I have always worked hard in all my jobs I been involved in, in my life time I have only had 5 different jobs and the last one was working at the Tec College (TAFE) for 31 years in a non teaching position, I was 24 when I started there as a cleaner then doing night courses in welding and machining I become the steel cutter for all the classes for a about 2 years then become a T/A to the maintenance Fitters for 15 years where I learned a lot of skills, then the machine shops moved to another college and my position was no longer needed as a T/A and I become just a general hand/truck driver, where I worked with 2 other general hands that hated working hard (lazy bastards) and the bosses knew I worked harder as I like to keep busy all the time so I got most of the jobs that need done as soon as possible, but I also got all the good jobs as well.
Loved driving the trucks and delivering all the machinery to other colleges so I wasn't in the same place all the time and also got trips away, my work mates couldn't understand why I always got the good jobs, rewards for my getting things done, but we did work together when we had big jobs on when needed.
Well in 2013 a new Liberal Government come into power and they were on privatizing all Govt. positions and I heard from friends hi up if they offer you a redundancy to take it or you be out of a job within 2 month if you don't take the redundancy, over 300 staff lost their jobs, the bean counter were very active within the 6 colleges that was grouped into our college so one day I was working and I seen the bean counters looking in my direction and next day was offered a redundancy and if I took it I be gone within 2 weeks of accepting it they gave us full details of how much money was in the payout package a tax free bonus and one year full pay, but I also had full long service pay (31 years) as well 8 weeks holidays pay, so I did better than all my other work mates and ended up with 2 years full pay and because I was born before 1960 I could get my retirement super at 55 years old, so for the last 10 years I been living on my self funded super pension that a receive every fortnight, I also owned everything, my house and all, so it worked out great for me retiring at 55 years old.
Was the best thing that could have happened to me, money in the bank from my pay out (I didn't go crazy with spending as really I had everything I needed) I draw enough money out of my pension to pay all the bills, put good food on the table for me and the wife and dogs and a bit of spending money each week, I have a well set up shed/workshop and all my toys and my gardens, life for us couldn't be better, we live a simple life, can go away anytime we like and a lot of time I have my own freedom to go away on the bikes or just go bush camping, fishing, dirt bike riding or visiting old mates who moved away.
I have my lazy days but I also have very busy days when I have a few projects ongoing, but working at my own pace, I always got something on the go, my Norton is built the way I want it and is very reliable, the Thruxton, well I only do oil changes on it and chain lube as well replace the tyres when needed, the throw over saddle bags and swag is always handy when I feel like getting away and my new project at the moment is turning my 7'x4' box trailer into a removeable camper trailer with a roof top tent and kitchen at the rear that I can also trailer my dirt bike, my Land Rover duel cab is being set up for solar power for my fridge that sits in a lockable box on the back tray, with a 95ltr water tank, the roof top tent can also be mounted on the top tray back roof if I don't want to take the trailer, but at the moment am house bound till the wife has her eyes OP first one next week and the other eye in a few weeks after, so be March sometime before going away beach or bush camping trips and able to live off grid for weeks at a time.
So retrenchment was the best thing to happen to me and able to enjoy early retirement while still young and fit, I just turned 65 and still have 2 years before I can get my old age pension, but just got my seniors card a few weeks ago for discounted bills, one rego and free dental, so be able to get my teeth fixed up.
So keep active but never over do it work at your own pace, still enjoy your lazy days as well when it too hot to work, but the most important thing just enjoy life and don't worry or let things stress you out, all I care about these days is my wife and myself and the dogs and who care what others do around me, I do my own thing these days and I always give a hand when asked, but I have learned a long time ago not to expect it in return.
In 10 years of no longer working for the man, I still haven't had the time to do some of the things I want, but slowly getting there and I still have the Manxman project to build.
Just enjoy life and have fun no matter what happens around you.
Ashley
