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I too will read a lot more. So many books out there to get into. I'll know everyone at the library on a first name basis. Revive the gardens. Organize the old photos and clean out the old files (could take a year). Birding sounds fun, and I'd love to be able to identify bird songs and calls. Think about all the fairly local places you haven't really explored and go see them. I've know a few movie buffs who finally got to binge on the oldies but goodies when they retired. You'll have more time to socialize--invite a neighbor for coffee or go to lunch together regularly. Join the Friends of the Library or Trout Unlimited or Quilters or whatever group that interests you to meet new people and have new opportunities. You could always volunteer for AARP or VITA during tax season if you miss it.

I have started reading articles about the SECURE 2.0 Act which went into effect January 1, 2023. Now that I have started reading, frankly I am amazed at how many changes are heading our way. We have been discussing QCDs for about 4 years now. Now we will have one time Charitable Gift Annuities which will count towards fulfilling the annual RMD of an IRA. "The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, which was included in the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill signed by President Biden on December 29, 2022,[1] has a small gift for charities and individuals over age 70 1/2 who are willing to transfer up to $50,000 to a charitable remainder trust or into a charitable annuity arrangement." There will also be a significant expansion of distribution penalty exceptions and repayment options. Our life is going to be more complicated. I need to find some CPE that covers all of the changes.

This is the correct approach. So often we take mental detours into alternate realities

I am not retired but have a lot of down time with work in the summer and fall now that many of my business clients have retired & sold out, and I haven't been able to grow my practice with the extraordinary time spent caring for mom over that last few years. She ended up 2 months rehab starting in late March, and then about a month ago moved into a memory care assisted living home. I still don't have free time with now the hospital visits she's had and visiting her most days (hour drive round trip), and now I have her house to clean out and prepare to sell (70 years of "stuff", OMG!) Other than that and the normal mundane tasks of cooking, cleaning, laundry, paying bills (ours, 2 businesses, & mom's), I don't have that much free time. I do pop in here each day, even if briefly at times. I try to stay awake to watch about an hour of TV with husband in the early evening, but I do sometimes doze off for a few minutes. When I do have some time again, it will be spent on hobbies such as knitting, spinning yarn, reading, biking, and I do walk at least an hour and anywhere from 3-5 miles most days, or maybe some fishing again. I haven't had a vacation in over 10 years, so maybe I'll get a chance for some travel at some point too, or enjoy going out on our bass boat since I haven't had time to fish either! I used to own, care for, and ride horses, but my back injuries put a halt to that and is now just a pleasant memory. My most recent hobby that I really, REALLY enjoy and that is quite addictive is shooting sporting clays (aka clay pigeons to us older folks) with shotgun, and I've also learned to reload shells to complement that. I usually shoot in a group with my husband, brother, a friend, and sometimes other family. As the most novice of the group, I'm advancing along well and just bought my second, better quality gun that is off being customized to fit. I've read that it is a fast growing and popular sport these days. Maybe something like that would interest you?

I have not retired yet, although I hope to soon. I have always been active in my church, and retirement will give me the time to do more for the church, and hopefully do it better. I also like to sew and crochet and I have had very little time for that for the last twenty years. I love to read, and I want to spend more time journaling. I have also wondered if I could possibly write a novel. Plus I do like to watch television and movies. I used to be a lot more physically active, so I would love to get back into long walks and perhaps hiking. I guess once i do all of this, I might get bored but I think it might take a year or two. Besides, if I am home to help my husband take care of the house and yard, maybe he will have time to go fishing - and he might even let me tag along!

You have asked the greatest question in financial planning. I have a Christian financial series that I teach (drawn mostly from Ron Blue and Larry Burkett books) and I always ask the question "How does the story end for you? We all die, what do you want the people at your funeral to say about your life?" So, what do you want to do that work kept you from doing. Is there a cause you wish you had been more involved in? Is there a hobby that you really want to pursue more? Is there a place you want to see or an event you want to experience? When you answer those questions, you can start planning for your post work life. You can start looking at what resources you will have to pursue those opportunities. Good Luck. Tom Longview, TX

And, Judy, who deleted pages of new "members." Thanks to both Judy & Eric.