Andie
Confused about dryer sheets
I did it. I set a retirement date. On 1 Jan 19, I'll leave the Air Force after almost 23 years. Yikes! So many choices ahead, it can be overwhelming. Financially, we are pretty secure. My husband will probably retire in the summer or fall of next year...we'll pick a date in the next few months.
Our combined pensions will be over $100k annually. We have investments in retirement accounts. We own a rental property in northern Virginia outright with no plans to sell. Currently trying to sell another property in northern Virginia. The proceeds of that sale could be used to (1) fund a move back to the east coast to be near family or (2) pay off the principal on our current residence here in Colorado. Earlier this year, we decided to move but are currently suffering from second thoughts. Financially, it's not the best move but there's more to life than money. Either way we'll be able to maintain our standard of living.
For several years now, I've been very focused on the money side of retirement. Now that it's near I'm more concerned about the non-money side of my retired life. I've come here hoping to learn from others' experience. I've spent almost my entire adult life being told where I will live and what job I will take (this is an oversimplification, I had lots of choices along the way).
In some ways, I feel like a high school grad...I can go anywhere, do anything. Also an oversimplification...I have a daughter in middle school with strong opinions about moving and I have strong opinions about school quality. My husband has opinions, too, of course. Ok, I'm not an unencumbered 18 yo...but I have more choices than I've ever had before. My "dream" has been to be financially independent. Now what?
When you first retired, what went well? What do you wish you had done differently?
Our combined pensions will be over $100k annually. We have investments in retirement accounts. We own a rental property in northern Virginia outright with no plans to sell. Currently trying to sell another property in northern Virginia. The proceeds of that sale could be used to (1) fund a move back to the east coast to be near family or (2) pay off the principal on our current residence here in Colorado. Earlier this year, we decided to move but are currently suffering from second thoughts. Financially, it's not the best move but there's more to life than money. Either way we'll be able to maintain our standard of living.
For several years now, I've been very focused on the money side of retirement. Now that it's near I'm more concerned about the non-money side of my retired life. I've come here hoping to learn from others' experience. I've spent almost my entire adult life being told where I will live and what job I will take (this is an oversimplification, I had lots of choices along the way).
In some ways, I feel like a high school grad...I can go anywhere, do anything. Also an oversimplification...I have a daughter in middle school with strong opinions about moving and I have strong opinions about school quality. My husband has opinions, too, of course. Ok, I'm not an unencumbered 18 yo...but I have more choices than I've ever had before. My "dream" has been to be financially independent. Now what?
When you first retired, what went well? What do you wish you had done differently?