Retirement Reimagined: Live Fully Now, Prepare Wisely for Tomorrow
When most of us think about retirement, we picture a life of leisure and freedom: exotic travels, long, lazy days basking in the sun, and finally having all the time we desire to pursue the dreams we’ve put off during our working years. Retirement is often marketed as the ultimate goal—the prize we work so hard for throughout our lives. We envision ourselves reaching 65, free from the constraints of daily work, with the ability to go wherever we want, whenever we want, without worrying about finances. Ah, the golden years! It’s a picture of perfect relaxation and fulfillment, but before we get too carried away, let’s hit pause for a moment of reality.
If we take a closer look, we find that many retirees don’t live the idyllic life they imagined. In fact, most either suffer from poor health, dying prematurely, or find themselves so bored and disconnected that they end up going back to work, or worse—spend their time irritating each other in close quarters with no meaningful purpose. There are certainly exceptions, people who enjoy their retirement years, staying active, engaged, and fulfilled. But these cases are rare, and most of us won’t be among them. In fact, studies and real-life stories show that 90% of retirees don’t live out the dream they anticipated. Moreover, many who do manage to make their retirement enjoyable often sacrifice relationships, health, or happiness in other areas, making the cost of their so-called “dream” retirement questionable. Life, if we choose to learn from it, offers profound lessons, but we must pay attention.
At Barbequia, we emphasize responsibility in all aspects of life, including financial matters. Preparing for the future is important—not just for retirement but for any stage of life, ensuring we’re self-sufficient and not a burden on others. But this doesn’t mean we advocate obsessively saving and delaying enjoyment until retirement. Far from it. In fact, we argue that the best way to live is to embrace life fully now, while we’re still capable, rather than postponing joy for some vague, future date when we “retire.”
I once lived on a street surrounded by retirees. These neighbors were a quintessential example of middle-class retirement life. Days were filled with routine: reading the paper, chatting on the porch, tending to gardens, and occasional trips to see family or take in sights. There were Cadillacs and Buicks, RVs waiting for the next excursion, and long hours spent discussing aches, pains, and the latest news. While they were good neighbors and I enjoyed their company, it was hard to ignore that many seemed to fall into the same pattern: retirement without purpose, idle days filled with nothing more than routine. Even those who had accumulated wealth over their lifetimes seemed to follow a similar trajectory—spending a little more on “stuff” and dealing with health issues, but not quite living the vibrant, adventurous life they had hoped for. By the time they reached retirement, they were often too old or sick to enjoy the things they had dreamed of while working.
The Barbequian philosophy on retirement is simple and direct: retire when you have to, but live fully today, doing what you love, while you still can.
This approach was illustrated to me by my friend Ray, who lives in Langley, BC, Canada. Ray loves to fish, tend his garden, barbecue meals in his backyard, and spend time with his family. I met Ray in his 40s when we worked together on an investment project, but our friendship quickly blossomed into something far more enjoyable. We spent time water skiing, fishing, exploring Mexico City, and building a deep bond over shared experiences. A few years later, I visited Ray in Canada, and we spent our time exploring the coast, attending airshows, fishing, and enjoying evenings in his backyard. His family joined us often, and there were warm nights of conversation, laughter, and good food.
One evening, I asked Ray, “I thought you were retired?” His response was profound: “You assumed I was retired, but I won’t retire until I’m ready to die. I live like I’m retired now—doing what I love while I still can.”
Ray’s approach was radically different from the conventional view of retirement. He didn’t wait until his 60s to “start living.” Instead, he structured his life so that he could pursue his passions and enjoy his family, while also working enough to fund his lifestyle and save for the future. He runs a home theater business with his sons, and while it’s not a “retirement job,” it gives him enough flexibility and income to continue doing what he loves today. Ray’s philosophy embodies the essence of Barbequian living—living life now, fully, without waiting for some distant “golden” moment.
Contrast this with the story of someone I know who’s spent years working through every MLM opportunity in the hopes of retiring in Alaska to hunt and fish. Another acquaintance plans to save enough money to buy a houseboat and retire on Lake Powell. While these are legitimate dreams, the Barbequian approach would be to adjust one’s lifestyle so that you can enjoy Alaska or Lake Powell without waiting for retirement. Imagine being able to spend two weeks each year in Alaska, or on a houseboat, while maintaining a lifestyle that allows you to enjoy these experiences without getting burned out or dissatisfied.
For me, Barbequian retirement is about living my passions today. I spend weekends camping in the rainforests of Oregon or staying at a coastal hotel, walking along the beach, catching seafood, and enjoying quiet time in nature. I don’t need more material things—just the company of good friends, great food, and moments of peace. When I’m not in nature, I enjoy local markets, festivals, and concerts in the park. My lifestyle is simple, affordable, and fulfilling. I live within my means, work jobs that give me time off to enjoy life, and I have the freedom to change my work as I see fit. It’s not about waiting for retirement; it’s about designing a life that allows me to enjoy everything I love today.
This philosophy extends to my partner as well. Together, we live intentionally, discussing our priorities regularly and adjusting them as life evolves. We save for tomorrow, but we never delay living our bliss today. Barbequia is about creating heaven on earth right now, without falling into the trap of waiting for some far-off retirement. Life is meant to be enjoyed in every moment, and those who postpone that joy until retirement often find themselves too disconnected from the present to ever fully experience it.
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