When you think about your retirement, what thoughts go through your mind? Is it traveling the world, enjoying time with friends and family, working on your golf handicap, or giving back to your community? Retirement looks different to everyone, depending on their circumstances and priorities.
At Global View Investment Advisors, as a fee-only fiduciary firm in Greenville, SC, we recognize that retirement is not just a phase of life but an opportunity for reinvention and personal fulfillment. That’s why we’ve developed the ultimate retirement planning bucket list for 2024!
Our guide isn’t just a checklist; it's a look at six diverse buckets you should consider including as a part of your overall retirement plan. After all, retirement planning is more than just numbers and projections. It's about creating a new chapter in your life that may last 30 or more years based on years of dedication and hard work.
What is a Bucket List?
A retirement planning bucket list is a list of experiences, goals, or accomplishments you want to pursue. Think of it as a catalog of personal goals and desires you’ve always wanted to fulfill before you pass away.
While a bucket list often includes travel, family, and personal pursuits, it can also include goals that impact a comfortable lifestyle and financial security later in life.
How to Create Your Retirement Bucket List?
Start by asking yourself these questions:
- What are your biggest goals and dreams that you have yet to pursue/accomplish?
- What do you want to pursue after you retire—family, health, financial, social, or personal goals?
- Are there any special places or countries you still want to visit?
- Is there a new skill you want to learn? Reduce that golf handicap?
Focus on Building/Enhancing Your Social Connections
Once you retire, having a network of family and friends can enhance the quality of your social life. Here are a few ideas that will make that possible:
- Immerse yourself in cultural experiences and meet like-minded individuals
- Join new groups based on your interests to form new friendships
- Volunteer for community services
- Host or attend social events to keep connected with your community
Work On Yourself
Now that you’re retired, you can take the time to focus on your personal growth. Here are some ways you can do that:
- Have you always wanted to play a musical instrument? This not only stimulates your mind but also provides a sense of fulfillment.
- Learning a foreign language can be both challenging and rewarding.
- Explore the creative side of yourself with painting, sculpting, or crafting. These activities are not only creative outlets but also therapeutic.
- Develop some outdoor interests that keep you physically active. For example, golf, tennis, fly fishing, and hiking.
Expand Your Culinary Skills
During our working years, many people cook primarily to get it over with, often opting for quick, functional meals delivered to their front doors. Retirement is a unique opportunity to transform cooking from a routine task into an enjoyable and creative hobby. Consider adding wine tasting to your culinary delights.
Cultivating your culinary skills in retirement isn't just about the food; it's a journey of discovery, creativity, and sharing memorable meals with people you care about.
Do You Have a Green Thumb?
Gardening in retirement offers a fulfilling way to engage with nature and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. It's an ideal activity for retirees seeking relaxation, physical activity, and the joy of nurturing plant life.
- Start a Vegetable Garden
- Create a Flower Garden
- Join a Community Garden
- Try Container Gardening
- Grow Herbs Indoors
- Teach Gardening to Grandchildren
Pen and Paper
Writing is a wonderful way to express yourself, whether starting a blog, social media, journaling, or penning a novel.
Oh Snap!
Consider photography as a hobby to capture the beauty around you and develop a new artistic perspective. Photos become a visual record for future generations. Seeing is so much better than reading about it.
Giving Back to the Community
Volunteering and sharing your skills can enrich your life by giving back to your community and the causes you care most about.
Watch our video on the three retirement planning mistakes you should avoid.
Travel, Travel, Travel
Once you retire, it’s an opportunity to explore the world or revisit your favorite places here in America:
- Create a list of where you’ve always wanted to visit
- Prioritize experiences like cultural tours, culinary adventures, or nature expeditions
- Plan your trips according to your financial situation
- Set aside a portion of your retirement funds specifically for travel. Invest in comprehensive travel insurance
- Consider traveling during off-peak times to enjoy cost savings and fewer crowds
- Explore long-term stays in a single location
History Matters
Another hobby that many undertake once retired is documenting their life experiences, leaving behind a memoir of family history, or completing significant personal projects to leave a lasting legacy.
Financial Independence
Creating a sustainable retirement plan is crucial to your long-term financial security. As you approach retirement, it's important to establish a financial strategy that supports your lifestyle without needing a regular income from employment or owning a business. This plan should focus on maintaining financial independence, allowing you to live comfortably and handle unexpected expenses.
A well-structured retirement plan involves careful consideration of various factors:
- It's necessary to assess your anticipated living costs in retirement. This planning should include everyday expenses, healthcare costs, and potential leisure activities. A reserve for the unexpected is also a good idea.
- Be sure to factor in inflation to reflect its impact on your purchasing power and cost of living. It makes sense that inflation can undermine your standard of living - in particular over longer periods.
- A diversified portfolio can help balance growth potential with the need for risk management, providing a steadier income stream during retirement. Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your investments is key to responding to market changes and personal circumstances.
- Estate planning is another important component of your retirement plan. It ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes while providing financial support to your heirs and causes you want to support.
- Finally, tax planning should be included in your retirement plan. Understanding how your investments and withdrawals will be taxed can significantly affect your net income in retirement. Smart tax planning can maximize your income and minimize the erosive impact of unnecessary taxes.
About Global View Investment Advisors
Global View was established with a clear purpose - to serve as your financial advocate for accumulating, preserving, and distributing your wealth. Our focus includes helping you sidestep frequent financial pitfalls and helping you pursue the financial goals that are most important to you.
At Global View Investment Advisors, you can count on receiving authentic advice from a team dedicated to matching their efforts with your interests.
We believe this is the only way to serve our client's financial interests.
