Hi! I’m in my fifities and still working. Am also a widow with 2 grown-up girls who’re working.
My hobbies are playing badminton, travelling & dancing. Been to the States,China, Australia, Japan, Thailand & Malaysia. Would like to go to Vietnam & other countries when opportunity strike.
I’d been comtemplating on early retirement that’s why I posted a comment # 17 @ "What is the recipe for staying alive after reitrement! by Dan. However, nobody seemed to give me a feedback?
Thank You folks!
Hi Catherine Ho,
Welcome to the club, I am glad to know that your interest are in badminton, dancing and traveling. This is the place where you will feels at home.
I saw your comment, but did not response because I have problem locating the post after the upgrading.(Not a good excuse!)
The recipe i put forward are more in tune with how one overcome certain bad habit or indulgence in our later lives. I am not referring to sound investment or having sufficient savings so as to retire comfortably!
At this point of our lived when we are hitting fifties there bound to be one or two problems that we encounter.
Take an example of an alcoholic. He know it bad to continue to drink but lack the discipline. How does he go about helping himself or seeking external help.
It could be an over indulgence in foods or anything. The issue is to share here how he do it so that others who have the same problems may receive help.
We know that once a person thinks that just because he hit a certain age and decide to retire and relax and do nothing, that where the danger set in.
What can we put forward here to encourage each others. The remedy is not to stop doing things that we used to do, but to continue to be involve in any activities that we can join in.
Some of us who have gone through a certain point in life with regard to overcoming a habit, trait or craving may want to share with us.
Danz
Hi Catherine and Dan,
The recipe for staying alive after reitrement is :
“If you want to stay alive, stay active”
Elderly men / women can reduce their risk of heart disease by almost 50% with a casual walk of about one mile per day.
Physical activity also can help people lose weight and protect the body against chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure.
In addition to walking, doctors also recommend alternative forms of exercise like tennis and basketball.
Note : Staying Active both mentally and physically.
Mentally : Playing mahjong, Chess, reading, learning foreign languages, etc…. — good for the brain at least to avoid being Brain Dead by not doing any thinking at all.
Be Optimistic always – nothing is impossible – if there is a will, there is always a way.
Take good care of yourself – you decide what is good for you.
Have a Nice Day.
Hi! Dan H & Patrick Yeo,
Tks for yr prompt reply & advice. I totally agree wif all yr comments & knew them.
Maybe I need assurance fr retirees, since I heard there’re some who regretted after retiring.
How I wish I could be like Mary Lee(Perth)& her hubby Stephen. Happily retired as Auz citizen & enjoying life there!
I was nervous to retire since I saw one of my ex-colleagues finishing up almost all her hard-savings. Partly becos of her jobless bro whose family eats into her savings.She’s single & has to return to work after retiring for 2 yrs.No joke to get back into the system @60yrs.
I’m still comtemplating since I’d spoken to my boss yesterday. She wants me to stay on & promise to give me a lighter workload next yr! But again her promise is not a deed. U know how some bosses are like. It’s 3rd X I’d seen regarding this issue her since last yr!
I’m also afraid of waking @ wee hrs where everyone’s asleep & U toss ard feeling frustrated wif life. Tho I know, I can keep myself busy by joining SHC activities but how often could keep up wif younger frenz who’re in their late 40s.
Society is the greatest where the highest truths become practical.
“A trouble shared is a trouble halved”.
Grateful.
Hi Catherine,
Welcome onboard! Hope to meet you one of these days at the jam since I also like dancing and maybe we can be travelling partner in future.
Do keep in touch!
Enjoy our lives to the fullest by staying healthy and be happy!
Hi Catherine,
Life aft retirement is always an issue 2 debate on but I always think dat aft slogging so many yrs working, is good dat we can think of retirement, unless others whereby finance is always stopping them to.
