About Wendy, Retirement Guide

Helping People Make Sense of Retirement

I’m a retired County Retirement Manager who’s spent over 40 years immersed in retirement — helping people prepare for it, live it, and make sense of the in-between moments. I write about the real side of retirement: the joys, the surprises, and the adjustments we don’t always expect.

Wendy, NAMS Conference 2015

Retirement Coach

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Wendy's Blog  
Retirement Enthusiast 

I retired in 2010 after more than 30 years with Macomb County government, including my final 25 years as the Retirement Manager.

I’ve spent over 40 years immersed in retirement — 25 years working in it and 15 years navigating it myself.

Retirement has been part of my professional life and my personal life, and my ongoing curiosity for a very long time.

Let’s figure this out together!

Why Retirement?

 Retirement is my passion — and it has been for decades.

I created this website because I kept seeing the same thing happen again and again. People retire — the moment they’ve worked toward for years — and instead of feeling free, they feel stuck. Disoriented. A little lost. Sometimes anxious. Sometimes lonely. And often surprised by it.

How does that happen… just when we’re supposed to be “living the life”?

The truth is, retirement is an odd stage of life. A beautiful one — but also a tricky one if we’re not paying attention. It’s a time where we can thrive, grow, and enjoy life more deeply than ever before… and also a time where it’s easy to drift if we don’t stay engaged.

This space exists to talk honestly about that.

Why I Didn’t Just Retire and Walk Away

People sometimes ask why I didn’t simply retire and enjoy life.

I do enjoy life. 

But like many retirees, I discovered that unlimited free time can be both a gift and a challenge. I still think. I still reflect. I still want to feel useful, connected, and relevant.

This website — and the community around it — became a way to stay involved while still being fully retired. (And yes, it turns out blogging is a pretty great way to keep the mind active.)

What You’ll Find Here

I’ve written about nearly every “all-things-retirement” topic you can imagine — mindset, emotions, money worries, relationships, health, identity, purpose, and the everyday adjustments that sneak up on us as we age.

Just as importantly, retirees themselves have shared their stories here. Real experiences. Real fears. Real wins. Often, the most helpful insights come from people who have already been there.

This is a place to get help and offer it.

A Little More About My Background

When I first became a Retirement Manager, I’ll be honest — I didn’t fully understand retirement myself. I knew how the numbers worked. I didn’t yet understand the lifestyle.

Over time, that changed.

I watched thousands of people retire. I listened to their hopes and dreams… and later, to their disappointments and surprises. I paid close attention to my own parents’ retirements. And the more I learned, the more I realized how complex — and deeply personal — this stage of life really is.

For over 40 years — 25 years employed and 15 years retired — retirees have trusted me with their stories. I’ve never forgotten that trust.

My Hope for You

If you’re feeling settled, curious, uncertain, energized, overwhelmed — or all of the above — you’re in the right place.

I hope that something here helps you feel less alone, more grounded, and more confident as you navigate this chapter of life — in whatever way makes sense for you.

Retirement isn’t the end of the story.
It’s a transition. And it deserves care, curiosity, and a little grace.

Welcome — I’m really glad you’re here.

Wendy's Retirement Transition

Before I retired, maybe 2005-2009, I struggled with my own retirement. I just couldn't seem to walk away.... and yet, I really wanted to! This is one life decision that is NOT easy.

First, I wrote a post about my emotional retirement decision. I even answered my own retirement questions!

Then, my retirement decision, which is subtitled: You'll Know When You are Ready! I totally shocked myself when I suddenly gave only two weeks notice.

I retired in April 2010, and wrote this page the day before I retired.

It's Official, I did retire! 

Two weeks into retirement, time flies by (but what the heck did I do)?!

Four months into retirement, here I go again...

A Compliment
A truly dynamic and special person is the woman who started this site... Retirement-Online.  It has been a wonderful place to share thoughts, opinions, art work, music plus all the other fun things.  Her advice and encouragement have been a valuable treasure.  This is someone that I feel should get loads of compliments on this National Compliment Day!
Best Wishes,  Nina Yakimiuk, United Kingdom

More Testimonials Here.


Six months retired, I sound happy, positive...

I had little to say about my first year of retirement, I think I was lost most of 2010-2011. Seriously, like many others, just lost.

We all need friendships in retirement...

Me? Volunteer? Yep, I did.. only for a week, but it's a start!

Here I am at my 2 year anniversary of retirement (April 2012).

In 2012, We visited Saugatuck, MI for our wedding anniversary, and that anniversary number didn't sit well. I can deal with aging, so what's the problem, Wendy?

Late 2012, and finally getting around to Retirement and the Gym.... update: it didn't last long. Gym work is just not for me...  <grin!>

Three year anniversary is April 2013.  It was a busy 3rd year!!

In 2015, I've written so much on retirement, started a Retirement Community, and I'm an Amazon author too (3 books in 2015). Woo Hoo!

Late 2016, I started Neurogym mindset training... and now 2017 has me feeling blessed!

In 2017, I joined the Retirement Coaches Association. I'm proud to be a charter member!

In 2020, several monumental events happen -- and I'm not talking about the COVID pandemic and racial issues (though both were life-changing). In May, I launched my new Retirement Courses site, where I can finally host my classes!  In May, I became a Certified Happiness Coach. In June, I turned SIXTY-FIVE (yes, I needed to capitalize that)... yikes! In September, we have our 40th Wedding Anniversary! 2020 is a Busy Year AT HOME SWEET HOME and for that, I am grateful!

