Where Does this Retirement Blog Go From Here?

In a few months Satisfying Retirement will have been a blog for 8 years. That is over 1,100 posts, almost a million words, and closing in on 3 million views. 

I am pretty sure I have addressed every retirement question, most dozens of times. There is always a fresh look at an old topic, a suggestion from a reader, a realization that I am ignoring one segment of folks, like singles, or a change in tax laws that prompts a post. Overall, I hope topics don't get too stale. Occasionally I will dip my toe in the waters of politics or religion, or something more personal than normal. If I don't overdo those subjects, everything continues smoothly. 

There seems to be a natural turnover of readership. Some brave souls have been with me since June, 2010. On average, though,  I see fresh commenters while others seem to drop away every 2 or 3 years. That is quite natural. Once someone feels they have a good handle on retirement and its complexities, it is time to move on. New subjects and different bloggers beckon.

In order to stay relevant to those new this blog I do have to keep my focus on the subjects that dominate retirement worries: money, relationships, where to live, making the best use of time, volunteering and giving back. Let's not forget caregiving, grandkids, spirituality, mortality, vacations, and travel.

Who I'd like to address with this post are those who started visiting this blog not all that long ago, and those who have been with me for awhile. You are here, so the subject of retirement living is important to you. I wonder if there are certain topics that I miss, things you really would like me to write about.

Likewise, there are certain subjects you are pretty tired of. When you see a post on .....this...subject, you are likely to skim it or wait a few days for my next offering.

So, I am looking for feedback from:

.... Newer readers, and, 

.... Longer time readers

If you would leave a comment that would be very helpful. Identify yourself as a newer, or longer time reader, and tell me which topics you want to read about more, and which subjects you would rather I take a bit of a break from discussing.

Even though I have to keep circling back to some of the basic topics for brand new readers, it would be ever so helpful to get your input on where I should go for year nine of Satisfying Retirement.

Are Commitments Still Important?

I've told the story before how several years ago I happily agreed to help one of my daughters move back to Phoenix from LA. I pitched in with last minute packing and driving the rental truck. She is her father’s daughter. Arrangements had been made well ahead of time for people to load the truck, take a TV and microwave she didn’t want to move, pick up a car she was donating to a charity, disconnect the cable, and do the final walk-through of the apartment. Each of these was reconfirmed one or two days beforehand.

Well, things didn't go quite as arranged. On the day of the move, the packers had dropped her from their schedule. The fellow who was going to pick up the microwave decided after several text messages that he didn’t really want it enough to come get it. For some reason the women who was getting the TV thought she was to pick it up on Sunday, not Friday.

The cable company had no record of the pick up of the equipment. The tow truck to pick up the car was late. Even the apartment representative was 45 minutes later than the agreed upon time.

Do you see a pattern? We certainly did. It was the absolute unimportance of keeping commitments. Not one apologized, except for a few, insincere “Sorry about that.” The insensitivity to the inconvenience, and even the anger shown when we suggested their actions were harmful taught us a very valuable lesson. 

Keeping a commitment used to be a rather serious matter. It was understood that a promise had been made. A commitment meant you and I could trust each other to do something at a specific time or in a certain way. 

Today, it seems more likely that a commitment is considered  flexible. When it suits the person or business that made the promise is when it will be fulfilled. I can’t begin to detail the reasons why commitments are not that important anymore to an increasing segment of society. But, I would like to take a stab at discussing why I believe it is a mistake.

A commitment kept shows respect for others. When a promise is made to do something, there is another person or business that is counting on you. Mae West once said, “An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.” To make a commitment and then treat it as not very important, or flexible in its execution, says the other person isn’t as valuable as you. It says your convenience and your needs must always come first.

A commitment kept shows respect for yourself. You are putting your personal integrity and reputation on the line. You are not willing to fail someone else who is depending on you. You want to be known as someone who delivers what he promises. You believe you are able to take responsibility as it affects others.