To me, I am always thinking of when I can retire and when I can start planning life after retirement. BTW, I m just into fifty tis year and always targetting 2 retire at 55, still is. So right now, is work and work to earn as much as I would to save to keep myself self sufficient after retirement.
As for helping out family, there must a limit as to how much one can afford to help and within the comfort zone.
Of cos, beside joining SHC activites, you can help out in snr citzens’ activities, I am doing that right now, so there is no worry abt how to spend time away.
Well, if you cant keep up with those in their late 40s, join the 50s lor.. I know that here in SHC, there are alot of 50s SHC members that are vry active in their activities.
Cheers… Dolly, hope to see u soon…
Welcome to the club Catherine. Hope you find friends and good company here.
As for retirement, it is not something I look forward to. I enjoy my work and I have lovely bosses and colleagues. Work gives me a sense of purpose each day. I get paid leave too, like today!
And at the end of the day, I have some pocket money to indulge in eating (ooh, I like..I am a foodie), travelling and entertainment.
Joy
Hi Catherine,
I’m in my late fifties and still working and just taken the first step to join SHC activities so as to make more friends.
Hope to see you in the SHC activities and be able to share issues like retirement & travelling. I am hoping to pick up badminton but do not have any contact….
Cheers.
My dear Catherine,
Blessings! How are you mate?
You have done well in your family and work. Manage your boss’s expectations – do not stress yourself with over-demanding stuff unless you enjoy doing them.
Hubby and I lead a busy life since retirement at 45. Besides looking after grandson (now have to help with his homework as his mum on project in Paris); we watch TV (mainly global and local news, documentaries); do housework, gardening (planting herbs and fruits for own consumption); raise funds for Red Cross, Heart Foundation, Chung Hwa, St Emily’s Church, Little Sisters of the Poor; adhoc projects like selling herbs and pure emu oil at the markets. I write for weekly church bulletin. We exercise daily (e.g cycling, table-tennis, climbing, walks) and go for drives, fishing outings with friends and relatives. Occasionally I do project work for banks and government bodies or cook for childcare centres.
Besides health, we manage our finance – a simple and healthy lifestyle – warm and fresh home-cooked meals daily, eat out once a week, entertain mostly at home, celebrate Valentine’s Day & anniversaries with picnic basket to the hills.
For relatives and friends who constantly want to borrow money – teach them to fish rather than fish for them. Listen and help them manage e.g. how to land jobs or small business. Prefer to buy food, etc instead of giving cash, but an occasional ang-pow is ok.
Miss you already.
Heaps of hugs,
Mary Lee (from Perth)
Hi Susan,Dolly, Joy & Aaron,
Tku so much for welcoming me wif open arms. Mutual confidence is the pillar of friendship. Hope to meet all of U at the monthly meeting in July.
My dear Mary,
I miss U too and take this opportunity to let U know yr son’s Tees are still wif me. Reasons will let u know later.
Not everybody is so lucky like U. U still have a loving hubby to company U whatever U do. u work/play as a team.
I jux came back not long ago fr staff outing.( Compulsory)
& had dinner @ my sis-in-law’s pl so very tired. Will get in touch wif U asap ( always say a prayer)
If the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper says the Chinese proverb.
Terima Kaseh,
Hi Cat Ho and all whether contemplating retirement or not,
You brought up a very good point about retirement and the fact that many of us maybe living a life even up till now not one of their desired choice but one that just happened to have led them that way. The case of your friend in a classic example of living her life not totally of her choice.
I recommend that most of us should find the time to do this course ‘Autobiography Foundation’ that is sponsored by the Tsao Foundation and also the National Library. It is a road to self-discovery and finding the road that leads to a junction in your life where the is other routes to take rather than just continuing the way you have lived.
It is like reading a book and learning more about the person in you, what makes the real you.
While we concentrate on investment in the financial
aspect of life and health, let us not forget other equally
important aspect or our life, our soul ,our legacy
that we will leave behind and most importantly do we want to discover what we really want to do that is one totally of your choice.
