Greetings!

We hope everyone had a great week and survived the never-ending heat wave! We're getting ready to leave Blowing Rock and enjoyed a few cool breezes before returning to sunny Florida ☀️

We’re not scientists, so we can’t comment on climate change, but we can warn you about the Curt & Shari weather effect! These are just a few of the comments from locals in towns we’ve visited over the years:

• “It has never been this warm in November and I have lived here for 30 years.”
  (The day we left, it was raining hard as a cold front rolled in!)

• “It almost always snows this time of year.”
  (The day we left, it started snowing!)

• “I can’t remember the leaves changing color this late in the season.”
  (Yep, you got it—the colors exploded the day we left!)

I guess what we’re saying is… before you travel, you might want to check where we’re headed. Would hate for you to have snow during your August Disney visit… or be skiing on mud in January in Utah 😄

Embrace Your Best Life!
~ Curt & Shari Roese

📰 Spotlight Story

Crafting a Meaningful Retirement Legacy

When we think of a retirement legacy, we often imagine financial wealth and estate planning. But the legacy that truly sticks with those we love is defined by our values, passions, and the impact we make on others.

So, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

• What Inspires You?
  Your legacy starts with what moves you. Whether it's a lifelong passion, a newfound interest, or a cause you care deeply about—this inspiration is your foundation.

• Who Will It Impact?
  Focus your efforts on people who will benefit. Children, your local community, people in need—being intentional makes your legacy meaningful.

• What Change Will You Create?
  Whether it's shifting perceptions, inspiring others, or supporting a cause, defining the change you hope to spark helps you act with purpose.

Your retirement legacy isn’t about money—it’s about what truly matters. Share it. Shape it. Live it.

🌿 Wellness

Embracing Gratitude in Retirement

A Path to Joy and Fulfillment

Retirement brings freedom—and sometimes uncertainty. For many, it’s the long-awaited chapter of exploration. For others, it can feel like the closing of a door.

But with the right mindset, retirement becomes a season of gratitude and joy.

• Grasp the Essence of Gratitude:
  It’s more than saying "thanks." It’s about recognizing the abundance in your life and shifting your focus from what’s missing to what’s meaningful.

• Gratitude Cultivates Joy:
  When you focus on life’s blessings—no matter how small—you quiet your worries and invite joy into the everyday.

• Daily Habits Help:
  Gratitude journaling. Verbal appreciation. Simply being present. These habits rewire your brain to notice the good.

Let gratitude guide your days—and watch your retirement flourish.

🧭 Our Adventures

But... We Don’t Fish

C: “Honey, I signed us up for a fly fishing tying class.”
S: “But… we don’t fish.”
C: “We each get a free beer and a shopping gift card.”
S: “Shopping gift card? Let’s roll!”

Trying new things = a richer life. We may never join the fly-fishing club, but it was a fun mini-adventure.

And of course—Shari excelled.
“You’re doing awesome!”
Meanwhile me…
“Sir… let me help you with that.”
aka
“Sir… you’re holding up the class.” 😃

Adventures Ahead

• 🏫 Start School – Curt starts his online Master’s in Entrepreneurship at UF on August 26. Go Gators!

• 👩‍💻 Online Skills – Shari is exploring Amazon product reviews and learning CapCut for video editing.

• 🚴 Great Cycle Challenge – Curt’s raising money to fight kids' cancer this September.

• 🎣 Fly Fishing (Again) – Back to Blowing Rock in October for a half-day guided fly-fishing adventure!

• 🎶 Landslide – We’re learning to perform Fleetwood Mac’s "Landslide" together. Tabs + lyrics are in!

🎨 Random Fun Things to Try

Pick an Activity and Have Some Fun!

Trying new things makes life more colorful! Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Knitting & Crocheting:
  Relax and create handmade gifts—scarves, blankets, and more.

• Painting & Drawing:
  Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned artist, creativity is therapeutic.

• Fishing:
  Embrace the quiet. Enjoy nature. Or just ask us—we’ve got extra hand-tied flies 😄

Some ideas might seem silly, but just imagine the stories you’ll have!

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
— Chinese Proverb

💖 Making a Difference

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross needs people like you. From disaster response to blood drives, your time and compassion can save lives.

Don’t just talk about helping. Do it.

You’ll never regret showing up for others.

🧰 Resource Roundup

Government Resources for Retired Individuals

Want to get the most out of retirement? Use the free tools offered by these trusted government sources:

• Social Security Administration (SSA) – Retirement benefits and tips to maximize them.

• Medicare – Health coverage for hospital stays, services, and prescriptions.

• Eldercare Locator – Local help for home care, legal aid, transportation, and more.

• CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) – Tools to manage money and avoid scams.

• National Institute on Aging (NIA) – Research-backed tips for aging well and staying healthy.

Remember—“free” means taxpayer-supported, so why not take advantage?

💸 Financial Savvy

Tip of the Month: Stay Flexible

Retirement can bring surprises. Staying flexible means you stay in control.

• Adjust your plans when needed

• Keep an open mind

• Stay positive—even when life shifts

Take charge of your time, your finances, and your future. You’ve got this!

🔧 Tools We Use

Yes, Curt is guilty of over-researching every purchase… just ask Shari 😆
But it means you get our best picks:

• NewRetirement – A deep-dive planner for mapping out your ideal retirement future.

• Monarch Money – A budgeting app with intuitive design and clarity. A great all-in-one financial dashboard.

We love these tools—and yes, we’ve tested them extensively.

🐶 Product Spotlight

Don’t Drink All Our Beer!

When we travel, we love the peace of mind from checking in on our house (and seeing who’s raiding the fridge 😄). We chose Arlo for its design, price, and privacy.

Discover the Arlo Security System:

• Arlo Secure App – Control and respond remotely

• 4K Video & AI Tech – See clearly, act quickly

• Easy Install, Long Battery – No wires, no hassle

• Flexible System – Grows with your home

• Sleek Design – Looks great, works even better

• Privacy Protected – Not owned by Google or Amazon

Make your home safer and smarter with Arlo.

🌟 Parting Words

Lifelong Learning
The world is full of things to explore. Whether it’s a new hobby, a book, or an online course, stay curious.

Learning keeps your mind sharp and your heart young.

Have a great week!