Retirement Planning 101 – Module 1: An Online Retirement Training Course
Category: Retirement 101 Course
Updated February 25, 2021 (Originally January, 2019) — We’ve heard it said that new parents shouldn’t have their new babies released to them until they have passed a child rearing class. Something similar might be said for retirees – retirement is far too important a project to undertake without some preparation and planning. To that end we have created a multipart online training class on retirement preparation – and this is the first Module. As we imagine it, people can take the course years before they actually pull the retirement trigger. It can also be used as refresher training for those who are already enjoying their retirements.
At this point the course has 10 modules (see list at bottom), but we are not stopping there. Our members have suggested the themes for several of the modules (see Comments section below), and we will continue to add more in the years to come.
Modules. Here are some of the potential modules in the course (ones in Bold have been completed):
- Overview of retirement
- Social Security
- Where to retire
- Staying busy
- Planning
- Financial – will I have enough to retire
- Relatives and friends
- Types of retirement communities
- Expatriate retirement
- Working in retirement
- Managing your money
- Medicare and healthcare
- Planning for the Longterm (age appropriate)
- Livability
- Bucket Lists
- Avoiding scams and fraud
Module 1 – Retirement Overview
This first module in the series provides an overview of the major things you need to plan for in retirement. It covers the big topics you need to get educated on; in later modules we will get into more detail on specific topics. One of our favorite retirement mantras is that “retirement is a chance for a do-over on life”. In our opinion, retirement should not be looked at simply as a relief from working and a chance to put your feet up. Instead, if you plan and work at it, and are lucky too, you can make up for any disappointments you might have had up to this point in life.
Planning. The first thing to know about retirement – it is all about planning. That planning involves many aspects. Some years before you step out of the working world (and no one can predict when that might happen!), you need to be preparing for issues like: where will you retire, what will you do, how will you keep busy, what are your lifestyle priorities, and will you work part-time, start a business, or volunteer.
Financial. The financial leg of retirement is mightily important. Ideally that begins with your first real job, and involves a commitment to saving. It also means taking advantage of and maximizing any incentives your employer might offer to their retirement plans, such as a matching contribution. There is no substitute for the power of compounded interest on savings, as just a few years extra savings early on can make an enormous difference in your lifestyle later on. If you are like most people, you will need a lot of money to maintain the lifestyle you have in your working years.
When. The when of retirement is a key decision to plan for. Obviously, you want to be financially ready before you send in your notice to quit the workforce. But one problem that so many baby boomers have discovered is when it actually happens is not under your control, despite the most careful planning. Older workers tend to be expensive and sometimes lack the latest skills, so getting laid off in your 50s or 60s is a common hazard. Getting a new job that pays as well is usually almost an impossibility. So the point is this, make your preparations for R (Retirement) Day, but have a contingency in case it happens sooner.
Where to live. One of the great freedoms that comes with retirement is that you have the option to live anywhere you want. Your job is not holding you to a geographic location anymore. You can move to a warmer climate if you want, change to a location where you can enjoy a certain lifestyle or activities, get closer (or farther away) from family and friends, escape a high tax environment, or a state whose politics you don’t like – all kinds of possibilities are on the table. But, deciding where to live in retirement is not an easy decision. Our member surveys indicate this is one of the biggest concerns retired people have. Identifying your priorities, squaring your preferences with a spouse of family, finding out where those possibilities exist, and actually experiencing an area with boots on the ground takes time and effort.
Your health. Just about everyone assumes they are going to go through retirement as hale and hearty as they are in their 40s, 50s, or 60s. Sadly, not everyone will. A stroke, cancer, accident, etc., can wipe out a retirement plan quickly, and there is not much to be done about it. But there are a host of preventable medical problems that can also wreck your retirement. If you want to live a long life, free of physical ailments and preventable medical conditions, you need to get started now if you haven’t already. Stop smoking, moderate your drinking, get your weight on track, and get regular exercise several times a week. Visit your medical professional for regular checkups and tests. If you are prescribed medication, take it. Listen to your body. Take a look at people your age and older – how they move, walk, and sit. If they look and act old to you, consider a regular program of stretching, pilates, and yoga. These are great for keeping you limber and youthful.