So it is good to know , that here in Singapore there
are such programmes going on which many of us may not
know about and may just think , hey Singaoreans are
just a materialistic lot ? Well you will be surprised
,that there more things going on that we do not know
off and we are actually living in the environment that
is limited only by our own willingness to discover.
Time is always a factor , yes, but more importantly is
where are we heading, that is more important ? We may
be just rushing to nowhere or worse still, to some
ones else priorities that is not our own ?
So, it is about time to do some self discovery and
this GAB is a recommended programme, from my own
experience, and i was surprised that here in Singapore
there is such a programme . ( thought only can find
them in USA, or in Europe). Check the National Library of the Tsao Foundation website for the next course which is about 8 weeks but cost only about $80 for a journey into the world that only you can discover and change.
Then you will not only know you should retire or continue working or find another line of work that brings a new life and adventure on the course that you would otherwise never discover.
Website of Tsao foundation: http://www.tsaofoundation.org/GAB.html
Tell you friend that, do her that favor that she can find that junction to a world of her choice and find greater satisfaction and fulfillment. Cheers
Hi Ronald!
Tks for the kind and long advice. Much appreciated.However,
I mite not leave to fate to decide my future but will try to discover what I really want to do after my retirement.
First, I would slowly but surely try semi-retirement b4 I try plunging down the valley as tho like bungi- jumping tho I do have the secure ropes to hang on. U see I’ve this ht phobia recently even fr 20th floor when Im looked down. Maybe due High BP etc…
Second, in every grp of more than 2 or 3, whether is a club or church, there’s bound to be some conflict or politics among members.
Glad to hear from U & hope to meet up wif U one day.
Tku!
Hi Cat,
What I tried to suggest is do not wait till we are unable to do what we finally realise we want to do. Instead of thinking of retirement,think that at age 50 we start doing something new. See you at the sun badminton, if you are going. Cheers
Dear Catherine,
Just look at the unending sufferings of victims of war, natural disasters, sickness…you and I are two very lucky Teochew char-boh. I say my thanks every time I watched the news and then I question what can I do to help.
No worries about secure ropes – I will buy some for you to hang on…hahaha
Where 2 or 3 are gathered and if there is conflict, throw the water at the flames.
Love
Mary Lee (from Perth)
Dear Ronald,
Tks for all the advice and will give more thoughts esp after nearly 4 hrs of staff meeting 2day!
Sori, I can’t go for the game this Sun as I’d something on.
However, pl keep me posted for next Sun & also if U pp play in the evening elsewhere on weekdays. Terima kaseh.
My dear Mary Lee,
Pls refer to yr e-mail. tks.
Hi Cat
B4 I retired, I spent 2 years thinking and planning what I would do, work out finances and then made my exit from my workplace. This was important as there would be many surprises.
We didn’t plan on migrating to Perth. My hubby was looking at overseas property because they were still cheap. You can’t buy a house for less than 1 million or close.We decided to take a holiday to see what the agent talked to us about and B4 we knew it, we liked the block, bought it and then built what we liked.
What we wanted was to be able to lead a lfestyle that we would be happy with, after working for so long. That is, a house, garden to potter around as we are not shoppers, a car to see places, cool weather and low cost of living (col) to stretch our dollars.
We are glad that we could do that. However we are aware that col has gone up but it’s so even in S’pore. So, working out your finances is important.
Be content with a simple healthy lifestyle, surrounded by good and sincere friends. This coupled with trust in the Lord and daily prayers will help you to lead a happy and fulfilling retired life.
My 2 cents worth!
Joan (Perth)
Hi Cat Ho,
You have visited Perth. You are also contemplating retirement; just that you dont know when. You are a lady. Obviously, your interests and desires may be different from other ladies; or even men. You have reached a certain time in your life, where you think hmm, why not retire? That’s you.
