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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
71–80 of 94 posts

Travel and sport held their appeal as family needs continued

Dec 2019

Life at the time

  • Travel occupied roughly seventy nights that year.
  • Baseball and golf continued alongside his wife’s music.

How it felt

  • He felt secure about maintaining their lifestyle. “we will be fine”
  • He still worried about relatives who needed help. “worry about family members”

The world tour ended. Teaching gave the quieter life another dimension.

Jul 2019 · Year 1

Life at the time

  • Spent long stretches traveling with his family.
  • Kept limits on blogging so it would not overtake family time.

How it felt

  • Found the strongest reward in being together. “We are happiest when we’re together”
  • Wanted publishing to remain secondary to the retirement it documented. “I won’t let my blog interfere with my early retirement (yet)”

He could go anywhere. Six years later, he wanted to stay home.

May 2019 · Year 1

Life at the time

  • Volunteered as an English teacher in Bangkok and returned home after about ten months.
  • Accepted a small remote role from a former employer.

How it felt

  • Looked back positively on the travel, volunteering and people he met. “Regret nothing, would do it all over again.”
  • The paid role still felt manageable because it had stayed limited. “it hasn't grown into anything bigger yet”

Adventure filled their early years. Writing and family made room for a quieter life.

2019 · Year 12

Life at the time

  • Overseas trips had shortened to six or seven weeks to make room for family.
  • They built productive activities and downtime into days without a work schedule.

How it felt

  • They described less stress and more enjoyment. “Less stress, more fun”
  • Choosing their own path felt worthwhile, without regret about leaving traditional jobs. “We have absolutely no regrets”

The rental business brings freedom, but fewer office friends

Dec 2018Interview snapshot · published 2019-04

Life at the time

  • After selling a business, he managed rental-property managers and made room for extended travel and time with his wife and daughter.

How it felt

  • He considered himself retired while still working on investments, and missed the everyday social contact of an office. “I miss the social aspect of having an office”

He escaped Sunday-night dread. A decade later, even freedom needed downtime.

Dec 2018

Life at the time

  • Prepared for the oldest child to enter high school.
  • Planned extended travel for 2019 and anticipated later driving and college expenses.

How it felt

  • Found family life full enough to wonder how full-time work had fitted into it. “wondering how we ever had time for full time jobs”
  • Was aware of the next stage of parenting approaching. “college is just around the corner.”

A dance-floor adventure and a quieter relationship with blogging

Oct 2018

Life at the time

  • They had paused regular blogging.
  • Nearly two years based in one location left fewer new stories.

How it felt

  • Posting had begun to feel obligatory. “feel pressured”
  • Lori lacked inspiration to keep writing. “didn't feel inspired”

A dance-floor adventure and a quieter relationship with blogging

Jun 2018

Life at the time

  • Lori entered a cruise dance competition and rehearsed with a professional.
  • Randy and new friends cheered from the audience.

How it felt

  • She was nervous about the final. “nervous butterflies”
  • The performance ended with happiness and relief. “relief and happiness”

Travel together, with another career still possible

May 2018Interview snapshot · published 2018

Life at the time

  • The retired couple traveled and exercised regularly, while remaining interested in trying a different line of work.

How it felt

  • He valued close family involvement and wanted to enjoy experiences while they were healthy. “I’m not a fan of being away from the family at all”

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