If I remain healthy enough, I plan to retire in four years at the end of June, 2024. The days seem to fly by and so I realize that four years will be here in the blink of an eye. On some days, it seems like many of my friends and family members have already retired and that I’m a lone holdout. But I’m not yet ready. However, I’m seriously thinking about how to spend these last four working years.
There are three high priorities on my list. They could be considered the three-legged stool upon which my successful and happy retirement will depend. The first is good health, the second is adequate savings, and the third is a satisfying lifestyle plan.
It’s only to be expected that aging brings health concerns because these bodies were not designed to last forever. Everything about this body seems to wear out and to become less effective over time. Move the wrong way and parts tear, sprang, or break. Eat and more is stored as fat. Less muscle, less stamina, slower memory recall. It becomes harder to see and harder to hear. These are all the norm. I’ve heard people ponder how “young me got stuck in this old body”. I can relate. The reality is that we can’t stop the aging process, but we can slow it down with a healthy diet and greatly reduced calorie intake, moderate daily exercise for at least 45 minutes that includes stretching and weights as well as aerobics, adequate sleep, and an active brain. I’m working to modify my health habits to match these best recommendations. The challenge will be to find brain activity after I retire that matches the rigorous workout my brain gets every day at work, both socially and intellectually.
The second leg on the stool is having adequate savings. Thankfully, I’ve been saving for retirement since my twenties. And according to the financial planner, I’ve met the goal. However, I’m determined to exceed it by far only because I don’t want to be scrapped for cash and who knows what healthcare costs will be. So, I’m somewhat obsessed with saving and investing. I made a decision to stop spending on unnecessary things, trips, restaurant meals and entertainment, and to put that money into additional savings and investments for the next four years. I love to shop, so this will be difficult for me. However, I acknowledge that I have more than enough clothes, shoes, and accessories stockpiled to get me to retirement without purchasing one more item.
And that last stool, lifestyle is the most exciting prospect of what I’ll want retirement to be. I know a few things. First, I want to be close to family members so we can reach each other quickly. Second, I want to trade in my professional wardrobe for a simple, leisurely and comfortable one. Third, I want to be more active in my sorority, not as an officer, but as a supporter of our activities. I’ll enjoy what I’ve always enjoyed, writing, reading, gardening, puzzles, good television, and decorating. And the next house will need a really big kitchen because I plan to cook every day.
Four years will come quickly and it’s nice to have implemented a plan to help me retire the way I hope to.