Whether your retirement is years down the line or just around the corner, it’s a good idea to have a solid plan for how you’re going to spend it. A lot of people have a vision of retirement that’s really rather dream-like what with all their free time to do whatever they please.
But for a lot of seniors, the final years of their lives might not be so comfortable, especially considering that a lot of Americans don’t have a lot of savings that will see them through a long and happy retirement.
If you, for one reason or another, haven’t been able to save as much money as you would have hoped, then we came up with a list of 12 versatile retirement ideas! Alternatively, even if you have saved a lot of money but are looking to spice things up or you don’t think the cookie-cutter retirements that you’ve seen advertised are a right fit for you, these ideas may help you too!
No matter where you are on the spectrum, click NEXT to find out how you can make the most out of your golden years!
1. Retire Abroad
Retiring abroad may sound like a farfetched dream for a lot of people. That may be because traveling abroad is a major expense in most cases. So perhaps it would make sense that living in a foreign country would drain your savings faster too. Well, unless you’re planning on moving to expensive cities, it may actually be cheaper.
Did you know that 500,000 American retirees live abroad? There are some countries that have great senior communities and lower overall costs, so what could last you a few years in the U.S. could stretch over decades elsewhere.
Take Baja, Mexico, for example, where one senior built a home for as little as $25,000! Relocating to a small town may be the right move for you, especially if you have adult children that can visit you! After all, by the time you retire their finances should be in order whereas you’ll be living on a fixed income.
2. Move Into a Tiny Home
Moving into a tiny house is a smart idea not just for those who want to cut costs, but for those who don’t have the time and patience to deal with huge maintenance costs during retirement.
If you don’t have children living with you anymore and you’re sick and tired of home improvements and maintenance, then buying or building a 100 to 400 square feet home might be the answer you’re looking for. Plus, a lot of these tiny houses are mobile too, so you can travel at your leisure for the remaining of your golden years without breaking the bank.
Don’t just take it from us and look at the trends. Two out of five seniors over the age of 50 opt for tiny houses. Some have even said that they pay as little as $12 a month in utilities while their maintenance budget is also kept at an all-time low. Cleaning such a tiny space is also less time consuming, even if you’re going in deep.
Put all that extra time and money in creative projects that are near and dear to your heart instead!
