Retirement : Enjoying the fruits of your labour

Just thought of sharing this story and a little about my background since most people in this financial community are discussing about retirement. From Investopedia, definition of retirement means it is the period when a person chooses to leave the workforce. My definition of retirement is a very big word and a whole new and different step in life. It is the point of enjoying your life forever and ever without financial worries. It is probably the last phase of your life, a carefree one with the least stress ever throughout your existence.

Other than being a child with no worries or stress. I guess the next best phase will be retirement.

Examples of  the worries you have in your phases of life
Teen:  school, homework, studies, getting A's
Young adult:  financial, work, studies, building up a career.
Mid age adult: housing, loans, spouse, marriage, financial.
Adult with kids: children, financial, building a family.

I'm not too sure what worries do retiree have as I have yet to reach that stage. One day, if blogs still exist and I have retired, I will share and note it here :) But right now, from what I observe from my parents, they are really living the life.

Both of my parents have retired for quite some time already. My father about 5-6 years while my mother join in the "retirement" club about 1-2 years later. I would consider us as an average or above average earning income family. My dad was a civil servant serving the nation for 37 years which was his first and very last job. My mother hop around a few jobs, got retrenched once during the SARS period if I recall correctly. Fortunately, my father had an iron rice bowl. Both of them balance their work and family commitment very well, providing ample family bonding time together. We never lack of food, have a roof over our heads and basic necessities are not a problem. I am very privileged to grow up in this family and fortunate to be living in such state. I wouldn't dare ask for more and I am very contented with what I have now.

Now, both of my parents are enjoying their golden years and fruits of labour. I guess they do not have anymore financial worries and stresses because both of my sisters are financially independent already. I am very happy and glad for my parents, they really deserved this life. Having seen them relax and take their time to do whatever they like really makes me envious. There was once my father spent a few weeks flying his kite that he made which reminisce his youth days. He always proclaims to us that during his younger days he was the best kite flyer and he was able to cut down many other kite flyers who competed with him. He always shares with me lots of his real life stories that brings plenty of moral values to it. I roughly can recite a few of his stories because he do repeat them at times. Hahaha. Maybe I should dedicate a blog post to him some day.

Here is another short write up about SGYI's family background. I sincerely respect him for not being afraid to share his background. I sympathize for him because his background is not as fortunate and privileged as mine. But it is great to hear that he is doing very well now, with a positive mindset and a goal in mind.
A little story on SGYI's family background


To end it off
Retirement all depends on personal preference. It is not a rat race whereby whoever retires first is the winner. One can choose to retire at any age as long as you know whether you are capable of doing so. Some people choose not to retire because they rather kill their time at work or they simply love their job too much. Ultimately, one must not forget to enjoy life even if you are retired or working. As long as you are living and breathing, we should lead a happy and go lucky life. Bring a smile along where ever you go. It will not only lighten your mood and brighten your day, it also helps to cheer up the environment around you :)

#YOLO

Cheers!
Little Boy