Sounds like you're really thinking things through; good for you. Go for the extra six or so months if you can stand it if that will boost your income substantially. You will have the rest of your lives to enjoy it. After all, not all of us has Randy's kind of money.:)

Hey, I WORKED for my money! OK, I put in the time. And to think it all started with a case of Bud.

Until I got married to Patty I never really gave retirement much of a thought. I figured I'd just muddle along on my AF retirement, find something else to to do and just pass the time until it was time for Social Security.

So, all this talk about you HAVE to plan out your life for your "Golden Years" isn't really true, IF you're lucky. Don't get me wrong, I DO believe that it is VERY wise to plan things out but that it isn't completely necessary IF you can pick the right path for your life's journey.

I have tried to put enough thought and action into my retirement plan. I m leaving earlier than I originally wanted to but it is for my own welfare. So I can deal with it. I'm hoping to have an enjoyable retirement. Watching the kiddo's last few years of school, traveling, big garden, and lots of fishing, hiking, and hitting the trails. I will probably work somewhere to keep from getting too bored and vacation/toy money. But I don't think I'll do anything serious again.

I'm very tempted to buy a nice wood CNC machine and make plaques and retirement gifts for people as a side hustle

That would be something nice to get into.

MB's Memorial Plaques.

I used to enjoy woodworking. I want to make my own furniture sometime.

It can be quite enjoyable. I kinda laughed when you mentioned it. When I had 17 years in I got a plaque from the county congratulating me on my 15 years of service. PLUS they spelled my last name wrong. They used had two N's on the end instead of just one. I talked about it but they never made another one. And when I retired after 25 years all I got was a teary eyed good bye from the newest dispatcher there. Nice married gal that used to work for MODOT.

Well for practice you can make me a 50 inch long spiral walking staff with a picture of a Skunk engraved on it. I would like some kind of good tough but not Heavy exotic wood that I can brag about. I'll pay as much as $15.00, well maybe 20 if it's a really nice piece of wood. Oh and It has to have a 1 inch end so I can use common rubber tips for it.

LOL, I would need a lathe for that. Not a bad idea. But I'm thinking something like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pw5pj4NOJY