Retirement Done Differently: Slow Travel

Doug Nordman is a reader and often leaves comments on Satisfying Retirement. Also, he has his own blog, The-Military-Guide.com, providing information and insight to military members, both past and present. 

Last month's post, Retirement Done Differently, promoted a comment from Doug that led to my request for him to tell me more about a retirement lifestyle that may attract you: slow travel. Even though his usual focus is on military matters, this guest post contains plenty of information and suggestions for us civilians (does my 6 years in the Army Reserves count?). The idea of staying in a location long enough to adapt to the pace of life and deeply explore the area certainly appeals to me.

Maybe you, too!

My spouse and I are a dual-military couple:  I retired from the submarine force in 2002 and she retired from the Navy Reserve in 2008.  (We reached our financial independence by 1999 on a high savings rate.)  We've lived on Oahu since 1989.  Our daughter (born & raised here) started her own Navy career in 2014.

We love the islands and our Pacific Rim culture, yet we still enjoy seeing the world.  Every flight from Hawaii is at least 2500 miles, so we try to spend extra time at our destination(s) and fewer hours in the air. 

We lived my first 12 years of retirement with our daughter's school schedules, and our breaks only allowed for a few weeks of the typical holiday vacations and college visits.  During our empty-nester years, however, we've discovered slow travel.  At every destination we live like locals for months. 

When you're working a career (or raising a family), you only have a couple weeks for your annual trip.  Everyone else in America is also vacationing at the same time, and the travel industry fully exploits the crowd.  You're usually visiting a resort, and your lodging might not even include a kitchen.  (Your corporate host wants you to buy their resort food.)  You barely have the time to learn your transportation options and you pay full retail prices to get around.  When you add it all up you're living like a two-week millionaire.

It's still pretty good!  You can control these outrageous expenses by travel hacking with rewards programs, credit-card points, and discounts.  However your time is your most valuable resource, and just as you really get started on your vacation you have to return home.

Slow travel replaces the entire traditional vacation with your new lifestyle.

Instead of traveling during summers or holiday peaks, you visit during the rest of the year.  Airfares are cheaper and the crowds are gone.  You'll use AirBnB or Booking.com to find long-term rentals with a kitchen.  You can try your own cooking from the farmer's markets and still eat out.  You can rent a car, but you can also figure out the public transportation systems.

You live like a local, and you're enjoying day trips to local attractions.  Now your travel depends more on your passport & visa than on your budget.  It's a staycation in a different country.

In early 2015 my spouse and I cashed in our frequent-flyer miles to visit Spain.  (As military retirees we've also traveled on Space A flights, but that's a whole different blog post.)  Our daughter was stationed in Rota (free lodging!) but monthly apartments are plentiful-- and at a huge discount to hotels.   

Cadiz Plaza

Our daughter was on sea duty, so my spouse and I were on our own.  During the next three months we took day trips to everything within 25 miles.  We'd sleep in, take our time with breakfast, and start out after the morning rush hour.  We'd take a walking tour of a town and visit its local attractions.  During the later afternoons we'd enjoy a leisurely Spanish lunch and return home around sunset.  We'd cook our dinner or walk to a local restaurant.  Some days we'd stay "home" doing chores or grocery shopping or planning a longer side trip.  Each month we'd go to Sevilla or Madrid for a week.  The big-city prices were very negotiable during off-season when we shopped around and rented for longer periods. 

The only travel limit that made us head home was our 90-day visa.

Gilbraltor viewed from Spain

We enjoyed ourselves so much on that first visit that we returned in the fall for another 60 days.  We spent nearly half the year in Spain, yet our budget barely noticed the difference.

The following year we visited Europe with friends for a couple of months.  They wanted to start the trip with a cruise, and it was a huge contrast with our slow travel.  We all had fun but my spouse and I felt as though we were rushing from one place to the next on a multi-country scavenger hunt. 

