We worked all our life
Played by the rules
Saved and invested
Bought the American Dream, bought the house, paid off the mortgage
Raised the kids, paid for education
And now what?
Increasing property taxes, insurance co-pays, cost of living
Decreasing Medicaid, Medicare and social security benefits
But I’m a Boomer who’s ready for this and here’s why:
I’ve been a minimalist all my life.
In winter I have a coat. In summer I have a bathing suit.
I have one suit. Just enough for the occasional wedding, funeral or special occasion.
My dad passed away some years ago and he was somewhat of a “clothes horse”. I will never have to buy another shirt or tie (not that I really need one of those now that I’m retired) for the rest of my life. He even had underwear that was still in original packaging (but I guess that might be too much information).
I’ve worked at 2 and 3 jobs concurrently for the last 40 years and never went on a real vacation which I’ve heard consists of going somewhere for two weeks to basically do nothing or supposedly have fun.
So, I guess you could say that I’m regimented and fully acclimated for what’s next……The Boomer Barracks
Up at sunrise, in bed by sunset
3 hots and a cot. What more do I need?
Break my arm and I’ll be patched up
Need socialization, there’s the mess hall
Need exercise, there’s the daily drills which I already do and enjoy quite a bit.
What will I do to earn my keep?
I still enjoy shoveling snow in winter, raking leaves in the fall and cutting the grass in summer. As for the spring, I guess I could take up gardening which is something I intending to do anyways given the need to become more self-sufficient.
I’m not much of a mechanic or fixer but I do have years of life and work experience and a passion for the humanities and social sciences. So maybe I could be a mentor to youth to share my interests in subjects such as history, geo-politics, philosophy and religion. At the very least, I could draw from at least four careers that could provide insight to youngsters when they are asked that annoying question “What do you want to do when you grow up? And for college students when asked “So what is your major?”
Maybe to bus could occasionally bring me to the school or college where I could impart this knowledge and experience. Maybe even give me a taste of what can be expected long after I’m gone. Hopefully that will be a sweet taste and not a sour one.
Yes, I’m ready for the Boomer Barracks in the sunset of my life. I know it sounds harsh but I’m craving the simplicity, the affordability, the predictability and the opportunity to give back even if only in a small way.
Speaking of harsh, I pause to reflect upon my ancestors in midlands England working in the mines, textile factories and the workhouses. History has a way of repeating itself but with some luck my Boomer Barracks will be a more pleasant workhouse.
Original work by Greg Dunn February 2026 and for more blogs/writings go to http://www.dunnwriteswell.com
Dunn Writes Well 