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Photo: One of my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award groups setting – volunteering often happens behind the scenes. – A group of fourteen-year-olds setting off on their first unaided two-day Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition is quite a responsibility. They must navigate unfamiliar paths, cook their own meals, pitch tents, and somehow reach the finish in… Read more
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(A Rookie Retiree Myth-Buster) A couple of months before I took early retirement, I came out of a Webex meeting about pensions feeling pretty pleased with life. I had my pension numbers and the post-retirement financial picture looked okay. Conventional wisdom says that, if you get your finances sorted, you can walk away, relax and… Read more
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TO IGNORE OR NOT TO IGNORE IS THE QUESTION Deciding to retire gives you the freedom to slow down, step back, and – if you choose – stop trying to keep up with the latest gadgets and apps. After all, isn’t that what kids and grandkids are for? But is that really a wise move?… Read more
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Sailing Down The Nile I’ve always been fascinated by ancient ruins and the stories behind long-lost civilisations. So, it was inevitable that one day Egypt — land of temples, tombs, and monuments — would find its way from our wish list into reality. And today is that day — we’ve finally made it. I’m leaning… Read more
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Exploring life after work — real voices, real stories. Two American perspectives on finding meaning, balance, and joy after work. Over the past few months, our Rookie Retiree series has shared open and honest reflections from people navigating life after work — the surprises, the satisfactions and the challenges that come with this major life… Read more
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Happy New Year! I hate going to the gym at this time of year—suddenly it’s bulging with hordes of new people, sporting brand-new tops and trainers, attacking exercise with the zeal of a convert.And then, 2–3 weeks later, the crowds thin out, resolutions fade, and everything returns to normal. Various studies suggest that around 80%… Read more
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It’s that time of year when kids get school reports and adults receive their appraisals. So why should retirement be any different? Here’s a look at what I thought I wanted, what I believed I could deliver, and what I imagined I’d enjoy doing this year… versus REALITY. ___ Like my old school reports, the… Read more
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I’ll admit it: I’m a hoarder. If there’s space in the house, I’ll fill it. Why get rid of something that might come in useful, especially when you’ve got the room to keep it? I probably come from a long line of hoarders too—rumour has it my grandfather would happily spend a fortune to collect… Read more
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“Sometimes the best adventures are the unexpected ones.” This month’s blog takes a lighter turn — a chance to swap the serious for the sun-soaked, and indulge in a little armchair escapism. A Bucket List Journey of White Sand, Azure Seas & Relaxation Sitting in a geography classroom all those years ago, I remember being… Read more
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More rookie retirees share their stories As part of my ongoing series on transitioning into retirement, I’ve been exploring what this big life change looks and feels like from different angles. Retirement is rarely a one-size-fits-all experience — and that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating. In this next instalment of the ‘Other Voices’ thread,… Read more