After years in the workforce, I came home to raise our twins and eventually homeschooled them through middle school. During that time, I worked part-time for a nonprofit for nine years before "retiring" to help care for my mother in her mid-90s. Along the way, I managed several family estates, including a complex probate estate, as well as my mother-in-law's and my mother's affairs. After my mother's death, my sister, an RN, and I were asked to help an older woman in our hometown navigate aging-related challenges. We helped her remain safely in her home for several years and later assisted with her transition to skilled care after a serious fall. Through those experiences, I gained firsthand insight into the gaps in support available to older adults and their families. Around the same time, I managed the estate of my best friend after she died of cancer during COVID, deepening my exposure to end-of-life planning and estate administration. I thought I was retired. My husband and I traveled, and while we were financially comfortable, I wasn't planning to draw Social Security until age 70. Then a financial planner friend asked if I could help some of her older clients. The idea intrigued me. With a CPA, MBA, and a career that included commercial real estate, construction management, relocation, and a wide range of financial responsibilities, I realized I had skills that could make a meaningful difference. What began as a part-time venture became a growing Daily Money Management practice. Today, three of us help clients manage their day-to-day finances and navigate life's transitions. The work is challenging and rewarding, and it gives me the flexibility to enjoy regular travel and time with family. Best of all, it has allowed us to preserve our retirement savings while continuing to do work that genuinely improves people's lives. There's nothing wrong with knitting or other retirement hobbies (I tried knitting and was terrible at it), but I find deep satisfaction in helping clients solve problems, maintain independence, and face life's challenges with greater confidence.
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After years in the workforce, I came home to raise our twins and eventually homeschooled them through middle school. During that time, I worked part-time for a nonprofit for nine years before "retiring" to help care for my mother in her mid-90s. Along the way, I managed several family estates, including a complex probate estate, as well as my mother-in-law's and my mother's affairs. After my mother's death, my sister, an RN, and I were asked to help an older woman in our hometown navigate aging-related challenges. We helped her remain safely in her home for several years and later assisted with her transition to skilled care after a serious fall. Through those experiences, I gained firsthand insight into the gaps in support available to older adults and their families. Around the same time, I managed the estate of my best friend after she died of cancer during COVID, deepening my exposure to end-of-life planning and estate administration. I thought I was retired. My husband and I traveled, and while we were financially comfortable, I wasn't planning to draw Social Security until age 70. Then a financial planner friend asked if I could help some of her older clients. The idea intrigued me. With a CPA, MBA, and a career that included commercial real estate, construction management, relocation, and a wide range of financial responsibilities, I realized I had skills that could make a meaningful difference. What began as a part-time venture became a growing Daily Money Management practice. Today, three of us help clients manage their day-to-day finances and navigate life's transitions. The work is challenging and rewarding, and it gives me the flexibility to enjoy regular travel and time with family. Best of all, it has allowed us to preserve our retirement savings while continuing to do work that genuinely improves people's lives. There's nothing wrong with knitting or other retirement hobbies (I tried knitting and was terrible at it), but I find deep satisfaction in helping clients solve problems, maintain independence, and face life's challenges with greater confidence.
Post: How Did You Find Paid Work After Retiring from Your Primary Career?
Link to comment from August 29, 2026
This is an absolutely wonderful summary of how to live life fully. Appreciate what you have. Keep building. Show up and make good choices. Bravo.
Post: A Life You Build
Link to comment from April 27, 2026