What age do you want to retire?

[mom-from-missouri]

I kind of consider myself retired now, at 47.
I do sub teach, and starting next week will watch 2 little ones part time. Very part time. Not more than 3 days a week and one week a month they won't need me at all. (parents work 12 hour shifts and they rotate) Every month 1 week their shifts are opposite days so one will be home, next week 2 days and then next week 3 days . Sometimes they may also have me watch them while they go out. But, I don't really consider that a "real job" as there are no benifits, insurance....just some extra cash.
I still have 3 kids at home, and working full time or on a rigid schedule just doesn't appeal to me. My kids needs and those of my family come before the corp. world.
DH plans to retire at 55 and then do his own thing. We have heavy equipment and he is also an EMT and auctioneer, so he plans on doing what he wants after he retires from his current job.

[cschin4]

I really don't know at this point. Presently, I work PT because I wanted to cut back hours and have time with my 2 children. That is working out great. I would like to just continue in part time work as long as possible. I hope I don't ever have to return to FT work but who knows? We have seen the economy change over night. So, obviously circumstances at the time will dictate any of those decisions. My spouse presently works FT and he will continue until retirement age hopefully.
I used to think more about retirement, but now I just live one day at a time and am doing what I think would be helpful in the planning.
However, as many of you have seen, alot of us had 40% of our retirement plans just poof into thin air not too long ago! So, at this point, I am not sure what to do. I don't know whether to try to preserve existing capital by moving what is left into safer money market accounts or to view this as an opportunity to buy. It really could go either way. People seem to just assume the market will recover. I am not sure I share that view. I think it is possible that we are on the road to serious financial collapse and years and years of poor markets or then again, maybe not. If anyone gets out their crystal ball, please let me know!

[sydneysky84]

now lol 24