Life Starts at Retirement

Today is my 63rd birthday, and instead of celebrating with cake and candles, I wanted to share something far more meaningful—the biggest life and money lessons I’ve learned along the way. These are lessons I didn’t fully understand in my 20s, 30s, or even my 40s. Some came from smart choices, others from hard mistakes, loss, change, and starting over more than once. Retirement has a way of clarify...

Retirement isn’t just about leaving a job — it’s about letting go of parts of yourself you didn’t even realize you were holding onto. In this video, I share 8 things I personally needed to let go of after I retired — not all at once, and not without some resistance. Things like old identities, expectations, guilt, and the constant need to feel productive. Some of these surprised me. Some were hard...

In today's video I talk about 7 things to make your first year of retirement....REMARKABLE!   Retirement is pictured at your "golden years," the "best time of your life" and something we can't wait to get to.  But for many people, retirement is a struggle.  We go from being busy, having a purpose and working for 30 years to nothing.  That can be difficult.  And so after talking to many, many retir...

Retirement didn’t just change my daily routine — it changed my mindset. After years of worrying about what people thought, explaining myself, and living by expectations… I finally reached the stage of life where I can say: I don’t care anymore — and I have never felt more free. In this video, I share the unexpected emotional freedom that came with retirement — letting go of people-pleasing, releas...

Guilt is one of the most common — and most hidden — struggles retirees face. In this episode of Life Starts at Retirement , we talk openly about the guilt that comes with finally prioritizing yourself after decades of putting everyone else first. From feelings of obligation toward family and caregiving responsibilities, to the pressure of being needed, available, or “useful” — this emotional weigh...

Is retirement making people die sooner? It sounds dramatic—but surprisingly, some studies suggest our health can decline faster after retirement, especially when we lose purpose, routine, social connection, and a sense of identity. In today’s video, we dive into the research, the myths, and what really impacts life expectancy after retiring. In this video, I cover: ✔ Why some retirees decline afte...

Thinking about retirement… or getting close? Before you take that final step, there are 5 essential milestones every future retiree should hit to protect their finances, strengthen their relationships, and build a life filled with purpose and joy. In today’s video, we’ll walk through the Top 5 Milestones You MUST complete Before You Retire — from organizing your money and redefining your identity,...

Losing my Dad was something I thought I had already prepared myself for. He had dementia, and over time, we lost him in small pieces. I believed I had grieved already… but when he actually passed, the grief was unlike anything I expected. In this video, I’m opening up about: What it feels like to lose a parent later in life.  How grief can change our understanding of our own aging. How my relation...

Are you dreaming about traveling in retirement — or already living it? After a full year of travel, we’ve learned a few hard-earned lessons. In this honest video, we share the biggest travel regrets retirees have (and how you can avoid them!). From waiting too long to see the world, to trying to do it all at once — these are the moments we wish we could do differently. Whether you’re planning your...

The final stage of retirement is the stability phase — the point where life feels balanced, purposeful, and truly yours. In this video, Retirement’s Stability Phase – Building a Life You Truly Love, I explain how retirees move from uncertainty to confidence, creating routines, relationships, and meaning that make retirement deeply fulfilling. You’ll learn: ✅ What the stability phase of retirement...

After the excitement fades and disenchantment sets in, many retirees enter the reorientation phase — the stage where you start asking, “Who am I now?” In this video, Retirement’s Reorientation Phase – How to Find Yourself Again, I share how to navigate this powerful stage of self-discovery and build a retirement filled with clarity and purpose. You’ll learn: ✅ What the reorientation phase of reti...

The honeymoon glow of retirement doesn’t last forever — for many, it’s followed by the disenchantment phase, when retirement feels empty, aimless, or even disappointing. In this video, The Disenchantment Phase of Retirement – When retirement feels empty, I explains why this stage happens, how long it can last, and most importantly, what you can do to move through it. You’ll learn: ✅ Why the disen...

