[The Champ]

I retired from full time employment in 2018 at the age of 64. Just didn't want to work 5 days a week anymore and couldn't work out a deal with my employer for a 4 day week. Why didn't I want to work 5 days a week? Four major surgeries between 2006 and 2017 (3 time cancer survivor).

Found myself a very good paying 3 day per week outside sales position (sales is what I did). After a year and a half, we went on a trip to Italy and before we left I decided I didn't want that job anymore, so I gave my boss 30 days notice and filed for my SS. After returning from Italy I lasted about 6 weeks before I took a position 2 days a week driving shuttle for a local GM dealership.

Did that until 2021. Bought my new Cadillac with the employee pricing perk and then found a better position as a Logistic Service Rep for a medical service courier. Higher pay, paid holidays, PTO and the ability to participate in the company 401K. Worked 2 - 3 days per week until last Dec 31st when I retired again (for the most part). I'm now what they call 'Exteme Part Time'. I've worked 5 days all year....

My wife retired last June. That is when we first started drawing on our 401K/IRA money.

Since the end of the year, we've vacationed in Myrtle Beach, SC in January for our 52nd wedding anniversary, MCAS Yuma, Arizona in the middle of March to visit our grandson (back in the states to attend a Weapons Technology Training in Yuma - he's a Marine Osprey Crew Chief stationed in Okinawa). Branson, MO in early April for a week of shows and golf, back to Yuma to see our grandson graduate (top of his class) in late April, even knowing that we'd only get to see him for 3 - 4 hours, so we booked a side trip to Palm Springs, CA and just got back from a week in Nashville, TN for CMA Fest.

In July we'll be spending July, 8 - 12th at the Iola Old Car Show (the show is the 10 - 12th, but we rented a lake cabin).

September we'll be back in TN for 3 nights early in the month than a week in the Black Hills of SD the last week.

As it stands right now, I know of 4 more days that I will work the rest of this year, and 5 days I'll work in 2026. In February (I turn 72) I'll need to decide if I want to totally retire from my arduous work schedule.

My part time work (on my terms) in retirement has helped allow us the ability to travel.
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All though I have some chronic health issues (diabetes and chronic kidney disease - complicated by the loss of 1 kidney to cancer), I'm still pretty healthy. I was told by my Nephrologists over 4 years ago that I'd be on dialysis within 2 years. It appears my work efforts to keep myself healthy are paying dividends. I average 4 -5 miles per day walking, golf, downhill ski. I keep my weight around 150 and blood sugars inline through my activity levels and diet which makes my current health team happy.

I'm hoping for at least 10 more good travel years and after that I might have to slow down a little.