Maximizing Life In Retirement
/By Shelley Murasko
“But why think about that when all the golden land’s ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you are alive to see?”
–Jack Kerouac, On the Road
As a financial planner, I often have a front-row seat to what clients are doing with their lives. For some, life is a constant struggle regardless of how much money and time they have. For others, financial resources might be tight, but they work tirelessly to live rich lives. They succeed by focusing on the things they highly value, rarely letting fear, busyness, or ego get in the way of their higher priorities. And between these two lie an endless variety of other scenarios.
On the road of life, the critical matter is whether we put enough of our time and energy into the things that matter most. By occasionally assessing priorities, we’re able to focus attention and time into the stuff that really makes a difference. Despite the current challenges in our world, such as wars, politics, and inflation, we carve a way through the noise to live fully according to our own definitions.
Getting the Most Out of Retirement
While we make time for our most important values in our working years, it’s even more relevant to maximize precious moments in retirement. This is especially important when it comes time to acknowledge that it might be the last quarter. Some will reach this stage of life where earning money no longer matters, and they will continue to work joyfully. Others will emphasize other values like spending time with friends and family, donating time or money to charities, being a good neighbor, and teaching other generations. Ultimately, these efforts may become a priority over hours at a job.
I’m often inspired to learn how people are maximizing their time in retirement. In this article, I’ll share a story from my mentor about how he incorporated his personal values in retirement to experience the trip of a lifetime.
This individual and his wife—I’ll call them Bill and Kelly to retain their anonymity—headed off on a 53-day road trip. Their journey took them on Route 66 from California to Chicago, up through Wisconsin, over to Yellowstone National Park, up through Canada, and then back to California. Along the way, they also managed a side trip to Greece.
Bill and Kelly are in their early 70s and have been retired for several years. They cherish their extensive family that is spread across the country. They also have a passion for learning, history, community, investing, and the great outdoors.
“Retirement has its privileges, and I am grateful for the freedom,” said Bill. “I still remember those days when work would get in the way of the life I wanted to live.”
Clearly, having the time and energy resulting from retirement gave them the freedom to embark on their unforgettable odyssey. Prior to this cross-country and cross-continental excursion, Bill and Kelly spent a great deal of time planning what they had hoped to see and experience.
Embarking on the Trip of Their Dreams
For years, Kelly had dreamed of driving the famed historic Route 66 highway. To prepare for the trip, she gathered maps and books with every highlight from Santa Monica Pier to Chicago. She then spent two years planning the trip, arranging every stop, activity, and hotel stay.
Most days the couple drove only a few hours, allowing ample time for spontaneous adventures. This included enjoying a parade in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and watching fireworks in Dubois, Wyoming.
While the adventurous couple crossed the country, they followed Route 66 most of the time. Often this meant cruising along at 50 mph on a two-lane highway through one gas station towns. They frequently stayed the night in retro hotels, many in dire need of renovation, which provided fodder for the stories they told friends and family later.
While traveling from state to state, Bill and Kelly came across some of the nicest people they’d ever met and were reminded of how many good people there are in the world. Whether it was a helpful person at a motel desk or friendly travelers they met over breakfast, most everyone was kind and generous with their time and information.
Along with meeting new people, Bill and Kelly made several stops to visit family. In Kansas, Kelly attended a family reunion with 101 family members from all over the U.S. The couple even flew their two daughters to Kansas City to join the fun, and everyone spent a day at the community center of Olivet, Kansas, population 74. While the older generation talked, the kids played in the yard. The local farmers’ wives cooked up their favorite potluck specialties, so the visitors could enjoy a grand feast.
Afterward, Bill and Kelly dropped one daughter off at the airport who needed to return to work. Their other daughter joined them on their road trip as they traveled to Chicago and then Wisconsin, just in time to watch their granddaughter graduate from high school.
From Greece to Canada and Everywhere in Between
Though they had already traveled thousands of miles, Bill and Kelly were about to embark on the longest leg of their journey yet. Two days after the reunion, they flew from Chicago to Greece with their 16- and 18-year-old granddaughters. The goal of this side trip was to provide the girls with an opportunity to taste authentic Greek food, receive an ancient history lesson, and experience a different culture and way of life.
When they returned to the U.S., it was time to head home. Since Kelly had planned the entire trip to that point, it was Bill’s turn to determine how they would get back to California. To keep things interesting, Bill’s travel planning included some spontaneous twists and turns.
While he had hoped to visit Glacier National Park on the drive back, Bill had been unable to get lodging reservations in the park despite months of trying. Instead, he decided they would head west toward the park, planning one hotel ahead at a time. That decision allowed them to visit numerous must-see sites, including Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, Custer State Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.
Back on the road, Bill received some good news. He was finally able to secure lodging in Glacier National Park. He and Kelly spent four days exploring the beautiful mountains, alpine meadows and forests, waterfalls, and glaciers at the famous Montana destination. They went on tours, hiked, and even got a firsthand look at the local wildlife, including four bears! The experience enabled Bill to put into action his life’s motto: “The mountains refresh my soul.”
The couple was now a mere 35 miles south of Canada. After discovering that Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, was only about 5 hours north, Bill decided it was time for another detour.
He and Kelly crossed the Canadian border and continued north. During their provincial journey, they witnessed breathtaking scenery in every direction. Since both Banff and Glacier National Parks reminded Bill of Switzerland, which he has visited before, he is now eager to make a return visit very soon!
After crossing back into the U.S., Bill and Kelly put on their blinders and headed southwest toward California. They wrapped up their grand expedition with one final stop before returning home: a two-night visit with their daughter in Fresno.
The Joy of Traveling
Bill and Kelly’s trip reminded me of how much joy can result from travel that focuses on personal values. My mentor and his wife took the opportunity to visit old friends, reunite with family, and meet new companions along the way. They incorporated their love of travel, learning, and history into each leg of their journey. They even took the opportunity to share some of their favorite interests with their grandchildren. By combining good planning with a bit of spontaneity, they enjoyed the trip of a lifetime.
Summing up the experience, Bill said: “I am grateful every day to be where I am. Most importantly, I have my health. The next item of importance is a response Warren Buffett made when he was asked how he would measure success. His answer was, ‘By how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.’”
With this in mind, may you find inspiration from your loved ones as you head into the holiday season. May you also find the time to focus on your priorities, putting your love, energy, and maybe even a little money into them.
As Robin Williams once said: “Please don’t worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this earth. Life is fleeting. And if you’re ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky when the stars are strung across the velvety night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day…make a wish and think of me. Make your life spectacular.”
