Today is the last day of my first year of retirement! | |
Things I’ve Learned: | |
1) You need more money up front than you think. Because of the way Social Security, retirement plans and private savings are set up, there is a “substantial” delay between when you retire and when you start getting your money on a regular basis. In my case, I couldn’t make up my mind how much to draw down my personal / private savings until after I got my final payment figure from SSA. This meant pulling in our belts more than expected (for a few months) until I felt comfortable making this decision – and then waiting for it to kick in and start paying. Everyone’s situation will be different, but I saved four months of “working” net pay to cover the expenses and I probably would have been more comfortable if I had been able to save up six. | |
2) Make sure you can cover your health care expenses! This out of pocket expense has been significantly more than I estimated. I made sure to cover the cost of insurance and prescriptions and a “normal” amount of routine visits. I didn’t “really” budget for trips to the ER, colonoscopies, cancer surgeries, … and the list goes on. This will remain a cost I will have to constantly monitor until we get a “real” national healthcare system which covers medical, dental and vision. You know – all of “health”. For us, this probably means Medicare when we turn 65 in a couple of years. | |
3) You need to get organized and then try to stick with a flexible plan. Even with all day, every day, if you aren’t eating the elephant one bite at a time, big jobs on the “honey-do” list will get away from you. Most stuff is day to day, but you need to allocate time to longer term goals and what you want accomplished or they will drift and just not get done. | |
4) It always ends up being more complicated than what / how you learn to do it on YouTube. And usually more expensive, too… Sometimes, you’ve just got to bite the bullet and pay a professional. Do your retirement budget a favor and pay to get it done before you retire. | |
5) It takes longer to adjust to a “non-work” schedule than you think. I thought my body would adapt to a different sleep pattern within a couple of weeks. WRONG. It’s been twelve months and I’m still adjusting. Sure, I can stay up later now, but that doesn’t get things done the following morning when you sleep in to make up for it. | |
6) I wanted to read more books, learn to play an instrument, learn basic fluency in a foreign language and get in better shape (lose weight). I am sleeping more. I’ve lost weight and I’m getting more exercise. I’m reading fewer books, because I’m on the computer a LOT more. No progress on music or a foreign language. (See #3 above…) | |
7) Relax, smell the roses, and have a cuppa’… About six weeks into my retirement (last November), I had to go into the ER / hospital to get my heart stopped and restarted due to my AFib. So, once again I’ve been reminded I’m living on borrowed time. (Hence the more sleep and trying to lose weight.) It felt so un-natural to not have to get up for work, I think I let that (by itself) stress me out. Now, I really am trying to take it a bit easier and settle into “being” retired. LOL… I think it might take me another two or three years, but I’m determined to get better at it. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Four Down, Three To Go |
It Still Ain’t | |
Boosted | |
2020 | Three Down, Four To Go |
Twenty-Four ‘Til You | |
2019 | Two Down, Five To Go |
2018 | Year One, Done! |
2017 | First Day Of Retirement! |
2016 | Revere And Criticize |
2015 | Global Climate Change May Test This Statement |
2014 | Adaptability Won |
2013 | Disappeared |
2012 | Fuller |
Life On The Range | |
More Classics | |
2011 | Stoned Again? |
2010 | Insubordination… And That’s Why I Love Her! |
Losing – Week One | |
Archive for September, 2018
Year One, Done!
