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6 Things To Think About For Retirement Besides Money

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Whenever it comes time to start thinking about retirement, the most prominent questions you hear are about money. How much do you have saved up? How much are you going to need to maintain your lifestyle? While these are important questions to ask yourself, sometimes we become so wrapped up in saving money, we forget why we are saving it. So when you start planning for your retirement, be sure to think about the following questions in addition to your finances.

Where Are You Going To Live?

For many retirees, their children are all grown up and out of the house, and you no longer need as much space as you once did. It’s expensive to keep paying for a house that is too large for you, and so many retirees choose to relocate. Perhaps you want to move somewhere warm – Florida is a popular option – or you want to move closer to family. Whatever the reason, if you think you’re going to want to move once you retire, now is a good time to start thinking about it. That way you can scout out potential locations, and have a plan in mind when the time comes.

How Are You Going To Spend Your Time?

You’ve worked hard to earn this retirement, and now you deserve to spend your time off as you see fit. So what are you going to do with your free time? What hobbies are you interested in? What have you always wanted to do, but didn’t have time because of work? You should think about these things now so that you have something to look forward to when retirement comes. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write a book, or maybe you just want to relax on your deck. This time is for you, so do whatever you want with it.

Are You Going To Get Another Job?

Many retirees find that once they retire, they miss working. While they don’t want to go back to full-time work, they would like to have something to do during the week. If you think this might be you, then consider some part-time work options. Part-time work allows you to earn a little bit of money to finance your lifestyle, and gives you something productive to do so you’re not sitting around at home all day. However, you’ve worked hard for your retirement, so try and pick a job you’ll enjoy doing. Make a list now of possibilities, and start scouting out where you might like to work.

Where Would You Like To Travel?

Traveling is a common goal for many new retirees. You finally have some free time, so why not go out and see the world. Too many of us didn’t have the time to travel during our lives because we were so busy with work and family, or just couldn’t afford it. Now that you’re going to be retired, traveling becomes a little easier. So where would you like to go? What would you like to see? There are plenty of options out there, so take some time to come up with your own list.

Who Do You Want To Spend Your Retirement With?

Of course, you likely won’t be spending your retirement alone. You’re going to want some other people around to make the time more enjoyable. For many of you, this is a spouse, but it could also be siblings or some close friends. If they are going to be retired around the same time as you, you should talk to them about what their plans are. Maybe they want to travel to the same places as you or have thought about moving to another location. You want to spend your retirement with good company, so find out what the plans are of those closest to you, and see if you have the same ideas.

Are You Going To Need Help?

Finally, while retirement is supposed to be a great time for fun and relaxation, it is not always smooth sailing. Getting older is difficult, and you may need some help along the way. If the time comes where you or a loved one needs regular medical assistance, you’ll want to have a plan in place. That’s why it’s a good idea to research your options now so that you know what to look for in the future. Perhaps there is a retirement home in your area that you could look into, or you could work with a home care agency to have someone come to your location. While you hopefully won’t need these services for a long time – or ever – it’s still a good idea to know what’s out there.

The best way to prepare for your retirement is to plan ahead. While you should absolutely think about what your financial situation will be, you should also think about where that money will be going. This will help you to plan, but also give you something to look forward to.

Comments

  1. Mary Ambrosino says

    There are some good tips here but one that is not listed is volunteer work. It is a very important part of finally having some time to give back. There are plenty of places such as animal shelters, resscues etc and don’t forget hospitals and the VA.

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