Meet Boldin Team Members, Learn About Their Courageous Life Decisions, and Explore What It Really Means to Be Courageous

What does it really mean to be “courageous in life”? Also, what is the impact of making bold decisions? We took a look at the meaning of the bold name and, more interestingly, spoke to members of the Boldin team to learn more about their bold choices and how those decisions have impacted their lives.

What Does It Mean to Be Courageous?

Courage is not risk-taking or recklessness. It’s about making confident decisions and putting your plans into action to live the life you truly want to live.

The dictionary definition of the word “bold” is: an adjective 1. (of a person, action, or idea) showing the ability to be confident and courageous.” a brave attempt to solve the problem.”

Bold decisions are worth it because they push boundaries, lead to personal and professional growth, and often lead to amazing opportunities and results. Although bold choices can be scary, the power of meaningful change, growth, and fulfillment makes bold decisions a powerful driver of progress and success.

Meet Boldin Team Members and Learn About Their Bold Life Decisions

We asked some of the people behind Boldin, formerly NewRetirement, to share what they described as their bold move and how it impacted their lifestyle.

Bold Moves: Relocating!

Many members of our team relate stories about moving to another place as their brave lives continue. The environment you live in has a huge impact on your life – financially and socially, emotionally, lifestyle, time spent, and more. (Read more about the benefits of transportation.

Mary, design: A history of architecture in the new city

“My partner and I took a bold step when we decided to sell our condo in DC and buy our dream home in the Philadelphia area. Leaving the city we enjoyed, where we had built our careers and friendships, was bittersweet. However, the lure of a larger area and the opportunity to own a piece of architectural history appealed to us. Despite never having owned a single-family home, we were drawn to a house we saw on a rainy day in May, and we took action the next day.

Moving in on August 1 marked a new chapter, and looking back, we are grateful every day for that decision. Five years later, it’s still like we’re on vacation!”

Dani, finance and HR: Greyhound bus to California

“My biggest move? I don’t know – maybe it was just a dumb teenager. Well, I moved to California from the East Coast at 18 with $200 in my shoe on the Greyhound bus.

However, when I think about it now, this move changed my life. I was scheduled to attend the University of Maryland, College Park but the rules were different then for military children and I couldn’t get an in-state education anywhere. It was a major obstacle to education.

Getting on the bus was difficult, but California was easy. I could go to a small college and support myself by waiting tables. I eventually dropped out of junior college and graduated from Berkeley. I have no regrets at all and it has given me the life I love.”

Is college worth the cost?

Kelly, sales: Bonjour Provence!

“I picked up and moved my family from Southern California to the South of France at the age of 49. I left my full-time fintech job and opened a consulting practice so I could live my life and work on my own. Now I can drink wine under the wonderful sunlight that lured masters like Cezanne and Picasso to live and paint here.

There really isn’t anything like it. So far, so good. Santa!”

Learn more about starting your own business in midlife or beyond and how to retire abroad.

Allie, marketing: Crossing the ocean

“When I was 12 years old, my family and I left Vietnam, moved across the Pacific Ocean, and settled in California. At the time it felt scary, disappointing, and a very bold move.

Now I am very grateful for the opportunities here in the United States and I am very happy that I can return to Vietnam to enjoy the delicious food and the beauty of the place where I was born.”

Love

Choosing love was another theme of our group’s bold decisions.

Kathleen, consumer business: Having children

“I would say that the most courageous thing I have done is to start our first company, but I grew up with businesses that felt familiar and natural.

The more I think about it, the bravest move I ever made was the decision to have children – three times.

Without a doubt, it is the decision that has had the greatest impact on my life. Nothing has changed life like a mother. It’s not always easy. There is a book by Jennifer Senior about parenting called, “All Joy and No Fun” and the title sums up the highs and lows.

Parenting is not for everyone, and the time, emotional, physical, and financial investment is huge. However, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made – so far! I learned a lot from them. I love them so much and I feel that is the most important thing in life.”

Robbie, customer support: Marriage

“My greatest courage was to ask my wife to marry me. Well, check that out. My greatest courage was to ask my father-in-law for permission to ask his daughter to marry me.

One child and a home later, it was the best decision I ever made.”

