7 Easy Tips for a Happy Carefree Retirement is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of VSP Individual Plans.
It seems like only yesterday  I was twenty-something, newly married and looking forward to starting a family. My husband and I were so excited about embarking on a new journey together. Finding a house, shopping for furniture and merging our two lives together was a lot of work but a whole lot of fun.
A few years later when our first child arrived, we were totally smitten. My heart could barely contain the overwhelming love and joy I felt when I saw my baby for the first time. Seems like I blinked a few times and I now find myself enjoying spending time with the grandkids and preparing for retirement. Where did the time go?
I believe you’re only as old as you feel, so I choose to feel young! Since I still have a few years before I’m old enough to retire, now is the perfect time to make sure I have everything in order. That’s why I made a list of 7 Easy Tips for a Happy Carefree Retirement.
7 Easy Tips for a Happy Carefree Retirement
1. Think Positive Thoughts About Retiring
I choose to think about refiring instead of retiring. When I look at retirement as a new beginning instead of the end, I find myself excited about having the extra time to try something new like a cooking class or traveling to a new and exciting destination.
When my dad retired, he found that he enjoyed baking and now his Sour Cream Pound Cake is famous in his hometown. Before he retired, he barely knew his way around the kitchen. Now, he bakes for family, friends, and neighbors. Between baking, working at his farm and spending time with family, his days are busy and productive.
Here’s a photo of dad’s famous cake! Doesn’t it look delicious?
2. Keep a Schedule
When you’ve been working a 9-5 job for years, I’m sure the thought of not having anything to do can be crippling. Your routine will not be the same, but it’s important to implement new routines.
I love that my dad has a routine. He gets up at a certain time, eats meals at a certain time and even makes a trip to the post office at a certain time. Structure helps you avoid boredom.
3. Spend Time with the Grandkids
If you want to feel young, spend time with your grandkids. I’m the cool Nana because I ride bikes and shoot hoops with the grandkids. My oldest grandson is now taller than me and he told me not to share this photo of me blocking his shot. Of course, I’m sharing! That’s what grandparents do.
I also like to plan sleepovers that include baking, crafts, movies, and lots of games. When you spend time playing with your grandkids, you feel better physically and mentally.
4. Throw a Retirement Party (for yourself)
Retirement is a major milestone, so it’s the perfect time to plan and throw a party for yourself. Invite your closest friends and family and enjoy celebrating your next phase of life. You deserve it!
5. Don’t Think of Yourself As Old
If 50 is the new 30, 65 is the new 45! Wink! Studies have proven we’re only as old as we feel. Age is a mindset, not a number. I’m in my 50’s and when people comment that I look much younger, I greet that compliment with a great big smile.
6. Stay Active
We shouldn’t wait until we retire to exercise, but we should keep it up once we’re retired. Make exercise fun! If walking on a treadmill is boring, chances are you won’t stick with it. Go for a hike or take a walk in the park. How about a little one-on-one basketball game with the grandkids? You may have to try different activities to find which one you like the best.
7. Re-evaluate Your Health/Vision Coverage
Often times, we have a handle on our health insurance, but we don’t give much thought to vision coverage. A majority of people don’t even know what their post-retirement vision coverage options are. Since Traditional Medicare doesn’t include routine eye exams, many people have no idea what to do. Thankfully, VSP Individual Vision Plans offer the coverage you need for a happy carefree retirement.
Ten years ago, VSP created the industry’s first nationally available individual plan for vision care. I was amazed to find out that annual benefits covered by a VSP Individual Vision Plan include a comprehensive eye exam, prescription lens, a generous allowance for frames and/or contacts and a wide selection of name brand frames.
If you don’t have employer-provided vision care, VSP Individual Vision Plans offer affordable individual vision insurance. The cost of VSP Individual Vision Plans can be as low as $17 a month and provide an average savings of more than $200 per year. Members consistently give VSP a 95% overall satisfaction rating too.
VSP Vision Care is the national leader in eye care benefits and they have the nation’s largest independent doctor network.
