Meet the members of the Boldin team, learn about their boldest life decisions, and discover what it means to be truly bold.

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

What does it mean to be bold?

Boldness doesn’t mean taking risks or being reckless, it means making confident decisions to execute your plans so you can live the life you truly want.

The dictionary definition of “bold” is: characteristic 1. (of a person, action, or idea) showing a capacity for confidence and courage. “A bold attempt to resolve a crisis.”

Bold decisions are worth the effort because they push boundaries, lead to personal and professional growth, and often yield extraordinary opportunities and outcomes. While making a bold choice can be scary, the potential for change, growth, and meaningful accomplishment makes bold decisions a powerful driver of progress and success.

Meet the members of the Boldin team and learn about their most daring decisions in life.

We asked some of the people behind Boldin, formerly known as NewRetirement, to share what they consider their most daring move and how it has impacted the trajectory of their lives.

Bold steps: Move!

Many of our team members have told stories of moving as the boldest step of their lives. Where you live has a huge impact on your life—financially, in terms of your social and emotional life, your lifestyle, your use of time, and more. (Learn more about the benefits of moving.

Mary, Design: Architectural History in a New City

“My partner and I made a bold move when we decided to sell our apartment in Washington, D.C., and buy our dream home in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Leaving the city we loved, where we built our careers and friendships, was both bittersweet and sweet. However, the appeal of larger space and the opportunity to own a piece of architectural history inspired us. Although we had never owned a single-family home before, we were so impressed by the house we saw on a rainy day in May that we made an offer the next day.

Moving into this place on August 1st was a new chapter, and as we look back, we are grateful every day for that decision. Five years later, it still feels like we are living on vacation!

Danny, Finance & HR: Greyhound Bus to California

“What was the boldest move I ever made? I don’t know—maybe it was my stupid youth. But I moved to California from the East Coast at the age of eighteen with $200 in my shoe on a Greyhound bus.

But now that I think about it, I realize that this move changed my life. I was going to go to the University of Maryland, College Park, but the rules were different back then for military children and I couldn’t get in-state tuition anywhere. That was a huge setback to my education.

“The bus ride was hard, but California was easy. I could afford to go to college and supported myself just by working as a waitress. I eventually transferred out of college and graduated from Berkeley. I have no regrets at all, and it has given me the life I love.”

Is college education worth the cost?

Kelly, Sales: Good morning Provence!

“I moved with my family from Southern California to the South of France at the age of 49. I quit my full-time job in fintech and opened a consulting practice so I could live my life and career on my own terms. Now I can sip wine in the amazing sunshine that attracted masters like Cézanne and Picasso to live and paint here.

There’s really nothing like it. So far, so good. Santi!”

Learn more about how to start your own business in or after middle age and how to retire abroad.

Automated Marketing: Crossing the Ocean

“At the age of twelve, my family and I emigrated from Vietnam, crossed the Pacific Ocean, and settled in California. At the time, I felt scared and confused, and it was a very bold move.

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

love

Making decisions about love was another of the bolder decisions our team made.

Kathleen, Consumer Business: Having Children

“I would have said the boldest thing I ever did was start our first company, but I grew up with entrepreneurs, so it seemed normal and natural.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that the boldest step I’ve ever taken was the decision to have children – three times.

There is no doubt that this decision had the most profound impact on my life. There has been nothing more life-changing in my life than becoming a mother. It is not always easy. Jennifer Senior has a book about parenting called All Joy and No Joy and the title sums up the ups and downs.

“Parenting isn’t for everyone, and the investment of time, emotion, body and money is huge. However, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made – hands down! I’ve learned so much from them. I love them so much and feeling like that is the most important thing in life.”

Ruby, Customer Support: Marriage

“My audacity was to ask my wife to marry me. Well, look at this. My audacity was to ask my current father-in-law’s permission to ask his daughter to marry me.

“After I had a child and a house, it was the best decision I ever made.”

exploration

Exploration and adventure are often the first things that come to mind when you think of daring. However, what emerges in the stories below is what you learn, feel, and change as a result of your experiences.

