Retirement

United States
October 13, 2006 6:41pm CST
My hubby and I are retiring next year. Should I buy him his own computer so he will have as much fun online as I do or just leave it up to him to decide what to do with his time?
4 people like this
21 responses
• United States
19 Feb 07
My husband isn't ready to retire yet, he still has quite a few years, but the absolutely loathes the computer. He believes it's absolute waste of time. I find it completely amusing because he sits in front of the tv for extended periods of time. I would just talk to your husband about it. He may have other plans in mind.
• United States
20 Feb 07
Mine also sits for hours in front of the TV. I may spend hours in front of my monitor, but my TV is just to the left of my monitor in case I want to see something that he doesn't.
1 person likes this
@lpipe0240 (1161)
• United States
19 Feb 07
I would suggest buying him his own PC. That way when the 2 of you are home and want to use the computer at the same time it does not become an issue. I'd buy a wireless laptop that way he can roam the house, all the while being on the internet.
2 people like this
• United States
20 Feb 07
Hey, if anyone gets a wireless laptop, it'll be me! I want it for when we travel. He still doesn't know if he wants his own pc or not, but we've got time for him to decide.
1 person likes this
@DeenaD (2684)
• United States
17 Oct 06
If he had his own computer, you two could IM each other!
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Oct 06
And we wouldn't even have to talk...LOL. Thanks.
• United States
1 Jan 07
That's just too funny, reiny...LOL.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
27 Dec 06
We have 3 computers up and running in our house. My husband and I IM each other (in the same room) all the time just to be cute. I IM my son a lot when he's in his room, it's downstairs sometimes I just don't feel like walking that far :)
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
27 Dec 06
Retirement - Retirement
This is an old discussion now Claudia and as everyone said you should leave it up to him. However in the coming months before retiring have a serious talk about what is going to happen then. Do you have any interests or hobbies that you can do, either together or separately? Do you want to travel and if so where, for how long, what in and when? Also housework, do you share it now and/or are you going to do so when you are both retired? These might not seem very important but they actually are. Remember that you will be together 24 hours/day every day and as much as you love each other that can be just too much togetherness. Everyone does need some "me" time to do their own thing, whatever that might be. LOL My husband and I retired early due to ill health and so nothing was really planned. Those first couple of years we just "winged it" but had he been well, I think I would have been locked up quite early in the piece. Now we do have separate interests to occupy our time, but we are also spending lots of time together. We share the housework and cooking, planning our trips, shopping etc.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
2 Jan 07
It was good to read that you share the household duties already, as it will make it easier once you retire. This is more so if you are travelling around, because there might come a time when you spend more time at a certain place so arrive late wherever you are camping out for the night. I do hope that Mike does some fishing too, because it will be another thing to do plus fish make a really good meal. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 07
I'm lucky that Mike was taught by his Mom to be helpful. The fishing would come in handy, and we both LOVE to eat fish. It's one of our favorite meals.
• United States
1 Jan 07
Ossie, I'm very lucky in that Mike has always helped me around the house. I cook and he cleans the kitchen. I wash and dry and clothes, and he helps me hang them when done and put them away. We do go shopping together, and usually do it in a hurry. We do want to travel more since we both enjoy that. I really enjoy reading and spending time on the computer. He prefers the TV...LOL. I'm sure Mike will find more time to go fishing again...he really used to enjoy that.
@ladydi151 (202)
• United States
14 Mar 07
Honey, let me tell you my friend decided to buy a laptop with the bells; how about he doesn't know how to do diddle. He's always interrupting me and asking how do you do this and that. Your call. Buyer beware!
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Mar 07
That's really a good thought. I sure don't need to be interrupted while online...LOL.
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
14 Mar 07
Let him decide what he wants to do with his time. I have fun on my computer. I enjoy pogo.com and coming here to mylot, plus I have several friends I regularly email with. My hubby just isn't interested in those things. He has his own computer he does things with, but he's not on it every day like I am.
• United States
14 Mar 07
That's exactly what I'll do, melanie652. I enjoy myLot and Pogo also, plus I check my email several times a day. What I may do is get a laptop to use on our trips, and he can use it at home if he likes...LOL.
