by Ekim Seyer

Created on: May 22, 2008   Last Updated: May 29, 2008

Preparing for retirement.
Basically, retirement is the same as being out of work, only this time it's by choice and permanent. The rules, when out of work, still apply here, have enough money stashed away that will keep you solvent for up to six months or more, in this case "more".

Most people who retire, have build up a portfolio through their employer and maybe other options IE; rental properties, IRAs, and 401k, 801k and the like. They have also taken a very good account of what kind of lifestyle they want from retirement and how to fund it. There are two ways to make retirement the glory that it projects, one of them is having enough funds to make it work. The other one is "what to do with your time". With enough income anyone can take retirement in stride and never look back at not having to go to the office.

The hard part of retirement is planning your time. If you are industrious, you can pick up a hobby and make that your job. Hopefully, that hobby is not money hungry. It's the little expenditures that will eat you out of house and home. Also when retired, the chores at home will seem to be enormous and never ending. Put things in perspective and give each item (that is putting a damper on your retirement) some of your time. Write it down on the calender so you will not put if off. If you don't do it, it won't get done. Being retired, everyone will assume that you have all the time in the world to take care of the essentials and letting playtime take care of itself.

The thing to remember is that retirement is not just for the ONE person who is actually calling it quits from work, there usually is a partner involved in this. If the partner is still gainfully employed, are they wanting to retire also? And at the same time? Retirement does not work well if one person retires and the other continues to work. Conflicts arise due to causes brought on by staying home and the retiree planning leisurely time while the worker bee gets to the grind. Together you will have to find a happy medium.

If time and money are not problems, you have stepped into a most delightful situation. Retirement should be a happy time to delve into things put off, things that were on the back of your mind, things that you always wanted to do, but could not find the time to do them. Enjoyment is the key word, but do not take it lightly, try to keep your self busy at all times, have an agenda to keep pace. From morning to night do not let things keep you from having fun and do not have too much fun that it becomes boring. Include your partner in everything that you want to do and do not force the issue. If your partner can't take time off to join you, have a back up plan to bide your time. Do not waste the day, because it will be easier to fluff off tomorrow if you are not planning well.

Retirement should be fun, not a chore. Retirement should be a commitment not a burden.
Retirement should be a family outing, not a day of grind to pull everyone together.
Retirement should be fun loving experience, to be cherished and duplicated each and everyday.

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