I Am Doing Retirement My Way.
By Denise McDonough
I did retirement in my own time and on my own terms.
Our youngest had just graduated college and was engaged to marry. My husband and I ran a company making money for the owners. We asked to buy in but were told that wasn’t possible. I was 47, my husband 56. We looked over our finances and realized that if we worked ten more years, we would be ten years older but not much richer.
We sold our house, car and belongings, packed up a few things we thought we couldn’t live without, and moved with our three dogs to a Caribbean island in Panama. We bought a house on the water and let life happen.
I ended up managing properties for part-time expats which did bring in extra money but I mostly ended up involved in charities–raising money to better the education of indigenous children, to spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats, and to install rain catchment systems for clean drinking water in remote villages. Talk about rewarding!
We did this for twelve years and decided our life was getting too predictable and needed a change. We again sold everything. Our dogs had died. We went to Sri Lanka. Our visa allowed six months, so after that we went to India. India allowed ninety days. On we went. We were having a ball.
Now, six years later, we have lived in twenty-five countries and some forty Airbnbs.
When we arrive in a new place we first find a grocery store, a bar with a good vibe and draft beer, and a gym. Everything we own fits in two fifty-pound suitcases and two carryons. No matter where we are, we go to the gym on M, W, Fs, and run or hike T, Th and Sats. Sundays we do something special—or nothing.
We both started taking Social Security at 62. My husband now has Medicare. We are fortunate to have good health and each other.
We love perfect weather so we are in Playa del Carmen until May. Then on to Madrid.
After that we have not decided.
Wonderful story, wonderful life. You are our inspiration.
How lovely of a story, inspiring and endearing :~) Always fun to hear of your travels and famous Denise stories!! Keep living and loving life to the fullest!
What a wonderful story. Not for everyone, but you two were made for each other. That is the only way it would work out so beautifully!
Wow!!!!
Wow! Incredible life story.
Mary Johnson took the word right out of my mouth, Wow!
The theme I want to emulate is simplicity and rewarding purpose. I am too much of a “nester” to live in that many different cultures but I have a vision for my retirement. We don’t own a home for the first time in 27 years and that alone is freeing.
Freeing is so right. It does seem strange to say after our main goal in life was to own a home. I no longer have to stress over forest fires, floods, hurricanes, etc. However, when young people want to live my life, I explain to them that it is not as freeing to not own a home until you have conquered owning a home. You never really enjoy not having "stuff" until you have experienced giving it all away to people who actually need it. When my husband first suggested quitting our jobs and moving to Panama, I said we can’t. He said why? I said because we’re not 65. He said, " That’s not a rule".
Enjoy life, your way.
Mary Johnson took the word right out of my mouth, Wow!
The theme I want to emulate is simplicity and rewarding purpose. I am too much of a “nester” to live in that many different cultures but I have a vision for my retirement. We don’t own a home for the first time in 27 years and that alone is freeing.
Mary Johnson took the word right out of my mouth, Wow!
The theme I want to emulate is simplicity and rewarding purpose. I am too much of a “nester” to live in that many different cultures but I have a vision for my retirement. We don’t own a home for the first time in 27 years and that alone is freeing.
Mary Johnson took the word right out of my mouth, Wow!
The theme I want to emulate is simplicity and rewarding purpose. I am too much of a “nester” to live in that many different cultures but I have a vision for my retirement. We don’t own a home for the first time in 27 years and that alone is freeing.
Mary Johnson took the word right out of my mouth, Wow!
The theme I want to emulate is simplicity and rewarding purpose. I am too much of a “nester” to live in that many different cultures but I have a vision for my retirement. We don’t own a home for the first time in 27 years and that alone is freeing.
I love being retired but I was scared whenever I thought about it because I was afraid that I might be bored with life. Nope, it hasn’t happened. Sure dismal rainy and frigid cold days are yuck but I cherished the fact that I don’t have to go outside if I dont like the weather that day. Living in a big city offers so many opportunities to be active.
Your story is inspiring. My husband and I sold our home 2 years ago and now live on previously purchased land in an RV. We have owned many homes and wonder why we didn’t downsize much earlier. The freedom from not owning too much stuff is powerful. Most of our friends can’t understand our choice but we are happy. Congratulations on your courage.
Love it! Opens up my mind to ‘ maybe…I can do it too. Thank you.