But, do you think that other Singaporeans, your age, would retire? or really can retire. Many would say, it’s all up to choice. But, do you get the feeling that many Singaporeans can retire, on their own choice. I suspect, and I am still finding out, that many Singaporeans cannot retire, not at 45, 55, or even 65. Like to hear your view.
Terence Seah
Hi! our dear Mr President, Terence,
I’m quite amused by yr comments abt my interests & desires may be different fr other ladies or even men? I thought my interests are rather common ones?
Yeh, I’d been comtemplating retirement since 2 yrs ago! My ex-colleagues had all retired @ the age of 55, so they get to travel off peak periods which is cheaper in any tours.
If only U’re im my line of work, U would understand the level of work stress I’m going thru’. ( Pls don’t disclose my occupation here) Many wouldn’t understand unless they’ve gone thru’.
Jux like the saying goes unless U’ve gone thru’a toothache then U’ll empathise the feeling.
It’s not because I’d visited Perth ( which I’d been twice b4 )that I came wif this idea. It’s been there for quite some time. Oh yeh, the couple did encourage me to retire & settle there but that would be my last straw.
One has to attend to talks & consider carefully b4 any big issue like retirement. Of cz, it depends on our commitments & responsiblities.
To me, I still can survive if I do retire & the very most take some part- time job. What do u think, Mr President?
I’m sure U have seen many other members who’re retirees & are happily keeping themselves occupied.
Regards
Hi Joan,
Tks 4 yr sharing. It’s inspiring indeed. Tho I love the place so much, I would not migrate there. Partly, it would quite lonely there 4 me, tho I’ve Mary & U as frenz.
I’ll miss my family & frenz over here. To used to the bustle & hustle over here.
Unless I suddenly find someone I fell head over heels. Hee..
Bye
On June 20th, 2008 at 7:11 pm, the moon dropped and Terence’s hair glowed, eyes aparkled and he was as sober as a judge to opine that “…….I suspect, and I am still finding out, that many Singaporeans cannot retire, not at 45, 55, or even 65……….”
I agree with him that retirement for most living here is like the elusive mirage. I tried recently but found that I was fast eating into my savings and fast losing my oomph with my memory slowing down rapidly. While finding something else to do such as feeding stray cats has brought me immense joy I still find myself wanting : yjere’s no satisfaction of achieving something impactful.
Cat-Ho, it must be by God’s grace that yr mentor has requested you to stay on and will give you a lighter work-load. I am happy that you hv accepted it.
Hi Terence,
I know you did not solicit my views but here it is anyway, just my 2 cents worth.
When I finished my studies I seriously considered an alternative lifestyle where working was not the focus. I backpacked in Europe for over 4 mos, not working a single day. That was not very enlightening and I even considered working for board and lodging in France in an old folks home but was rejected since I could not ‘parlez vous Francaise’.
After that episode I came back to Sgp where all my friends were working and making money. So after going the rounds and having lunch with them, and paid for by them, I applied for a job and started working.
Since I enjoyed myself so much backpacking I resolved to do it again within 5 years. When the fifth year came,I quit and left for Europe again, also with a backpack. After 1 month I came back to Sgp and started to apply for another job. I was getting older and did not have the energy to backpack. Also I was getting lazier and found it difficult to cook my lunch in the morning and my dinner at night, so my expenses went up and my days in Europe came down.
So I started on another job and after some time thought how nice it was if I had a lot of money and did not have to work. Of course that was unreal. After some time I got married and my expenses went even higher. Kids came and I never thought of retirement. It was ridiculous and probably painful.
Along the way, years of still working I met someone who was rich and married even richer(wife had a Rolls). The irony was he had a very successful job too (talk about the rich getting richer). He also told me that he had resigned once from his job too. First 2 weeks, he just lazed about the house, (there was no internet then). Next 3 weeks he called all his ‘fishing’ friends to fish. That was good but after 3 weeks his friends told him THEY had to work and could not accompany him. So the next 3 weeks he called all his golfing kakis to play golf. This was also fine for 2/3 weeks. After which THEY also told him THEY needed to work.
