I'm 47. Should I Retire and Travel?

[guittguy1]

I've been brainstorming. My Wife is an LPN and will be an RN by Feb. She was talking to another RN about Traveling Nurses. The RN told Her that She went to SF for 28 days and made $10,000.00 take home!

So here's My idea. Seeing how I've always had a traveling jones and Our Kids are now grown why not do The Traveling Nurse thing for 6 or more months out of the year. She could try to book Her gigs within a days drive from each other leaving time to get to the new job and find a place to stay. Here's the fun part (for Me). My Wife has a small SUV that We could tow behind a motor home. We could live in it and rent Our house to one or more of Our Kids with the understanding that one room would be Ours when We're in town.

The benefits would be that We would get to travel (obviously). We would get the opportunity to visit Friends and Family around the Country. We could see all the cool places We've always wanted to. I would drive and do all the cooking since I'd be simi retired.:D We could plan to spend Winters in warmer places instead of freezing up here in Idaho.


I'd bring an acoustic and maybe a small tube amp and an electric guitar. I think the idea is awesome but I'm not sure how long My Wife would be into living on the road. Making that kind money She'd only have to work 6 or 8 months out of the year so We could be home a lot too.

[XKnight]

Sounds like a plan as long as you can afford to retire.

[lcjc800]

I retired when I was 48, but I'm single with no one to answer to. There's allot to being retired young that may come across in a negative way to some.
What would be the long term impact on your financial status.
What would be the long term impact on your marital financial status.
Is your relationship able to tolerate a swapping of perceived role reversal by others.
Is this her or your idea, does she even know your pondering this.
What is Plan B? In the event this is not a workable situation.

It sounds like a great plan, if you can get it to work, it would be an excellent opportunity to see the country on your own terms.
But it is a whole lot to sell when the benefits are one sided.
Good luck.

[mojocaster.com]

If you can afford it, I'd say HELL YEAH!

[pi22seven]

See things while you can.

Nobody says on their deathbed that they wish they'd spent more time at work.

[DiazDude]

I did it @ 43 and have never looked back!!

[fullerplast]

I retired when I was 48, but I'm single with no one to answer to. There's allot to being retired young that may come across in a negative way to some.
What would be the long term impact on your financial status.
What would be the long term impact on your marital financial status.
Is your relationship able to tolerate a swapping of perceived role reversal by others.
Is this her or your idea, does she even know your pondering this.
What is Plan B? In the event this is not a workable situation.

It sounds like a great plan, if you can get it to work, it would be an excellent opportunity to see the country on your own terms.
But it is a whole lot to sell when the benefits are one sided.
Good luck.
:agree

There's simply not enough info to give meaningful advice other than it sounds like fun. You need to look at the big picture, current assets/liabilities, what your current job is, how hard is it to get back, long term retirement assets/plan, is living 4-6 months out of the year in one room with the kids is really going to be a fun thing to do, etc. Heck, even the motor home is a huge investment that will not be easy to sell when you are done. Lots of missing details, but also lots of potential for a great period of time.

[GuitarsFromMars]

um,try an assignment before you agree to anything-this is coming from an RN who has done it.The economic downturn has not affected the nursing shortage(I am in my 23rd year,never have struggled to find a job),however,some of the employer expectations can be unreasonable.

[guittguy1]

Admittedly there is a lot more info needed. We just started thinking about this. And I don't think My Wife is as much into the idea as Me. If it's not completely mutual I'd be happy staying here and working a steady job. And the pay for what She wants to do is really good anyway. I told Her it wouldn't make sense to do it for money but rather for happiness. If it doesn't make Us happy then forget it.

[810wmb]

retired when i was 44

if you can swing it, hit the road and NEVER look back!

[guittguy1]

um,try an assignment before you agree to anything-this is coming from an RN who has done it.The economic downturn has not affected the nursing shortage(I am in my 23rd year,never have struggled to find a job),however,some of the employer expectations can be unreasonable.Great advice. My Wife suggested that We do it once or twice during the summer or spring. The plant where I work is slow from Feb to July. A leave of absence or even just taking vacation would give Us the opportunity to have a test run.

[tonedaddy]

Great advice. My Wife suggested that We do it once or twice during the summer or spring. The plant where I work is slow from Feb to July. A leave of absence or even just taking vacation would give Us the opportunity to have a test run.

I think your wife is very wise.
;)
The test run sounds like a great idea. For all aspects of what you're thinking of. It will certainly help you know if your expectations of that particular lifestyle will match the reality.

I retired last year at 51, and every day is vacation.
And the worst day of vacation is always better than the best day at work.

[mge80]

Is your relationship able to tolerate a swapping of perceived role reversal by others.



How and why would a "swapping of perceived role reversal by others" have any bearing whatsoever on a relationship?

If it does, there are far bigger problems than this.

[FiestaRed]

A lot of these travel assignments are on undesirable units or in crappy hospitals. Working hours are long and hard. Additionally these agencies want at least a year of experience or more as an RN -- LPN/LVN experience and roles in the hospital are much different.

Additionally there are agencies that hire RNs from other states as "strike breakers" for hospitals that are having labor disputes with RN unions here in California. Is that something that your wife is interested in doing?

[guittguy1]

A lot of these travel assignments are on undesirable units or in crappy hospitals. Working hours are long and hard. Additionally these agencies want at least a year of experience or more as an RN -- LPN/LVN experience and roles in the hospital are much different.

Additionally there are agencies that hire RNs from other states as "strike breakers" for hospitals that are having labor disputes with RN unions here in California. Is that something that your wife is interested in doing?
The RN She was talking to has only done it once. She also turned down a one day offer that was indeed for a labor dispute in Maine. If the work was something She wouldn't happy doing She'd rather work locally. I think She leans more toward using the opportunity to make some extra money here and there to pay off Her residual school loans.

We looked at some houses today just to see where Our hearts were. Just this thread has made Me think more about the negs. I really like My job and would have to think long and hard about walking away from it. And about having to find another at My age should We decide to come off the road. Additionally there are some great bargains on houses right now. A lot to think about but it wouldn't be for over a year if We were to pursue it. Thanks for all the comments and thoughts.

[mtmartin71]

I'm blown away by those who have retired in their 40s. What did you do to amass the wealth to be able to afford that, or, do you not have any debt? Even if you don't have any debt, to be able to afford to live decently for 30+ years without working still requires some dough. Sucks when you don't have an entrepreneurial/financial mind! Rats!

[Dr Git]

I'm 52 but i've been retired since I was 46, not by my choice. My back locks up on me from time to time, and I have facet syndrome on my back. Trust me i'm poor, but I manage to survive... Barely... Your case is different though. Your talking about continuing to work at least a half year. I say go for it, as life is too short...

[loudboy]

The benefits would be that "I" would get to travel (obviously). "I" would get the opportunity to visit Friends and Family around the Country. "I" could see all the cool places "I've" always wanted to.

Fixed that for ya.. <g>

Your wife would be too busy working!

[lcjc800]

How and why would a "swapping of perceived role reversal by others" have any bearing whatsoever on a relationship?

If it does, there are far bigger problems than this.


People talk, and not only among themselves about things that don't concern them in any way, but that doesn't stop them from being hurtful.


That would be one point I was making.

[go7]

Retired at 49. Love every day. Enjoy!