A commitment kept shows an understanding of your time and energy. Sometimes I have over-committed myself. I think I can do more than I can. I have promised more than I can deliver based on my available time or abilities. I don’t want to say “No” to someone who asks me for something. But, I have had to learn my limits. The amount of time and energy I have is finite. A commitment that I can’t keep is much worse than no promise at all.

A commitment kept is essential for success. From a business perspective, a company or a salesman that promises something will happen or a product will be delivered on a specified date will soon be out of business if that commitment isn’t kept. Trust and a good reputation are essential in business. They are earned when everyone's interests are considered and respected.

The same premise exists for an individual. My personal reputation, the belief in my trustworthiness and my honesty, must be above question. When I make a promise the other person must believe that I will do everything in my power to keep that promise. Trust is a very fragile thing, and once it has been broken there's a chance it may never be fully repaired.

A commitment is a test of that trust. Whether it is as a caregiver to a family member or friend, a promise of a ride to the store, fulfilling an offer to babysit, or something as serious as properly managing someone's financial well-being, keeping that commitment is paramount.  

I’m afraid the experience in Los Angeles wasn’t an isolated instance. Think about your own day-to-day life. Did the doctor really intend on seeing you at the time set for your appointment, or is any time with an hour of that time acceptable? Is the car really going to be repaired for the estimate you received? Will you definitely e-mail the information I need today like you promised?

It doesn’t help to get angry when someone else doesn’t understand all that a commitment implies. You only have the power to not patronize that merchant again or avoid a person who has misled you. You can’t change that person’s understanding of responsibility.

But, each of us has the ability to understand what commitments stands for and to keep them. If a promise is made a promise will be kept. It is that simple. Even if you may be the only person doing so.

Our Retirement Image: Do Younger Folks Have It Wrong?

One of my daughters is 37 year old. That places her squarely in what is called Generation X, or the group that follows the Baby Boomers. These are the folks that will inherit whatever the 76 millions Boomers leave behind (the good, the bad, and the ugly).

Recently she was visiting us between business trips. At one point she said, "You guys are not like retired people."  That caught my attention. After 17 years away from working world I would have thought we were about as close to "retired people" as one could find.

So, I asked what she meant. Her answer was important because it revealed an image issue that is probably quite common. She meant that Betty and I are active, have many interests, find new things to do and try, and aren't content to just watch the clock tick.

Her description of her parents fits most of the folks who read this blog and those who leave comments. Being active, learning and trying something different...that seems about right for most of the retired people I know, both in person and through this blog.

I asked her a followup question: "What retired people do you know who aren't like us?"  She named some couples who spend most of their time playing golf, going to cocktail parties, watching TV, or stuck in a routine that rarely varies. In her mind that is what the majority of retired people do; mom and dad are outliers.

Her assumptions put in focus an image problem that retirement continues to have, especially with younger people, about how we spend this stage of our life. And, that is important because it probably influences their likelihood of planning for their own retirement. If they see it as a dull, static part of life, then why would they ever want to retire? 

If retirement is the end of the road, then saving for that future wouldn't be an important priority. Keeping one's health as long as possible, maintaining a stimulated brain....why worry if it is only used for watching TV or playing Bunco?

I propose no grand solution, just some common sense steps. What can we do to help change the outmoded ideas that the younger generation has of retirement? Spend more time with those in their 30's and 40's if that is an option for you. Join clubs or volunteer organizations that have a nice mix of age groups. Go to events at school or church in which grandkids participate...that will put you in close contact with parents of this age group. 

Live outside a retirement community if that fits your needs and interact with dog walkers, kids and parents in the park, your neighbors. If you need to shop, don't go when you are feeling grumpy or out of sorts. Your attitude in public can go a long way to dispelling the image of the angry old person!

Obviously, it is not our sole responsibility to change a flawed perception of retirement. Movies and TV do a great job of pigeon-holing us as has-beens or confused oldsters. Sometimes our reluctance to embrace new technology, or change in any form feeds that perception.

