Retired 5 years ago after working 35 years (usually 2 jobs). After commuting two hours a day for over 800,000 miles during that time (and wearing out three trucks) I’m still amazed that I did it every day. Now, I only drive to the store, the rifle range, and the golf course. MUCH better lifestyle.

I retired two years ago. What I realized is that my life is my new job. I treat my week and month the same way I did when I worked. I plan out my day with chores or activities (day trips, vacations, lectures, calls with friends, social events etc) All of these are scheduled. This requires doing the research on what institutions or groups in your area have lectures, presentations, festivals, tours etc. Register for the ones you want to attend. When you worked you would say if I only had time I would love to do X when you are retired you have the time so plan it out. I don't miss anything thats happening in my city that interests me. I learned from older friends that you need to travel at least once every three months. Sometimes its an overseas trip, others a week trip in the states, a long weekend or a day trip (taking one to some place that is under 2 hr drive from where you live can really be fun, educational, and its shakes up your routine). Not all your travel has to be far or expensive just get out of town. I live in ATL and there are dozens of historic towns a short drive away. Connect with old friends and be a better neighbor and strengthen the friends you have.

I retired as a main caregiver to elderly mother who has passed. Family first. Health is wealth is a priority. Over the years I have been cutting down on unnecessary expenses and looking at ways for energy saving practices. Contributed and donated to flood victims, earthquake victims and orphanages. In the process of downsizing and embrace frugal soft living. Gardening is the current favourite hobby. It brings me a lot of joy. Looking forward to next move and making it cosy,functional and disable friendly as I age to make it easier. It takes focus to think of how one would like to live for the next 20-30 years without burdening anyone. Thanks for your posting. Good points to consider. Getting there slowly and gradually step by step.

I know preparing for retirement financially is essential. But this retiree experienced the most beautiful feeling in the the world. Yeah you have time on your hands to do anything you want. But I woke up one morning with this feeling of absolute bless when I realized I didn't have to answer to anyone, not deal with stupid mind games. Not be anywhere or any place. Not dealing with supervisors, Bosses, etc. If none of you felt that, sit down and think about it. It is one the most beautiful feeling in the world.

I retired in 2018 at 63. I am single and have a home in the mountains. I can’t say I have hobbies that fill up my time nor can I say that I planned how I would structure the content of my retirement. It is the lack of structure and the absence of a defined, daily sense of purpose gifted by the luxury of time that I truly relish.

Retired one year ago from corporate America, if you are bored you have problems, anything beats work, I’ve never been happier!

I retired almost 2 years ago, the week before Thanksgiving was when I physically stopped working but my actual retirement date was the end of December 2019. I've never been happier in my life. I worked for 46 years and now I can do anything I want! I am single with no children and I still have plenty of interests. I would love to go to culinary school, learn to play a musical instrument, learn a foreign language, write a book, I'm looking to buy my first home, move to a new state, I loved to learn to tango, love to travel especially trains...I'd love to go across the USA by train and also take a train around Canada. I learned that there are 90+ dinner trains in the USA and I would love to have dinner on every one of them, lol!!! I'm really working hard on my health and financially, I make more than when I was working so I have a lot to look forward to. I thank God daily because He has blessed me so much. I never had a real plan but it has worked out better than I could have imagined. I hope I have decades more to enjoy this freedom! Retirement, it's a wonderful life!

I’m a Viet Nam vet with agent orange aftereffects, and a service-connected back injury. I retired end of 2014. Thing one is to develop and practice a daily routine of stretching and exercise to maintain strength and flexibility. I changed the focus of my routine from upper body to core and legs - core because that supports the spine and minimizes back issues, and legs because if they are weak, you are more likely to fall and suffer injury. My basic routine is less than an hour daily but as much a part of my day as eating and sleeping. Ignore it at your peril - if your body fails, nothing else will be any fun.

Lots of good ideas and good advice. But two very important factors are missing: health and spouse.You may need to retire even though you enjoy your work, or can’t really afford it, or you may have things you want to do in retirement but cannot manage mentally or physically. And if you and your spouse don’t agree on finances or activities, all your good planning might be for naught, e.g.You saved money to enjoy in retirement but spouse panics at the thought of spending down. Your spouse loves to travel but you’d rather putter in the garden….and you don’t like the idea of spouse taking off without you. Or you’re a vigorous 60-something and your spouse has a bunch of health issues and is barely hanging on. Planning is great, but be prepared for plans to fall through.

