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The golden years of retirement can be a wonderful time for so many reasons. Primarily, you’ll have the chance to pursue lifelong hobbies and interests, while even discovering a few new ones along the way. Whether you’ve been a learner all your life or just want to acquire some new skills and fun ways to enjoy your free time, going to school as a senior is often far easier – and far more affordable – than you might think. Here are some fun ways to keep up with education during your retirement years.
Book Club
We’ve all probably thought to ourselves at one point or another, “Hey, I should be reading more!” But with the working life of your pre-retirement years, it can often be difficult to find the time. As a matter of fact, you’re not alone in this struggle, as more than a quarter of American adults admitted to not having read a book in the past year. Though it can be daunting to just pick up War and Peace or The Grapes of Wrath, a great way to get started is by joining a local book club. Usually in these groups, you and other adults will pick a book to read and then meet periodically to discuss your feelings and thoughts about the text. You can also seek out groups with folks in your age group in case you’re worried about feeling out of place with a younger demographic.
Adult Learning Center
You may have passed by these buildings and wondered what exactly goes on inside. The answer is a whole lot! These centers provide free and affordable classes for adults looking to pick up a new skill or even sharpen existing ones. These topics range from new languages and computer classes, to more laid back options such as cooking courses and dance instruction. You may even be able to work towards certifications or degrees, depending on what’s being offered by your local adult learning center. At the very least, it will give you a chance to engage in some fun learning around other people with similar interests.
Yoga for Seniors
Though it sounds like a buzz word for new-age types, yoga has become an increasingly popular option for those looking to stay in shape and learn about mindfulness and meditation. Originating in India, yoga is a practice that incorporates mind, body, and spirit through the act of artful poses, stretching, and breathing exercises. Though you may picture a group of super-fit 20-year-olds, there are plenty of classes that focus on teaching these same principles to those 65 and older. The classes have experienced teachers who know not to push their older students too far, while still helping you achieve enlightenment, or at the very least destress or just work out that sore muscle in your lower back.
Online Learning Sites
If you prefer learning from the comfort of your couch or home office, online learning sites can give you tons of opportunities to better yourself and pick up new skills along the way. These sites may cost a nominal fee, or they may even come completely free. You could learn computer coding, new languages, therapeutic techniques – you name it. Here are a few great options to get started:
Regardless of what route you go, one thing you don’t want to learn is that you’re not prepared to pay for your retirement. Did you know you can sell all or a portion of your life insurance policy for more than the cash surrender value? This includes term life insurance policies as well and is called a life settlement or viatical. This can work great for anyone searching out new ways to supplement their budgets. Contact Life Settlement Advisors if you’d like to learn more.
Case Study: Thomas and Paula bought life insurance when they were younger to protect their children’s futures just in case. Now the kids are grown, graduated from college and have good jobs. Their youngest is 45 years old and they no longer needed the coverage. Thomas’s financial advisor informed him he could sell his unwanted life insurance policy for an immediate cash payment. Thomas and Paula sold their life insurance policy and used the proceeds to payoff a few medical bills, check a few boxes on their bucket list and supplement their retirement.
Leo LaGrotte
Life Settlement Advisors
llagrotte@lsa-llc.com
1-888-849-0887
