Latest Blogs
In keeping with our Chartered philosophy of living holistic and fulfilling retirements, we love to share stories of how our clients are doing just that – in a variety of contexts, for a number of reasons, and with positive outcomes (sometimes, very interesting ones!). We invite you to read, comment, share … and be inspired and inspiring!
Helping Our Adult Children Without Creating Dependency
Last weekend, I spent the most beautiful day at Boulders Beach in Cape Town with my daughter Gabi and my […]
Review of “On the Hippie Trail” by Rick Steves
If you’ve been a regular leisure traveller to Europe since 1980, you’ve probably encountered a Rick Steves travel guide. While […]
Giving Back in Action: Allan and Angie Chandler
At Retire Successfully, we believe that achieving a sense of balance is fundamental to a successful retirement. Life encompasses many […]
Review of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Correspondent is the quietly powerful first (published) novel of Virginia Evans. With a low-key book title and a letter-writing […]
Maybe we’re playing life a little too safe
Have you ever thought, just out of the blue,life feels a little too familiar… a little too you? The same […]
What’s That, Darling?
“My wife says I should have my ears tested as I battle to hear her when she speaks. Of course, […]
Review of the Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel
Why do we spend money in ways we later regret? Morgan Housel argues it has less to do with maths […]
Why forgetting a name isn’t the whole story
I was mid-sentence when it happened. The name was right there. I could see the person’s face. I could hear […]
Review of How to Sleep Like a Caveman by Dr Merijn Van De Laar
Review of How to Sleep Like a Caveman by Dr Merijn Van De Laar Why We are Losing The Battle […]
Birding by Train: An Unexpected Adventure
Can birding really be done from a luxury train? In our case, the answer turned out to be yes – […]
A New Home, A Lighter Life
Knowing When It Was Time After 38 years in the same Randpark Ridge home, Chartered clients Cheryl and Martin Jordaan […]
Helping Our Adult Children Without Creating Dependency
Last weekend, I spent the most beautiful day at Boulders Beach in Cape Town with my daughter Gabi and my […]
Review of “On the Hippie Trail” by Rick Steves
If you’ve been a regular leisure traveller to Europe since 1980, you’ve probably encountered a Rick Steves travel guide. While […]
Giving Back in Action: Allan and Angie Chandler
At Retire Successfully, we believe that achieving a sense of balance is fundamental to a successful retirement. Life encompasses many […]
Review of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Correspondent is the quietly powerful first (published) novel of Virginia Evans. With a low-key book title and a letter-writing […]
Maybe we’re playing life a little too safe
Have you ever thought, just out of the blue,life feels a little too familiar… a little too you? The same […]
What’s That, Darling?
“My wife says I should have my ears tested as I battle to hear her when she speaks. Of course, […]
The gift of life after being given 12 months to live
Why setting intentions and having something to look forward to helps in the hardest chapters Helen created her first vision […]
Review of the Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel
Why do we spend money in ways we later regret? Morgan Housel argues it has less to do with maths […]
Retirement Lifestyle Estate in Hillcrest Le Domaine
For many people, the decision to move is not about property, but about timing and choice. A retirement lifestyle estate […]
Why forgetting a name isn’t the whole story
I was mid-sentence when it happened. The name was right there. I could see the person’s face. I could hear […]
Review of How to Sleep Like a Caveman by Dr Merijn Van De Laar
Review of How to Sleep Like a Caveman by Dr Merijn Van De Laar Why We are Losing The Battle […]
Birding by Train: An Unexpected Adventure
Can birding really be done from a luxury train? In our case, the answer turned out to be yes – […]
Review of Blood’s Inner Rhyme by Antjie Krog
Book Review – Blood’s Inner Rhyme by Antjie Krog
La Dolce Vita: Pam and Errol’s Italian Escapade
From the moment Pam and Errol glimpsed Rome’s ancient skyline, their Italian journey unfolded with unforgettable moments, laughter, and discovery. […]
What ‘Enough’ really means in retirement
Living well with what we have, and staying focused on what matters most. So many of us reach this stage […]
Review of “Beyond Anxiety” by Martha Beck
Martha Beck holds a PhD in Sociology from Harvard, among other degrees, and has established herself as a leader in […]
Building Communities by Focusing on Strengths
“Go to the people.Live with them, learn from them, love them.Start with what they know, build with what they have.But […]
Out with the old. In with the new.
Spring has a way of reminding us to clear out what no longer serves us. We declutter cupboards, tidy gardens, […]
Review of “Book People” by Paige Nick
Some of you may recall that Paige Nick had a column in the Sunday Times about a decade ago. Aside […]
Sea Cruise Holidays – to sail or not to sail?
By Sandra Gordon Researching what was for the two of us a brand-new holiday option was an eye- opener. We […]
How lucky are we – turning ordinary days into reasons to be grateful
We may not have a national Thanksgiving Day in South Africa. No parades. No pumpkin pie. And definitely no turkey. […]
Why your next birthday should include a paintbrush
“Art is a guarantee of sanity.”French-American artist Louise Bourgeois Did you know that Cuban-American artist, Carmen Herrera, sold her first […]
Review of “The 5 Types of Wealth” by Sahil Bloom
At Chartered, we use the Wheel of Balance as a guide to a fulfilling life, focusing on eight key areas: […]
The Finns Visit The Finns
By Stephen and Louis Finn Standing naked on our terrace at our timeshare just south of Lapland, we didn’t feel […]
Review of “The Next Day” by Melinda French Gates
Many people will know of Melinda Gates as the philanthropic wife (now ex) of Microsoft billionaire Bill. Approaching her 60th […]
The spirit of adventure doesn’t retire – Namibia, finally!
By Alan & Anne Dunn This trip had been on our Bucket Wheel® for a long time. We first planned […]
From “I’m fine” to “Let me tell you how I really am”
We live in a world filled with noise, yet so many people feel unheard. How often have you answered “I’m […]
Book of the Month: “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins
What if the secret to more happiness, freedom, and peace was just two little words? In The Let Them Theory, […]
Giving Back – Making a Difference, One Child at a Time
It is no secret that South Africa faces deep challenges when it comes to childhood literacy, particularly in reading and […]
Life’s not a two-step. It’s a whole dance floor
Some chapters of life feel like a gentle, graceful waltz. Others feel more like a fast-paced, dramatic tango. And sometimes, […]
Review of “How to Age Disgracefully” by Clare Pooley
This is the third novel that British author Clare Pooley has published in the past five years, following the success […]
Falling in Love with Retirement: Our Slice of Paradise
We are singularly blessed to spend our retirement in what I consider to be my very own Garden of Eden. […]
Love, Actually
“If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”Hugh Grant, Love […]
Embracing the Power of AND in 2025
What if this year could be about having it all? About embracing all of life’s possibilities – not “this or […]