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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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61–70 of 88 posts

A smaller home requires room for each other

Jun 2020Interview snapshot · published 2020-08

“We also can drive each other crazy at times”

ESI Retiree 25Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • The couple moved from a house into a fifth-wheel trailer and managed belongings carefully in the smaller space.

How it felt

  • She liked having her husband around after retirement, but constant proximity sometimes required separate errands or outdoor tasks. “We also can drive each other crazy at times”
HomeSimplicityPartners
ESI Retiree 25
Read original postesimoney.com

A flooded first home did not undo the appeal of quiet retirement

May 2020Recalled in 2020

“This was not only expensive but soul crushing as well, my brand new apartment was wrecked.”

u/jasta85Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Finished major repairs to a duplex purchased in January.
  • Canceled the move after flooding and arranged cleanup and a second renovation.

How it felt

  • Found the destruction of the newly finished apartment crushing. “soul crushing”
  • Felt the repaired place had lost some of its new-home appeal. “lost a lot of the ‘brand new’ feeling”
HomeSimplicity
u/jasta85
Read original postreddit.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

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

A long retirement became a community life, with room for changing health.

May 2019 · Year 16

“Retirement has been busy and satisfying.”

ESI Retiree 11Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Community clubs, neighbors and volunteering filled their days after a move.
  • Most travel centered on children and grandchildren.

How it felt

  • Retirement remained busy and satisfying. “busy and satisfying”
  • Medical appointments took more time as they aged. “new friends”
HomeFriendsFamily
ESI Retiree 11
Read original postesimoney.com

A busy move eased the exit. Then they had to protect some quiet time.

Apr 2019 · Year 2

“we actually have to scale back sometimes because it can get to be too much.”

ESI Retiree 6Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Exercise, home projects and civic activities filled flexible days.
  • Their new social circle was far busier than before retirement.

How it felt

  • They valued spending time together and separately. “me time”
  • An overflowing calendar could feel stressful to him. “we actually have to scale back”
HomeFriendsBoundaries
ESI Retiree 6
Read original postesimoney.com

They imagined months away. Home, friends and flexible work changed the plan.

2019 · Year 7

“we missed home too much”

Steve & Lynn MillerRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Steve combined part-time consulting with trips of a few weeks.
  • They had replaced the condo with a house near friends and beach activities.

How it felt

  • Long trips had made them miss home. “we missed home too much”
  • The flexible work arrangement suited them when its boundaries were respected. “establishing boundaries”
HomeBoundariesWork
Steve & Lynn Miller
Read original postretireearlylifestyle.com

They could afford freedom. Agreeing on what it meant was harder.

Dec 2018 · Year 1

“A year after leaving my job, I still feel too busy.”

Chris MamulaRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Left his job and moved across the country, rebuilding routines and relationships.
  • Said yes to social opportunities, sometimes at the expense of time as a couple.

How it felt

  • Still felt too busy a year after leaving work. “A year after leaving my job, I still feel too busy.”
  • He and his wife had different needs for freedom and security, with no settled shared routine yet. “We’re not there yet.”
PartnersRoutineHome
Chris Mamula
Read original postcaniretireyet.com

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