I'm a boomer and will never be able to retire. At 62, I'm already using my Social Security money.

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Woman posing with computer
At 62, the author is using her Social Security money already.

Courtesy of the author

I worked in schools for over 2 decades. My kids are homeschooled.

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Selfie of family on street
The author worked in public schools for over two decades, but is homeschooling her kids

Courtesy of the author

Starting a new career in my 40s was the hardest and most rewarding thing I've ever done

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Woman working on laptop while boy hugging her from behind at home
The author left her job as an accountant when she had her son, and at 40 realized that she needed to go back to work for several reasons.

Mareen Fischinger/Getty Images

We allow our kids screen time at home, and they go to a tech-free school. It's a good balance.

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Kids walking on a wall at a school.
Melissa Petro's kids attend a tech-free school

Courtesy Melissa Petro

My husband is turning 68 and terrified of retiring. I'm ready for a more flexible lifestyle.

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Couple riding tandem bike
The author (right) and her husband riding the tandem bike they just bought to do more things together.

Courtesy of the author

As a recent college grad, I've built my career from my childhood bed. I feel like I'm missing out on the professional world.

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Eibhlis Gale-Coleman in a cap and gown in front of her school
The author is a recent college grad working remotely.

Courtesy of Eibhlis Gale-Coleman

I went to college at 40 while raising my 5 children. I had to make some parenting sacrifices.

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Victoria marie lees in her cap and gown
The author went to college while raising her kids.

Courtesy of William Lees

I moved with my toddler from New York to South Dakota. The community here is more focused on family, but I miss diverse food.

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Girl outside with rainbow
After moving from New York to South Dakota, the author says she and her daughter have more access to nature, but miss cultural diversity.

Courtesy of the author

After getting hired, I started dating a man from the interview panel. It put targets on our backs and made promotions difficult.

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a woman faces two job interviewers who are blurred out
The author, not pictured, married the man who interviewed her for a job.

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I was accepted into my dream colleges: Duke, Columbia, and Yale. I flipped a coin to decide which one was right for me.

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two yale students on yale campus
The author, not pictured, couldn't decide which college to go to.

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