Dr. Bill Thomas, on his excellent web site, Changing Aging, recently posted something I found right on target. Guest blogger, Ramona Oliver asked, " Can we please stop calling it Aging?  Absolutely !!!

 What we can do is live a life that belies that stereotype, in full public view, and chip away at the wrong image, one swing at a time.

Will All This Matter a Few Years From Now?

I can't believe the New Year is almost three months old. It seems like just a few weeks ago the stress and uncertainty of 2017 had been boxed up and safely put in my attic (if only). Receipts were bundled and stored away, this year's budget is holding up (so far).

It is a human tendency to want to have a clean break, a new beginning, a way to look ahead instead of behind. January 1st serves that purpose for many. Since we cannot do anything about our past except learn from it, focusing on today and what may lie ahead is the only logical choice.

But, too quickly, it seems we are back into our normal routine. I spend time worrying about mistakes I have made, opportunities I have missed, or people I have hurt or neglected. I read the news and am constantly irritated. I fret over Betty's health though she has been managing everything well for the last 40 years.

At times, don't we wish there was a way to revise our history, to fix something we broke? Wouldn't it be great if we could store all of the negative parts of our past as easily as we box up old papers and tax forms?

Maybe the answer is to take to heart in the question posed by the title of this post: Will all of this matter a few years from now? If the past is, well, past, how do we leave it there? How do we chalk up the past months and years to just part of our life journey and not make it more powerful than it need be? 

This seems especially important during retirement. We should be focusing on what we can affect, right now. Wasting time and energy on what is in our rear view mirror is counterproductive. 90% of our worry about the future won't happen. For that remaining 10% there isn't much we can do about it now anyway except make plans and realize they'll probably need revision.

I found an article on Huffpost from several years ago that is an excellent summary of my point. The author, Shelby Doherty, wrote the following:

"Someday in the future we are all going to end up exactly where we are supposed to be. So why stress about how we get there?"

"Think about how far you have come and everything that you are so fortunate to have, you will realize that no matter how far away your hopes and dreams may seem, where you’re at right now is the perfect place to begin."

I know this is hard. As humans, we believe our lives are a fragile mix of fate, divine intervention, or the flip of a coin, so all our actions have consequences, all our thoughts are worth having. We attempt to enforce our will on a universe that has bigger things to accomplish.

The reality is quite elemental: the only thing we can definitely affect is right where we are with our attitude, focus, and choices we make in this moment. Yes, we should apologize to those we hurt in the past and learn from our bad choices. Yes, we should plan for the future and do what we think is best to prepare.

But, the only thing that we absolutely affect is the now. Excessive worry about what lies in the future is wasted energy. Will it all matter a few years from now?

We don't know.

Best Reasons to RV Travel

There is something magical about waking up away from home. The different feel of the bed, maybe the way the sunlight comes through the curtains, the brief flash of unease at the unfamiliar surroundings that quickly gives way to a relaxed feeling of knowing where you are and why. 

If you are away from home in an RV or trailer, then the feeling of a different start to the day is even more pronounced. Space is compressed, things are mostly within your reach. The coffee maker is only a few steps from the bed, which is only two paces from the bathroom.

Hearing a few birds outside is easier since the windows are all around you. Keeping the furnace off overnight means a chilly floor hits you as you step out of bed. 

The start of the RV travel season is only a few weeks away for most of the country. If you are still knee-deep in snow (Hi, Boston!) or just plain sick of the cold, tired of rain and clouds, or just have an urge to hit the road, you may be thinking of planning your next trip. If the idea of owning a motorhome or pulling a fully-equipped trailer behind you is kind of exciting, here are some of the reasons 10 million American have taken the plunge:


1. The freedom of traveling with your home is addictive. Unpack once, bring your pillow, favorite photos, books, and movies. Eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired. You are home wherever you are.

2. Pets are welcome on the road. Does putting your pet in a kennel bother you? RV travel is even better with your best 4-legged friend.