Retired at age 55 and have been so for 7 yrs 8 mos. Am an RN .Left the stress of bedside nursing in Trauma ICU. Hospital pension ,which is a state pension ,kicked in for me one month following departure from the hospital. Retirement has worked well for me ,not perfect,but pretty well. My health wasn’t great ,but I improved it.Spend more time with my kids. Paid off debt. Got into hobbies that I enjoy and now have time for : collecting vintage toy airliners,old vintage comic books,weightlifting more frequently,reading for enjoyment.Don’t have to wake up and deal with a boss.I also run a family business. Claimed Social Security benefits at 62 last year which really made it easy for me to clear debt.I can honestly say I enjoy retirement.

Retired at 62 in 2016 that stopped my 110 miles commute I did for 29 years.That is true that I have Time and money and you can never go back,This is the best stage of your life where Life ls much easier.I do clean and maintain everything around the house,pool,landscape,fixing all my families vehicles and appliances,do projects with my wife who retired in 2012 at 55.Life cannot be better than this.God is good all the time He is always one step ahead of our time.

I retired in 2012. I planned on working harvest just to be productive. I volunteered with Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts. I became active in veteran groups.

I retired a year ago and I’m having the greatest time! I really enjoy being able to make my own schedule and do things I love during the day, like going to the gym and driving through the countryside to go to the horse barn. I’m taking skating lessons with one of my daughters and riding horses with my other daughter. I’m getting more fit all the time and I’ve kissed cortisol goodbye! I feel like I’m living the dream!

Great advice sir! I am planning on retire next year and these tips are very on the spot. Exercise is key, plan ahead your days, control food/drink intake(Uff, tough one), I will add live with a purpose, I guess helping others, donating time specially, is a good one too. My partner is retired already, he is always doing something. He is dying for me to retire to do things together. Good luck to us!

Excellent summary. Retirement presents more flexibility….but you can’t mentally be on perpetual holiday. We are wired for work, purpose, and finding joy in the struggle. Use your newfound time, money, and skills to find a new challenge and new purpose….and apply a daily system versus nebulous or too lofty goals. Carpe Diem! We need the Grey Hair set to be more generous and available to build connection and meaning to the younger generations. They need us now more than ever.

Volunteer, even at multiple places. Have a long-term project or two. Connect with people. Join groups. Have a number of interests. Travel. Help family. Have a real relationship. Clean and empty your house! Deal with all future legal issues. Learn to cook if you don't. Health is the most important retirement issue and money-saver. Etc.

Dave, I’m a 53 y/o nurse with $1.5 million saved in retirement. I recently cut back to 24 hours/week to spend time with my 90 y/o mother. It’s always been my plan to retire at 55. However after thinking about your question “what can I do in retirement that I can’t do today”? I have reconsidered. The answer is NOTHING!! Currently work is very manageable and enjoyable. I think this may be called “semi-retirement”? I find time to run two marathons per year, meet with friends, spend time with my special needs son and even get along with an ex-wife!!! Maybe all I needed was to cut my hours down?

Can’t wait to show this to my husband who is about to go into retirement. We have discussed every angle but listening to someone else give ideas I find so important. 🇨🇦

Why people complain? There's a time in your life that you need to take care of yourself. During your life long working you neglect yourself doing a full time job, taking care of the kids, many times you don't even know what you are eating. The time comes that kids grew up and successful, it's time to care for yourself. I am actually more active than before. I don't even have time to get bored walking 2 hours daily, cooking healthy meals, enjoy nature and going where I want and anytime I like without looking at the clock. However I look at the weather to plan for the next day. Keep active with fitness activities, eat healthy diet and live with nature more are the keys to happiness. Good to have friends but not necessary. If you spend lots of time with nature, you don't feel lonely. That's my retirement life. Thank you for this educational video. I am still working full time after my retirement, taking care of myself.

I reduced to 3 days a week before retiring and that helped me get used to having more time for myself. I’m never bored. My husband took a couple of years to not feel guilty about not working. He now has activities that he attends every week and is meeting more people

Great video and great advice. I retired in 2018 after 30 years as a high school teacher. Pension is decent and portfolio is doing great. Thanks, Mom! But I very quickly found that I needed the structure of work as I became antsy doing nothing. So, now I sub every day at my old school, but since I know I don't have to, it's stress free. Then, I started ushering at the local community theatres. Saw some audition notices and went for those. When not in a play, I help out with lights and stage construction. I'm in love. Point is, retirement is a wonderful opportunity to try something new. The second half of life can be just as surprising as the first.

