Retirement Living

How to Organize Your Time in Retirement

woman reading a book on a grass - organize your time in retirement

For many people, retirement is a chance to finally do things they have always wanted to do but had to postpone before they have the freedom of retirement. You might have a vision of the ultimate retirement lifestyle of getting up at any time, no alarm clock, no morning rush, and no daily schedules, just relax and enjoy your day.

But with no direction or discipline, you will soon find out that your days and weeks will pass without doing what is meaningful. The next thing you know a few months have passed and you have no idea where the time went and what you did with your time.

A successful retirement lifestyle should consist of a mix of activities that provide physical activity, mental stimulation, and socializing with others.

If you add to this mix the household chores such as cooking, shopping, cleaning, laundry, and house maintenance your retirement life might look overloaded again. That is why you will need some form of a time management system to arrange these activities and find time for it all.

Here are a few important tips to help you organize your time in retirement.

Make a Schedule

Sit back, relax, and do nothing all day is still a dream of many future retirees.

Just remember that if you sit around watching TV or surfing the internet for a few months, your health and fitness level will deteriorate quickly.

This is why starting retirement with no plan or schedule could hurt you in a long run. There is no better way to plan for retirement than to have a good understanding of how you will spend your days and weeks.

Time management in retirement does not mean blocking every minute of your day. It is more about establishing goals and priorities and then making sure that you accomplish what you set out to do.

First, organize your activities and household chores on a daily or weekly basis.
Second, use an online calendar or a planner to keep track of your activities and tasks. Many people will have a list of things (a bucket list) they want to accomplish once they stop working. It is a good idea to spread them out over some time, rather than trying to conquer everything at once.
Lastly, make a list and set reasonable and manageable goals of when you want to have items completed. It might be helpful to divide them into categories such as this week, this month, and this year.

Find your rhythm

It can be hard to structure days in your early days of retirement. After decades of working and having your days structured from morning to evening, it is easy to get overwhelmed with so much free time on your hands.

To establish your rhythm, start your day with purpose and write down two or three things you want to get done that day.

Here is an example of a few activities to keep on your calendar:

Cleaning the house
Preparing a meal
Working in a garden
Meeting up with friends
Writing in your journal
Reading a book
Going to the gym/ taking yoga class/ working out

1. Establish your morning routine.

Your morning routine looked the same for the last 40+ years – you would wake up, do some personal hygiene, get dressed, have breakfast (or not) and go to work. Once you are retired, you need to reinvent that part of the day.

There is so much proof behind why your morning routine is important.

man preparing coffee on a table - organize your time in retirement

Your morning routine sets the tone for the day. A good routine gets you on track from the moment you wake up and puts you in the right frame of mind. If you get following a healthy routine every morning you will get a lot of optimistic energy moving around you.

Morning routine examples:

Wake up
Breathing exercise
Have a healthy breakfast
Enjoy a gourmet cup of coffee or tea
Listen to a good music
Read a book
Write your thoughts in a journal.

2. Makes your evenings purposeful.

Evenings could be the most difficult part of the day.

People usually start feeling tired from their daily chores and responsibilities. That is why it is important to make your evenings purposeful. With no discipline or direction, you will discover that you spend most of your evenings on a couch watching Netflix.

You should simply write down a few things you are going to do every evening. For example, if you like to read or write, you can schedule a daily reading or writing in your journal time from 7 to 8 pm every day. I like to cook, so I can schedule preparing a meal from 6 to 7 pm every day.

There are so many other options:

Work in a garden
Water your flowers
Take a daily evening walk after dinner
Meet with a friend
Listen to a podcast
Sit outside to watch a sunset

It is also okay to do nothing and watch TV. But you are better off spending your evenings outdoors than indoors because it will give you more energy and motivation for new things.

3. Combine structured activities with free time.

If the idea of maintaining a daily schedule does not appeal to you, you can establish a less time-based approach.

Start your mornings by writing down two or three things you want to get done that day. Then, once you have done those two or three chores, you can spend the rest of the day doing whatever you want.

You will probably end up with a mix of structured activities, free time to spend however you like, and to-do lists.

4. Limit your time watching TV.

Just do your best to limit time mindlessly watching TV or browsing the internet.

Decide how much time you will allow to do passive activities and do your best to stick to it. For example, you might allow yourself only 30-minutes every morning and every evening to check emails, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and any other social media channels.

Tips for a Smooth Transition to Retirement

Add something new to your life

Retirement is the ultimate time of getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new.

Most of us spend our lives dedicated to duty – building a career, raising a family, and taking care of grandchildren or parents. And unfortunately, we often put our dreams on a shelf.

But retirement is a perfect time to explore something new.

Go back to school. There are so many educational classes, both in-person and online that can help you grow your mind, meet new people, and stay relevant to the modern world.

