67-year-old who left the U.S. for Mexico: I’m happily retired—but I ‘really regret’ doing these 3 things in my 20s

It’s been five years since I retired, and, like most retirees, I’ve had a lot of time to think. Moving away from the hustle of California to a more serene setting and lifestyle in Mazatlán, Mexico, has also given me the chance to reflect on what’s important.

At 67, I often wonder if I would have done things differently, knowing what I know now. This kind of reflection can elicit some regrets, but it also produces valuable insights that I can apply to my life now.

I believe wisdom comes with age and experience. While I’m happily retired, here are three things I really regret doing in my 20s — and my best advice for growing up with a more positive mindset:

I never thought about my finances when I was younger. My Italian immigrant father expected me to run a household. That was it.

Getting married and having children was just what women did. Nobody taught me about making money, saving it or investing it. I try not to blame my parents, though, because they did the best they could with the tools they had at the time.

But what would my life look like now if I’d had a set career path and followed it? Or thought to save or invest money 40 years ago? While I don’t think a person needs $1.2 million to retire comfortably, I do imagine how good I would feel if I had invested just $1,000 dollars at some point, or even saved $50 a month for 30 years.

It wouldn’t be millions, but it would be something. 

As a single mother, I can give myself some slack, but I regret that I didn’t spend more quality time with my three children when they were growing up.

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