Of all the additional expenses I imagined I might have in retirement, here’s one I underestimated.

Fortunately, on the one hand, it’s a relatively low cost item. And totally discretionary.

On the other hand, the cumulative cost of how many of these I’m wearing out could “break” me. (Hopefully, not really!)

The item?

AA batteries.

Now that I can begin to immerse myself in social media, (prior employment constraints no longer constraining me), I am wearing out the batteries in my wireless mouse as fast, it seems me, as I can replace them.

Using my laptop for matters other than research and lessons for students—using it for “me” (and hopefully for you!)—for (re)discovering my writer’s voice: that is a luxury worth any cost.

And in some ways, it’s not a discretionary expense at all.

For better or for worse, it’s a luxury and necessity I’ve waited my entire work life to pursue more freely and more fully!

What about you? Do you find yourself doing something old in a new way or to a new extent in retirement?