Retirement Issues including, but not limited to, discretionary funds and VP

[OTABILL]

It seems that a number of us are retired or semi-retired and one of the pastimes we enjoy at this time in our lives is VP. Rather than discussing things such as social security, health care costs, pensions, etc. which impact VP play amongst other aspects of our lives in assorted postings, I thought it might be good to have one topic devoted to retirement life.

For me and my wife, retirement income provided us the opportunity to play VP while also allowing us the freedom to do so when we wanted to without being restricted timewise. However, health issues which impact us senior citizens has intervened. Because of the preponderance of smoky casinos here, we have stopped playing VP locally. Furthermore, for the moment travel is on hold as well. I would be interested to know from others how retirement and aging has affected your lives, with emphasis, given the subject of this site, on VP.

[billryan]

Video poker consumes about three hours a week, in my case. In an exceptional week, it might be six to eight. That's out of168 hours. Personally, I spend more time in my hot tub.
Getting old sucks. Yesterday, I spent the day on the roof of my building, being shown how swamp coolers work and how to do routine maintenance. Walking on the pitched roof evidently worked my leg muscles in ways they aren't used to. Woke up with very unpleasant feelings in my thighs and quads. Can barely sit and am supposed to make the 500 mile trip back to Vegas this morning.

[tech58]

Getting old beats the hell out of the alternative.

[notes1]

i think i read that outside of a health care facility, the best place to have a heart attach was a casino. not sure if true, but with all the cameras, the majority of players being older, it seems that many casinos are prepared to handle medical emergencies. on multiple occasions, i have seen an older person on the floor being attended to. the casinos surround the area with security while paramedics treat the player. i have my own health problems, but it has not prevented me from losing money to the indians.

[case]

My wife and I were fortunate to be able to retire early. We both worked for school boards so benefits and pension followed us. Our health has been great so far and we travel as much as possible because (A) we enjoy it and (B) we want to do it while we can. As we age things will change it is just reality.

One thing I have noticed is I hate driving in a big city especially if I am not familiar with it. GPS sure does help. I remember traveling using just road maps and of course no phone.

We have never smoked and are lucky our local casino is non smoking. I don't really have an issue with smoke, except cigars. They bother me immensely and I will move to get away from it in a casino.

One issue I do have is my feet get cold easily. I guess circulation is not what it once was. But for us...life is good!

[olds442jetaway]

For now both wife and I are in excellent health. We are very fortunate in that regard. Of course there are a few small things, but aside from a need to lose some more weight, I feel I can pretty much do whatever I feel like. Most important, stay hydrated. The last thing we need is to be dehydrated, have blood pressure drop, and fall. Just happened to my 95 year young dad. He is in rehab now and God willing, he will bounce back ok.

[Bobbi]

Interesting post. Both of us are retired. Although I chose to go back to work because I was bored. I have been with the same company for 23 years and they allowed me to stay on working from home... At first it was part time to transition my job to others, then it went back to full time. How can I turn that down? I take days off whenever I wish and get 5 weeks vacation and a week personal time. We visit local casinos at least once a week where we will steadily play only video poker for 4 to 6 hours, then drive home, which is about 1.5 hours away. We used to visit Vegas 2 to 3 times a year. Generally only traveled to destinations that have golf and gambling (Vegas, Bahamas, Puerto Rico). Now for the "problem" - We are able to go anywhere at anytime. Would even entertain a cruise, however, we both smoke. With most hotels going smokeless, we don't.

[olds442jetaway]

Please please please try and quit. If you do my treat here at Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods in Ct!

[billryan]

One unexpected benefits of living within sight of the border is the unbelievable value one gets from Mexican dentistry. Directly across the street from the port of entry is a monstrous dental clinic. Lots of American dentist working there for whatever reasons. They say you can save about 75-85% off regular price.
I've seen the videos and these are modern facilities, not hole in the wall places.
Busloads of Seniors come down from Tucson for prescriptions and dental work.

[Casino Knight]

Yesterday, I spent the day on the roof of my building, being shown how swamp coolers work and how to do routine maintenance.

Did they tell you evap coolers don't work during the monsoon? That you'll need to change the pads after a dust/mud storm? That hard water kills a cooler quicker than any thing? That there are two types of coolers, the best being a Master Cool? How to winterize your cooler. That the bottom pan needs to be coated with a cooler sealant about every two years.? That you should install a cover over the cabinet during the winter?