3. Don't fly over the country, rather be immersed in daily, local life. Buy your produce at a farmer's market. Explore a local nature preserve. meet the town characters at the diner. Experience your country in a very personal, interactive way.

4. Being in a small space encourages relationship-building. You learn the art of compromise quickly in 200 sq. feet.

5. After the initial purchase, vacations are much less expensive. With proper care an RV can last a decade or two. Think of all those motel rooms you are not renting and the restaurant meals you are not buying.

6. Life long friends can be found on the road. RV parks are full of friendly folks who want to share and connect. Several of our dearest friends were first met while traveling.

7. You come home with a new sense of satisfaction. Where you live seems fresh, welcoming, and very comforting. There is no place like home, especially after being gone for awhile.

Sounds great doesn't it?  But, there are a few skills you must master:

Compromise:

You want to take a nap, or read, or go to a particular museum in town. Your partner wants to download photos to the computer or take your dog to a local park for a long walk. She would like dinner at 6:30pm, you are hungry by 5:30pm. You are content with an afternoon of people watching while she wants to visit an antique store a few miles away. Your traveling partner never gets tired of watching a movie every night, you do.

RV travel is compromise on steroids. Each of us has things we’d like to do at each new town we visit, and things we’d rather avoid. But, like marriage in any setting, compromise is a absolute necessity to make the time together a joy.

Of course, if you are single, you are the master of your own self-contained universe. You make the rules and break them when you chose.

Cooperation:

Being inside a metal and fiberglass box for an extended period is not the way most of us live our lives. Usable living space is probably less than 100 square feet. For two adults and a dog that is tight…no, it is dangerous. The kitchen may have about 3 square feet of counter space, and that is after putting a cover over the stove top. Cooking and cleanup are difficult. So, it is important to cooperate to make life not only bearable, but actually enjoyable.

(The) Calendar:

After two or three weeks on the road it is not unusual to not be able to remember the day of the week or the date. In one sense, there is a sameness to this type of trip. After a while RV campgrounds start to look the same and the hours spent driving from one town to the next blend together. But, the important point is that the date of the month or even the specific day of the week becomes unimportant. What begins to matter are the experiences and memories. The calendar becomes unimportant. For some of us, that is hard to accept. But, accept you must.

(Being a little) Crazy:

To spend several weeks, or even longer with many of our normal creature comforts no longer part of a daily routine requires an openness that may border on being slightly crazy. Deciding if the shower facility at a particular campground is clean enough to use, putting $100 worth of gas into an apparently bottomless pit of an RV gas tank every third day, and wearing the same limited wardrobe week after week can become tiring.

The menu is restricted to what a small refrigerator ( and even smaller freezer) can hold between shopping trips. When you want to stay in touch with family and friends, Internet connections, even cell phone service, can be frustratingly poor.

It helps tremendously to let yourself go. If you want your regular lifestyle and all that implies, you are going to be frustrated. If you like a vacation with room service, clean sheets every night, and a poolside cocktail, stay away from the RV dealer.

The RV lifestyle is not inexpensive. The upfront cost is enough to make your budget scream.  Even with a small, pop up camper, you will find most RV campgrounds cost from $30 to $75 a night, or more. A motorhome is lucky to get 10-12 miles a gallon. Repairs can be expensive. If you tow a trailer you probably need a large SUV or truck to pull it.

Even with all this "craziness," life on the road is addictive and stimulating. It produces experiences you can have in no other way. It gets into your blood.


As regular readers know, my wife and I RV'd for almost 5 years. We loved the trips and have incredible memories (and photos) to prove it. About 10 months ago we sold our motorhome. We thought the time was right to move to another phase of our retirement travels: cruises and airplane flights to where we wanted to go.

RV travel was a special time for us. We had our share of on-the-road hassles and irritations. But, overall, we don't regret that part of our satisfying retirement for a second. In all honesty, we miss the freedom.

Do You Remember Your First Paying Job?

For some reason, not long ago, I was thinking about my first "real" job. Technically, that would have been my paper route when I was twelve and living in Cambridge, Ohio. But, that isn't the one that came to mind. Rather it was my first job in radio, one set my path for the next 36 years. 

