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IT’S BEEN MORE THAN 10 years since my retirement journey began at age 52. For almost 30 years, I’d worked hard, especially the last two decades, when my twin brother and I owned a landscaping company. Vacations were few and far between, and even on vacation I was always on call.
I was burned out and ready for a new chapter. Going into retirement, I was well-prepared financially. But how I’d fill my days was something of a mystery.
Why wasn’t I worried about money? I’m frugal—a family trait—and had saved diligently in anticipation of an early retirement. I’d paid off my mortgage early and had no other debt. The house that my husband and I live in is only 750 square feet, making for reasonable utility bills and maintenance costs.
As I approached retirement, I’d calculated that, along with my husband’s government pension, we’d be able to live off the income and capital gains distributions from my Vanguard Group and T. Rowe Price mutual funds, and I wouldn’t have to sell fund shares.
Yes, 2022’s nerve-racking drop in the stock and bond markets had a significant impact on my portfolio. But having lived through several downturns during my 35 years of investing, I knew the best approach was to stay the course. Besides, there wasn’t much I could do. Going to all cash—with the resulting tax implications—was hardly an appetizing option. Indeed, I pay more attention to our taxable income nowadays, working to ensure we minimize taxes and stay below the Medicare premium surcharge income thresholds.
Spending time. While I was set financially, there was still the issue of what I’d do with my time. During my working years, I didn’t have many interests or hobbies. Like many retirees, figuring out what to do with my days was a matter of trial, error and frequent change.
I’d taken up cycling in a serious way a few years prior to retirement. Once retired, I spent many hours on the bike, cycling 8,000 to 10,000 miles each year. I enjoyed the physical challenge of 100-mile rides, and in 2017 put my body to the test, riding 35 centuries. But that was also the last year I rode a century, and since then my riding has slowly been replaced by hiking and walking, far safer activities with less risk from bike crashes and aggressive drivers, and not as taxing on the body. On these walks and hikes, I’d bring along my camera, and I began to enjoy the challenges of bird photography. I met some great photographers along the way, and learned much from them.
Early in retirement, I volunteered at a local immigrant advocacy organization, which I found somewhat rewarding but not enough for me to continue with it for much more than a year. In 2015, I was asked if I’d become chairman of the community’s beautification committee, something to which I was well-suited, given my background in landscaping.
Beautifying the community was gratifying, and I was able to meet a good number of my neighbors, who volunteered for the various beautification activities. This kept me engaged with others, something that’s important in retirement. But after a few years as chairman, I was ready for a change. I’d accomplished what I set out to do and I was ready for new challenges.
Talking trash. Litter within my county and state has always bothered me. Whether driving the highways or cycling the country roads, I was struck by just how much roadside trash there was. I began picking up litter within my community, and recruited volunteers for weekly litter patrols.
Trash would blow into the neighborhood from the main roads. On garbage day, trash wouldn’t always end up in the garbage truck. There was never a shortage of litter to be picked up. Soon, my efforts expanded to the nearby business district, where I worked with county inspectors to have businesses comply with various ordinances that require them to keep their lots clean.
During the pandemic, I’d hike the woodlands that are part of the local water company’s watershed. It’s a beautiful area where I could get out into nature and not see anyone for hours. Unfortunately, not everyone respects the area’s beauty. On my hikes, I was alarmed at the amount of trash I saw along the shoreline of the reservoir and thrown into the vegetation along the hiking trails.
With help from my husband, we began to clean up the area, taking out dozens of bags of trash, mostly beer bottles and cans, but also fish bait containers, fishing line and more. Now, we can go to the area and do some maintenance litter pickup, enjoying the beauty of the watershed without the distraction of mounds of trash.
My cleanup efforts have continued into two other watersheds. I’m now the “litter hot spot coordinator” for one of these watersheds and hope to soon be a board member of the other. My involvement with these organizations keeps me engaged, and allows me to meet more and more people, young and old, from different walks of life.
This community involvement reinforces what I’ve long known—that where I’ve lived for most of my life is where I also want to stay in retirement. My husband and I have thought about moving to his home state of Texas to be close to his family. But increasingly, we realize that we’re happy in our Maryland home, and that getting to Texas to see his family, or to Florida or Philadelphia to see mine, is just a short plane or train trip away.
The cost of living in Maryland is high and the traffic is bad, but we have access to excellent health care, and there are parks and a beautiful public garden close by. When we balance out the pros and cons, Maryland still wins. Traveling to other continents doesn’t hold much appeal for us, but we do enjoy our trips to family and friends in the U.S. I also travel often to Mexico, where I have numerous friends, many of them my former employees. We then travel together to different parts of Mexico.
Working life seems like a distant memory. My many hobbies and activities, and the connections I’ve made within the community, have been important. But I don’t expect things to stay the same.
There are limits to what you can do physically as you age, and I’ve adjusted accordingly. My husband encourages me to slow down, and I’m trying. I want to stay physically active for as long as possible, and taking care of myself is a must. As I’ve gone through retirement, I find it’s important to keep exploring, to find new opportunities that excite me—and not to let retirement become routine.
Nicholas Clements is retired and lives just outside Washington, DC. His younger brother is HumbleDollar’s editor. Check out Nick’s earlier articles.
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Nicholas,
Thanks so much for a great contribution. I’ve been contemplating the idea of volunteering with a DC-area immigrant advocacy organization, and your article is just the motivation I need. Also, it’s great to read an article from an LGBTQ+ contributor. Of course, it’s a non-issue–but at the same time visibility is everything, so thanks for contributing.