Public universities often offer special tuition discounts for seniors. If you are not interested in getting a degree, try taking classes at a local community college. Choose a subject that you have always wanted to learn more about.

But if you want to gain more knowledge for free and from the comfort of your home, I recommend listening to podcasts on a topic you want to learn more about or even watching something on YouTube.

Engage yourself in new culture and language. Traveling is one of the most popular ways to do this. It can teach you the new and insightful things and open windows to diverse experiences.

Spend time on your hobbies and interests. Fill up your time with what makes you happy. Think of the activities you would do all day long and use your time in retirement to enjoy those activities.

4 balls of yarn - find new hobbies in retirement

If you do not have any hobbies or interests you are passionate about, try picking a new one from the list below.

Here is a list of interests and hobbies to help you think about new possibilities for retirement:

Design and remodeling
Entertaining
Cooking/ baking
Decorating and DIY projects
Organizing
Painting/ reading
Playing musical instruments
Singing/ acting
Pet care/ animals
Teaching/ mentoring
Traveling/ learning a new language
Sports/ fitness
Babysitting
Gardening
Learning new technology

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Learn how to slow down

It is important to establish a healthy balance between work and relaxation.

Once you stop working you do not need to follow your working schedule and pack your days with tasks to the brim. Being constantly busy does not mean achieving any sense of fulfillment. You do not have to be busy every minute of the day. Stop putting pressure on yourself and learn how to slow down.

I know that for some of us it is hard to relax. You might not need to set a schedule for everyday tasks. Instead, just finish a few chores when you are ready and take the rest of the day off. Be flexible and allow yourself to move activities and tasks from today’s list to tomorrow or next week. In the end, it will all get done.

The main thing to remember is that you can be more productive and energetic when you are physically and mentally fresh. So set aside enough time in your schedule for rest.

Get sufficient sleep at night.
Take breaks between tasks, especially when you are doing physical work.
When working in front of your computer, take 5 to 10 minutes breaks to stretch and move around.
Set a timer on your phone or computer to alert you when you have been online longer than a specific time. Then, shut it down.

How do you organize your time in retirement? Share your ideas in the comments below.

If you enjoyed reading, share this post so that others can find it, too!

How to Retire Well on a Small Budget

by Maggie 4 Comments

an older couple in woods-retire well on a small budget

The truth is a lot of retirees will be living on a small budget. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the median average retirement income in 2021 for retirees 65 and older is $47,357.

And the average retirement savings for people aged 55 to 64 is $375,000. For most people, these savings will decrease when they start spending them in retirement.

With not that much money in your pocket, retirement is getting more difficult than ever with the growth of inflation and just about everything getting more expensive.

Living well on a small budget in retirement can be challenging, but it is possible. There are a few things you can do to make it work.

Pay attention to your spending.

When you have to live on a small budget in retirement it is important to know where your money is going. Not many of us like to spend time tracking our expenses. But you cannot afford to slip money away on something that is not important while living on a tight budget. Every dollar should be accounted for.

Here are the biggest expenses in retirement – housing, transportation, food, and healthcare.

Take a careful look at your expenses and see how you tend to spend money each month. Divide all your expenses between fixed and variable and see where you can cut back.

Fixed expenses such as mortgage/ rent, utility bills, and car insurance are set and hard to change. However, variable expenses such as clothing, dining out, travel, and entertainment are easy to reduce.

How to Cut Expenses Before You Retire

There are many budgeting apps that make tracking your spending easier than it used to be.

Best Budgeting Apps

Reduce your housing costs.

Keeping a roof over your head is always one of your biggest budget items. But how much money you can spend on housing is critical when you have to live on a limited budget.

Luckily, we have many options to choose from:

Downsize to a smaller home or condo
Move to a cheaper location
Rent an apartment
Relocate to 55+ community
Age in Place

First, think about where to live in retirement and the monthly costs of that place including rent or mortgage, taxes, maintenance, and repairs.

Second, decide how close you want to live to your family and friends and what your other priorities such as climate, rural or urban areas, and proximity to medical facilities.

Third, if you choose to age in your home, figure out the cost of renovation for retiring in place and how much help you will need for maintaining that big house when you are older.

Choose your place to live in retirement carefully because it is your biggest budget expense.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Place for Retirement

Reduce your transportation costs.

Cars are expensive. You do not need to spend a lot of money on your car to have a happy retirement.

Typically, most retirees spend less time on the road driving than the average driver. According to stats, people over age 65 spent an average of $7,062 annually or $588.50 per month on transportation.

Owning 2 or 3 cars is often required when you live in the suburbs and work in the city or have kids. But when you retire, you do not need to have 2 or 3 cars. It stops making so much sense and hurts your budget.

If you have been a two-car family for years, it is time to downsize to one car so you can spend less money on insurance, gas, maintenance, and taxes. And if it is time to replace your old car, do not buy a new car. Consider buying something that is about 2 or 3 years old so you can pay less.

