Retiredom

11 Life Choices That Could Come Back to Haunt You in Retirement

May 20, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Most retirees don’t see these regrets coming until it’s too late—and by then, the damage is already done.

You think you’ve got retirement all figured out—until reality slaps you in the face. The dream of carefree golden years can quickly turn into a nightmare if you make the wrong moves along the way. The worst part? Most people don’t realize their mistakes until it’s too late to fix them.

Whether it’s underestimating costs or overestimating relationships, these regrets don’t just creep up—they crash down. By the time the warning signs appear, you’re often stuck making painful adjustments. Before you cross that line, take a look at the most common retirement regrets that blindside people when they least expect it.

The 12-Point Retirement Countdown: What You Must Do Before You Quit Work

May 20, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Make one wrong move before retiring, and you could sabotage your golden years—follow these essential steps to retire stress-free.

Retirement is meant to be the culmination of decades of sacrifice, effort, and determination—a time to reap the rewards of a lifetime of labor. But in reality, this transition can be filled with anxiety and unforeseen pitfalls if you’re not paying attention to the details that truly matter. The last year before you retire isn’t just another set of months—it’s a critical window where your choices can either protect your dreams or unravel them.

Beyond just finances, retiring well is about safeguarding your health, your relationships, and your sense of identity. It’s about walking away from the grind and stepping into something that feels not just relaxing, but deeply fulfilling. That won’t happen by accident. To move confidently into your golden years with less stress and more joy, these are the essential actions you need to take while there’s still time.

Gen Z and Millennials Just Don’t Get These 12 Boomer Ways of Thinking

May 20, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Boomers swear by these beliefs, but to younger generations, they’re outdated, baffling, and even downright ridiculous.

Boomers have a way of thinking that often feels locked in a different century. Their values were shaped by a world where certain paths led predictably to success—where hard work, loyalty, and a college degree were seen as surefire routes to a stable life. But younger generations are coming of age in a radically different environment, where the rules have changed, the stakes are higher, and the system doesn’t always reward effort the way it used to.

Millennials and Gen Z have inherited a world full of economic instability, relentless competition, and constantly shifting social norms. So when Boomers offer advice based on their own experiences, it often misses the mark. What once worked may now seem out of touch, and some of those cherished beliefs can come across as downright tone-deaf. These generational disconnects spark eye rolls, frustration, and even outrage. Here are 12 beliefs Boomers hold dear that younger generations just can’t relate to.

13 Costly Money Mistakes Retirees Make That Can Derail Your Golden Years

May 20, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Are You Making These Common Money Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Retirement?

Retirement should be a season of relaxation and fulfillment, where the worries of the daily grind are replaced by freedom and peace of mind. But financial missteps—some big, some deceptively small—can quietly unravel those dreams before you even realize what’s happening. Just because you’ve planned and saved doesn’t mean you’re immune to the challenges that come with managing your money during retirement.

Many people assume that reaching retirement age is the finish line for financial planning, but in truth, it’s just a new chapter that requires just as much awareness and adjustment. Overlooking a few key issues could slowly sabotage your future security. Here are the most common money mistakes retirees make—and how you can avoid them so your golden years truly shine.

Boomers Share 9 Simple Habits That Could Save Millennials $10K Per Year

May 19, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Want to Stop Feeling Broke? These Habits Can Make It Happen

Saving $10,000 a year might sound like a fantasy, especially if you’re already juggling bills, rent, or student loans. But the truth is, it’s more achievable than it seems. The key isn’t some secret formula or windfall inheritance—it’s about developing habits that consistently support your long-term goals. These habits don’t require extreme sacrifice or ditching every comfort; they’re small shifts in how you approach your daily choices.

Millennials are in a powerful position to take control of their financial lives, particularly when they adopt the common-sense strategies baby boomers have used for decades. It’s not about pinching every penny or skipping all the lattes—it’s about being intentional. When you combine awareness with action, the savings start to multiply, almost without effort. These practical habits won’t just help you save money—they’ll give you peace of mind and a real sense of progress.

13 Mind-Blowing Facts About Gen X That Will Change How You See Them

May 19, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

This overlooked generation shaped the world in ways no one gives them credit for.

Gen X might just be the most underrated generation of all time. Sandwiched between the spotlight-hogging Boomers and the endlessly analyzed Millennials, Generation X has quietly steered cultural, social, and technological change without ever asking for recognition. They didn’t grow up with hashtags or motivational slogans about changing the world. They just went out and did it—without a selfie to document every moment. Their influence is everywhere, even if it often goes unnoticed.

What makes them especially compelling is how effortlessly they’ve adapted and contributed across multiple eras. From analog to digital, from Cold War anxiety to modern chaos, Gen X has evolved without complaint or fanfare. They know how to hustle, chill, rebuild, and reinvent—and they’ve done it all without a script. Once you understand these powerful, overlooked truths about Generation X, you’ll see them not just as the middle children of history, but as the spine of modern life.

10 Compelling Reasons Some Senior Couples Are Happier Living in Separate Houses

May 19, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Some senior couples thrive when they choose separate homes over shared living.

As people age, their individual preferences, routines, and personality quirks often become more pronounced. Years of living independently or navigating previous relationships may lead to strong preferences in everything from morning rituals to sleep habits. When seniors come together later in life, these deeply ingrained habits can create tension when sharing a living space. For some, the solution lies not in trying to conform or compromise endlessly, but in reshaping the traditional idea of what a committed relationship looks like.

