2027 is going to be a big year for me! I'm officially leaving my job the first week of January. I don't have any plans to accept another job, but I won't rule out doing something very temporary or part time in the future. My goal was to save up enough money where I don't have to work, and that I can take care of my health & have enough to bridge the gap until I can tap into my 401k. I have approximately 10 years (just under) until I can access my retirement account without penalty. M is still currently working, and he will cover our health care, which is a vital step, especially given my health.
I also expect that the first few years will be more expensive, as we have Nick in college, Sam will likely need additional support after he finishes his conservation training & schooling, and we will likely be traveling more in the earlier years rather than later, particularly with our families.
I also expect that the pivot to permanent "retirement", for lack of a better term, may be a big adjustment for us. My health is my top priority, but I also want to continue to foster social connections, give back & support my family.
I'm a planner, and I always like to know what comes next. But, for this particular next step, I think it's important for me to experiment - to try new things, discover what I enjoy, drop things that I don't, and not worry about getting everything right or knowing what comes next. That is a semi uncomfortable space for such a planner, so there will be a lot of growth required to keep experimenting!
I don't expect my goal categories to change, as I find it helpful to approach my goals across those buckets (financial, family, health, & personal).
These are very initial drafts at this point, but here's where my head is currently at.
Financial
- Continue to pay for Nick's college
- Make $3000 in side hustle money
- Pressure test our budget & categories for the next few years, and make adjustments as needed. Included in that is optimization of our existing budget & plans.
- Track & optimize travel related perks, savings, etc to best manage our travel budget, which is our largest flexible spending category (quite intentionally).
Family
- Support both of our young adults
- Spend more time with my parents
- Continue to have regular date nights with M
Health
- Hit my goal weight, go off the micro dose of GLP-1, & maintain my weight
- Continue to manage my lupus
- Add another fitness activity to my days/weeks/months
- Track & manage my health overall
Personal
- Experiment with hobbies, activities, etc
- Host more
- Volunteer
- Say yes to adventures
- Continue decluttering & organizing our house
HP, I entered retirement in my late 40's, and wrote about my hopes and concerns, and my adjustment to it, in my blog in the 2011's. That is actually why I first started to blog - I was overwhelmed with adjusting to life without a defined title and paycheck, and needed an outlet.
ReplyDeleteThe entries from the earliest years on my current blog, are from an old now-discontinued blog (Early Retirement Journey) and thus the format is a bit different from my more recent posts. Still, I'm thinking you might appreciate some of the transitions I went through, emotional and financial both, that I wrote about.
I had no idea you've been blogging so long. I wasn't as young as you retiree, but definitely younger than most of my peers that retired and same age friends/ younger friends are mostly still working. I'll look back for ideas along with HP. Of course my retirement greatly changed from the plan as I'm doing it alone.
DeleteI would love to read your old blog, Tamara! Does it still exist online? I think it would be a great read, & really love your current retirement life, so would be so interested in the process/evolution that got you here. - HP
DeleteYou sound like you have a good plan in place ,with room for adjustments I think you will absolutely enjoy your next stage of life.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited! - HP
DeleteNow while you're still working is a great time to think through the whats next. Even getting the first year to be flexible of options is key. It wasn't quite the same, but I worked just 24 hours a week and used 16 hours a week of vacation gir I think 6 weeks to to get down to the max I could convert in HSA funds. I'm sure your finding the move to part time is a nicer transition than flat move. Im now at a point where a project here and there would be fine, but I m not even looking at substitute jobs.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying part time, but somehow my manager hasn't changed the amount of work I'm doing. We need to discuss, because I can't reasonably complete the same amount of work in a limited time window. It's been an adventure. ;-) - HP
DeleteRetirement takes a klittle getting used to.
ReplyDeleteOur plans for 2027 include some travel, renovating a few things in the house and enjoying our family more, which includes a group trip to the Tetons..
Oooh, definitely want to hear about the trip to the Tetons! Sounds like a great year ahead. - HP
DeleteProbably one more overseas trip, and then we will travel in Canada. Working on decluttering, making life simpler, growing more of our own fruits and vegetables, and spending time with family are some of my plans.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
These are great goals, Jackie! Very curious to hear where you decide to go for your international trip. - HP
DeleteI am excited for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! - HP
DeleteSaving money yet enjoying myself but no real travel. Do no trust current administration and need to look out for myself since all alone and no family. Continue with 5-6 day a week gym for health and enjoyment and connection to others. Hopefully lose the last. 25 pounds I need to lose for total of over 200 pounds in last few years. Been a long journey but maybe really, unattached able at the age of 72 and just need to be satisfied with what I have done. Stay healthy and mobile and me cautious with my money.
ReplyDeleteIt is so impressive to have lost that much weight. You should be so very proud of yourself for accomplishing that. I know we are internet strangers, but as someone who understands what a small weight loss takes, the commitment to undertake an incredible accomplishment like that is amazing. Well done, you. I love the goal of staying healthy & mobile. - HP
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