We thought we'd planned for a successful early retirement — but we're picking up side hustles just a few years in

Tech Insider : Business
Man and woman sitting on bench staring out at water
We invested in savings plans and paid off most of our debts before retiring at 55 — but we've still run into issues.

sylv1rob1/Shutterstock

These 4 money habits can help you feel more secure, says this financial advisor

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Kate Norris, a certified financial planner at Sun Life
Kate Norris is a certified financial planner at Sun Life.

Kate Norris

I retired at 52 and only have enough money to be financially secure for the next year. I'm still happy with my decision

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Technology
Walter Green standing outdoors with a blazer and red baseball cap.
Walter Green decided to retire early after both of his parents passed away.

Photo courtesy of Walter Green

They've been retired for 2 decades — and have learned to make the most of their golden years

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
Bernita at her Table
Bernita Clark, 82, makes costumes for her daughter's 12-foot-tall skeleton.

Michael Starghill, Jr. for BI

Sitting at her sewing machine, Bernita Clark, 82, guides a piece of blue fabric as the needle bobs up and down. To her side sit scissors, measuring tape, thread, and a skull.

This Hall of Fame baseball player picked up photography in retirement. He captured one of the defining shots of the Masters.

Tech Insider : Sports, Sports, Business
The photographer is Hall of Fame baseball player, Ken Griffey Jr.
Hall of Fame baseball player Ken Griffey Jr. captured an iconic scene of Rory McIlroy winning the Masters.

Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

When my husband wanted to retire early, I agreed to do the same. But I hated retirement life, so I went back to work.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
A couple arguing at home
The author (not pictured) struggled with early retirement.

janiecbros/Getty Images

What baby boomers learned from weathering the Great Recession — and what they regret

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
A collage with boomer couple, a receipt, coins and stock market.
 

Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

A federal worker was months away from a full pension when DOGE laid her off. Now she'll get $3,000 less per month.

Tech Insider : Politics, Business
Katherine Ann Reniers holds a
Katherine Ann Reniers at a protest in Washington, DC.

Katherine Ann Reniers

The anti-aging secret these 80-somethings swear by: work

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
A collage of an older worker.
 Some Americans are working in their 80s for fulfillment and social benefits.

Getty Images; Rebecca Zisser/BI

Meet America's real Golden Girls: Some unmarried older women without kids at home are doing great

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy, Travel
A photo treatment of three women taking a selfie
 

SolStock/Getty Images, Tyler Le/BI

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