Category: Retire Slowly

  • Phased Retirement: What’s our Purpose?

    Over the past couple weeks I’ve been traveling with my wife. It was a long-planned trip overseas (Greece) and in a way it was a prelude to some planned retirement activities. For us, and for many people, travel is high on the list of planned activities during retirement. But here’s the thing, after returning from our trip, and talking with…

  • Phased Retirement: For Introverts

    “I’m an extrovert – I recharge by being around others.”  “I’m an introvert, I need quiet time by myself to reflect and recharge.” It’s not really that black-and-white. Each of us exists on a spectrum of personality tendencies. Still, I’ve been thinking that there are some specific things that the introvert in us should consider when planning for winding down…

  • Phased Retirement: For Your Mental Health

    Retirement is a major life shift and it can be a time of great excitement and opportunity. However, it can also be a time of stress and anxiety. The changes in retirement can bring on real mental health challenges, such as: Loss of identity and purpose: Work can provide you with a sense of identity and purpose. When you retire, you…

  • Phased Retirement: Goal-Setting

    Goal-setting for growth-minded professionals is highly emphasized. Studies are often quoted that show how much more successful we can be when we have written goals with timelines. Goals that are S.M.A.R.T. (cringe!) are touted as extra special (probably because they are retrofitted to a catchy acronym). Yes, throughout our life goals are important and give us something to strive for.…

  • Phased Retirement: Rely on a Harbor Pilot

    Until recently I’d never heard of a harbor pilot. When talking with my friend Bill about all the decisions regarding retirement, and navigating the financial complexities he likened it to the concept of a harbor pilot bringing a ship safely into harbor. Let me explain. At sea, the captain of the ship is in charge.  But in many instances, once…

  • Phased Retirement: Back to School

    All across America it’s “back to school” time.  From first days of kindergarten to final years of college, students are headed back into the classroom or joining via remote learning. Once we begin our careers, the back-to-school days seem to be behind us.  But while starting to phase into retirement might mark the winding down of our career, it doesn’t…

  • Phased Retirement: 3 Questions

    I met Heidi Lumpkin when she was my career coach several years ago. She’s skilled at asking questions that delve into your motives and can help you devise practical plans for action. I chose Heidi because unlike other coaches who said they could help me achieve my goals – Heidi said she could help me discover what my real goals…

  • Phased Retirement: Dance of Coordination

    Today’s article was originally posted on the Humble Dollar blog on August 8, 2023.