I thought I would share some of the responses (anonymously) so you might get even more perspectives on this very important subject. Here goes:

Response #1

LOVE your article on Health. Time. Money. Got it? Use it!!
Best that I’ve ever read from you and exactly what I needed to hear right now.

With that said —I leave Monday for a three week vacation in my favorite country, Italy.
I can’t wait!

I have been exhausted and I really need to get out of the state for a while. Back on March 22nd– exactly 2 months after my 60th birthday – I was having “heart problems” and was in the hospital getting a “Cardio Version” procedure!

Long story short, I have AFib (quit common) but, I was about a day or two away from having a stroke (which is how my mother died)! Ended up at the hospital and all is well now. Love that hospital by the way.
But, it was quite the scare for me!

Hence –your article was perfect for me to read right now. It’s so true – my clock is ticking (faster and faster) and I better travel and spend my money now!

I really enjoy reading your articles. You are a fantastic writer.

PS. I may get a t-shirt made that says — “Keep Calm and Spend Your Money!”——-Love it!

Response #2

Randy,

Thanks for sharing this…it was a great read!

Let me add a couple other tidbits I have learned in my mere 3 years of retired life.

First, I got some great advice from a flight attendant during one of my trips, “Put your own oxygen mask FIRST, then put it on others.” In the retirement world, if you are always taking care of others, or you are worried about taking care of others, you may not take care of yourself. Put on that oxygen mask!! See the other side of the mountain. Let go of the feeling that you have to hover over your children and protect them from financial problems. Sure, you can be there if something SERIOUS happens, but let them experience life on their own. Let them pay their own bills, and let them adjust their lifestyle so they can live within their means. It will help them in the long run, and it may allow you to enjoy your golden years.

Second, as a retired person, we have a unique vacation benefit. The good thing is we get 52 weeks of vacation each year. The bad thing is, if you do not use it, you lose it. You cannot carry over any unused vacation from one year to the next, like we did when we were working. The good news is, each January 1st, we get another 52 weeks of vacations! YEAH!!! It is a great benefit, but only if you use it.

Like Randy said in his note, this is a limited time arrangement, and this vacation offer may be cancelled without prior notice. If you have your health, time, and money, then now is the time to take advantage of this retirement benefit. If you lose one of those 3 items in this sweet spot of life, then this benefit may go away.

Think about hiking up the Sleeping Giant in Kauai, or paddle boarding in the river near the Shark Institute. What would it be like to go dog sledding in Alaska? How about having a chef come by each morning to make you breakfast for 2 weeks and then serve you Chateaubriand at night in the restaurant right below the helipad you will be flying off of the next day? Did I tell you about the Kodiak bears?

…and that is just the first 6 months of this year…

NOW is the time to enjoy your retirement.

More and more people in our peer group are really trying to blend working life with seeing the oter side of the mountain – much in the name of the oft pursued, but potentially mythical, work/life balance. It will be interesting to see how that strategy pans out over time. My two cents: its better than taking the route under Clueless in Casper but may also be a somewhat innefficient approach.