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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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71–80 of 88 posts

A smaller home makes space for people

Jul 2018Interview snapshot · published 2018

Life at the time

  • After retiring in 2014, he and his wife moved from a large suburban Chicago home to a Florida condo.

How it felt

  • Adjustment took time, but he valued having more time with his wife, relatives and friends. “it took some time to adjust to this new life”

A wish for roots does not mean a wish for office hours

Apr 2018

Life at the time

  • She traveled without a permanent lease or household bills.
  • She increasingly wanted her own bed and familiar belongings.

How it felt

  • Finances felt secure, but travel had become tiring. “I’ve grown weary of the road”
  • She felt isolated and wondered whether roots and relationships mattered more than mobility. “the more isolated I feel”

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

Jan 2018 · Year 5

Life at the time

  • Tried school in Taipei after their son wanted more contact with other children.
  • Changed the initial school arrangement and began fitting travel around a classroom calendar.

How it felt

  • Valued responding to their child’s preferences. “Listening to your kids is a wonderful thing.”
  • Had not settled where the family would live or travel next. “Future destinations: unknown.”

An involuntary exit opened an active life; a grandchild changed the map

Jan 2018

Life at the time

  • Charity flights and yoga occupied retirement.
  • He earned a commercial pilot’s licence and declined two jobs.

How it felt

  • The urge to return to work faded after several months. “gift of involuntary retirement”
  • Helping passengers made his contributions feel tangible. “smiles on faces”

A travel fund makes room to enjoy retirement

Oct 2017 · Year 2Interview snapshot · published 2017

Life at the time

  • Two years after retirement, the couple took frequent trips and spent substantial time at their mountain cabin.

How it felt

  • Keeping a separate travel fund helped him enjoy spending on experiences. “fun to figure out how to spend it.”

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

2017Recalled in 2019

Life at the time

  • A house renovation and move from New England filled the transition.
  • His wife joined him after finishing the school year.

How it felt

  • Leaving a long career was briefly emotional. “our hands more than full”
  • The building project kept him engaged in what came next. “that was temporary”

A trial in Mexico grew into a home and a different health routine

2017Recalled in 2022

Life at the time

  • Two snowbird seasons gave them spending records.
  • They moved full-time to Mexico and budgeted for local care.

How it felt

  • Tracking costs gave them confidence in the move. “we knew”
  • They accepted leaving Ontario’s familiar coverage. “lose our OHIP coverage”

Travel freedom grows into a local life with purpose

Sep 2016 · Year 1

Life at the time

  • They toured by motorhome, reaching Croatia and northern Norway.
  • Rentals, investments and small publishing income supported the journeys.

How it felt

  • Jay missed some colleagues and banter, but did not miss the job. “no, I haven’t missed work”
  • Money worries were easing; simple living felt deeply satisfying. “This is my dream life”

Travel opened the world. Deciding where home belonged proved harder.

2016Recalled in 2021

Life at the time

  • A long holiday marked the opening stretch.
  • Lists, routines and meeting people helped after the holiday feeling faded.

How it felt

  • Work worries stopped following him home. “disappearance of stress”
  • He discovered he and Sally had assumed different retirement plans. “got our wires crossed”

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