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Top 10 List
how we choose
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You Are Eligible to Retire
There are many factors that go into the
decision to retire. Some people choose to go
ahead and retire when they are eligible to
receive a pension or
social security benefits. Others choose
to continue working for the social aspects
of the workplace. There really is no right
or wrong answer, but it is important to know
whether or not you are eligible, so you can
make an educated decision. You may even want
to take the
retirement quiz and see what you still
need to do before retiring. |
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No More Commutes
The average American commutes 30 to 45
minutes to work each morning and afternoon.
Multiply that by 365 days in a year and it
is easy to see how much time we are missing
out on that we could spend doing more
enjoyable activities or spending time with
family and friends. The
US Census Bureau estimates that most
people spend around 100 hours a year
commuting to work. |
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More Time with the Grandkids
One of the perks of retiring is having more
time to spend with your family.
Grandchildren are only little for so long
and then they turn into independent young
adults. Now is the time to take them on
vacation or teach them that secret family
recipe along with other life skills such as
cooking, cleaning and saving money. If
you are willing, you may also be able to
help adult children with childcare
responsibilities, which will free up their
finances and give them peace of mind in
knowing their children are with someone who
loves them. |
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Hobbies
Perhaps you've always wanted to take up
knitting or you wish you could learn to play
the piano. Another reason to retire is so
that you can explore
hobbies and skills you might not have
had time to learn while working a 40 hour
work week. Or, perhaps there is a hobby
you've always dabbled at and you'd like a
little more time to perfect your skills or
even start a business selling wood cut outs
or hand-pieced quilts. |
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Clubs
Retirement can afford you the opportunity to
join clubs you've always wanted to be a part of
as well. Many women choose to join the
Red Hat Society, which is open to women 50
and older. The red hat ladies can be seen out
and about in most communities. One thing all the
different groups have in common is that they all
seem to be having a lot of fun. There are also
local country clubs, clubs for veterans, clubs
based on religion and many others out there. |
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Less Stress
Stress can cause a host of health problems
if left unchecked. While some people react
to stress more than others, one of the
biggest benefits of retiring is
reducing stress, which can in turn lead
to better health. Even for those who love
their jobs, there are usually at least one
or two factors that cause stress. Or,
perhaps it is other workers causing stress. |
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Make New Friends
Many seniors have been able to connect through
online networking sites like
Facebook and
Classmates.com and find old friends as well
as new ones. In addition, most communities have
a senior center with a wealth of activities. By
going on trips, attending classes and hanging
out at the recreation center, you are certain to
meet new people with similar interests. Simply
having more time affords the opportunity to meet
new people. |
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Travel
A big reason why many people retire is so they can
travel and see places they've always wanted to see.
There are quite a few
senior travel websites dedicated to putting
together trips just for seniors. Sites such as
Exploritas offer educational trips where you can
learn as you explore the world around you. Many
seniors choose to take part-time jobs with flexible
schedules after retirement to help fund their
wanderlust. |
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Live Where It's Warm
Tired of the cold weather? Retirement means you can
relocate wherever you'd like. Many retirees even choose
to live part of the year in states like Florida and
Arizona and the other part of the year near their
families. Not sure where you'd like to retire? You might
want to check out
Where to Retire magazine, which offers articles and
breakdowns on everything from activities in an area to
the cost of living. |
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Enjoy Your Golden Years
The truth is that it doesn't matter if you are 20 or 60,
none of us know if we'll even have one more day on this
planet. One of the biggest reasons to retire, if you
can, is to enjoy your senior years and pursue things
that interest you. You'll have more time for leisure,
more time for work you enjoy and more time to
spend with family and friends. Many financial companies
and the
US government offer ideas for helping you retire and
make the most of your golden years. |
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