Bill Benoist

As we step into a brand-new year, I’ve been thinking a lot about how retirement gives us a chance to set goals that truly matter. This week, I released my first video of 2026, and it’s all about why goal setting doesn’t stop once we leave our careers—if anything, it becomes even more important.

In the video, I share the five goals I set last year and how each one shaped my health, creativity, finances, and sense of purpose. Some goals I hit right on the mark.

Others… well, let’s just say they’re getting another shot in 2026. I also talk about the one decision that helped me lose 30 pounds, the passion project that lit me up, and how joining a simple photography group opened doors to new friendships.

If you’re looking for ideas to make this year more meaningful—whether it’s improving your health, learning something new, rebuilding friendships, or starting a project, you’ve put off for years—you’ll find something here for you.

I’d love for you to watch the full video and start 2026 with intention and energy. Let’s make this a great year together.

https://youtu.be/Uf9g-4jiAUk

5 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 3

Bill Benoist

We've all heard the government say inflation is only at 3%, but when you're at the grocery store or paying your electric bill, does it really feel like just 3%? If you're scratching your head wondering how they arrive at these numbers—especially when your Social Security COLA is barely covering a fancy coffee—you're not alone.

In my latest video, I break down exactly how the Consumer Price Index works and why it might not reflect what retirees are actually experiencing. More importantly, I share practical strategies you can implement right now to help your fixed income stretch further in today's economic reality.

This isn't about doom and gloom—it's about being informed and taking control of your retirement finances. Whether you're already retired or planning for it, understanding the gap between official inflation numbers and your lived experience is crucial for maintaining financial stability.

If you're ready to get real about retirement budgeting and discover actionable ways to protect your purchasing power, watch the full video now. Your future self will thank you!

https://youtu.be/stEEXYG7A_E

1 week ago | [YT] | 6

Bill Benoist

Quick question: When you were in your twenties, did you think older adults still had dreams?

I used to think the same way. Society teaches us there's an "expiration date" on our dreams—usually around retirement age.

But here's what I discovered through years of career coaching and real conversations with people in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s...

I was completely wrong.

The truth about dreams and aging might surprise you. And one of my neighbors—an 82-year-old named Ray—perfectly illustrates what's possible when you give yourself permission to keep dreaming.

Want to start that passion project? Learn something new? Follow your heart?

This video will show you why retirement might actually be the BEST time to dream bigger than ever before.

https://youtu.be/8KVqn4-ZjMs

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

I just posted a video that's a bit different from my usual content. It's more personal, more reflective.

My neighbor Sue passed away recently. She was 80 years old and had been my neighbor for over 30 years. We'd weed our shared garden area together, have dinners, and just... talk about life.

Her passing has brought up this Buddhist concept I've been thinking about a lot: impermanence. Nothing stays the same forever, and while that's hard to accept, there's also peace in understanding it.

In this week's video, I share some thoughts on dealing with loss and change, including:

• Why practicing gratitude matters even more during difficult times
• The importance of staying connected (not isolating)
• Finding meaning through creative pursuits
• Accepting that we'll always have "unfinished business"

This one's dedicated to Sue. It's short, but it comes from the heart.

https://youtu.be/A4pcTgbMvM8

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but for many retirees, it can also stir up feelings of loneliness, stress, or sadness. If that’s you, I want you to know something important—you’re not alone, and your feelings are completely normal.

After working with people for years, both in career coaching and now in retirement wellness, I’ve seen how tough this time of year can be, especially when life has changed in ways we didn’t expect.

Maybe the house feels quieter than it used to. Maybe a spouse is no longer here, or the kids live far away. Maybe the holidays bring financial stress or memories that weigh heavy. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s valid.

I just posted a short video where I talk directly about this and offer a few simple steps that truly help: getting sunlight, moving your body, and practicing daily gratitude. These small actions can make a real difference in how you feel.

