Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Akaisha Update:

Our Days of Love, Care, and Quiet Gratitude

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

First, I would like to state that no two days are the same. As I am writing this, she is having a string of good days.

I am doing my best to give her well-balanced gourmet meals, while monitoring her weight, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and providing emotional support. It takes a lot out of me, but I remember what she once told me: “Billy, I would switch places with you any day.” Ouch!

Billy's French Onion Soup

Fortunately, because we were shipwrecked in Chapala, Mexico, we can afford to pay for some help to take the load off both of us. This has been a huge relief for our peace of mind and sanity.

We first hired Maria, a wife and mother of three whom we’ve known for years. She works from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., six days a week, with Sundays off. Her main responsibility is Akaisha: getting her up, undressed for a shower, towel-dried, and dressed again. It’s like a pit stop on a racetrack. Akaisha can only be on her feet for a maximum of about seven minutes.

Once Maria gets Akaisha into the shower, she comes into the kitchen and prepares two fresh fruit plates with mango, papaya, bananas, mandarin oranges, and a little yogurt on top.

Meanwhile, I am cooking eggs, bacon, and oatmeal in various ways.

When Maria hears the shower door open, she hurries back to the bathroom, dries Akaisha, and walks her to the bed where her clothes are laid out. (Remember, she only has about seven minutes before Akaisha’s pain level rises sharply.) Then it’s back into bed.

By now, I have nearly finished cooking breakfast. Maria delivers it to Akaisha along with utensils, napkins, and her pills.

This is the most hectic part of our day, and it all happens before 8:00 a.m.

Now I can sit down and eat in peace, knowing Maria has Akaisha covered and has delivered fruit plates to both of us.

Maria's Fresh Fruit Plate

While we eat, Maria cleans the kitchen, does the dishes, and checks on Akaisha. On her trips back and forth, she also empties the trash bins and puts in new liners. She is an angel!

We also give Maria a list of light shopping items we need. She knows that if we asked for a melon but something else looks better, she should buy that instead. We fully trust her judgment, and she’s back in a flash.

Once Akaisha has eaten and settled down, Maria charts her blood pressure and oxygen levels with the time and date. I send this information to the doctors via WhatsApp to keep them up to date.

By now it’s close to 9:00 a.m. I head out for coffee with friends, and Maria gives Akaisha a 30-minute massage to help prevent blood clots in her legs.

This is pretty much a “normal” morning for us.

Billy's French Onion Soup

While I’m out, I also do my own shopping and errands so I’m home by about 10:30 a.m. That gives me time to start meal prep around 11:00, since Maria leaves for the day and we aim to eat around 12:30.

We’ve added a second helper for Saturdays and Sundays. Gloria is a 16-year-old student who has classes during the week and arrives at 1:30 p.m. for one hour. Her job is to clean up the kitchen from my cooking mess—washing and drying the dishes, putting them away, sweeping, and mopping the floor.

This really takes the load off me and allows me to lie down for a nap.

Happy Wife, Happy Life

The cost for both of these wonderful women is 1,100 pesos a week—about $63 USD. They are extremely well-mannered and respectful of our situation.

It’s truly a pleasure to have them helping us through this journey.

Through all the challenges, my love for Akaisha only grows deeper. Watching her strength and grace in the face of such difficulty reminds me every single day why I’m here and how blessed we are to still have each other. These quiet moments of care, laughter, and teamwork make the hard days bearable and the good days truly precious. We’re grateful for every sunrise we get to share together, and for the kind hearts that are walking this path with us. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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