I'm Gen X and about to retire. I'm excited to have more time for things I love, but stressed about financial stability.

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Woman relaxing in deck chair on veranda

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We went on a trip to Europe 3 years ago and never left. Our kid's life is way better here than it was in the US.

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Author Lana Katsaros, her partner, and their son in Europe
My family has had a wonderful time exploring Europe.

Lana Katsaros

My wife and I are both freelancers, which can be a strain on our marriage. We do these 5 things to support each other.

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a man and a woman facing away from the camera on their computers
The author, not pictured, is a freelancer with his wife.

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As a professor, I had my college students write thank-you letters. The exercise renewed my faith in young people.

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a student in a college classroom writing in a notebook
A professor told her students to write "thank you" notes.

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I'm a British mom living in the US. In the UK kids get a shorter summer break and have mandatory uniforms.

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Three children in the UK sitting at a table wearing school uniforms.
Most kids in the UK wear a school uniform.

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I am self-employed. I have no idea when I will be able to retire.

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Selfie of Ilene Smith in front of a lake. She is wearing a gray sweater and has sunglasses on her head

Ilene Smith

My coworker hated me and badmouthed me to everyone. Leaving the job I loved was the best decision I ever made.

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illustration of a two women tugging a rope over a cliff
The author and her coworker did not get along at work.

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I'm a boomer who's about to retire at 59. I'm nervous about retirement because I'll have less income and too much free time.

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a woman standing at the end of a dock, looking out
The author, not pictured, is retiring early at 59.

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We live in Hong Kong and are returning to the US to retire. We don't have a credit score and our Social Security is minimal.

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Couple posing for photo in Hong Kong
The author and his wife have lived in Hong Kong for 35 years but are moving to the US to retire.

Courtesy of the author

I got sober living in one of the UK's biggest party towns

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Woman drinking at night
I gained incredible willpower in the past few years.

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