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18 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Retirement
- Sarah Hamaker Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Published Nov 15, 2022
Whether you’re currently retired, facing imminent retirement or it’s a dream well into the future, with a little planning, you can turn your golden years into ones as fulfilling as your working years had been.
Here are 18 ways to make the most out of your retirement:
1. Think strategically about your finances.
If you’re still working, this means maximizing your contributions to your retirement funds and reducing your debt. Talking with a financial advisor could be helpful in guiding you on how you’ll manage your money now in order to have the retirement you desire. If you’re already retired or soon-to-be retired, work on a budget to live below your means.
2. Take care of your health.
Make sure you’re keeping on top of any aches and pains. Don’t put off yearly checkups. Take your medication. All of these things will help keep your body in tiptop shape so you can fully enjoy your golden years. Also don’t forget your mental health too. When you first retire, you might feel blue at odd times or lonely. These are normal reactions to not going into the office, but please seek professional assistance if these feelings persist or get worse.
3. Consider your routine.
If you’ve spent the last forty or fifty years going into an office five days a week, suddenly not having that schedule could take some adjustment. Developing a new routine could help with the change and keep your emotions on a more even keel.
4. Pay attention to your diet.
Eating regular meals was probably easier when you had the framework of a job, so make sure you’re not neglecting food. You could also take advantage of having extra time to explore different cuisines or a healthier way to eat.
5. Plan exercise, both physical and mental.
Add daily physical activity to your routine but consult your doctor before changing any physical exercise. Also make sure you have daily opportunities to sharpen your mind through mental exercises like crosswords or Sudoku or games with friends.
6. Write a bucket list.
What do you want to achieve during your retirement? If you don’t write it down, you might not actually accomplish it. You might break it into a yearly list and a lifetime list, prioritizing what you can get done this year and what you want to do in the future. Then make a plan on how you’ll tackle each item on the list.
7. Catch up with family and friends.
One fun thing about retirement is the time you have—spend some of it with family and friends. If most of your friends were work-related, make a point to invite former co-workers to lunch. Visit far-flung family members if travel is within your budget.
8. Make new friends.
Join clubs or other social groups to expand your circle of friends. Many retirement communities offer lots of ways to interact with peers. Libraries and civic clubs also host many different opportunities to meet like-minded people during shared activities, such as games, gardening, outings and book clubs.
9. Spend time on you.
You’ve spent most of your adult life working hard, so take some much-needed “me time.” Whether it’s a golf outing or a spa trip, indulge yourself with those activities you might have put off while working.
10. Catch up on media.
Whether it’s books, movies or music, now you have time to read, watch or listen to all the titles you’ve been putting off. Keep up with your progress through sites like Goodreads and Letterboxd. If you need a place to start, check out your local library, which stocks a plethora of books, movies and often music too.
11. Volunteer.
There are many groups eager to have the wisdom of older volunteers, from youth clubs to animal rescue centers to business groups, such as Score, which pairs new business owners with seasoned veterans. Many people will benefit from your expertise or enthusiasm.
12. Travel.
When my wonderful in-laws retired, they traveled quite a bit, going on cruises in Europe and the Mediterranean, among other exotic locales. One dream my husband and I have is getting an RV and traveling around the western part of the United States, perhaps venturing up into Canada as well. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive, and can be a fulfilling way to spend some of your retirement.
13. Adopt a pet.
Perhaps you never had time for a dog or a cat when you were working—now’s the perfect time to bring an animal into your home. Consider adopting one from your local animal shelter or breed rescue group. Talking to a vet or animal shelter representative can help you decide which breed would be right for you.
14. Find a hobby.
What have you always wanted to learn? Now’s the time to do it! Think back to your childhood for inspiration or what you enjoyed studying in school. From knitting to collecting, there’s a hobby just waiting for you. If you need hobby ideas, check online or look at your county continuing education class brochure.
15. Teach.
Put your acquired knowledge to good use through teaching. Whether it’s signing up to be a substitute teacher in your local school system or offering to share your expertise in a class setting for a continuing education course, impart your knowledge to the next generation or your peers. Many positions don’t require a teaching certificate or education degree.
16. Go on a mission trip.
My aunt and uncle went on several mission-oriented trips after my uncle retired. There are both overseas and U.S. opportunities to share the Gospel through short-term and longer-term missions trips. These groups build, help establish schools, provide needed support to local pastors and much more. Be sure to ask about the physical requirements to ensure you would be a good fit for the mission.
17. Get a part-time job.
You might not need the money, but a part-time job might be just the ticket to a fulfilling retirement. When my father retired from working in a county planning department, he got a part-time job putting up county notices and delivering paperwork to county commissioners ahead of monthly meetings. It allowed him to keep up with his former co-workers, provided a little extra income, and gave him something to do a few hours a week. Your part-time job could be related to your former work or something totally different.
18. Go back to school.
Many colleges and universities offer steep senior discounts or even allow seniors to audit classes for free (not take the course for credit). One retired couple in my neighborhood has audited many history and literature classes at the nearby university. Or you could enroll to finish or start a degree program you’ve always wanted to do. Metropolitan areas often have senior centers with discounted courses available for locals. Municipalities also offer adult education courses on various topics, from how to play pickleball to refinishing old furniture.
Wherever you spend your retirement, use this list as a starting point for making the most out of your golden years.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages
