Retirement
As you build your ideal retirement life, make sure you’re putting practices in place that keep you happy and healthy. These 20 retirement tips can help get you started.
Stephanie Faris
Published December 22nd, 2020
Stephanie Faris
•
Published December 22nd, 2020
Key Takeaways
Happiness in retirement goes beyond having enough money. You’ll also want to work on your physical and mental health.
Planning can help you make sure you have the resources you need to get the most out of your retirement.
It’s important to also enjoy the flexibility that retirement brings, which sometimes means tossing plans and schedules out and enjoying the moment.
There’s no shortage of retirement advice out there. Ask 10 people and you’ll likely get 10 different pieces of advice. But happiness in retirement isn’t just about having enough money to live comfortably. You also need to take physical and mental well-being into account.
As you build your ideal retirement life, make sure you’re putting practices in place that keep you happy and healthy. These 20 retirement tips can help get you started.
Plan in Advance
If you want to know how to retire happy, the key is to step back and imagine your ideal post-retirement life. What do you see yourself doing? The sooner you start planning everything, the better position you’ll be in when the day comes.
Pursue Your Passions
One of the biggest issues retirees face is a loss of a sense of purpose. But you don’t have to go to a job every day to find that. You can volunteer or take a part-time job. A hobby can give you that same sense of purpose, especially if you’re creating something that has an end result, such as quilting or renovating your house.
Feed Your Soul
It may sound vague, but one of the best retirement tips to follow is to feed your soul. This could be reading self-help books, practicing your faith, or taking time out each day for meditation.
Reduce Your Cost of Living
You can still live a comfortable retirement lifestyle even if your income shrinks. The key is to lower your cost of living. This could be everything from downsizing to a less expensive house to cutting your food and entertainment budget.
Create a Schedule
You don’t have to abandon your to-do lists and calendar when you retire. The key to a happy retirement for you could be scheduling your days just as you did when you worked full-time.
Know When to Toss Out the Schedule
One of the best things about retirement is the freedom it gives you. Making the most of retirement may simply mean getting rid of the alarm clock and doing those things you couldn’t do when you worked. Enjoy a weekday matinee or go shopping when everyone else is at work.
Make a List
The definition of happiness after retirement varies from one person to the next. Make a list of all the things you want to do after retirement, from traveling to spending more time with your family, and regularly check in to make sure you’re following it.
Spend Your Money
It can be tempting to tailor your spending to make sure your savings lasts. But it’s also important to enjoy your money, too. Find the balance between keeping enough money on hand and not leaving a fortune behind when you die.
Keep Budgeting
Some of the best retirement advice you can get is to continue to budget after you’ve retired. Set monthly spending goals and track how well you’re meeting them. Over time, you’ll learn exactly how much you can afford to spend each month.
Stay Social
Those who are socially active are believed to live a longer life. This is particularly important if you had a job that allowed you to interact with others every day. Look for clubs and networking opportunities in your community geared specifically toward older adults.
Stay Physically Active
A sedentary lifestyle can reduce your lifespan. Follow healthy retirement tips to not only eat right but also get exercise every day. You can even combine it with your need to stay social by going for a daily walk with a neighbor or walking buddy.
Never Stop Learning
One of the best things in retired life you can do to improve your longevity is to continue to learn. Studies find that outside of physical activity, learning is the top key to a longer life. This can mean adopting a new skill, reading educational books, taking classes, or however you choose to feed your brain.
Enjoy Senior Perks
For many, the best retirement advice ever is that you’ll be eligible for plenty of perks and discounts once you reach a certain age. You can save on dining out, attractions, shopping, prescriptions, and much, much more.
Clear the Clutter
Often with retirement planning tips, you’ll find advice to downsize. This can refer to shifting to a smaller place, but even if you stay where you are, it’s important to simplify. Donate or sell items you no longer use so that when you’re no longer around, your survivors have less to sort through.
Keep in Touch with Old Friends
After you’ve retired, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up with friends. One of your retirement lifestyle strategies should be to schedule coffee and lunch dates with friends, especially if they’re retired, too. Make a pact with your favorite coworkers to continue to meet up regularly after you retire.
Start Your Own Business
If your plan to retire and slow down leads you to miss the hustle, starting your own business can be a great solution. It doesn’t have to be anything too intensive. If you’re a crafter, you could start selling your wares online or maybe rent a booth at a local flea market.
Change Your Scenery
No list of how to stay happy in retirement would be complete without a mention of traveling. You’ll have the flexibility to travel year round, including without advanced notice. Consider looking for a great deal on a vacation rental and plan a long vacation each year.
Share Your Expertise
One great way to stay active and find a sense of purpose is by sharing your expertise with others. You could teach, mentor, or serve as a consultant in your field. It doesn’t have to be connected to your career. You could teach computer skills or get certified to teach yoga.
Continue Retirement Planning
Don’t abandon financial planning just because you’re no longer working. You should always monitor your finances. It doesn’t have to cramp your retirement style to closely watch your money. In fact, you may feel freer to spend when you have a plan in place.
Question Retirement
Sometimes those who wonder how to be happy in retirement are better off not retiring. In fact, more people than ever are choosing to work well beyond that original retirement date. You may choose to continue to work but take long vacations or shift to part-time. A career switch could also be a great solution if you’re feeling burned out.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re retiring soon or somewhere down the road, it’s important to have a plan in place. We recommend working with a Certified Financial Planner®️ who specializes in retirement planning. By creating a roadmap, you’ll not only be more likely to succeed, but you’ll also feel as though you’re in control of your health, wealth, and happiness.
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Stephanie Faris has written about finance for entrepreneurs and marketing firms since 2013. She spent nearly a year as a writer for a credit card processing service and has written about finance for numerous marketing firms and entrepreneurs. Her work has appeared on Money Under 30, The Motley Fool, MoneyGeek, E-commerce Insiders, and GoBankingRates.
Share this advice
Stephanie Faris has written about finance for entrepreneurs and marketing firms since 2013. She spent nearly a year as a writer for a credit card processing service and has written about finance for numerous marketing firms and entrepreneurs. Her work has appeared on Money Under 30, The Motley Fool, MoneyGeek, E-commerce Insiders, and GoBankingRates.