True words. Just a number. 1. Took my redundancy after 19 years in a call centre. 2. Left my job earlier than planned as my Dad suddenly passed away, I got nothing no flowers or cards from that workplace. Just a Another Number, me 😢 3. Redundant at 53, numerous interviews, didn't work for 3 years unemployment, called it "my mini retirement" 4. Got a new job in aviation industry, loved it. 5. Then through my new job Mam died. I took 12 weeks bereavement sickness, went back to work getting a warning letter for long absence 😢 "Just another number" 6. Got sacked 3 months later cos of too long bereavement. 7. 3 months later I got a new job at Primark. Loved it, worked there 3 months until I gave my notice in. The commute of 4 journeys was too much for me. 8. At 58, currently on a another "mini retirement" I want to be a air hostess like my comrades from the airport. My airport friend Louise became one at 62. We have a air hostess with Loganair who is 70, yes 70. AREN'T WE ALL JUST A NUMBER AT WORK THESE DAYS 😮 TOMORROW IS NOT GUARANTEED. LIVE FOR THE MOMENT AND FOLLOW YR DREAMS, IGNORE THE NAYSAYERS WHO TRY TO PUT YOU OFF YR DREAMS. I am thankful for another mini retirement until I pursue my air stewardess ambitions, I am studying again for this job and applying for TUI Airways.
Les that vlog was so powerful and thought provoking . I retired at 56 and struggled at first. Took part time jobs but now I’ve realised that I’ve got my life back and I am embracing every part of it.
My working life has been similar to yours but in reverse. I spent around 25 years working and living in Middle East, Africa and Asia (two years in Thailand). Now I'm retired and live in Wales but still enjoy traveling to distant places. It's only now that I look back and think how lucky I was to have been paid to work and visit some very intersting places. I used to go to Patong beach, Phuket in the late 1970's when there was only a few shacks, now look at it! Places change but I'm finding that it's not usually for the better. Have a happy and long retirement. 🍻
@@RetiredandLivingthedream hi mate, my first visit to Thailand was in 1985 😁. Yes far better than now. Off topic but I am also back in the UK for the present. The tax credits and the double taxation agreements means they will tax you, there is no 12,500 personal tax allowance in Thailand.
Very wise words, Les. As soon as it is financially viable, I am out of the UK destination, Thailand. More affordable, better quality of life. Thank you for your time.
Right on Les! Really few people even think about you when you're gone. None of us are that important. It's only politicians and media who think they are important or experts and want to tell the peasants how great they are.
I know how you feel Les. I did a full 30 year career with the police. Retired in 2018 aged 50. I have never been back. Very rarely see any former colleagues.
Thanks for taking time to comment. I still keep in touch with the some of the Lads I worked with but my gaffers never herd from any of them lol. The ones who said well done best wishes never herd from them. Enjoy retirement.🙏
Les,I’ve retired from an office job that I’ve held for 20 years and that’s exactly what they all said to me on my last day. I’ve Never set foot in the premises and that was the right thing to do. Over a period of time,WE ARE ALL REPLACEABLE AND NOT INDISPENSABLE. After the office job,I bought myself a TAXI which I ran by myself for 30 years and loved every minute of it. Every day was a new adventure,new people,new discussions,different topics,different points of view,funny people etc. etc…. I can tell you that I MISS the constant interaction with the public at large. Overall,retirement can be a bit boring for some.
My boss I talked him into Retirement and he did not like it, he said worst decision he made, he was bored and regrated. retirement, he is now still working at a different job. I on the other hand embraced🙏 the freedom Retirement gives you and loved every day. Thanks for sharing your comment.
Spot on Les 👍 We're all just a number to our employers. I worked 35 years with the same employer, my senior supervisors never even noticed that I had retired until 2 days after I had gone - ha, ha! However, I do miss some of my old workmates, but I would never go back to say hello to them - just fond memories of my time spent with them.
Thanks for sharing I have met a few guys back in the UK and it's been great but I do look forward to me return to Thailand next month. Do not miss work and work does not miss me lol. The machine grinds on.🙏
It’s so true about leaving work without looking back! I’ve been made redundant a year before retirement age after 13 years in corporate life! I’m very happy with my retirement life now and filing my days without boredom! Started learning something new and taking it as my new hobby. No stress these days indeed. 😁
Agree with everything you say Les. I left a job once after 6 years. I’d been sick for 3 months, got no sick pay and no contact to ask how I was. I resigned after I got well. Was told by the company I’d never work for them again. Made me very hard faced towards employment and for the past twenty years I’ve done exactly as I’ve pleased with work. Retirement will be a pleasure hopefully in 3 years time at 55 🤞
Living in Australia these days, still working. Originally from Northumberland I may retire to Uk or somewhere else, but I will always return to Australia. It's home now. I can't see my 24 year old twins going anywhere, they've ben here since 7 years old. The same goes for the 2 step kids. They are 27 and 30 and have been here 20+ years.
