On April 12, 2015, I published my first post.
In the nine years since I’ve kept writing… and writing…and writing.
I’ve published 428 articles about retirement (see my Archives page). If you do the math * …
…I’ve written the equivalent of 11 books over the past 9 years. *
(* The Math: 1,500 words per post x 428 posts = 642,000 words. The average 200-page book is 60,000 words, so that’s ~ 10 books. Add in the actual book I wrote, and it’s equivalent to 11 books in 9 years.)
And yet, with all of the writing, I’ve missed something.
I’ve never taken the opportunity to step back and think about what I’ve learned from all of my writing.
During our recent RV trip to the Ozarks, I took some time to reflect, and today I’m sharing the most important things I’ve learned through my years of writing articles about retirement.
I suspect the most important lesson may surprise you. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
I've written the equivalent of 11 books in the past 9 years, all on retirement. What's the most important thing I've learned in the process? Share on X
What I’ve Learned Writing 400 Articles About Retirement
Reflecting on the past 9 years of writing has been an interesting trip down memory lane.
- The first 3 years, as I was preparing for retirement.
- The middle 3 years, as I was making the transition.
- The final 3 years, as I figured it out.
It’s all there.
The 428 articles are like pebbles I’ve sprinkled on the trail, helping those in my footsteps find their way. I’m thankful I decided to experiment with blogging. It’s turned into something I love.
But what have I learned?
What I’ve Learned About Retirement
- Retirement Is Complex: Any topic that can fill 11 books has more layers than an onion. Don’t underestimate how complex retirement is. Yes, we all expect the financial complexity (Bucket Strategies, Roth Conversions, Safe Withdrawal Rates, Estimated Quarterly taxes, Asset Allocation, etc.). What’s been more surprising to me is the complexity behind the non-financial aspects of retirement. Working through your experiments to determine how to replace all those non-financial aspects you once received from work (Sense of Identity, Purpose, Structure, Relationships). As complex as the financial issues are, I would argue the non-financial aspects are more so. Be prepared for ebbs and flows as you go through your retirement transition, you’re entering a maze that’s more complex than most people realize.
- Retirement Can Be Difficult: I’ve gotten hundreds of emails from readers telling me their stories, and I’ve read every one. Many are stories of the difficulties you’re having adjusting to retirement. Your stories led me to research the Four Phases of Retirement and realize how blessed I was to be in the 10-15% of retirees who skip the dreaded Phase II. As you’ll read in the next bullet, I’m convinced there’s a proven way to make retirement less difficult, and I’m fortunate that I chose the right path.
- There Are Proven Ways To Make It Easier: I was 3 years from retirement when I started this blog. I’d seen some of my friends struggle with the retirement transition, and I was obsessed with learning why some people have great retirements, whereas others struggle. I was motivated to find the path that led to success and was fortunate to discover it. I’m convinced it wasn’t merely luck, but rather a result of the extensive planning my wife and I did in my final few years of work. If there’s one trick I’ve learned to make retirement less difficult, it’s the importance of putting in the work to prepare for the transition before you cross The Starting Line. Focus on the non-financial aspects as much (or more) as you do the financial ones. To understand how I approached the challenge, check out The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide, which lays out all the steps starting 5 years before you retire.
- Retirement Changes With Time: I’ve often said that retirement is like marriage – you never really know what it’s like until you do it. As I thought about what I’ve learned from writing so many articles about retirement, I realized there’s another parallel between marriage and retirement. Just as your marriage will evolve over the years, so too will your retirement. The honeymoon is great, but it doesn’t last forever. Working through the challenges that surface is one of the fun parts of both marriage and retirement. No retirement (or marriage) is perfect, but there’s a lot you can do to make it the best experience possible. Learn to experiment, learn to follow your curiosity, and learn to maintain a positive attitude. If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to help you deal with the changes that occur throughout your retirement, it is to embrace, nurture, listen to, and follow your curiosity wherever it leads.
