soon to be retired physician, aging athlete, passionate surfer, itinerant scholar
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I turn 65 in 2 weeks. Retired 7 months ago. Things I am now doing now:
1) feeling grateful for every day on this earth. My family is not long-lived. I have been so lucky.
1a) taking nothing for granted. A spring breeze. My beloved dog in my lap.
2) indulging my curiosities: I am reading furiously about history.
3) gardening
4) helping my in-town kid more, doing minor errands for her so that her day will be easier. Why not? I have plenty of time.
5) thinking about flying first class. Haven't pulled the trigger yet.
6) practicing letting go of anxieties about minor spending shocks - you know, the dentist, the vet, the plumber, the transmission.
7) seeing an array of doctors. (and I am a now retired doctor)
8) fighting the pull of nostalgia and being present for today
9) cooking more, healthier food. Working On:
1) traveling more by myself. Spouse and I have very different interests, which is a more noticeable now that I have more time.
2) sleeping better
3) processing (code for getting rid of) a bunch of stuff we brought to our house when my mother died) On the Horizon:
1) considering relocating to cooler climes. This would be after my in-laws have died, which is a bit of wild card. And we don't know if we'd want that upheaval in our 70s. We might. Delegating/Letting Go of:
1) newer vehicles
2) gasoline
3) business casual
4) many medical professional societies
5) economy cabin
6) doing my own taxes
7) guilt. It's how I was raised. My parents and ancestors worked hard so that I could have a better life. Not helpful for me to create angst about having a better life.
8) worrying about my kids' futures. Can only control what one can control. They will have joy and take their lumps like everyone else. What I am enjoying:
1) not feeling rushed all of the time
2) my kids
3) my dogs
4) a few older friends
5) working out - its been a through line my entire life.
6) reading deeply about ancient history and origins of judaism and christianity (note: I am agnostic, this is a historical, not a theological interest)
Mark, Would you be more engaged in a prolonged downturn? I appreciate the value of not tinkering with one's financial plan/assets, but I wonder if your indifference to checking your portfolio is largely due to great returns over recent years. Timing is everything.
I did. Our asset allocation makes sense for our partic situation.
I understand inflation and factor it in to our plan. In this first phase of retirement I worry a more about spending shocks - prolonged health issues or major life upheavals in family for which money would be needed. I am hedging against those by holding more short term treasuries than others might. Will adjust as time horizon shrinks.
Thanks for acknowledging these realities and uncertainties. So much of what you wrote rings true for me.
We are well situated financially, and have a 30ish year time horizon. We have done just what you suggested with our adult kids, providing modest gifts to each. Now we'll see what the future brings, and go from there.
Regarding AA, agree. The bond or cash tent approach has always made good sense to me, ie decreasing equity exposure as retirement approaches, and then increasing it over some period of time as Seq of Returns risk diminishes over the years. Have always been puzzled that that approach is not more popular.
I would argue that non-linear journeys are the only kind there are, if you follow the line long enough - until it bends, stops or reconnects.
I retired about 2 months ago. I had a career that had some wonderful moments, and through which I made a positive difference. But there was a lot that I didn't like. I could never say that I never worked a day in my life, and marvel at those that can. But one never knows enough about any life to understand what forces, what influences, what luck lead to a particular situation.
Completely agree with acknowledgement that you don't know what path(s) will be followed in retirement, and for how long. One of my top take-aways from retirement, and I am early in the game, is how often others express concern about "... what will you do?". I have been fortunate to have - or to have developed, or even nourished - curiosity and myriad interests.
I stopped working for wages (don't like the term "retirement") 3 months ago. I'm 64. I have not traveled as extensively as you, but certainly some. I find myself more selective. I still look forward to travel, but to specific places for specific reasons, where I can follow my curiosities and interests. For example, I am an amateur historian, a Dickens fan and a walker - and love cooler temps. London, with easy transpo to the rest of UK, could be my single travel destination and I'd be (I am!) happy. Others see it as a crowded over-touristed destination. All depends on perspective. I agree with your suggestion that foreign travel is often presumed to be a top aspirational goals. I also agree that my fulfillment with simpler pleasures - walking my dog, gardening, reading, helping my elderly in-laws- has gone way up. Very importantly to me, I like staying consistent with my fitness routine, which is much tougher away from home.