Most vehicles lose about half of their value by the time they are five years old. So, if you decide to buy a used car, a three-year-old car will cost you less in upfront expenses and maintenance.

In case you are planning to move from the suburbs to the city, you should sell all your cars and take advantage of public transportation. In this scenario, you do not need to worry about the costs of your vehicles at all. Buses, subways, and other public transportation can cost you around $526.80 per year with a senior discount. Just buy a monthly public transportation pass and enjoy car-free retirement.

Reduce your food costs.

Food is going to be your third biggest expense in retirement after housing and transportation.

On average most retirees spend around 20 percent of their income on food. According to stats, in the last 5years households run by people 65 or older spent $6,207 annually or $517.23 monthly on food. Those aged 65 to 74 spent on food $6,864 per year, and people over 75 spent $5,274. These food expenses include groceries, alcohol, and dining out.

Food costs will vary depending on your diet and habits. For example, people who prefer to buy organic produce will likely spend more money than people who do not.

If you are retiring on a small budget, you need to be creative with your food and how you eat.

Learn to cook

Eating at home more frequently will cost less than eating out. The reality is that the food you cook yourself is the cheapest food you eat. When you retire and have plenty of time there is no more excuse such as “I do not have time to cook”. After all, learning how to cook can become your new hobby.

person holding sliced veggies - retire well on a small budget

Plan meals in advance

I noticed that frequent trips for a few extra grocery items often lead to a higher food bill at the end of each month. That is why planning your meals in advance before you go grocery shopping is important.

For example, use a Monday morning to decide what dishes you want to cook at home during the coming week and additional snacks you will want to have in your pantry. After making a list, you can go grocery shopping just once for the whole week.

With current prices skyrocketing and inflation on a rise, it is getting tougher to find new ways to save on grocery shopping.

However, there are always ways to shop smart:

Shop seasonal food. Seasonal food is cheaper since there are no traveling and storage expenses involved. Purchasing seasonal produce is always cheaper than buying that same fruit or vegetable during its off-season. In addition to that, produce is fresher and tastes better in season, and is often perfectly ripe. So, take advantage of the low prices at harvest time.
Shop generic brands. The huge benefit of buying generic brands instead of name brands is saving money. Typically, generic brands are cheaper than name brands. The packaging may not be as colorful as a name-brand product, but often there is little to no difference between both products.
Shop the perimeters. Fresh foods are healthier than processed foods. In a typical grocery store layout, fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, milk, eggs, and cheese are on the outside perimeter. But processed foods are typically stored in the center aisles.

Many foods in the center aisles contain preservatives that make them last longer on the shelf. If foods do not have any added preservatives, then it needs to be refrigerated to keep them fresh.

Try to avoid buying pre-cooked meals or processed foods to maintain a healthy diet and cut the costs of your groceries.

Learn to eat out for less

Cooking only for one or two seems unrewarding. However, if you are living on a tight budget, you should avoid eating out frequently. It is not that you should never eat out. But if you are retired and worried about inflation and rising food prices, reducing the number of times you go to the restaurant can help to reduce the cost of it.

There are still many ways to have the restaurant experience on a small budget:

Have your meal at home and then go for coffee and dessert.
Instead of eating out dinner, go to the same restaurant for lunch. Many restaurants have the same menu for lunch and dinner, but they mark up their prices for dinner.
Instead of eating out once a week, start eating out only once a month.
If you still want to go to an expensive restaurant, avoid ordering appetizers, alcohol, and dessert to save money on the highest price increase items.
Be selective, look for coupons or Groupons, and only go to places offering deals and discounts.
Go to happy hours at restaurants, where wine and hard liquor are less expensive, and the bar food can serve as dinner.

Check out this website for Restaurant Deals and Specials

Sign up for Groupon to receive coupons and discounts

Take care of health to reduce medical costs.

We all know that medical care is expensive, and the cost of healthcare is rising every year. According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, an average retired couple age 65 in 2022 may need approximately $315, 000 saved (after tax) to cover healthcare costs in retirement.

Many health issues are age-related. Our body gets weaker as we age.

There are still many retirees who spend days lying on a couch watching TV and snacking. Some people gain weight when they stop working because they are not active and eat more because they are bored. Being overweight and lack of exercise put retirees at great risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, and cancer.

That is why regular medical check-ups are a must.

You should visit your doctor regularly and do not skip any recommended health screenings and tests. Keep an eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol level to avoid a heart attack or stroke.

If you want to eat healthy, follow a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products. Additionally, do not forget to shop smart and always read food labels to avoid foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Another way to keep your medical expenses down is to stay active and fit. Start with developing good habits in your new life. Create an exercise routine and follow it thoroughly.

