I officially retired 6 years ago, on July 5, 2018. Before I retired, I was curious about what life would REALLY be like in retirement. Now…I know. I started The Retirement Reality Series to share my journey and lessons from retirement. The series has provided a window into...
When I posted about the start of construction on my house, some of you expressed an interest in updates. So, here is the first update on the progress. It’s taken all of two months to complete the permit process, excavation and foundation. That seems like...
It’s hard to spend money in retirement. I get it. I’ve been there. That paycheck has stopped, inflation is rampant, and you’re afraid your money may run out before you die. Scary stuff, indeed. Today, we’re asking a challenging question. Is being “scared to spend” a valid fear? I’m also...
I kicked off the holiday season at Thanksgiving with my family. In the United States we celebrate on the fourth Thursday in November. This year I felt especially grateful for my life and those sharing in my journey. Now, with Christmas less than two weeks...
In the words of Harvard University, “Dopamine can provide an intense feeling of reward.” Its purpose is to help us feel pleasure “as part of the brain’s reward system.” Sounds great, right? But what happens when something that is intended for good is, instead, manipulated for less honorable...
A year ago I sat at this computer writing about my word of the year (WOTY), a trendy replacement for making New Year resolutions. Conflicted about which word to choose, I chose all three in the title of this post – creativity, self-discovery and adventure. ...
None of us want to end up rolling down a nursing home hallway in a wheelchair, right? If that’s how you feel, it raises a question… What are you doing about it? The reality is that the decisions you make now have a direct correlation with the odds...
A few months ago I went to my bank, something I rarely do in this world of banking apps and cash back at almost every retailer. As I waited in line for my turn the woman in front of me struck up a conversation with...
As we age, it’s normal to become more empathetic toward widows and widowers. We see friends go through the struggle of losing their spouse and deal with that difficult transition into widowhood. We begin to realize that, if we’re married, the odds are either we...
Recently, a long time follower gifted me with a book. Knowing I was widowed in 2022, she messaged me and asked if she could send me Hope For Widows – Reflections on Mourning, Living, and Change by Marilyn Nutter. Having read several books on loss,...