Good take on your new life after work, i had an app on my phone with retirement D Day set to count down, i could not get away at 50 but much later in my early 60`s , i did not want to go on the state pension retirement date but got away before, i had a slush fund to bridge the time before my pensions started paying out ,saved like mad last few years and it did tide me over . good luck in your new life i hope you are happy from old England in the North :}
@@RetiredandLivingthedream , thanks for your kind words , i hope so , you mentioned never going back to see folks, think that`s a good thing , i think the Greeks have a saying "as one door closes another one opens"
Very Entertaining and interesting topics as always Mate. To be honest with you I couldn’t care less about what I will leave behind when I’m retired. Hopefully I’ll be able to do it in about 6 years probably in Pattaya. I’m totally agree with you LES I mean when you gone that’s it very few people will keep thinking about yourself. I guess is only natural. I hope your sister is feeling much better. Thanks again for your wicked videos. Keep safe Mate
Thanks for watching, live the life you want now your retired no matter what others say as long as your happy. My sister is on the mend now thanks for asking.
Hey les , My passion is to travel throughout Asia and beyond, I have two options, 1) quit my job and go next year while I still have a level of fitness . 2) work till 64/65 and have a healthy bank balance to travel for longer but may not be as fit .
Hi 👋 I think I have an answer to your question. Maybe you should consider bitcoin investment companies as to double your money real quick so you could get the dream life you deserve ❤
Great views on retirement. I am 2 weeks into my retirement now and it has been great. My job was never my identity. I trained up some replacements to manage the gear and all but know they have it from here and don't really think about work. Enjoyed travel while we worked so now we get to do more of that on a slower pace. Have been working on health for 2 to 3 hours a day. Getting back into meeting old friends and family. Planning some fall hiking trips. It's all good. Love being in control of my time now and not having to worry about if we are away somewhere and having a blast, well we can stay for a few more days or whatnot.
I have been following your Vlogs recently with interest . As you have said Redcar may not be the best place in the world but its certainly not the worst when you look around. Well done for giving it the credit it deserves. There are places I have considered living before but the world has changed so much and i now think i don't know that i would want to live there now its gone down so much. Redcar hasn't faired too badly the worst can be the grey skies. Interesting to have the reminder about Roseberry Square you can soon forget. It was officially opened by my grandfather. It was a shopping centre of its time. You will no doubt recall the Oasis? I agree retire as soon as you can life is too short and too many people never make it to retirement. I retired early 2 years ago and work was a means to an end for me. I have always had lots of interests so have never had a problem occupying my time. Its important to try and keep your mind active and dont think or act old or you will become old.
Thanks for the comment, I have walked around many areas I walked around as a child, and it is true Redcar has improved over the years, the housing has improved with lots of new development. Redcar will get there one day. Yep remember the Oasis. Once not a desirable area to live and now plenty of good housing in this area.
I Was a truck driver for 50 years Les enjoyed the old days more than today sleeping in the back of my truck in the freezing cold in Scotland now i had the comfort of a night heater in my cab but i would still go back to the old days. Even now at 71 when i am back in UK i always go see my friend and jump back in a truck and go tramping away all week just cant give it up,
As much as I love Thailand living in a van and traveling around Europe s becoming more appealing it has interested me for years and I may have to do it. I like the truckers life as I like travel Id have liked that job also. Thanks for the comment and Best wishes.🙏
The company I worked for had a xmas party for all the retirees. I left many years ago and still haven't retired. Anyway, it was always great to see the old bastads ( our affectionate name for them). Where I work now, it probably has fewer employees, but less personal relationships. Due to the fact we dont really work as closely as a team. So, each work environment is different.
I had a meet up with around 50 Retired firefighters I worked with, a great day out but none of us have ever gone back to the workplace for that coffee and a chat.
great video mate, vlogging and exercising - multi tasking lol. And they say guys can't do that. Very true about retiring mate. I have a few years to go still enjoying work but looking forward to stopping.
Thanks for the comment, another friend went to bed ok woke up paralyzed from the neck downwards 3 days in hospital and almost everything is working, left arm is still not working, apparently a virus or bacteria infection in his lungs and liver. ( Thailand ) Take care.
Spot on there Les, unfortunately there are a lot of people who are so institutionalised that they just can’t leave. I know of fireman, police officers, nurses etc who retire one day and return the next as a civilian. But then again we are all different and everybody to their own. Keep up the goods videos Les.👍🏻
I can understand why at 50 you would want to change careers if you are doing physical work. But stoping work completely, unless you are very financially secure and have a lot of interests to keep you occupied seems like a risky move.