- Retirement Can Be The Best Phase Of Your Life: We all want great retirements, right? I’m grateful that retirement is the best phase of my life. Many of you can say the same. But….there is a large percentage of folks who can’t. If you’re struggling, I encourage you to study those in the first camp. Listen to what they talk about, and observe what they do. Chances are good you won’t hear much talk about money. As I wrote in The 90/10 Rule of Retirement, if you’ve done your planning correctly you won’t worry much about money after you retire. By studying the 72% of happy retirees, you’ll find the common themes of Curiosity, Purpose, Relationships, Fitness, and Planning. Focus on doing those things well, and you’ll find, like many others, that retirement can be the best years of your life. It’s interesting to realize how many of those commonalities relate to the non-financial aspects of retirement. In my experience, it’s in those areas where you’ll find true joy.
- Adaptability Is Critical (And Can Be Learned): Retirement will be one of the biggest changes you’ll experience in life, so embrace it (rather than resist it). Intentionally choose to adopt a positive mindset before crossing The Starting Line, retirement is in many ways a self-fulfilling prophecy. The creative muscles in our minds have gotten out of shape during our careers. Through decades of “grooming,” we’ve lost our mental flexibility. A key to a successful retirement is to learn to exercise that long-dormant creative part of your brain that you haven’t used since childhood. Learn to play again. Learn to embrace change. Foster curiosity, and take that first step – you’ll be surprised where it can lead. If things aren’t going as expected, learn to adapt through trial and error. You’re in control, and with that comes both opportunity and obligation. As you work through that “messy middle” you’ll find yourself missing many of those non-financial benefits you once received from work (relationships, sense of identity, purpose, goals, sense of achievement, etc). There’s nothing wrong with falling back to some sort of work to fulfill these basic human needs, but hold off on making that decision until you’ve explored other non-work avenues to achieve the same thing. Consider doing non-profit work, and getting involved in new areas of your community. Learn to adapt…and overcome.
My Biggest Surprises Along The Way
- Retirement Is Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be: And yet, retirement is exactly as I thought it would be. I wrote about that contradiction here, and have been surprised by how many things in retirement have taken me by surprise. If I’d written a list of 100 things I expected in retirement, it would never have included having a treehouse writing studio, building a woodworking shop, starting a charity with my wife, or building a barn. And yet, those surprises are perfectly aligned with the mindset I established when I wrote The 10 Commandments of Retirement just three months before I retired. My mindset is exactly what I had hoped for, but the places it has led have been a series of retirement surprises. This reality of how retirement evolves, and the things I have chosen to pursue with my free time, has been one of the biggest surprises in my retirement.
- I’m Not Who I Used To Be: Losing one’s sense of identity is a risk often associated with retirement. One of my biggest surprises is how easily I’ve shed my past sense of identity (Corporate Warrior) and how easily I’ve discovered the New Me. The “New Me” is an identity I’ve been free to develop and embrace, and I wear my new identity with pride. In reality, I don’t have one overriding identity now. Rather, I wear several different hats, and they all fit perfectly. Some days, I’m a writer. On other days, I’m a guy who builds fences alongside other enthusiastic volunteers. Or, if I prefer, I’m a woodworker playing around in my shop on my latest project. Sometimes I’m a virtual builder, figuring out how to assemble the Building Blocks of my past into a new hobby, like mountain biking. Two things are certain: 1) I’m not who I used to be, and 2) I love who I’ve become.
- Spending Money Is Hard: While I think a lot less about money now than I did in my working years, I still find it hard to spend money. It takes a long time to break a lifetime habit of frugality, but I’m making progress. Knowing your Safe Withdrawal Rate helps, as does having money flow monthly into your checking account via a Bucket Strategy. If the money is in our checking account, we’ve got to learn how to spend it. The market has been generous since we retired in 2018, and we’re still underspending what we can safely spend. To rectify that, my wife and I decided to “go big” with our travel plans in 2025. You’ll see more about it in a future post, but we’ve booked a cruise to Greenland! Yes, we’re still learning, but we’re making progress…
- Mindset Matters: When most folks think about retirement, they focus on the money. That’s natural, but I’ve been surprised to discover that the mindset you bring to retirement matters as much as the portfolio. Pursuing your curiosity with a positive attitude is the proven path to Phase IV’s “Reinvent & Rewire”, which should be the goal for anyone seeking an enjoyable retirement. Of all the things I’ve learned while writing, the importance of mindset is the one I think of most often. Spend as much time preparing your mind as you do preparing your finances. It matters.
