Latest Posts
-
The Best Decisions People Make in Retirement
I’ve noticed something interesting about retirement: it’s one of those times in life when hindsight becomes crystal clear. After a few years, many retirees can look back and say, “That was one of the smartest things I ever did,” or, on the flip side, “I wish I’d thought that through a little better.” Today, I…
-
The Best Second Careers in Retirement: Finding Purpose
Upon retiring, I had this romantic vision of sipping coffee on the porch every morning, watching the sunrise, and not having a single care in the world. For about three weeks, that was absolutely bliss. Then reality hit. The days felt longer than ever, my sense of purpose started slipping, and I realized that I…
-
RMDs Made Simple: How to Take Withdrawals Without Tax Surprises
When I first retired, I remember staring at my IRA statement one morning with my coffee in hand, thinking, “So now that I’ve saved all this, do I finally just get to relax and let it grow?” A few weeks later, my financial advisor smiled politely and said, “Not exactly, William. The IRS will want…
-
The Best Hobbies for Retirees now
When I first retired, I thought hobbies were something people did just to fill time between naps and doctor’s appointments. I was wrong, very wrong. What I didn’t realize back then was that hobbies can be the spark that keeps your retirement vibrant, meaningful, and full of laughter. In fact, finding the right hobby might…
-
The Medicare 2026 landscape: Big Changes are Coming
I always like to start with the broad strokes before we dig into the weeds. Here’s the overview of major changes coming to Medicare in 2026 (and yes, weeds are coming, so bring your magnifying glass): Let’s take them one by one, and then I’ll give you my best strategies for navigating them without losing…
-
How to Build Retirement Income Buckets That Survive Market Crashes
When I first heard about the “bucket approach” to retirement income planning, I pictured myself sitting at the beach, a cold drink in one hand and a bright plastic bucket in the other. It sounded like something kids used to build sandcastles, not something to help me survive 30 years of retirement without going broke.…
-
Avoiding the Biggest Retirement Regrets: A Candid Look at Life After Work
When I first retired, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. No more Monday alarms, no more meetings that could’ve been emails, and no more pretending to care about office birthday cake. I could finally do what I wanted, when I wanted. But as the weeks turned into months, I began to notice something odd. Every…
-
DIY Investing in Retirement: The Pros, Cons, and Real Truths You Need to Know
I’ve always believed that retirement should be about freedom—the freedom to sleep past sunrise, wear socks that don’t match, and, for many of us, finally take charge of our money without someone in a suit telling us what to do. That’s where DIY investing comes in. On paper, it sounds empowering. “Do it yourself,” the…
-
How to Make New Friends in Retirement
When I first retired, I’ll admit, I had this funny idea that my calendar would suddenly be filled with events, neighborhood barbecues, and long conversations at coffee shops with new friends. The reality, though, was different. After a few months of enjoying the freedom, I found myself wondering, “Where did everybody go?” It turns out…
-
Boosting Brain Health in Retirement: Tips for Memory, Focus, and Joy
When most of us first think about retirement, our minds go straight to financial spreadsheets, travel plans, and maybe a little extra time on the golf course. Most of us don’t think nearly enough about our brain. Funny how we assume our minds will just keep chugging along like an old reliable pickup truck, even…
-
529 Plan to Roth IRA: What Parents Need to Know in 2025
I learned something recently that really made me want to tell everybody I know, the fact that the government now allows people with a 529 plan for their child to transfer the money into a Roth IRA account for their beneficiary! Of course, there are some caveats… If you haven’t come across it before, a…
-
The Emotional Side of Money: Coping with Financial Stress
When I was working, money stress usually came in the form of “Do I have enough to cover the mortgage, the kids’ college, and maybe a decent vacation without selling a kidney?” Retirement, however, brings a new flavor of financial stress. Suddenly, the paycheck stops, and the pot of money you worked so hard to…
-
Amazing Accomplishments in Retirement: Inspiring Stories That Prove It’s Never Too Late
When I first retired, I thought the highlight of my day might be putting together an Ikea bookshelf, or maybe figuring out how to configure my new router. But the more I looked around, the more I realized something important: retirement isn’t just the end of the road, it’s often the start of some of…
-
Seven Smart Steps to Take Now to Prepare for the Next Market Downturn
Every time the headlines start yelling about “the worst day since…” I picture two versions of retired me. One version panics, refreshes the portfolio app, and wonders if I should sell everything and hide under the bed with a jar of peanut butter. The other version sips coffee, nods, and goes for a walk because…