You do not need to spend extra money on expensive personal trainers or gym membership. Walking, running, or cycling outdoor is more than enough to stay in good physical shape for years. Explore your local walking and jogging trails. Those 30 minutes a day you need to spend walking can be done in your local park.

How to Stay Fit for a Healthy Retirement

Travel and entertainment on a small budget.

One of the most exciting parts of retirement is enjoying your new lifestyle.

Portugal coast - travel on a small budget in retirement

For many retirees, travel is a big part of that lifestyle. However, traveling is expensive. It includes hotels, air tickets, restaurant meals, rental cars, entertainment, tours, and more. According to stats, the average retiree spends $11,077 per year on travel.

Travel off-season. If you want to travel on a small budget, look for travel deals or travel off-season. In retirement, it is much easier to save money on travel because you have the freedom to travel when the best deals are available.

Find cheap accommodations. Instead of paying a lot of money for the hotels, look at websites like Airbnb, VRBO, or Vacation Rentals to see what they have to offer at your destination.

Check airline prices and find the cheapest flights. Sign up for free price alerts. Be flexible on dates and be flexible with your travel destination. Fly out early because the lowest-priced flights are the first flights in the morning. Fly on the cheapest days of the week – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Look for senior discounts. Many museums offer free days or evenings for visitors. When you do not have to work, it is much easier to visit museums on a weekday with a smaller crowd. Also, you can ask for a senior discount at museums, concerts, parks, and other tourist attractions. With available discounts and deals, you can save a lot of money and travel for less.

If you like to travel but are concerned about spending too much money, do not travel far. Drive a few hundred miles rather than fly to your destination. You will save money on air tickets, airport food, overpriced hotels, rental cars or taxi, currency exchange, and other charges.

Find free activities. As a retiree, you can find many great things to entertain yourself for less money. There are many free local summer concerts, fall festivals, events at libraries, or social activities at a senior center.

Retirement Travel Tips for Planning a Vacation

Final Thoughts

It is good to remember that money and wealth are important, but it is not everything. Happiness is not about being able to purchase a fancy car, a big house, or indulge yourself in luxury vacations. It is small and simple things such as family, friends, and having a purpose in life that make us happy.

How do retirees manage to live on a small budget? Share your ideas in the comments below.

If you enjoyed reading, share this post so that others can find it, too!

How to Keep Yourself Fit for a Healthy Retirement

by Maggie Leave a Comment

man and woman in kitchen cooking-keep yourself fit for a healthy retirement

All the advances in medicine and technology have created a dramatic increase in life expectancy. People are living longer than ever, including much more years in retirement. We all hope for a happy and healthy retirement, but unfortunately, getting older comes with concerns over health.

Making an active effort to stay healthy will not only allow you to live longer but will increase your chances of having a more fulfilling and energetic retirement doing the things you love.

So how do you keep yourself fit for a healthy retirement? The best advice is to start planning for it today.

In this article, I will look at the problems related to physical, mental, and emotional health and find ways to improve each.

Find time for physical activity

Whether you are planning to retire in a few years or already retired, get moving.

We all know that exercising is important. Studies have consistently confirmed that regular exercise reduces your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even slows down the development of dementia. So, if you want to have a healthy and active retirement, then find time for regular exercise.

Many experts argue over how much exercising is healthy. But everyone agrees that some moderate exercise is better than none. Whether it is aerobics, lifting weights and doing sit-ups, or practicing yoga and gardening, we should all get engaged in some moderate physical activity.

The important part is to find the activity you like so you will keep doing it regularly.

Do not wait until you retire or do not wait until your health starts to decline. Choose something you would enjoy and make it part of your daily routine.

Many books and YouTube videos can help you to do a workout from the comforts of your home.

15 Best Quick and Easy At-Home Workout Moves

Here is my favorite home workout on YouTube. It only takes me 30 minutes to follow the workout playlist any time I want.

Family Fitness – 30 Minutes Body Workout

If you prefer to exercise with other people, you can join a gym or take group fitness classes. But if you do not want to spend extra money on expensive personal trainers or gym membership, walking, running, or cycling outdoor will be more than enough to stay in good physical shape for years.

Explore your local walking and jogging trails. Those 30 minutes a day you need to spend walking can be done in a local park or greenway path. Leave your car at home and walk or bike to the local store, bank, or post office. Gardening or decluttering are also easy ways to keep you active and fit.

Have a healthy diet

As you age you are more likely to have problems with health linked to nutrition. That is why a healthy diet is more important than ever.

Eating healthy is similar to exercising every day. And it works better if you plan for it. Plan your meals so you will not end up snacking up on ice cream before dinner because you are hungry.

If you want to eat a healthy diet avoid too many saturated fats in meat and dairy. Healthy people usually restrict the amount of sugar and salt in their diets, and they drink lots of water and tea.

