Are you coming up to retirement and don’t want any concerns or worries after you stop work. These tips are here to help you with just this.
1. Put The Financial House In Order
Make sure that your finances are arranged in such a way that you do not worry about meeting routine living expenses. In the years and months running up to your actual retirement, start spending less and less so that any necessary adjustments will feel very small. Locate all pensions about which you may have forgotten and see if there are any other sorts of benefits to which you may be entitled.
2. Go Gradually
A wise way of making the transition to retirement easier is to wind down your working life in a series of steps. Make gradual, downward adjustments to how much you are working so that you can begin building other pastimes along the way. Approach your employer about starting to work fewer hours as you get closer to the senior citizen age
3. Be Ready For Uncertainty
It is not uncommon for new retirees to feel a little bit at sea or somewhat isolated. Should an unexpected sickness or other disruption in life throw your plans out of kilter, try to stay the course and make the necessary tweaks to your objectives. Work on keeping a positive attitude and maintain ties with friends and family. Keep your mind sharp by doing puzzles, learning a new language or obtaining a new certification that you have always wanted.
4. Follow A Healthy Diet
Take the time to eat regular, healthy meals, particularly if your working life tended to have you snacking heavily or eating on the run. Use your newfound freedom well by planning and cooking balanced meals. Our recipe archive is a great place to get the process started.
5. Build New Routines
Retirees often find it hard to break the habit of setting an alarm and rising and retiring at the same time each and every day. If this is the case, try to pencil in some regular endeavors to keep yourself busy, such as working out, volunteering in the community, gardening or any other activity you enjoy. You will be able to enjoy life without feeling totally unmoored from your previous existence.
6. Give The Mind A Workout
Research has shown that acquiring new knowledge and skills later in life is a great way to preserve independence and mental acuity. Therefore, a great use of extra free time is to study something that is new to you, such as computer technology, music or a foreign language.
7. Keep The Body Moving
Everyone ought to engage in no less than 150 minutes of physical exercise at a moderate level, regardless of age. If you are unaccustomed to this type of activity, start slow and build your endurance over time. Consider registering for a walk/run event in the community to keep yourself motivated.
We have an interesting feature piece on water aerobics that can get you thinking in the right direction.
8. Keep A Running List
In order to maintain focus on the things you want out of your retirement years, be conscientious about writing them down. Evaluate what types of goals and activities your budget and health will allow and go from there. Being able to check items off of this list is an extremely fulfilling experience that you can share with those closest to you.
9. Stay Social
Lots of people build their social lives around their workplaces, and when retirement hits, it may feel like a real loss. In order to replace that sense of connection with others, consider joining local affinity groups or social clubs. Walking groups are particularly great for offering a range of health and social perks for those who participate.
10. Let It Be
Strive not to spend lots of time pondering your working years once you retire. Remind yourself that you put in your time, gave all you could and now is the time to move ahead to other things of value. There is much more to be done in the years to come.
When you retire, you may expect to enjoy the extra time off you have, but a reduction in finances can make enjoying retired life difficult. One way to supplement your income during retirement is to take out a special retiree loan called a reverse mortgage. When you apply for such a loan from a reverse mortgage lender, you receive money with no need to pay it back in the short term. The long-term loan is easy to maintain because all you have to do is agree to continue using the home as your main residence and pay for the upkeep on it, including taxes. As long as you meet those terms, full repayment is not required and you will receive no ongoing mortgage bill and can spend the funds for whatever you desire, including enjoyable activities or payment of expenses.
11. Stay On Top Of Your Health
Preventing illness is much easier and more effective than attempting to battle it, so now is your opportunity to get a comprehensive physical exam. Doing so can help keep afflictions such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia and kidney troubles at bay.
With age, the risk factors for these and other illnesses tend to increase, so routine check-ups are essential to staying in the best possible shape. Understanding risk levels and disease management techniques will help you live the best life you can in retirement.
Learn more about health examinations for those in the retiree age group.
12. Maintain Friendships With Former Colleagues
Retirement need not mean the end of relationships with trusted colleagues of many years. There is nothing to prevent you from scheduling regular outings and social gatherings with former co-workers you wish to keep in your life. Also think about contacting long-lost friends you haven’t seen in ages, as re-establishing old ties can be great for the soul.
Take some time to organize a fun party or dinner event where friends old and new can get together and perhaps work toward a common charitable cause. Find an excuse for merriment, and the good times will surely flow.
13. Be Good To Yourself
You have spent much of your adult life working, and now it is your turn to be spoiled. Schedule a spa day, a luxurious dinner out or go to a lavish theater production. Do what you love, because the truth is that you have earned it!
This is a collaborative post.