We discuss the importance of saving and investing for retirement so often that we sometimes forget the importance of other areas of our lives. While is important, having a comfortable retirement is so much more than just having enough money to draw on. Here are five nonfinancial ways we all need to plan for retirement.
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Social circle. Not many people give their social circle too much thought when they are young. In school, it's easy to meet new people, find friends with similar interests, and just hang out. But as we age, distractions like our working schedule, family, and stress get in the way of friendship. A support group is important for our happiness regardless of age. Work on these relationships before you retire. Try to maintain friendships and continue to develop new ones after you leave your job.
Passion. Do you know what you truly love to do? Unfortunately, not everyone does. Being passionate about something or having a hobby that you love can keep you from watching TV and feeling bored in your retirement years.
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Health. Most people don't think about their health until there are problems. Preventive maintenance becomes much more important for our body as we age. Eat healthy, exercise, and sleep well when you are young and you just might stay youthful for many years more.
Family. Your family routines change when you stop going to the office. Family issues, ranging from big issues like financial matters to little issues such as who should pick up dinner, can be a challenge. Discuss who will do what in retirement.
[See 5 Misunderstood Retirement Rules of Thumb.]
Stress. Many people are stressed out by their job. But retirement can be stressful too if there isn't enough money to go around or if you miss some aspects of your former job. If you can, test out retirement with an extended break from work before retiring permanently or consider shifting into part-time work. Tone it down and keep life simple and you will have a comfortable retirement.
David Ning runs , a personal finance site aimed at helping others change their habits for a better financial future. He suggests that everyone to sign up for an online savings account to get more out of our hard earned money.