After the cruise we rented a villa in an Italian hill town.  While our friends buzzed around the countryside in their rental vehicle, we walked all over the town and surrounding hills (with occasional buses and taxis).  We could have easily spent months exploring Cortona, Orvieto, or Padua.  We didn't miss the crowds (and tourist prices) of Venice or Rome one bit.

The cruise cost enough to be a rare fantasy trip.  However our slow travel through those hill towns was very inexpensive.

We've also lived like this in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Dallas, Seattle, Norfolk, and Charleston.  In the next few years we're tackling Japan and Australia. 

After that?  Well, we're not as hardcore as Billy & Akaisha Kaderli at RetireEarlyLifestyle.com.  But we're tempted to try a few months with TrustedHousesitters like Heather & Volkan.

Travel while you still can.  Slow travel helps us appreciate it even more.

Doug Nordman is the author of "The Military Guide To Financial Independence and Retirement" and blogs at The-Military-Guide.com.

Not Knowing What You Don't Know About Retirement

A reader sent me an email recently that contained an intriguing question and one that deserved a post. I'll let his words set the scene:

"As a follower of your blog and a reader of various websites on the topics of aging and retirement, I see the focus upon and comments by those folks who have planned and prepared for retirement for years. They may now fret over "have I saved enough" and "should I downsize/relocate" and etc but they usually are very prepared. But what about folks who just sort of find themselves retired? And there are a bunch of us. They don't know what they don't know.

So my Question: have you done a post recently from the perspective of/ or directed to someone who "finds themself retired" without necessarily having planned to be there? All of the concerns of the unknown are quite frightening. The scare mongers who are usually investment companies tell us we need millions saved or we will be in the poor house.

 The Internet is full of calculators that purport to give your Magic Number that most will not achieve especially when they find themself already retired. There can then be a tendency to enter this exciting chapter of life under the misconception that it will not turn out well. And you know that is not necessarily true."

He is quite right: becoming retired when you have planned for it, saved for it, and thought about life after work is one thing. It is quite another to suddenly finds oneself "retired" due to job loss, health or family situations, or simply burned out and needing to make a clean break. I can certainly relate. My retirement happened quite suddenly: my business went from robust to bust in about 18 months, about 5 years earlier than I had planned to walk away.

How do you know what you are supposed to know? Who do you believe? For those who have sort of stumbled into retirement what suggestions might I have? 

For purposes of this exercise, I am assuming the the situation isn't caused by simply ignoring the realities that are ahead of us all. If someone thought "it will all work out" and that was the extent of their planning, I refer you back to this post: 5 Retirement Myths You Should Ignore.

But, if you were rushed into retirement before everything came together, what should you do? What should be your approach?


1) Prepare a clear-eyed, realistic look at your financial situation now. 

This is a time to focus on where you are that this moment. What are your realistic streams of income? What is the condition of your investments, any pensions, future Social Security, and savings? Could you down-size your housing situation to cut expenses? Don't allow the "experts" who tell you you need X number of dollars to have a satisfying retirement influence your analysis of your situation. You have what you have. You will make it work.


2) Develop a strict budget that matches income with outgo. 

Cut what doesn't fit. Align your resources with your needs. Wants will come later. Live within that budget. You can live comfortably on a lot less than you may assume. Nobody needs 150 TV channels. No one needs the latest smart phone. Even 2 cars may be an extravagance that must be given up. When I lost a job many years ago, with two young kids and a wife to support, we didn't go to the local mall for a full year. Mac and cheese became a staple, hot dogs a treat. No temptation helps keep spending in check. 

3) Be sure to budget for health care. 

I have admitted this before, but when I retired I forgot to budget for health care increases. This was a serious oversight. If over 65 Medicare will be your savior. If not, you are entering a scary uncertain place, particularly at this time in our country's history. Health care costs are really unknowable, but whatever you think they may be I'd suggest adding 20% and keeping your fingers crossed. Even with Medicare, you will have plenty of expenses. Plan for them.

4) Develop of list of all the activities, hobbies, passions, and interests you have had throughout your life.