Social Security and Medicare. These two government programs are key to a successful retirement. Read up on the various opinions on when is the best time for YOU to start taking Social Security retirement benefits. This is an important decision with long term ramifications for you and your spouse – do not make it without careful study. Medicare is somewhat more straightforward, but still has important decisions associated with it. You have to register for at least Medicare Part A (hospitalization) at age 65. But Part B vs. Medicare Advantage plans merit careful consideration and comparison. Likewise supplemental insurance is almost always a good idea, but you need to select a plan. Finally, Part D (prescription drug plans) is something you should have. Failure to take out a plan at age 65 will result in a lifetime penalty if you add it at a later time (unless you have drug coverage from another source), so don’t delay.
Healthcare. This is usually a big challenge for people who are retired and too young for Medicare. Assuming you no longer have health insurance from an employer or as a covered spouse, you have to get it somewhere. ObamaCare is a good resource, particularly if your income is under certain limits (there might be subsidies to make it more affordable). You have to be able to get coverage, no matter what previous conditions you might have. Go to healthcare.gov for more information on when and how you can sign up.
Staying busy. Finally, you need to have a plan for what you are going to do once you retire. That has to be a lot more than “clean out the garage”, “take some trips”, or “do some volunteering”. Retirement opens up a lot of time, including no commuting. Will you work part-time, start a business, or volunteer? It would be very helpful to have an idea of what types of activities you will do. Start with an inventory of what you like to do, what makes you happy, and what causes you care about. Leisure is important too. Can you do the things you really like to do in the community and region you will retire to? Do you want to take up new hobbies or activities, or pursue new ones? Ideally you have some experience with those activities before you retire, so you don’t wake up the day after retirement and wonder what you are going to do. You can just hang around the house, but we doubt you will be very happy for long.
Bottom line
In the coming months we will be providing Blog articles on each of the topics in our Retirement course. We hope you can use that information to do a better job of planning for your retirement, or if you are already retired, improve it. Please use the Comments section below to tell us what you think of this retirement course idea, suggest other topics we should cover, possible features or ways to improve it, along with your feedback about any of the points in this article.
Homework
Please take a moment and write down on a piece of paper the grade you think you have earned for your current retirement planning. An A might mean you have done everything you could to prepare and feel really good about that. An F is you have done nothing, and retirement is looming. Then write down a few areas that seem like they need the most work. Finally, discuss your grade with your partner. Better yet, see Module 4: A Retirement Preparation Quiz
For further reading:
- Module 1 -Introduction to Retirement Planning 101
- Module 2: How to Retire on a (Lot Less Than) $1 Million
- Module 3: What Type of Retirement Community Is Right for You
- Module 4: A Retirement Preparation Quiz
- Module 4, part 2: Quiz Answers Explained
- Module 5: Overcoming Loneliness in Retirement
- Module 6: How to Visit and Evaluate a 55+ or Active Adult Community
- Module 7: Pros and Cons of an Expatriate Retirement
- Module 8: What You Think You Might Know About Social Security Might Hurt You
- Module 9: Medicare 101
- Module 10: 12 Steps to Downsizing Success
Comments on "Retirement Planning 101 – Module 1: An Online Retirement Training Course"
Chris says:
This is a great idea. It's always a learning experience reading the comments of your subscribers. Thanks!
K Wilhelm says:
This is a great idea.
LS says:
I'm not sure which module these would fall into but I think these topics are important:
Downsizing - getting rid of the kid's stuff and everything else that won't fit the new house/apartment
Selling the house - what needs to be renovated and how to go about it
The Boomer bind - caring for elderly parents and unlaunched children when you want to relocate out of town
Having the talk - how to reach agreement with a partner on what's more important. Being near children, grandkids, parents or living out your retirement in a dream location
Jean says:
Sounds like a good program. I'd add a bonus module that can be sent to children, grands, nieces and nephews. The module would have 2 parts - first the importance for them to start saving and investing for retirement as early as possible (set up IRA or contribute to 401K as soon as they start their FIRST job and continue throughout their working lives and the second part would be how to help (or at least not hinder) their parents and grandparents retirements.
My husband and I have a very comfortable retirement because we were lifelong savers and it concerns me when I hear the next generation and even younger siblings save/invest nothing and then want us to bail them out of debt (wont happen).
Clemmie says:
Financially I would love to see more about retiring without a million dollar portfolio or even half that saved. Is is possible to live and retire in let’s say Florida without a high income or savings.
Diane says:
I like the topics that LS mentioned.
The "Boomer bind" is huge. It's the one that I'm stuck in. I have a mother who will soon turn 89. My brother who lives close to her is moving out of state to be close to his son and grandchildren. His wife has a mother in a 24/7 care facility who will be left behind with a sister to make final plans when their mom passes. She has no plans to return until the funeral.
