How to Face and Prepare for a Long and Happy Retirement

Reaching retirement age after maybe 40 or more years of working life can obviously mean a major change in lifestyle. Sadly for some, it is more like falling off a cliff than starting a new life. There is absolutely no need for it to be that way.

With life spans still increasing, despite the heavy load of chronic disease in Western society, and retirement ages for many falling, many people can look forward to several decades of productive and enjoyable life ahead. In fact, it could so easily be another "working life" of 40 years. So, maybe that is a clue to the way you should face retirement. You have a new career, one which you can plan for and enjoy with all the wisdom you have accumulated over the years.

In fact, that is very similar to the attitude I decided to adopt when I got divorced at 48. I have never actually retired as such, but as my divorce was also from my business partner, it did have similarities. I was forced to start again, and told myself "think like a 25 year old, plan like a 25 year old." With little capital, in the over expensive UK, the future could have been bleak. But it never was, because I immediately got into planning what was best for me to do. That transformed my life, and I have never been happier.

Facing retirement with a positive attitude, rather than with trepidation, is clearly an essential if you are to make the most of your remaining decades. Here are a few ideas which may help:

1. You have a once in a lifetime opportunity to relax and take a bit of time to plan your future, making the most of what knowledge you have acquired over the years, and what you know about yourself and what will make you satisfied and content. Please do not waste this opportunity.

2. Be sure to have a new budget plan worked out so that you know what your financial situation is, what you have free to spend each month, and what you can plan to spend on special things later.

3. Do not borrow. It could turn your remaining years into miserable ones.

4. Do not eat into your savings too quickly. Remember, you may live another 50 years.

5. Decide if you want to earn money, and if so how. It is a great time to start your own business, but plan it well. Much will depend on your skills and education, but most people are capable of starting a business and keeping it going. Most fail to get it right first time, but there is no hurry. prepare yourself, learn about business generally, finance, management and marketing. They are all essentials of any business.

6. Look after your health. That means exercise and diet. Learn how to look after own health as far as possible, so as to keep down drug bills and treatments later on.

There are a lot of very good health web sites online that feature alternative, and much cheaper, alternatives to Western medicine, which is cash not health driven. have regular check ups, but discuss any issues intelligently with your doctor. Let him know you have acquired knowledge about any condition you may have; he should respect you more and be more honest, rather than just reach for the prescription pad. Health bills in the US especially are astronomical.

7. Travel to new places if you can afford it. You may even find somewhere cheaper and more suited to you than where you live now. I cut my living costs drastically by moving to a tropical island, and achieved a childhood dream at the same time. It was the best thing I ever did.

8. Think seriously about learning something new, even a new trade. Continue acquiring knowledge every day, that way you are better placed to earn money, enjoy yourself, and keep mentally occupied. That way you will live longer. You are telling yourself life is far from over, there is much to do, and you will be around for a very long time.

Those are just a few ideas. I hope you find others here on this web site that will help you have a fulfilling retirement.