-
Find a Roommate in Retirement: A Complete Senior Home-Sharing Guide
I have a confession to make. For years I walked past a quiet spare bedroom and treated it like a museum. The door stayed mostly closed, the bed looked perfect, and the room produced exactly zero dollars. At the same time, I watched utilities creep up, groceries cost more, and the house feel a little…
-
Why Retiring in Florida Isn’t Always Paradise: Hidden Downsides
When most people think about retirement, Florida is the first state that comes to mind. Palm trees, sandy beaches, year-round sunshine, and endless golf courses all paint a picture that looks like paradise. For decades, it has been the unofficial capital of retirement. But here’s the truth I’ve come to realize: retiring in Florida isn’t…
-
What Retirees Are Worried About in 2025 (And How to Plan Smarter)
Every new year brings its own set of worries, hopes, and unexpected surprises, but 2025 feels like one of those years where everything is shifting all at once. The economy is sending mixed signals, technology is changing faster than ever, and the average retiree, or soon-to-be retiree, has more questions than answers about what the…
-
The Truth About Herbal Supplements and Your Liver in Retirement
When I first retired, I thought I’d finally be able to slow down, relax, and maybe take better care of my health. No more stress from work deadlines, no more takeout dinners at 9 p.m., and no more skipping doctor’s appointments. Like many retirees, I started exploring vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements. After all, if…
-
Freelancing after 60: Cashing in the right way
When I left the 9-to-5 world, I thought I was finished with deadlines forever. I imagined mornings with coffee on the porch, leisurely walks, maybe an afternoon nap or two. And yes, I’ve had those moments. But let’s be honest, sometimes they get a little… well, boring. There are only so many times you can…
-
Inflation-Proof Your Retirement: Strategies for a Long Life
Remember when a cup of coffee cost fifty cents and a movie ticket was under two bucks? Yeah… me neither, at least not recently. Inflation has a sneaky way of creeping up over the years, so slow at first you barely notice, then suddenly your grocery bill looks like the national debt. This is how…
-
Smart Downsizing in Retirement: Living Better With Less
There’s a reason they call it “downsizing” and not “down shaming.” Just because you move into a smaller space doesn’t mean you’re settling for less. In fact, if you do it right, downsizing can be like hitting the “reset” button on your life, less maintenance, lower bills, and more time for the things you actually…
-
Avoiding Medicare Mistakes That Cost Money: Tips for Retirees
When I first started digging into Medicare, I thought I’d just sign up, pick a plan, and then go about my business of trying to perfect my golf swing and avoid eating too many cookies with my coffee. It turns out Medicare is not quite that simple. In fact, it can be downright confusing, and…
-
How Retirees Go Broke and How to Avoid It
When I was younger, I used to think that going broke in retirement was something that happened only if you’d never saved a dime. You know, the stereotypical person who lived it up in their twenties, spent their thirties borrowing money, and then wondered at sixty-five why the Social Security check wasn’t enough to cover…
-
7 Smart Ways to Create Passive Income After 60
I’ve got a confession to make, I used to think “passive income” meant I’d be sprawled in a hammock, sipping something with an umbrella in it, while my bank account magically grew on its own. Turns out, passive income usually isn’t quite that passive, at least not in the beginning. Yes, that is the goal…
-
How to Protect Your Retirement Savings from a Market Crash
If you’ve ever been on a roller coaster, you know that slow climb to the top is kind of fun, until the bottom drops out. That’s exactly how the stock market feels sometimes. You’re cruising along, enjoying steady gains, maybe even feeling a little smug about how your investments are doing. And then wham, the…
-
How Staying Healthy Can Save You a Small Fortune in Retirement
I’ve always said that retirement is a little like owning a classic car. You’ve got the mileage, you’ve earned the right to take the scenic route, and if you want it to last, you’d better keep up with the maintenance. When it comes to our bodies, that “maintenance” isn’t just about living longer. It’s also…
-
Retirement and the Lost Art of Doing Nothing
I remember the first Monday after I retired. I woke up early, as usual, poured a cup of coffee, and sat at the kitchen table staring at… absolutely nothing. No emails to answer. No staff meetings to dread. No to-do list longer than a CVS receipt. And that should have felt amazing. But it didn’t.…
-
What Really Keeps You Up at Night in Retirement
You’d think after decades of early alarms, skipped lunches, and mind-numbing meetings, sleep would come easy in retirement. No more Monday morning chaos. No more commuting nightmares. And yet, here I am at 2:17 a.m., staring at the ceiling and wondering, did I leave the oven on in 2006? There’s something curious about the way…
-
Boredom in Retirement – Learn to Overcome!
