I get a little irritated when I read stories of how your retirement activities will bore you in retirement and that you are better off working as long as possible.
I have read a lot of business-type books and investment-type books and self-help-type books. A lot of them make mention that it will be obvious that a person will be bored if they retire too early.
I have also overheard conversations from lots of people that they never want to retire and they would not know what to do during retirement and that they will continue to work into their 70s and even if they retire from one job they will get a different job or get into consulting when they retire.
They make disparaging remarks about people they know who have retired early and they wonder what they do all day. They talk as if the only reason to exist is to work and that the idea that they could retire to play is not one of the real retirement activities.
This just is so much nonsense.
Pure nonsense. This way of thinking is just an excuse to die slowly instead of enjoying your life.
I have been working full-time for nearly 25 years without a long vacation of any type. I was laid off for 8 weeks one year. 8 weeks was a drop in the bucket to me. It did not feel like I was out of work for very long. I had the money worries of course, but other than that I loved not going to work. I was never bored.
There is just so much I have not done and so much to do that I do not see how anyone could ever get bored in retirement.
Ever.
I think one problem is that you think you need a lot of money to not be bored.
You think that everything you want to do takes a lot of money and if you are retired you won’t have that much extra money.
So you deny that you really want to do something because of its perceived cost.
The way out of this stupid non-thinking-for-yourself trap is twofold:
1. Develop a list of things to do that are free or very inexpensive. And…
2. Eliminate your major expenses so you have more money to do what you want.
It can be as simple as that. Quit thinking every solution to your problems has to be difficult or complicated.
Free or Inexpensive Retirement Activities
- Read and go to the library. I love libraries but never have the time to spend more than an hour. I would love to spend a day at the library every week. This might be one of my favorite free retirement hobbies.
- Check out books, DVDs, and audio at the library.
- Go to different libraries in other cities near you or when traveling.
- Go to free museums and exhibits.
- Shop without buying.
- Shop at discount stores, second-hand shops, thrift shops, rummage sales, etc.
- Shop online.
- Go Walking. You just need good walking shoes. I have never seen any evidence that walking is not good for you. It seems to be one of the most healthy activities you could do. You could base your life around a walking retirement and have a great life.
- Hike. You do need good hiking boots. These are expensive but they last for years. Hiking is just walking in prettier areas.
- Swimming. You just need a swimming suit and a towel. I have never gotten into swimming that often. I wear contact lenses so always struggle with that. I do like it though. Maybe if I had more time.
- Read the books you have. I have hundreds of books both printed and online that I do not have time for.
- Borrow books from friends.
- Buy cheap books. Cheap books are easy to find. I always find myself browsing for books at Goodwill and anywhere cheap books are sold.
- Going out to cheap places. Things are not always better the more you spend.
- Travel on the cheap.
- Stay with friends and relatives instead of a hotel.
- Go everywhere and do everything and structure your spending so you don’t spend that much. It is just going there and being there.
- Surf the web. You can spend hours, days, weeks, or even the rest of your life surging.
- Sleep more so you feel better. Retirement gives you a chance to actually get the proper amount of rest you need.
- Cook for yourself. You don’t have to rush anymore.
- Take care of your home better. You can work on those projects and just keep things picked up and clean.
- Take better care of your health. This is vital and neglected while you are working a full-time job.
- Buy used clothing. You can dress well for cheap. I much prefer buying cheap good clothing at Goodwill than poor quality expensive clothing.
- Enjoy a low-cost, stress-free Retired Christmas, by controlling your spending, taking your time, and enjoying the moments more.
Here is a list of major expenses to eliminate so you have more money for Retirement Activities:
- Your expensive home.
- Your second home.
- Your big utility bills for your big house and second home.
- Your insurance on your home.
- Excess cars.
- Spending on gifts.
- Taking care of other people.
- Property taxes from eliminating homes and second homes.
- Expensive hobbies like golfing, skiing, fishing, hunting, and attending concerts and
- Sporting events.
- New clothes.
- Entertaining others. There is no rule you have to fund other people’s retirement activities.
It is possible to enjoy your life without a giant amount of money. People do this. You might even call this an inspired retirement. Money is fine, and a lot of money is better, but it is not necessary to have this money to enjoy your life now. There are so many expenses you could eliminate with some thought and determination. There are so many low-cost retirement activities. Your days can be filled.
