Summary: Have you noticed how these Journey to Retirement stories have little to do with money? Each listener’s story has focused on freedom and experiences. This week’s story is no different.<br> Favorite Quote From This Week’s Story<br> [Tweet “”It (retirement) means the freedom to do what we want, when we want and where we want.””]<br> Lessons Learned.<br> <br> * It’s important to think about what financial situation your spouse will be in when you pass.<br> * Pay attention to fees and make sure the fees paid are adding value to your financial life.<br> * Brake the habit of using consumer debt. It can be a major drag on building wealth.<br> <br> Who is Harold?<br> <br> * Age 56<br> * Retired Air Force<br> * Current civil servant<br> * Married 23 years<br> * Goal to retire in 6 years<br> <br> What Does Retirement Means to You? <br> “It means the freedom to do what we want, when we want and where we want.”<br> “Our big hold up is not having the time to do the things we love.”<br> “Our time is limited and everything we want to do feels rushed.”<br> What Are You Most Excited About Retirement?<br> “I’m excited about…well, see above answer.”<br> “Traveling is our big thing.”<br> What Are You Most Worried About Retirement?<br> “My main worry is…if something happens to me that she is taken care of.”<br> “I used to assist widows and widowers upon the death of their spouse. I saw so many times when the main breadwinner died and they were in horrible financial straits. I want to assure my wife is not in the same boat.”<br> “I want to make sure she knows where everything is because I don’t want her to feel paralyzed if something happens to me.”<br> How Do You Think Your Doing?<br> “I’m feeling very good.”<br> Who Do You Use in Your Life to Help Make Smart Financial Decisions?<br> “I have not and I’ve come close on three different occasions.”<br> What Has Been Your Worst Financial Decision?<br> “I really don’t have a big financial mistake, but I have several small ones.”<br> “Prior to my wife coming into my life, I was not at all bothered by carrying debt. After she came into my life, she put a stop to that quickly.”<br> “I never used to pay attention to fees on the mutual funds I would get into.”<br> What has been the Hardest Thing to Deal with Personally in Managing Your Finances?<br> “The 2001-2002 and 2007-2008 markets were very hard to watch the bottom fail out of the market.”<br> “Putting money in is easy to me. Taking money out (in retirement) I think will be mentally a little more difficult.”<br> What Resources Have Had the Most Impact in Your Life?<br> “The Truth About Money” by Ric Edelman<br> “Buckets of Money” by Ray Lucia<br> How Do You Want to Be Remembered?<br> “Well, Roger, I’d like to think of myself as a loyal, kind family man.” <br>