Nobody warned me about the empty Tuesdays. I had dreamed about retirement for years — freedom from alarm clocks, meetings, deadlines, and that one guy in accounting who microwaved fish in the break room. I pictured myself traveling, gardening, maybe taking up watercolor painting or finally reading all the books on my shelf that had…
-
Never Stop Learning After Retiring – and Probably Live Longer
Many people think retirement is the end of learning. After all, you have spent decades juggling jobs, kids, taxes, and the occasional home repair disaster involving duct tape and prayer. I figured once I clocked out for good, I could finally relax, no more deadlines, no more instructions, and definitely no more pop quizzes. But…
-
Ten Financial Truths Governments Don’t Want You to Know
I’ve lived through recessions, booms, crashes, inflation spikes, and a few government shutdowns. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: not everything we’re told about money — especially by those in charge, paints the full picture. Now, I’m not saying there’s a smoke-filled room somewhere where politicians plot to trick retirees. (Though if…
-
The Best and Worst Parts of Getting Older
There’s something oddly liberating about getting older. Maybe it’s the way I no longer feel the need to impress anyone. Or the way I can wear short pants to dinner and nobody questions it. But getting older — especially in retirement — is a mixed bag. Some days I feel like I’ve got the whole…
-
Urgent Financial Facts Every Retiree Needs to Know
After decades of working, saving, and squinting at spreadsheets, I finally retired. My mortgage was paid off, my nest egg looked solid, and I had visions of stress-free days spent traveling, golfing, or just dozing off to the soft hum of a ceiling fan. What could go wrong? As it turns out… quite a bit,…
-
The Most Critical Planning Steps to Take Before Retiring
I still remember the day I officially retired. There wasn’t a marching band, no confetti cannon, not even a cupcake in sight. It was quiet, oddly anticlimactic—and yet, in a strange way, completely perfect. It felt like taking a deep breath after holding it in for forty years. Retirement didn’t hit me all at once.…
-
Why Bitcoin Could Be a Valuable Investment for Retirees
If you’re retired or approaching retirement, the world of investing can sometimes feel like navigating a maze blindfolded—especially when it comes to newer, flashier assets like Bitcoin. I get it. Between traditional stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, tossing in something called “cryptocurrency” might sound like jumping off a financial cliff with a jetpack strapped on…
-
Bonds 101 for Retirees: Income, Stability, and Peace of Mind
When I first started paying attention to bonds, I’ll be honest—I thought they were the oatmeal of the investment world. Bland, safe, and kind of boring if you ask me. Give me the sizzle of a good stock pick, I used to say! But as I approached retirement and that long-awaited day arrived when I…
-
Retiring Abroad – What to Know About Becoming an Expat
I’ll admit it—I’ve had more than one daydream where I’m sipping espresso in a sunny European café, or wading into crystal-clear waters somewhere in Central America, all while leaving behind the piles of mail, insurance paperwork, and that ever-increasing grocery bill here in the States. After all, isn’t retirement supposed to be our chance to…
-
Retirement Life Hacks: How to Save Time and Money Without Clipping Coupons
When I first stepped into retirement, I thought I’d just relax, maybe sip some lemonade on the porch while the savings account magically stretched itself out like it had an elastic waistband. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. That realization prompted me to get creative. I wasn’t ready to live off stale crackers and warm tap water…
-
Reasons to Break Up with Debt Before Retirement
I still remember the day I realized my relationship with debt had to end. We had a long history together, credit cards, car loans, even a flirtation with a second mortgage. But as I edged closer to retirement, it hit me like a forgotten gym membership fee: I couldn’t afford to keep dragging that baggage…
-
Staying Mentally Active in Retirement – Leave the Comfort Zone
Let me confess something right off the bat: I used to think “getting out of your comfort zone” was a phrase reserved for motivational speakers, mountain climbers, and folks who willingly go on cruises with karaoke night. Me? I liked routine. Comfort. Predictability. I knew what time the mail came. I knew which grocery aisle…
-
Retiring Abroad? What You Need to Know About Taxes, Visas, and Healthcare
