Retirement Thread

[Mosbonian]

After the positive responses and congratulations on my Retirement thread, the idea came to me that there should be a thread that helps everyone prepare for the eventuality of retirement.

There were many great ideas, comments and great suggestions that came out of the conversation. What I would like to do is put this here as a repository for information for anyone who is:

• Ready to retire
• Close to retirement
• Beginning to plan for retirement

One of the things I came to find out is that no matter how much I had thought I was prepared for retirement, there were still things I had not pondered or prepared for.

So this thread is for all your questions, comments, advice to help others that are close to retirement.

I mean....this board is about a year and a half away from being around for a quarter of a century, and many of us who have been around are there already.

So, please feel free to contribute!

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Woogieman

I lived on Roatan for a year just before the bank crisis...the $ god's saw to it that I would not retire early. What did you think of my fair island? MY ISLAND!!

I love YOUR island... I love Utila just as much, but Roatan does have more "to do"... That said, the AirBNB we were in did have a fire in the detached laundry room that the maids use (we didn't have access to it), so I got to fight a fire with some Honduran fire fighters, so that's marked off my list of things to do. I usually either stay at Anthony's Key or CoCo View (when I'm leading dive trips), or somewhere around Sundowner's if I'm there with a smaller friends-and-family group, but this last time the AirBNB was waaaay west (1,500 feet from the most southwest point on Roatan!!) and we dove out of Infinity Bay (IB). I got to know a lady who has a condo in IB so next time I'm there with just the family we'll work with her and stay there. LOVED their house reef!

So I love YOUR island!!

[Woogieman]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

I love YOUR island... I love Utila just as much, but Roatan does have more "to do"... That said, the AirBNB we were in did have a fire in the detached laundry room that the maids use (we didn't have access to it), so I got to fight a fire with some Honduran fire fighters, so that's marked off my list of things to do. I usually either stay at Anthony's Key or CoCo View (when I'm leading dive trips), or somewhere around Sundowner's if I'm there with a smaller friends-and-family group, but this last time the AirBNB was waaaay west (1,500 feet from the most southwest point on Roatan!!) and we dove out of Infinity Bay (IB). I got to know a lady who has a condo in IB so next time I'm there with just the family we'll work with her and stay there. LOVED their house reef!

So I love YOUR island!!

I assumed you were a diver, then I saw that you teach scuba! Amazing place for scuba and snorkeling. From my house, I could walk to Infinity Bay...seeing brain coral without getting your hair completely wet is pretty damned good diving. I met a guy at IB bar who was a Mizzou grad from St Lou and fellow sports lover. We listened to Elite 8 run at the bar, watched the Super Bowl on the beach with fire dancers and a few hundred gringos. I think that was the dark era of Chiefs FB, so I didn't miss anything by not having cable.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Woogieman

I assumed you were a diver, then I saw that you teach scuba! Amazing place for scuba and snorkeling. From my house, I could walk to Infinity Bay...seeing brain coral without getting your hair completely wet is pretty damned good diving. I met a guy at IB bar who was a Mizzou grad from St Lou and fellow sports lover. We listened to Elite 8 run at the bar, watched the Super Bowl on the beach with fire dancers and a few hundred gringos. I think that was the dark era of Chiefs FB, so I didn't miss anything by not having cable.

The AirBNB was just up "cardiac hill" from IB, and man did we all have a great time. The dive shop was awesome (no hassles about me teaching while I was there), and that house reef, just like you said, was something we dove most afternoons. And while IB's beach bar was cool (the found zero-sugar tonic for me!!!) it was spendy, so we spent a lot of time up the beach at the Banarama bar (that's where the non-divers would be when we got back from our morning boat dives), and it was pretty darm OK, close, and a decent price. But nothing beats Sundowners, it's still my go-to bar and a fun boat taxi from far down south..

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Egypt with the younger son is going to be epic... I don't think I've been so excited to go on a trip as I am for this one. And in a proud dad moment, I'm more than sure I'm going to pause for a moment when we splash for the first time on 9/1/2024 that while his early diving career is different than mine was, at that moment, I'm be diving with my son who will be more qualified in some areas of the industry than me. Yeah, I'm smiling ear-to-ear. And I'm going to certify him in both wreck and advanced wreck diving in the north Red Sea - something I told him he'd have to wait for. It's time, now he just has to show me that he's ready to complete the certification.

I lived on a Kibbutz about 45 minutes from the Red Sea for about 8 months/ Use to go down to the beach and snorkel in the Red Sea. The coral was so bright and it went on for miles. Cant imagine being able to dive and see it right in front of your face. Way cool that you'll be seeing it with your son up close.

