I'm a boomer who moved to a new community and felt lonely. I made friends by doing things I cared about and staying active.

Tech Insider
Ellen Acconcia and her husband holding a notebook while outside in front of a mailbox that says
Ellen Acconcia and her husband moved to North Carolina early in 2020 and she had to find new ways to make friends.

Courtesy Ellen Acconcia

I'm single and childless and I can't afford to retire in California. To afford the life I want, I'm moving to the South.

Tech Insider
A thoughtful senior woman having a cup of coffee in the kitchen and looking out of her window at home.

DMP/Getty Images

I don't let anyone load the dishwasher. I'm very strategic about it, and it has lasted us 19 years.

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A hand loading a plate into a dishwasher.

Ekaterina Goncharova/Getty Images

I went on my first cruise with 3 generations of my family, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Adam England with his family while on a cruise.
Adam England went on his first cruise with his parents, sister, and grandmother.

Courtesy Adam England

I went on a trip with my 91-year-old grandmother to her home country. It deepened my love and respect for her.

Tech Insider : Travel
People in Switzerland posing photo

Courtesy of the author

I met my best friend of 16 years for the first time at her wedding. It felt like a reunion with an old friend.

Tech Insider
Miranda and Demi Drew at Miranda's wedding reception, outside on a field of grass.
Demi Drew and her best friend of 16 years, Miranda, met when Miranda got married.

Courtesy Demi Drew

My mom died when I was 8, and my mom's sister adopted me at 12. I got a second chance at being part of a family.

Tech Insider
Isabella Ambrosio with her mom and dad. They are dressed up and she and her mom are holding bouquets of flowers.
Isabella Ambrosio's maternal aunt adopted her four years after her mother died.

Courtesy Isabella Ambrosio

I used to rely on grocery delivery services to save time. Now, I shop with my kids — they love it, and I save money.

Tech Insider
Elliott Harrell's kids at the grocery store, in a cart and grabbing ketchup from a shelf.
Elliott Harrell now shops with her kids in a grocery store instead of using grocery delivery services.

Courtesy Elliott Harrell

When I retired at 54 with my husband, I worried we'd be bored spending all our time together. I'm learning to focus on myself.

Tech Insider
selfie of Leonie Jarrett in front of the ocean in greece
The author retired early.

Courtesy of Leonie Jarrett

I wanted to have a name in Spanish and English like my dad. I learned names can be adaptable.

Tech Insider
Woman wanted her name to be in Spanish
The author's dad is Chilean and went by a Spanish and English version of his name.

Courtesy of the author

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