The transition to retirement is easier when you plan carefully. For more information, go to GetVSPDirect.com or call 877-988-4746 and speak to a customer care representative to learn more and enroll!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of VSP Individual Plans.
23 comments
My dad has been retired for about 2 years now. He spent the first year caring for my mom, but she’s been gone for a little over a year now, so he is trying all sorts of new things with all his free time. He’s loving retirement.
I can’t say how much I agree with all of your statements about being retired. I have so many hobbies I want to do, places I want to visit. Love spending time with the grandkids.
I love these! My Mom follows many of these tips. She’s retired and spends time with her grandkids and doesn’t think of herself as old!
Although I am not anywhere near retiring I agree with the statement. Retiring can be a bit daunting but it can be very enjoyable. My parents are both retired and they keep busy within the community and love every minute of it.
This is definitely a topic that I haven’t given much thought since I’m also still working. But at some point we have to make sure we have everything planned for our retirement and I think these are awesome tips!
These are great tips. My in-laws are getting ready to retire this June. I’m going to share this with them. My parents retired a few years ago and they keep to a schedule and do things together and apart. I think that is so important.
These are all great tips. I am sure at first, I will love not having anything to do or anywhere to be. But in time I can see how the routine would be helpful.
Great tips! My parents are retired and although they love to spend time here with the grandkids, they are also enjoying travelling the world too! Fair play to them!
My mom recently retired and a lot of older coworkers are retiring soon. In fact, I’m attending a party for my former boss and mentor next week to mark his retirement. Time goes by so fast. Funny thing, it’s like you said one day you’re 20-something and then next thing you know you’re planning for retirement.
My in laws are retired and they make retirement look so appealing. I can’t wair until it is my turn.
This is really great to know for my future. I have recently started looking into my retirement.
One of the things that I considered was how to stay active once I quit my career. It’s really exciting to have all that extra time in your hands, but it’s also nice to fill it with activities that you like. Love your tips!
I’m retired from public school education and I am loving it. I am working again, but I am more selective about what I give my time to. When I have grandkids, though, all bets are off.
Great tips you have here. My husband have retired from the service but now working a civilian job. He wishes he could entirely retire but with two young kids, we still need a steady income which retirement can’t afford.
My mom just retired and while she is loving not going to work every day, I think she is struggling with creating a schedule and routine. Will be sharing this with her!
These are great tips! I’m nowhere near retirement but these are great things to have in mind.
Retirement can be great and relaxing but I know some who weren’t happy and went back to work. I enjoy my retirement myself. That cake looks just like my mom’s delicious sour cream pound cakes.
Me and my husband are close to the same age and plan on retiring around the same time. I would love to go back to Africa when we do retire.
Wonderful tips! I’m not quite near the retirement stage yet. But I know when we both hit that we will be looking forward to some relaxing!
These are all great tips, Alli! I am happy to read that you are inspired by your father’s retirement routine and activities. I agree with you! Having a routine in retirement will keep boredom at bay. It will fill up the time of what used to be 9-5 hours at work. Also, I would recommend in addition to your awesome tips, planning for healthcare is also important to have a happy and carefree retirement. Knowing different options that will help you pay for your potential healthcare costs in retirement will increase your confidence and lessen your financial worries. It is never too early to learn about Medicare and how Medicare supplements can maximize your coverage. It is also never too early to protect yourself with some forms of long term care coverage. The key is when planning for retirement, don’t forget your daily activities and of course, your healthcare needs. All the best for you and your family!
Great tips!! We’re already starting to plan and can’t wait for that day. 🙂
These are indeed easy tips that would lead you to a carefree retirement. Thanks for sharing them, Alli. I’m far from retirement but I’ll definitely keep in mind throwing a retirement party for myself. It’s a unique idea and you’re right I deserve it. I agree that re-evaluating your health/vision coverage is important to make sure that you have everything covered. In line with this, considering other insurance products like Medicare and long term care insurance is wise since the cost of care continues to skyrocket these days. It’s best to have a proper plan in place and enough coverage than watch yourself get crippled by care expenses.
7 Easy Tips For a Happy Carefree Retirement – An Alli Event
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