Enter the concept of “Living Apart Together” (LAT)—a lifestyle choice that allows couples to remain emotionally close and romantically involved while living in separate homes. This setup isn’t about distance or detachment—it’s about creating a dynamic where both partners can thrive on their own terms. By maintaining separate residences, senior couples can enjoy autonomy, reduce unnecessary friction, and build a healthier relationship based on mutual respect and chosen companionship. Here are ten compelling reasons why this approach works for many aging couples.

11 Raw Realities of Watching Your Adult Children Make Big Mistakes

May 16, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Uncover the emotional challenges of parenting as you watch your adult child navigate life’s mistakes.

Watching your adult child make mistakes can be a heart-wrenching, emotional rollercoaster, but it’s an inevitable part of parenting. While you may feel the urge to step in and prevent their missteps, these experiences often shape who they become.

Here are 11 essential truths every parent faces when navigating the complex journey of witnessing their adult child stumble through life’s challenges.

The Storm Is Coming—12 Smart Ways Older Adults Can Brace for a Recession

May 16, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

The economy is shifting fast, and older adults who don’t act now may regret it later.

The warning signs are everywhere—talk of layoffs, rising prices, and a jittery stock market. If you’re an older adult, a recession isn’t just an economic downturn; it’s a real threat to your retirement security. Unlike younger folks, there’s less time to recover from financial blows, which means preparation isn’t optional—it’s essential.

It’s easy to feel powerless when the economy starts shifting in the wrong direction, but you have more control than you think. The key is acting now, not waiting until the headlines are screaming “crisis.” Smart planning can help you safeguard your savings, cut unnecessary risks, and keep your financial future steady, no matter what happens next.

A storm may be brewing, but there are ways to weather it. A little preparation today can mean a lot more peace of mind tomorrow.

How to Build Your Support Network if Trump Pauses Social Security

May 16, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Having the right people in your corner can make all the difference in uncertain times.

Social Security is a lifeline for millions, and the thought of it being paused—even temporarily—is enough to cause serious stress. to strengthen your support system and protect yourself against uncertainty.

Instead of feeling isolated or helpless, taking steps now can ensure that you have the backing you need to get through tough times. With the current issue of Social Security overpayments leading to paused or reduced benefits for some recipients, now is the perfect time to reconnect with loved ones and have honest conversations about mutual support.

This doesn’t necessarily mean asking for money—it’s about fostering trust and understanding. If your Social Security payments are delayed or disrupted due to repayment demands, having a reliable network of people who care can offer practical solutions and much-needed emotional reassurance during this difficult time.

11 Unspoken Realities About Aging That Seniors Prefer to Forget

May 15, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Some truths about aging are better left unspoken—but they catch up with everyone eventually.

Getting older comes with plenty of wisdom, freedom, and experience, but it also brings along some harsh realities that most people would rather ignore. While society loves to paint a rosy picture of retirement and golden years filled with leisure, there are aspects of aging that aren’t nearly as glamorous. Some challenges sneak up slowly, while others hit all at once, making it easier to pretend they don’t exist.

Whether it’s physical changes, shifting relationships, or unexpected emotional struggles, aging forces people to confront things they never thought they’d have to deal with. While some of these realities can be managed with preparation and the right mindset, others require a little more acceptance.

Here are some unspoken truths about aging that many seniors would rather not think about—but will eventually have to face.

Sage Career Advice That Younger Professionals Are Refusing to Follow

May 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Some old-school career advice just doesn’t hold up in today’s workplace.

Older generations love to hand down career wisdom, but much of it was built for a completely different era of work. The traditional corporate ladder, lifetime job loyalty, and outdated networking strategies don’t carry the same weight in today’s fast-moving, tech-driven job market. Younger professionals are realizing that blindly following old career advice can actually hold them back rather than push them forward.

Instead of sticking to rigid rules about professionalism, workplace hierarchy, and job security, today’s workforce is rewriting the playbook. Flexibility, work-life balance, and personal branding matter more than ever, and younger professionals aren’t afraid to ignore advice that no longer makes sense.

Here are some of the most outdated career tips they’re ditching—and why they’re better off without them.

Older Folks Get a Bad Rap – 12 Ways They’re Actually More Progressive Than Expected

May 15, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Boomers might surprise you with just how forward-thinking they really are.

Boomers often get labeled as out of touch, stuck in their ways, or resistant to change. But that’s not the whole story. While younger generations love to point out where Boomers fall short, the truth is, this generation has embraced progress in ways many people overlook. They’ve adapted to shifting social norms, tackled environmental concerns, and even championed causes that seemed radical in their youth but are mainstream today.

Not every Boomer fits the outdated stereotype of a rigid traditionalist. Many have changed their perspectives over time, proving that growth isn’t limited to younger generations. Whether it’s their approach to technology, activism, or personal values, Boomers have played a bigger role in shaping modern society than they’re often given credit for.

Middle-Class Dreams Are Fading: 13 Things You May Not Afford in Just 5 Years

May 15, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Middle-class life is getting more expensive, and these everyday comforts are slipping away.

The middle class is being squeezed harder than ever, and it’s only going to get worse. Every year, prices creep higher while wages struggle to keep up. What once felt comfortably affordable is slowly becoming a financial burden, and in just a few years, some everyday expenses will be completely out of reach.

It’s not just inflation—it’s a shift that’s making middle-class life harder to maintain. Housing, healthcare, and basic necessities are turning into luxury items, forcing families to make difficult choices. The things that once symbolized financial stability are slipping away, and there’s no sign of relief in sight.

If it feels like your paycheck doesn’t stretch as far as it used to, you’re not imagining it. The middle class is fading, and soon, some of life’s most basic comforts will be too expensive to afford.