- Focusing On Others Is More Rewarding Than Focusing On Self: Throughout our careers, we’ve had to prioritize “self.” Striving for that pay raise, trying to earn that promotion. That’s fine, but retirement is the time to change that priority. You don’t need to focus on yourself anymore. You’ve made it. More rewarding is searching for opportunities to help others who haven’t “made it” yet. If you’re not enjoying retirement, and you’re primarily focused on yourself, try shifting gears. Look for an opportunity to help someone else. You won’t regret it.
- We’re All On The Journey Together: Of all the things I’ve learned by writing these articles about retirement, one that resonates with me is the reality that we’re all trying to figure out this journey together. I’ve had thousands of interactions with you through comments and emails, and I’ve learned that we’re all just figuring it out as we go. It’s an exciting time in life, and the community that has developed around this blog is one of the most rewarding aspects of my writing. I wish you could read all of the emails I receive. I hope you read the comments on each post (my favorite part of blogging). I get motivated knowing that the words I write on this keyboard are helping you on your journey. Knowing we’re all in this together, and we can benefit by interacting together, is perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years. That’s led to my biggest discovery during this time of introspection, and the most important thing I’ve learned. I’m saving that for the conclusion below.
Conclusion
I’m amazed that I’ve written over 600,000 words on this blog. Retirement is, indeed, more complex than an onion. I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I’m thankful I took the time to reflect on today’s post.
So…
…What is the most important thing I’ve learned?
As I’ve taken some serious time thinking about it, the most important thing I’ve learned is WHY I write. Before I go there, it’s important to touch on the “why nots”:
- I don’t do it for the money (trust me, it’s not much. It doesn’t quite cover our health insurance).
- I don’t do it for the fame (I hate to break it to you, but I’m really not famous)
- I don’t do it for bragging rights (tho it is cool to say I’m a published author, wink).
So what, then, is my primary motive for writing?
As I’ve reflected over the past month, my thoughts kept coming back to you, the reader. Knowing that you benefit from the words I write is rewarding beyond words. I’ve found my Purpose in “giving back” through my writing, and it’s made my retirement better than I could have imagined.
- Knowing I’m helping people live better lives.
- Knowing that my experience is helping you tackle your challenges.
- Knowing I’m making a difference, small as it may be.
You are my motivation.
- My Purpose.
- What keeps me going.
- You are the reason I do this.
It’s rewarding to realize that the work I’m doing has evolved into a Purpose, focused on helping you and thousands of others like you.
It sounds trivial, perhaps, but it’s my reality. And, it’s the most important thing I’ve learned.
Helping others is a great way to live life, and much more enjoyable than being obsessed with self.
I’ve found my motivation. Find yours. Then, embrace it.
To each of you, a heartfelt thanks for being my inspiration.
I hope my words continue to help you on your journeys.
Because of everything I’ve learned, the most important is that you are helping me, on mine.
Your Turn: What motivates you? What have you learned in retirement, either through my blog or elsewhere, that would benefit others? And, for fun, which article comes to mind when you think of the 400+ I’ve written? Let’s chat in the comments…
I retired 3+ years now; similarly has a pre retirement plan 5 years prior. I carefully reviewed what are forever hobbies vs those flash in the pans. I like you grew my confidence in DIY, build garden sheds, front porch, carport and fence. I made furniture, sold in market place ( generally free labor, recover material costs). But it keeps me active and build my confidence.
We love travelling abroad to immerse, respect and connect with our cultures. It gives us the opportunity to tip well especially in many developing countries that we visited. The tips definitely mean more to them and does not make a dent in our saving account.
