Retirement Talk

162: Looking Ahead; Looking Back Text

In retirement some of us tend to look forward to the future. Others of us tend to look back over our own life. Either way, we make decisions as to the way we spend our retirement years. Making no decisions is a choice we try to avoid. For some of us, it isn't easy.

163: The January Challenge Text

January is a time of year when we try to change our lives for the better. Exercise is touted as one of the most important contributors to good health. We know that when we stop moving, we are in trouble. What to do?

164: No One To Talk To Text

Not having someone to talk to can be a problem for anyone. As we age conversational isolation can be a more severe problem. We seem to only engage with the TV - and it's always just one way. No one listens to us.

165: Taking a Risk Text

Taking a risk by definition always implies a bit of danger; we could get hurt. Doing something new and different always includes this factor. We could fail. It can also make life a bit more interesting and exciting. What to do?

167: Afraid of Missing Something Text

Life presents us with all sorts of opportunities and choices. Sometimes we know exactly which we want to choose. Sometimes we want to do them all. What to do?

170: Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 Text

What's it like to attend a Winter Olympics? We are having that experience now. So far...even for retired people and for people that are not "rich" it is a great experience! Sometimes life's exotic treats don't lie far from our doorstep.

173: Deciding To Be Happy Text

Can we choose to be happy and have it really happen? Here is a story of one person who did just that. K. Eileen Allen has written a book entitled "I Like Being Old". Not that I'm "old" or that you are. But we can all learn something from her. Here is what I took away from her story concerning happiness.

174: Friend Turn Over Text

One thing that enhances everything, including retirement, is good friends.  Keeping that fact in the front of our minds might make retirement much more fulfilling. Unfortunately, friends have a way of disappearing. What to do?

175: Learning from Friends Text

Ever notice how other people sometimes do the most interesting things?  We can find examples and inspiration for what makes for a good retirement from others. Sometimes it is our own friends who help illustrate the range of possibilities.

177: When Should I Retire? Text *Update of Episode 001*

Deciding if and when to retire are questions many of us wrestle. The pros and the cons can battle on endlessly. Here are some of the reasons my wife and I used making our decision.  We are very happy with the consequences.

178: How Much Money Is Enough? Text

When considering retirement, we always wonder if we will have enough money. How can we possible know? Here is what we did - and it seems to have worked - so far.

179: What Now Text *Update of Episode 002*

After retirement we are faced with the deciding what to do with the rest of our lives. How do we address this question? Are there any guidelines or suggestions? One constant seems to be universal: the desire for happiness. We had best know wherein it lies if we ever hope to find it.

180: What Now - Part 2 *Update of Episode 003*

Retirement gives us time to do many different things with our lives. Our choices are often times determined by our imagination and our concept of what will bring us the most happiness. Here are a couple of examples that illustrate the decision making process.

181: The Relocating Alternative Text *Update of Episode 005*

Retiring and relocating are often times linked together. Once our job ends we are free to move about the country. Will we opt for that choice or not? It might work for us and then again....

182: Another Relocating Alternative Text *Update of Episode 009*

Here is an example of how you can stay in your own hometown and yet move away at the same time. Living in two places at once is possible - in a way.

183: Retiring Together Text *Update of Episode 010*

Are there special problems for couples who retire at the same time? Are the men always "underfoot"? Here are some illustrations of what worked for us over 23 years.

184: A Second Opinion Text *Update of Episode 016*

Retirement may mean many more trips to the doctor. Sometimes we don't agree with the doctor's diagnosis and desire a second opinion. Here is an example that illustrates the importance of asserting ourselves when it comes to our health.

185: In Praise of Slow Travel Text

Taking a road trip requires some planning.  It may be best for all of us to slow down a bit as we set about to enjoy a vacation. It's something to consider. Sometimes less is more and in respect to travel it is absolutely true.

186: Denialism and Grandchildren Text

Ever tell your grandchildren how important it is to tell the truth? We all know that it doesn't pay to live a lie. Sometimes truth doesn't fit our fancy but we know we have to deal with reality in life.

187: How Will I Die Text

Retirement is a time to reflect on our entire life. Sometimes considerations of our own death wade in for consideration. Is this something we need to worry about? Or, should we just focus on life?

188: Becoming a Vegetarian at 67 Text

What do you do when  there is going to be no turkey at Thanksgiving Dinner? For us, it resulted in becoming vegetarians. It isn't really difficult at all. We have found it enjoyable and tasty.

189 An iPad? Text

As retired folks do we really need to keep up with the latest technology? Can't we just sit back in the rocker and let the world go by? We can. But do we really want that?

190 Working with Your Hands Text

Working with your hands brings a certain sense of satisfaction that many retired people pursue. Sitting behind a desk and tapping computer keys just doesn't seem to bring the same sense of achievement as fashioning a beautiful piece of furniture, creating a work of art or building a geodesic dome.

191 Finding Meaning in Life Text

After ending our careers and passing through the stage of raising children many of us find ourselves once again searching for meaning during the retirement years. We search for something that will give meaning to our lives not just in retirement but in our lives.

192 Finding Meaning in Retirement Text

Sometimes we can't decide what to do with our retirement. We can't decide if we want to become a writer or a gardener. Would it be better to travel or study art. What to do?

193 What Do You Do? Text

Explaining to others what you do in retirement is not an easy task. People constantly ask that question but it is time consuming to answer it honestly.

194 Kicking Back Without Guilt Text

We like to think we are on the right track if we are busy. We are a busy culture. We like to do things. We have elevated it to new levels with multi-tasking. But what is to be said for just sitting still and enjoying life?

195 Traveling by Plane Text

We have become use to flying around in what use to be friendly skies. Traveling by plane isn't what it use to be. It has not only became less enjoyable but now we find out it does a lot of damage to the environment.

196 The Pacific Northwest Text

Choosing a place to retire is an opportunity and a challenge. We like to think we can make a good decision. A double murder in our back yard before we even moved in gave us second thoughts.

197 Alarm Clocks and the News Text

Retirement may be a great time for having a dog. It can bring companionship and serve as a reason for getting some exercise. On the other hand, it may be the worst time to have a dog.

198 Dogs and Retirement Text

Retirement may be a great time for having a dog. It can bring companionship and serve as a reason for getting some exercise. On the other hand, it may be the worst time to have a dog.

199: Health, Tai Chi, and the Lost Wallet Text

Health and the practice of Tai Chi keep being touted in the press. Seeing the flowing beauty of actual Tai Chi can be memorable. Perhaps more memorable that loosing one's wallet. (first ran in 2008)

200 Free At Last Text

Many seem to fine that after spending a life time accumulating things they serve only as an anchor when we want to be free. Perhaps retirement is the perfect time to rid ourselves of more than just our jobs.

201 If Everyone Else Lives In Poverty... Text

It isn't much fun to have enough money to live well if everything around you is falling to pieces. We retired folks sure don't want the neighborhood to become a ghetto after we retire. Maybe we need to examine our attitude about paying taxes and what we get for them.

202 Elections and Courage Text

Political elections take special effort on the part of voters; both to participate and then to accept the results. What can we tell our children when they become discouraged?

203 Ready to Learn Text

Retiring calls for trying something new. We may be ready to learn something today that has escaped us in the past; learn a foreign language, garden, paint, write or fulfill a secret wish. We can fill in the gaps.