When I first retired (at 42) from my regular job, my plan was to work part time as a substitute teacher and have free time to travel to wherever DH was working. (He's on the road for his work and usually gone 2-3 weeks at a time. His time at home is usually 3 days and then he is back on the road.) That plan quickly fizzled out when, first, DH's grandmother and then his mother came to live with us (me) due to health issues. After they left, DH was off work for several months for neck surgery. By the time he returned to work, his mother's, my mother's and my grandmother's health issues were taking up more time. Needless to say, the school wasn't interested in a substitute who was always turning down work so the calls stopped coming. Since I was stuck at home so much, I started learning more about homesteading and sustainability and trying out new things- adding chickens, rabbits, goats, gardening etc...
I really don't miss my day job- I have lots of work to do here at home and some added benefits I never had in the "regular workforce."
For starters: A view! I worked 10 years in a high school classroom that didn't have windows. Now I can look outside anytime I want to!
Investments! I pick my "stock" and watch it closely.
On-site day care! The only person taking care of my littles is me!
A flexible schedule! Sure the rooster crows every morning but who cares if I show up to work in my jammies? I can get dressed when I want!
All you can eat salad bar! Or whatever else I want to eat. No more cafeteria food, the menu is what I make it.
Dirt! At some point in every job you have to get down to the nitty-gritty. At the end of the day, though, the dirt on my hands is mine!
