Welcome Back to Part TWO of my 10 Great Tips for a Successful Retirement. In the last issue of The Observer, I offered Part ONE, and I trust many of you have been practicing and are probably feeling steps ahead of those who didn’t read last month’s column! But, as a welcome to the newbies and as any good two-part episode on your favorite Netflix show does, let me review.

Previously in Part One of the 10 Great Tips:

#1 – RETIREMENT IS A NEW BEGINNING.

So, introduce yourself to who you are now.

#2 – CULTIVATE FRIENDS BOTH IN AND OUT OF WORK.

You will make important connections and feel really popular.

#3 – CONTROL YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

This helps avoid being sidelined by disappointment.

#4 – STAY MENTALLY STIMULATED.

A challenged, stimulated brain can help you find purpose and joy.

#5 – GET PHYSICALLY FIT NOW.

Your possibilities increase if you are ready, willing, and able.

Now let’s get to the other five tips so everyone can move forward. You’re in the driver’s seat, so put on your seatbelt and get started NOW - regardless of where you are in your working journey:

Tip #6 – MAKE SURE YOU WILL HAVE ENOUGH MONEY!

(Yes, among the non-financial tips there is a tip about money!) Even though there is more to Retirement than making sure you will have enough money, make sure you will have enough money.

If you feel like a financial wizard, go for it, and take care of it all yourself! There are a lot of DIY tools on the web to help. If you think you need a little help, ask for recommendations (not from me!) for a good financial planner or wealth management firm that you can trust.

Just keep in mind three important things:

a) No one cares more about your money than you do.

b) If you can’t explain it, you shouldn’t own it.

c) Hope and prayer are not effective investment strategies.

Tip #7 – BE POSITIVE

Tell yourself that the glass really is half full. If you need a little help tilting that glass in the right direction, try subscribing to www.goodnewsnetwork.org or www.powerofpositivity.com .

That positive attitude will strengthen your resilience when the slimy things come along, and this is especially important in retirement. Research has shown that 50% of your personality is predetermined, 40% is CHOICE, and 10% is random. Make the choice to be positive.

Who knows? You might end up as the pickleball champ of your neighborhood or finally master the ukulele! Start your day with a good outlook and stop watching the news.

Tip #8 – DO SOMETHING EVERY DAY FOR THE GREATER GOOD

I’m assuming it would be hard for you to move to a third world country and build a library or teach young children. So, how about just being kind to people around you every day. Let someone in front of you in traffic or in the line at the grocery store. Say something nice to the hard-working service people at restaurants and supermarkets.

You change the atmosphere by saying something nice. It opens the door for others to pay it forward, and you may even improve your chances for a seat on the condo board!

Tip #9 – DISCUSS RETIREMENT WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER

Talk things over with your partner, or anyone else with whom you often interact. Listen to how they view the idea of your retiring, and then compare your thoughts. Hopefully, this will avoid misunderstandings like:

HE said: I will play golf three mornings a week and meet with the guys for lunch on Friday.

SHE said: My husband and I will spend mornings fixing up the house, and then we will plant the gorgeous garden we always dreamed of.

HE said: My wife and I will simply relax. Home together in the mornings, and after lunch we’ll each have our separate activities.

SHE said: I married him for better or for worse, but not every day for lunch!

(A great guide to keep handy is The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle, Conversations for Creating an Amazing New Life Together, by Roberta Taylor and Dorian Mintzer.)

Tip #10 – PLAN AHEAD

In addition to all the obvious reasons (Tips #1-9!) planning ahead can help you feel in control of your future. Imagining a brighter future can energize you, boost your mood, and add meaning to your life. And who doesn’t want that?

Stuck on how to get started? Try making a curious list of at least 10 things that have interested you, but you have yet to pursue. Also, over your morning coffee write down a description of your perfect day in retirement. (Yes, morning to night). Once done, detail out your perfect week. I think you’ll find it interesting.

That takes care of all 10 tips.

You’re Welcome!

Stop by next month when I’ll talk about why using technology is so important now and certainly will be in your retirement!

 

Loretta Saff

 

 

 

 

If you want to share, feel free to send me a note c/o The Observer Editor, Barbara Dab, at barbaradab@jewishnashville.org with some tales from the front lines J . You may get published