You hit the nail on the head, I was lucky to have a pension income every month, I found a way to be able to live with this amount never a huge amount but I can make ends meet. I preferred travel rather than work, my skills afforded me to travel the World and have loved every day of Retirement. Thanks for watching.
Good one Les, retired at 55 coming up to day 600 and still feel like im holiday and will get dragged back to work. I really don’t want to work again. Very busy still have 2 kids under 18 and re decorating the house etc, been on many day trips with my mate who went at 54 (wife 10 years younger so got to do a few more years). Love it - living the dream 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on retirement Les. The past only exists as a memory. The present moment is all we ever have. Peace and clarity of thought come from living in the present. Retire from the rat race - start living again is what i did. Always have a plan B ready in these increasingly troubling times.
Les, fully agree, once you leave you leave. No going back for coffee. You are forgotten in a heartbeat. Retirement is the best job I have ever had. I have no regrets retiring 18 months ago at 56, wish I had done it earlier. 🥃
Thailand 🇹🇭 is great for a holiday but wouldn’t want to live in that stifling heat all the time. 🇬🇧 isn’t so bad if you live in a good area and switch off the news/twitter!
From AI : In the UK, life expectancies for white-collar jobs generally tend to be higher compared to blue-collar roles. Here are some insights for comparison: ### White-Collar Jobs 1. **Doctors**: - Average life expectancy: Around 81-83 years. - Factors: Access to healthcare and lower stress in some specializations. 2. **University Professors**: - Average life expectancy: Approximately 80-85 years. - Factors: Generally lower stress levels and better health awareness. 3. **Finance Professionals**: - Average life expectancy: About 80-82 years. - Factors: Higher incomes often correlate with better health choices and access to healthcare. 4. **IT Specialists**: - Average life expectancy: Roughly 78-82 years. - Factors: Sedentary work but generally lower stress compared to blue-collar jobs. ### Comparison to Blue-Collar Jobs - **Construction Workers**: 76-78 years vs. 80-85 years for professors. - **Manufacturing Workers**: 77-79 years vs. 80-82 years for finance professionals. - **Agricultural Workers**: 73-75 years vs. 81 years for doctors. - **HGV Drivers**: 58-64 years vs. 80 years for finance professionals. ### Summary Overall, white-collar jobs in the UK often result in higher life expectancy due to factors like better working conditions, access to healthcare, and generally lower exposure to physical hazards and stress. Here are some insights regarding life expectancy for specific blue-collar jobs based on available statistics and studies: 1. **Construction Workers**: - Average life expectancy: About 66-74 years. - Risks: High rates of accidents, physical strain, and exposure to hazardous materials. 2. **Manufacturing Workers**: - Average life expectancy: Approximately 70-75 years. - Risks: Exposure to chemicals, repetitive stress injuries, and hazardous machinery. 3. **Agricultural Workers**: - Average life expectancy: Around 65-73 years. - Risks: Pesticide exposure, physical demands, and mental health challenges. 4. **Mining Workers**: - Average life expectancy: Approximately 65-70 years. - Risks: Dangerous working conditions, exposure to dust, and respiratory issues. 5. **Truck Drivers**: - Average life expectancy: Roughly 61-65 years. - Risks: Long hours of sedentary lifestyle, lack of regular medical care, and higher rates of obesity. These averages can vary widely based on factors like location, specific job duties, and personal health practices. For the most accurate and up-to-date statistics, it's best to consult studies from occupational health organizations or government health departments.
When I joined the Fire Service Life expectancy was only 10 years after retirement, many things were do to improve this in the 30 years in the Job, thankfully the life expectancy is higher now. But I would agree with your results Thanks for sharing.
Les, can you check into the NHS changes (regarding people who had moved to another country but return for some medical care)? I had been wondering about this in a previous video? I'm curious. Thanks.
All the info is on google as I have looked, in a Nutshell if you have not lived here for some years you have to show your moving back to the UK eg house purchase long term house rental and the list goes on. There are many posts about this but this one seems to capture what they want. But as long as you have your National Insurance number you will have no problems. Hope this helps.
Lol..I worked in the civil service for 35 years and agree with you re work, I was glad to leave a nest of poisonous bast..ds , I keep in touch with no one. Retirement is the best, I've plenty to do. I also go to Thailand, met someone and the rest is history, it's beautiful 🎉 cheers lez
G'day Les. Your words couldn't be more true. I finally retire in 14 days after 45 years in the workforce. I'm getting all the comments like I'll be missed and drop in one day for a coffee, etc. All the people that didn't have time for me over the years all of a sudden want to talk and discuss what my future plans are. I won't be going back, sharing my phone number or address. When I'm gone, I'm gone 🎉😊. Maybe see you in Ban Phe sometime.
