Rock Your Retirement Show

In this episode of the Rock Your Retirement Show, Betsy makes a triumphant return to update host Kathe Kline on her exciting journey since retiring four months ago. From embarking on an exhilarating trip to Morocco to settling into the rhythm of retired life, Betsy shares her experiences and offers valuable insight into making the most of this newfound freedom. Adapting to retirement initially proved to be an adventure in itself, but Betsy quickly found her groove. She discusses the importance of keeping up with appointments, errands, and chores while still finding ample time for self-care and enjoyable activities. A typical day for Betsy involves relishing in a leisurely cup of coffee, engaging in a stimulating Wordle puzzle, and prioritizing her physical well-being through invigorating Pilates sessions or leisurely walks and bike rides. Ever the seeker of knowledge and enrichment, Betsy makes a point to incorporate intriguing experiences into her weekly routine. She recently attended a captivating photography class at the Apple store, where she delved into the art of capturing architectural wonders. Betsy generously shares helpful tips she acquired, such as utilizing grid lines, employing the rule of thirds composition, and exploring unique angles and reflections. Betsy's retirement also grants her the opportunity to devote quality time to her loved ones. She visits her mother-in-law at an assisted living facility, cherishing the moments shared together. Furthermore, she embraces learning Italian on the Babbel app, eagerly preparing for an upcoming trip to Italy. Betsy also reconnects with former colleagues and her boss, reinforcing her sheer contentment with the retirement lifestyle. Amidst her fulfilling activities, Betsy finds solace in simpler pleasures. From diving into captivating books to nurturing her garden, complete with homegrown vegetables, she revels in the tranquility of her own home. Despite her husband continuing to work, the beauty of his remote setup allows him to witness firsthand Betsy's radiant enjoyment of retirement. As the first four months of retirement pass by, it becomes abundantly clear that Betsy's enthusiasm and zest for life show no signs of wavering. Join us on this episode as Betsy reflects on her remarkable journey and imparts valuable wisdom on embracing the joys and endless possibilities that retirement brings.

This episode is from the vault and was first released March 12, 2018. How to Find Meaning and Purpose in Retirement? Fritz Gilbert is the founder of The Retirement Manifesto, a personal finance blog focused on helping People Achieve A Great Retirement. Fritz will retire in the summer of 2018 at 55, after 3 decades in Corporate America (most recently as a Commodity Trader). He and his wife live in a cabin in the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia, just a few miles from the start of the Appalachian Trail. They have a 23-year-old daughter who married last summer and recently moved to Seattle. After retirement, Fritz and his wife plan on traveling extensively with their 5th Wheel RV and working with local charities and “giving back” to their community. They are active in a dog rescue charity and have 4 rescue dogs who will accompany them during their travels. Although Fritz has a personal finance blog, he thinks all the other things to think about during retirement are even more important than finances. He calls it the softer side of retirement. Fritz will be officially retiring June 8th of 2018 and both him and his wife are excited. How do Fritz and his wife prepare for his retirement? They are having discussions on how will they live their life after Fritz' retires and how they will find purpose in retirement. They come up with some things that both of them needed to decide. Here are some examples: * Develop an interest/hobby: * What are we going to do individually? * Fritz's wife started to grow an interest in pottery. Turns out she is a good potter. Fritz will join a group that swims 3 times a week. * What are we going to do together? * They put up a jar with a notepad next to it where each of them put in activities once a week so they have 2 years' worth of weekly activities. They call it their “Wednesday jar”. What comes out of the jar, they do together every Wednesday. I think the Wednesday jar is a great idea! * Create a timeline together. * As his retirement approaches, they have things planned out like healthcare;They also bought an RV because they wanted to explore new places and spend some time traveling. They have also built a list of each state and things they would like to see or do in each state. * Build relationships * Because they moved into a new area where they don't know anyone, one thing they wanted to do is build relationships. They wanted to build networks with their neighbors by, one example, walking their dogs. They met a few people who also walk their dogs. Another way for them to meet new people is through their church. Be receptive to doing something that gives you passion and purpose in retirement, but don't obligate yourself to do something until you've settled into your new lifestyle. What are some ideas you have to prepare for and to find purpose in retirement? Share your thoughts and ideas below in the comments. Contact information for Fritz: Website– http://www.theretirementmanifesto.com/ Mentioned in this Episode: (Seasonal employment) CoolWorks or Workamper This post of Retirement and Retirement Lifestyle first appeared on http://RockYourRetirement.com