According to various studies, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked to a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, and cancer. So instead of eating fast food, you should choose to eat fresh food. For people over age 65, it is recommended to have five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

For me, the Mediterranean diet works as a great inspiration. People in the Mediterranean region live longer because they follow a healthy diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products. Their diet is low on animal products, and they prefer to cook fresh fish.

You need to make sure that you are always working on how to improve your diet by choosing foods that are good for you and cutting down on packaged food. Do not forget to shop smart and always read food labels to avoid foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat.

veggies and fish - healthy diet for retirement

I try to eat healthy every day and plan all our meals. I like to have a healthy breakfast – orange juice, oatmeal, fruit, and green tea. I try to eat less at dinner because I watch my calories and do not want to gain extra weight. I prefer to eat meat or fish during lunch. And I serve all our meals with at least one green vegetable or salad.

And the main thing, I try to go easy on sugar (chocolate and ice cream are my weakness!) and drink plenty of water with lemon.

Learn new things

Keeping yourself fit in retirement is not only related to physical activity. In general, being fit means a combination of different factors including physical fitness and mental health. Staying sharp mentally is as crucial as staying physically fit.

When you are engaged in physical activities you focus on your muscle strength training. The same kind of training should go for brain activity. To stay mentally fit you need to challenge your brain with various exercises.

One of the best ways to keep your mind young and active is by learning new things.

Here is a list of ideas:

Learn how to play a musical instrument
Start (or join) a book club
Learn how to paint
Take a pottery class
Learn how to be a photographer
Take a cooking or baking class
Write a poem
Write and publish an e-book
Learn new digital skills – open an Instagram or Twitter account.

I believe that keeping our minds sharp is an important part of prolonging the time we can enjoy in retirement.

Monitor your health

Many health issues are age-related.

Our body gets weaker as we age. Many people will experience aging issues such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, dementia, osteoporosis, and more. That is why regular medical check-ups are a must.

You should visit your doctor regularly and do not skip any recommended health screenings and tests. If you are a woman, you need regular tests for breast and cervical cancers. If you are a man, your doctor should help you decide about a prostate cancer test.

Keep an eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol level to avoid a heart attack or stroke.

Maintain an active social life

People who have plenty of friends and enjoy a close relationship with their families, typically live longer than people who are lonely.

When you retire, you do not just leave your job, you enter a new stage in life.

Leaving the workforce will reduce your social interaction with colleagues. Friends and neighbors might retire and move away. Death can take a spouse or close friend. Those are all sad life events because loneliness is linked to poor health and early death.

We all know that having a strong social support system helps us deal with stress.

It is important to stay involved and engaged in life, so you do not feel lonely. Being engaged in a community gives people a sense of purpose, security, and connection. It is important to have a reason to get up every morning, go out, and do things.

Find new purpose in life

If you are ready to leave the working world, think about how you will spend the 40 + hours a week you spent previously at your job.

The reality is that you may feel ready to retire, but on the other hand, you may feel nervous and doubtful.

What are you going to do with all that free time? One of the best things you can do is create a plan for your retirement.

You need to decide what will be important in your new life and how are you going to spend your days and weeks. The minute you say goodbye to coworkers you need to know what is next for you.

It is not a secret that when you feel like your life has a purpose and meaning, you will experience less stress. And with less stress comes fewer negative health effects.

Having a purpose in life makes people stay more physically active and more willing to take care of themselves.

Finding Your Purpose in Life in Retirement

Find hobbies to fill your days

I think everyone had some interests in life before they were forced to put them on a shelf during their working years. We spend our lives doing things that we have to do – career, kids, family. But retirement gives us a new opportunity to start over again.

Many retirees struggle to feel useful after they stop working which can negatively affect their health. Instead of being depressed and unhappy, refocus your energy on learning something new and more interesting than your previous job.

I believe that desire to travel the world is a big factor for people wanted to retire. Travel is important at any time in life. But travel in retirement gives you a new opportunity to explore the world, learn a new language, and use your social and communication skills.

Another big factor is a desire to complete a bucket list. Creating a bucket list is a helpful tool to set up your retirement goals or have a list of things you want to complete at least once in your life.

15 Ideas on What to Do in Retirement

Work on your relationships

Retirement can be a challenging time for relationships. When you stop working you will leave most of your friends at work behind. Sadly, many will disappear from your everyday life the day you leave.

two women on a bench - friendship in retirement

Growing older could be lonely unless you have support, love, and even friendship from your family.

Do you have a good relationship with your spouse if you are married? Do you stay connected to your children and their families? Do you spend enough time with your grandchildren?

There are many things to do together as a family. Go to the game or concert with your kids and grandkids. Consider a family vacation together. Spend all holidays and other celebration times together.

Do you stay connected with other parts of your family like your brothers or sisters? What effort do you make to stay in touch with them?