Thanks for sharing your comment, have a tick box as to how many comments you get out of the list I mentioned. Best wishes on your Retirement and enjoy, your always welcome for a coffee on the sofa. 🙏
Ihad 13 weeks on strike at the steelworks is why I joined the Fire Service and started the same day the Strike ended, best move I ever did. No money is not fun. Thanks for watching.
@@RetiredandLivingthedream... Our steelwork, shipyards, mines all closed together... We never recovered.... But good for you mate, I enjoyed your story.... Relax and enjoy your hard earned retirement... 4 more years to go 😢♥️🇬🇧
It must be strange wearing a coat&a grey sky I have been sick and not going out I was never short of ferinds but only 4 of them call around nobody from work called I am still dreaming about a buying a house r villa in rayong I have no choice but to sit in front of the tv I was a out door person enjoy ur retirement 😊😊
Sorry to hear of your illness .thanks for sharing I have similar experiences, there for everyone but when I was down no one around. I'm very self reliant do not rely on anyone because of this. I'm one of those guys who is always there for others. Hope you recover quickly. Best wishes Les.🙏
No i did not, once I went I moved on, the lads were great ( most of them anyway ) I keep in touch with a few guys but I still help others doing this RU-vid and helped many relocate to Thailand.
Hi Les, very interested to see when you do apply for your State pension how it goes as the form seems very intense through the international pension centre
Good video as usual Les.Been retired 19 yrs. Fully endorse about not going back to your old work place. Got into rental properties,when I retired but getting out now because of age,40% tax payer, increased taxes and regulations, Labour Government. Just got a new DTV visa for Thailand, will spend even more time in Thailand. Must pop down from Stockton later in the month before you go back for a beer/coffee etc. When are you intending to return to Thailand Les?
Hi and thanks for watching, I return to Thailand on the 11th of September and look forward to that day. If you have time then coffee would be good. Rental is hard these days the Law is in favor of the Tenant more than ever. Trying to evict them costs a fortune and they never reclaim thee money back as you throw more money after bad,🙏
As an aside Les, Have the new thai tax laws affected you and have you made any plans to mitigate against them should you need to, looking at some of the stuff it really could have a serious impact on expats like yourself or even potential expats like myself. Barry
Hopefully it won’t happen, but it’s put me off putting 800000 bht in a Thai bank or doing the 60000 bht month income retirement visa options, I’ll just keep my money in uk bank and use wise to transfer to thailand, maybe to my Thai g/f account that may dodge the tax rules, I don’t know,. But either way it’s got to be better than paying all the uk tax’s levied upon us, income/car/council/vat/fuel etc,.
Thanks so much for the Sub, very much appreciated. I chose to leave and I think many more will make the move. The invaders will own this country one day.
At 67 years I do not plan to retire. My job has taken me to Japan, Korea, Australia, Ireland and more only in 2024. Why should I give up my great life to become another bitching pensioner?
Very interesting comments on your work life…regarding the end with the bin bags,did they never offer you opportunities to improve your position or were you not ambitious for this? 30 yrs doing the same old every day and we all know the decline of the fire industry with great improvements in fire safety in all walks of life, I know people who were fireman all had small businesses whilst working with the different brigades and made a lot of money. You seem very bitter about it.
Not bitter at all I loved my time in the Fire Service and did over and above what my role required, I did go up one rank and qualified for the next rank and acted up to that Watch Manager level on my last 2 weeks of work so was in charge of my shift, great lads. I also had my own Electrical business and also enjoyed this. I have done many things that were not Fire Service related. Retirement and the ability to travel was my next adventure which I still do as much as I can.
Never bored I have the off day now and then but I like every day, Time to take up a hobby or other interests in Life. Your choice as to do what ever you want, Retirement offers the freedom you wanted all your working life so get out there and do the things work stopped you doing. Best wishes.😀🙏
When I left, I sent out a group email. In it I said...." Only work as hard as you will be thanked for ". Why did I say that? Because you can slog your guts out, do somebody else's job for them, and you get bugger all thanks for going the extra mile, but the minute you drop the ball on something, they're on you like a ton of bricks. So...." Only work as hard as you will be thanked for " 😂
As a gaffer we praised our lads at every opportunity and we had a great work environment making people feel valued is the key to a happy workforce. Me and my boss agreed on doing this and it worked.
As you were walking, if you saw a smoke coming from a house. What would you do? Jump into the house rescue people, dogs or cats. Others call emergency number and walk past the house😢
