I would like to get more active here I had several years of early retirement from a high-stress job, which has been blissful. Then we got a huge boost in income from my husband taking a new job when he had planned on retiring...life and its curve balls! After five years at the new job, he's now fully retired.
What I love:
having him around, unstressed and rested.
watching him discover the joys of sleeping in, regular exercise, thoughtful grocery shopping, public libraries, purposeful television watching
What I love less:
Not gonna lie...having $100K pulled out of the family budget stings. I had a full-on "OMG we're broke" panic before I started a detailed budget of what was going where. It took six months of ending each month in the green before I could relax a little. Some lifestyle changes--we rarely eat out anymore--but not too bad.
Not his fault but I do feel...observed all day. Like, maybe I need to explain why am playing the "Hamilton" soundtrack on repeat while I clean.
Before, I would spontaneously decide to go shopping or whatever and just hop up and go. Now, I have to account for time to "finish this chapter/walk the dog/file this mail because he likes to get out, too.
OTOH, having a buddy to hang out with is gold and I do love it 99% of the time. I tried to describe it to someone asking "Isn't he driving you nuts, being around all day?" and came up with, it's like having a best friend who lives in another town, move in next door. That's still the best I can describe it.
So we're watching our money, making adjustments, discovering new stuff. It's an interesting life stage for sure!
What I love:
having him around, unstressed and rested.
watching him discover the joys of sleeping in, regular exercise, thoughtful grocery shopping, public libraries, purposeful television watching
What I love less:
Not gonna lie...having $100K pulled out of the family budget stings. I had a full-on "OMG we're broke" panic before I started a detailed budget of what was going where. It took six months of ending each month in the green before I could relax a little. Some lifestyle changes--we rarely eat out anymore--but not too bad.
Not his fault but I do feel...observed all day. Like, maybe I need to explain why am playing the "Hamilton" soundtrack on repeat while I clean.
Before, I would spontaneously decide to go shopping or whatever and just hop up and go. Now, I have to account for time to "finish this chapter/walk the dog/file this mail because he likes to get out, too.
OTOH, having a buddy to hang out with is gold and I do love it 99% of the time. I tried to describe it to someone asking "Isn't he driving you nuts, being around all day?" and came up with, it's like having a best friend who lives in another town, move in next door. That's still the best I can describe it.
So we're watching our money, making adjustments, discovering new stuff. It's an interesting life stage for sure!