If thrown into retirement before you are ready, you will need activities to help you stay busy and focus on the opportunities that lie ahead, not the mess you may be in now. Think of whatever you like, or even used to find enjoyable at some time in your past. You have the time to feed those passions. One caution: if your hobby is rebuilding classic automobiles, that might not be your best option until your finances are steady! 


5) If you have a significant relationship put maximum effort into protecting and strengthening it.

Show me a study on retirement happiness and I will show you a section about the role strong relationships play in that journey. It could be a spouse, a significant other, or a best friend or two. But, you need those relationships to keep you on course and happy. Being with another person for 20 or 30 years in an unfulfilling, tense relationship is not a pleasant prospect. Use your new-found time to relationship-build. Trust me, it is worth more than money.



Knowing what you don't know, and then acquiring that knowledge is the first step to a productive and fulfilling retirement. You will make it work. You will not just survive, you will prosper. Retirement is all about you. Live it up.

That Special Holiday: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is four days of family, food, relaxation, and no gift-giving pressure.

I refuse to participate in the insanity of Black Friday. In fact, unless it is to visit family I make it a point to not leave the house. My life is blessed. I know that and I thank God everyday for it. I also know it could be taken away from me, or someone I love, in an instant so I take no precious moments for granted. It is truly a satisfying retirement life.


I wish for you and your family a happy, joyous, and peaceful Thanksgiving weekend. Whatever your circumstances you have something to be thankful for. 

Dwell on that this holiday.

Look for a fresh post in a few days.

Sexual Harassment and Abuse: The Lid Has Been Torn Off

The last few months have brought a unsettling problem back into the spotlight: sexual harassment and abuse charges against several powerful and well-known men. From politics to entertainment, religion to business, these lurid stories of women, and some men, being victims of unwelcome, inappropriate, and illegal sexual advancements are being reported with stunning regularity.

The Me Too hashtag on Twitter shows almost 2 million uses in just the last month. Researchers say that an overwhelming majority of women, and a surprisingly high percentage of men, have been sexually harassed at some point in their lives. 

Until this all came to the foreground, I am afraid I was blissfully unaware of the size of the problem. I know that many men in positions of authority use sex as a tool of power or intimidation. Reports of affairs and cheating are depressingly common. 

Yet, the current list of people affected along with the social and personal costs of these crimes is beyond anything I knew existed. I should have been more aware. I raised two daughters. I had the normal dad concerns  about teenage boys and hormones. I also knew that at least one of my daughters and my wife had suffered through periods of sexual harassment at school and work.

But, until the news headlines and #MeToo campaign made this a topic of conversation, it wasn't a part of their past I thought about. Now, they tell me every female they know suffered some of the same sexual indignities. 

I was shocked at how close to home these stories can strike. This isn't just a Hollywood or Washington issue. I became angry at the people who do this every day and get away with it until someone has the courage to risk everything by saying, "Enough." 

I do caution myself that an accusation isn't always a fact. Today, just the suggestion of a sexual misdeed can end a career or a life's reputation. So, care must be taken that someone doesn't use these charges as a weapon. However, when multiple people report similar behavior or details are specific, there comes a feeling that behind the smoke is a nasty fire. To simply dismiss the charges as old news or fake is not acceptable.

Frankly, as a male, I hesitated even writing about this topic. I am aware that the emotional and physical scars on the victims are real and long-lasting. The mix of feelings these assaults trigger are more complicated than I could ever understand. 

But, as a human being, regardless of my sex, I can be appalled at the affront to personal dignity and sense of self that these events cause. To stay quiet, even if I say something wrong, seems even worse.

A Quick Medicare Primer

This post originally ran in September, 2012. Last week a regular blog reader mentioned how helpful it was to him when he was researching his options.  I noticed it is still getting some views even after 5 years, so I thought it would be good to bring it back for new readers and those who are now close to 65 and looking for a simple review. I have freshened it up a bit from the original.

Here you go!