So yes, the "Boomer bind" is a topic that I'm personally interested in as well as others I'm sure!
Happy New Year everyone!!
Jennifer says:
I would like to see a module on how interpersonal relationships within the generations affect those that retire and how close or far one chooses to be from family.
Also a module on single retirement with less that $400,000.
Thank you.
Maimi says:
How about addressing ways to retire as a single person after divorce. So many seniors are divorcing , that the best retirement plans in the world don’t apply anymore. Life happens. Is retiring well only for couples who remain together for life?
John Brady Comment: See https://www.topretirements.com/blog/singles-and-retirement/best-places-for-singles-to-retire.html/ for some help on this topic
HEF says:
Admin - Under "Homework," I think you mean "write" and not "right." A spread-sheet, used to compare data or track financial information, is invaluable! It is hard to anticipate expenses but once you start writing things down, that you pay for - it gets easier as you begin to track how you are managing now.
That said, I also agree with Jennifer and Maimi - perhaps you need another Course: Once Retired - How To Manage On Less. The above is GREAT for those younger and looking ahead but I have some older friends who are already "retired" and adrift with no idea how to survive on what they have. One doesn't even get Soc. Sec.! One has been "negotiating" an official separation for 2 years and her husband is reluctant to share. She has no idea what to expect. One friend has figured it out and they are comfortable, for now - thanks to the Veterans Admin. (not everyone has that support)
Thanks to all who contribute and share! I was careful to watch sites like this as we neared retirement. I asked questions and made plans. Parkinsons caused us to retire earlier than we expected but we managed to move to our dream location and we're going to be FINE!
Edith Cuttler says:
What a great idea.
Love to follow this. Maybe some more considerations of buying vs. renting in retirement.
We seem to know more about what we Don’t want inreturement than do. Housing is biggest decision maker now. We will be moving south in two years and are currently renting a townhome. We love it. No more cutting the yard/ shoveling etc. Have a plumbing problem? Bingo. Resolved in few days by someone else!
We spent over 5 days in Jacksonville fl exploring the different areas and found three sections of the city we loved. All 3 were hit with flooding from the last big Florida storm. And none of these places were near any beach. It is a sobering thought.
Want to be in walkable area, good transportation near by, medical etc. Jacksonville had it all but now.
So still looking.
Anyone have any ideas please pass ithem on. We thought being North Florida was what we would like but now.....
Louise says:
I would like to see some of these topics in a Cheat Sheet type format and stored in your archives to pull out when a certain topic is needed. He is an example: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=4eQhDUo7&id=F70B5EA6BD2F589B60EA0B8E34F76FA914082B1D&thid=OIP.4eQhDUo7enU31I_pLZ9CJgAAAA&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fwww.retirementincome.net%2Fdocuments%2Fimages%2Fretirement-income-cheatsheet.png%3Fssl%3D1&exph=604&expw=463&q=cheat+sheet+retirement+guides&simid=608007161050039206&selectedindex=0&ajaxhist=0&pivotparams=insightsToken%3Dccid_sfJLtaNG*mid_EC444365B520DF9901FCD54D5026021D8068164D*simid_608051751422067707*thid_OIP.sfJLtaNGrC8liPITeWqBagHaJn&vt=0&eim=0,1,2,3,6&iss=VSI
Jennifer says:
Yes I agree with Maimi--what to do after a divorce, or being single is a whole different ballgame than when you have a spouse with extra income coming in to the household. How to retire well on a single or meager income would be beneficial. I sometimes think that moving to a community up north would be good if it was a condo type of community where I had no outside responsibilities. It must be walkable to things and then it would be cheaper and I could travel to warmer weather for a few months in the winter with the savings. I heard of such a place in Illinois and it checked the boxes for what I am looking for, but I do not think Illinois in my case is the best location.
RichPB says:
While in some ways it would duplicate what is in other modules, perhaps one on "Sudden Retirement" would be helpful. As some have said, whether you were planning retirement or not, sometimes it is forced on you -- and maybe not recognized right away. (The latter might be someone laid off but planning/hoping to get a new job. These same "Sudden" suggestions might pay off when that job hunt is not successful.)
