Looking for the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Retirement. Update/ GOOD NEWS!!!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Since Dk has been a big part of my life for the past 6 years, I've decided to reach out to all you dear people who are living the retired life to share some insight into what retirement looks like to you now.
I just turned 60, have a fabulous job, work 3 days, 11 hours per day, work with wonderful staff and new mommies and babies. I make what many would consider very good income. My work days are long and demanding and challenging, both mentally and physically as I probably walk an average of 5-6 miles a day throughout the unit, and am standing a good part of the day as well.

BUT, I am just tired. Tired of the committment, tired of the responsiblity, tired of all the requirements of hospital employment. Tired of being gone 3 whole long days a week. I leave at 6:30am and not home til 6:30 pm and just come home and go to bed because it's such a long mentally draining day. (I am also up everymorning at 4:20 to go to Crossfit at 5:00 before work)
I love, love , love staying home. I have always been a home body and have many hobbies and activities to be as busy as I want to be. First and foremost, I have two amazing grandchildren that I see and have hours and hours of playtime with at least 1-2 times a week, However, I just feel like I am missing out on more with them.
And the finanical loss would be considerate, but it would certainly not send us to the Food Stamp line or buying Purina.
When is it enough? When did you decide and what helped you make up your mind? Does anyone have any regrets or wish they had stayed employed longer? I would very much appreciate your thoughts and feelings about this, as I am just making myself miserable with indecision. Thanks in advance.

update:
After so much great input from everyone here and discussing this with DH and family, we have our sights set for this Oct. I feel such a sense of relief and that sense of dread on the mornings of work is greatly lessened. Still there tho. Find myself wishing it was Oct already. We are preparing financially and it's looking very do-able with some minor adjustments, but nothing earth shattering. I am as frugal as they come, so my spending habits won't change. I always said I'd still be looking for coupons and sales even if I won a HUGE lottery. Just in my blood I guess. Thank you to everyone who replied as your input was valuable and all taken into consideration in this decision. You are all just such a kind and generous group of friends.

GOOD NEWS!!!!! I will be very busy in retirement. We have grandbaby #3 on the way!!!!! Due in Feb. Wanted to share that with my Dk family. thanks

[Camilla and Darwin]

Congratulations, enjoy!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thanks Camilla. Photography is on my to do list, so we will talk.!!!! :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Congratulations, Sue! 

I wish I could give some advice about the insurance, but all I can say is that you DH's plan is probably the way to go. You will figure it out and make it work, I have no doubt. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you Karen, that is so nice of you to give me your vote of confidence!!! I will plan it to death, that's for sure! Ha

[Pam Thomas]

so happy for you, enjoy every minute

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think you won't regret this decision. What my parents did some months before retirement was to limit their budget to the retirement amount and use the extra to pay off any bills including their mortgage and increase their savings.  I wish I had planned this well.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes, that is part of the plan and I started with this months pay checks. I'll be fine tuning the budget over the next few months and get my head wrapped around making less money. Sounds like your parents planned nicely.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

This is what we did for 6 months prior to retiring.  Helped us save a little extra and see if we could live comfortably on what money we would have.  It really is amazing how much you can cut your spending when you just stop and think before you buy things.  I'm always putting things back now when before I woudn't have given it any thought before buying.  But they are things I don't really miss.  My toughest time of year is right after Christmas.  I'm sort of a shopper at heart, but have done very well at cutting back.  However when I get in Christmas Shopping mode and then all of that comes to a stop it is a little hard to get out of the habit again.  Best of luck as you begin your preparations. 

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Congrats on retirement! When buying an individual plan (exchange or direct from the insurer) make sure the network used by the plan actually includes your doctors. Many well known insurers (even Blue Cross Blue Shield) now offer super narrow network individual plans that don't cover many major hospitals and provider organizations. I work for a very large organization that was not included in some of the narrow networks, much to the surprise of our patients, who assumed that their plan used the regular Blue Cross network.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you, I will heed your advice. Luckily I only have a Family Practice doc I use so it will be easy to choose a co. If he is included.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Congratulations Sue!  Setting an October goal has got to give you some peace of mind and something absolutely wonderful to look forward to.  After retirement, let us know if you are bored, or if you just have too much time on your hands and do not know what to do! LOL 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

LOL Linda. I'm thinking my kiddos will be helping me fill the time. One daughter wants me to get GS everyday after school and my DS is hoping to have another baby within the next year. I think my days will be full! But I'll be sure to let you know. Murphy and Bella are just estatic!!!!!