Unfortunately, many of us spend more time on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to stay informed and connected with former classmates or colleagues because they post often rather than spend time with people who are important to us.

I recently read that one of the greatest regrets of people who are getting closer to the end of their lives is that they didn’t spend enough time with their loved ones.

Life is short! Make sure that you spend enough time with the most important people in your life.

Takeaway

Taking care of yourself and making your physical, mental, and emotional health a top priority in retirement is the best gift you can give to yourself and those you love.

How do you keep yourself fit and healthy? Share your ideas in the comments below.

If you enjoyed reading, share this post so that others can find it, too!

Top 4 Key Ingredients for a Successful Retirement

by Maggie Leave a Comment

happy couple on a beach-key ingridients to a happy retirement

Many people struggle to find happiness in retirement. Gone are the days when people would retire based on their age and then spend a brief period of life paying bills and watching TV before they die. And unfortunately, their short life in retirement did not look a whole lot different from their working years.

Luckily, that retirement lifestyle is not appealing to new retirees anymore. But if you want the final years of life to be a happy and fulfilling time, then you need to plan for it accordingly.

Most of us would like to retire at a certain age and stop working. Others would prefer to keep working as long as they can. There are still many people who plan to get a part-time job so they can transition to retirement.

The way your retirement looks will depend on your personal priorities and choices.

Here is the list of the top 4 key ingredients to make your retirement a success story:

1. Being healthy

Health becomes the most important part of our happiness in retirement as we grow older. If you want to stay active, you need to be healthy and fit.

The healthier you are the more you will be able to do with your free time.

During the years of working and raising a family, it is so easy to let your fitness slide. There is not enough time for everything so many of us allow our weight and diet to decline.

But once you have retired you will have plenty of time to improve your physical health and fitness.

Stay in shape.

There are still many retirees who spend days lying on a couch watching TV and snacking. Some people gain weight during retirement because they are not active. As a result, they begin to eat more because they are bored.

Being overweight and lack of exercise put retirees at great risk of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, cancer, and heart disease.

Importance of regular exercise.

We all know that eating healthy and exercising regularly is important. But research shows how it is especially important to retirees.

I just read that the recent study proved that regular exercise had the biggest impact on whether or not the participants developed dementia.

Exercise can take many forms – jogging in the mornings, hiking in the woods, biking to the grocery store, taking yoga classes, swimming in the lake. If you find a workout or physical activity that you enjoy, you should stick to it for a long time.

Many books and videos can help you to do a workout from the comforts of your home. But you can still join a gym or take group fitness classes if you want to exercise with others. Do not be afraid to try something new such as Pilates, Kickboxing, or Zumba.

This winter Roman and I started exercising more at home. Our daughter sent us a link to a wonderful home workout on YouTube. It only takes us 30 minutes to follow the workout playlist any time we want.

But I have already noticed that I started to feel more fit and energetic. After working from home for so long and gaining extra 10 pounds I hope I will lose more weight and stay in shape with regular workouts.

Eat healthy.

Besides exercising and staying fit, my other goal is to eat healthy. I am not living on a diet as I used to do when I was in my 30s and 40s. I just created a very simple plan and start taking consistent mini- steps every single day.

This winter’s goal is to cut on sugar. I stop buying any sweets regularly (even I have a sweet tooth) – no candies, chocolate, cookies, or pastries. Not having any sweets in our pantry helped me cut on sugar and develop a healthy habit.

Focusing on one healthy habit at a time keeps your health goals much more achievable.

2. Having a financial security

We all want to have the financial freedom to do things we love in life. Thus, financial security is one of the key ingredients having a happy and successful retirement.

The fear of not having enough to cover living expenses and outliving your money is one of the biggest worries of retirees and pre-retirees.

Good life costs money. You do not need to be rich to have a happy life, but you still need enough money to finance your retirement lifestyle.

As I have already explained in many of my articles, you need to figure out how much you actually need to retire and live a comfortable life. Obviously, that is a different amount of funds for everyone!

If you are close to retirement, have a clear snapshot of your retirement funds and where your money is going today. It can help you take control of your spending and saving habits.

If your numbers show that you will be able to cover living expenses and have enough left over to live a comfortable life, then you are on the right path. But if you have a significant shortage of funds you will need to cut your spending, save more, or even work for a few extra years.

Here are a few related posts you might want to read:

3. Having a purpose in retirement life

I like to think that we all should retire to something and not from something.

Retiring to escape your job will not bring your happiness. You need to have something on your calendar that you are passionate about and makes you get up every morning.

Find hobbies and interests to fill your days.

I believe that everyone had some interests in life before they were forced to put it on a shelf during their working years. However, retirement gives you a new opportunity to start over again by pursuing your passion.

woman photographer at the lake-learn something new in retirement

Do not consider yourself as ‘retired from life’. Refocus your energy on learning something new and more interesting than your previous job.