• United States
9 Jan 07
We both have our own computer. For a while we had one and he was selfish. I wanted to play games and so did he. Now that we both have one we are actually sitting in the same room together. I guess you could call it quality time.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jan 07
I see what you mean. We do spend a lot of time in different rooms since my PC is in our home office. He's usually out in the living room watching TV.
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
2 Jan 07
By all means get him a computer if it only means that you don't have to share all the time. But I might suggest you get him a laptop since you seem to be always on the road so much....doesn't take up as much space and you can surf not only at the beach but online at the same time.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 07
If we buy a laptop, it'll be for me to use while we're on the road. He does all the driving when we travel and would much rather watch TV than surf. I'd much rather be surfing online or reading a good book than watching TV. Happy New Year!
• United States
6 Jan 07
I wouldn't buy him his own computer unless he says he would like to be online when you are. Maybe your money would be better spent to buy him golf clubs or something else that he is interested in.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jan 07
He doesn't play golf or tennis. Maybe a bowling ball or a fishing rod would do.
• United States
2 Jan 07
How about you just ask him? Could be he has fishing in mind...but then again, could be he'd like to be able to look up the latest lures and best lakes too. If it were me, I'd ask.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 07
You're right...I have to ask him.
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
19 Feb 07
I think u should let him decide for himself, maybe he will not even enjoy going online. Or atleast before u buy one, ask him if he like internet and if he can see himself having fun online if u wanna surprise him.. He might have other ideas for his retirement =)
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Feb 07
Marie, he said he'd think about it; that he might like to have his own at home. In any event, it won't be until we have retired and moved and he's decided what he'd like to do.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
27 Dec 06
Congratulations on your retirements! I can't wait for that day - although I don't know that I'll ever really quit working... My husband has his own computer but spends very little time on it. The only reason he has his own is because I'm always on mine and it would be hard for him to do the couple little things he does do.
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thanks for the congratulations. It's been a long time coming, but we're ready for it. Mike prefers that I pay the bills and such online...says he has enough of computers at work. So, maybe it's not a good idea to waste money on one for him unless he shows an interest in wanting to use mine. ;)
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
It is time that you take this up with your husband. If he decides that your suggestion is a good one, then proceed with it. Retirees can do so much in life. A lot are taking up loads for parttime teaching in some colleges and they are making great contributions in the field of education because of their experience and expertise which have accumulated through the years. There are some who pursue their hobbies. Like what you are doing where you enjoy spending time in the computer and giving your advises and sharing ideas with others. Enjoy the life of a retiree, you'll love it, too.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Feb 07
Thanks for the great advice. I certainly hope to enjoy being retired after so many years of working. I have many interests, but he's really got to figure out something other than sitting in front of the tv all day.
@onabreak2 (1161)
• United States
21 Feb 07
Well if he is like my husband he will know how to turn it on and off and how to put his game in it to play. And then he will play it all the time and let the world go by . Good Luck, hope he decides to do something around the house or go outdoors and get some sun.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 07
You and me both. He'd sure better find something to occupy his time...LOL.
@SunnyDays (1070)
• Bahamas
14 Oct 06
I would leave it up to him to make a decission on how he wants to sepnd his time
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Oct 06
Thank you for your response, Sunny.
• United States
15 Oct 06
You could get a laptop and get a wireless router if he ever wanted to be online at the same time.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Oct 06
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.
@bhbirdie6 (1765)
• United States
17 Oct 06
Leave it up to him. If he wants a computer he'll get one. It's nice that you enjoy spending time online but he might not end up liking it as much as you do.
• United States
17 Oct 06
You're probably right. Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@hush5605 (674)
• United States
14 Oct 06
Don't buy him his own computer. Let him decide what he'd like to do to pass time when he retires. Even though you enjoy spending time online, he may thoroughly HATE it.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Oct 06
Thanks for the response, Hush.
• United States
19 Feb 07
I would let him decide what he wants to do first. Maybe he doesn't want to be online. Don't want to waste your money if he doesn't want to be online.
• United States
20 Feb 07
You are definitely right. Thanks for responding.
• India
14 Mar 07
its a good choice to do that because computer keeps u buisy
1 person likes this