There is much to be anxious about when regular full time paid employment ends- be it through redundancy or retirement, early or late. Today few can expect comfortable good pensions with no money worries. And now there could easily be 30 or more years ahead of you.

Things are not as bleak or …]]> Life after work need not end.

There is much to be anxious about when regular full time paid employment ends- be it through redundancy or retirement, early or late. Today few can expect comfortable good pensions with no money worries. And now there could easily be 30 or more years ahead of you.

Things are not as bleak or dreadful as they first appear. The financial problems are not as bad as expected, as a lot of costs have also disappeared without the expenses of full time working- travel and fast food are no longer essential, and there is time for slow cooking of cheaper foods- which invariably taste better. If you are eligible for a local transport “bus pass” then visiting nearby markets are a great source of seriously cheaper foods.

Why not go self-employed? Every skill you have can be sold- mini cab driver, local parcels courier, even house minding or dog walking. If you are fairly competent at DIY, then register with a local agency for painting, electrical or plumbing work- these later two will probably mean having to take a short course- but the rewards and opportunities are serious. Train as a Driving school instructor, -or even as a car delivery driver..long hours but reasonably well paid. Are you competant at clerical work? –a lot of small businesses would welcome you part time to process their paper work- or at least keep it in order, to man their phone and keep their diaries- Having you as a P.A. works wonders for their self esteem. Should you have a long specialist experience in any area then you have a sellable commodity- your knowledge. You can do the web searches of specialised areas, and review them against your knowhow- very valuable to any company –and as a paid by the hour occasional contractor very cheap. Even if they have their own specialists, a different viewpoint to call on can be very valuable. Don’t sell yourself cheap — It cost a lot to fill you with that knowledge — and wisdom.

So part time work, “odd-jobbing” and wise buying will cut costs substantially Even if you have some health issues, then work around them. You need to keep busy.

But starting a new service takes time to get known, and work is never smooth and regular. You’ll seriously miss the work companionship, the teatime natters, the bit of banter that made the day move on. If you don’t get out and socialise, then the dreadful daytime TV awaits to snare you. Even a good hobby will not provide the light friendships that the work-place gave to most of us. Join an “activity club” like FIRS- cheap, friendly, and available at a venue near you [but only if you live in Solihull- though there are similar clubs elsewhere- but not so wide ranging]. The encouragement for regular attendance [when not working] is important, and the friendly chats are looked forward to- if only to exchange disgust at some politician.

I was redundant at 55. I then worked wherever I could as a self-employed specialist or as a “labour only contractor”, and 15 years on still earn an occasional crust as a consultant. But joining FIRS was the best thing ever- It provided a centre, something to return to, something to absorb the energy when the work didn’t come. –And the friendships are true. I can even bowl reasonably steadily now, and coaching beginners is worthwhile.

Jim Bumstead (Chairman of FIRS).

Would you care to add a short piece or a tip from your own experience? Contact Jim Bumstead (0121 705 285) or email him we’ll include it at the next update.