Retiring abroad is one of those ideas that seems as dreamy as it is daring. I remember the first time I seriously considered it. I was sitting in my backyard, sweating through another summer power bill and wondering if there was somewhere in the world where the utility costs were cheaper, the views were better,…
-
How to Retire Early (Without Winning the Lottery)
I’ll admit it—when I first heard people talking about retiring early, I thought, “Sure, right after I invent a money tree.” But as it turns out, early retirement isn’t just for tech bros or eccentric millionaires. It’s something regular folks like me (and you) can actually pull off – with a little planning, a little…
-
How to invest like Warren Buffett in retirement
Investing like Warren Buffett in retirement? Now there’s a goal that sounds both wise and delightfully ambitious—like deciding to get into shape, but by walking briskly to the donut shop. I’ve always admired the way Buffett makes investing seem less like a Wall Street gamble and more like a thoughtful stroll through a library of…
-
What’s next – How to Rediscover Your Identity in Retirement
I remember the day I retired. Although there were no balloons, or the obligatory sheet cake with “Congratulations!” piped across it in blue frosting, it was due to my working from home for the past nearly ten years. I did, however, get a few heartfelt speeches, smiles, and some stories that had accumulated over the…
-
How to Choose a Medicare Plan Without Losing Your Mind
When I first dipped my toes into the Medicare waters, I half expected a lifeguard to blow the whistle and shout, “Too confusing—get out!” I mean, who knew that turning 65 came with an avalanche of paperwork, choices, deadlines, and acronyms? But I promise, choosing a Medicare plan doesn’t have to feel like learning a…
-
Unlocking New Skills in Retirement: Because Learning Doesn’t Retire When We Do
I always thought that when I finally retired, I’d just be content to relax with a good book, sip coffee (or a beer) on the porch, and maybe take up gardening or some other peaceful hobby. But after the first few months of doing, well, nothing too mentally demanding, I started to feel a little…
-
Retirement Getaways – How to Travel on a Budget
I love talking about budget-friendly adventures—because let’s face it, travel doesn’t have to drain your retirement savings to be fun. In fact, some of the best experiences don’t come with a hefty price tag at all. I’ve learned that adventure is more about mindset than money, and with a little creativity, you can have an…
-
Retirement Finance Secrets: Finding Financial Opportunities in a Recession
I know what you’re thinking, “in a recession? That sounds like a financial disaster, not an opportunity!” And trust me, I get it. When the economy starts to wobble like a toddler learning to walk, it’s natural to feel a little nervous about your retirement savings. But here’s the thing: recessions, while nerve-wracking, can actually…
-
Healthy Aging Secrets in Retirement: How to Stay Sharp Forever
Retirement is a funny thing sometimes. One day, I’m dreaming about all the free time I’ll have, and the next, I’m wondering how I ever managed to get everything done when I was still working. It’s a new chapter, one that’s supposed to be filled with relaxation, hobbies, and maybe even a little adventure. But…
-
Estate Planning in Retirement: Protecting Your Legacy Matters
Ah, estate planning. Not exactly the most thrilling topic to chat about over a cup of coffee, but trust me—this is one conversation you’ll be glad you had. I like to think of it as the final act in the great play of life, and if you don’t direct it properly, you might end up…
-
Scary times ahead for retirees – this won’t last forever
If you follow the news lately, which I don’t really recommend by the way, you know there are lot’s of bad things happening in the world. Not just in the US but all over the world, Europe included. The worst of it is probably the instability of our financial system and the possibility of a…
-
The 4% Rule Explained: How to Safely Withdraw Retirement Income Without Running Out of Money
Retirement can be an exciting time, but it also comes with a big question: how do I make sure my savings last? It’s scary enough that we don’t understand all of the machinations of how our economy works, right? Thats where the four percent rule comes in. It’s one of the most widely discussed strategies…
-
How to Earn Extra Income in Retirement: Smart Strategies for Financial Freedom
Retirement is supposed to be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, but for many, it also comes with financial concerns. Even with a solid retirement income, unexpected expenses, inflation, or simply the desire for more financial security can make earning extra retirement money a smart choice. Whether you need to supplement your savings or just…
-
Downsizing in Retirement: Is It the Right Move for You?
