Don’T Retire to Expire: Once You Wake up Everything Else Is Optional

By Bob Bradshaw and Dr. Ken Blanchard

Thanks to new advances in technology and medicine, we are living longer. Science is already predicting the first person to live to 150 years old has already been born. This means more people could be expecting longer retirement years.

Retirement is an often-discussed topic, but it is rarely planned for as a lifestyle. Its like a freight train roaring down the railroad track chasing us. We know it will catch us at some point. In Dont Retire to Expire, author Bob Bradshaw offers a discussion and guide to successful lifestyle retirement planning. Through more than 200 interviews of people who have retired, are planning for retirement, or are just now thinking what it will be in their future, Bradshaw shares a host of information on how to approach retirementto begin thinking and planning for a better experience.

From the financial aspects, to living and aging well, to health care concerns, Dont Retire to Expire explores the facets of leaving the work world behind. It advocates creating a strong plan to help you enjoy the retirement for which you worked so hard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532032639

Bob Bradshaw

Bob Bradshaw grew up in New Rochelle, New York, and graduated from New Rochelle High School. He served in the United States Air Force for six years. He worked in sales and also owned his own company. Bradshaw is married and is the father of five children. He relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1990 where he ran the 1992 Ross Perot Presidential campaign for the state of Georgia. Visit him online at www.dontretiretoexpire.com.

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Copyright © 2017 Bob Bradshaw.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-3264-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-3262-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-3263-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017914254

iUniverse rev. date:   11/21/2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD KEN BLANCHARD

DEDICATION BOB BRADSHAW

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BOB BRADSHAW

INTRODUCTION BOB BRADSHAW

One        THE PATHS TO RETIREMENT

Two       THE RETIREMENT EXPRESS

Three      IT’S MORE THAN FINANCIAL PLANNING

Four       LIFE COMES BEFORE RETIRED LIFE

Five        BE ALIVE IN YOUR LIVING!

Six         CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITIES

Seven     COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR PARTNER

Eight       WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THAT FREE TIME

Nine       LET’S MAKE A PLAN—AND MAKE IT PERSONAL

Ten         SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT IS A MOVING TARGET

Eleven    THE INEXACT SCIENCE OF RETIREMENT

Twelve   THE TRIP TO RETIREMENT

LIFE NOTES

FOREWORD

By Dr. Ken Blanchard

Coauthor of: THE NEW ONE MINUTE MANAGER &

REFIRE! DON’T RETIRE

I have known lots of people who couldn’t WAIT to retire. They had worked all of their lives and saw retirement as their reward for their careers as faithful employees.

As to myself, I planned my finances and my future lifestyle as if I were going to retire ten years ago. But I still don’t intend to retire anytime soon. For one thing, I love what I do. I guess that’s why I co-authored a book entitled Refire, Don’t Retire. That doesn’t mean I don’t’’ think about retirement and do many wonderful, enjoyable things that retired folk often get to do…even though I have not yet joined their ranks.

Many of my retired age peers, golf for recreation. Me, I use to play some competitive golf but now I play N.A.T.O. golf. Not Attached To Outcome. I love the beauty and serenity on a golf course.

Many of my retired friends travel, or spend time at their vacation homes, or go on adventure in their RVs. I do that too. Some of my travel is for business-for speaking engagements, among other things. Other travel is purely for pleasure. The great thing is I enjoy them equally.

A few of my retired friends even work on their bucket lists which includes parachuting out of fully functioning airplanes. Now there’s something that doesn’t interest me all. Others learn how to tango or waltz. One of my Christmas gifts for my wife Margie last year were dance lessons for the two of us. Some of my other retired friends learn the guitar or take piano lessons, or buy brushes, paints, canvas and easels…and create! While I don’t do those kinds of creative things, I still write a lot—at least one book a year.

But the big thing for most retirees who have been blessed with children and grandchildren enjoy the most is all about those special young lives. Again, I’m fortunate because I get to see my grandkids frequently since four of the five call San Diego their home base. The fifth lives in New York City and comes mostly to our summer home base cottage in Skaneateles in eastern New York.

Here’s the thing. Whether you are already retired, or your goal is to leave the grind behind and enjoy life more fully than you ever imagined, this book was written for you by my longtime friend Bob Bradshaw. Bob, in his late seventies, has been thinking and writing about retirement for the last decade in preparing for his book. He has worked very hard and– done over 200 interviews of people who have retired, or are planning for retirement, or are just now thinking what it will be in their future—and might be a bit fearful of what’s ahead. Where ever you are in your retirement journey, I think Bob will be a helpful guide.

Why do I say that? You see, I have known Bob—and we have been close friends—for more than 60 years…since we were both in junior high school. On top of that, we have remained in close contact for all these years. As result, I know Bob. I know his heart, his spirit and his intentions. I know that he is here to help you enjoy the retired life for which you have worked so hard. Yes, the life you deserve!

So.. read, absorb, and apply Bob’s insightful essays that make up the essence of this wonderful book. Also read his updates on his blog/podcasts.

His website is www.Don’tRetiretoExpire.com.

I believe that Bob Bradshaw will become your Number One Ally in your retirement years!

—Ken Blanchard

Escondido, California

DEDICATION

With my well-deserved respect and long-standing admiration, I dedicate this book to my lifetime friend, Dr. Ken Blanchard.

I believe it is rare indeed that someone can meet another person in Junior High School, form strong bonds during those often-tumultuous years, and still remain friends 60 years later.

Ken, thank you for being the best of everything a man can be—for me, and for countless others!

Bob Bradshaw

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The opportunity to enter into the writing of this book has led me to meet people who have given me advice as well as being a source of encouragement in the process. Ken Blanchard has always been a friend since New Rochelle High School where we graduated from in 1957. It may seem repetitive to you but in truth he is that, a dear friend. I wish to thank Steve Gottry for his input and guidance in advancing the creation of this book. Old friends Ralph Stevenson and Fred Cleveland have been there for as long as I can remember and encouraged me in this effort. And my wife, Marilyn Jones Bradshaw, who has been a cheerleader, all the way.

INTRODUCTION

By Bob Bradshaw

Retirement is something we all have thought about at one time or another. Over our lives we have probably known a number of friends, or associates, who have retired. They mostly thought it would not be a big deal. After all, how hard can it be to have a whole day, every day, to do anything you want to do?

Have you ever talked to a friend or relative about their retirement? How about a conversation with someone who it just on the verge of retiring? Maybe you know someone who retired in the last three years, or so? They may have some insights to share with you. What they have experienced can be very revealing. For some it has been wonderful for others there might have been some surprises. If there was a difference, could it have been in the planning?

As I will say many times, going forward, retirement is a journey. When you are about to set out any journey you usually begin with a plan leading to a destination. Retirement is a destination. In laying out a plan you have to have some idea where you want to go, and how to get there.

Look at it this way. What are the things you want to do? Where do you want to go? What are you hoping to find, or experience? If you don’t have a plan to begin with, how do you know where you are going to end up?

Take some time. Talk it out. Lay out some specific things you hope to do. You can always change them. Lay out a plan, a beginning, a direction. As you develop your plan you might begin to see a different the direction to consider.

Our PASSIONS may change or even take on new meaning. Very few things in life stay static. As time goes on, you’re PLACE in life will likely change. A friend shared how his mother had to relocate four times in three years. There are a lot of reasons this can happen. Sometimes it is because of family matters or job related necessities. Change is what happens while you are making other