Retirement leaves an individual with a lot of free time and it is possible that one could be left feeling lost without the focus of work or confused by the best ways to spend their pension money. Nowadays, retirement is no longer a time for rest; people are living longer and healthier lives, so it is a period that you should embrace and definitely make the most of. First of all, it is essential that you consider how much money you are going to require for your basic commodities, such as rent, bills and heating for approximately 30 years. Once you have done this, you are free to explore the endless amount of ways that you can spend your pension money, here are a few ideas to get you started:
Property
Now is the perfect time to buy that holiday home overseas that you have been wishing for but have never bought due to previous work commitments. Buying a house abroad will not only give you a lovely place to visit when you need a holiday, but it may also give you a project to work on as you will need to redecorate your home.
If you plan to retire closer to home, another kind of property that may be worth considering is a park home. Park homes are both luxurious and affordable and they are a great alternative to purchasing a permanent holiday home. Scattered all across the country, there is bound to be a park home design that takes your fancy with the wide choice available.
Holidays
Consider a cruise. Nowadays, 26% of people on a cruise ship are over 60 and retired, making it a great way to spend your retirement if you enjoy the travelling lifestyle. It is a way of meeting people with similar interests to you, as well as allowing you to live a life of luxury for weeks or even months. Cruise ships are packed with onboard activities, from swimming pools to restaurants, from casinos to cinemas; this makes it a simple and convenient way to do lots of activities without having to leave the comfort of your ship. In addition, cruises often stop off in popular destinations for a couple of days at a time, which allows you to see the main points of interest, making it an efficient way of travelling around countries.
Volunteering/Charity Work
Volunteering is a positive option for those who are retired as they will have a lifetime of knowledge and be an asset to any volunteering scheme. Many volunteering groups actually prefer to have retired people working for them as they are stereotypically loyal, available most of the time, hard working and committed. This can also be a great chance to regain a sense of structure to your life, now that work isn’t there to provide it. It gives an individual a purpose and a sense of achievement, as it is a way to ‘give back’ to the community.
It has been uncovered that between 1997 and 2007, the number of hours that people volunteer for have dropped by 30%. Retirement, therefore, is a fantastic opportunity to help support this charitable sector and make a difference at the same time.
