(3 Minute Read)
Life has a way of getting away from us. When we’re young, we have high ambitions for all the great things we want to do when we get the freedom to when we’re older, but as life goes on, we get mixed up with work and raising a family, and some of those things get by us. Now that you’re older and retired, it’s time to think back on life and all the things you feel like you’ve missed. Road tripping across the country, learning to fly a plane, taking vacations across the world. Whatever is on your list, it’s time to get to it.
Plan Out What’s Most Important
Start with the things that have always felt more important to you. These are the things that you’ve always wanted to do and never really forgot about. Like touring Rome, or attending a Super Bowl game. Make a list that starts with the most important things you want to do now that you’ve got the time and set out to accomplish these things. Just because you’ve entered retirement, it doesn’t mean life needs to stop for you.
Getting the Money For It
Ideally, your retirement is all planned out: you saved all of the years you worked for a retirement fund, and now you’re ready to get out and do all of the things you’ve always wanted to do. But a retirement fund doesn’t always allow for things outside of just living. It’s usually meant to supply you with a means to live: mortgage or rent, groceries, gas, and other basic costs of living. It doesn’t always supply you with the extra funds to do the things you’ve always wanted to do.
This is when you can compile all of your assets and consider how you can increase your useable funds. Take a look at your home—is it still the right size for you or does it make sense to sell it and move into something smaller now that the kids are grown and all moved out? What about your cars—do you have more than you need, or is getting a new one on your checklist? Do you have a life insurance policy with a premium that’s eating up a significant portion of your nest egg? You can sell that policy in order to obtain a sum of money that will enable you to cross off some of the things on your list. This is especially a good idea when you’ve got multiple insurance policies, which will enable you to not only enjoy your retirement doing the things you’ve always wanted to do, but will also make sure that there are funds remaining for family after you’re gone.
