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Retired and Inspired at 55
Thoughts and Musings on Early Retirement
Early Retirement Can be Yours
Welcome to my blog on early retirement. It took a lot of planning and discipline but I was able to retire at 55 in February 2020. I'll share how I did it, and my experiences in retirement.
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Road Food: Memorable Meals from Our Travels
This is a side trip in my Travel Memories series focused on memorable meals. Food on the road is an integral part of any trip and can...
fhoth3
Jul 1, 20244 min read
Ask the Locals
With summer upon us and vacations & travel top of mind, I am re-posting the below from 2021 as a reminder of the best sources of...
fhoth3
Jun 24, 20243 min read
The Paths You Take
This post was inspired by a friend who sent me this quote from John Muir: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are...
fhoth3
Jun 17, 20242 min read
Simple Gestures – Big Results
Along the lines of my recent post “Your Words and Actions Matter”, this post is about how we can impact others. Intentional, simple...
fhoth3
Jun 10, 20243 min read
Volunteer - to Give Back
Shortly after starting this blog I wrote about volunteering as an advisor on a project for Crossroads4Hope - https://crossroads4hope.org/...
fhoth3
Jun 3, 20243 min read
Fulfillment After 50
A common thread I found when speaking with co-workers over 50, and within myself, is that after 50 having a fulfilling role is more...
fhoth3
May 20, 20244 min read
Your Words and Actions Matter
Our words and actions have far more impact than we often realize. That is particularly true with small children who are sponges,...
fhoth3
May 13, 20243 min read
Retirement Time vs Working Time
I wrote this post shortly after retiring but was reminded of it when talking with friends who are getting ready to retire. Once you...
fhoth3
May 6, 20243 min read
Add Energy to the Boring
When I asked a friend how he beat the competition as a small player in a couple of businesses re-selling fairly mundane products his...
fhoth3
Apr 29, 20242 min read
What’s the Rush?
This post is a re-boot of one of my first articles about the transition from working full time to retirement. A recent conversation with...
fhoth3
Apr 22, 20243 min read
Can You Believe it?
A slightly tongue in cheek post this week but with some sound psychological basis, courtesy of comedian Alex Edelman in his “Just For Us”...
fhoth3
Apr 15, 20242 min read
Beware Short Term Gain Causing Long Term Loss
This topic came to mind after speaking with a friend who recently took a part-time job as his family needs additional income. In speaking...
fhoth3
Apr 8, 20242 min read
Make Every Moment More – Really?
This is the 3rd round for this post written originally just before Christmas in 2022. Now with hockey and basketball approaching playoff...
fhoth3
Apr 1, 20243 min read
Spring in My Step Again
Spring is finally here and that means outdoor activities are picking up. For me that means cleaning up the yard from winter (ugh!), walks...
fhoth3
Mar 25, 20243 min read
Just Because It’s Different Doesn’t Mean It’s Bad
Change is about the only thing that is constant nowadays and we have the choice to roll with it or fight it. Coming from a corporate...
fhoth3
Mar 18, 20243 min read
Let Go
Getting my new hip forced me to let go of doing many things around our house for a few weeks. My wife had to take care of several chores...
fhoth3
Mar 11, 20242 min read
Give Your Brain a Rest
This is not to suggest that you shut down your brain completely and wander aimlessly for a bit. Rather it is a call to unplug...
fhoth3
Mar 4, 20242 min read
Taxes – Plan for Retirement Changes – Redux
Now that tax season is upon us, I figured it was a good time to re-post this one from 2021. Your taxes will not only be impacted for the...
fhoth3
Feb 12, 20242 min read
Retraining Ourselves
Over time we get into habits in our daily lives. Both physical and mental ones that can be good for us or can hold us back. Retraining...
fhoth3
Feb 5, 20243 min read
What Are You Going to Do When They Come for You?
With election craziness already in full swing I got to thinking about how the extremist minorities in both parties have taken control,...
fhoth3
Jan 29, 20244 min read
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The articles in this blog are for informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice, financial advice, emotional advice or counsel.
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