☀️ Happy Life
Greetings!
Hope everyone had an awesome week!
It was a busy week for us – lots of grandbaby sitting and events – and lots of “homework” for Pappy!
Never thought I would say that word again, but I am pursuing my Master’s degree online and it is a lot of work! Half of my time seems to be trying to figure out where everything is on the various platforms, but I am slowly feeling more comfortable 😄
Life is a never-ending journey…
Wait… I was just notified that September 15th is National Wife Appreciation Day. Never heard of it, but I try to celebrate this daily (should get a big hug for that comment 🤗). But to be extra sure—better plan a Sunday brunch 🥂
Embrace Your Best Life!
~ Curt & Shari Roese
Create a Happy Life
Retirement is an exciting new chapter in life, but it can also be an adjustment as you figure out how to spend your newfound free time. To make the most of this stage, it’s important to focus on staying connected, active, and purposeful.
It's important to remember that happiness doesn’t always come naturally, especially during such a significant life change. Staying positive requires intentional action—finding ways to keep your days fulfilling, even when you may not feel like it.
Three simple steps to get started:
-
Stay connected with loved ones: Prioritize social interactions with family and friends to maintain your physical and mental well-being.
-
Keep physically active: Staying active doesn’t require extreme workouts; simple activities like walking, gardening, or swimming can keep you healthy.
-
Find new purpose: Volunteering, traveling, or exploring new hobbies can help you find meaning and fulfillment in retirement.
Retirement offers the freedom to live life on your own terms, but maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle requires some planning. By staying social, active, and engaged, you can create a happy, healthy retirement that allows you to explore your passions and thrive in this exciting new phase of life.
Fun Part-Time Jobs
Retirement opens up a world of new possibilities, and for many, a part-time job can be a fun way to stay active, social, and engaged. Whether it’s pursuing a passion or exploring new opportunities, the right job can add joy to your retirement.
Just a few ideas:
-
Be a local tour guide and share your love for history and culture.
-
Start a blog and turn your passions into an income stream.
-
Try pet sitting for flexible hours and furry companionship.
-
Offer tutoring services and stay sharp while giving back.
Shari and I have started this newsletter for fun, and we are exploring other ideas for future ventures. Retirement to us means we get to “do what we want, when we want, where we want, and with who we want”—or simply: Freedom!
Staring at Beauty
Have you ever just stopped to stare at nature’s beauty?
Or simply went looking for beauty… mountains, the beach, lakes, national parks… or just laying in a hammock staring up at the clouds?
Seems like society has equated “what are you doing” to some complicated, stressful, expensive undertaking.
The above picture is from our “coffee cruise ☕”—we pick up coffee, drive wherever we want, and stop when we see something beautiful. Try it—it’s peaceful and relaxing.
Escapades Ahead:
🚴 Great Cycle Challenge – Curt is riding to fight kids’ cancer this September. [⚕️ Fight Kids Cancer]
🎣 Fly Fishing – Trying something new in Blowing Rock, NC this October.
🎯 Shooting Adventure – At Chetola Sporting Reserve, we’ll try out something neither of us have done before.
RANDOM FUN THINGS TO DO
Pick an Activity and Have Some Fun!
Life is more interesting when you try new things!
Shari and I try to schedule fun, simple date nights. Here are a few SIMPLE ideas:
-
Sunset Picnic at the Park – Snacks + a blanket = perfect evening.
-
Movie Night at Home – Popcorn + your favorite flicks + cozy couch.
-
Cooking Together – We’re doing a homemade pasta party soon for our daughter’s 30th!
-
Local Live Music – Jazz, folk, or just your old favorites—get out and groove.
-
Game Night – Board games + wine = bonding fun.
Some ideas might seem silly, but just imagine the stories you’ll tell! Beats the “remember when” stories… especially when you don’t remember 😆
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
~ Dalai Lama
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Children’s Cancer Research Fund
The Children's Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) supports life-saving research and brings hope to children and families.
Curt is riding in the Great Cycle Challenge for the 5th year. As grandparents to nine, we can’t imagine what these families endure. We ride for those who can’t.
To the medical teams: Thank you for being real-life superheroes.
To the kids: You inspire us every single day.
RESOURCE ROUNDUP
Yes—we still like real books! Shari loves her Apple tech, and I still print everything and use binders 😆
Here are just a few themes covered in our favorite reads:
-
Travel and exploration
-
Purposeful retirement
-
Financial independence
-
Creative hobbies
-
Health and wellness
-
Volunteering
-
Transitioning with grace
-
Staying engaged mentally
FINANCIAL SAVVY
Financial Tip: Stay Healthy, Save Money
In retirement, your health is your wealth. Here's why:
-
Good health = fewer medical bills: Exercise and a healthy diet go a long way.
-
Preventive care pays off: Catch issues early with regular checkups.
-
Manage stress wisely: Yoga, hobbies, meditation—they all help.
Stay healthy, stay wealthy. That’s smart retirement.
TOOLS WE USE
As a CPA/CFO, I research EVERYTHING (yes, even appliances 😆).
💲 Boldin (fka NewRetirement): A robust retirement planning tool with a free 14-day trial.
💲 Monarch Money: An intuitive budgeting tool with a 30-day trial.
We use these because they work.
INTRODUCTION
Simpli Shari 🩷
Ah, fall is in the air! (Well, not in Florida... but we’re headed to the mountains!)
Decorating for fall brings me joy. My mom always made our home festive, and I carry on that tradition. I pick up a few new pieces every year—it keeps the memories alive.
Never too early for fall decorating—even in 90-degree heat!
🩷 Shari
Visit Simpli Shari
NANA AND PAPPY
Grandbaby Weekend!
Four grandkids. Ages 1–6. One birthday party. Lots of joy (and noise).
After it all, I turned to Curt and asked, “Do you hear that?”
He said, “No, what?”
It was silence. Pure. Joyful. Silence. 😴
PARTING WORDS
“My grandchildren believe I’m the oldest thing in the world.
And after two or three hours with them, I believe it too.”
Have a great week!
