My First Retirement Report Card
I'm three months retired today, my goodness the time has flown by!
When I managed my own business I always collated business figures into a quarterly report for better performance monitoring and to help give me a feel for how things were going. I guess the urge to do so is still ingrained within me, and I thought I'd do a similar but more holistic exercise with a first quarter retirement report for the quarter ending 07/31/25.
Key Financial Metrics
Spending vs. Budget: I'm pleased to observe spending has been within anticipated levels, although it has to be noted it's at the upper boundary of projected consumption rates and monitoring is recommended to identify reasons.
Portfolio Performance: We achieved a very strong result, likely placing it in the top quartile for the targeted asset allocation. This was despite portfolio drag due to holding cash in the portfolio for longer than anticipated. This cash holding has now been relocated into stocks.
Withdrawal Rate: The effective portfolio withdrawal rate is 0%. This is in accordance with a first-year planning strategy to use excess cash from a business sale to minimise headspace thinking regarding drawdown in the first year of retirement operations.
Cash Reserves: Emergency and strategic opportunities deposits are fully funded with no ongoing concerns. Reallocation to ongoing best interest rates is a top management focus.
Key Holistic Metrics (wearable activity sensor data)
Step Count: 1,298,000
Jogging: 78 miles
Cycling: 397 miles
These are very pleasing numbers, well above my pre-retirement baseline, and give a strong indication that my extra spare time is being well utilized within a more focused personal health framework.
Social Engagement: Attendance at some large and numerous small social events with friends and family is continuing at a very satisfying level, and no areas of concern have been identified. Social sporting activities help bolster this aspect further, giving a very well-rounded result.
Personal Growth/Learning: A foundation course in planetary science has been identified, and an investigation into enrollment has begun.
Questionable Behaviours: Approximately 40 pints of Guinness were consumed. This is above normal historical levels and needs active monitoring, although mitigating circumstances have been identified around an extended holiday home stay, and consumption is still well within recommended personal levels.
Overall Well-being and Summary
Overall Well-being/Satisfaction Score: 90/100 (subjective but very high and definitely much improved from the pre-retirement level).
So that's my report. I think my first quarter of retirement has been a resounding success, much better than I expected and hoped for. The financial metrics are on track, and more importantly, my personal well-being and health have seen a marked improvement. This is a strong start to the long road ahead, and I'm in an optimistic mood about the future. However, I've been around the block a few times and fully understand that life has a habit of getting in the way of our best-laid plans and hopes. But "best foot forward and keep on going" is my motto!
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