If the holidays hit a little harder this year, I hope you’ll take a moment to watch. You deserve support, peace, and a brighter season ahead.

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Retirement isn't the end—it's a new beginning! But are you making the most of this chapter you spent decades working toward?

In my latest video, I break down the 5 essential priorities that will help you experience retirement with MORE joy, freedom, and meaning:

💰 Financial stability (without living like a miser)
💪 Health and wellness (no marathons required!)
🎯 Purpose and meaning (beyond the "retired" title)
👥 Social connections (they won't maintain themselves)
🧠 Personal growth (keep that mind sharp!)

I share practical tips like how I cut my phone bill from $135 to $55/month and why walking just 30 minutes a day can dramatically reduce your health risks.

You deserve to thrive in retirement, not just survive.

Watch now to discover actionable strategies you can implement today.

https://youtu.be/3T_TIavIS5I

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

I'm sharing something deeply personal in my latest video - my family's struggle with alcoholism and why this matters so much for retirees.

My dad was an engineer on the Apollo moon rockets, but alcoholism took his life at just 44 years old. His father also died an alcoholic in his mid-forties.

With the hereditary factors at play, I know I need to be careful. And in researching this, I've discovered something crucial about retirement that nobody talks about.

Here's the reality: Many retirees drink more heavily because they lack structure. But here's what's really happening - alcohol raises your "hedonic set point" of happiness. Suddenly, the things that used to bring you joy - golf, gardening, photography - just don't excite you anymore.

The good news? This can be reversed.

If you've noticed you're drinking more and enjoying life less, this video explains the science behind why that happens and what you can do about it. This could be the most important conversation about retirement wellness you'll hear.

Watch the full video to understand how this affects you.

https://youtu.be/r-sVx0XIZas

1 month ago | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

I just released a new video that I think many of us in midlife and retirement can relate to, because it gets right to the heart of something we deal with every time we step into a doctor’s office: why does the U.S. spend more money on healthcare than any other country, yet still rank near the bottom in life expectancy among wealthy nations?

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to face this question personally. I went decades without seeing a doctor, and it wasn’t until I had a serious issue with my eye at age 60 that I was pulled back into the system.

What I found wasn’t what I expected. Instead of real preventive care, everything felt focused on reacting to illness, not stopping it.

And when you add the maze of insurance rules on top of that, it’s no surprise so many people feel frustrated and confused.

In this video, I talk openly about what I learned, what I’m doing differently now, and the simple, practical steps you can take to protect your health as you age.


https://youtu.be/7_rFRZaa9Wc

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 3

Bill Benoist

My mom used to tell me she'd never turn 30. Every birthday, same answer: "I'm always gonna be 29."

What started as a quirky thing she said became this weight I didn't even realize I was carrying. Because she passed away at 54, and that joke? It hit different.

Here's the thing about the traits we inherit from our parents—even the ones that drive us crazy. Sometimes we spend YEARS trying not to become them, only to realize we're doing the exact same things.

In today's video, I'm sharing a personal story about birthdays, my mom, and the moment I finally made peace with something I thought I hated.

It's about embracing retirement with purpose and understanding how our past shapes our present.


https://youtu.be/JlSNr7Z4Yc0

2 months ago | [YT] | 6

Bill Benoist

When we retire, we lose the structure that kept us moving.

Many of us end up on the recliner thinking "I'll do it tomorrow" – but tomorrow never comes.

In my latest video, I share why action comes FIRST, then motivation follows – not the other way around. I break down:

✅ Why "cutting to the chase" is killing your momentum

✅ The real reason motivation feels impossible some days

✅ How progress (not perfection) creates lasting motivation

✅ My personal system for staying consistent in retirement

This isn't about discipline or willpower. It's about understanding how motivation actually works and using that knowledge to design a retirement filled with purpose and energy.

If you've been stuck in the "I'll start tomorrow" loop, this video will change how you approach your days.

https://youtu.be/Yp6bJ-w8p7E

2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 3