How to Make the Most of Retirement

Retirement no longer means endless days of Solitaire and solitude. Ever since 60 became the new 30 (which, by the way, it did), retirees are enjoying this new chapter of their lives more than ever before.

All this free time can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re used to the nine-to-five lifestyle, day in, day out. To ensure these years are productive, happy, and fun, read this article for everything you need to know about making the most of retirement!

Find a Routine (Or Don’t!)

How you spend your days is entirely up to you now! Some retirees benefit from developing a routine, while others prefer the more fluid lifestyle that retirement can allow.

If you’re concerned about boredom during this new stage of life, it’s understandable. Change can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing! Try implementing some healthy habits into your schedule to make this transition easier, such as:

• Waking up and going to bed at the same time each day
• Exercising a few times a week
• Making sure to leave the house at least once a day
• Reaching out to friends and family for emotional connection

Grappling with the idea of true freedom can be hard for people, but once you have a hang of this new routine, you’ll be able to fill your days with activities you actually enjoy!

Understand Your Financial Situation

Retirement funding is a complicated subject. Since every retiree has lived a different life, each person’s monetary situation is going to look a bit different. The bottom line is, you want some form of financial security to stay afloat during retirement.

Some of the most common ways people remain fiscally stable during this time include:

• Social security benefits
• A 401k or pension
• Asset based lending (particularly home equity)
• Investment returns

Speak with your employer about potential retirement benefits, and make sure you have a solid plan in place before taking the plunge into post-work life!

Pick Up a New Passion

For many people, their career is their passion. So, how do retirees fill this emotional gap when work is no longer an option?

Finding a new passion can take time, but it’s possible. Think about all the activities you never had time for in the past and start checking them off one-by-one! Retired individuals have tons of options when it comes to new hobbies, such as:

• Art – Are you artistically driven? Finishing a piece of art can be time-consuming, and many people drop their creative passions when working a full-time job. Retirement is the perfect time to jump back into the world of art (or try it for the first time). Creating is a great workout for the brain and completing projects will provide the same sense of accomplishment as a job—only more fun!

• Travel – Say bon voyage to limited vacation time, and make traveling a priority during your retirement. If you’ve gathered solid savings, or you’re receiving some kind of pension, you’ll have plenty of funds to take the trips you’ve always dreamed of. Make a list of every destination you’ve ever wanted to visit and begin chipping away at it over time. Remember that there’s no age limit on experiencing culture!

• Volunteering – Are you passionate about spreading positivity in the world? It can be difficult to make time for volunteer work when you’re trying to make a living. That’s why many retirees find a renewed sense of motivation for this selfless pastime. Fill your days by volunteering at a food bank, animal shelter, or any other non-profit that’s close to your heart.

This is Your Time

Don’t let anything stand in the way of a great retirement.

Make sure you plan ahead when it comes to your finances, and prioritize the things that make you happy. For the first time ever, your life is finally in your hands. So, grab on tight, and make this your best chapter yet!