I do similar volunteer work. You stepped up to become a leader with a huge impact on your surroundings, benefitting all who visit these places & you are to be commended. The world is a much better place with you living in it. I wish there were more people like you who care so much for the environment, that people would litter less & pay fewer visits to Starbucks where so many plastic cups are just thoughtlessly discarded & not recycled.
Margaret, thank you for your comment and your volunteer work. We need more leaders to rally people to help clean up our environment. And yes, I pick up so many Starbucks, McDonalds, 7-11 plastic cups and lids. It’s disheartening.
I agree.
Or take a reusable cup to get your coffee! It stays hot longer and you get a 10 cent discount.
Nicholas,
I found your comment about getting into bird photography interesting. I got into it about 20 years ago mainly because I had just gotten a digital SLR camera and wanted to learn how to be a good photographer, I figured birds would be a good challenge. Along the way I got very interested in the birds and now have pictures of about 330 species from various parts of the US. I always enjoy looking at a slideshow of my good pictures, it’s a great way to relax and I remember where I took many of them and the associated circumstances.
It’s a great hobby, even if you are not retired!
\
Bill
Bill, thank you for your comment. Bird photography is a challenge and requires time and patience! I’m glad that you also enjoy the hobby.
Nicholas, kudos to you for beautifying your neighborhood and other areas by picking up litter—a very tangible contribution. I try to do the same on my dog walks and every now and then do a serious run through our hood.
Are you a hand picker or do you have a grabber device? I’m thinking of getting one and would welcome any suggestions on length, type, etc.
Andrew, thank you for helping to keeping our planet clean. I use a 36” litter grabber made by Unger. I found it on Amazon for $20. I find the extra few inches to be invaluable for getting to hard to reach places. There are other grabbers available but you get what you pay for. Mine has lasted me quite some time. I wear gloves all the time because on occasion I need to pick up the litter with my hands. There’s a lot of nasty stuff out there!!!
Thanks, Nicholas!
Congrats on doing what you want. However, I couldn’t handle living in a small house like yours. My wife and I bought a 3500 sf house for retirement and love the space. To each his own for sure. Also, you’re still young enough to continue exercising. I’m 72 now, and did Krav Maga until Covid hit in 2020. I now do F45 3-4 times a week.. it’s 45 minutes of cardio and resistance. You can do it if you stay active.
Exercise is vital at all ages! Doesn’t have to be intense but movement keeps the body functioning the way it was built to function.
Thank you. Having been in this house for almost 40 years I am use to the small space but I admit that browsing Zillow and Redfin I occasionally dream of more space but I soon bring myself back to reality and the thought of higher utility and maintenance bills! Not to mention all the additional furniture I would have to buy!!!
Your comment, my riding has slowly been replaced by hiking and walking, far safer activities with less risk from bike crashes and aggressive drivers, took me back to my biking experiences a couple of decades ago. When our youngest children were finishing high school they were typical in wanting to drive to school. I was not going to incur the expense of a third car but I was willing to bike a couple of miles to the bus stop for a commute to the office as my work schedule permitted to allow them to drive to school.
Besides bike crashes and aggressive drivers it was my experience that many drivers just do not see and/or respect anyone riding a bike. After our youngest were off to college I retired from biking on the highways.
Thanks for your article.
I agree William, there does seem to be a lack of respect for cyclists by drivers. Pedestrians get more respect. I am happy with my decision to retire from cycling but I know that when the warm weather returns I will likely have that yearning to get on the bike!
Great Article!
It’s reading, and thinking about, commentary like yours that has me visit this website on a daily basis.
Enjoy your “retirement”. (you’re not working for money but doing activities that you find fulfilling).
And keep posting!
Thank you Winston, I appreciate it. I will post more if my younger brother allows : )
Your reasoning for staying put in retirement sounds a lot like ours.
What struck me about your article is the litter patrol. That’s a pet peeve of mine and my husband’s. We regularly go around our neighborhood picking up trash. Maybe we’ll expand our efforts.
Sonja, thank you for your efforts in picking up litter. It’s become quite the passion for me!
I agree with you regarding litter. My wife and I will often see trash on walks and try to figure out the litterers thought process. Do they say: “Gee, I’m done with this bag of chips. What are my options? I guess I’ll just throw it out the window”. All you can do is pick it up and throw it away but it always leaves me s little angry/sad.
I know what you mean, it makes me shake my head wondering the same. I try not to think about it too much however. It’s satisfying to know that you’re making a small difference even if the problem is huge.
Nicholas, thanks for guide on environmentally-conscious living in retirement. My favorite house was built in 1930 and had 1300 s.f., but your 750 s.f. home is truly the definition of frugal!
We are fortunate that while the house is small, we have a lovely garden and parkland behind the house with miles of hiking trails. I spend a lot of my time outside.
750 square feet–a dream home! (but, i do need a work space)
I love this. I especially enjoyed your description of cycling through (see what I did there?) various activities and volunteer opportunities to see what stuck. I’m looking forward to that process soon.
Very clever!!! : )
Nick, Congratulations – sounds like a great retirement. I traveled frequently to the Md area just outside DC and, traffic aside, there are many interesting and natural areas. My wife and I are excited to explore the local parks and towns in our new area. Best
Thank you Rick, I appreciate it. Yes, the MD/DC area offers a lot for us and as I mentioned, in spite of the higher cost of living I do feel we get something back for it.
Remaining useful by serving others is a great recipe for happiness! I’m sure your community hopes you continue your work for a long while. The HD community hopes your brother got a full dose of the family trait, and keeps working here for years to come.
I agree, happiness comes from giving back. I think Jonathan will be around for some time : ) but that’s just me talking.