Testing

Experimentation and adventure are often the first thoughts when you talk about being brave. However, what comes out of the stories below is what you learn from, feel, and how you move around as a result of your experience.

Dave, financial engineering: From war zone travel to family

“My biggest dare in life was to buy a ticket to Europe immediately after the breakup of Yugoslavia and travel to Croatia by train. I created fake press credentials so I could get the official United Nations press release within 48 hours of getting there.

My original plan was to ride alone from Zagreb to Sarajevo in the winter of 1993, with the goal of becoming an award-winning photojournalist (and not getting killed). However, when I was on the ground, I chose to volunteer as a Transport Officer for the International Rescue Committee.

This choice resulted in 3 years of non-governmental aid work helping one million displaced people in Central Bosnia, and establishing a family and a home there.

I could not have predicted where I would have ended up, but I am grateful for the life I have created because of my brave decisions.”

Bruce, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER

“A few years ago I decided to walk in and out of the Grand Canyon – rim to rim – in one day. The extreme heat (105 degrees plus), distance (24 miles), and altitude (10,000 feet down and 10,000 feet back up) make this a difficult or impossible endeavor.

Well, I did it. And, to this day I think back with pride on my accomplishments. It is an achievement that continues to boost my confidence to make other big bold decisions.”

Financial Decisions

All financial decisions are courageous. Money makes us expand mentally and emotionally every day. Here are a few examples from our team:

Amanda, marketing: Great buy

“My husband and I had just gotten married and it was 2008 and the bubble had just burst with the subprime mortgage and housing market. However, we stretched ourselves and bought more house than we should have given the usual rules of thumb. It was terrifying, absolutely terrifying. However, we made it work by sacrificing other areas of our lives to pay for it.

And, how does it happen? I am proud that I can have my own home and that it is a place where I can raise my family and go out into the field. It is a bonus that the investment has increased significantly. Let’s hear about domestic equality.”

Why buying a home is a smart financial decision.

Glen, Sales: Big Savings Now

“I am still young and I will take more drastic measures in the future, but the courage I have taken so far is to invest as much of my money as possible. I live frugally and am frugal. This is not how most of my peers live, but for me it feels right.”

The career you choose has a huge impact on your life. Bold career decisions can pay off.

Nancy, Training Support and Classes

“The first thing that came to mind was the Cambodian experience involving motorbikes and landmine exposure. But that was actually an adventure, not a dare.

My bold life move was from a 30-year career as a Spanish teacher and high school department leader to becoming part of the Boldin team where we work together to empower others to meet their personal and financial goals.

I am grateful to be on an amazing team that values ​​and honors each individual’s contribution while working together to achieve our highest goals. This is the first job I’ve ever had where I’m not afraid to be myself and express my thoughts while respecting those of others.”

Mike, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER

“My bravest move was quitting my first job out of college after 6 years with a firm to start my own money only, advisory only, remote financial planning firm working with individuals and families primarily in their 20s and 30s. Although I had to close it after a few years, I learned a ton about running a business. I enjoyed wearing many different hats and I don’t regret it!

It allowed me to see going forward in life that as long as you have a plan, you will be okay with taking risks (personally and professionally!)”

Migration, Work, Exploration, Love, and Purpose

Steve, Founder and CEO

“My bravest move was probably moving to San Francisco when I was 23 and I quit my first consulting job because I refused to leave the city for a career development, and a great salary in Southern California. I wanted to stay here and start a company. I loved the whole vibe of this city. and the outdoors, windsurfing, hiking, biking, surfing, and more. The energy, nature, and cultural pull was strong… and my future wife was here.

There have been many times when I have taken the riskier and lower reward path in my life, because it felt like the most aligned path forward. I want to make a difference in the world and I think that takes brave decisions.

It has worked so far. I built companies, made friends, raised a family and lived a full life out here. I also hope to make lives better by creating tools and services that bring financial confidence to thousands and hopefully millions in the future.

No regrets.”

Explore a regret-free retirement.

About Boldin and Boldin Retirement Planner

Boldin Retirement Planner is financial software that puts you in the driver’s seat of your life so you can make big, bold decisions – or not.

No matter what decisions you make, we are here to help you be informed and confident that the path you are on will lead you to your goals.