I need to hear more of these stories. Your story is both inspiring and motivating. We sold our home 4 years ago and gave away almost all of our furniture to mexican immigrants who so appreciated what our kids didn’t want. I’m now semi-retired and trying to figure out what’s next. I’m not used to having "free" time and I want it to be satisfying. So far, we’ve booked a month in Lucca, Italy to test the waters. Stay tuned…..
Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you and your husband continued health and adventures.
Soooooooo inspiring. What a fantastic retirement you’ve created! Wishing you continued good health and happiness. Thanks for sharing your story!
Soooooooo inspiring. What a fantastic retirement you’ve created! Wishing you continued good health and happiness. Thanks for sharing your story!
Soooooooo inspiring. What a fantastic retirement you’ve created! Wishing you continued good health and happiness. Thanks for sharing your story!
Soooooooo inspiring. What a fantastic retirement you’ve created! Wishing you continued good health and happiness. Thanks for sharing your story!
Soooooooo inspiring. What a fantastic retirement you’ve created! Wishing you continued good health and happiness. Thanks for sharing your story!
Fabulous and inspirational!
I love this and love that you two find new countries to explore. Thanks for sharing!
Love this story
So freeing
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I LOVE this story! You do you girl….and travel and LIVE LIFE!!! I’m totally envious that you can fit everything you own into 2-50lb duffle bags! #goals! CONGRATULATIONS!
It sounds liberating but scary.
Would absolutely love to hear details about experiences in different countries. Any advice as to how you scout out living quarters.
Madrid and Spain in general would be an amazing experience.
Do you speaking many languages?
Hi Tanaaz,
Thank you for your comment.
Jumping off is the scariest. Now I say the most thrilling.
When we left the 1st time, quitting our jobs, saying goodbye to our children, families and friends, giving away a lifetime of heirlooms and collections of stuff, it was scary. To be honest we took way too much stuff with us and stored a lot, just in case. We promised each other to give it one year. After that 1st year I went back for a visit and took a few things out of the storage. The next year I went back and gave everything to the Goodwill. It wasn’t "me" anymore.
Living in Panama taught me a lot of things. Spanish wasn’t one of them. I mean I can speak like a 4 year old but I still can’t comprehend normal conversations. We did teach a lot of children to speak English though and that will benefit them far more than Spanish will me at this point.
Luckily English is the world’s default language and people love to help. A great way to make new friends too.
Apps were not around when we started our adventures but the internet was. Now apps like Airbnb, Google Maps and translate, Affordable International cell phones and ATMs for local currency make our way of life so simple now.
We didn’t plan this life, we just took the first step and this is how it’s played out so far.
I never plan too far out, I just put pieces together and let it happen. Being surprised by a country you never thought about going to is the best. My best Surprises so far were Malta, Georgia, Albania and Turkey.
Have fun. The anticipation and planning and research is half the fun.
Enjoy your retirement.
Thank you for sharing your retirement experience. I’m most taken by the very young ages when you made all these changes. good for you!
Good for you both! You are lucky to have a spouse that enjoys the same things you do and appears to be on the same page. Additionally having good health is a major factor in enabling you both to live your dream life. Wishing you many years of new adventures.
Love it ❤️ My husband and I are in Plsya Del Carmen every January 🙂
I loved your story and know that it is what your life is meant to be about. I have chosen a different path but isn’t is wonderful that we have reached a point when we realize we can choose, no longer worrying about what others think is right or appropriate or that we have to save for retirement. I love being at the stage of life, just wish it didn’t come with "wrinkles."
What can we say??? A fabulous post-career adventure!
Fabulous and inspiring, for sure. As a newbie retiree (last October), I’m toying with the idea of staying in foreign lands like you, a little at a time. I
Haven’t sold everything, mainly because my husband is still working 😂, so instead, I’ve begun to take long trips abroad to test the waters. Two to three week long adventures. After reading your journey, I’m ready to make the stays longer. Thanks for the inspiration. It’s so rewarding to partake in foreign cultures as a native. Loving my longer trips thus far and looking forward to the longer stays.
What an inspiring story. Lost my husband 7 years ago and really want to travel all over the world. Just afraid to do it alone. Haven’t found another person I would like to travel with. Do you think I could do this as a single woman. In your travels did you run into any single woman living a similar lifestyle?