So he called another set of friends (with unmentionable hobbies) and this went on like before. To make a long story short, he felt bad bothering his friends and they also started to avoid him. So he went back to work. I have not seen or heard of him as he was the US representative of his coy, last I heard. As far as I know, he is still working, with oodles of money, S$ and US$ etc, still with his rich wife (probably exponentially richer now).
Moral of the story? (if any) Man (and Women) must work. It’s a biblical truth. If you don’t believe in the bible, read Camus’ “Myth of Sisyphus”. Where Sisyphus is condemned by the many Greek Gods to work.
Even people who do not have jobs, have to work. You may not know about it, they may also not know about it, but they are working. Even if you are rich enough to have someone(else) open any door that faces you, you still have to work. You have to manage your money, so that it works for you. You have to work, or get your kids to work, so that they will not lose it, either for you or for themselves. Isn’t that so?
I once saw the Johore Sultan playing golf. Before he started, they drove the buggy right up to the cafe’s edge, crushing all the flowers in their way. He then stretched out his leg and an army officer rushed up to put his socks and shoes on for him. After this he proceeded likewise with the 2nd leg. When he went to the toilet, I followed along. Wondering if there was another officer to clean his arse. Unfortunately I was barred from entering his private toilet and I will never know, to this day. He may work less but he still does work.
So for all considering ‘retiring’, perhaps a better word is to ‘restructure’ your work, but not retire.
Cheers,
Your ‘restructuree’
I found Charlie’s story about how he followed a Sultan into the toilet rivetting. The submission meant for this thread is still being held in latest comments. I feel compelled top reply.
Restructuring your job and lifestyle is a means to cope with our rising cost of living. But this is a one dimension P&L approach to life. Try to maintain your bottom-line on a reduced revenue stream by cutting costs or eating into your balance sheet. Once you cut into savings and assets you are getting poorer by the minute. (I am trying to impress Charles the accountant. After his recent tryst, we have to be careful to court his grace. You’ll never know who is on his back.
Hee-hee
In layman language, you are between the rock and sea. Downgrade or be prepared to work in downsize assignments. It needs a stout heart and a paradigm shift. You have to learn to live in an area you use to consider “east side” or tell yourself to be happy in a job that would have previously reported to you, 5 levels down.
For most of us, our current PIG (Personal Inflation Gap) is running greater than -10 % pa. To keep this down, you would have to keep changing everything to house brand in the last one year or eat one meal less and pretend its a diet. Your average investment should be at least 10 % pa return just to stay in position.
So the way to a better life is to invest smartly. And avoid locking into funds now. Many will be at high risk come the last quarter of 08 and first quarter of 09. This is the result of a possible post Olympic meltdown in China coupled with a recession impact after USA’s Black Christmas.
Catherine Ho,
I forgot to get your mobile number. Could you please write to my email address so we can contact each other? It’s MeiliiX@gmail.com Tks.
Hi Wong KT,
Tks 4 yr comments on #21. It’s indeed q technical & practical. Quite amusing to learn that 1 will be poorer by the minute once 1 retire.
Sounds like our cars depreciated the mt U buy & drive out the Co’s garage! Ha…..
Not necessay so if 1 starts a new kind of job/hobby related to his/her interest.It needn’t be 5 levels down tho.
Think I’ll take Charles C’s strategy of restructuring my job scope & change my life style a bit.
1: – By leaving office by 5 p.m. since I start @ 7 a.m.
2:- By joining more SHCian activities & be happy!
Tku 4 yr all advice!
Cat @ #23
Retirement is not like bungy jump. If it is, it is so much easier. You take one decision to jump and its irreversible unless you can fly.
Retirement is like trying to quit another bad habit like smoking. It’s a decision to change your life and exchange comfort zone for the unknown. You have to cope with fear and pain of withdrawal.
