How I Plan to Age Well

Recently I celebrated my 65th birthday, and in reaching this milestone, I find myself reflecting a little more on my life in relation to the journey ahead.

Over the past 25 years, I've dedicated my energy to sharing the simple wisdom of building portfolios with broad-based stock and bond index funds. This strategy has allowed me to ignore the short-term swings in the market and focus on financial planning issues that truly matter, such as proactive tax planning, estate planning, and risk management.

For me (and many of you have confirmed the same) this approach has had a meaningful impact on my emotional and financial well-being while working. I am convinced it will have an even greater impact on me through retirement.  

As I look ahead to the next chapter of my life, I am spending even less time focusing on portfolio strategies and more time contemplating how to embrace the journey of aging gracefully. I am attending to three key areas: gratitude, physical activity, and celebrating my personal creativity.

Embracing Gratitude

First and foremost, I am embracing gratitude. It is easy to look back and wish I had made different choices in my life (and I have made some bad ones), but I wouldn't change anything about who I am today. I am the luckiest person in the world, a sentiment that is nurtured by slowing down enough to be thankful for all the wonderful experiences and opportunities that have come my way.

Gratitude allows us to appreciate the present moment and recognize the abundance in our lives.

Staying Physically Active

Secondly, I am committed to staying physically active. As we age, maintaining our physical health becomes increasingly important. For me, this means spending less time working in front of a computer, and more time riding my bicycle up the steep hills of my hometown in Edmonds, WA. Whether it's going for a walk, practicing yoga, or hitting the gym, staying active helps us feel energized and improves our overall well-being. For me, it is a crucial part of aging well.

Celebrating Creativity

I’d like to think that through my creative efforts at The Coffeehouse, I have made a small difference in the lives of a few folks across the nation. I want to continue making a difference in the world, but for now, I want to celebrate my creativity in my woodshop, in my kitchen, in my garden, and in my community. I realize that sometimes making a difference means first taking a step back and celebrating ourselves and the beautiful moments we encounter each day. By slowing down and being present, we allow the energy of the universe to guide us toward meaningful experiences and connections. It's about finding joy in the little things and trusting that we are exactly where we need to be.

As I embark on this journey of aging well, I invite you to join me in embracing gratitude, staying physically active, and celebrating creativity. Together, we can create a fulfilling and meaningful retirement, filled with joy, health, and purpose.

Plan the Life You Want

A significant part of enjoying retirement depends on how well you have financially planned for your next chapter of life. Connect with me on a complimentary strategy call* and learn how wealth planning works and how we can help you transition confidently into retirement.  

Investing strategies, such as asset allocation, diversification or rebalancing, do not ensure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. All investments have inherent risks, including loss of principal. There are no guarantees that a portfolio employing these or any other strategy will outperform a portfolio that does not engage in such strategies. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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