Tuesday Recs

Today’s recommendation doesn’t require spending money, at least not in theory. It’s not about shopping or a product or a website. It’s about YOU. My Tuesday rec is . . .

Take care of the big thing you’ve been putting off.

I’m convinced we’ve all got some big thing that we’ve been ignoring . . . maybe it’s a health thing like a mammogram or bone scan. Maybe it’s a closet that needs cleaning out or a room that needs painting. Maybe it’s having an uncomfortable but necessary conversation with a friend. Or maybe it’s about starting a big project like writing a book or learning a new skill.

Whatever it is . . . make a plan to get it done and make that plan today.

For me, the big thing I’ve been ignoring was meeting with a Certified Financial Planner to have the big conversation about retirement and budgeting. While I know that I am eligible to return with 80% of my pension in September of 2026, I wasn’t clear on what that actually meant and if I really could afford to make that change. That decision hasn’t been finalized yet but we started the process in October by meeting with someone to get things moving in the right direction. This firm also has an in house lawyer who has prepared a trust for us and updated our wills, health care proxy forms, and power of attorney. We go tomorrow to sign all of the documents and it’s a great feeling to have this be done.

As we slide toward the end of the year, it’s worth remembering that we don’t put things off because we’re flawed or lazy, we put things off because life is big, and messy, and sometimes overwhelming. The close of the calendar year naturally invites us to check off some boxes on our mental list. So this week I invite you . . . you don’t have to tackle every looming task or fix every unfinished thing, but choose one thing that’s been nagging at you. By doing that, I am convinced you will create a little more ease, a little more breathing room, a little more light.

Let this be the moment you begin.

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Comments (12)

  1. Very sound advice, Carole. We all create so much anxiety by not tackling things that are mentally nagging at us. I have let a lot of things languish because of the economy and tariffs, but I had already been thinking this morning that I would feel much better if I just bit the bullet and did them in spite of you-know-who and whatever he is going to do today or tomorrow. I am giving him too much brain space and control over my decisions! Good luck on getting your financial plans, wills, and trusts completed. Mine have been done for quite a while, and I am so glad I don’t think about them anymore. It’s a great holiday gift for you to give yourself!

  2. I’m a huge procrastinator, but at least I recognize that and am trying to get better at just doing things. I have recently had a mammogram that was overdue, scheduled a bone density test, I now make lists of things to address when I see my doctor (because otherwise I just don’t bring them up, even if they are things that I need to get taken care of), and have been checking them off my list on a regular basis. It does feel better to know you’re taking care of stuff! We also need to update our wills & get a trust set up … time to light a fire under the hubs to get that started.

  3. Oh, you will NOT be disappointed if you do retire…..I retired from teaching in 2023 at only 57% but I was 62. I went back for two more years as a long term sub and let me tell you, now that I am fully retired, I am so much happier…..It is amazing. I hope you get to join me in retirement….

  4. It’s good to get all the information you need before you take a big step. We did the same thing before we retired – found a CFP, did a whole budgeting process, updated wills, PoAs, living wills, etc. I’m not a big fan of stuff like that, but I don’t think that anyone is, and it does need to be done. There were a couple of shaky years right after we retired, but now I feel like I can afford yarn once in a while!

  5. Amen to all of this Carole! It is important to check big things off and not move them to a new list every month!

  6. I had been thinking for a while about going to a financial planner. The week of Thanksgiving I had a video call with the planner my sister and niece use. I spent a week gathering all the items they needed and emailed them all off and now I’m waiting to hear back about what they recommend. It was very nerve wracking for me but I’m glad I did it and know that I looked into my future which is coming in a few years. Once as that plan is figured I have to look into what I want to do with wills, etc.

  7. Thanks for this very good reminder! I’ve been wanting to have a serious conversation with my husband to get a clear picture of our financial situation. We’re not ready to retire for a while yet, but we’ll be paying for college in a few years, and I want to make sure we’re prepared for that in addition to potentially taking care of our parents, too.

  8. I finally met with a planner the week of Thanksgiving. I was very nervous but it went well and I spent a week gathering all my information and emailed it off. Now I want to get their recommendations. After that I have to look into the will/trust stuff.

    This may show up twice as it disappeared on me.

  9. I had a meeting with a financial planner the week of Thanksgiving. Now I wait for their recommendations.

    Hoping this doesn’t comment multiple times as it doesn’t want to let me comment.

  10. Excellent advice Carole! We have had a rock star cfp and it has been great. You will love retirement!

  11. What great advice, Carole! I’m so glad you’ve taken this very important step! It feels so good to have all that “stuff” wrapped up and taken care of. BRAVO! to you!!! XO (And excellent advice for all.)

  12. I hope things work out the way you’d like!! I have a few more years to go, but working the plan (while also living & enjoying things I like to do).

    There’s been an organic movement/shift in my household over the past couple of months… no one has actually declared that we’re cleaning up/out/decluttering, but that’s what’s happening. We’re not trying to get it all done in a day or a weekend (or, really, even TRYING), but it’s happening almost effortlessly! So good! (So good! So good!)

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