One query that pops up rather often a concern about Medicare. The worry is not about the fate of the program or asking for help in determining what the politicians are likely to do (good question!). No, it is much more basic: "Please explain Medicare to me" or  "What decisions do I need to make?"

Disclaimer: I am still about 19 months away from qualifying for Medicare coverage, so I can't speak from experience. However, I'll do my best to summarize what you need to know. I will be covering Medicare, not Medicaid which is an entirely different program. As with most federal programs and health insurance coverage there are enough exemptions and differences to fill 20 posts. I will only attempt to explain the usual, most common situations.

Medicare is a federal program that pays for certain health-related expenses for people 65 and older. While many costs are covered, an individual enrolled in Medicare is responsible for certain deducible and copays. Some services are not covered at all and others for only a limited period of time.

There are four parts of Medicare:

Part A is hospital insurance. Copays, deductibles, or coinsurance will determine what you pay. Usually there is no premium for Part A.

Part B is medical insurance that helps pay for doctor visits, outpatient care, health health care, and equipment. There is a monthly premium for Part B.

Part C is better known as Medicare Advantage. This is coverage provided by Medicare approved private insurance companies.

Part D is prescription drug coverage. This is also run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.


Most folks get Part A and Part B automatically. If you receive benefits from Social Security you will automatically get Part A & B coverage starting the first day of the month you turn 65.  If you aren't yet receiving Social Security (because you are still working for waiting until your full retirement age of 66 or later) you must sign up 3 months before your 65th birthday to get Medicare coverage.

If you must sign up (as noted above) there is something called the Initial Enrollment Period which is the period from 3 moths before until 3 months after your 65th birthday. If you miss this window your benefits will be delayed.

If you decide to wait until after the Initial Enrollment Period, there is a general Enrollment Period during the first three months of each year. However, if you use this option, realize your part B premiums will be higher.

If you are covered by a group health plan at your place of employment  and then want to start Medicare, there is another time period, called the Special Enrollment Period that generally allows you to avoid the higher premiums for late sign up.

With me so far?


Other Factors to Consider

Medicare does not pay 100% of most services. So-called Obamacare has put in place several free screening tests for those on Medicare, like colonoscopies and mammograms. But, most doctor visits, tests, drugs, and equipment are going to cost you money...usually something approaching 20%. That's where Medigap coverage enters the picture. This is a policy, sold by a private insurance company, that acts as secondary coverage to Medicare and pays what is left over after Medicare pays what it will.

Just like the rest of Medicare there is a specific enrollment period for Medigap coverage. You can buy any policy that is offered for sale in your state, regardless of your health status. The amount of supplemental coverage, the monthly cost, and any deductibles are different for each policy offered. You decide how much supplemental help you want and can afford.

Speaking of costs, Part A Medicare coverage costs you nothing since you already paid into the Medicare fund while you were working. Part B coverage does carry a monthly cost. For 2012 most pay $99.90 per month (for 2017 it is $104.90). There is also a small deductible. Part D prescription coverage costs vary depending on the plan you select and the level of drug coverage.

The infamous donut hole is a gap in coverage where you are mostly responsible for drugs after you have spent a certain amount each year. The "hole" closes after you have passed the yearly maximum. Depending what happens with Obamacare or its successor,  the donut hole is currently scheduled to come to an end in 2020.


What is Covered?


There is no simple answer to that question. Medicare publishes a 150 page booklet that still suggests calling for specifics. But, in general, here is what you can expect:


Part A pays part or all of inpatient hospital care, inpatient care at a skilled nursing facility, hospice care services, and home health care services. As you might guess there are all sorts of qualifications and exclusions for this list but this is the primary purpose of Part A coverage.

Part B helps cover medically necessary services like doctor visits, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and several preventive services and screenings.

Part C is the designation of Medicare-approved private insurance companies that has various coverage options and costs. You still have Part A and Part B coverage, but the specifics are likely to be different from original Medicare. Generally, coverage is more complete but the costs are higher.