Warning..... do not go anywhere in Egypt that's not touristry. That's the only areas where the Egyptian's keep a tight lid on crime. You may get mugged outside those areas but thats not the big deal. Kidnapping and ransom is rampant. When I was living in that area, Americans were welcome. Far from it these days. Rape of Female tourists is rampant outside the tourist areas.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I lived on a Kibbutz about 45 minutes from the Red Sea for about 8 months/ Use to go down to the beach and snorkel in the Red Sea. The coral was so bright and it went on for miles. Cant imagine being able to dive and see it right in front of your face. Way cool that you'll be seeing it with your son up close.

Warning..... do not go anywhere in Egypt that's not touristry. That's the only areas where the Egyptian's keep a tight lid on crime. You may get mugged outside those areas but thats not the big deal. Kidnapping and ransom is rampant. When I was living in that area, Americans were welcome. Far from it these days. Rape of Female tourists is rampant outside the tourist areas.

I've lead trips to the Red Sea out of both Hurghada and Port Ghalib and I've told my clients, "If you think you've seen reef in the Caribbean, just wait..." And while I'll certify my son (if he passes all the skills) in wreck, then advanced wreck, this is just a fun trip to celebrate him entering his career - mine IT career comes to an end and his diving career begins, it's cool. He's still got a long way to go to achieve his goal of being a saturation diver, but with hard work and attention to detail, he'll gwet there.

And you're right, any of my clients who choose to do a land tour while in Egypt know that they should only go with well known transportation companies and touring companies. I personally don't do them, I've seen as much of the pyramids as I want to see, and if I'm going to see stacked rocks, I'm going to Italy!!! , but I will certainly help them is they want.

Much like a trips to Fiji and the Maldives I'm leading in 2025, many people want to take advantage of places in the area, so a number of folks going to Fiji are going to hangout in Hawaii for a few days before the hop to Fiji (that one I might do), and some going to the Maldives are going to hang in Sri Lanka for a spell.

I love traveling...

[Woogieman]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

The AirBNB was just up "cardiac hill" from IB, and man did we all have a great time. The dive shop was awesome (no hassles about me teaching while I was there), and that house reef, just like you said, was something we dove most afternoons. And while IB's beach bar was cool (the found zero-sugar tonic for me!!!) it was spendy, so we spent a lot of time up the beach at the Banarama bar (that's where the non-divers would be when we got back from our morning boat dives), and it was pretty darm OK, close, and a decent price. But nothing beats Sundowners, it's still my go-to bar and a fun boat taxi from far down south..

"Cardiac Hill"! I used to get up every morning before 6 becasue the sun was so bright...I'd slam a smoothie or coffee and attack Cardiac Hill. I think it took me 3 months of fail before i could slow jog/walk to the top. And SUndowners...what a kick! I used to go there on cruise ship days waiting for the "antelope with the injured hoof". One night, I chatted up a Dutch beauty who for some reason was buying everything I was selling. Turns out, she was there with a guy that she obviously wasn't terribly close to, but the sucker was back at the airport waiting for lost luggage! They were staying in the West End so she dropped off her carry-on at the room and went streight to Sundowners. We hit it off REALLY well, and she had her hand on my upper thigh when a VERY unhappy looking Euro walked up and grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the bar. She managed to make two people very unhappy that night! She was half my age and hotter than donut grease...the big fish that got away. Good times though with Chippy next door to Sundowners who claimed he was the brother of one of the Stones. He used to sell pints and showed movies on Fri nights on the side of his Fish and Chips truck.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Woogieman

"Cardiac Hill"! I used to get up every morning before 6 becasue the sun was so bright...I'd slam a smoothie or coffee and attack Cardiac Hill. I think it took me 3 months of fail before i could slow jog/walk to the top. And SUndowners...what a kick! I used to go there on cruise ship days waiting for the "antelope with the injured hoof". One night, I chatted up a Dutch beauty who for some reason was buying everything I was selling. Turns out, she was there with a guy that she obviously wasn't terribly close to, but the sucker was back at the airport waiting for lost luggage! They were staying in the West End so she dropped off her carry-on at the room and went streight to Sundowners. We hit it off REALLY well, and she had her hand on my upper thigh when a VERY unhappy looking Euro walked up and grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the bar. She managed to make two people very unhappy that night! She was half my age and hotter than donut grease...the big fish that got away. Good times though with Chippy next door to Sundowners who claimed he was the brother of one of the Stones. He used to sell pints and showed movies on Fri nights on the side of his Fish and Chips truck.

