Tag Archives: retirement

Happiness Is…. A New Day

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When I went to work at my current employer, I was greeted with open arms by a group of smart, strong women who supported each other. Each accepted me as one of their own in some way as mentors or simply through their friendship and support.

That was ten years ago and, one by one, they have retired and left. The last of them will retire today.

I am over-the-moon excited for my friend as she has so much waiting for her in this next chapter. She has a wonderful family and farm chores and hobbies she enjoys. Best of all, her first granddaughter is due soon.

Life is good.

She and I both enjoy Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. The Snoopy calendar, pictured here, used to sit on her desk. Now it’s on mine. She gifted it to me a few weeks ago as she was cleaning her office.

I will treasure Snoopy as I have treasured her friendship. Today we’ll have a party for her and then she gets to spend her days taking walks, caring for her animals and being the best grandma ever to a new baby.

As Snoopy says, happiness is a new day. Congratulations and best wishes, Monica!

A Classic Car And Classic Advice

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We arrived in Pomeroy more than two hours early for the soldier’s funeral procession Saturday. Parking can be tight in this town on a good day and we thought it prudent to park close and kill time.

I wandered around the downtown area, logging some steps and nabbing a few pictures. I found this old cruiser parked at the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office. There was a deputy on the sidewalk, approaching a newer cruiser when I inquired about the car.

The deputy was kind, telling me that the car belongs to the longest serving law enforcement officer in Ohio. He collects all sorts of things including this 1947 Ford which he brings out for parades and other special occasions.

I googled the gentleman yesterday and found that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost had recognized Deputy Howard Mullen as Ohio’s longest serving officer two years ago.

He’s a 1946 Pomeroy High School graduate and former firefighter who has been a Meigs County Sheriffs Deputy since 1953. At the young age 91, Deputy Mullen told a local tv station that he still assists with special assignments and does ride alongs with deputies. He would be about 93 now and I sincerely hope that this is still the case.

My favorite line from that interview was “You die sooner, because you lose interest. You sit all day watching TV and stuff like that, I honestly think you take X amount of years off your life. I just don’t want to slow down anymore.”

These are indeed wise words. I’m a fan of staying active – turn off the tv, read a book, engage in a hobby, go for a walk, do volunteer work- do things that make you feel alive, engaged and interested in your surroundings.

Deputy Mullen, much like his car, is a classic.

In case you’re interested in hearing his interview, you can watch a video here. I stoped the deputy to ask about their cool car and had no idea the conversation would lead to an inspiring life lesson.

Happy Retirement!

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My dad celebrated a happy milestone yesterday. He retired from the company where he worked for 37 years.

They were good to him, treating him like a friend rather than just another employee. In return, he worked hard for them and more than earned his keep.

Employees and employers everywhere could learn from their relationship and the mutual respect they share. An employee who feels valued will do far more for your company than one who feels like just a number. He worked hard every day of those 37 years and took pride in what he did.

It sounds like it was just another workday and that’s the way he wanted it. He’s a quiet guy and doesn’t like to call attention to himself. I think he was grateful to just punch out and come home to find my mother and I along with my brother (I’m actually an only child- he’s a dog) waiting on the porch just like any other day.

The difference is that he got to leave his work problems behind and never has to go back. He’s been working since he was just a teenager so I can’t imagine the glee he must feel knowing he doesn’t have to get up in the morning and work for someone else. He can putter in the garage and get started on my mother’s “Honey-Do List” which she swears she doesn’t have but none of us believe her.

I’m glad that he will finally have time to relax and enjoy life more. Happy Retirement Dad!

Money Revelations

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There’s this post going around Facebook that asks a very simple question.

What does it take to blow $10,000 a year? Just $27.40 of unnecessary spending in a day.

You probably are saying you don’t blow $27.40 a day and that may be true. However, most people don’t realize how much small purchases add up. Whether it’s buying more food than you can use before it spoils, picking up clearance clothes just because they’re cheap, or eating out when you could eat food from home, most people are wasting at least some money every week.

Those small purchases do add up.

If you shop for entertainment or comfort, your weekly waste would probably shock you.

I did a No Spend Challenge in January and have continued the challenge off and on beyond the original 31 day commitment. This is partly because I’m trying to save for adventure season (which will be here soon!) and partly because it’s become so natural to question spending temptations.

This challenge was designed to reset my spending and consumption habits after the gluttony of the holidays. It’s also great for quieting my mind, fostering a sense of gratitude and for coping with some bad habits.

One thing I have learned is that the more time I spend in a store, the more money I spend.

Case in point – I have saved a ton of money by reducing my Walmart trips to just twice a month. I despise Walmart but have to live in the world I wake up in and that world is a place saturated by Walmart.

It’s the cheapest place around to get Scout’s cat food and supplies so I go twice a month for these things and for a few other items that I can only buy there. But each trip always results in impulse buys and it doesn’t matter if the trips are two weeks apart or two days apart.

In this store I develop a kind of amnesia where I can never remember if I have enough shampoo and where I’m certain the dish soap is nearly gone. And then I notice socks on clearance and that cute Pioneer Woman scoop that’s perfect for my laundry detergent and things fall apart rather quickly. The next thing you know, I have gathered $30 worth of cheap socks, shampoo and pecans that I don’t need.

And I’ve always been ok with this because I believe in having a stocked pantry and in keeping myself in a place that I never have to buy anything. However, you can only use so much stuff.

Guys, $30 will fill the tank of my Nerdmobile and a tank of gas will take this fuel efficient car far from home.

So I’m training myself to ask more questions. Is that lunch out or clearance junk worth skipping an adventure?

Not only that, I want to retire without worry someday. Is it worth working longer just to have that stuff in my cart?

Nope. No. No way. It’s not.

Friends, money is a tool to be used to reach your goals. It’s not just for spending. It’s for making life better, for happiness and it’s for security.

Is there something you habitually spend money on that you are willing to cut for an important savings goal? I would love to hear about it.