Part D covers some of your presecition drug costs. If you don't need a lot of drugs now, it still may be wise to take this coverage because of late enrollment penalties. Part D is provided by private insurance companies and varies widely in costs and coverage. There are usually copays and deductibles involved. The "Donut Hole" limits coverage on what these plans will pay for your drugs. 


Importantly, these items are not covered by Medicare (not a complete list):

• Routine Dental care
• Dentures
• Cosmetic surgery
• Acupunture
• Hearing Aids
• Exams for fitting hearing aids
• Long term care

If you'd like more detailed information or see if specific services are covered,  this government website should be your first stop.

The official government handbook Medicare and You is also a must-have resource.

Cyber Attacks & Ransomware: Is There No End?

It is hard to not worry about the safety of our inner-connected world. Malware, ransomware, hackers, phishing, trolls....the list of people and organizations who want to make our life difficult, dangerous, and expensive seems to grow as quickly as algae in a backyard swimming pool. On average, there are 244 new cyber threats a day. I am a humble example, as my post of a few months ago made clear when a hacker broke into my computer.

Your patient information from your health insurer, or financial details ripped from your credit card company are fair game. Disabling a hospital's admittance system for an entire country happened this past summer. And, don't even get me started on Equifax. Making money off my private information, giving me no way to "opt out," and then losing it all. Enough!

If you follow even the most basic of common sense steps, the odds of your home computer becoming someone else's to control are increasingly possible. Those who decided to hack into my computer found nothing of interest unless they love scrolling through tens of thousands of photos of our vacations. Passwords are not stored there, nor is any critical personal information. 

If someone held my files for ransom, I'd simply use that as an excuse to get a new computer. They'd never get a penny (or Bitcoin) from me. So, I assume the reason for all the malware stuffed into my system was to seize control of my computer and use it to send out attacks to others. Scary stuff.

That should really be one of our biggest concerns: that our computers can be used to infect others. My system (and yours) could be used to send out millions of e-mails in giant phishing waves or denial of service attacks on businesses or governments. We would be part of the problem, but completely oblivious. 

Personally, I  upgraded to a more secure router to add a little more protection. . I discontinued the automatic printer ink monitoring service offered by a certain company. Allowing them to enter my home system to read ink levels on a printer seemed too risky in today's environment. I change passwords on a regular basis. I added a new malware protection software program. Even so, I know I am not safe. Maybe changing to Apple products would help, but even Macs are now being hacked; read about the Fruitfly malware or realize that viruses can breach the Apple defenses. Own a computer and you are vulnerable.

Actually, my biggest fear is much more global. Everything in our daily lives is linked to computer systems. The news reports make it quite clear none of them is secure enough to stop a dedicated attack. The havoc that is possible if businesses or hospitals, air transport systems or government agencies are compromised is serious. 

What keeps me up at night is the very real likelihood of a successful breach of the systems that control our electric grids, water treatment plants, or oil pipelines. If (or when) this happens, we will have crossed the line from irritating, embarrassing, and expensive, to life-threatening.

There is absolutely nothing I can do about this type of attack on our way of life. I have to believe others, smarter than I, are dedicating serious time and effort to making these events stay where they belong: in a fiction novel. 

It is impossible to disconnect from our interconnected world. What I must do is be aware of what is happening, protect my little corner of the world the best that I can, and then lead my life as I choose. The benefits of having the Internet and all it brings still outweigh the risks.

What about you? Have you done anything to protect yourself as best you can? Have you altered how you use computers? What happens when you find out a company that holds your credit card info has been hacked? What was your reaction to the Equifax disaster? What can you do about it? 

This is one area where, literally, we are all in this together. Let's share and discuss.


Note: As I write this a new ransomware attack, Bad Rabbit, has targeted Russia, Ukraine, was well as other eastern European countries, Japan, and the U.S. There really is no end in sight.

I'm Retiring...How About My Mortgage?

Whether to pay off a mortgage before or just after retirement is a topic I have addressed before. But, it is such a major decision, I get at least one email every few weeks asking my advice. No wonder. With nearly 30% of all those 65+ having monthly mortgage payments, it is important to make the best choice for you. 