I get to assist our adult children with DIY their home and we celebrate get together often.
I loke your blog and use it to tweak my retirement going forward. Now I am pulling together a roadmap for the next 3 years … love to hear from you on this journey.
Weng, it sounds like you’ve done well with your planning for, and transition into, retirement. I’m pleased to hear my blog is helpful as you “tweak” your plan. Good luck on that 3 year roadmap!
Excellent, well thought through article. Thankyou.
Great piece with many valuable lessons for anyone planning for or living in retirement.
Thanks for sharing this synthesis of your wisdom Fritz!
Thanks for your ongoing support of my work, Joe. Much appreciated!
I have been following your blog since 2016. I really appreciate you taking the time to focus on the non financial challenges & opportunities we all face. Putting it like you do really makes sense & helps me to refocus on what is now important. Thanks for what you do!
An 8-year reader, I could ask for no greater compliment! Honored to know that my words help you refocus on the important things. Thanks for your loyalty to my work.
So many articles and your book have helped – I really appreciate the posts on fitness – longevity and also the charity! But I also like when you build something new like the barn and treehouse and explain the why behind it ! The article when your Dad passed away was very memorable as well ! Keep up the great writing !
Dusty
Dusty, glad to hear the topics I most enjoy writing about hit your sweet spot. Fitness, longevity, charity and legacy…all important themes on which I’ve written numerous posts. Thanks for your encouragement.
Fritz, Wow! What a piece you give us with this article. Thank you so much for what you do and who you are! Such a great model to follow…and such an inspiration to me and so many others.
Be blessed,
Coach Landry
Coach Landry, thanks for your ongoing engagement with the blog. Humbling to hear that I’m an inspiration for others. In reality, I’m just a guy trying to figure all of this stuff out, same as everyone else.
Very informative observations. Congratulations 🎊 on this ✍️ writing milestone.
Thank you so much Fritz for your insights! I have a few more years to go in my job and I really like it so it helps me a lot to read your advice for the preparation of my own next phase of life!
Christiane
Of all my readers, I most appreciate those who have “found” me in their final few years of work. I’m pleased to know others are still finding those stones I’ve sprinkled along the trail…good luck on your journey, thanks for making me a part of it.
Thanks for all the thoughtful and helpful posts over the last several years. I’m motivated by planning the next adventure, whether it rv’ing, travels abroad or house projects(woodworking)
The planning can match the journey. QUOTE: It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top.
Robert M. Pirsig
GREAT quote, and a new one to me. That’s a great metaphor, may be worthy of a future post. Your adventurous life sounds similar (RV, woodworking, Int’l travel). Kindred spirits.
Many thanks for synthesizing and sharing your experiences and wisdom! I’m two years in and still “building the plane while flying it.” Your insights are super helpful, and I’m grateful to you.
Airplane mechanics unite! Happy flying…
What motivates me is knowing that there’s more in retirement than retiring from work.
Congratulations on 400 articles – WOW! I completely agree that the non-financial aspects of retirement are much more complex than the money. Money is pretty cut and dry. Very dry. I read everything I could, including your excellent blog, prior to retiring. The non-financial articles have always been my favs. So glad you found your motivation in writing this blog.
Marian, as a fellow blogger, I know you can appreciate that number more than most. It’s interesting, the “money posts” always seem to draw the most interest (views), but I enjoy writing the non-$ articles more, so that’s what I focus on the most these days. Best to write what motivates me, and hope my readers agree, right?
Thank you Fritz,
I started reading your posts right before you retired and have enjoyed your adventures, advice and good attitude. I retired 8 months ago. I’ve been a physician so the change in routine and identity has been significant. One thing I’ve noticed has been how important Christian faith and involvement in church has been. While one part of who we are may go away, another big part remains and gives great stability to this next phase of life. I continue to look forward to you posts. Thanks
Wendell, no doubt about it, having a strong faith is a key element of the “New Me” (was also part of the “Old Me”, so it is one of the few elements that didn’t change with retirement). I can’t imagine facing the prospect of death and eternity without the assurance that a strong faith provides.