In this episode of "Rock Your Retirement," host Kathe Kline welcomes guest Betsy again, who shares her recent adventures in retirement. Betsy talks about her upcoming trip to Italy during a less busy time of year, detailing their plans to navigate the country using buses and taxis, as well as hiring a private driver for a few days. She looks forward to visiting iconic sites like Pompeii and the Isle of Capri, with private tours and boat trips on the agenda. The conversation takes a turn towards Betsy's newfound hobbies in retirement, including taking CPR and first aid classes, as well as pickleball classes. They discuss the importance of proper gear for pickleball, specifically shoes designed for either outdoor or indoor courts. Betsy shares her experiences at senior centers and taking brain stimulation classes, highlighting the significance of socializing and staying mentally active during retirement. Betsy talks about her love for leisure reading and her current read, "The Life List," which explores the concept of creating a list of things to do while young. She also shares her excitement about her recent trip to Dallas, where she bonded with her family and enjoyed swimming with a fabric mermaid tail. The conversation broadens to touch on Betsy's summer getaways to Michigan and Wisconsin, emphasizing the beautiful beaches, dunes, and wineries the regions have to offer. The episode also includes updates from both Betsy and the host. Betsy discusses her new volunteering work at a food pantry, finding fulfillment in contributing to addressing the issue of hunger. On the other hand, Kathe Kline shares her travel experiences, including a recent trip to Greece and Ireland, along with some mishaps like lost bags and an unpleasant bout of food poisoning. Despite the challenges, both guests emphasize their overall enjoyment of their respective trips. Overall, this episode of "Rock Your Retirement" showcases Betsy's adventures in retirement, highlighting her travel plans, hobbies, and experiences, while delving into meaningful discussions about staying active, engaged, and fulfilled during the retirement years. The hosts' anecdotes and updates add a personal touch and relatability to the conversation, making it an engaging and enjoyable listen for retirement enthusiasts.

In this episode, Betsy sits down with her friend Kathe to catch up after 8 months of retirement. Betsy shares that she doesn't miss work at all and instead enjoys her newfound freedom, spending her time reading, exercising, and spending quality time with her mother-in-law. She also loves getting outdoors and recently embarked on an incredible trip to Italy with her husband. Betsy takes us on a virtual journey through Naples, Citano, Sorrento, Pompeii, and Mount Vesuvius. She reveals that she thoroughly enjoyed planning the trip, doing extensive research that even involved watching YouTube videos to get the best recommendations for each destination. In Naples, she excitedly shares that they dined at a pizza place where former President Bill Clinton once ate. They explored the entire city, walking an impressive 26,000 steps in one day. During their stay in Positano, Betsy and her husband had a unique experience of walking down 1,700 stairs each day just to reach their accommodation in the town above. Pompeii left a lasting impression on Betsy, as she learned about the lives of the Romans frozen in time after the volcanic eruption. The couple also took a mesmerizing boat tour around the picturesque Isle of Capri, even indulging in a swim in the crystal-clear sea. Despite a slight language mishap where Betsy accidentally asked their tour guide how old he was instead of how long he had been giving tours, the trip was truly unforgettable. Betsy emphasizes the joy she found in planning and researching the trip as part of her retirement adventure. As the episode comes to a close, she eagerly looks forward to Thanksgiving, where she will be reunited with her stepson returning from college. Betsy leaves the listeners with an inspiring message, encouraging them not to fear retirement but to embrace it as the beginning of their next chapter in life.