As I write this, the picture is anything but clear. Plans for a tax cut are bouncing around the halls of Congress. As of now, mortgage interest deductions would be protected. But, an increase in the standard deduction and a change in personal deductions might be coupled with the loss of real estate tax deductions, making house ownership potentially more expensive for some. 

So, for purposes of this post, let's stick with how things are right now. After the dust settles in Washington and there is clarity (?) I might do a followup to adjust to the new reality.

Retirement brings its own unique set of concerns and decisions. Near the top of many lists is a decision about housing. Is it best to pay off the mortgage before retirement, or is that extra money better off being invested? If I pay off the house won't I lose a major tax deduction? But, what if I have a major health expense and can't pay the mortgage..could I end up retired and homeless?

Good questions with no clear cut answers. But, they are worth asking and taking a look at some of the ramifications. As an obvious disclaimer, I am not a tax expert or a financial guru, so what I offer is opinion and some basic thoughts from my own research. Please think through your own situation carefully, consult a trusted adviser, and proceed with caution.


If you do a Google search about retirement and mortgages the majority of the sites and articles that rise to the top suggest paying off your home loan before retirement. They do admit that many people can't do that, but it should be a goal.

 The reasons most often cited to pay off your mortgage:

1. Peace of mind. Even without a monthly payment you still have real estate taxes, HOA fees, maintenance, repairs and upgrades. But, if you delay fixing a leaking toilet for two months you won't risk losing your home. That big monthly Must Pay bill is gone.

2. Home equity is available. I strongly suggest this source of cash be used only for major repairs and upgrades to your property or something like a large medical expense. Home equity is not a piggy bank so you can take a 12 day cruise to Hawaii or buy a new truck. Too many people got stuck when they spent their home equity only to find the worth of the house dropped below the size of the loan during the 2008-10 recession. But, with home equity lines of credit at  low interest rates you may save thousands in interest over more conventional loans.

3. You have more freedom to relocate or resize. Get in trouble with your mortgage and someone else might tell you when to move. Have no mortgage and you can decide when to downsize, move closer to the kids....or stay put.

4. You have a large source of retirement money available. If you move to a smaller home or condo or even rent an apartment, any profits after the house sale and purchase are yours (up to a very generous level set by the Federal government). Though expensive and sometimes risky, reverse mortgages can provide a steady income from the equity you have in your residence too. This tactic requires an expert to prevent a serious mistake, however.

On the other side of the argument, these points are made:

1. Don't pull  money from other investments to pay off a cheap mortgage. Even losing the tax deduction of a mortgage may not be enough to make up for better performing investments. If you take a chunk of your retirement funds to pay off a mortgage the money left will not produce as much income or growth.


2. Tying up too much of your net worth in an illiquid asset. You own a $300,000 home free and clear. But, depending on the market conditions it might take you 6-9 months or more to be able to sell the house and see any net profits. If you need quick cash a house is not the place to find it (except through a home equity loan which comes with its own risks).

3. If you have other high interest debts, like credit cards or auto loans, pay those off first to reduce the amount you are losing each month in high interest charges. Only after those debts are satisfied should you consider retiring your home's mortgage.


Another consideration lies in what your plans are about an eventual move. I know that at some point Betty and I  want to move into a continuing care community (CCC). The "buy-in" will be somewhere around $250,000. If we own a home or condo and need to move rather quickly into the CCC because of health issues, our buy-in money will be unavailable until we sell. That may be too late. We are willing to take that risk for now, but will probably move into such a community sooner rather than later.


Again, I will remind you I am not a financial planner or expert. I have bumbled along pretty well for the past several decades, but there is always more to learn and consider. If you are a financial planner, investment guide, or CPA I welcome your input (as long as you aren't trying to sell something!). 

All that said, you have thoughts, concerns, questions, and insight that will help of of us, expert or no. Please add your comments to this important subject. Since a home is generally the biggest expense for most of us in our lifetime, knowing what to do with that resource is vital.