Posted in Diets, Health, Humor, Philosophy, tagged Diet, Health, Humor, Medicare, Philosophy, Retirement, YouTube.com on September 30, 2018| 2 Comments »
Intensity Doesn’t Make It Correct
Posted in Faith, Quotes, tagged Arthur Schweitzer, Beliefs, Faith, Martyrdom, Proof, Quotes on September 29, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Martyrdom has always been a proof of the intensity, never the correctness, of a belief. | |
— Arthur Schweitzer | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Well Within Our Power |
Hammer Time | |
2020 | 3 November Is Coming! |
Bee Gees’ing | |
2019 | Senate Republicans: Impeachment – Because It Is Right! |
Dave’s Not Here, Man! | |
Mixing Business And Pleasure | |
2018 | Intensity Doesn’t Make It Correct |
HF2: 1940’s Grapes | |
2017 | Proof Sits In The Oval Office |
2016 | Tragic Determinism |
2015 | Maybe It Should Be Clearer |
2014 | Make It Your Strength |
2013 | Four Score |
2012 | The Ruler |
2011 | Forever |
2010 | Just Cuz |
How Do You Mend A Broken Heart? | |
It’s Alive!! (3rd Pair Shoe Review) | |
Smiling If Not Laughing
Posted in Faith, Humor, Quotes, tagged Creator, Faith, Humor, Quotes, William Ralph Inge on September 28, 2018| Leave a Comment »
I have never understood why it should be considered derogatory to the Creator to suppose that he has a sense of humor. | |
— William Ralph Inge | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Climate Change Deniers |
We Don’t Listen Anyway | |
2020 | Nothing New Here |
Talk To Me | |
Register And Vote | |
2019 | Love And Leave |
2018 | Smiling If Not Laughing |
2017 | Chilled And Smooth |
2016 | But Sometimes You Have To Stand In Front |
2015 | The Key Shift |
2014 | Remember ISIS / ISIL? |
2013 | What Have You Done Lately? |
2012 | B8 |
2011 | I’m Definitely Not In Control |
Very Few
Posted in Quotes, tagged André Gide, Fear, Monsters, Quotes on September 27, 2018| 5 Comments »
There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them. | |
— Andre Gide | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | An Impossible Situation |
I Fear It Is (For Us If Not The Planet) | |
2020 | #45 Never Shuts Up |
Walkin’ In The Rain With The One I Love | |
2019 | Silly Pooh Bear |
Dominoes Or Jenga? | |
2018 | Very Few |
2017 | Or The Candidate Who… |
2016 | The Happiest People |
2015 | Jumping Into The Dark |
2014 | I Would Be Sillier |
2013 | It Keeps Happening Anyway |
2012 | Take Time |
2011 | A Mother’s Lesson |
2010 | 3rd Pair – Shoe Review (DOA and Final) |
Looking Into Golf
Posted in Humor, Quotes, Sports, tagged Aging, Franklin Pierce Adams, Golf, Humor, Middle Age, Quotes, Sports, Tennis on September 26, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Years ago we discovered the exact point, the dead center of middle age. It occurs when you are too young to take up golf and too old to rush up to the net. | |
— Franklin Pierce Adams | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Buying Time In A Fixed Game |
Dedicated To: Messrs. Rubio And Pompeo | |
2020 | What It Takes |
Every Sign Was A Northern Star | |
2019 | Stuff Happens |
Whistleblower Complaint Regarding President Trump And Ukraine | |
2018 | Looking Into Golf |
Goin’ Yard | |
2017 | Improvise |
2016 | Got Leisure? |
2015 | It’s Been Hurtin’ For Quite A While Now |
2014 | Curious Talent |
2013 | Eureka |
2012 | Slow Me |
2011 | He Said What?!? |
2010 | Gritty |
3 and 3 | |
Just A Hunch | |
Wall Street – Movie Review | |
2nd Pair – Shoe Review (Aborted and Final) | |
Relative Imagination
Posted in Education, Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Albert Einstein, Imagination, Knowledge, Philosophy, Quotes, Understanding on September 25, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. | |
— Albert Einstein | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | MAGA Choice: Reality Or Lies |
You Seem To Be | |
2020 | A Good Reason To Blog |
Finally Enjoying The View | |
2019 | Living Free |
2018 | Relative Imagination |
2017 | Thank You, Senator McCain (So Far Anyway) |
2016 | What About Friends? |
2015 | It Tastes Good To Me |
2014 | Others’ Footsteps |
The Not-So-Modern Samurai | |
2013 | Doin’ |
2012 | A Lover |
2011 | What Have We Found Here |
Words | |
And Pay In Full
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged H. L. Hunt, Philosophy, Quotes, Requirements, Success on September 24, 2018| Leave a Comment »
There are only three requirements for success. First, decide exactly what it is you want in life. Second, determine the price that you are going to have to pay to get the things you want. And third, and this is most important, resolve to pay that price. | |
— H. L. Hunt | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | The Mirror Would Know |
Mamasaydobeddyalong | |
2020 | Why #45 Is Always Crying |
Watching #45 Hold A Rally | |
2019 | I Think Reading Books Is A Good Place To Start |
2018 | And Pay In Full |
2017 | If Only |
2016 | Equal Justice |
2015 | Not Enough |
2014 | Are You Even Listening? |
2013 | Namaste |
2012 | Looking Up |
2011 | Et Tu Brute? |
Schedule, Please
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Faith, God, Philosophy, Quotes, Schedule on September 22, 2018| Leave a Comment »
