The Retirement Newsletter: A small confession — I have not retired, or have I?
Issue Number: 6 — when things get blurred
Welcome
Welcome to issue number six, in which I make a small confession about my retirement: I am not as retired as I originally claimed.
My retirement
I have been a professional scientist for nearly 40 years, working at universities worldwide. During those almost 40 years, I have been a bench scientist doing science all day, every day in the lab and a lecturer teaching future generations of scientists. It was fun, and I enjoyed it.
As a bench scientist writing grants and papers, I kept up with the latest research and findings. When I was involved more in teaching (the lecturer phase of my career), I still kept up with a lot of the latest research because I had developed the habit when I was in research, and I needed to keep up to date with things for my teaching. Plus, I enjoyed reading about the latest science and ideas. However, two things happened to my reading habit when I was a lecturer — I didn’t read the cutting-edge material so much but went for reviews unless something caught my eye and I read more widely.
I went for reviews because they gave time for the literature to settle down and, hopefully, a consensus to be formed. (A review is where a scientist reads the latest (primary) papers on a particular subject and then writes them up as a summary — a review. Primary papers describe the original research carried out by a scientist. Reviews and primary literature are different.)
The other thing that changed with my reading was that it broadened.
As a bench scientist, I tended to read about what I was researching, mainly diabetes, cell signalling and protein trafficking in the cells. However, when I became a lecturer, my reading subject area increased, as I was now teaching a range of subjects in cell biology. I needed to broaden what I knew.
However, I am now retired and can stop all of this. But I can’t. New research findings are still catching my eye, and I read the relevant papers. I also haven’t cancelled my subscriptions to science newsletters or science-based magazines. I can’t bring myself to do it. This is evidence that I’ve not stopped being a scientist.
So, the first issue with my retirement is that I’ve not stopped being a scientist; however, it gets worse.
Retirement and side hustles
Any reader of these newsletters will know that I've written a great deal about site hustles, and the reason for this is I need a paying side hustle to help me through my early years of retirement. I have enough money from my pension (assuming I haven’t lost the 12% — see edition -0.5: Have I lost 12% of my pension?) to live day to day, but having a few extra quid in my pocket would be a great help. Plus, there is an ego issue — I have wanted a successful side hustle for a long time. A very long time.
I started my first side hustle back in the 1990s. I started with websites and Google Ads, then moved on to website building and design, and then into software (shareware — remember that term?) for the Mac and Apps for the iPhone and iPad. And I never made much money with these hustles. I made some money that helped keep me in expensive ski holidays and trips abroad, but I never made much. And I think I now know why, which I will explore in my new paid newsletter — The Retirement Hustle.
I already outlined my plans for The Retirement Hustle in Issue 4: Should I launch a paid newsletter? of this newsletter, and they haven’t changed. I want to build a community around The Retirement Hustlenewsletter of like-minded people looking to earn extra money during their retirement.
I have already started down the road to bringing in some extra cash to supplement my pension, and in The Retirement Hustle, I plan to discuss what I am doing and reveal how things are progressing. I will share how much I have made and what I am doing. I hope the newsletter will almost be a course of what we can do to set up a side hustle.
I have a plan and a timetable, and I know what I will do, when, and how. I will be looking at developing a YouTube Channel and then moving on to eBooks and other possible revenue streams — all exciting stuff. I will share my plan and outcomes in The Retirement Hustle.
If you are interested in what I am doing or feel you could contribute to my efforts, please subscribe to The Retirement Hustle.
And, there is the problem.
I have not retired. I am not sitting in a comfy armchair with my pipe (I don’t smoke) and slippers and watching daytime telly. I am writing this newsletter, developing The Retirement Hustle and working on my side hustles. Weirdly, I feel busier now than when I was working full-time, but at least now, my time is my own.
Yep, I’m not retired. I’m just changing careers for my third act.
Money
I had a bit of a shock this week.
I looked at my bank account and thought, “odd, I haven’t been paid”. Then I remembered. I have retired. No more pay cheques.
That is the first time in 40 years that I haven’t seen an increase in my bank balance at the end of the month. I found it quite alarming, and I can’t wait for my pension to be sorted out.
Travel — Nostalgia Corner
This week, here are some more tales from my Big Bus tour of Hong Kong:
Hong Kong — Victoria Peak 太平山, Hong Kong — A chaotic visit to the peak. The train ride to the peak was spectacular, with incredible views.
Hong Kong — Stanley Promenade 赤柱海濱長廊, Hong Kong — Out to Stanley and a walk along the promenade.
Hong Kong — Stanley Market 赤柱市集, Hong Kong — I do like a market, and while I was in Stanley, I took the opportunity to have a look at Stanley Market.
Hong Kong — Blake Pier at Stanley 赤柱卜公碼頭, Hong Kong— A Quick Look at the Peter.
Hong Kong — Murray House 美利樓, Stanley, Hong Kong — Five pillars spare? This amused me far more than it should have done!
Hong Kong — Star Ferry 天星小輪 Harbour Cruise, Hong Kong— An excellent way to experience Hong Kong — a cruise on an original Star Ferry.
Next week, I will wrap up my time in Hong Kong.
Reflections
Above, I have written about how I am not retired – that is, I still consider myself a scientist, and I'm very busy working on my side hustles. However, my mindset has changed; I feel more relaxed and in control of my time. These are all great feelings and make retirement an absolute delight.
Next week
Next week, if all goes to plan, in issue number 7, I will write about the launch of the paid sister publication — The Retirement Hustle.
Thanks
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Until next time,
Nick
PS: If you want to contribute something to the newsletter—a story, advice, or anything else—please get in touch.