Today, I wanted to share an interview I had with a millionaire who has just retired. I wanted us to see how she thinks, how she lives, what she does. I hope it gives you some perspective about your life, your retirement savings and your relationship to money.

In my e-book, How to Live Like a Millionaire on a Retirement Budget, I talk about the spiritual aspects of living a wealthy life.

Whilst my book won’t necessarily increase your bottom line – although it might – hopefully, it will change your attitude towards the money and lifestyle you do have.

Meet Stephanie

Stephanie C. is not one of the super-rich with many millions. She’s a ‘normal’ woman like you and me, who worked hard and saved her money. She inherited a bit from her parents when they died and lost a hefty chunk in 2008 due to bank fraud and the subsequent collapse of the bank.

She was laid off her job three years ago and so was effectively retired. Even so, she recently passed the million-dollar mark. Technically, she’s a millionaire, but just. Here are some of the things Stephanie shared with me.

“I always thought that once I reached a million dollars in savings, I would be at peace. But you know what? It hasn’t changed a thing. I still worry about the same stuff I’ve worried about for years.”

I Still Feel That I Need to Be Careful

“When I was young, ‘a million dollars’ seemed to be a fantasy of wild and crazy proportions. I couldn’t imagine reaching that much. The phrase ‘a million dollars’ still packs an emotional punch, but the reality, not so much. I still feel like I need to be careful, real careful.”

“I still complain about the immoral cost of health insurance, health care and medications. I don’t feel that I’m in a zone where I’m untouchable or ‘safe.’ I still worry about running out of money. Sad that a million dollars can’t give you peace of mind.”

I’ve Changed Nothing About My Lifestyle

“My values haven’t changed. If anything, I’ve almost gotten tighter with money rather than looser. I respect money all the more because I know how hard it was to get here, and how easy it was to lose it in 2008.”

“I drive a small, but nice, economical car because I really only use it to zip around the city where I live, because the public transport is unreliable.”

“Why would I need a luxury car to drive to the gym and the grocery? Maybe if I lived in the U.S. I would buy a small SUV for long distance driving. I would love the idea of driving out west, or to Vermont to see the leaves change, or driving down the coast of Florida.”

“I love my little car. I appreciate that it doesn’t call attention to itself or to me. I would feel really unhappy spending a lot of money on a car. That’s just me.”

“A car has nothing to do with my ego or representing me. My attitude is: an expensive car can get bumped in a parking lot just as easily as a simple car.”

“Fixing expensive things costs ridiculously more than fixing something less expensive. Disproportionately so. For example: I used to own a Cartier watch. I saved up and spent $2000 on it. (It makes me cringe today…) Anyway, it was nice and I enjoyed it. Until the day I took it to get fixed.”

“Starting fee out the gate was $400 for a routine maintenance. That did it for me. I sold it. Now, I just love my black Swatch. It’s a finely crafted Swiss watch. It looks sleek and chic, and I can swim in it. It lasts a long time and when it breaks beyond repair, I buy myself another one. No guilt and lots of beauty.”

“Not spending money on cars, watches and super expensive clothes leaves me more money to spend on the things I really value: like gifting airplane tickets so my kids can visit me, or the occasional meals out.

“As I’m a good cook, fancy food is best when I make it at home. When I do eat out, it’s in ethnic and less expensive restaurants that are always really delicious.”

“Travel is my passion and I try to take a few trips a year. Some are to visit friends, and there’s always one ‘big’ trip to Europe. But again, I’m looking for low airfares just like anyone. I hate paying more for something when with a little bit of diligence, I can pay less. Looking for good value leaves money for other experiences.”

I Enjoy Living Beneath My Means

“I tried having a Louis Vuitton handbag… but I felt ostentatious walking around with it. It wasn’t ‘me.’ As a retired person, I don’t need to dress for success anymore, or to imply anything about me. So I gave it to my daughter.”

“My style is more Il Bisonte, a quiet Italian brand that is cool and slouchy, yet speaks of quiet good taste and value. That’s me!”

I Still Worry About Money

“I follow the world news, which, of course, affects stock markets everywhere. I read the financial pages and check the Dow and my investments online to see how they’re reacting to world events.”

“Even though my life horizon is shorter, I take the long view about money. I’ve seen money come and go, I’ve seen it grow and shrink.”

“I think that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become cleverer about spending money and getting more value for it. Instead of wanting more, I want less. That’s a win-win combination for everyone in any financial situation, I think.”

What does living like a millionaire in retirement mean to you? What would you do if you had a million dollars? How do you think having a million dollars would change your life? Please share your thoughts and join the conversation below.

