No. of Recommendations: 4
I retired last July. What's changed? Well, I can wake up when I like and generally don't have to be anywhere at a specified time. I don't have to do anything I don't want to do (except for household stuff, of course).
I was reading just yesterday that some people have a hard time because they suddenly don't feel useful and are "just waiting to die". I'm not getting that. I don't really have a need to feel useful. What does it matter? I'll be dead in 20 or so years anyway. I'm enjoying my time now. Whether it's watching TV, cruising the internet, take trips (we've already done a few, and are planning more), or whatever. It's a lot less stressful. No fighting traffic, no "fires", no having to request leave, etc.
But that's me. If someone has to be busy all the time, or feel useful all the time, they'll have to overcome that somehow. Well..."busy" can be accomplished with a hobby or volunteering. For me, "hobby" is whenever I feel like it. Sometimes I'm not in the mood. Editing photos is not something I can do well if I'm not in the mood (photography is my main hobby).
Also, being under 65, I had to avail myself of the ACA. A bit tricky estimating income to set the subsidy. Hopefully I got it right for 2022 (we'll see soon), and for 2023. If not, I suspect I'll have to pay a penalty. This year our income is dividends and likely some cap gains. Which will be offset by the cap losses from last year (I bailed on a few companies).
As for spending, 1poorlady is very frugal. But, yes, as a couple you need to be on the same page (more or less) to avoid any friction. Like you, I don't really budget. But I do track expenses so I know where the money is going, and how much remains. Since the checking account isn't getting paychecks anymore, I need to be sure there are funds there to do the auto-pays (utilities, etc).
