“Opportunities” await Atlanta empty nesters. Except …

The big transition moments in life — getting a home, having a baby, watching the last of the kids move out — are like ringing a dinner bell for Atlanta businesses that think they have a new chance to snag us as customers.

If only it were so easy. One new empty nester keeps stumbling upon signs of the social and financial changes he'll face just by looking in the pantry, sorting laundry and getting in the car. It turns out having more time once the kids are gone is only part of the equation and may not be enough to put us on a buying binge.

Check out some of the unexpected twists in Matt Kempner's latest Unofficial Business column on myAJC.com.