Fritz,
Thank you for your words of encouragement and sharing your retirement life with the world. You have helped me identify some of my some of my feeling since I retired 4 years ago. I can relate to the need to find the new you after you left the corporate world.
Please continue to write.
Thanks again,
Steve, glad my words have helped put words to the feelings that so many of us have. I’ll do my best at continuing to write, tho it is harder and harder to carve out time for my keyboard as I continue to explore the other “cards in my hand.”
“ The creative muscles in our minds have gotten out of shape during our careers”. I liked that line. I really feel that I’m rediscovering who I was before work got a hold of me. 2 years in retirement and feeling fine. Thanks for all you do.
Jack.
At the two year mark, I suspect you’re recognizing the importance of exercising that muscle. Takes some time, but it’s well worth the effort!
Thank you, Fritz. I’ve been a fan of yours for a number of years. I’ve been retired almost 2 years and have enjoyed the transition from being a corporate leader to creation of a “New Me.” There is never a time where I don’t learn something new or get inspired by your blog and readers’ comments. I’m thankful for the value you contribute to your readers!
Never a time?! Wow, I figured there must have been a few bad apples in all those posts I’ve written. Smiles.
Fritz~ Thanks for all you do, for all of us preparing for retirement and dealing with retirement. You have had such an influence on my pre-retirement issues, to avoid poor choices or decisions. Now in my 3rd year of retirement I have so many of your ideas in my tool box. My purpose, is so different than where I would have been without your advice. I love my time of walking, golfing, reading and coffee with the boys every morning, but finding ways to give has become just as rewarding. Meals on Wheels, supporting our Hospice home in town and volunteering with our church fill that void of giving. Can’t wait to receive every new RM!!!!! Marc
I may have had an influence on you, but that’s just payback for when you were my childhood sports hero during your days at Hillsdale College. Still boggles my mind that I’ve become a friend with a hero from my youth. Wink.
Fritz, as always, your wisdom in these articles strike a cord. I have been reading your posts for 6-7 years and enjoy them immensely. You are thoughtful and address thoughts that I have had. I am 3 years past the finish line and love the time freedom the most. I am definitely a work in progress, but have no regrets about leaving the workforce. Thank you for your time and efforts. This blog has helped me so much and I look forward to reading your future articles.
Thank you Fritz, you will never realize how much your blog has helped me with my retirement. I have enjoyed and benefited from everything you have written, including your book, as have the many friends and family that I have forwarded your articles to. Thank you for the enormous amount of time you have spent helping us all on our journey , it’s much appreciated!
I’m still blown away that you’ve read everything I’ve written, 31. You’re in a very small subset of the entire community, but the subset I most appreciate. Thanks for your long-term and ongoing support. (And, thanks for mentioned the “enormous amount of time.” I can’t imagine how many hours I’ve invested in writing those “11 books.” (Assuming ~15 hours/post, it’s well over 6,000 hours, or the equivalent of 3 years working at a full-time job!). That doesn’t even count the time for writing the book. Mind blown, but time well spent…
And I am deeply grateful.
Thanks, Fritz, for your commitment to helping us organize and rationalize our retirements!
I retired 5 years ago, but worked part time for 4 years for my employer as a trainer, and now fully retired for 1 year. I thought that I never planned emotionally for retirement, only planned financially.
However, I knew I would use my carpentry and woodworking skills learned mostly from my stepfather, but also part of my heritage from my carpenter grandfather and father who was a construction trade skills teacher. Retirement has been filled with finishing or initiating and finishing projects on our home, but also helping any number of others with home repairs, plumbing, electrical, mulching, etc. Days are filled with projects, and I enjoy being busy and using skills learned over a lifetime which are completely unrelated to my profession as an engineering manager.