The honeymoon stage of retirement feels like pure freedom — no alarms, no deadlines, just fun and adventure. But what happens when the vacation feeling wears off? In this video, The Honeymoon Stage of Retirement – Freedom, Fun and What’s Next, I explore why this stage is so exciting, why it doesn’t last forever, and how to prepare for what comes next. You’ll learn: ✅ What the honeymoon phase of r...

Retirement doesn’t start the day you stop working — it actually begins years earlier in what I call the Pre-Retirement Phase. This is the stage where dreams and reality collide, and how well you prepare now can make the difference between a retirement that feels exciting… or uncertain. In this video, I’ll explain: ✅ What the pre-retirement phase really is ✅ The emotions you’ll face — excitement,...

Retirement is more than numbers — it’s an emotional journey. In this video, Life After Work – The 4 Emotional Stages of Retirement, I walk  you through the ups and downs most retirees experience: the excitement of freedom, the shock of change, the challenges of restlessness, and finally, the joy of finding balance. You’ll discover: ✅ The 4 key emotional stages of retirement ✅ Why the “honeymoon”...

Retirement spending isn’t as simple as “save a million and live on 80% of your income.” In this video, I break down surprising new insights from a JP Morgan study that reveal how retirees actually spend their money. You’ll learn about the curve of retirement expenses, why partial retirement often leads to higher spending, and how volatile costs—like healthcare or travel—can shake up your budget. I...

In this video, we share with you some of the BEST things you can do with your time during retirement! Retirement isn’t the end of the road—it’s the start of a whole new adventure and so in this video, I’ll share 9 of the best things you can do in retirement to fill your days with joy, meaning, and excitement. Whether you’re looking for fun hobbies, new travel ideas, or simple ways to stay connecte...

We spend decades saving for retirement — chasing numbers, building portfolios, and planning for financial freedom. But when the paychecks stop and the days open up, many retirees realize something surprising: money alone doesn’t make you happy. In this video, we explore what really brings joy and fulfillment in retirement — and it has nothing to do with how much you have in the bank. Drawing from...

Retirement is supposed to be the reward — the golden years we’ve worked for our whole lives. But what happens when the freedom you've dreamed of brings more questions than answers? In this video, we’re diving deep into the emotional and personal transformations that retirement brings — the ones no one really warns you about. From losing structure and routine to rediscovering purpose and identity,...

In this video I share the top 7 things that I went through when I first retired.  I have to be honest, I didn't expect many of these issues to bother me.  And they really did.  When you know what to expect when you retire, you'll have a greater chance of making your retirement remarkable!   Life is to be enjoyed, after all, you save all your life to be able to enjoy your retirement.   Timestamps 0...

#retirement #retirementplanning Retirement often feels like the ultimate finish line—a time to relax, pursue hobbies, and travel. But for many, the reality of retirement looks very different from what they expected. In this video, titled "Retirement Reality Check: What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired," I’ll share the five biggest lessons I’ve learned since stepping away from the 9-to-5 grind. If yo...

Are you ready to retire and live a more authentic life? In this video, I'm sharing the 5 things I wish I knew before retiring, and what vanishes in retirement that no one tells you about. I talk about the unexpected aspects of life after work that many people overlook. The transition to retirement can bring about challenges you didn't see coming! Whether you're nearing retirement, on a path to fin...

You have worked hard for your retirement, saved money, built your retirement nest egg so don’t let these 6 mistakes ruin this for you. This video discusses 6 things that can ruin your retirement. Many of these have been around for a long time but may be new to you in this stage of your life. By learning about these events that can ruin your retirement, you can be well on your way to making your re...

Are you wondering if it’s finally time to say goodbye to the 9-to-5 grind? In this video, we explore the most common (and surprising) signs that you might be more ready for retirement than you think. Whether you’re dreaming of travel, craving more free time, or just feeling like your purpose is shifting — this episode will help you recognize the emotional, mental, and lifestyle clues that it might...

Most people are worried about their retirement savings. We've heard it all our lives - you need at least $1 million to retire! In this video I show you what the average 60 year old has saved for retirement and why that $1 million amount may be misleading. Find out why! Learn the 9 assumptions you need to know to plan for your retirement future! Whether you are nearing retirement or just curious ab...