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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.

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11–20 of 67 posts

A pensionless retirement finds confidence without losing its chores

Dec 2025Recalled in 2026

“we were not worried”

A.R. English and Rich · Retired at48Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They continued funding expenses through dividends.
  • Managing stock reorganizations and charitable share donations occupied attention.

How it felt

  • They felt little need to react to market volatility. “we were not worried”
  • Brokerage communication failures remained a source of annoyance. “I was extremely annoyed”
MoneyTravelEnough
A.R. English and Rich · Retired at48
Read original postretiredat48book.blogspot.com

The mortgage ended and spending became more generous

Oct 2025Recalled in 2026

“Unlike many affluent retirees, I am not afraid to spend money to bring joy as my wife and I enter the “7th Chapter.””

ESI Millionaire 231Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They increased international travel and upgraded hotels.
  • They made their final mortgage payment.

How it felt

  • He felt fortunate to have good health. “Free at last!”
  • Spending for enjoyment no longer troubled him. “not afraid to spend”
MoneyTravelContentment
ESI Millionaire 231
Read original postesimoney.com

A leisurely breakfast after the early workout

Oct 2025Interview snapshot · published 2026-02

“I have not come close to being bored.”

ESI Millionaire 459Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • With both retired, the couple exercised early, ate slowly, read, socialized and traveled together.

How it felt

  • He reported no boredom and no desire to return to a job, while becoming more willing to spend. “I’m already living them!”
RoutineContentmentMoney
ESI Millionaire 459
Read original postesimoney.com

The second retirement has more people and purpose in it

Oct 2025Interview snapshot · published 2026-03

“It is a big adjustment to spend money, as I am so used to saving.”

ESI Millionaire 462Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After returning to work following a first retirement attempt, she retired again in 2024 and built weekly food-bank, library and walking commitments.

How it felt

  • She expected this attempt to last because she had found fulfilling activities, though spending remained an adjustment. “It is a big adjustment to spend money”
PurposeFriendsMoney
ESI Millionaire 462
Read original postesimoney.com

The quieter town offered freedom, but too little company.

Sep 2025 · Year 1.5

“When you have struggled and saved for 30-40 years, it is hard to flip that switch.”

ESI Retiree 59Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Hiking, kayaking and furniture restoration joined travel and exercise.
  • They considered whether another move might offer more social opportunities.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed controlling the pace of the day. “new and strange”
  • Spending after decades of saving still felt difficult. “hard to flip that switch”
HomeFriendsMoney
ESI Retiree 59
Read original postesimoney.com

The portfolio cleared the target. Purpose did not arrive with it.

Aug 2025

“Now there's an empty spot in my soul where the purpose should be, but it's always been empty, I had just kept myself too busy to notice it.”

u/onthewingsofangelsRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Spent more time on family and personal interests.
  • Used professional skills through technology volunteering.

How it felt

  • Still missed the sense of purpose that a career had supplied. “Now there's an empty spot in my soul where the purpose should be”
  • Enjoyed volunteering’s useful work without the same hierarchy and obligations. “more fun and fewer bosses.”
IdentityPurposeMoney
u/onthewingsofangels
Read original postreddit.com

A frightening first year gave way to contented home days

2025 · At departureRecalled in 2026

“I was anxious about RE last year”

u/Widget248953Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Retired after losing a job rather than working the planned extra year.
  • Made home improvements while severance and other funds covered most expenses.

How it felt

  • Felt anxious about early retirement. “I was anxious about RE last year”
  • The year’s market decline frightened the author despite a workable financial margin. “shaking in my boots”
EnoughHome
u/Widget248953
Read original postreddit.com

A freer calendar did not instantly make spending easy

Dec 2024

“I’m really excited”

Nelson SmithRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Travelled roughly seven weeks and played about thirty rounds of golf.
  • Expanded the newsletter while keeping ordinary household costs low.

How it felt

  • Felt excited about the direction of his writing business. “I’m really excited”
  • Considered his life rich and enjoyable rather than a constant sacrifice. “a rich life that I really enjoy”
MoneyRoutineTravel
Nelson Smith
Read original postcanadiandividendinvesting.com

A pensionless retirement finds confidence without losing its chores

Dec 2024Recalled in 2025

“A hugely traumatic event”

A.R. English and Rich · Retired at48Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They took a two-and-a-half-week Portugal trip after years of more limited vacations.
  • A bank hack prompted new account-security routines.

How it felt

  • Portugal felt wonderful after the long delay. “a wonderful experience”
  • The hacking experience left them highly sensitive to unexpected transactions. “A hugely traumatic event”
MoneyTravelEnough
A.R. English and Rich · Retired at48
Read original postretiredat48book.blogspot.com

Leaving the business lifted a weight. Enough became easier to recognize.

Jul 2024 · Year 17

“We can do what we wish now”

HariSeldonRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Travel and e-bikes absorbed more spending.
  • They had replaced surplus bedrooms with more usable living space.

How it felt

  • He valued freedom over additional financial risk. “Financial freedom is brilliant”
  • Their resources felt sufficient for what they wanted. “We can do what we wish now”
EnoughSimplicityTravel
HariSeldon
Read original postmonevator.com

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