Never Ever Stop Learning...

A few years before I retired, I studied to become a Certified Senior Advisor... not for my employment, but for myself. I wanted to know more about retirement and seniors, a historical perspective, as well as the social aspects of this topic. Now, I can share my knowledge on the pages of this website.  2014 UPDATE: I allowed my certification to lapse. I received the education I was seeking, and I keep myself updated on retirement issues via their website and conferences (and much more).

After I retired, I became a facilitator for Too Young To Retire Workshops. It's not about age, it's about your definition of "retirement" and choosing to remain active instead... I love that! I learned so much.  I went through the program with the author, Howard Stone, and that was a great experience. Howard is a wise sage, and yet a yoga-laughter instructor. Interesting man!

I am a Certified Life Coach and Retirement Coach via the Life Purpose Institute. This certification helps me help retirees find the answers within you. Lots of self-exploration (something few of us do over our lives), a little motivation, and being held accountable help you to find your retirement lifestyle. 

I was totally thrilled to be coached during my training and my coach's acknowledgement really hit home with me. Fun Fun!

In 2013, my church sent me to study the Stephen Ministry program. I am now a Stephen Minister and a Stephen Minister Leader... though my church chose not to make the program active, after my training. Oh well... lots learned and applied on my site and in life! All Good.

For a few years, it was all about NAMS (Novice to Advanced Marketing Systems) and NAMS conferences (until they ended). I was learning more about online business and marketing... fascinating!

In 2014, I was awarded a Lifetime NAMS status because I completed twelve monthly challenges. They were not easy, but I was challenged and nothing could stop me.

The funny award reads:

The official NAMS Evangelist, Cheerleader,and 12 Challenge Winner!

I love NAMS (Novice to Advanced Marketing Systems)! Fun times!

I was busy brain training with John Assaraf's Neurogym in late 2016. I am changing my mindset and learning so much about the brain and neuroscience. The more I learn about ME, the more I can help YOU fix your mindset too. Our minds are so darn powerful and yet we live only a fraction of what is possible for us!

I joined the Retirement Coaches Association in September 2017!

I attended the first and second Retirement Coaches Association conferences (2017 - 2019). They were great events and everyone talked my language! Love learning about retirement! 

In early 2019, I found Kyle Cease (the "Comedy Meets Transformation" guy) and I love him! Just google his name on Youtube (lots out there) or to find his website. Some of his events/courses were: I Hope I Screw This Up and Life is a Playground. He teaches you how to take the critical nonsense in our minds far away and you begin to seriously have fun in life!

Well, in early 2020, the Pandemic came along and everyone was under stay-at-home orders. Boredom reigns, despite my site and mom caregiving... 

I am now a Certified Happiness Coach through Transformation Academy. Great experience, took notes like crazy, and totally enjoyed new perspectives on happiness (from a Psych professor). 

2021 - 2024 was full of caregiving for Mom and Dad, first at home through COVID.  In 2021, my dad died, weeks later my mom fell (the worst thing that can happen at our age) and ended up in a wheelchair like so many others... and in Assisted Living. 

My sister and I visited daily for the 2.5 years she lived there. We knew everyone, were fairly involved in activities, pushing wheelchairs to help out, and getting drinks at lunch... we didn't mind, we were there anyway, and couldn't stand to see seniors waiting for help. It happens -- lots.

Mom passed on in Apri 2024. My Life Stopped.

Looking back (it's been a year now), I realize that I spent so much time with mom that I lost myself. l didn't work on my website here, I didn't do lunch with friends, I seriously didn't do much.

2025 -- THIS IS THE YEAR -- sure it is, Wendy! :) 

I am attempting to update my site and enjoy writing again. Only time will tell if I do something, anything!

Thoughts on Retirement

To me, there are two concepts in retirement to consider:

Time  and  Money  

Most of us LOVE  the concept of "no work" and doing what we want to do with our own time... BUT  the thought of living off savings, pensions, and Social Security is downright scary. 

Retirees, financially, are amazingly diverse... some have and some do not, and lots of degrees in between. This website is really not about the financial aspects of retirement though I have lots of information on money issues -- pensions, savings, Social Security, disability retirement.

As humans, working, disabled, or retired, I think we have continuing needs, desires, and goals to be productive in some manner. In fact, I KNOW we do!  

Some retirees will be happy simply living near grandchildren to help them daily, others need meaningful relationships, sharing life with others, or "work" to do to make them feel "whole". 

Many people spend more time, 

Planning for a two week vacation --

Than they do for RETIREMENT,

Which can be the next 20 - 30 Years! 

So, who are you and what will YOU do with the rest of your life?

Bottom Line: I want to share the retirement experience with you - in the hopes that you gain something to help you through your own retirement.

This is a huge transition in life! You suddenly rethink life, what you accomplished, what you left behind...

Retirement is a Journey...  

Not A Destination! 

I hope to share my two cents with you, and hope to share the views of many retired folks worldwide -- so that we all learn more about retirement and how seniors can live full productive FUN lives!

I hope to share oodles of what I've learned over the years, and if only one person finds one thought that will help them find joy or put them at peace with retirement, I am happy and thrilled...

Retirement Decisions aren't easy!


Have fun!


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