Living off savings is NOT a plan. It is financial suicide today and a dead end drive to welfare. It is bungy without the bungy.
The key is Full Financial Freedom (F3). This is where you put a motorized glider to your bungy jump. You fly instead of plunging straight down.
F3 comes in two forms. Your own PASSIVE business or investment. This means you do not run a business actively or if you have to trade in front of a screen after midnight. You do not want to exchange your home detention ankle bracelet for hard labour on death row.
As a group, we have three initiatives for F3. Blue Helmet (see me; this is the govt’s mainstream alternative and the answer to all your flip-burgers dreams), total support for biz start-up (see Ron’s initiative and upcoming bazaar dates) and financial investments (FI).
Personally, I am fully KLKK for more than 10 years on FI. My big challenge now is to devise the system to live off our 6-star IR for free. This is like putting twin jet engines to your motorised glider.
For FI, there is a talk tonite @ Scorebot, 18 Bali Lane. Meet Oz biz partners and private equity. We are planning to start up Scorebot in Sydney, Oz’s financial centre. So its a 2-in-1 for Oz-destined retirees.
Cat-H, you lucky lass, work fr 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Me work from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. then take my dinner break b4 poring thru damned them all again till midnite…………heee, quite fun after a hiatus but for sure, if it’s like this forever, will rather take the bungy jump or just jump on Terence……………
Dear Tim,
Didn’t U hear that I changed strategy following Charles C’s
advice. Only 2 day came back early! But brought work home to do also leh.
No end to comparing to workload. Yrs is dealing wif law but mine is lawless one. Dealing pp who have no sense of law, loh.
U didn’t read what Wong KT commented no bungy jumping in retirement lot unless U can fly! Try S’pore flyer instead of jumping on Terence.
Mary C, remember the post if “jaga” at the oil palm? He..he..
He..
Cat-H, I finally hv access to a shared comouter from 4 pm today, and so may be able to find some time in btwn the grind to write. Will be leaving office soon as I am totally shagged working on the first cut of an agreement……………..heee, since when Mary-C has become not just a jaga but a oil palm jaga? I can poicture her wearing Terence’s donald duck turban standing next to the authentic Mr Singh………….
Tim, thin Tim,
U think 2 much & funny comments even yr work has commence!
Terence,
Are U sure there’re 2 Catherine Hos?
I 1st registered myself as Ho S C, then later had some difficulty wif logging in because I 4gotten my password.
U helped me wif it, from there I thought I’m the only Cat Ho in SHC.
I’m the 1 who posted on Ex-CHIJ-GIRLS and commented on Perth and last on this member’s profile.
Oh dear! If there’re two it’s quite confusing, then I better change my surname. Ha…ha..
Is true that I will get whatever comments that is posted on this website at my e-mail? ( according to MaryC)
Tku.
Hi CatherineH,
Please email directly to me with your email address, and full name.
Terence Seah
Catherine,
That’s according to what the other Catherine Ho(Kong) told me.
Catherine Ho.
There’s nobody lah. The lucky guy right now is Micheal, (pronounced “Mi-hall”, which is Irish for Michael)and the lucky lady is Sherry my daughter. Her mummy will be going on the tour with second daughter, Michelle, lah.
Incidentally, she’s 26 and still unattached, very pretty. Any ‘lucky’ guy for her? Hahaha. She’ll kill me if she knew I said that.
Ya hor, maybe can meet my tall, handsome, rich……guy in Europe, hee.
I wonder what Terence has got up his sleeves?
Hi Robert & Bishanites,
Great idea start a post for makans be it buffet lunch or high T first.
Can drive but can’t cycle! What a shame!
Sometimes on Sat free but not evening. Got church services only bet 5pm.- 7pm.
Suggestion:- How abt organising something for National Day long wkend?
Terima Kaseh.
Hi Catherine,
It was by chance that I saw your comment #33. Thank you for your suggestions for Bishanites. We will look into it when the group is formed.
Regards,
Robert