Congratulations on reaching this major life milestone! While the big changes that come with your first year of retirement can be somewhat uncertain, there are many positive and fulfilling ways to use this special time. Think about how you want to spend your time moving forward and make a plan for embracing all the possibilities that lie ahead. Keep reading for some fun ideas for how to make the most of your first year of retirement.
Embrace travel
Is there somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit but never had the time or resources before? Perhaps now is your chance to explore. Create a list of the top 5-10 places you would love to see and research travel options and overall costs. If you’re nervous about going out on your own, consider asking a friend or family member to join you. Remember, you don’t have to travel far for new experiences. Don’t rule out a local getaway.
Spend time with family and friends
Similar to travel, one of the best parts of retirement is having more free time to spend with your loved ones. Whether you are flying across the country to visit your children or driving across town to meet your friends for coffee, use this time to strengthen your relationships with those most important to you. You may even create new connections along the way.
Tackle home improvement projects
If you’ve ever wanted to tackle your home to-do list, now is a great time. From making small repairs and decluttering your basement to refreshing your kitchen and growing a garden, there are an endless number of ways you can spend time improving your home. One of the many benefits of life insurance, including protecting you and your dependents now and in the future, is the potential for cash value life insurance, which builds monetary value over time and can help you fund expensive home projects, particularly if you are looking at a costly home renovation or replacing your roof.
Start a side hustle
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to start your own business, teach your craft to younger people, or try your hand at a freelance or gig economy job. A side hustle can help you stay sharp, regularly practice your skills, and make sure you stay connected to your community, never mind potentially adding to your bank account. It’s never too late to try something new.
Prioritize your hobbies
Dedicate considerable time to pursuing your personal interests and hobbies. Whether that’s making your way through a stack of books, joining a cooking club, walking in nature, learning a new language, volunteering at a local animal shelter, or taking a yoga class, lean into fun and challenging activities that you look forward to doing a few times per week. If cost is a concern, there are plenty of places that offer free or discounted activities for older people. Creativity, exercise, skill development, and engaging with the world around you are all key to thriving in retirement.
The bottom line
Time is precious. Take advantage of your newfound freedom and pursue the activities that mean the most to you in your daily life whether that’s travel, spending time with family and friends, checking off home improvement projects, building a side hustle, or embracing your hobbies and passions. With tools like cash value life insurance, you can enjoy both peace of mind and financial flexibility as you continue learning, growing, and sharing your experiences with those around you.
The primary purpose of permanent life insurance is to provide a death benefit. Using permanent life insurance accumulated value will reduce the death benefit and may affect other aspects of the policy.