 401 seams to be running great. I replaced the blades last year on the flail mower. I put new front tires on my 96 Dodge 3500 last year, so no problem there. At 82, I'm glad I can still do it. Anyone out there would like to stop doing what you like to do, but just keep going? Stan

I don't really understand your question. If you like what you are doing, why would you want to stop?

 

[Hoofer B]

If you are not making much, raise your rates

 

[Janicholson]

Several relatives stopped doing the work they loved and watched Wheel of fortune (they didn't last long).
The other day you said You didn't get tired mowing. Stay smart.
Jim

 

[KEB in GCMS]

My dad is 77, and still works 3 or 4 days a week and still works around the farm every evening and on the weekend. So I say if you are still able and want to do the work, keep doing it as long as you want too. I think people live longer with they enjoy life and stay outside and active.

 

[Dean Olson]

I was thinking of quitting my mowing jobs. I am not making a lot, but it gives me the ability to do what I like to do. I received a couple calls already, and said ok. I might stop a couple long distance jobs. My JD 401 seams to be running great. I replaced the blades last year on the flail mower. I put new front tires on my 96 Dodge 3500 last year, so no problem there. At 82, I'm glad I can still do it. Anyone out there would like to stop doing what you like to do, but just keep going? Stan

YES! I’m having the same quandary. I’m a self employed Licensed Master Plumber. Started apprenticeship in 1978. Started my company in 1993. Absolutely bored to death with the activity. But the money is good and my customers are great. I have a customer base 32 years deep. I’m just 62 and physically worn out. Had both hips replaced in 2019. Yesterday 1st of both knees, replaced. 2nd knee in a couple months. If it weren’t for costs of health insurance and property taxes, I could retire.

 

[Dean Olson]

I don't really understand your question. If you like what you are doing, why would you want to stop?

I read that as he doesn’t like what he’s doing. In my case been plumbing for 47 yrs. I’m bored to tears and don’t enjoy the activity anymore.

 

[SkipperII]

I still turn the wrenches, at almost 79 yoa. I have tried to give it up several times, but I have one friend that keeps coming up with projects for me. He says it's for two reasons., #1 every one of our friends that quit working, died soon after, and he wants someone to B.S. with. #2 he can't find anyone with my knowledge and skills. He has actually tried to find someone younger, with mechanical skills, for me to oversee, and train I question his opinion of my skills, but do agree that good general skilled mechanics ( jacks of all trades) are few and far between anymore. I also really like driving semi, for another friend, and have to admit the extra money does make life a little easier.

 

[will-max dairy]

YES! I’m having the same quandary. I’m a self employed Licensed Master Plumber. Started apprenticeship in 1978. Started my company in 1993. Absolutely bored to death with the activity. But the money is good and my customers are great. I have a customer base 32 years deep. I’m just 62 and physically worn out. Had both hips replaced in 2019. Yesterday 1st of both knees, replaced. 2nd knee in a couple months. If it weren’t for costs of health insurance and property taxes, I could retire.

Started an apprenticeship at 15?

Maybe you are ripe to find a young person to apprentice with you. If you're bored with plumbing, maybe you'll regain some enthusiasm vicariously from an apprentice... who might just be amazed by the sh*t you've learned over 47 years of plumbing...

 

[Russ from MN]

Good for you! I'm only 73, and I hope to keep driving my tractors for a long time!

 

[sonny2]

I'm 80 and about 10 years ago I started taking over in the kitchen as my wife was getting exhausted doing cooking, since she had a leaking mitral valve. Since she passed 3 years ago, I have gotten in to baking, I now have a list of 61 baked items and I am always looking for something that I haven't tried yet. I have a deal with a waitress at Cracker Barrel, if I bring her something that I made, she pays for my meal, you can't beat that, since I am always looking for a reason to make something

 

[chvet73]

I once met a Doctor who had just retired from a practice specializing in the elderl. His advice was “keep busy”. He went on to say those who kept themselves busy did just fine. Those who sat around shriv up and died quickly. At age75 I just keep busy. Plenty of projects around here. And it seems to be working for me.

 

[Ray,IN]

I read that as he doesn’t like what he’s doing. In my case been plumbing for 47 yrs. I’m bored to tears and don’t enjoy the activity anymore.

Re-read his post.

 

[Ray,IN]

The other side of this coin.
My mother passed away at 99, she wanted to live to 100, but the pandemic took its toll. Dad died in 2004 and she moved into a retirement apartment. She just sat in her new home, watched TV and played on her computer. So not everyone has to work and be active to live a long life.
I'm 82 and spent today sawing up a 60' sycamore tree that blew down last winter. Well, not all of it, the but-end and trunk is 10', and when I sawed the last block off, the weight of the tree changed and it stood up into the creek.

 

[sms]

Tried retiring but a beautiful women asked "could you build me a small house?". Yup,I'm a sucker

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I was thinking of quitting my mowing jobs. I am not making a lot, but it gives me the ability to do what I like to do. I received a couple calls already, and said ok. I might stop a couple long distance jobs. My JD 401 seams to be running great. I replaced the blades last year on the flail mower. I put new front tires on my 96 Dodge 3500 last year, so no problem there. At 82, I'm glad I can still do it. Anyone out there would like to stop doing what you like to do, but just keep going? Stan

chief,
I retired 21 years ago. If I ever have an urge to go back to teaching, I would bang my head against a brick wall until the urge goes away.
So far I haven't gotten close the a brick wall
Retirement is my full time job.
If I had to live my life over, I would retire the day I graduated college instead of waiting until I was 55 to retire.
Do what keeps you going. I have 6 rentals to maintain. I used to have 12. So I have slowed down a little.
Keep on doing what makes you happy and drop the jobs you don't want to do.

 

[Steven Allen]

Tried retiring but a beautiful women asked "could you build me a small house?". Yup,I'm a sucker

Good thing she didn't ask you to build a LARGE house!