Retirement Means the Freedom to What I Want, When I Want

Have you noticed how these Journey to Retirement stories have little to do with money? Each listener story has focused on freedom and experiences. Favorite Quote From This Week's Story 

"It (retirement) means the freedom to do what we want, when we want and where we want.” Lessons Learned 

• It’s important to think about what financial situation your spouse will be in when you pass.
• Pay attention to fees and make sure the fees pay are adding value to your financial life.
• Brake the habit of using consumer debt. It can be a major drag on building wealth.

Who is Harold 

• Age 56
• Retired Air Force
• Current civil servant
• Married 23 years
• Goal to retire in 6 years

What Does Retirement Means to You?   
"It means the freedom to do what we want, when we want and where we want.” 
"Our big hold up is not having the time to do the things we love."
“Our time is limited and everything we want to do feels rushed.”
 What Are You Most Excited About Retirement? 
“I’m excited about…well, see above answer.”
“Traveling is our big thing.” 
What Are You Most Worried About Retirement? 
“My main worry is...if something happens to me that she is taken care of.”
“I used to assist widows and widowers upon the death of their spouse. I saw so many times when the main breadwinner died and they were in horrible financial straights. I want to assure my wife is not in the same boat.”
“I want to make sure she knows where everything is because I don’t want her to feel paralyzed if something happens to me.”
 How Do You Think Your Doing? 
“I’m feeling very good.”
 Who Do You Use in Your Life to Help Make Smart Financial  Decisions? 
“I have not and I’ve come close on three different occasions.” 
What Has Been Your Worst Financial Decision? 
“I really don’t have a big financial mistake, but I have several small ones.”“Prior to my wife coming into my life, I was not at all bothered by carrying debt. After she came into my life, she put a stop to that quickly.”
“I never used to pay attention to fees on the mutual funds I would get into.”
 What has been the Hardest Thing to Deal with Personally in Managing Your Finances? 
“The 2001-2002 and 2007-2008 markets were very hard to watch the bottom fail out of the market.”
“Putting money in is easy to me. Taking money out (in retirement) I think will be mentally a little more difficult.”
 What Resources Have Had the Most Impact in Your Life? 
“The Truth About Money” by Ric Edelman
“Buckets of Money” by Ray Lucia
 How Do You Want to Be Remembered? 
“Well Roger, I’d like to think of myself as a loyal, kind family man.”