Downsizing in retirement is a big decision, and it’s not always an easy one. After years of building a home and filling it with memories, the thought of moving to a smaller space can be overwhelming. But it can also be liberating—lower expenses, less maintenance, and even a fresh start in a new location. Don’t…
-
Staying Healthy and Active in Retirement: Great Tips for a Long, Vibrant Life
Retirement is an exciting phase of life, one where I have ample time to focus on my health and well-being. As I settle in, I find that an active and healthy lifestyle needs to be planned similarly to other aspects retirement planning does. When you retire, you have the time to focus on your health.…
-
Finding Motivation in Retirement: How to Stay Inspired Every Day
Retirement is supposed to be a time of freedom, relaxation, and enjoyment. After decades of working hard, I finally had the time to do whatever I wanted. But once the initial excitement faded, I found myself struggling with something unexpected: motivation. Without the structure of work, my days started feeling empty, and I realized I…
-
Preparing for a Recession: Financial Survival Guide for Retirees
As a retiree, I’ve often found myself pondering how economic downturns might impact my financial well-being. Lately, after watching some financial news and listening to the experts, it’s become clear that we may be headed for a downturn very soon in this country. While recessions are a natural part of economic cycles, they can pose…
-
Are you a workaholic? Retirement will not be an easy transition
Most people I know can’t wait to retire – the ones that haven’t already retired, that is. But there are some that refuse to even consider letting go of their career, working many years longer than their spouses and friends. We call these people workaholics, usually. Is that a bad thing? After all, if you’re…
-
Essential Retirement Financial Planning Checklist – Guide to More Money
Retirement is a significant life milestone that requires careful financial planning. Ensuring financial security in your “golden years” means understanding savings strategies, investment options, and smart budgeting techniques. Whether you’re approaching retirement or still have years ahead, creating a solid financial plan will allow you to maintain your desired lifestyle without financial stress. The sooner…
-
Retirement – The Unexpected Benefits of Aging: Learn the truth
It’s been said that aging is one of the most difficult and scary times of peoples lives, mostly because it’s an unknown and we humans are always scared of the unknown. However, it doesn’t have to be that way, and in fact many retirees find that there is a certain amount of freedom that comes…
-
Retirement – The hard truth about finances and having enough
The question on everyone’s mind when they are looking into retirement, is “do I have enough money”? This question troubles many people, including myself, for some time. But worrying about the problem does nothing to alleviate it, it just adds to the stress in your life and probably adds some grey hair to your head…
-
How to Reinvent Yourself After Retirement
Reinventing Yourself After Retirement: A New Chapter, A New You Retirement is often seen as the grand finale—the long-awaited golden years of rest and relaxation. But for many, it can also bring uncertainty, boredom, or even a sense of loss. The structure of a career, the social connections made at work, and the daily sense…
-
The Biggest Regrets Retired People Have (and how to avoid them)
Retirement is often seen as the golden phase of life, where people finally get to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor. However, for many retirees, it’s also a time of reflection—and for some, regret. As they look back on their lives, they identify missed opportunities, decisions they wish they had made differently, and…
-
Retirement travel – you know you want to have fun!
It sounds almost cliché to most people, that once you retire the first thing you have in mind is to “travel the world”! Well, there is probably a reason for that – most folks spend their entire lives living and working in the same place, never really experiencing the joy of travelling to other countries…
-
Achieving Greater Happiness in Retirement: A Comprehensive Guide
Retirement can be one of the most fulfilling phases of life, offering a newfound freedom to pursue passions, spend time with loved ones, and explore long-held interests. However, the transition to retirement can bring unexpected challenges, from loss of daily structure to questions of purpose. Achieving happiness in retirement requires planning and a proactive approach…
-
Retirement conundrum – what to do when I retire?
