Often times retirement is not so much about getting ahead in life but rather maintaining what your have. I’ve completed about 80% of my bucket list and have no career aspirations, even though a little extra money might add some additional security. My health is good, and I’ll be content as long as I can keep running every day. It’s getting a little monotonous but soon I will spend my morning jogs through nine different states over a three week period – Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina. 

I mention maintaining what you have because that’s where a majority of our income outside of the mortgage payment goes each month. Pool, pest, HOA, dog, furniture, insurance, medical, food, security, house cleaning, gas, heating & cooling, and repair. Another chunk goes to entertainment like movies, streaming, cable TV, travel, recreation, tickets, phones, and collectables. Over the past year, we’ve been buying lots of furniture, lighting fixtures, and home accessories but that is hopefully slowing down. Travel will be heavy the next few years but that too will settle down in the future. It will then all come down to upkeep on what we have, occasional dining out, and travel to see family. 

It scares me a bit to think that the world around us will shrink in the years to come. I’ll have to be content with life in the neighborhood, as the hassles and expense of travel will no longer be desirable. I’m sure my younger wife will continue to push me but I’m preparing myself for the prospects of a good book and an easy chair (if the dog will let me sit in it).