Q&A with the authors of “Chicago – The Great Retirement Resource”
Our latest book is called Chicago-The Great Retirement Resource and it’s written by previous Eckhartz Press authors Russ Fahrner and Bruce Bohrer. This is their follow up to their book Embrace Retirement. We recently caught up with these busy guys and had the following chat about their new book.
EP: Most retirement books focus on finances. Explain how your book is different from the others.
R&B: We believe retirement is a journey. Yes, finances are important but being financially able to afford your retirement journey is only a part of the equation. The retirement journey is to explore, awaken, rekindle, find, and experience passions for this part of one’s life. It is a journey to be happy! Have fun….make differences with family, with your friends, in the community and in the world. And it’s a journey to share these passions with your retirement world.
Our book: Chicago – The Great Retirement Resource showcases how Chicago can be engaged in this journey. The people, the treasures, the landscape, the cultural environment produces an exorbitant number of resources for retiree residents, previous Chicago residents, and Chicago outsiders who would just like to take advantage of how this magnificent city can contribute to their retirement.
EP: You have it broken up into seven different components of retirement. Tell us a little bit about what those are.
R&B: There is not one terrific overall plan for the retirement journey. Everyone is different and their passions and priorities fall into various categories. After researching this topic, and discussing retirement with workshop participants, family, and friends we created our 7 components for retirement:
Work – Finances – Living Arrangements – Relationships – Health & Fitness – Hobbies & Activities – Events & Social Networks
These 7 components are the heart of the book. Each component is featured with its own chapter and reflects how this resource can be a great resource for the retiree in Chicago. Here are some examples:
Work: Work and volunteer experiences abound in Chicago. We wrote about how I taught, Bruce sings and became a cub usher, and we formed our own business in Chicago. We also showcased other retirees who are part of a sailing volunteer club, ushers working the theatre scene, and how to continue to earn money while working from home.
Finances: We examined budgeting tools, Chicago resources for financial gains, Chicago bargains, discounts, and real-estate investing in Chicago.
Living Arrangements: Lots of retirees would love to downsize. We narrate my 5-step plan to sell – downsize – rent and eventually buy in Chicago. We also review various living arrangement options in Chicago: rent, buy, rent to own, 55+ retirement communities, hotels and VRBO’S.
Relationships: There are many stories we tell about how we use Chicago with friends and family. We wrote about a romantic date at a special restaurant and theatre in Chicago. Bruce loves his singing engagements with friends at various Chicago holiday marquee events. The love of kids and grandkids are portrayed by adventures to Navy Pier, Cubs and Sox games, ice skating at millennium Park and special restaurant birthday celebrations with family.
Health & Fitness: How do retirees exercise using Chicago? You can take advantage of Chicago’s fitness centers, award winning parks, the miles of interesting bike trails in the city, skating rinks, and the many beaches that can be used to stay fit.
Hobbies and Activities: Besides reviewing Russ and Bruce’s Hobby and activity list (41 activities), we describe and review 5 hobby categories that are done in Chicago. The hobby categories include: Collecting – Making – Activity Participation – Play – Arts.
Events & Social Networks: The highlight for this chapter is showcasing the monthly popular city-wide venues for retirees in Chicago. We also discuss Chicago social networking and give examples of how to host an event in Chicago.
EP: I like the simplicity of your plan to use all of that information you mentioned above. It’s really a four step plan to enjoy retirement. Can you go over that plan briefly?
R&B: We suggest the way to become happier and more fulfilled in retirement is to create, update, and evaluate your retirement plan. We believe creating a 4 step action plan is key:
- Define the component and the issues to be addressed. 2. Identify your resources and action steps for your plan. 3. Act 4. Evaluate outcomes and adjust your plan.
EP: There are so many suggestions for retirees in this book. Give us a few of the wilder ideas that retirees might enjoy.
R&B: So many suggestions using Chicago in retirement…Some wild ideas:
Live in Chicago for more than a week.
Bike the entire DuSable Lakeshore Drive
Visit all 77 neighborhoods.
Host a retirement event for friends and/or family in Chicago.
Tailgate at White Sox Park
Protest in Chicago
Become an extra on a Chicago TV show.
Boat or kayak on a Chicago waterway.
Take bird photos throughout walks in parks.
Buy a Chicago present for your grandchild.
Go on a segway tour in Grant Park.
Take a pizza tour.
Watch the Chicago Sky.
Create your own Chicago event calendar.
Jump into Lake Michigan in the winter for a charity event…
A helicopter ride over the city.
Attend the Air and Water Show.
Teach a class at a community college.
Do the Chicago Marathon.
Attend Lollapolaza with a grandchild.
EP: Why Chicago? I know you two both have deep roots here, but is this also a book for people outside of Chicago to consider moving here for retirement?
R&B: We believe Chicago is a great retirement resource for 4 groups of people:
People who currently live in the city already. I love Chicago and all it offers my wife and I, my family and my friends. There is never a dull moment. There are so many superlatives that describe our Chicago resources. Friends have to tell me to stop talking about Chicago.
People who are considering a new relocation resident adventure. Sell that home…get rid of your stuff and experience what a great new Chicago adventure would be like – You won’t be sorry! Rent – Buy or take an extended vacation.
People who have had a previous Chicago experience or experiences…. relive what you loved…sporting events…the waterways…the restaurants….the people…the city!
People who can benefit from the tremendous resources the city offers. Our friends who live in Florida celebrated their Grandson’s 13th birthday by hosting the event in Chicago. They celebrated this birthday by walking thru skyscrapers, doing a segway tour, attending a Sox game, eating Chicago favorites (beef and pizza) walking Navy Pier, and shopping. They are coming back.
