# Countdown to retirement **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 25, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653 "2023-03-25T17:37:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 54
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2026, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1061 "2026-07-03T01:59:23Z")
Congrats to all the new retirement club members! You’ve earned it, now enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1062 "2026-07-10T15:43:14Z")
Five weeks today, and I’m done! It’s been a weird week. I had this idea to not have anything actually scheduled for my first month of retirement. Like, just wake up whenever I want, and just live life free-form, just to see what it’s like. However, I have to have blood tests done fairly often due to a drug I’m on, and my doctor wants me to get one literally the first Monday I’ll be retired ☹ So that plan’s already shot to hell! But I also keep bumping into things that make me go, “Oh, yeah, things will be easier…” There’s a martial arts seminar out of town in late September, and while booking my hotel, I suddenly realized: I don’t have to also book vacation time! I can just pick up and go! And just now, I watched two trailers for movies coming out in the Fall, that looked like something I’d like to see, and realized I can just go to an afternoon matinee any day of the week to see them. > **[New trailer for Hope just goes ahead and shows us the aliens](https://www.avclub.com/hope-trailer-aliens)** > > New trailer for Hope just goes ahead and shows us the aliens > **[Godzilla Minus Zero goes nuclear in new teaser](https://www.avclub.com/godzilla-minus-zero-teaser-nuclear-bomb)** > > Despite a franchise's worth of warnings, Godzilla Minus Zero drops the bomb on the monster in a new teaser. This is going to be great! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1063 "2026-07-10T15:53:43Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > I had this idea to not have anything actually scheduled for my first month of retirement. Like, just wake up whenever I want, and just live life free-form, just to see what it’s like. However, I have to have blood tests done fairly often due to a drug I’m on, and my doctor wants me to get one literally the first Monday I’ll be retired ☹ So that plan’s already shot to hell! Naah. Just mentally start your Month of New-Found Freedom(!!) on the Tuesday after the blood draw. Just be damned sure to not let any other appointments into the Sacred Month. But yeah, now retired almost 3 years and I find the existence of an appointment like that to be way more vexing than it should be. I also work diligently when scheduling anything medical or similar to reserve one week per month for all that crap, leaving the other three free. If you don’t do that, and let the providers’ schedules dictate yours, the random nature of each appointment X weeks or months after the last one will have your every month peppered with one appointment every ~6 workdays and no ability to travel or enjoy extended freedom at home. Don’t do that. Today’s vexation is a haircut. But I will be pretty for my date tonight. So there’s that. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1064 "2026-07-10T16:00:43Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > But yeah, now retired almost 3 years and I find the existence of an appointment like that to be way more vexing than it should be. It annoys me to no end. I had to go in to the lab a week ago to get some standard blood work and then go see my doc the following day for a standard wellness check. Quick, easy appointments and all scheduled weeks in advance. You would have thought I had to shovel ten tons of coal the way I was sourly contemplating the imposition on my busy schedule of doing not a goddamn thing 😀. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1065 "2026-07-10T16:04:30Z")
Preach it, Bro!! 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1066 "2026-07-10T16:08:32Z")
I feel this so much. I hate hate hate having a midday non-fun thing that is at a specific time. I am happy to own my out of control entitlement. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1067 "2026-07-10T16:34:41Z")
Man, I hear all of you. I have two sudden, unrelated health issues\* going on that require multiple visits, phone calls, and referrals. I want my “week-ends” to be 7 days long, not just 4 or 5. mmm \*Hip pain and a huge prostate, if you were curious ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1068 "2026-07-10T16:45:45Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > It annoys me to no end. I had to go in to the lab a week ago to get some standard blood work and then go see my doc the following day for a standard wellness check. Quick, easy appointments and all scheduled weeks in advance. You would have thought I had to shovel ten tons of coal the way I was sourly contemplating the imposition on my busy schedule of doing not a goddamn thing 😀. I have to get blood work done every six weeks or so, and don’t mind it. It gets me out of the house, and I often do chores or go to the library afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1069 "2026-07-10T19:17:29Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > contemplating the imposition on my busy schedule of doing not a goddamn thing OK, this made me laugh. I refuse to schedule any appointments (medical, dental, etc.) before 10:00 in the morning so I can sleep in. Which I never do, but I could if I wanted to, dammit. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1070 "2026-07-10T19:23:06Z")
As I’ve said many times, I go to a ridiculous amount of live music. Over 150 shows a year. Concert tickets tend to go on sale Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10am. Sometimes noon. That’s a blackout time. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1071 "2026-07-10T21:33:03Z")
I’ve almost never wanted to sleep in. I try to have all appointments _end_ by 10am so they haven’t destroyed my day. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1072 "2026-07-10T22:22:44Z")
Same here, I always ask for the first appointment. And, not having to work, I can select most any day. mmm ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1073 "2026-07-11T00:52:49Z")
Likewise. My pcp loves lab work and I’d rather not fast till noon, and requesting an early appointment is a habit by now. On a contrarian note, I kind of look forward to appointments since they give me an impetus to get out of the cave. And away from the hermit in the next cave, who gets on my nerves. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2026, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1074 "2026-07-11T07:13:24Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I try to have all appointments _end_ by 10am so they haven’t destroyed my day. Where I live local traffic is an absolute bear until after 10am and before maybe 3pm, depending on the day (Sundays with no major local events are pretty much the only semi-sane driving days). So my default appointment times are always 10:30-11:30am. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1075 "2026-07-12T16:06:11Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > they give me an impetus to get out of the cave. That was the main reason I started volunteering at our local museum. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1076 "2026-07-12T21:02:05Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Same here, I always ask for the first appointment. I do also, because the parking at our clinic is a mess and it is a lot easier to park for an early appointment. It is good for seeing a doctor because they won’t be delayed. Lab work is always fast, so not an issue there except for parking, and when I have to fast. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2026, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1077 "2026-07-16T14:14:33Z")
It’s strange to think that I only have two more Christmases with the job (Probably). I wonder if I should set up a weekly reminder on my phone. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1078 "2026-07-16T15:19:03Z")
Christmas every week would be a bit much. There are countdown widgets you can install on your computer(s) or phone(s) that will display the continuous countdown to whenever is your own personal blast-off. You might usefully install some of those. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1079 "2026-07-16T16:54:43Z")
I don’t have permission to install anything on my work PC, which is where I’d want it. But maybe I’ll do it at home. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/1080 "2026-07-16T18:11:12Z")
I had a post it note on my credenza that I used to countdown. It started with a 5, and then three months later I wrote a 4.75 on it. Then 4.5, etc. Just a number on a post it, no one ever asked me about it. A couple of suggestions. First, don’t be like me and start the countdown five years out. Second, two years out is fine, but I suggest that you countdown by quarters for the first year, monthly with one year to go, and then daily for the last three months. It actually becomes useful at that point as you decide how to use any vacation or sick leave before you leave. I ended up not working a single Friday in my last four months. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653.md?page=55)