Working in retirement

If you have the financial resources not to need extra money during your retirement, then you have a set of decisions to make.

You can stop working and spend time on hobbies, travel, and grandchildren.

Or you can keep working.

But if you keep working, you should do what makes you happy.

My rules for working in retirement

Here’s how I choose what to work on these days.

1. I like writing, editing, and ghostwriting, as well as conducting and analyzing surveys. So I do those things. At this point in my life, I have a pretty good idea what I like and what I don’t.
2. I like learning new things. So I am always seeking gigs that promise to expose me to new idea and new experiences.
3. I like helping people. So I see work that helps people.

If it’s not enjoyable, doesn’t promise to teach me anything new, and doesn’t help people, then I don’t do it. No matter how much it pays. Life it too short to spend your requirement doing tedious work.

If you are shifting into this part of life, I recommend auditing your work in retirement on a regular basis. If you like what you’re doing, keep doing it. If you realize that you don’t, stop.