Autumn is in the air and for the third straight year, that finds me back on campus. One of the most interesting things I’ve been able to do in Early Retirement is take university classes on a variety of subjects. Two years ago, when my own son was just starting college himself, I took advantage of a university parent’s program to take Freshman Sociology. It … Continue reading Autumn On-Campus – Lifelong Learning Classes
Earlier this week I turned on the TV as I was making myself breakfast. The game show, “The Price Is Right” was on and kicking off their 47th season and an Emmy win with a special episode. Everyone was dressed in formal wear and one contestant won $100,000! I loved this show when I was a kid. I’m old enough to remember when it was … Continue reading Not Much ‘Price is Right’ in Early Retirement
When people ask me what I do to keep busy in early retirement, I almost never mention writing MrFireStation.com. I guess that’s odd, given that I created the site more than three years ago and have now posted over 400 articles. Even though I probably spend about 2 hours a week writing and updating the site, I haven’t ever actually considered myself a ‘writer’. Sometimes … Continue reading Free-Lance Writer In Early Retirement?
What MegaCorp Perks will you miss when you stop working and which ones will you seek to replace on your own dime? The forum early-retirement.org had a thread recently where people were listing some of the corporate perks and benefits they used to enjoy. They were fun to read through, running that gamut from typical perks like airline miles, sports tickets, fitness club memberships, and … Continue reading Irreplaceable MegaPerks from MegaCorp?
Back in March, I shared the concept of early retirement being like a second childhood. Really, a combination of the best of being a kid and an adult at the same time – “Kidulthood”. One aspect of Kidulthood that has been renewed this year might seem a bit silly for a former MegaCorp executive to spend his time on, but my Dad and I have … Continue reading Playing With Toys in Early Retirement
We had the pleasure to go to the Paul Simon concert last month when his tour came through our city. We like to go to concerts and have gone out to a lot more since we stopped working two years ago. It’s amazing how many acts are touring now a days. Like many musicians of his era, this tour was themed as Simon’s “Farewell Tour”. … Continue reading Still Working After All These Years?
A common question I get in early retirement is “what do you do all day?” or “what is your daily schedule?” People wonder how much of regular routine I have – especially what time I get up. I have to admit that after two years on this FIRE lifestyle adventure, I still really haven’t developed much of a daily routine. SLEEP SCHEDULE – I try … Continue reading Daily Schedule in Early Retirement?
You would think the last thing an early retiree might need is time saving technology. After all, if I don’t have the time to get things done, who would? That said, I’ve recently fallen in love with the convenience of restaurant ordering apps. I’ve always had one for ordering pizza, but in the last week, I’ve added four more to my phone: Five Guys, Chipotle, … Continue reading Speedy Service or Expensive Convenience?
My friend Russ posted this profound and entertaining mock graduation speech on LinkedIn last week. I hadn’t seen it before – although it has appeared it many popular forms over the last twenty years. Originally a Chicago Tribune column by Mary Schmich from June 1, 1997, the advice to new graduates quickly became a sensation. First shared virally through email, the column was made into … Continue reading Graduation & Life Advice “Wear Sunscreen”
We had a chilly and wet weekend here in Minnesota. Since our seasons are so extreme, we count on nice summer weather June through August before weather slides into fall and winter. With rain almost all day yesterday and temperatures in the 50s when we went to the garden center today, quite a few people were grumbling. Last night, the ‘weather elf’ on our local … Continue reading ‘Unfortunate Work Week’ – For Who?
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