Fulfill Your Retirement Bucket List

The late president George H.W. Bush commemorated every fifth birthday between ages 75 and 90 by parachuting from a plane. While skydiving may not be on your bucket list, you probably can think of things you’ve always wanted to do. Looking forward to a secure retirement that includes trips and hobbies, which can help keep you young, may motivate you to plan and invest more for your retirement.

Make an Actual List

Writing down the activities you’d like to do can bring your ideas into focus. Your list might include places you’d like to travel, projects you’d like to do, or activities you want to try. Make your goals as specific as possible. You can prioritize your list by what is most important to you or by the activity that’s the easiest for you to accomplish. Taking concrete steps, such as booking a cruise, buying airline tickets, or signing up for a class, can start the process of turning your bucket list dreams into reality.

Look for Inspiration

Reading articles and doing research on places and activities that interest you can inspire you to move forward. Talk to others about your ideas. Including friends and family members in your plans also makes it more likely that you’ll follow through. They may also have suggestions that you haven’t thought of that will make the activity even more enjoyable.

Consider Your Limitations

Health concerns or physical limitations may dictate what you can reasonably expect to accomplish, so take them into consideration when you’re creating your list. That said, challenging yourself to undertake activities that may be difficult for you can be especially rewarding. Don’t underestimate your abilities if some items on your list take you out of your comfort zone.

Be Realistic About Your Finances

Financial concerns may also be factors to consider when you’re creating your list. Be certain you understand the costs involved with the activities you’ve identified and determine whether your budget will cover them. If you expect a shortfall, start setting aside funds to make up the difference or wait a little longer to tackle your list to avoid going into debt.

Living a fulfilled life is what creating a bucket list is all about. Don’t allow yourself to get so mired in the issues of everyday life that you miss out.