If you do not know what to do with your time in retirement, here are a few helpful articles you might want to read:

Expand your horizons.

These days traveling is a number one goal for most retirees.

Many people look forward to traveling after they retire because they are no longer are limited by the number of vacation days. You can go whenever you like for how long you want.

Many people (including myself) look at retirement as the best time of their lives, a time for adventure and travel. I believe that one of the biggest benefits of retirement is the freedom to explore the world and expand your horizons.

In today’s world, a new generation of adventurers has emerged – senior travelers. They are brave, resilient, and excited about fulfilling their childhood dreams.

Career obligations, family life, and financial matters prevented them from actually doing it. But retirement brings freedom, and they do not wait any longer to explore the world.

Do you have a retirement bucket list?

I have found it useful to create my retirement bucket list. That is a list of things I want to do and see in our local area and other countries.

I like to keep my bucket list updated with the name of new places I learned and the dates we want to travel there. Most of the time, Roman and I feel excited when discussing our travel plans and the places we want to visit.

A few ideas from my retirement bucket list:

Live in Paris for three months
Learn the French language
Plan the three months road trip across Italy
Take cooking class in Spain and learn how to cook paella
Write an e-book and self-publish it
Visit Brazil during the carnival and learn how to dance salsa
Learn how to grow a vegetable garden
Go on a Safari in Africa

Here are a few related posts you might want to read:

Learn something new.

Many pre-retirees are afraid to be bored in retirement, and I can relate to that feeling.

Most of us spend our lives dedicated to responsibilities. We often forget how to live outside of our comfort zone.

I read that learning something new every day is an important part of personal growth. Retirement gives us the freedom to get out of that comfort zone and add something new to life.

If you are getting ready to retire, think about how to structure your days. Plan to allow yourself of trying something new and even uncomfortable like going back to school or learning a new language.

Here is a list of ideas:

Learn how to play a musical instrument
Start (or join) a book club
Learn how to paint
Take a pottery class (a photography class)
Take a cooking or baking class
Write a poem or an e-book
Learn new digital skills – open an Instagram or Twitter account.

4. Spending time with friends and family

Retirement can be a challenging time for relationships.

When you stop working you will leave most of your friends at work behind. You have spent many hours with colleagues at work. Unfortunately, many will disappear from your everyday life the day you leave. It will take a lot of effort from both sides to keep friendship, once the common purpose of work is gone.

Growing older could be lonely unless you have support, love, and even friendship from your family.

Do you have a good relationship with your spouse If you are married? Are you close to your children and their families? Do you spend enough time with your grandchildren?

Ask if you can go to the game or concert with your kids and grandkids. Consider a family vacation together. Spend all holidays and other celebration times together.

Do you stay connected with other parts of your family like your brothers or sisters? Do you keep in touch with them regularly if they live far away? What effort do you make to stay in touch with them?

Unfortunately, many of us spend more time on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter to stay informed and connected with former classmates or colleagues because they post often rather than spend time with people who are important to us.

I recently read that one of the greatest regrets of people who are getting closer to the end of their lives is that they didn’t spend enough time with their loved ones.

Life is short! Make sure that you spend enough time with the most important people in your life.

What is the most important part of your retirement? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comments.

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How Do I Decide When Best to Retire?

by Maggie 2 Comments

a couple in Florence - when is best time to retire

When do you want to retire? Deciding when is the best time to retire can be one of the biggest decisions in your life.

Everyone has different reasons for retirement. There are always financial decisions behind this question but often the time of retirement is based on your emotions.

When people approach retirement age there is often a combination of excitement and anxiety. The anxiety often comes from figuring out how much you can afford to spend. But the excitement comes from having more free time and being your own boss.

However, what will I do with all that free time? All these emotions are related but money is the most reasonable concern.

Most of us who are close to retirement are worried about having enough money to maintain our lifestyle in the next 20 years. And yet, money is not a remedy for a successful retirement. Having enough of it to feel financially secure is important but there is more to it than just money. Besides having a solid financial plan, you need to have a plan for how to stay active and engaged.

Below are my answers to the question of “How do I decide when best to retire?”

Figure out what is important to you.

Besides getting closer to retirement age, everybody has their own reasons to retire.

You need to figure out what is most important to you. Is your financial security most important or your personal time with family? How is your health? Are you healthy enough to keep working?

I write a lot about financial security in retirement and how to achieve it, but I am confident that with age your time has become the most important commodity. And how you spend your time becomes more important as you grow older.

Let’s be honest and face the fact that when you have fewer active years left, you need to make the best use of them.

There is no need to rush to retirement if you are happy and finding meaning in your work. However, if you lost interest in your work and looking for other ways to spend your time that you think is more important, then you are ready to retire.