Healthcare Marketplace Strikes again

This will be Betty's last year to endure the swampy water of the Healthcare Marketplace. Ever since 2011 she has had to put up with the same crap....misinformation, provider lists that are wrong, fewer choices. and higher prices.  In 16 months she will be Medicare-eligible....we can hardly wait.

Like last year, there is one company in Arizona offering plans for the individual market through the marketplace. Predictably, prices went up 20%. That included a higher deductible, lower hospital cost coverage and a switch to a different hospital system. Whether her primary care doctor or any of the specialists she sees will be under contract for next year is impossible to know until sometime in January, or too late to do anything about it. We do qualify for a monthly subsidy from the government that keeps the total affordable, even with the large monthly bump in price. But, this turmoil every year is taking its toll on my wife.

With lawmakers in Washington unable to either kill the ACA outright or come up with a viable bipartisan alternative, the approach now seems to be to let it slowly twist in the wind, becoming more unattractive and workable until....who knows what? The Republicans don't have the unity to repeal and replace; the Democrats don't have the power to fix it or present an alternative with enough support. Frankly, both parties share the blame in this mess so if there is any finger-pointing it has to cover everyone.

The insurance companies have no idea what to expect, meaning the customers are left to guess what their future holds. It is hard to imagine a scenario where the American health care system could be worse than it has been...well, welcome to the jungle.

At the moment Betty has decided to postpone a needed foot operation until she has Medicare coverage. While we certainly could handle our share of the costs, she refuses to give into a system that is deeply flawed and has made her health care coverage such a painful experience (pun intended). 

What about you? Are you stuck between whatever coverage you had while working but don't yet age-qualify for Medicare? How are you handling the health care problem? Have you explored the H.S.A. option?

Have you finally entered into the safety of the single-payer system after 65? Did you delay medical treatment until then? 

We can't do anything about the mess our system is, but sometimes it helps to vent. 

Fail Fast and Move Forward

This is a phrase I heard someone use at a meeting of a volunteer committee I was attending a few months ago at United Way. I like it. It summarizes an approach to life, especially a retirement life, that I endorse. Let's see where it goes.

The first two words, Fail Fast, assumes a few things. One, that trying something new is encouraged, because without trying failure could not occur. That mindset is one that might have served you well during your working career. There are very few jobs where trying to improve something is not encouraged. Maybe you were not in a position to execute an idea, but you could certainly talk to a supervisor or someone else up the chain of command. Your idea to save money, serve clients more efficiently, be more productive, or improve workplace safety would be expressed.


After retirement, we are in an even better position to experiment: a different housing or lifestyle setup, a new hobby, a desire to learn to sail, building furniture, making beautiful quilts...whatever will satisfy you. The boss you have to answer to is you. 

The second assumption in those two words is to not dwell on something you have tried that doesn't work. Take on a new hobby, business, passion...anything and decide if it is for you. If it isn't, move on. Turn that page and tackle the next thing on your "I want to" list.  The only real failure would be to stick with something that doesn't make you happy. To me, fail fast is the harder part of  the phrase. I don't want to admit I wasn't good at something or it didn't bring me joy. I will stick with something longer than I need to.

The final two words of this phrase also give us an important message. Don't let a failure keep you from a Move Forward. Isn't life a series of starts and stops, steps forward, sideways, even backwards for a time? What is most important is forward momentum. 

Someone might argue that during retirement we don't have to grow or learn new things and add complications to our life. I agree, if we are talking about the initial phase of retirement. That is when your mind and body releases all the stress from working. Relaxation and enjoying an open schedule are encouraged. Then,  comes the time to seize the opportunities retirement gives you.

Life without change isn't really living. Things will change whether you want them to or not. That is a basic fact of life. Move Forward says take the next risk, try the next opportunity, be in control of your choices whenever you can. There will be times in our future where life will dictate what happens. When you can determine your course, move forward to whatever is next.

Four words. A solid guide to a satisfying retirement.