Many people find the topic of their own retirement an uncomfortable subject. The last thing a lot of us want to talk about is what we will be doing in the twilight of our lives. Not thinking about retirement or old age can cause more problems than it’s worth.
So what should you be thinking about? The biggest thing is, of course, planning for your financial needs after you retire. The second is where you’re going to live. Retirement homes offer a great solution to both problems. They may be cheaper than living at home and paying bills and groceries and are definitely worth investigating.
We’ve put together a list of some of the major mistakes that people make after retirement. If you are hoping to enjoy your retirement in style, take a look at what you should avoid below.
1. Keep within a budget
Many people start spending a lot when they retire, this is a natural reaction to feeling free from the constraints of working 9-5. This can be anything from going on multiple vacations to fixing up the house or picking up a new hobby to fill the time. This may not have an immediate impact but over a few years, you may start to notice your savings start to dwindle.
The good news is that there is an easy fix to this. All you have to do it come up with a long-term budget and stick to it. The best part is that you will probably not have to miss out on the vacations and other luxuries that you enjoy. With a few tweaks to your spending habits, you can enjoy your retirement in style.
2. You probably don’t need more than one car
If you are both retired, then you should ask yourself if you still need to have a car each. As you won’t be commuting to work every day, you may only need the one car for the two of you.
If you do decide that you only need the one car, then you can sell one of them and give yourself even more room in your retirement budget. Many retirees like to give the car to one of their grandchildren as they like to feel that the car that has served them so well can be passed onto their family members as they start out on the road themselves.
3. Staying at home for too long
Take a long hard look at the cost of living in your home. Add up everything from property taxes, utility bills, maintenance, grocery bills and anything else that you can think of. Many people find that they are spending a lot more than they thought each month. This realization makes the cost of joining a retirement community very affordable.
Discuss your decision carefully with family members, particularly adult children. You may find that this is an ideal time for you to transition into a retirement community.
4. Not considering medical expenses
You may be feeling fit and healthy now, and that’s great. One thing that you should be planning for is as you age you may need more and more care. Retirement communities can provide this at a fraction of the cost of having a carer come into your home. You should also think about the amount of time that your family will be able to help you. You can take this burden off their shoulders by making the decision to move into a retirement community. You will also be saving a significant amount of money that you spend on other things like vacations and spoiling grandkids.
