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Explore turning points, everyday joys and unexpected challenges after financial independence or retirement, with the date and original source for each account.

Age
Wealth
Years
Posts
181–190 of 541 posts

A travel sabbatical became a flexible working life

2024 · Year 1Recalled in 2026

Life at the time

  • Ended nine months of travel when a long-sought apartment became available.
  • Bought the small apartment without a mortgage and largely renovated it personally.

How it felt

  • Loved doing the renovation and felt proud of the result. “I also loved the process”
  • The small, bright home prompted a rethink of the larger properties once considered necessary. “Now I was thinking about what I actually needed.”

A damaged RV, a market slump and a new home change the dream

2024Recalled in 2026

Life at the time

  • They completed a home in north central Texas and ended full-time RV travel.
  • Construction delays extended an expensive hotel stay from weeks to months.

How it felt

  • The move followed grief and waning enthusiasm for road life. “we finally caught a break”
  • A positive financial year finally felt like a welcome break. “back on track”

He spends little. His retirement is anything but simple.

Dec 2023 · Year 13

Life at the time

  • Replaced the rental property manager and dealt with vacancies and repair costs. “I did a major business restructure”
  • Hiked with a friend, played games and turned an underused pool area into a weights room. “I spent a lot of time hiking all over the Ozarks.”

How it felt

  • Was unhappy with how the rentals had been managed.
  • Continued choosing familiar interests while the business demanded attention.

The executive title is easier to lose than expected

Dec 2023Interview snapshot · published 2024-05

Life at the time

  • Following an earlier-than-expected corporate exit, he tried more biking, hiking, golf, pickleball and gym time.

How it felt

  • He was surprised by how little he missed the prestige of his former role and appreciated life without that title. “I am surprised how little I miss it”

They retired to travel the world. Then family life rewrote the plan.

Dec 2023 · Year 11

Life at the time

  • Settled into school, sports, home routines and trips around school holidays.
  • Planned closer expense tracking after reviewing roughly $118,000 in annual spending.

How it felt

  • Was surprised by retail purchases even though spending remained within budget. “We spent HOW MUCH on Amazon.com?!?!”
  • Preferred devoting time to other things rather than endlessly optimizing expenses. “I would rather do other things with my time”

The projects remain, but the commitments are chosen

Nov 2023 · Year 5Interview snapshot · published 2024-04

Life at the time

  • Five years after his executive career, he maintained properties, learned mechanical skills, pursued music and sometimes used his expertise for paid projects.

How it felt

  • He valued control over his commitments and enjoyed being useful on his own terms. “It feels good to be wanted in this way”

Unhurried mornings and creative afternoons

Nov 2023Interview snapshot · published 2024-04

Life at the time

  • Retirement days included coffee and reading, followed by home projects, woodworking, quilt-making, social contact and cycling.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed retirement and the absence of deadlines after years in always-on operations management. “I have truly enjoyed every day of retirement.”

Longer trips, with fewer rental-property headaches in mind

Nov 2023Interview snapshot · published 2024-04

Life at the time

  • He traveled for weeks at a time and played tennis and pickleball at home, while considering selling troublesome rentals.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed retirement and hoped that reducing property responsibilities would make it better still. “the ones that have given me the most headaches.”

A three-month trial finally broke the work habit

Nov 2023 · At departureRecalled in 2024

Life at the time

  • Finished the last part-time contract.
  • Joined an already-retired spouse in a three-month retirement trial.

How it felt

  • Doubted the ability to stop after always working. “I wasn’t sure I could actually do it”
  • Found the initial adjustment difficult. “It was hard at first”

Comfort came easily. Companionship took longer.

Oct 2023 · Year 11

Life at the time

  • Moved to a quieter life in another city with a partner.
  • Supported her goals and added new learning alongside established hobbies.

How it felt

  • Valued the progress that came from being a beginner again. “The feeling of progress/self improvement is priceless.”
  • Continued to appreciate the reassurance of financial independence. “the peace of mind that FI brings never gets old”

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