We had certainly done some planning and prep, but one day suddenly found we were against the wall. Seemingly overnight our jobs just turned into nightmares and immediately retiring or quitting became an option that day -- 4 years short of all plans. What to do: 1) start recording all expenses, 2) set up a budget, 3) eliminate all unnecessary expenses, 4) evaluate/analyze all possible income sources (such as Soc Sec options), 5) track that budget -- daily, weekly or monthly to start (can be reduced to quarterly or annually over time). Then all the other items detailed in this guide (perhaps others can list other "immediate" actions).
At 55, we right then established a "guesstimate" budget for "rock bottom", no assets/savings to draw from (for us it was a small pension and eventually Soc Sec) and then we did another budget assuming we could draw from some other "planned" source (savings, home sale, etc.). We were fortunate. We stuck to a low compromise between those two until we felt sure we could manage. Then 2008 happened. Because we had taken that conservative approach, we got through and 15 years after retirement we feel fairly secure. But look around at today's world/economy -- continued diligence is the only smart approach.
Denise says:
This is a great course, and please, information on retiring single. So many of us are there, from divorce or death, and almost all of us will face this at some point, either before or during retirement. Being single changes everything.
Stu says:
Love this concept, I'm 58 next week and been planning for a few years but more poking at it. My wife and I have decided where to move to, bought a lot, have a builder and are waiting for her to retire first. As an airline pilot I have mandatory retirement by law on my 65th birthday-so if I live that long change will happen!
I want to complete this module course so load me up!!
Real concerns about maximizing social security and medicare, my wife will have state health plan on top of hers and I am retired Navy and will have some medical benefits from that as well.
Thanks for all you do and this is will be great to not only make but to archive.
Maimi says:
Denise, exactly. I find most content about retirement addresses the needs of couples, when in reality, many, if not most, of us are single.
Anne says:
Module topic: Making New Friends. When we move, change status or lifestyles, we need to make new friends and become new friends. Its often hard to 'break into' the established groups. It helpful to participate in the activities we enjoy to meet people. A discussion and tips on how to initiate conversations and develop friends from acquaintances would be helpful.
Theresa says:
Another vote on modules for singles and not just those who have lost their spouses or have divorced. There are plenty of us who have never married and we always seem to be ignored. Same with having less than $1 million in retirement assets. That is unreachable for a majority of us, so maybe several modules based upon ranges (under $100K, $100K-200K, etc.). Modules on active adult communities or mobile home communities or senior apartment communities would be welcome as well. How about a module on getting a roommate for the singles? I'm fortunate in that I have had the same roommate for nearly 30 years and we are planning on retiring together. But what about those who can't afford to live alone? They probably haven't had a roommate for decades (if ever) and it might be something to consider if it means taking off some of the strain of living alone. Thanks!
Susan says:
I too am concerned about the Boomer Bind.
Nancy Christian says:
Awsome idea; wish I had it when I retired. I believe I would add a module on money saving tips like coupons, dining out, movies and groceries.
Vicki H says:
And another vote for modules for singles. I think I've planned well, but would like to become more knowledgeable on Social Security and Medicare. Modules on staying busy and avoiding scams sound like good subjects.
Chris says:
I think this is a great idea. As a person who was really planning for the future, part of the challenge is to be on the same page as a spouse. I really enjoy the comments from other readers and look forward to hearing what everyone has to say about these topics.
nancy says:
Another vote for single and not having a lot of money. Have never recovered from financial burden a divorce put on me. And as much as you plan to save, things always come up - like the house had to have a new roof and furnace/air conditioner 1 month apart!
RichPB says:
Theresa, I think this is a great idea! "Same with having less than $1 million in retirement assets. That is unreachable for a majority of us, so maybe several modules based upon ranges (under $100K, $100K-200K, etc.)" My comments above related to retiring with $400K, yet for many even that is not reachable. TopRetirements abounds with comments from those who have done better, but it's clear from others that there is the hidden majority who are not so well prepared. Recent surveys show that there are vast numbers in those lower ranges you define. That is a real retirement quandary we face as a nation.
Many of the "retirement modules" discussed assume a level of preparedness pending retirees simply don't have. For example, it's easy to talk about where to move or whether or not to stay near family, but what if the only means for any change of location is walking or hitchhiking? If you want to "retire" with only whatever small Soc Sec or perhaps $10K or $30K and no assets, what are your options? Truly for those at least one option is "never retire". Panhandling?
Also consider that for the most part, this concern may not be for the Top Retirements audience.
Bruce says:
Wouldn't the above course modules also work for a single person or if a circumstances change?