Comments
I turn 65 in 2 weeks. Retired 7 months ago. Things I am now doing now: 1) feeling grateful for every day on this earth. My family is not long-lived. I have been so lucky. 1a) taking nothing for granted. A spring breeze. My beloved dog in my lap. 2) indulging my curiosities: I am reading furiously about history. 3) gardening 4) helping my in-town kid more, doing minor errands for her so that her day will be easier. Why not? I have plenty of time. 5) thinking about flying first class. Haven't pulled the trigger yet. 6) practicing letting go of anxieties about minor spending shocks - you know, the dentist, the vet, the plumber, the transmission. 7) seeing an array of doctors. (and I am a now retired doctor) 8) fighting the pull of nostalgia and being present for today 9) cooking more, healthier food. Working On: 1) traveling more by myself. Spouse and I have very different interests, which is a more noticeable now that I have more time. 2) sleeping better 3) processing (code for getting rid of) a bunch of stuff we brought to our house when my mother died) On the Horizon: 1) considering relocating to cooler climes. This would be after my in-laws have died, which is a bit of wild card. And we don't know if we'd want that upheaval in our 70s. We might. Delegating/Letting Go of: 1) newer vehicles 2) gasoline 3) business casual 4) many medical professional societies 5) economy cabin 6) doing my own taxes 7) guilt. It's how I was raised. My parents and ancestors worked hard so that I could have a better life. Not helpful for me to create angst about having a better life. 8) worrying about my kids' futures. Can only control what one can control. They will have joy and take their lumps like everyone else. What I am enjoying: 1) not feeling rushed all of the time 2) my kids 3) my dogs 4) a few older friends 5) working out - its been a through line my entire life. 6) reading deeply about ancient history and origins of judaism and christianity (note: I am agnostic, this is a historical, not a theological interest)
Post: Getting Older
Link to comment from April 8, 2026
Healthy skepticism. Good piece. Thanks.
Post: Doubt the Forecast
Link to comment from March 28, 2026
Mark, Would you be more engaged in a prolonged downturn? I appreciate the value of not tinkering with one's financial plan/assets, but I wonder if your indifference to checking your portfolio is largely due to great returns over recent years. Timing is everything.
Post: I don’t know. Or care. But I will at the end of April.
Link to comment from October 30, 2025
There is no linear path to fulfillment. More power to you and your father-in-law.
Post: Success Has Many Flavours
Link to comment from September 23, 2025
An engaging, clear and honest piece - how unsurprising. Condolences to Jonathan's wife and family.
Post: Farewell Friends
Link to comment from September 22, 2025
I did. Our asset allocation makes sense for our partic situation. I understand inflation and factor it in to our plan. In this first phase of retirement I worry a more about spending shocks - prolonged health issues or major life upheavals in family for which money would be needed. I am hedging against those by holding more short term treasuries than others might. Will adjust as time horizon shrinks.
Post: Navigating the Unknowns of Financial Decisions
Link to comment from September 13, 2025
Thanks for acknowledging these realities and uncertainties. So much of what you wrote rings true for me. We are well situated financially, and have a 30ish year time horizon. We have done just what you suggested with our adult kids, providing modest gifts to each. Now we'll see what the future brings, and go from there. Regarding AA, agree. The bond or cash tent approach has always made good sense to me, ie decreasing equity exposure as retirement approaches, and then increasing it over some period of time as Seq of Returns risk diminishes over the years. Have always been puzzled that that approach is not more popular.
Post: Navigating the Unknowns of Financial Decisions
Link to comment from September 13, 2025
Thank you for so much Jonathan. All good wishes -
Post: Health Update
Link to comment from September 8, 2025
I would argue that non-linear journeys are the only kind there are, if you follow the line long enough - until it bends, stops or reconnects. I retired about 2 months ago. I had a career that had some wonderful moments, and through which I made a positive difference. But there was a lot that I didn't like. I could never say that I never worked a day in my life, and marvel at those that can. But one never knows enough about any life to understand what forces, what influences, what luck lead to a particular situation. Completely agree with acknowledgement that you don't know what path(s) will be followed in retirement, and for how long. One of my top take-aways from retirement, and I am early in the game, is how often others express concern about "... what will you do?". I have been fortunate to have - or to have developed, or even nourished - curiosity and myriad interests.
Post: Never Working a Day in My Life
Link to comment from September 7, 2025
I stopped working for wages (don't like the term "retirement") 3 months ago. I'm 64. I have not traveled as extensively as you, but certainly some. I find myself more selective. I still look forward to travel, but to specific places for specific reasons, where I can follow my curiosities and interests. For example, I am an amateur historian, a Dickens fan and a walker - and love cooler temps. London, with easy transpo to the rest of UK, could be my single travel destination and I'd be (I am!) happy. Others see it as a crowded over-touristed destination. All depends on perspective. I agree with your suggestion that foreign travel is often presumed to be a top aspirational goals. I also agree that my fulfillment with simpler pleasures - walking my dog, gardening, reading, helping my elderly in-laws- has gone way up. Very importantly to me, I like staying consistent with my fitness routine, which is much tougher away from home.
Post: What If You Don’t Want to See the World?
Link to comment from August 30, 2025