I was so focused on what I wanted to do with my life I was willing to take on absolutely anything to make my dream come true. Whenever I could convince my mom to give me a ride, I would visit a very small, very unsuccessful radio station that was in a two story, cinder block building, at the end of a seldom-used road about 25 minutes from our home.

It was sitting beside a small river that tended to flood every spring. Poor construction meant the radio station's lower floor flooded, too. I remember the handful of employees, in boots, and galoshes, swishing around in several inches of water. Luckily, the actual studios and transmitter, the parts with all the electricity, were up one floor, but, still...

After several pestering visits, the manager agreed to allow me to be a once-a-week janitor. This was an unpaid position, but I eagerly accepted since I could now have a reason to be there. I had just turned 15 so I could drive myself to "work"  with my learner's permit (as long as it wasn't after sunset). I was all grown up. 

Mopping floors, throwing out the trash, and running errands for the announcers occupied my time. Sometimes I had to help bail out the bottom floor or move papers and files out of the flood water's way. Eventually, my presence lead to a chance to audition for an on-air opening. I got it. I was a 16 year old untrained kid  but I was willing to work for virtually nothing after school and weekends. Since very few people actually listened to this station, there was little risk to the owner. I hung around the station even when I wasn't being paid, doing newscasts and playing taped programs.

After a few years of learning how not to embarrass myself and others, I moved on to a bigger station until college pulled me out of the area.

The river that would flood the radio station basement

Eventually, that old studio was abandoned when the station moved to another part of town, changed owners and call letters. What was left burned to the ground sometime later. 

Amazingly, I found this picture of where that little station once was. The radio tower is still standing but nothing else.

The apartment buildings were added well after my time.

All of this was over 50 years ago, yet I can still remember the people, the studio, my first real job, and the thrill of being "on the radio."

How about you? Do you remember your first paying job, the one that told the world you were here? Was it a good experience, or one you try to forget? What did you learn about yourself and the world of work?

Is Retirement Like a Vacation? Yes, But Not How You Might Think

People who are not retired might assume that retirement is like a never-ending vacation: no schedule, no endless commutes or meetings, no worrying about being down-sized. Live where you want, do what you want when you want to.

I will be the first to say that retirement is fabulous. This June will mark 18 years since I left my working days behind. And, in many ways retirement is like a vacation, but maybe not quite in the way you think.

A well-deserved break from work, a vacation, includes:

1) Sunny days, but also cloudy days, rainy days, or snowy days.

2) Days that are exciting, open you up to new experiences, and create lasting memories.

3) Days that are routine: laundry that must be done, food shopping or other chores, a headache lasts too long, you are feeling grumpy or out of sorts.

4) Days that are disappointing: an excursion is cancelled, a promising museum is not worth the price, the weather means no zip lining.

5) Spending more money than you had planned on a fancy restaurant meal, some nice mementos or decorations for your home, splurging on a convertible or SUV instead of the compact car you had reserved, does serious damage to your vacation budget.

6) Going home re-energized and ready to take on the world.


Guess what, retirement has the same combination of days, events, thrills, disappointments, budget-busters, and energy as your last vacation. How could that be? Retirement is all about freedom, making choices, avoiding what you don't like, having time to indulge in what you love.

Well, yes and no. Retirement is a time of life when you are more likely to be free to follow your dreams, passions, and interests. Time is more under your control unstead of your master. You build your schedule more to match your preferences. 

But, retirement is also just a stage of living. All the stuff you don't like or want to ignore doesn't simply go away with your last paycheck. The sun shines, the rainy days come, the bad weather spoils plans. Laundry piles up, food must be replaced. Doctor appointments can't be put off forever.

The car doesn't start, the porch roof leaks, the dishwasher stops cleaning dirty dishes. Your taxes are still due in April.


The two part series of a few weeks ago about getting out of debt and turning one's life around were strong example of this blend of the happy and the sad, along with the mix of living one's dream and having that dream interrupted by unpleasant reality.

