Good morning, Retirement Starts Today Community! Welcome to Every Day is Saturday, the newsletter reminding us that in retirement, every day is Saturday (including Thursday mornings).

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I will be starting a new segment on my podcast: Retire TO something, not FROM something.

The segment will be brief at the end of the show and will share a fun retirement idea, along with links to learn more. Volunteer work and part-time “fun” jobs will be a common theme.

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Episode Breakdown:

She Lives in an RV and Says, “I Literally Live in Heaven” – What We Can Learn from a Simpler Retirement​
(0:00) A lifestyle retirement story for the books
(13:50) The 3 common traits we noticed among our most peaceful retirees

​Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple​

Retirement Headline:

Boomer Quits Nursing, Lives on $2,972/month in an RV—and Calls It Heaven​
​Source: Business Insider by Eliza Relman

This week’s story isn’t about taxes or Roth conversions. It’s about something just as important: joy.

Meet Marian Barry, a 71-year-old retired nurse who gave up the hospital hustle for full-time RV life—and couldn’t be happier. After a brutal stretch of pandemic-era nursing, Marian embraced the “work camper” lifestyle, volunteering at national and state parks across Oregon and Nevada.

Her quote that grabbed us all: “I literally live in heaven.”

What Makes Marian’s Story Special?

• Budget: $2,972/month in Social Security
• RV Name: Myrna (love it)
• Campsite Fees? Covered by volunteer work
• Her Job: Sharing nature with park guests
• Her Vibe: Outdoorsy, free-spirited, living simply and deliberately

This isn’t a story about maximizing a million-dollar portfolio. It’s about aligning your life with what brings you joy.

Key Lessons from Marian Barry’s “Heaven on Earth” Plan:

1. You Don’t Need a Mansion to Be Happy​
Minimalism can create freedom. Marian isn’t missing a house full of stuff—she’s biking, kayaking, and enjoying sunsets.

2. Downsizing = Freedom for Your Family, Too​
No house means no clutter to offload onto kids later. As we always say, “Nobody wants your stuff.”

3. Connection Comes in Many Forms​
From pies gifted by locals (because her name matches a type of berry) to friends made at parks, Marian isn’t lonely—she’s thriving.

4. Flexibility is the Ultimate Retirement Benefit​
With no mortgage, no property tax, and built-in purpose from volunteerism, Marian’s got all the peace, with none of the pressure.

5. Happiness = Nature, Adventure, and Simplicity​
If those words resonate with you, maybe you’ve just found your retirement blueprint.

6. Test Before You Leap​
Planning to buy an RV and drive into the sunset? Practice first. Rent. Try a month away. Gather data. Rehearse your retirement.

Client Wisdom:

3 Common Traits We Noticed in Our Most Peaceful Retirees

During our spring client meetings, one thing became clear: some clients—despite market volatility and doom-filled headlines—were surprisingly calm.

These weren’t new retirees. These were seasoned veterans. Clients who’ve been retired for 5–10+ years. What do they have in common?

Let’s break it down.

Pillar 1: Maximize What You’ve Already Got

Medicare = Huge sigh of relief at 65
​Social Security (at 70) = Maximized monthly benefit
​Combo effect = Less stress on the portfolio, more reliable income

We noticed clients feel more secure when Medicare kicks in and health premiums drop dramatically. And once Social Security is covering more of their needs? Anxiety goes way down.

Pillar 2: Build a Retirement Runway

More years of income outside the stock market = more peace of mind

Clients with several years of cash and bonds didn’t flinch when the market dipped. Why? Because they knew their lifestyle was safe for years—regardless of what stocks were doing.

We often talk about building a decade of income outside the market using:

• Short-term bonds (ladder side of the diving board)
• Intermediate bonds
• Long-term bonds (more fluctuation, more potential reward)

Think of it as laying 10 years of train tracks in front of you.

That’s the mindset that brings calm.

Pillar 3: Plan to Cut—Just a Bit—When You Need To

Here’s what surprised us: the most relaxed clients weren’t scared to trim spending when the market turned south.

That might sound stressful, but it's actually empowering.

We use Retirement Income Guardrails to decide ahead of time:

• When to reduce spending (e.g., if portfolio drops X%)
• How much to reduce (e.g., cut $10K/month to $9K/month)
• What to reduce (e.g., cancel one trip instead of three)

This isn’t guesswork—it’s a pre-planned response. That’s confidence.

Final Thoughts:

There’s a reason we call the podcast Retirement Starts Today. Whether you’re inspired by Marian Barry’s simple joy or reassured by our clients’ quiet confidence, the path is the same:

• Make a plan
• Rehearse it
• Adjust for the real world
• Stay flexible

And above all—find what “living in heaven” means for you.

Resources Mentioned

• ​Click here to read, A boomer quit nursing to live on $2,972 monthly in Social Security in an RV in America's parks: 'I literally live in heaven'
• ​Click here to order my book, Retirement Starts Today: Your non-financial guide to an even better retirement

That's it for our three hundred and ninetieth installment of "Every Day is Saturday." As always, I read (and usually reply to) every listener email. Got a question? Hit reply—you just might hear your name on the show.

Enjoy your “Saturday,”
​Benjamin Brandt