Most people spend their entire lives making money, which of course is needed to survive and have the things we want in life such as a house, nice car, etc. and to pay for raising our kids. But the entire time we are working, our minds are occupied with the thought of the next…
-
Legacy in relation to retirement – how to achieve it
Have you ever thought about what your legacy would be when you die? I know, that sounds a bit like a morbid question to ask a total stranger, right? But seriously, most of us go through life for the most part trying to survive and take care of ourselves and our families, but what…
-
Find a hobby in retirement to beat the blues
When you hear the word hobby, what does it make you think of first? Maybe something like stamp collecting, scrapbooking, reading, things that most people do that are sedentary for the most part. Hey, nothing wrong with being sedentary sometimes, I like to kick back and relax as much as the next person! But after…
-
Are you retiring before or after your spouse?
Another thing to consider is if you are married, or living together as a couple, have you thought about who might retire first? How does the other person feel about that? For most couples it isn’t practical or convenient to retire at the same time, or even the same year in most cases, unless you…
-
Happiness in retirement – what does it really mean?
I would like to talk about something we can all relate to – happiness. It’s one of the things that we all know when we see or feel it, but trying to describe it is very tricky! What makes you happy? The definition most people have of happy is something similar to “having mostly positive…
-
Retire earlier if you have health issues – maximize your time!
There are many things to consider when you want to decide when to retire, but one of the most important considerations is your health. When we are healthy and everything is going fine in our lives, there is nothing further from our mind than continuing to live our lives the way we always have. However,…
-
Retirement reasons – are there reasons for not wanting to retire?
Are there reasons for not wanting to retire? Yes! Maybe most of us simply assume that everyone really, really wants to retire as soon as possible, right? I always thought that was just the way things were. However, I’m finding out that there are people out in the world who simply love their careers so…
-
How to maximize your money in retirement
How can I maximize the money I have? Very carefully, of course! There are ways to make your money last much longer, and once you start to consider retiring it’s a foregone conclusion that you have to start doing exactly that. This is one of the hardest things to get used to for some folks,…
-
Be bold in retirement – reinvent yourself for better life
Act your age? Why start now! There is no reason you can’t just reinvent yourself and change the way you look at the world. With so many changes in our world lately, we all need to explore new things, create new identities, new interests that we can find to make life more enjoyable. You can…
-
Life and retirement – what a long, strange trip it’s been! With more to come, too
When we think about our lives being a long and almost unimaginable journey, it is almost overwhelming isn’t it? The year I turned 65 I just couldn’t believe that I had survived this long on the planet Earth, still intact (relatively) and mostly sane (some would debate that statement). But what will the future hold…
-
Retirement – the perfect time to enjoy life to the fullest!
When we’re young, we don’t really have a filter on our thoughts about what we want to be when we grow up. I wanted at one time to be a professional tennis player, since that was what I felt passionate about in high school. Of course, the reality set in when I found out how…
-
Is fear holding you back from retirement?
So, you have been working for about 40 years now, give or take a decade or so. Honestly, do you not want to retire at this point? Most people I’ve spoken to get a feeling of total freedom once they have retired, and freedom is the best feeling in the world from what I have…
-
What is the sweet spot for your retirement? Money vs Time – the ultimate question
When you are considering when to retire, there is usually the typical question of “do I have enough money” – which is for almost everyone the most important question to ask. However, you should also be asking “how much time do I have left to do what I want”, which only you can answer based…
-
Changing your mindset in retirement can mean everything
Embracing a Positive Mindset in Retirement: Pathways to Happiness Retirement marks a significant transition in life, moving from years of structured work to a phase of newfound freedom. This change, while liberating for some, can be daunting for others. Adopting a positive mindset is crucial for navigating this phase successfully and achieving happiness. Here are…
-
What’s up with boomer bashing?
Hello, it’s me again! I wanted to reach out and discuss something that I have seen quite a bit of lately – boomer bashing. This is where the younger folks (obviously younger than retirees) are having quite a bit of fun with making fun of us “boomers” as they love to call us. Yes, I’m…