One Month Until Retirement, or: How Can I Help?
On the first Saturday of every month, I meet up with a group of amazing women at an adorable tea shop in west Charlotte.
The group started because of our mutual connection through a program called To Be Magnetic (related to my “why” of this blog) and it has turned into a monthly touchstone for me. There are usually four or five of us each time, sometimes more- and the way we’ve shown up to really listen to and celebrate each other has been a ginormous gift.
I always leave feeling calm and grounded. Heard.
Prior to this last meeting, our text thread lit up with a podcast recommendation. The episode was an interview with a Stanford researcher about expanding opportunities for what some would call “luck.” The researcher shared how a chance conversation with someone on a plane led to a book deal, for example. One of our group members shared that she offered to help someone out of kindness, and it led to a free ticket to a cool local event.
Maybe you have a similar story?
In this past meeting, I shared a half-baked dream that has been tapping me on the shoulder as we near early retirement. And I know that I started this post talking about expanding luck- but really this idea is about following a tug I feel to use what I’ve learned about financial independence and see if it can help others.
So here’s the dream: I’d love to coach women who need direction when it comes to their finances. I’m imagining a woman who wants to feel more grounded, more independent, and more sure when it comes to her money. Maybe she’s been avoiding her financial reality- or maybe she feels like “time is running out” to get a handle on things.
For now, I’d like this to be a free service- with a catch. If you receive coaching, you agree to take one of the action steps we talk about in the call within 24 hours. You decide which step to take.
That’s what I’m thinking. Like I said, it’s a bit half-baked. But it comes from a genuine place, if it sounds interesting and you’d like to chat, email me here.
And who knows where this will lead us- what “luck” it might bring your way or mine. All I know is that my original intention for this post was an entirely different topic, but when I sat down to write I got the ping to offer this instead. Offer to help, if I can.
Gratuitous Maya pic to continue the warm fuzzy feels.
We are officially in our last month of work. In fact, the countdown page on the fridge just let me know that there are only 18 more workdays, so… wowza. Honestly, it feels a bit emotionally overwhelming.
Ryan and I were talking about it the other night during toddy time (our nightly no-screens-allowed cocktail hour)- when was the last time we worked steadily towards a singular goal for 7+ years? College was the closest I could come, and that was only 4 years. So I guess, never? Wild.
My goal this month is to try and stay present with my feelings and my local loved ones as much as possible. Apart from finishing work and saying goodbye to all of those amazing people, Ryan’s work is throwing him two retirement parties. We are also having a retirement party for family and friends at the end of the month- both of our parents are coming into town to celebrate with us.
It’s all just a big pot of gratitude over here, really.
Today’s challenge: You have gifts- either acquired book learnin’ or something more innate (or both). How can you offer to help someone today, no expectations? This could be an offering of time, even the sweet offering of a sincere compliment. Share your idea in the comments below!