My gift to my children was not an investment book but advice on how to find a financial advisor because I had retired from that informal role when we all got a windfall inheritance. And I followed suit and hired my own financial advisor. And I send them an updated 1 to 2 page document every year with all my financial accounts, location of vital documents, account login info (email, tech stuff, etc), SSN, pension info and so on. No notebook but this should help them accomplish the necessary tasks. And they know my end of life preferences - we talk about this stuff at least yearly.
Thanks! I have had to slow down (less travel!). While I contemplate my future I have stepped up my volunteer work with seniors and my grandson's kindergarten class!
Fair warning - LONG post! I am currently 72. I retired at 62 with trepidation. As a solo parent and former workaholic (district public library manager) I have found retirement challenging, as I expected it might be. I left when the work environment and management style no longer aligned with my work style. I had taken a retirement class the previous year and the 2 financial advisors helped me see how I could retire early with some creative financial moves despite not having mega bucks in my traditional IRA portfolio. I do have 2 small state pensions (one I took early at 62 and the other I was eligible to take at 58 so no penalty for taking at 62) and I worked part time (less than 20 hrs per week) for 2 years. When I hit FRA I took a top off from my ex-husband's social security. Up until then I pulled money from my traditional IRA to cover healthcare and supplement my budget. I also had one rental property that gave me a little income. It all worked out and I switch to my social security at 70 for another budget boost. Despite a lean budget I was able to solo travel a lot in the first 5 years by using a house swapping service and renting my house through Airbnb and being frugal! When Covid hit in 2020 I gave up traveling to care for my new grandbaby! I bought and sold houses 3 times in the same area until I found a small single level fixer upper. I do need a project to keep me busy! Good timing to live in a single level house because 72 has been my challenge year due to the sudden onset of arthritis. So I am contemplating how to continue living a full life while gimping around🥴
I'm sure they were just being neighborly. BUT you'd never survive in Portland, OR. I (and many others) "Leave the Leaves" to encourage and support native habitat & wildlife. And next year gas blowers are outlawed😁. Buy yourself a Leave the Leaves sign for your yard (Portland graphic designer sells on Etsy) and take a stroll! Happy Fall!
I'm inching my way into "old age" when it comes to how I get around my city. I downsized from a 3 story town house to a small 1955 single level ranch. This is the 3rd home i've had in the last 10 years in Portland. But all of them have something in common that makes my life great for aging. I choose neighborhoods that reflect a village. I can walk or bike or bus to all the essentials. I always have a list of 5 or so items/places I need within close proximity (1/2 mile to 1 mile) when I buy a house. So yes, I have a car but most of my errands I walk or bike to. Farther away and I take the bus that is only 2 blocks away. Or maybe I even use my car 😁
FYI: my essentials are grocery store, pharmacy, coffee shop, casual bar (dive bar?), nicer restaurants.
At 72 my list of projects I can't do or don't want to do is increasing. I was on my roof cleaning my patio cover the day before I turned 72. That is probably the last time for that! As a women raised in the 50's and 60's I always felt compelled to be self reliant or at least try to do things once! Such as change the oil in my car and put on snow tires but once was enough! Hate house work so it is sorely neglected. But love being outside so I landscape and garden. But need a Task Rabbit person to dig some post holes so I can build my next fence. If I can do it (wire a light, paint, assemble IKEA furniture) I usually do to save money for more fun stuff!
Relocation was the theme of my childhood - moving every 1.5 - 3 years. Less frequently as I "moved" into adulthood but still, I moved more than most. I don't have a home town or state per se. But when I chose to retire at 62 I knew I was headed to Portland Oregon...my personal home of choice. I have lived here for 10 years as of my birthday in May and I'm living in my THIRD house! Moving is in my blood😁. But this last time was specifically for being "old" - 935 sq ft single level ranch! And now I know I would be very reluctant to move again because I am only a 3 mile bike ride away from my only grandchild and I love my neighborhood. I was part of his bubble from his birth through Covid. Portland is not inexpensive and housing is not cheap but I continue to make things work financially because Portland meets my personal choice and style. My youngest asked if I would give her child the same attention as the Wonder Child I am hard pressed to figure out how to do that since she is in Charlotte NC. But maybe I will relocate a few months each year to be close to any new child that may happen! Retirement has confirmed that family (even my very small one) is more important than the bottom line in my life.
Both my parents died with dementia. I was actively involved with my dad's life and finances until he died at age 90. As an older single mother I want to minimize as many "caretaking" issues as possible for my 2 daughters, especially after watching my mom's decline and helping my dad. That is what guides me as I make my decisions nowadays, whether financial, record keeping, or buying a house that is single level. As a former librarian I believe the research about our decline in our decision making ability as we age. So in my world sooner is better than later. I want to be in control of how my life plays out but that doesn't mean I have to do it alone! I have always been the financial one in my marriage and assisting my daughters but after both my ex-husband and dad died within a month of each other and we all inherited money it was time to retire from playing financial advisor. I realized as I advised my girls on selecting an advisor that I was ready for one too! So at age 69 I hired someone and have been relieved and happy with that decision. It gives me another adult to bounce a variety of life decisions off of, which is as powerful as the actual portfolio management advice she provides.