The Covid-19 has changed our lives. Everybody is talking about “The Great Resignation” in the workforce. Mass numbers of people quit their jobs and labor markets are shaking. According to statistics, the largest disruption is among those in their 30s and 40s.

But there is a big number of baby boomers who are retiring for reasons related to the pandemic.

When you are faced with working from home and learning new technologies on your own, and often forced to do more work with fewer colleagues, many people in their 50s and 60s decided to call it quits.

Especially it is related to nurses and teachers who do not want to continue working on the front line of the disease. Many had a wake-up call when they caught a virus and got motivated to retire and take care of their health.

Spend time with the most important people in your life.

Have you thought about who are the most important people in your life and if you spend enough time with them?

We all know that maintaining a good balance between work and personal life is important, however many of us get more focused on career and promotions.

Even outside of work we spend more time on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter to stay informed and connected with former classmates or colleagues because they post often rather than spend time with people who are important to us.

I noticed that many of my friends and colleagues start moving closer to family or friends after they retire so they can spend more time with them.

I have read that one of the greatest regrets of people who are getting closer to the end of their lives is that they didn’t spend enough time with their loved ones.

When we retire I want to move closer to my daughter so we can spend more time together. And when we have grandchildren, we will want to spend more time with them.

Are you healthy enough to keep working?

When it comes to deciding when is best to retire, we have to make the decision based on our personal circumstances. And health can be a big motivator to retire sooner and live the life you want to live. I had witnessed many people who worked too long and were forced to retire due to illness.

It is natural that your health is declining with age. But there is no reason to keep working if you suffer from work-related health issues like constant stress, anxiety, and headaches.

Improving your health is an important reason to retire before it is too late.

Both of my parents died young and had no chance to enjoy their retirement. Looking at their life I do not want to miss out on my happy times. I want to enjoy my retired life while I am still healthy.

Another strong incentive to retire is becoming eligible for Medicare at age 65. If you are working for an employer who does not provide health insurance, you might be ready to retire when you turn 65. Medicare Part A is free for everyone. And premiums for Medicare Part B, C and D are more affordable than paying for health insurance on your own.

Figure out what is your purpose in life in retirement.

The world has changed and people entering retirement today want fulfillment and purpose. Today’s retirees are more active and adventurous. They are more likely to be starting a new business, pursuing their passions, and exploring the world.

If you feel ready to leave the working world, think about how you will spend the 40 + hours a week you spent previously at your job. The reality is that you may feel ready to retire, but on the other hand, you may feel nervous and doubtful.

What are you going to do with all that free time?

One of the best things you can do is create a plan for your retirement. You need to decide what will be important in your new life and how are you going to spend your days and weeks. The minute you say goodbye to coworkers you need to know what is next for you.

retired couple is gardening - when is the best time to retire

When you have a retirement lifestyle plan ready it will make your transition from job to retirement is much easier.

Here are a few related posts you might want to read:

I believe that desire to travel the world is a big factor for people wanted to retire. Another big factor is a desire to complete a bucket list.

Do you have a bucket list? What is on your list?

If you do not have it maybe you want to create one so you will know what you want to do in retirement. Creating a bucket list is a helpful tool to set up your retirement goals or have a list of things you want to complete at least once in your life.

Write down a list of things you always wanted to do but never could because you did not have time, energy, money, or something else.

A few ideas from my retirement bucket list:

Live in France for a year
Learn the French language
Road trip through Italy
Take cooking classes in Spain and learn how to cook paella
Write an e-book
Visit Brazil during the carnival and learn how to dance salsa
Grow a vegetable garden
Design and build a lake house
Go on a Safari in Africa

The important thing to remember is that we spend our lives doing things that we have to do – school, career, kids, family. And spending enough time on the things you were dreaming about for a long time is more important than work. After all, life is short!

If you do not know what to do with your time in retirement here is a helpful article you might want to read:

15 Ideas on What to Do in Retirement

Do you have financial security?

As you are getting closer to retirement age you will have several big financial decisions to make:

When to stop working
When to take Social Security
How to pay for health care
How to generate cash from your retirement savings

These decisions are interconnected and could make a big difference in your retirement lifestyle.

As I said before, if you are happy and fulfilled at your workplace, there is no reason to rush to retirement because you can be more financially secure if you delay retirement for a few extra years.

People live longer and we need to have enough money to support our lifestyle in retirement.

One of the biggest factors with regards to expenses that will affect your financial security is where you live in retirement. If you are planning to relocate after retirement you need to remember that buying and selling a home often comes with additional expenses.

Where you will live and how you want to live in retirement will be one of the most important decisions you have to make. This decision will affect how much money you will spend on housing and how much you will have left to enjoy life.

Helpful post you might want to read:

But if you want an extra financial cushion, working longer for a few extra years gives you a chance to contribute to your savings, increase your Social Security income and delay withdrawals from your retirement funds.

What are your reasons to retire?

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