Cardiac hill is a trip, that God for the Grand Roatan kinda half way up, it had a great bar (I taught them how to make "Baby Beers" shots)and free pool table. So after our afternoon shore dives at IB we'd shower at the dive shop or the lady's condo, mosey up the beach to Bananarama, have something to eat and some libations, and on the way back to the AirBNB we'd stop off at the Grand Roatan (THAT PLACE IS FREAKING NICE!!!) for some additional libations and most evenings the front desk help (who loved us) would golf cart us up to the house. That was during the eclipse, and when we showed the hotel staff the boob eclipse pic, we were welcome anytime. And because they're not Americans, the lady staff like it just as much as the dudes..

It was an epic trip...

Image: Not Safe for Work

[Woogieman]

Awesome!
If you ever get back down there and have a big group, this is my sister/bro-in-law's place where I lived. 3 BRs, a Bath and kitchenette downstairs, main level kitchen/LR and half bath, and primary bed/bath on third level. Decks everywhere, a pool, outdoor bar. It's on the hilltop so it gets beautiful cooling breezes every day about 3pm...about a 5 minute walk to Bananarama.

https://www.vrbo.com/648330

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Woogieman

Awesome!
If you ever get back down there and have a big group, this is my sister/bro-in-law's place where I lived. 3 BRs, a Bath and kitchenette downstairs, main level kitchen/LR and half bath, and primary bed/bath on third level. Decks everywhere, a pool, outdoor bar. It's on the hilltop so it gets beautiful cooling breezes every day about 3pm...about a 5 minute walk to Bananarama.

https://www.vrbo.com/648330

Will do. The next trip for our little travel group (we have a "little" group [7 of us] and a "big" group [~20 of us]) is October in Coz, but I'll definitely tell them about this for next time we go to Roatan on a friends and family trip.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Woogieman

Awesome!
If you ever get back down there and have a big group, this is my sister/bro-in-law's place where I lived. 3 BRs, a Bath and kitchenette downstairs, main level kitchen/LR and half bath, and primary bed/bath on third level. Decks everywhere, a pool, outdoor bar. It's on the hilltop so it gets beautiful cooling breezes every day about 3pm...about a 5 minute walk to Bananarama.

https://www.vrbo.com/648330

I went to Roatan on a cruise. Took a bus over to the beach to snorkel among the coral, beautiful blue water and hang at the beach. We went by some of the poorest looking neighborhoods. Looked like no electricity or running water in these neighborhoods. Beach and coral were excellent but that looked like an mid-Sahara Africa destitute place.

[Woogieman]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I went to Roatan on a cruise. Took a bus over to the beach to snorkel among the coral, beautiful blue water and hang at the beach. We went by some of the poorest looking neighborhoods. Looked like no electricity or running water in these neighborhoods. Beach and coral were excellent but that looked like an mid-Sahara Africa destitute place.

Yep, when I lived there, a labroer would make $5 USD a day. They have little roadside puperias that sell small bags of rice and beans, 6 eggs, little cartons of milk, because that's all they can afford on the way home. The poor enclaves are mostly mainlanders that come to Roatan for work (very little economic activity in the mainland). The residents of the isalnd are descendants of African slaves and are VERY proud of their English schooling and churching, and far MUCH better than the hispanic mainlanders. They actually look down on them because they are so destitute, father and brothers will prostitute their young daughters and sisters. It's soul crushing but I've seen it first hand. The Hill Folk live in concrete "foundations" (appears as if it was going to be a neighborhood but construction stopped), which is ok until rainy season. I took some workers home one day into the hills, and those roads are impossible to describe...as are the living conditions.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

I've for some red beans soaking. When I was in Roatan earlier this month one of the people on out trip was a man from Belize (, here it comes!!!), and he made traditional Belizean Beans and Rice. I hope mine come out something as awesome as he made..

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Well here we go.. I made the onions and garlic large enough to pick out (request from family members...), so we shall see...

Originally Posted by Woogieman

Yep, when I lived there, a labroer would make $5 USD a day. They have little roadside puperias that sell small bags of rice and beans, 6 eggs, little cartons of milk, because that's all they can afford on the way home. The poor enclaves are mostly mainlanders that come to Roatan for work (very little economic activity in the mainland). The residents of the isalnd are descendants of African slaves and are VERY proud of their English schooling and churching, and far MUCH better than the hispanic mainlanders. They actually look down on them because they are so destitute, father and brothers will prostitute their young daughters and sisters. It's soul crushing but I've seen it first hand. The Hill Folk live in concrete "foundations" (appears as if it was going to be a neighborhood but construction stopped), which is ok until rainy season. I took some workers home one day into the hills, and those roads are impossible to describe...as are the living conditions.

Speaking of beans and rice.. One of the people in the AirBNB with us was another instructor from Belize (in b4 the Belize jokes pour in...), and he showed us how to make Belezian beans and rice. Man was it good, I quoted my effort from the "What's for Dinner" tread.

Beans and rice is sooooo simple and SOOOOOO good!