I've decided to retire.

[LakeArenal]

40. Woo hoo. We are living the dream retired. Hope you do too.

Due to the Bush housing crash, I was forced to take retirement at 62. Yes, indeed I lost a significant monthly benefit loss.

However Mr Lake was fortunate to make it to full retirement age. He took it a few months before because of the small loss he incurred.

Still, we went forward with our dream retirement. Now instead of buying a house we rent. The upside of renting in old age is we will never have to buy the new water heater or fix the plumbing.

The biggest suggestion I will make is downsize. Maybe not like we did, selling everything off in an auction but get rid of most of your “stuff “.

It’s so liberating not paying for space you never touch in years.

We regret a few things but seriously you will miss very little that you think you would.

By selling everything, it gave us the funds to fulfill the big move and the big relocation: leaving us to live on our SS and small annuities.

We started with furnished rentals but over five years we have things that reflect our own taste. Slowly.

Good luck. We found ourselves busier than ever not working. For us: a new life began at retirement.

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