Dave, Financial Engineering: From War Zone Adventure to Family

“The most daring move of my life was to buy a one-way ticket to Europe shortly after the breakup of Yugoslavia and take a train trip to Croatia. I created fake press credentials so that I could get a legitimate press pass from the United Nations within 48 hours of arriving there.

My original plan was to walk alone from Zagreb to Sarajevo in the winter of 1993, with the goal of becoming an award-winning photojournalist (not getting killed). But once I got there, I chose to volunteer as a logistics officer for the International Rescue Committee.

This choice led to three years of non-governmental relief work helping a million displaced people in central Bosnia, as well as establishing a family and a home there.

I couldn’t have predicted where I would end up, but I am grateful for the life I created through my bold decisions.

Bruce, Certified Financial Planner

“A few years ago I decided to hike in and out of the Grand Canyon—rim to rim—in one day. The extreme heat (105 degrees Fahrenheit or more), the distance (24 miles), and the elevation (10,000 feet down and 10,000 feet up) made this a difficult, if not impossible, task.

But I did it. To this day, I look back on my accomplishment with pride. It’s an accomplishment that continues to boost my confidence to make other big bold decisions.”

Financial decisions

Every financial decision is a bold one. Money expands us intellectually and emotionally every day. Here are some examples from our team:

Amanda, Marketing: Big Purchase

“My husband and I were newly married, it was 2008, and the subprime mortgage bubble and housing market had just burst. And yet we bought more homes than we should have according to the general rules. It was scary, absolutely scary. But we managed to do it by making sacrifices in other areas of our lives to pay for it.

“And what was the result? I’m very proud of being able to own my own home and that it’s a place where I can raise my family and walk in the garden. Fortunately, the investment has increased significantly. Let’s hear more about home equity.”

Why is buying a home a smart financial decision?

Glenn, Sales: Save Big Now

“I’m still relatively young and I’ll still be taking bold steps in the future, but the boldest step I’ve taken so far is investing as much of my money as possible. I live a frugal life and save. It’s not the way most of my peers live, but I feel it’s the right way.”

The work you choose has a big impact on your life. Bold career decisions can be worthwhile.

Nancy, Training and Tutoring Support

“The first thing that came to mind was an experience in Cambodia that involved riding motorbikes and possible exposure to landmines. But in reality, this experience was more of an adventure, not a dare.

The boldest step of my life was moving from a 30-year career as a Spanish teacher and high school department head to becoming part of the Boldin team where we work together to empower others to achieve their personal and financial goals.

“I am grateful to be part of a great team that values ​​and respects each individual’s contribution while working synergistically towards our noble goals. This is my first job ever where I am not afraid to just be myself and share my ideas while respecting others’ ideas equally.”

Mike, Certified Financial Planner

“The boldest move I ever made was quitting my first job out of college after 6 years with a corporate firm to start my own remote financial planning firm, working with individuals and families mostly in their 20s and 30s. Although I had to close it after 2 years, I learned a lot about running a business. I had fun wearing different hats and have no regrets!

It has allowed me to realize in the future in life that as long as you have a plan, you will be okay taking risks (personally and professionally)!

Move, work, explore, love, purpose.

Steve, Founder and CEO

“Probably the boldest move I ever made was moving to San Francisco at 23 and then quitting my first consulting job because I refused to leave this city for the career advancement and bigger salary in Southern California. I wanted to stay here and start a company. I loved the overall vibe of this city and the access to the outdoors, surfing, mountain climbing, biking, and more. The energy, nature, and cultural appeal was strong… plus my wife was here.

I have taken a riskier, less rewarding path several times throughout my life because I felt it was the right way to go. I want to make a difference in the world and I believe that requires making bold decisions.

So far, this idea has worked. I’ve started businesses, made friends, raised a family, and live a full life here. I hope to make life better by developing tools and services that provide financial confidence to thousands, and maybe millions in the future.

“No regrets.”

Discover retirement without regrets.

About Boldin and the Boldin Retirement Plan

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

Whatever your choices, we are here to help you know and be confident that the path you are taking will lead you to your goals.