Just do it. No need to think too much. You will be glad you did.

Wes Moss's book "You can retire sooner than you think" is a great read about happy retiree's.

I retired at age 62 in 2019...now I have the luxury of time...can fly and visit with no need to rush back to work. Can go for a run at noon instead of running in the morning dark before going to work.

3:30 "take a minute, pause the video, think about this...." I don't think I've ever seen someone say that before in one of these types of videos. Usually people are (understandably) trying to cram a lot of info in as little time. Your videos show you really care. Go well, sir.

Right after I retired I volunteered for a local arts & culture board and did that for 3 years, then another board, then two county boards all for the same focus. I started, and lost, a business, but covid took it. Now, I'm working more seriously on my book.

50 years old! 30 years in the military! Managed our money well, investment making money! Receiving pension! 1. Happy for not having a boss! 2. Doing what I love to do, riding my bike! 3. No worries eating and staying healthy POA - check Will - check Living like a king and not working like a slave!😀 smiling everyday for we don’t own all the problems in the world

Retirement is wonderful 🤗 - we could be closer with our Lord . If we are financially stable the retirement could be fun - we do not worry financially.

Just gave notice at work today and this video popped up. Scarily accurate algorithm! During the pandemic I began a new hobby and have so many projects planned. I also rekindled a childhood interest and am planning more trips to do that. I think to lessen the chance of depression, it will be key for me to keep some sort of schedule, maintain an exercise class that just started up again, and sign up for the one day stints at the food bank distribution warehouse. I’ll need to actively seek out commitments and interactions. Your tips were well received - thank you!

Very enjoyable and thought provoking. Thank you!

All valuable info and ideas, thank you!

This is a great video. Helps a lot.

Thanks! Your videos are great 🙂

Thank you, Dave. I heartily agree with all you've said here...and I can speak from experience, for I've been 'retired' for 28 years.

Great video, Keep up the good work.

Always love hearing your insights. Starting the 2 questions tonight! Thankfully we started a Wellness Challenge with several family members a few months ago. The accountability and encouragement has spurred us on to make some healthy lifestyle changes so that is another of your 7 tips we’ve said Yes! to. Keep your videos coming and thank you!

We are a few years short of retirement and discussing similar questions. It sometimes feels as if we are looking for complexity by doing so, so this video is reassuring.

I have been retired @601/2 . I don’t have to work and have no intention of ever having to go back. I volunteered at a soup kitchen and after 6 months and one woman was so intitled that I quit. I love having nothing that has to be done . Am starting to plan another vacation and can’t wait. I made it , I wanted to live long enough to be a drain on SS dam I made it. House and cars are paid for and just living life and love it

Your videos are well done and I intend to get with you and team to plan my retirement in a few years. Good advice 👍

Thanks! I'll add more later, when I've used the advice gleaned today/tonight.

I agree 100%. I will outsource the cooking and the cleaning and the gardening so that I can dedicate more time to my life of the mind where my strength is.

Very nice point to describe liking the video as an act of kindness to others.

Thank you - I just started thinking about a start date for retirement. I'm enjoying your videos.

Great advice and guidance

Very good talk, covering many aspects of life to lead in retirement.

Great video. Thanks

If you love your work- don’t retire! Scale back, but don’t give work you love. You might end up divorced or depressed if you quit working

Thank you so much for this great video. I am struggling myself to retire or not to retire end of this year.

Awesome. TQ. Appreciate.

Best retirement advice I have ever heard, thanks for sharing, I have been a financial advisor for 25 years and although I make a will part of the plan I haven't recommended POA! Thanks for the brilliant tips!

so glad that I found this video - love the exercises - will be very impactful

Great video. Took notes. Thank you!

Thank you. Great well thought out list.

This were brilliant questions to think about, especially the last 2 ones “What can I make progress on…”. I look forward to more drawings as well, which made the content more creative. Thank you so much😊

I’m a high school teacher looking to retire in a year or so. I see myself enjoying my hobbies more fully, getting into better shape, working part time when I have a special financial project in mind, maybe volunteering and adopting an older dog.

Probably the best retirement advice I’ve ever heard. I wrote this down and will spread the word. Thank you from Florida. 👍🏻

You have really good videos. Always make me think and self-evaluate.

