Arizona Friends...a wonderful surprise in our retirement life! |
- When were we the happiest in our life?
- Could we do some of the things we miss out on doing when we were young?
- How much money will we have after the dust has settled?
- Would we prefer a 55+ community or do we need to be near a community that includes children?
- What are our hobbies both physically active (golf, tennis, hiking) and relaxing (cards?)
- Can we make friends easily or do we even need friends to have fun?
- Would we want to move to a new location permanently? How would we afford that?"what
- Do we prefer to be outdoors or indoors?
- How long can we endure being away from our family?
- Is it possible that what we dreamed about is not what we will want for an extended period of time?
- If we decide to follow a dream and then don't like it, will we be ruined financially or otherwise?
- How much time do we want to spend together/apart?
- Is living in a small space going to work if you decide to become a snowbird on a small amount of money?
- Do we still want to work part of the time?
- Can we find a way to finance our snowbird lifestyle by working at a resort?
- Can we stand hot or cold weather?
- What are the health issues we need to keep in mind?
- Are we willing to live in a community that is not like home?
- How far away do we want to go? List a few possibilities.
- If we leave the country, (USA or Canada) will there be problems with visas and laws?
- How old will we be when we cannot travel anymore?
- How will my insurance coverage affect where I decide to spend my winters?
- Is the family in agreement over what we decide to do?
- If one refuses to take a step toward what the other wants will that one regret it later?
- How flexible and adventurous are we?
I suggest that you print this list and both partners fill in the answers separately. It will start a conversation that will help you get a clearer picture about what life after work can look like.
Dream the dream but hold onto the reality...oh, AND always spend money less than you have.
b+
This is an excellent list. My husband and I didn't have many options for several years due to needing to take care of our parents. Now our parents have passed on, and it is time for us to do some serious thinking about the rest of our lives!
ReplyDeleteMy mother passed away in 2002. We had traveled some in her final years but my cell phone bill ran around $600 a month. It was very hard to be gone. After that our life changed in so many ways. We had been retired for 5 years by that time.
ReplyDeleteBut the rest of your life...it has such possibilities. Make it a happy time for you and your family.
b
This is a really good site post, im delighted I came across it. Ill be back down the track to check out other posts that
ReplyDeleteIsn't the question missing a "what" as in "what do you want..."?
ReplyDeleteYes.
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