Lessons From Retirement

Hanging with retirees is what I do these days and, in doing so, I have learned a lot about managing retirement. I’ve learned so much, in fact, that I’m thinking there might be a future for me as a retirement consultant.

Topics of conversation oft introduced by retirees include such things as managing life without the stuff around which life revolved pre-retirement, snagging the best senior bargains, and health.

Retirees are preoccupied with the on-going process of restructuring priorities. They often describe (and maybe mourn the loss of) possessions once found in their much larger spaces. More often than not, these possessions are now claimed by children and grandchildren. With all of the anxiety that occurs when retirees part with stuff, I have to wonder if it would be helpful to establish visitation rights when giving possessions away.

Upon entering Retirement Land, one soon discovers that the residents never really downsize. They are always in process. A common lament is that there is never enough storage for the really important stuff that was kept. The realization that storage spaces do not grow comes slowly. Hence, retirees make frequent trips to thrift store collection sites.

Whether golfing, going to a movie, taking in a community event, or going out to dinner, the retiree who finds the best deal is admired by all. No self-respecting retiree would even consider going to the Home and Garden Show without first finding the best coupon deal or discount.

Summertime hot spots for retirees include, but are not limited to, art shows, concerts in the park, festivals, craft fairs, and fireworks displays (all free events). In our area, there are sufficient events to wear retirees completely out and send them to their knees to pray for cold weather so they can curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace.

Although some of the younger generation might consider warehouse stores good places to fill their stomachs by gobbling up samples, a retiree’s stomach may not react well to a meal that consists of salsa on a chip, chocolate covered dried strawberries, soy nuts, gummy calcium, chunks of pizza, fish-shaped crackers, and a hunk of a power bar. But retirees do know all of the great local eating places. Two-for-one specials, early bird meals, and places where two can share without a plate charge rule the day. After dinner dessert is often at the home of a neighbor. Retirees have time to cook.

After only limited conversations with retirees, one knows which doctors, clinics, and hospitals are stellar (as well as which ones to avoid at all costs). Good information at any age, but I’m hoping we will have many more happy years of downsizing before becoming too dependent on these services.