Retirement Plan Update #1

Hello and welcome back. It has been an entire 171 days since I kicked off this blog with my introduction post. If you missed that lengthy intro which explains the reason for this blog you can revisit it here: https://wordpress.com/post/papajoesretirementjourneyblog.wordpress.com/33 . Much has happened in the 171 days since I last typed words on any blog in my stable. In case you haven’t read the intro blog or just don’t remember I will provide a quick summary.

THE MULTI-PRONGED PLAN

To help offset the incredible cost of health insurance I have devised a multi-pronged plan. It involves one inherited love and a couple more interests I try to develop into streams of income. Let me share the interests first.

During the height of the Pandemic I saw so many videos of folks starting their own small business making things using various devices, most notably Cricut Machines. I am not crafty like that, but as I continued down that rabbit hole I found there was another way I could begin to capitalize on another similar trend, selling on eBay. I have had an account there for fifteen years, selling the odd item infrequently and as of five years ago buying and selling used model railroad items. But I also saw there were many buying and selling at yard sales, garage, sales, auctions and estate sales.

As a function of this we also saw an opportunity to open a booth at a flea market type establishment. Now nearly a year into the adventure the booth does well, usually exceeding the rent requirement. I find it interesting to determine what people are shopping for as we try to keep the booth stocked.

Now let’s talk about the inherited love. Several years ago my only living paternal uncle, who was a college Biology professor ordered some dahlia bulbs from Michigan bulb company and set our family on a course that still is in progress today. His father and both brothers took up the hobby of growing these fantastic jewels. Unfortunately it wasn’t until my father had been gone for more than a decade that I embraced this family legacy. Now I tend to over 70 different varieties of dahlias. This week I begin a 10-12 week Farmer’s Market season where I will sell cut dahlias along with complimentary blooms.

RETIREMENT IS CLOSER

Yes, I know that is an understatement of sorts because if nothing else 171 days have passed meaning it is at least that many days closer. But I am talking about what I consider a “turn off the lights date”. For a but of history I want to share my father’s experience in retirement. My dad was a self-made type of man, a navy veteran who started and finished at the same place, devoting 35 years of his life to his employer. Of course that is nothing to make my philosophy about retirement what it is, but the following is.

What I didn’t know was that my father’s health was not good. in a series of a week he retired from his job, welcomed his second grandchild, our daughter, and was diagnosed with lung cancer. Within eighteen months of that diagnosis he was gone. To put it simply that is one legacy I will be happy to not repeat.

So with that in mind and due to God’s blessing I am able to make the choice to enjoy time for my own interests and can move toward that transition. Currently I see that finalizing in early 2022. What will I do? Oh have no fear, I have some plans. Big, big plans. I have a now seven month grandson who needs to learn about everything. I keep telling his dad, my son, I am going to build him a roller coaster. I even boast it will have loops, with one that will allow him to wave at the astronauts in the International Space Station.

MISSION WORK FREEDOM

Nearly a decade ago I met a missionary in Belize on my first International mission trip. In the intervening years since we have developed such a rich friendship that allows us to talk and share usually weekly. Over this last year my friend shared how the children in her ministry have suffered in their educational journey. Now I will have time to devote as a help to her and them. We are putting together a plan to allow me to tutor the kids using hold your breath . . .ZOOM!

I have some practical experience helping my own children through various classes over the years of their educational journey. I also hope to make more trips to the ministry epicenter, called Heart House.

I also want to get back to some of the disaster relief work I am qualified to handle. AS with most everything in our world the COVID Pandemic through all of this into utter chaos and even now it is still not totally right again.

YOU’RE INVITED TO RIDE ALONG

So why would you care about a budding retiree from old Virginia? You may not, but if you need some entertainment stick around. I have moments, I am told, where my humor is able to be stomached. But also, I like to share photos which you may just find of the most value.