Your blog has shown me that I actually did prepare emotionally for retirement by developing other skills (dare I call them hobbies? I thought I was just being cheap by doing things myself!) which would ease my passage into retirement. I think my plan longer term is to transition to more woodworking as I age out (I am 70) of being able to do the carpentry projects……though I do enjoy finish carpentry (trimming out windows and doors, etc.) which I could probably continue. There are also a myriad of books out there which I would like to read…..but currently I cannot yet allow myself time to sit and read for long periods when I have so many projects to complete…. :). My two heros currently (though I lost one this past summer) are nonagenarians who paint and do minor repairs and one plays tennis on Wednesday mornings!
Thanks for continuing to share your thoughts and experiences via The Retirement Manifesto! I have shared your link with many of my friends.
Regards,
Bruce
This article rings true. Setting up a new life is complex. Preparing beforehand is huge. I find expecting change and reinvention can be strong allies for a positive mindset. And yep, while not anxious about spending, I am still restraining myself.
Laid off 182 days ago, I am a young retiree at 62. I had read about 25 books and my financial planner indicated I could retire 2.5 years earlier. I might also skip Phase 2 unless 3 hours of feeling lost counts. At an All-Hands meeting I realized I was not invited to “the party” of my company’s future endeavors. Then I realized that’s a party I don’t want to attend! If invited, I would have wanted to say “no” anyway! Knowing this is a season of change and invention fuels my positive mindset. I have seen several others take these and move in dark directions. I read more and exercise more while living at a slower pace and lower stress. I love it! A recent project is revamping my sleep life (from 1AM-7AM to 9PM-5AM) after reading “Why We Sleep” and “Outlive.” I feel better, my wife is thrilled, and what gets done by 9AM is stunning!
Thanks Fritz for your blog that shows love to others!
I too have followed your blog for years. I am not yet to the starting line. I appreciate all of your non financial writings however my main concern is the financial side. I want to make sure I get that part right. I am amazed when you say once you retire you spend much less time on your finances. I know spending down my savings will be difficult after years of savings. I can attest that you writings have be very valuable.
Amazing post, Fritz. I’m newly “retired”, having left my full-time job at the end of June. Like you, I’ve been planning and preparing for this day for the last three years. I felt very confident in my plan heading into retirement. I’m motivated by the idea of helping others prepare for the non-financial side of retirement. It’s still an area that doesn’t get enough attention.
I’m enjoying having more time to write, learn new things, and explore the long list of projects on my “curious list”.
So much to ponder here – good stuff! I am 3 years in and finally getting into a bit of rhythm. Like you, being curious has been key – and so much fun! There are many topics and interests to explore. That goes hand-in-hand with creativity. I am so grateful to have the time to use so much more of that side of myself. Like your writing studio, I have been incredibly blessed to convert one of my bedrooms into a crafting studio. I was so hesitant to spend the money, but this spring I finally went for it and wow, what a gift! All of my tools and supplies have a place. It is a wonderful combination of practicality and beauty. I enjoy painting, sewing, needlework, card making, and dabbling in all sorts of creative projects that feed my spirit. Also, I am in full agreement that having a grounded Christian faith is just as or even more important to me as I age than during life’s challenges when I was younger. I completed the 10-month program to become a Colson Fellow, and it was both spiritually and mentally challenging and invigorating. The goal is to clarify our worldview as Christians, respond with grace and truth to cultural issues, and define how we as individuals can positively interact with and influence our “own worlds” for Christ. Truly transformative. I will say that volunteering in several capacities has been a key part of gaining purpose and joy thus far. However, I am finding that although overall I do less, I am living more. In other words, I don’t fill every moment with activity. As a single mother, I honestly spent decades surviving and tending to my children’s needs. For the very first time I can remember, I am not racing from one obligation to another. I get to live them – more slowly, but more deeply. I notice and prioritize that fall color stroll. I sit still and observe the nuances of my grandson’s adorable expressions and fully enter into play with him. I enjoy a leisurely lunch with a friend without cutting it short to mow, do the laundry, and get papers graded before tomorrow begins a new hectic week. I browse and research deeply on topics of interest when preparing for vacations or elections. It is a beautiful gift to have so much time.
