Three Months to Change a Retirement Life
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Tools and resources to create a Meaningful Third Age
Welcome to this edition of the Retirement Life Matters Newsletter.
Perspective
On December 14, my husband and I arrived in Prescott Arizona, having never been there before, to see if we’d like to move there. On Tuesday, March 16, we arrived at our new home in Prescott, having said good-by to our home and lives of 28 years in California. What a way to start a new retirement life!
Whew! It’s been a busy three months.
I would not recommend you do what we did. All of the experts say you should spend time in the area before committing to a move. We had visited potential communities around the world and had a very clear idea about what we were looking for. While Prescott in not nirvana, I think it has what we need to make a new home. As I tucked my two grandchildren into bed last night, who now live 2+ hours away, I know we made the right decision for us at this time.
Less than fifteen percent of new retirees actually move out of their home area, so you are probably not planning on moving.
What’s my advice to you today? Whether you plan on moving in the near future or not, start clearing out your ‘stuff.’ And not just the things you don’t want anymore. Take the plunge and start getting rid of treasures that you’ve lugged around for the last thirty or forty years.
Since we knew where we were moving, we made a blueprint of our new home, only to determine some of our furniture wouldn’t fit. I had purchased an antique dresser in my early twenties. It was made out of oak with those cool Victorian wavy drawers. I loved that dresser, but knew there wasn’t any space for it in the new home. It took me two days of agony before I realized I had to let it go. The second I made the decision, there was such a release. I suddenly felt so unencumbered by my possessions.
Trust me, the process of downsizing will not get easier. If you start now, and work at it slowly, you will make progress. You will either thank yourself later in life or your children will be grateful.
One concluding thought. In these moments of transition, we learn how fleeting this whole life experience is. As you’re whipping through your daily activities, don’t forget to take a moment every no and then to truly enjoy the voyage and the wonderful people you share it with.
New on the RLM Website
While living in an active adult community wasn’t a real consideration for us at this time, it’s something I’d consider in the future. Learn what to consider if you’re open to this type of lifestyle in your retirement life.
Randy Petrick shares a humorous translation of all the real estate terms you run across.
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