Very nice, motivating... Too, your delivery is spot-on, reminding me of what Ralph Waldo Emmerson said: What you are shouts so loudly in my ears, I can't hear a word you're saying. Genuine, caring, concerned. Thank you. I'll look for you in the future on KZfaq.

Ok, so I’ve been watching aaaalot of videos from financial firms about the $$ but I’m finding myself binging the uniqueness of this channel, great content thank you

I retired a year ago and it took me about six months to adjust but I am with the program now. I still have to do EVERYTHING there is to do around a home only now I don't have to work also. Love it❤!

I’m intrigued by the last “thing” you mentioned. I’ve always been driven by progress. I’m going to start doing that every night. And I bet that type of positive mental accounting could make me fall asleep quicker too. Thank you!

I love how you include the whole person and lifestyle in retirement planning. Kudos!

Thank you for this video.. Very informative

Great video, especially the volunteering part, church is my normal place for charity, thanks.

Excellent and Very useful tips…thank you!

Thank you for addressing the non financial aspects of retirement. Happiness for me is caring and service to others. I am a health care worker. In my retirement I will continue to provide service to others for fulfilment in retirement.

I retired at 44, I hope I don’t mess this up.

Thank you for a refreshing video on retirement that addresses the mental and physical outlook of retirement. I am 6-8 months from retirement and will use this information as an outline that allows me to dial into my own interests and well being. Now that it's near, there has been some nervousness about this big change of life. So my first challenge is to be comfortable with the idea, visualize it and think about how the "7 things" manifest in my life. Thanks again!

Who are these people? I retired 7 1/2 years ago at age 56. I love being retired. We moved to a great place (San Diego), I exercise a lot, do enjoyable things with hubby, made a lot of new friends, socialize, and relax. I'm never bored or anxious or down.

Great post. I retired 2 1/2 years ago after 30 years in my career. I started working PT before my first pension check was deposited, and haven't looked back. At 60, I still feel too young to sit around all day and rust. I enjoy having the spare time to help others and the best part is, I never wake up to an alarm again!

Thanks for this content. So well delivered. Planning for retirement in 2 years

I consider myself “successfully retired “ but this video has insights I had not considered. I especially liked the 2 item to do list! Thanks.

So glad to read so much positivity about being retired as I count down to that day. What can't I do now? Travel and stay healthy. Returning to the office after 18 months working from home I'm sleeping less and snacking more. As well as travelling (and I mean travel not lying on a sunbed with a cocktail for days on end) I'm thinking about volunteering (but not on day one) and I'm thinking about what I want to get out of it -sorry if that sounds selfish but it has to be something I feel a commitment to. And it must in no way be related to my current job. I want to retire from something I'm bored of - not do the same thing again without pay!

I love that two-minute challenge. I will try it. Baby steps to a better tomorrow.

What an extremely mature way to approach retirement. Wow. This has got me really thinking about what I need to think about. Thank you!

Retirement is wonderful if you have two essentials - much to live on and much to live for. Invest wisely and get good returns.

Just retired recently from the USN after nearly 30 years. I am a Family physician and I have moved back to Florida for part time work. Too young to retire but I do not want to work full time. I tell patients never use the word retirement because it signifies loss. Instead part time, volunteer work, etc. See what has happened as we are now in the COVID semi-lockdown. The lack of contact with others is devastating so I recommend some part time paid or Unpaid benefits. It is better than sitting in the same room al day. Boredom.

People have to PLAN for what they will do with their new wealth of time in retirement. I think most retirees think it will all just fall into place, but that's not realistic. After spending decades of your life having very little free time, you need to consciously think about what to do with your time in retirement. I'm not retiring for at least another 8 years, but I already have A LOT of plans, primarily traveling, developing interests/hobbies that I don't have time for now and volunteering in areas that I care about. The transition into retirement doesn't have to be a traumatic if you plan it out.

Getting a walk in everyday, if possible, goes a long way for both mental and physical fitness. A treadmill is a great investment, if you live in cold or rainy climates. It will pay enormous dividends in the long run. Reading, music or videos make the time and distance go by very easily. My fitness watch is a great coach, btw. It will help motivate, even when you've been inactive for too long.

Retirement only works if you have zero debt and like being with your wife.

Loved this session; my first one of you to watch! I just subscribed; looking forward to more. My comment question from the video: my least liked activity is housekeeping! ( But, a clean, organized home is what calms my mind the most!) I am struggling with paying someone to do it when I am retired and could do it myself!But I despise doing it. How do I justify paying for it?