“You are my motivation” Me? That’s kind of sad, you can do better…Your article “Learn to play again” was lost on me. I’ve attended religious services at Our Lady of Perpetual Recreation for decades – other than trying to keep tabs on the neighbors and help where I can, I don’t contribute much to society. I try and leave some money behind, both locally and when I travel to dive, ski and, or mountain bike, but that’s a far cry from being an active contributor to society. I’ll keep reading and maybe someday I’ll get it: I’m a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess.
You? Yes, exactly you.
The quote “Mindset matters as much as your portfolio” comes to mind, and it encourages me to know there are folks out there who feel they “don’t contribute much to society.” Each of us have something special to offer. The challenging part is having the courage and motivation to try to find what that is. Then again, I’m fine with people choosing not to. If my words cause you to reflect and at least consider the idea that “I can change, if I have to,” I consider it a success. The only thing I would add is the clause “If I want to.” Only you can make that decision. That’s the beauty of retirement. Thanks for reading my work, much appreciated. Because, you know, you’re my motivation.
Fritz,
I appreciate your thoughts, writing, and guidance so much. As I prepare for my retirement next month, I often return to your wisdom.
I’m excited for your crossing of The Starting Line, Doc. And, I’m glad we’ve built an acquaintance over the past few years. Looking forward to seeing where your future takes you…
Great read. Thank you for what you do. Retirement is a journey. I am typing this from Sarteano, in Tuscany and have really enjoyed your writing and belief in traveling near and far.
You’re killing me. You know that, right? 😉
Fritz, I appreciate the effort and craft you put into your content. I always feel a kinship with how you have lived your retirement. Your lifestyle is pretty similar to mine, except I think you do everything better than me! Indeed, every phase of life has been a wonderful gift, but this retired life is by far the best time of my life! A lot of that is because it is not all about me, its about investing myself in helping others.
You and are I definitely kindred spirits, Steve. Tho it’ll take me some time to forgive you for leaving the beautiful State of Arkansas during the one and only time we come through on vacation….wink.
I began reading your blog about 3 months before I retired in 2021. The biggest thing I connected with was that I was not alone and the same things were happening to so many others. My first two years of retirement was dealing with a fresh diagnosis of heart problems which led to 3 heart surgeries and 4 cardio versions in the ER. As of September it’s been one year since my last heart surgery and this one seems to have worked at least for now. I give thanks everyday for another day of retirement in good health after walking 4 miles every morning. That is the single most important thing to embrace is that every day is a gift. Do not waste it! I am just now following all the advice I have read in your blog, thank you for all you do!
God bless
“That is the single most important thing to embrace is that every day is a gift.”
Listen up, folks. John knows of what he speaks. He’s learned it the hard way. Praying for better days ahead for you, John. Tough way to start retirement! Thanks for the reminder of the importance of being “Present” and “Grateful,” every day.
Fritz, I have share your blogs with friends and will do the same with this article. Bought your book for a friend who is still working but close to retirement. I share, because I too want folks’ retirement to be fulfilling. When I was forced into retirement three years ago, everyone I knew then that was retired “seemed” to have it figured out and did not talk about. So, unfortunately my discovery was pretty much on my own. I now have a community online, like yourself, that helps with the navigation.
Well, another good bit of writing Mr. Fritz. The retirement career continues and as you most perfectly said, it’s always changing and we are, at least hopefully always learning and growing with it.
It will be 4 years this Halloween for us, and learning to be retired is a fun, exciting, and rewarding process. The process continues to be more enjoyable as I’m learning to flow more with the ability to be more flexible with my time.
The schedule that I was in has completely gone to the wayside and to say it’s a day to day routine would be correct.
Now the day to day often is planned in advance, but to throughly enjoy the day, I must always be flexible and open to the changes.
Oh, how it’s a fun ride and Loving Retirement is so true.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and enjoy the ride as we are doing.
Fritz,
I found your blog while reading How to Retire by Christine Benz recently. I’m about 5 years out and truly finding great information in your blog! Thank you for what you’re doing!
“Of all the words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these: It might have been.” You learned this lesson well, my friend. And thanks to your blog of 642,000 words and counting, many more Americans have learned it as well. Keep spreading the wisdom. Peace.
