It Was Finally Time to Retire After 30+ Years of Teaching: My New Chapter in Coin Collecting

After more than 30 years teaching science—plus another 20 when duty called—I knew it was finally time to leave the classroom. It wasn’t easy; I’ll always miss the kids and the magic of those “aha!” moments. But with my wife steering our finances like a pro, we took the retirement leap. Now I’m rediscovering my lifelong passion for coins in ways I never imagined possible, and I’d love to share how this new chapter is unfolding.

Making Retirement Finances Work

Smart money moves made this freedom possible. We spent 12 years building six rental properties in Flagstaff, housing Arizona students for 22 years until we sold them last summer. That let us buy California rentals in southern locations we can easily reach. My wife handles the books brilliantly, and I’ve picked up plenty about real estate along the way. If rentals are in your plans, here’s what helped us dodge tax headaches:

• Find a CPA who knows rentals inside out—they’ll guide you through strategies like 1031 exchanges to postpone capital gains when trading properties
• Depreciation recapture can sting at sale time, so document every improvement for possible credits
• Property managers? Check their track record carefully. Self-managing saves fees but costs time—sometimes it’s worth the trade-off

With our finances steady, I can finally give coins the attention they deserve.

Breathing New Life Into My Coin Passion

What was once a casual hobby has become my daily joy. My son runs our local coin club, giving me instant access to fellow collectors and fresh knowledge. While my wife manages the budget, I get lost in coin details—though our cat keeps trying to “help” from her perch on my sorting table! As I catalog my collection, I’m finding stacks of duplicates. That means it’s time to learn the art of selling: grading pieces, researching values, and sharing the stories behind each coin.

Helpful Tips for Fellow Collectors

Jumping deeper into collecting has taught me some practical lessons, especially for retirees nurturing their hobbies. Focus on quality—use PCGS or NGC guides to grade carefully. When selling extras:

• List online with crisp photos and straightforward descriptions (eBay and collector forums work wonders)
• Share each coin’s backstory—collectors appreciate connections to history or metal markets
• Watch the metals market: Silver and gold coins are holding value well, making it a good moment to assess bullion

Joining a coin club has been priceless—the shared wisdom there saved me from early stumbles.

Savoring the Retirement Rhythm

Retirement isn’t just about coins—it’s morning coffee while tinkering with my 2002 Highlander, 2000 Tacoma, and spunky 2008 Suzuki alongside auto-teacher buddies under the California sun. But coins remain my anchor, offering constant discovery and connection. If you’re closing a long career chapter like teaching, here’s my advice: chase what sets your heart racing, keep your finances tidy, and let passions like coin collecting color your days. After all, this isn’t about slowing down—it’s about filling every moment with what matters most.