It’s supposed to be easy: flip the switch and go from being a productive member of society to, well, not.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Seniors
today are living longer, healthier lives, and loving their retirement
via “alternative retirement” lifestyles. Alternative retirement means
telling the man to take his rocking chair and use it for firewood. It
means living life on your own terms and taking no one’s flack about what
you should be doing with the rest of your life.
Don’t want to stop working? Don’t. Want to see the world? Do.
Don’t want to curl up on a bed and watch the next 25 years pass you by? Don’t.
Want to create the art that you never had time for before? Do.
Retirement isn’t about stopping living;
it’s about shifting into a new frame of mind. It’s about appreciating
your wisdom and your new lease on life. (Even better, you get to sit
back and laugh at everyone else make the same mistakes you did!)
Check out these ways that retirees are taking control of their retirement.
Examples of Alternative Retirement Lifestyles
Get licensed
Many seniors are getting their CDL and
hitting the highways. Singles and couples are seeing the country — and
making money doing it. Some married teams are saying their marriages are
better for it, since they must rely on one another and help each other
solve problems while on the road.
Pursue your art
Retirees are moving to artists’ villages
where they live and develop the art they’ve always longed to create.
Imagine spending your days soaking in the beauty of the world around
you, then translating it into pieces that speak to buyers. Remember that
art can be sold, and contribute to a healthy retirement income.
Get sunny
Florida used to be the retirement locale
of choice. More and more seniors are moving to places like Belize,
where life is cheaper, but English is still spoken. (One advantage of
moving to a non-English speaking country: you’ll be able to learn a new
language, keeping your mind active and your adventures interesting.)
Move somewhere new and see the world as you never have before.
Workamp
Living and travelling from place to
place may sound like a dream, yet it’s what many seniors are doing. To
supplement their income, they’re taking on odd jobs in the places they
camp, a practice called “workamping.” They may serve as park rangers, or
even maintenance crew, in exchange for a place to stay and some extra
cash.
Or they end up working the ticket
counters at area amusement parks to earn their salary. Options for
workamping are broad and rewarding.
Cohabitate
Many retirees are taking on roommates,
which can be helpful when you’re older and don’t have kids to help you.
This experience won’t only save money — it’ll also make your senior
years a little more exciting and fulfilling.
Now that you’re moving into exciting
times and locales, the next step is to find your passion. Whether it’s
art, travel, reading, teaching, exercising, or cooking, it’s your time
to make sure you love every day of your retirement.
Remember: it’s your job to find the things that speak to your soul and take part in them.
Leave stress and worry to the people who
aren’t smart enough to know what they’re doing (or smart enough to
care) and enjoy your alternative retirement.
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