Mr. G! Great seeing you, it’s been too long! I hope you’re still making progress on your book, I’ve noticed your blogging frequency has declined of late. Hope all is well, we need to touch base again soon to catch up.
Hi Fritz!!
I´m from Colombia South America and I read your posts frecuently. I think that retirement is the best time in my life. Nine years into it, and without any preparation for this stage, but very sure that to enjoy this moment it is only necessary to get up every day with a small intention of wanting to have a good time because you don´t know it could be your last day. Thank you Fritz for your articles, I learn a lot knowing how you and other people do their best to enjoy retirement.
Enjoy your writing, been ‘retired’ for 2 years now, but for consulting part time. Couple thoughts: purpose is very important. Had some great days hiking and skiing and got home and thought, “nice, but I didn’t do anything. I didn’t help anyone.” Best days are doing a little client work for half a day and outdoors exercise or hobbies the other half, and I counsel others to have a plan to handle the self-actualization question before they leave work. Second thought: no one talks finances, agree, but we haven’t had a prolonged downturn for a while and it will come, quite possibly after an election regardless of who’s in. Rebalancing when stocks at are an all-time high is a great idea that you’ve written about before. BTW great idea stepping away from the keyboard and coming back fresh like you have. Nice!
I have read this blog intermittently for quite a while. You seem to have parlayed it into a side hustle as a sought-after “podcast guest”. All the “Fire” podcasts have featured you at least once. And IMO, you are sought after because you have crafted an image as one who has “all the answers” about transitioning to retirement. You planned perfectly, you made no mistakes, you are just having a grand time.
That would be great if it were completely true, but I really doubt that it is. Your image is just a little “too perfect”. How about a little reality? What did you fail to realize? What mistakes have you made? What would you have done differently? How have your plans changed as you progress into your retired years?
No one ever seems to ask you these questions, but again IMO, they really need to be asked.
Larry, if you’d listened to all of my podcast interviews or read all of my posts, you’d have clearly come across those where I mention the mistakes we’ve made. #1 was not recognizing the significance of my wife losing her “caregiving role” when her Mom (Alzheimer’s) passed away. I’ve written about it on this blog (search “Freedom For Fido” in my archives). Another one I’ve discussed on the financial side is using bond funds instead of individual bonds, which I’ve now rectified by building a bond ladder (search “Bond Ladder”). I’ve also discussed on podcasts and written articles about how my plans have changed, most recently in “The 5 Types of Wealth.”
I’m far from perfect, and always willing to admit things I’d have done differently. That said, it’s been a great run thus far, and I hope people can learn from my successes and failures. I’ll give you a pass since you’re an admitted “intermittent” reader, but trust me when I say I’ve written and discussed some of the issues you’ve raised and feel I’m giving a full portrayal of my reality in retirement. Hope that helps…
Dear Fritz,
The first thing that helped me a lot when I retired (technically speaking , pre-retired) is what you wrote to me when I was asking for help: “Remember you are not alone”.
Being aware that I was not the one one who struggled to find her way to a happy retirement made me feel much better and understood much more in my journey .
Breaking away from my past routine took me a lot of efforts! I learned a lot from your blog and from your book Keys to a Successful Retirement. The ability to be different , being at the same time our true self is a real challenge!.
Setting up a blog on retirement also in my country is somehing that has motivated me and still continues to do so (even with ups and downs in terms of engagement😏). I do like to share what my experience was in the transition period, but also like to publish interviews with other people who could be “role models” for others. All feedbacks I receive are a sort of nourishment (is it correct?) that pushes me to move forward.
In a nutshell, sharing is what is motivating me most.
Sorry for my mistakes in English.
Michaela, great to see my favorite Italian blogger checking in on my site! No need to apologize for your English, it’s far better than my Italian. Wink. I’m honored that my words have helped inspire you, I enjoy reading your blog (Tho I must admit, I have Google translate it into English for me.) Stay motivated, you’re making a difference!