David says:
Teresa & Rich have nailed it. The retirement plans I’ve seen involve a million dollar portfolio. Most of us will earn little more than that in a lifetime. If you raise a family and aren’t blessed with good health, your screwed!
Virginia says:
Another vote for help for those who are single and have very little assets and depend on social security.
Jennifer says:
Rich PB, anyone who has a concern or a question, no matter what their income is or will be, should be welcome on this forum. There is a lot of wisdom among the people who contribute. I would hate to think that just because one is destitute that they might not be welcome here. Any situation that you can create for retirement could be discussed and might lead to a more positive outcome for the person who may need helpful advice.
Maimi says:
Actually, I think that at this point in time, the majority of people in my age range who got caught in the recession of 2008 are in pretty bad shape. A recent article in AARP that I posted elsewhere cited stats on how many older workers lost their jobs and discussed the fact that most could not find reemployment. The few who survived were most likely government employees. If retirement advice is for us baby boomers, the advice should include the majority of us who, despite our best efforts to prepare, were wiped out.
ljtucson says:
Possibly add a systematic approach to reviewing/visiting active adult communities. 1. what to consider (size/location/costs/amenities/age/etc...) 2. what questions to ask - do your homework 3. what to expect as takeaways (financials/CC&Rs/rules/fees) 4. how to get "vibe" of community (how would I fit in) 5. how to find out more about the community.
RichPB says:
Jennifer, I completely agree with you. And it's clear that many contributors here (like me) don't have a million dollar portfolio. However, the emphasis of articles and comments tends to the mid- to higher end. With that final comment above, I was making an observation, not a recommendation. The recommendation was in support of the opposite despite any perceived "actuality". (Many years ago when I first started following Top Retirements, I was at first put off by my perception that it was only "high end".) I hope the planned series will, from the outset, be clear that it is all-inclusive regardless of any segment of the population.
Ed D. says:
Edith, consider St. Petersburg, it’s lovely and beaches are 20 minutes away. In the financial planning section, the two most important issues are Itemizing your actual spending levls, and following a budget. Regarding investing, during retirement all your investments should be focused on generating income, not capital appreciation.
Debby says:
I agree with the comments about being single and not wealthy.
Tess says:
ljtucson's comment about a systematic approach for reviewing and visiting active adult communities - that's what I'd like to see.
Jennifer says:
In the module for reviewing retirement communities, I would be interested in walkability. Most of us will have to give up driving at some point.
RichPB says:
Jennifer, that's very true. Many of us even with automobiles available are already limited by physical factors which affect even walking more than short distances. Replacing both knees got me the ability to walk which was immediately limited yet again by plantar faciitis. Get past that and deal with the next issue and limited capacity due to rehab time from 4 major surgeries in 5 years. I'm doing fine. This is not a "woe-is-me". This is acknowledgement that we all have the potential for significant health impacts that affect our mobility whether driving or walking. I now have GREAT interest in driving/walking options such as golf carts. Understanding these limitations is a part of retirement planning and senior community development. Community recreation and living resources such as golf courses, tennis, walking trails and even pickle ball can become insignificant and even laughable at some point. I think indoor swimming (for recreation and rehab) can be one of the most desirable amenities. (Believe me, I am personally doing well; continuing to live in our "remote" dream home with its major upkeep requirements despite life's little gotchas. I don't want concern from anyone about this. But it can happen and is truly part of "retirement" for most.)
darla says:
A lot of suggestions here and when I read some of the comments I remembered discussing them in other blogs on this site, so they are good to go back and look at again and learn from them what others have written. So many topics so much advise.
says:
To help keep this Blog on track, I have moved Virginia's question asking about communities in St. Petersburg to a different blog for further discussion: Topretirements Tours Clearwater/Tampa/St.Pete for Retirement
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/great-towns/topretirements-tours-clearwatertampast-pete-for-retirement.html/
Ron F says:
MAYBE A TOPIC ABOUT ORPHANED RETIREE'S. Some of us are now alone - no relatives to help. Maybe a discussion about 55+ that helps those. Like one community I know (Tellico) has a organization/club that helps retiree's stay in there home when they are not able to do so alone.
Jennifer says:
Ron F-
Many facilities which are run by the Episcopal Church guarantee that should a resident run out of funds, they will not be evicted from their homes/apartments. A fund has been established for this purpose. They also do not balance bill for Medicare. There is a significant amount of money required up front, however, to even get an apartment, but once in a resident is secure.