Crossed the "Starting Line" into retirement just a few months ago....and you are absolutely spot on. Of course financial resources must be in place-but it is not even the most important part. What will your LIFE look like? I had some ideas what was next; some have panned out, others have not, and there have been a few surprises. But it is important to not just drift, but to keep working to create that retirement life that is right for you, and your simple end-of-day strategy is one way to keep that focus. I am enjoying the journey!

This is excellent, planning on retiring next year and I feel pretty comfortable with my financial goals. I have been thinking along the same lines. All 7 are good things to consider, but I think the first (Have a non financial plan) is key HAVE a PURPOSE, you cannot just say I am going fishing every day. Number 3 is SUPER important as well. Most people worry about the cost of healthcare. If so, why not do something about it and REDUCE your cost by exercising and eating healthy, you have time to do both and can be extremely healthy which will give you the energy to do many other things you probably never thought you could do. Overall an excellent post, thanks for putting this together.

Retirement is wonderful if you have two essentials - much to live on and much to live for. invest wisely and get good returns.

Thanks for the video.

Just found your channel. It’s really nice content plus I don’t feel like I’m listening to a pushy salesman while I watch lol. I’m going to check out your links below. Thanks

Simple source of retirement happiness, get a dog or 2. Forces exercise and happiness, unavoidable

I'm 46 and retiring in a few months. We have a lot of adventures planned. Hope it goes well!

I have heard the Happiest Retirees are those that have 3 - 4 hobbies or activities to keep them focused and active

I retired at 70. I've been retired for 10 years. About the same time as I retired I got divorced. Meant I ended up with very little money. I moved to a little village. I found myself a lady who is a bit younger than me. We found a teenager who needed support in going to school. I coach school kids in mathematics. I designed and built the house I live in. It is a work in progress. Probably always will be. I have a good internet connection and I help village people with internet problems. I forgot: two very important things. Join the local library, and find a good doctor.

I don’t know, I’m kind of looking forward to the feeling of being bored. Not long term, but the anxiety of always having things to finish or get done has been the hardest part of my working life.

Thanks Dave! I’m sharing this with several friends that are getting ready to take the plunge. 18 months to go for us! 👍🏽 Semper Fi!🇺🇸

Interesting video, we just released a rap about Neil Pasricha's Happiness Equation book. There's some really interesting thoughts on retirement and whether it's a good idea or not. I think your video adds some decent texture to that argument.

I’m 64 and love my job of 30 years. I’m retiring next year at 65 as soon as I can be on Medicare. I’m told I’ll miss my job. I know I won’t because we were off over 2 months back in the beginning of Covid and I LOVED it. There’s no way possible I’ll have the time to do all the hobbies I like, golf, pickle ball, cycling, hiking, gym, traveling, socializing with our many retired friends… The challenge I’ll have is my girlfriend of many years is 7 years younger and not able to retire for a few more years. My biggest fear is that she gets jealous of my new fun social life while she’s still going to work. Also important to note she is burned out as a physician and loathes her job. So my first few years of retirement could be interesting and unique. Any advice there?

I still like to work but submitted my retirement letter lousy principal and can’t work for her, getting the early bonus but will look for other work

I'm going to continue to groan in retirement.

I’m a few months away from retirement and want to talk to an advisor. But how do I know if I’m falling into a Ponzi scheme or is it legit? Some retirees from work use a guy close by and seem to be happy with him. Maybe it’s just the fear of the unknown? Love all your videos. I’ve been binge watching to play catch-up. So many questions…..

Relax take easy.

All in the word 'Retirement' - Instead consider it as the chance to pursue what you have liked since you were 17 yrs of age but couldn't maximise and if possible to monetize them! Eg Travel and research and buy stuff while away that you can make a profit on to pay for holiday eg Persian Rugs. Hive off and get some investments working for you that you have some skin in the results.... this keeps you head-sharp too. Try to learn the drums or bass guitar etc etc, Collect all the album's you never managed to get, join a club or group around your interest (for me vintage watches and cars), go and learn about your local history and geography, makes you feel 'community' properly. Most of all - Wake up every day and realise nobody is the boss of you - which is the best feeling out there 👍

It's easier to work than not. "It's better to burn out, than to fade away". If you must have a strategy on how to spend your time, you are on the way out.