Comments
My gift to my children was not an investment book but advice on how to find a financial advisor because I had retired from that informal role when we all got a windfall inheritance. And I followed suit and hired my own financial advisor. And I send them an updated 1 to 2 page document every year with all my financial accounts, location of vital documents, account login info (email, tech stuff, etc), SSN, pension info and so on. No notebook but this should help them accomplish the necessary tasks. And they know my end of life preferences - we talk about this stuff at least yearly.
Post: Your two best investing books—and do you also keep an End-of-Life “family binder”?
Link to comment from January 5, 2026
Thanks! I have had to slow down (less travel!). While I contemplate my future I have stepped up my volunteer work with seniors and my grandson's kindergarten class!
Post: What Age Did You Retire—and What Made You Decide It Was Time?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
Post: What Age Did You Retire—and What Made You Decide It Was Time?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
I'm sure they were just being neighborly. BUT you'd never survive in Portland, OR. I (and many others) "Leave the Leaves" to encourage and support native habitat & wildlife. And next year gas blowers are outlawed😁. Buy yourself a Leave the Leaves sign for your yard (Portland graphic designer sells on Etsy) and take a stroll! Happy Fall!
Post: Four People, One Stupid Observation
Link to comment from November 18, 2025
I'm inching my way into "old age" when it comes to how I get around my city. I downsized from a 3 story town house to a small 1955 single level ranch. This is the 3rd home i've had in the last 10 years in Portland. But all of them have something in common that makes my life great for aging. I choose neighborhoods that reflect a village. I can walk or bike or bus to all the essentials. I always have a list of 5 or so items/places I need within close proximity (1/2 mile to 1 mile) when I buy a house. So yes, I have a car but most of my errands I walk or bike to. Farther away and I take the bus that is only 2 blocks away. Or maybe I even use my car 😁 FYI: my essentials are grocery store, pharmacy, coffee shop, casual bar (dive bar?), nicer restaurants.
Post: When My Car Broke Down, Our One-Car Plan Passed the Test
Link to comment from September 3, 2025
At 72 my list of projects I can't do or don't want to do is increasing. I was on my roof cleaning my patio cover the day before I turned 72. That is probably the last time for that! As a women raised in the 50's and 60's I always felt compelled to be self reliant or at least try to do things once! Such as change the oil in my car and put on snow tires but once was enough! Hate house work so it is sorely neglected. But love being outside so I landscape and garden. But need a Task Rabbit person to dig some post holes so I can build my next fence. If I can do it (wire a light, paint, assemble IKEA furniture) I usually do to save money for more fun stuff!
Post: DIY
Link to comment from July 18, 2025
Credit card vs debit question. Do you pay for common things like groceries or coffee with debit or credit?
Post: Quinn had his credit score lowered. I view credit cards as a necessary evil
Link to comment from July 15, 2025
Thx for sharing!
Post: When relocation in retirement is not an option, not what you really want. By Dick Quinn
Link to comment from June 10, 2025
Relocation was the theme of my childhood - moving every 1.5 - 3 years. Less frequently as I "moved" into adulthood but still, I moved more than most. I don't have a home town or state per se. But when I chose to retire at 62 I knew I was headed to Portland Oregon...my personal home of choice. I have lived here for 10 years as of my birthday in May and I'm living in my THIRD house! Moving is in my blood😁. But this last time was specifically for being "old" - 935 sq ft single level ranch! And now I know I would be very reluctant to move again because I am only a 3 mile bike ride away from my only grandchild and I love my neighborhood. I was part of his bubble from his birth through Covid. Portland is not inexpensive and housing is not cheap but I continue to make things work financially because Portland meets my personal choice and style. My youngest asked if I would give her child the same attention as the Wonder Child I am hard pressed to figure out how to do that since she is in Charlotte NC. But maybe I will relocate a few months each year to be close to any new child that may happen! Retirement has confirmed that family (even my very small one) is more important than the bottom line in my life.
Post: When relocation in retirement is not an option, not what you really want. By Dick Quinn
Link to comment from June 9, 2025
Both my parents died with dementia. I was actively involved with my dad's life and finances until he died at age 90. As an older single mother I want to minimize as many "caretaking" issues as possible for my 2 daughters, especially after watching my mom's decline and helping my dad. That is what guides me as I make my decisions nowadays, whether financial, record keeping, or buying a house that is single level. As a former librarian I believe the research about our decline in our decision making ability as we age. So in my world sooner is better than later. I want to be in control of how my life plays out but that doesn't mean I have to do it alone! I have always been the financial one in my marriage and assisting my daughters but after both my ex-husband and dad died within a month of each other and we all inherited money it was time to retire from playing financial advisor. I realized as I advised my girls on selecting an advisor that I was ready for one too! So at age 69 I hired someone and have been relieved and happy with that decision. It gives me another adult to bounce a variety of life decisions off of, which is as powerful as the actual portfolio management advice she provides.
Post: When should one give up control over finances?
Link to comment from December 12, 2024