Both true stories ended well, though life might still hold a few surprises for Barbara and Laura. If that happen I'm quite confident both women will find a way back on track to a place that satisfies them.


To expect retirement to be a time of never-ending pleasure and satisfying your wants is to set yourself up for disappointment. That's just like expecting your dream vacation to be a perfect 7 or 10 days with no problems, no hassles, no setbacks. 

To expect retirement to be another stage of life, with all the ups and downs that implies, is to be properly prepared for what will come. You have a satisfying retirement within your grasp, and that is the ultimate definition of a vacation.

5 Attributes That Mark a True Friend

Friendship is as important to our wellbeing as eating right and exercising. So says a report on web site,  Livebout. A Harvard University study says the same thing. Real friends help us reduce stress, make better lifestyle decisions, even help keep our brains healthy. While this is true throughout our lives, it becomes especially true during retirement when we more time to nature meaningful relationships. 

So, what makes a true friend? What are the key attributes that separate a deep friendship from a casual acquaintance? 

One of the keys is the ability to share openly. If we are with someone and we must constantly watch what we say or self-censor too much, then a real friendship is unlikely. Sharing both joys and sorrows is critical to a meaningful friendship. That can't happen if communication isn't open and expressive. We shouldn't be hesitant to open up to a real friend.

Be willing to try and experience new things together is a good test of a friendship. When any of us leave our comfort zone there is some tension and nervousness present. Even something as simple as trying a different cuisine because your friend likes it can reveal a lot about the state of the relationship. Traveling might be a better test. Being together for several days while away from the security of home and routine can quickly test a budding friendship. If you can laugh together at misfortunes and share great experiences, then a deep friendship may be possible.

A core of common beliefs and the acceptance of different beliefs must both be present. While these points might seem contradictory, I believe they are critical. Common beliefs might include the importance of respect for other people, that discrimination has no place in our society, or that children deserve the very best we can provide. Different beliefs may be about spirituality or religion, political affiliations and hot button issues of the day. Friendship requires that those differences are never used as a wedge or weapon. Spirited discussions and honest disagreements should create a stronger bond between two people that value that relationship.

There must be no pressure to "perform." Think back to a dating relationship you have had. The small talk and overt politeness are part of that world. We want to present our best possible face to the other person. But, in a true friendship it is perfectly OK for one person to be having a bad day and admit it. We don't have to always look or feel our best all the time. That isn't real life and friends don't want someone to put up a front or play a part. "Dress-up" isn't part of this type of relationship.

There must be an sincere interest  to learn more about that person. Nothing could be more unfulfilling than to spend time with someone over a long period of time and never learn more about each other. That would mean one or both people are being dishonest about their feelings and needs. It would mean that the relationship would never become more than skin-deep.

Many people much wiser than I have made the point that friendship brings depth and joy to someone's life. True friendship is a special gift that two people give to each other. As Proverbs notes, "Disregarding another person's faults preserves love." Deep friendship is an essential part of a satisfying retirement and a life lived well and fully.

Financial Stability is Like Bouncing on a Trampoline

Financial Stability is like bouncing on a trampoline - that doesn't sound very encouraging, does it? We have seen enough YouTube videos of children and adults losing control and flying off a backyard setup. In every case someone seems to be having a great time until their bounce angle gets a little off kilter. Away they go onto the ground or into a bush or something that looks painful.

Well, that is the analogy I am going with for this brief post. Everything is fine, until it's not. We have things under control, until suddenly we don't. Our sense of financial stability is important to our sense of a satisfying retirement, but sometimes things stop working as well as they did before. We go flying off in an unexpected detour.

I'm pretty sure most of the folks who use trampolines for fun and exercise are confident in their ability to bounce up and down without a problem. I've tried it myself a few times (in my younger years) and never had a mishap.

Virtually all of us have made enough successful financial plans to be able to retire, maybe not in the grand style we once envisioned, but retired nevertheless. We have gotten on the trampoline and have things under control.

