My wife of 30 years passed in January 2014, leaving behind 2 kids ages 12 and 9. During the first out-of- town business trip after that event, I decided this was no way to raise young kids and began working toward the door. Was able to slide out with one of the periodic layoffs, and my last day was in January 2015, one year and a day after the wife’s passing. I turned 55 a few weeks later.
Since then, I have moved 3 times – the first from SoFla to a rental in the Panhandle to assess how well “South Alabama” would work for us. It did, and after a few months bought a house in a neighborhood we had come to know through friends. Ended up spending nearly 9 years in that house, and just moved several miles north of the beach to get to away from the tourists. Single level, smaller but enough space, and I hope it will work for another 10-15+ years.
It was a busy decade- got the kids out of school and into college, remarried and then divorced, and downsized. Along the way I was a very active volunteer for the kids’ activities, served in a couple of capacities for the HOA, and went through a few relationships before and after the marriage.
Financially, it has worked out well. Spent substantially more than initially planned due to medical expenses and the marriage and subsequent divorce, but still in a better position than when I started.
Managing cash flow for the expenses while maintaining healthcare subsidies took a lot of effort. It was good to have a variety of sources to draw from – HSA (with past expenses unreimbursed “in the bank”), several years of expenses in taxable accounts, and an IRA and Roth on standby. Fortunately, didn’t need to tap any IRAs until last year. Having sold the big house and able to buy the new one for cash, the burn rate will drop substantially.
I stopped working and moved for the benefit of my kids, and didn’t give much thought to my life after they were gone. That time started creeping up when the oldest started to drive, and starkly arrived 18 months ago when the last left for college. The short marriage during the time between the 2 kids going to college certainly didn’t help. The reality of that was a big adjustment, and prompted the downsizing. Another reminder that I’m now in my mid-60’s and the active years ahead are fewer than when I started this journey.
The 10th anniversary week of ER was eventful - departure from the job, 11 years since the first wife passed, and moved into a new house. Good timing for the move.
Now that I have fewer obligations, I’m looking forward to re-connecting with family and friends - trip to AZ for family in April, then to DC with the oldest kid in May. Plus more miles on the moto and bicycle.
I am very fortunate to have been able to dedicate myself to the kids, and deeply satisfied with how everything has ultimately worked out. Not a traditional retirement, early nor not. It’s been a great ride, and I’m looking forward to the years ahead!
Since then, I have moved 3 times – the first from SoFla to a rental in the Panhandle to assess how well “South Alabama” would work for us. It did, and after a few months bought a house in a neighborhood we had come to know through friends. Ended up spending nearly 9 years in that house, and just moved several miles north of the beach to get to away from the tourists. Single level, smaller but enough space, and I hope it will work for another 10-15+ years.
It was a busy decade- got the kids out of school and into college, remarried and then divorced, and downsized. Along the way I was a very active volunteer for the kids’ activities, served in a couple of capacities for the HOA, and went through a few relationships before and after the marriage.
Financially, it has worked out well. Spent substantially more than initially planned due to medical expenses and the marriage and subsequent divorce, but still in a better position than when I started.
Managing cash flow for the expenses while maintaining healthcare subsidies took a lot of effort. It was good to have a variety of sources to draw from – HSA (with past expenses unreimbursed “in the bank”), several years of expenses in taxable accounts, and an IRA and Roth on standby. Fortunately, didn’t need to tap any IRAs until last year. Having sold the big house and able to buy the new one for cash, the burn rate will drop substantially.
I stopped working and moved for the benefit of my kids, and didn’t give much thought to my life after they were gone. That time started creeping up when the oldest started to drive, and starkly arrived 18 months ago when the last left for college. The short marriage during the time between the 2 kids going to college certainly didn’t help. The reality of that was a big adjustment, and prompted the downsizing. Another reminder that I’m now in my mid-60’s and the active years ahead are fewer than when I started this journey.
The 10th anniversary week of ER was eventful - departure from the job, 11 years since the first wife passed, and moved into a new house. Good timing for the move.
Now that I have fewer obligations, I’m looking forward to re-connecting with family and friends - trip to AZ for family in April, then to DC with the oldest kid in May. Plus more miles on the moto and bicycle.
I am very fortunate to have been able to dedicate myself to the kids, and deeply satisfied with how everything has ultimately worked out. Not a traditional retirement, early nor not. It’s been a great ride, and I’m looking forward to the years ahead!