It is hard to think of being alone in old age. I have one brother who is in Oregon and he has his own life and is still trying to maintain his health after a stroke in Feb. 2017. I have established relationships with my Church and volunteer there every week in some capacity and I have friends, but I am still a very private person. Our parents are still alive at 83 years of age, but they travel and are rarely at home--thank God they have their health.
Katie says:
I'd be interested in a module about loneliness in retirement. Whether single, divorced or through being widowed, this is something that many of us will face as we retire from our work lives. Many of us spent work lives with people at work and then spent any free time with spouses, children or other family. Friendships may have been with neighbors, our kids' friends' families, spouse's work friends, etc. With retirement, children launched, parents deceased, and perhaps in a new retirement location, retirees can find themselves alone. Yes - we all know the tips about taking a class, volunteering, joining a church, etc. Some of us may have retired to 55+ communities where there are lots of clubs. Surely there are other good ideas and stories from people who have gone through this.
Maimi says:
Katie, I agree. Finding community as a senior citizen gets tough. I lost my w best friends to cancer last year and others have moved away to be with their children. Tough stage.
Jennifer says:
Katie, the best tips that you seem well aware of work, and that's why they have been revisited on this forum again and again. One has to feel open to being a bit social. No one is going to come to us--we have to reach out and pursue what might make us feel less lonely. As we age, we will lose friends as they pass away before us. Then it is time to make new friends. I hope you find the solution you are looking for. If you are in a 55+ community and you cannot find an activity you like, then perhaps you can start one and have others join you. In any event, you need to get out of your home to initiate interaction of some kind. No one can read your mind and know that you are lonely.
Ms Milesp says:
This site is great it cuts down on research on all these topics I would like to see some suggestions of activities u can do in retirement and if possiable doing retirement on limited funds
jean says:
Katie,
Your post about loneliness got me thinking about my 94 m-I-l who lived with a son and his family and lots of visits from younger friends and others in her large family but still complained about feeling lonely. In the years prior to this she had to stop driving, was widowed, etc. It seems to me that loneliness can be a sign of depression or grief stemming from the loss of a spouse/friends/ loss of independence, loss of control of one's life, fear of missing out, etc. A person who feels lonely even when around others might find benefit from discussing those feeling with a mental health professional. Therapy / medication are effective and for those who prefer a more natural approach, research has shown that regular outdoor activity (walks, gardening, etc.) and eating a lot more vegetables and fruit can improve depression.
Vicki says:
Love this course idea - waiting patiently for more. I hope there can be a section on buying Medicare supplements, where you get them. And how it works to buy them in the middle part of the year, as I plan to retire in July.
David Levin says:
Under the Managing Your Money module, you may want to add an optional section on Tax Planning. When we are fully retired, many of us have choices on when to withdraw funds from our retirement accounts. Little things, like taking money out in January vs December can impact your tax situation. Rather than just paying taxes, there may be value in PLANNING your tax situation to help you have more money to spend in retirement. This could be very technical, and may not provide value to some people...that is why it should be an optional.
Katie says:
Jean — your post was thoughtful and interesting: That’s exactly the type of information that a module could offer that would be very helpful to people who discover their social lives change with retirement along with lifestyle, finances, etc.
Steve says:
I established three axioms for myself before retiring that I felt would improve me.
Now that I have been retired for quite a few years, and have made personal adjustments in line with my axioms, I feel they have served me well both through the transition, as well as for the long haul. I am truly a different person than during my career years, and I believe a better person. I hope my approach can help others.
My three items, which I revisit regularly are:
Capable - physically strong and fit
Confident - mentally adjusted and steady
Happy - emotionally solid and realistic
Sandra Danforth says:
Unexpected retirement was ours. We had moved from Upstate NY to Beaufort, SC while my husband worked in Savannah, GA. Sudden illness befell him and he was no longer able to work. We stayed there for 17 yrs. and decided we needed to relocate and get away from hurricanes. We moved Upstate concentrating on hospitals mostly. My husband hates where we live and we often lament moving from Beaufort- we could have survived moving to shelters instead of driving north-west during hurricane threats, Some men have a hard time making friends after solid friendships at work- this has been one of our problems. I am thankful we have each other as all family is in other locations. As we find ourselves in our 80's we don't get out like we used to and now Covid 19 has us pretty secluded. Thank goodness for Zoom to connect with family around the country.