An unexpected gust of wind, a slight shift in your balance, a momentary lack of focus is all it takes; off you go toward the padded edge. Most of the time, there is no damage, just an embarrassed smile or laugh. If we are talking about a financial pratfall, the consequences might be a little more lasting but rarely land someone in the financial intensive care unit.

Except for a truly epic disasters, trampoliners do the same thing: they get right back up and start again. The loss of balance, the ungainly fall on their rear end, even the bounce that takes them all the way off the contraption, do not end the experience. 

Long term financial stability requires the same response. The loss of some money, the bad investment choice, the feeling of panic when the stock market does something scary, should not throw you totally off your retirement plan. 

Just like someone on a trampoline, you must get back on. You must shake off the setback, figure out what when wrong, and try to not repeat that mistake.

How To Plan for Retirement (or Fix Things Afterwards!)

*What do I do all day after retirement?

* Where should I live?

* What if I need more money?

   * I get bored easily - now what?

* Why didn't I do this years ago?

All excellent retirement questions. In fact, after eight years of writing Satisfying Retirement these are the ones I am asked most often. If you have lots of time, you can explore the archive of old posts listed down the left side of this page where you will find all the original posts with my answers.

Or, you can stay right here and get the summary versions. I've included links to full posts if you'd like to explore a subject a bit deeper.

What do I do all day after retirement?

The short answer is, whatever you want. Retirement is the one time in your life when you have almost total control of your time. If you like to sleep late or get up at the crack of dawn, that is your choice. Are you most productive first thing in the morning, in the afternoon, or at midnight? Match what you want to do with when you can get the most accomplished.

Do you want to sit on the porch or hike through the woods, bathing yourself in nature's sights, sounds and smells? Or, are you happier at a coffee shop in the middle of a bustling urban setting? Is your idea of heaven a good book and a cup of tea, an old Humphrey Bogart movie, a Beethoven symphony at full volume, or total silence and a yoga mat?

Retirement means you build your day your way. Read all about it here: What do you do all day?

Where should I live?

You should live where you are happiest. The reality may not be that simple. Budget restrictions or  family commitments may affect your answer. Do you want to live closer to family or stay near friends you have now? Do you move for climate reasons? For a more complete answer, click here: Moving to be near family - a good idea? or try this post: The best place for you to retire

 I suggest not moving to someplace different for at least a year after you retire; stopping work and relocating are two huge stress creators. Give yourself time to adjust to your new life first. With no more commuting and a more relaxed daily schedule you may discover that where you live now holds all sorts of opportunities and joys you had overlooked.

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What If I need more money?

Actually that question can be answered one of two ways: adjust how you live and spend less, or generate some additional income. The first approach is the easier of the two. Spending after retirement normally falls anywhere from 20-50% of what you needed while working. You may not need more money at all if you adjust your consumption habits to match your new lifestyle. Check out this post: How much money do I need to retire?

If you really are cash poor there are several options you can pursue, from part time to full time work (unretiring is perfectly OK), turning a hobby into a money-making venture, or starting a business. For more details I refer you to this article, 50 ways to earn money in retirement.

I get bored easily - now what?

Becoming bored when you have the time and freedom to do what you like and look for new passions or activities that fill your day with joy should not happen. It may mean you have to kick yourself in the behind, get off the coach, out the door, or to the nearest park. If might mean a period of being a little out of your comfort zone as you stretch yourself a bit. 

I remember being bored when I was traveling so much each week. I had little to occupy me at night in all the thousands of hotel rooms and plane flights. AT home, I didn't have a hobby or passion that I could use to recharge.

Now, boredom is not an issue in my retirement. Yes, it took a while to find out what I really liked to do. I discovered strengths and interests I didn't know i had until I gave myself permission to try. Read this post for some more encouragement.

Why didn't I do this years ago?

If you are asking that question then you have solved the riddle of the ones above it. Congratulations, you are enjoying a truly satisfying retirement.