Life in Early Retirement

Looking Back From Your Deathbed… Be Alive Now!

Looking Back From Your Deathbed… Be Alive Now!

Picture yourself on your deathbed looking back on your life… A few fun vacations, some great nights out with friends, or maybe some great memories with a loved one or kids. Whatever comes to mind, I’m sure there will be some great memories that’ll make you smile. But now dig a little and try to think about what you’ve regretted not trying or doing more of in life. Maybe it’s the simpler things like sitting back and watching a couple […]

Looking Back From Your Deathbed… Be Alive Now! Read More »

The 2 Most Useful Spanish Phrases I Love to Use

The 2 Most Useful Spanish Phrases I Love to Use

For those of you who are regular followers of this site, you know that I’ve continued to improve my Spanish-speaking skills since moving to Panama in 2019. That said, some Spanish phrases are more useful than others. Sure, it’s great to know common expressions such as: Buenos días (Good morning) ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?) ¿Hablas inglés? (Do you speak English?) Disculpe/Permiso (Excuse me – disculpe to ask a question and permiso to pass by someone) Terminology like these examples

The 2 Most Useful Spanish Phrases I Love to Use Read More »

Aren’t You Bored in Retirement? The Truth Comes Out!

Aren’t You Bored in Retirement? The Truth Comes Out!

Bored in retirement. For some reason, that seems to be a concern many folks have with retirement, particularly early retirement. The “easy” part’s done. You’ve saved up enough money that you’re able to leave work on your terms. You’ve hopefully used a free retirement planner like the one in Empower (formerly Personal Capital) to give you the confidence you need on that front. With the money equation out of the way and retirement here, you’ve gained the freedom of choice.

Aren’t You Bored in Retirement? The Truth Comes Out! Read More »

I’ve Decided to Hike up an Active Volcano...

I’ve Decided to Hike up an Active Volcano…

The thought of hiking up an active volcano might seem out of sorts for me, but it’s now something that’s going to happen in a few months. First off, I skipped another week of writing (I’m getting pretty good at this!). But I do have a good excuse – we had guests for 8 days. Our friends Steve and Courtney Adcock visited us for about a week in Boquete, Panama and we had a rocking good time! As I write

I’ve Decided to Hike up an Active Volcano… Read More »

Health Insurance in the U.S. – How We'll Keep Costs Low

Health Insurance in the U.S. – How We’ll Keep Costs Low

The subject of health insurance in the U.S. tends to make people cringe immediately when thinking about it. And rightfully so! I don’t think anyone can argue that the system in the U.S. is broken. It’s overly complex, the costs are out of control, and something needs to change. Now, we might all have different thoughts on what should be done, but we all know that something needs to be done. Unfortunately, though, the choices are pretty limited. If you

Health Insurance in the U.S. – How We’ll Keep Costs Low Read More »

We’re Saving Over $800 on Our Trip to Mexico… Here’s the Plan

We’re Saving Over $800 on Our Trip to Mexico… Here’s the Plan

Moving back to the U.S. from Boquete, Panama next spring is going to be bittersweet. But we’re excited about our new adventures to come… starting with a trip to Mexico on the way back! It’s still hard for us to grasp that we’re not locked into doing the “normal” type of vacations anymore. Since we’re early-retired and Faith’s homeschooling, we have the ability to slow travel or just make up new paths in life on the fly. In this case,

We’re Saving Over $800 on Our Trip to Mexico… Here’s the Plan Read More »

We Don’t Need More Money... But I Want It!

We Don’t Need More Money… But I Want It!

The guiding principle of the Financial Independence / Retire Early (FIRE) movement is to get to the point in life where you have enough and don’t need more money to cover your expenses. Once you pull that off, you’re golden. You’re now financially independent and never have to work another day in life again… if you don’t want to. It sounds great, right? And for someone that pulled it off at the age of 43 a couple of years ago,

We Don’t Need More Money… But I Want It! Read More »

A Travel Trick for Last-Minute Delayed or Canceled Flights

A Travel Trick for Last-Minute Delayed or Canceled Flights

Delayed or canceled flights are in no way a fun part of travel. These events can be a real headache in your plans that might already be stressful to you before this curveball. And, although they can usually be dealt with without too much of a problem when there’s a fair amount of notice, that’s not always going to be the case. Sometimes a delayed flight can ruin your connecting flight completely. And last-minute canceled flights can throw your plans

A Travel Trick for Last-Minute Delayed or Canceled Flights Read More »

Our Travel Perks Are Drying Up and That’s Big $$$!

Our Travel Perks Are Drying Up and That’s Big $$$!

Between free flights and hotels, zipping through security and customs, or relaxing in airline lounges, travel perks can be such a wonderful asset. And without a doubt, I love every bit of ’em! Over the years, we built up a nice stash of these things just by being strategic in our credit card spending. They’ve not only helped to make our travel more comfortable but also a lot cheaper or completely free. Well, it’s been a few years, but our

Our Travel Perks Are Drying Up and That’s Big $$$! Read More »

Our Moving Plans Changed Again… and That’s OK

Our Moving Plans Changed Again… and That’s OK

Moving plans are generally immensely stressful. Trying to coordinate everything to fall into place as smoothly as possible can be extremely complex. Depending on your scenario, it could involve a lot of juggling. Maybe you have to hire a real estate agent to sell your home and coordinate house showings around your work schedule and home life. Make sure to keep your house immaculate while strangers traipse through it without you even being there. Don’t forget about the pain of

Our Moving Plans Changed Again… and That’s OK Read More »