Where Do I Go From Here?

Prior to my "forced retirement" I had taken time to prepare lists of things I could do to earn money in retirement as well as things I enjoyed doing.  While these lists were put together prior to my having to spend 90% of my "free time" looking after my mother, I can't go gun-ho forward with all my plans.

In thinking about it, I haven't really been utilizing the time I spend with my mother efficiently. Hey, it's only been a month and a half . . . some things do take a little time to get used to.

Here are a few of the things I have rethought in the process.

First, as I mentioned in a previous post, I am looking for another job, more a formality to collect unemployment benefits so that is taking up at least 3 of my precious 20 hours of time I have to myself when I am able to go to "my home".  Between my laptop and my mother's computer there are 2 at her apartment on which I could spend the time required for the job hunt, hence freeing up the 3 hours when I'm at home.

Second, after having it hit me that some of my savings could quite possibly go to a nursing facility down the road, I have finally flip-flopped for the last time deciding that I'm definitely going to do some apartment renovation. True I spend a very limited time there at the moment, but that won't be forever.

After talking to a new neighbor I decided that I need some electrical work done in my apartment in year 3 or 4 of my retirement, such as having all or some of the outlets grounded, need a bathroom outlet "re-wired" as it appears dead, replace a ceiling light/fan and upgrade the fuse box to a circuit breaker.  However, my co-op sent around a notice indicating that if you have a fuse box it must be converted to circuit breakers prior to March 2016. So I am now in the process of obtaining quotes from a few electricians for the work.

I am also planning on re-doing my bathroom . . . it is currently retro 1960.

Third, for the last 2 years I've only been able to spend an average of about 1/2 hour a day at my place, hence it looks more like a cyclone-hit storage unit.  I need to take time getting rid of some stuff and reorganizing what I have. I'd like to eventually be able to get rid of the storage unit I pay an additional $23 a month for.

Fourth, I need to re-do my lists and then create a schedule to incorporate the things I need to do with the things I want to do in order to use my time effectively and productively.

Strange, the realizations we can come to when we think about it.