Most people “budget” for retirement with spreadsheets—taxes, HOA fees, insurance, housing costs. But almost nobody budgets for the hidden tax of lifestyle misfit: the slow, compounding cost of living in a setup that constantly fights your wiring, your energy rhythms, your health needs, and (if you have a partner) your relationship. In this episode, I break down the four hidden taxes that show up when your lifestyle doesn’t fit: energy drain, wealth drain, health drain, and relationship drain—and how those taxes sneakily erode both healthspan and wealthspan over time. We’ll also walk through the three rightsizing paths—thriving-in-place, strategic downsizing, and sunbirding—and the specific “misfit patterns” that tend to sabotage each one. If you’re trying to decide whether to stay put, downsize, or split time between two locations, this conversation will help you stop chasing a fantasy plan that only works when you’re at your best—and start designing a resilient, resentment-resistant next phase that still works in your tired week, your pain-flare week, or your stressful week. Next step: Take my Rightsizing Readiness Quiz (and if you’re a couple, take it separately and compare results). Then, if you want help translating your results into a clear plan that protects your health, wealth, and relationship, book a Rightsized Home & Health Review after you take the quiz. 👉 Quiz https://bit.ly/4aiIBxx Chapters 00:00 The retirement cost nobody budgets for—lifestyle misfit 02:28 Three rightsizing paths: thrive-in-place, downsize, sunbird 03:40 Good friction vs chronic misfit (and why “future you” has less tolerance) 05:30 Hidden Tax #1: Energy drain (decision fatigue, logistics, uphill living) 06:47 Hidden Tax #2: Wealth drain (crisis hiring, repeat moves, two-house costs) 07:30 Hidden Tax #3: Health drain (stress biology, default behaviors, recovery) 08:45 Hidden Tax #4: Relationship tax (manager vs dreamer, resentment creep) 09:37 Thriving-in-place: when “pride of ownership” becomes maintenance captivity 11:48 Strategic downsizing: grief, identity, and the staged-process fix 14:01 Sunbirding: the logistics trap—and how to do “sunbird-light” 15:43 Couples: non-negotiables + a resentment-resistant plan 19:36 Self-diagnose: where are your biggest leaks? ***************************** Rightsized Home & Health Review https://bit.ly/4aiIBxx Rachael Van Pelt, PhD is a retired healthspan scientist turned Realtor and longevity coach helping 55+ adults rightsize with confidence. If you’re unsure whether to move, stay put, or unlock equity, she’ll help you run the numbers, weigh the tradeoffs, and build a plan that supports both health longevity and financial freedom. Rachael works locally (in Colorado) as a Realtor and nationally as a coach. If you want expert guidance for your rightsizing journey, book a free strategy session using the above link. ***************************** ⚠️ Disclaimer: We do not accept liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of our publications. You acknowledge that you use the information we provide at your own risk. Do your research. inPlace Professionals, LLC. 2024 All rights reserved. Broker eXp Realty, LLC Copyright Notice: This podcast and our YouTube video contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of Rachael Van Pelt. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided. @drrachaelvanpelt
