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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
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381–390 of 541 posts

Leaving the executive role made room for parenting, but not an empty day.

Mar 2020 · Year 0.75

“However for me I do feel that my level of happiness is generally the same.”

ESI Retiree 20Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • School runs, baby care and bedtime stories anchored family life.
  • Part-time consulting and a developing coaching project supplied challenges.

How it felt

  • He valued the slower mornings. “a lot less rushing”
  • Parenting was demanding, and he described happiness as broadly unchanged. “generally the same”
ParenthoodPurposeIdentity
ESI Retiree 20
Read original postesimoney.com

Renting winter homes keeps the next destination open

Mar 2020Interview snapshot · published 2020

“we have now opted to rent (Airbnb) instead”

ESI Millionaire 164Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After a consulting phase ended, the retired couple traveled more and chose winter rentals instead of buying a second home.

How it felt

  • They wanted to explore several southern locations before deciding whether one suited them for a permanent winter base. “we have now opted to rent (Airbnb) instead”
HomeTravelChange
ESI Millionaire 164
Read original postesimoney.com

A frightening market coincided with a reassuring new community

Mar 2020Recalled in 2021

“I had to dig deep for trust in my chosen asset allocation.”

ESI Millionaire 216Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She entered a continuing-care community.
  • She maintained her chosen investment allocation during the market fall.

How it felt

  • The timing tested her trust in her finances. “dig deep”
  • Experience of the earlier crash helped her avoid changing course. “leaving it alone”
HomeContentmentChange
ESI Millionaire 216
Read original postesimoney.com

A market shock tested confidence; beach life made the trade worthwhile

Mar 2020Recalled in 2021

“It was a bit frustrating watching investors in these tech companies gloat about outsized gains.”

Stop Ironing ShirtsRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He used cash and bonds to buy falling stocks.
  • His value-heavy holdings recovered more slowly than technology stocks.

How it felt

  • The market decline briefly shook his confidence. “briefly unnerving”
  • Watching other investors’ gains was frustrating. “a bit frustrating”
MoneyFreedomIdentity
Stop Ironing Shirts
Read original postesimoney.com

An arts career grows after the technology career ends

Jan 2020Interview snapshot · published 2020

“I do not have a “typical” retirement.”

ESI Millionaire 171Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring from technology management at 57, she pursued largely self-funded creative work alongside exercise, travel and helping others.

How it felt

  • She described a busy retirement rather than a slowdown, with family and friends still filling her time. “I have not slowed down at all.”
CreativityPurposeFriends
ESI Millionaire 171
Read original postesimoney.com

An unexpected exit slowly became a retirement she chose

Jan 2020

“a dream come true”

Leanne / Cresting the HillRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Left an exhausting job while her husband continued earning enough for their bills.
  • Lived simply in a debt-free household and watched discretionary purchases.

How it felt

  • Found home a refuge shared with her husband and cats. “a dream come true”
  • Saw early retirement as relief from an unrewarding working life. “a haven and refuge”
HomeSlowing downPartners
Leanne / Cresting the Hill
Read original postcrestingthehill.com.au

Retirement became a return to school and a new kind of work

Jan 2020Recalled in 2022

“Earned a master’s degree and got my academic do-over”

ESI Millionaire 99Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She began a master’s program after her December exit.
  • Financial-literacy projects continued alongside study.

How it felt

  • The pandemic made her first retirement year feel strange. “super weird”
  • She wanted an academic fresh start. “academic do-over”
CuriosityPurposeMoney
ESI Millionaire 99
Read original postesimoney.com

A forced pause turned into selective work and deliberate family time

2020Recalled in 2022

“be more life and family first and career second.”

ESI Millionaire 93Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • The pandemic prompted a year away from usual work.
  • The couple reconsidered how family and careers fit together.

How it felt

  • Slowing down shifted their priorities. “reset”
  • They began valuing a less work-centered life. “family first”
FamilyPurposeWork
ESI Millionaire 93
Read original postesimoney.com

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