Chances are, spas and salons won’t be returning to “normal” anytime soon. It might be time to try an at-home laser treatment. These easy-to-use devices can remove unwanted hair from even the most sensitive areas on the face. Other lasers target fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes. There are multiple options depending on what you want to try at home. You might even eventually save time and money, too.

While at-home laser devices aren’t cheap, you might really enjoy having control over doing your treatments at home. Target exactly where you want to remove hair (everywhere from your face to your toes to your stomach) in the comfort of your bathroom. Maybe there are fine lines around your crow’s feet that bug you or your smile lines are a little heavier than you’d like. Focus your energy right on them for target treatment.

At-home lasers work by using pulsated light that converts to heat and breaks down the hair, as well as damaging pigment to stop future growth. Unfortunately, most laser hair removal works best on those with light skin and dark hair but technology continues to improve. When it comes to wrinkles, devices use wave-lengths at a lower energy level than at the spa (so you don’t damage your skin!) which means it might take a little longer to see results. But sticking with it could seriously pay off.

Shop some of the most popular at-home laser treatment devices, below.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Image: Remington.

Remington iLIGHT Pro Hair Removal System

Remove up to 94 percent of hair with this gentle at-home hair removal device.

Image: Amazon.

Tria Beauty Age-Defying Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser

This cute device works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.

Image: Amazon.

Silk’N Flash&Go Jewel Hair Removal Device

What the brand calls “home pulse light technology” works to remove unwanted hair painlessly.

Image: Amazon.

BoSidin Facial & Body Painless Permanent Hair Removal

This brand promises the benefits of both laser and IPL with no rough regrowth.

Image: Amazon.

LightStim for Wrinkles

Reduce wrinkles around your forehead, crow’s feet, cheeks, nasal labial folds and even lips with this LED light therapy device.

Is your home filled with mementos and paperwork, or your closets stuffed with clothes? Are you or a person you live with a hoarder?

It’s easy to collect things over the decades, stow them away somewhere and never touch them. But there comes a time when we need to let go and get rid of the extra junk to give us more room and freshen up our living space.

Downsizing After 60: Why Are You Holding on to Something You Never Use?

Are you afraid to part with old, though unused, items? Would you truly miss them if they were gone? Could someone else use and enjoy them? For example, you may have a few old cell phones sitting in your desk drawer. They can be refurbished and given to a victim of domestic violence.

Are You Going to Get Your Broken Gadgets Fixed?

Do you have a box or drawer full of broken gadgets? Do you even know what they’re used for?

Unless you’re incredibly handy at repair work, it’s better to release them to the universe and let someone else deal with fixing them. Junk collectors, thrift stores and flea markets thrive on junk and you may even make a bit of money in return.

Is Your Closet Stuffed with Clothes?

Chances are, you’ll never lose enough weight to fit back in that gorgeous dress you wore in the 80s, but it may be a hit in a costume shop.

A homeless person can always use an outdated warm coat or a comfortable pair of pants. You’ll not only feel good that you made a difference in someone’s life, but you may also be able to take a tax deduction for donating to charity.

Make Extra Cash by Getting Rid of Useless Odds and Ends

Sell unneeded items on eBay, have a garage sale, or set up an estate sale. Put the money you make into your emergency fund or take a weekend trip and have some fun.

Don’t hold onto makeup, skincare, sunscreen, or food products that have expired. The last thing you want is a stomach ache, a painful sunburn or an infection. Once the expiration date has passed, toss it.

Tired of Dusting? Get Rid of Your Tchotchkes

How many candles, statues, awards, mismatched crystal glasses, old books, CDs, cracked teacups, and other odd objects d’art can you chuck to lighten the load on your shelves? Getting rid of clutter can reduce your housework by about 40%.

Update Your Lifestyle and Banish Previous Shopping Mistakes

Are you holding onto items collected from past relationships and want to give your living space a look that reflects your new life and style? Start fresh. Purge the ugly past and create a space that makes you happy and relaxed.

Paperwork Is the Curse of a Cluttered Life

Think of all the trees we destroy to stick piles of documents, receipts, and news clipping in a cardboard box. Why not recycle what you don’t really need so it can be remade into something useful? Sort out duplicates and only keep what is critical.

Are your 40-year-old child’s kindergarten scribbles gathering cockroaches in your closet? Do you have old newspapers piled up in a corner heap that will never get read? Try going paperless as much as possible.

Nowadays, you can pay all your bills online and keep track of them using an online free software program like Mint.com.

Less Is Always More

Add a little Zen to your life and simplify it by cutting out the clutter. It will clear your space and your mind for new ideas and creativity.

Where are you on your personal downsizing journey? What things are you finding it difficult to let go in your life? What habits have you started that help you achieve a simpler lifestyle? What do you think are the benefits of downsizing after 60? Please share all the good things you have discovered! Let’s have a chat!