Enjoy your RETIREMENT

 Plan now for the days when you cannot work. The sooner you start the greater the reward.

          Reaching old age is a privilege and much better than the alternative. Plan for long life and decide to make the most of it and enjoy it.

          It’s the time in your life to do all the things you have always wanted to do but have never had time, or the opportunity to do before.

          It will be a rewarding time if you remain active and still feel you can help others.  

          Look forward to your retirement and plan ahead.    

Five of the best tips to help you enjoy your retirement

* Make the most of every day

          Read the books you have never had the time to read. Use your Kindle, iPad or other devices to download books you cannot find in your library.

          Learn new skills or take up new hobbies. Consider cooking, painting, wood-carving, making things. Carry out house maintenance.  Do things that interest you. Listen to good music. Join a choir. Learn to play an instrument. Go to concerts, plays, recitals, lectures, or just go fishing.

          Write your life story or research your family history.  

          Get out of the house. Visit museums, art galleries, follow a sports team, coach a team, or take up a sport such as bowls or golf. 

* Make a ‘bucket list’ and start visiting

          Visit places you have dreamed about. Go on a cruise, take a long bus or train trip, travel to new places. Explore new countries and visit friends and family overseas.

* Renew old friendships and make new friends

          Locate old friends you have lost contact with over the years.  Contact people you knew at school or college, served within the armed forces or worked with in earlier years.  

          Join clubs and chat to strangers, ask questions and learn to listen. Do not bore people by ‘living in the past’ and stop repeating stories about the good old days.

          Join volunteer organisations to help disadvantaged people.  Support good causes. You can make a difference!          

* Keep mentally and physically fit

          Do crosswords, puzzles and pretend to compete in quiz shows when watching television.

          Keep up-to-date with both the world news and new technology. Learn how to get the most out of your tablet with useful apps.

          Exercise, swim or walk each day. Enjoy bush walks, smell the flowers and listen to the birds.     

          Keep your body in good shape. Get regular physical checks and maintain good health and nutrition.

          Keep in touch with your family and friends and chat with them online.

* Enjoy your earnings

          Enjoy the money you have worked so hard for.  You cannot take it with you. Spoil your partner, your family and your friends.    Eat and dress well. Life is too short to eat poor food and drink bad wine

          If you find it hard to cope with all your tasks, such as housework and gardening, arrange for others to help.

          On the financial side don’t stress yourself by making investments that you will worry about. Don’t take risks. Put your savings into safe interest-bearing deposits.

          Most of all get out and have fun!

– Geoffrey Moss

“Waste no time in vain regrets.”

SOURCES: “Secrets for Success. This book could change your life.” Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and Cengage Learning Asia. Also published as an e-book available from Amazon.com.

“The Daily Tonic” available free online,  see Mossassociates.co.nz