We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people, claims, and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with more important tasks . . . When we do that, we pass by the visible sign of opportunity raised in our path to show us that, not our way, but God’s way must be done. It is a strange fact that people frequently consider their work so important and urgent that they will allow nothing to disturb them. They think they are doing God a service in this, but actually they are disdaining God’s ‘crooked yet straight path.’ But it is a part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and that we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God. | |
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | What Will You Become? |
Life’s Illusions | |
2020 | Rules Of Morality |
Tempting Fate | |
2019 | Good People On Both Sides? |
2018 | Schedule, Please |
2017 | No Hope For #DumbDonald |
2016 | Do Something |
2015 | What Are You Making Now? |
2014 | Like Fire Burning In My Heart |
2013 | Oh Yes He Can! |
2012 | Enquiries |
2011 | The Prize: Understanding |
2010 | Can You Tell My Scanner Works? |
Rebecca – The Early Years | |
James – The Early Years | |
Brothers By Another Mother | |
Even Tiny Progress
Posted in Diets, Health, Other Blogs, Quotes, tagged Celebrate Small Victories, Change, Diet, Fear, Food, Habits, http://greatist.com/, http://greatist.com/eat/whole30-beginners-guide, Jamie Webber, Melissa Hartwig, Philosophy, Progress, Quotes, Relationship To Food, Struggle, The Beginner's Guide to Whole30, Whole30 on September 21, 2018| 2 Comments »
The struggle is a normal, necessary part of the process. Changing your food is hard. Changing your habits is even harder. Changing your relationship with food is the hardest part of all. The process requires struggle — it’s how you know you’re growing — but don’t make it harder than it has to be! There is no such thing as the ‘perfect Whole30,’ so if your beef isn’t grass-fed or your travel meal doesn’t look exactly like our meal template, don’t sweat it. Your only job is to stick to the Whole30 rules for 30 days, and some days, you’ll have to let good enough be good enough. When you do struggle, remember why you took on the program in the first place, and don’t be overwhelmed by the big picture — just focus on the next day, or the next meal. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and high-five yourself for the victories you’re achieving every day you’re on the program, no matter how small. Even tiny progress is progress. | |
— Melissa Hartwig | |
Quoted by: Jamie Webber | |
In the on-line article: “The Beginner’s Guide to Whole30“ | |
Specific link: http://greatist.com/eat/whole30-beginners-guide | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | I’ll Keep Trying To Anyway |
She Knows | |
2020 | Respond |
Still Trying To Adjust | |
2019 | The Limits Of My Knowledge |
2018 | Even Tiny Progress |
2017 | Real Conservatism |
2016 | The Business Of Life |
2015 | Alone Again, Naturally |
2014 | Agreed |
2013 | Smile From Your Heart! |
2012 | Like You |
2011 | Got Days? |
2010 | K9 Humor – Has Anyone Seen My Setter? (Must read!!) |
A Longer Blog Than You Want To Read (Probably) | |
2009 | Back and Forth and Round Again… |
Four Loves
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Erich Fromm, Love, Philosophy, Quotes on September 20, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Infantile love follows the principle: “I love because I am loved.“ | |
Mature love follows the principle: “I am loved because I love.” | |
Immature love says: “I love you because I need you.“ | |
Mature love says: “I need you because I love you.“ | |
— Erich Fromm | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | 20 / 20 History Lessons |
I Waited | |
2020 | The Blind Squirrel And The Suppression Of Uncomfortable Ideas |
It’ll Start Getting Cooler. You Just Watch. | |
2019 | Future Tools |
Three Swedish Girls | |
2018 | Four Loves |
Favorite Westerns | |
2017 | Faith In Science |
2016 | What The World Calls |
2015 | Say What? |
2014 | Start Today |
2013 | Fly!! |
2012 | Greater Love |
2011 | Before |
The Births Of Spring
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Creativity, Despair, Fallowness, Linda Leonard, Philosophy, Quotes, Seasons, Spring, Winter on September 19, 2018| Leave a Comment »
A major obstacle to creativity is wanting to be in the peak season of growth at all times. . . But if we see the soul’s journey as cyclical, like the seasons. . . then we can accept the reality that periods of despair or fallowness are like winter, a resting time that offers us a period of creative hibernation, purification, and regeneration that prepares us for the births of spring. | |
— Linda Leonard | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | It Doesn’t Rain Forever |
Thoughtful Stroll | |
2020 | An Act Of Faith |
Born And Sold Fairy Tales | |
2019 | Fostering Debate |
2018 | The Births Of Spring |
2017 | Drug Epidemic In America |
2016 | Word Up, Chuck! |
2015 | Sometimes I Wonder About Things |
2014 | Still Racing |
2013 | Anew |
2012 | Make Both |
2011 | Are You Happy Yet? |