Beyond the Dollars

By: R. Johnson

I’ve been earning a paycheck since I was 15 years old.  I am now 65 having been retired for a little over a year.  I can’t pinpoint how many years I was in my first “real” job before I began dreaming of retirement: days with no set schedule, lounging on the beach, hiking and biking in the mountains, etc.  Even envisioning having more than a couple of days to get home chores completed made me happy.

One day, my dream of retirement would come true.  And it did.

My wife and I had done all the responsible things folks wanting to retire should do: we met with our financial advisor, established our retirement goals of enough investments and pensions to be able to live frugally, yet nicely.  (It helped that my wife is 10 years younger than I and was still working.)

Finally, the day arrived.  I arrived home with a paper box filled with all my personal items.  I was officially retired!  That was June 4, 2023.

Then I woke up on June 5.  

I thought having no set schedule would be fantastic.  Yet, I had trouble deciding what I wanted to do or needed to do with all that open time.  

Most of my retirement concerns had revolved around questions such as: have I saved enough, invested enough, budgeted tightly enough, etc.  BUT what about what you do with your time now that you have time?  So many people—like me–retire thinking it will be wonderful…and then their alarm clocks don’t go off, their days aren’t structured, they don’t receive positive feedback for a “job well done,” or they begin to feel useless or bored.  

So here are some quick tips on how to get the most out of the other side of retirement—beyond the dollars–but the parts that we don’t usually consider, yet should.

1. Hobbies: Six months before retirement, begin exploring new hobbies or energizing old ones.   Connect with people who are also interested in those hobbies.  You may even consider taking a class such as jewelry making or photography to hone your skills and meet new people.  This is especially important if your social group is your work group.
2. Just Breathe: When you first retire, give yourself a break!  It takes time to adjust to a new norm.  Give yourself at least 6 months to ease into retirement.  When you have worked 30-40+ years, it takes time to discover a “you” whose value and self-worth isn’t tied to a career, collegial camaraderie, positive feedback, paycheck, etc.
3. Volunteer: Volunteer for causes that matter to you:  Consider local, state, and national causes such as:  Habitat for Humanity, local food bank, museum, library, parks (local, state, national,) hospitals, community gardens, schools, etc.  You will be able to connect with new friends that share your passions and interests…and have something important to you on the calendar.  A quick Google search for “volunteer opportunities for retirees” will provide many and varied options.
4. Educational Opportunities: Consider going back to SCHOOL.  Yep, school.  Many colleges and universities allow retirees to audit classes at little to no charge.  And the best part is you get the benefit of listening to the lectures and participating in the discussions—without having to do homework or study for tests! 
5. Work Opportunities: School not cool with you? Then consider going back to work…seriously.  When my father-in-law retired, he immediately wanted to piggyback on everything in which my mother-in-law was involved:  grocery shopping, errand running, yard work, etc.  He didn’t like any of it (& neither did she like his “help!”).  Finally, he realized that he actually enjoyed working.  He ended up working part-time as a bailiff for the county court system.  He had always been interested in the law, court proceedings, the ins-and-outs of the justice system, etc.  Now he was paid to be an actual participant.  He kept that position until he was put under hospice care.  Think of a job that you may have considered when you were younger but didn’t pursue.  Could this be a second career for you?  Do you enjoy woodworking, painting, photography?  You might have the means to create items to sell at a local artisan market. Going back to work isn’t a sign that you failed retirement. It just means that you enjoy working, and that’s okay!

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Author Profile:

R. Johnson, Educator for 40+ years…and now RETIRED.  Rob spends his time:

Sailing: Retiree small craft sailing

Beekeeping:  2 strong hives thus far—one ready for honey retrieval & joined the local Beekeeping Association to learn even more!

Biking: solo in the neighborhood or on city trails with friends

Volunteering:  Senior High Youth Group Leader at his church

Cooking:  This is his wife’s favorite endeavor for him!  

Astronomy:  Member of the Astronomy Club at the same museum where he used to be the Weekend & Planetarium Director as a college student

Piddling:  Whether in the house, workshop, or yard, this is time well-earned & better spent!

Under New Management:  Doing whatever she says!!!