Preparing for Winter in Retirement

The cold, dark and dreary Winter can be a challenging time in retirement. Even in a mild climate it can be rough. I think retirement is as much mental as it is financial. Thinking about how you're going to handle the Winter months in retirement can be helpful. Planning on a LIVE Sept. 19th at 7pm eastern. The third Thursday of the month. Hanging out on the Corner.

[Bravo]

When I retire, I am going to put the snowblower in the back of the truck drive south until somebody asks me. What is that machine. Then I will know I have arrived.😂

[pattywheat]

My former boss, told me after he retired about 10 years ago, do not retire in the winter it will drive you nuts! As I am drawing close to hanging it up, that advice is front on mind. I hate cold weather and rain always have. Thanks for the topic :)

[ddellwo]

Y’all crazy? Winter is the BEST time of year - I can’t WAIT to be retired in winter and be able to indulge in all my outdoor activities without the hellish heat of Houston, TX………🔥

Not sure I’d want to go back to the long Minnesota winters of my youth, but anywhere south of Mason-Dixon winter is a cupcake and my favorite time of year……👍

[DaveGoodman-bywp]

I used to absolutely love summer & hated the winter however once I got wiser I now love winter just as much.

[stevegorkowski]

I am good in the winter. If it's above zero I take a 2 mile walk every day. If it's above 32 and no snow and ice on the road, I Ebike to the grocery store. I have winter gear.
I try to split tasks into seasons. That leaves me with things to keep me busy in the winter. It was so warm last winter, my fall and spring tasks in the garage were done in the winter.
Winter things I do every winter are to clean out old paperwork, update electronics, backup computer files, Ebike upgrades and do my indoor hobbies.

[blakemaa]

As a Texas guy, I don’t mind winter at all. It’s the summertime that gets me. Just too hot.

[maryalbert]

I agree with you on this topic. I live in New England cold and snowy. You need a hobby to enjoy during the winter months. We tend to have indoor projects to do . Last year we did our kitchen over. This Winter painting the living room. We take our time and the project comes out better.😊

[jameschristian]

I too have a hard time in the winter. Here in central Ohio our winters are somewhat mild. I retired in December 2022 and that first winter was horrible. This year I bought myself a guitar and I'm going to learn how to play it even if it kills me.😀 Keep the videos coming I enjoy watching them. Take care

[melvano]

Spot on! Winter is tough. I make sure I plan a trip somewhere warm for a couple weeks to get through it.

[johnstanfa]

My first winter of retirement. I know one thing. I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO WORK!!!!😂

[lynnhovater]

I like to hike in the winter and we continue to walk our dog no matter the weather. After awhile the cold dreary days can get you, especially in late February. We usually have mild winters except for this past winter. We were snowed in for a week in Northern Alabama. No matter the season, I’m thankful for retirement. I don’t miss the classroom and getting up early to be at school. 🥰

[jimhoge]

That’s depressing. Y’all need a winter activity! Northwest PA here. Exercise outdoors, hunt, cut firewood, sit by the wood stove, and do some indoor projects. I’ll admit I have to go south in Feb or March for a break tho.

[kellyenright]

More sage advice, Steve. I think sometimes it’s easiest to get caught up in the big stuff surrounding retirement and forget about some of the smaller things like how your activity changes from season to season. I hope you get a chance to get to some books you never were able to make time for or taking up learning the banjo. If nothing else, it might help keep the critters away. 😂

[faithwoods]

The winter months are tough in Chicago 🥶 almost time to hibernate!

[jimrinard]

Good word Steve. I hated working winters. So I’m looking forward to not having to work in the cold. I’ll deal with it at home the best I can!

[RetiredLovingIt]

A positive about winter is that we don’t have to get out in bad weather if we don’t want to.

[pepperh]

I'm glad I started my retirement in the summer too! I have my quilting to do this winter, so hopefully that will keep me out of trouble! lol Can't wait to hear you play us a tune on the banjo ;)

[jc]

January/February small game hunting. March/April turkey season. May-September fishing and motorcycles. October bow season. November deer season. December doe season and small game hunting. Rinse and repeat. In there somewhere I need to cut grass, cut firewood, shovel snow and do my woodworking hobbies and home maintenance. Not to mention gardening, reading and doing my honey do's.

[GarthVonMaraner]

I've got a huge backlog of Steam games I haven't gotten to play. That'll keep me entertained during the cold months.

[billgreen]

Totally spot on!!!! I retired from my 44yr job in October 21 called a friend in Jan of 22 and asked if there was anything I could do as an old bored retired guy. Worked there two more years. Left there last March and was so nice to have an entire summer off not working. Now facing the same dilemma again what to do this winter. Thinking of working again part time just for some extra cash and something to do. Have a couple months to decide yet. Great topic