| Most people think that's all retirement is about -- having | | | | society near his home. His experience, enthusiasm and |
| enough money to sit on the deck, play golf, and visit | | | | organizational skills so impressed the Director that |
| the grandkids. But that's the old model -- not today's | | | | Larry was offered a part-time position as Assistant |
| retirement. Someone who turns 65 today can expect | | | | Director. Although he has less time for his painting, the |
| to live until age 83, according to the US Bureau of | | | | supplemental income allows him the luxury of another |
| Labor Statistics. Here's 5 strategies to help you pursue | | | | passion -Â regular trips to Italy. |
| your dream retirement: | | | | 3. Maybe you've been passionate about your hobby all |
| Copyright (c) 2007 Lin Schreiber | | | | your life -- making woodcarvings, gardening, or playing |
| Most people think that's all retirement is about -- having | | | | bridge. What about a part-time job as a gardening |
| enough money to sit on the deck, play golf, and visit | | | | assistant during the summer, selling your work at craft |
| the grandkids. But that's the old model -- not today's | | | | fairs, or getting certified as a bridge instructor? |
| retirement. I believe you can revolutionize your | | | | Think about what you love to do, the best times in |
| retirement even if you can't count on 80% of your | | | | your life, what you never had time for when you were |
| current revenue when you stop working. (That's the | | | | raising children and working full time. If you love animals, |
| secret number according to many retirement experts.) | | | | become a pet sitter. Consider working in a day care |
| Someone who turns 65 today can expect to live until | | | | center, if small children delight you. |
| age 83, according to the US Bureau of Labor | | | | 4. Try seasonal employment. That's what Betty and |
| Statistics. So, even if you stop working at the normal | | | | Bob do. They say they're "rewired," not "retired." Each |
| retirement age, you've got nearly two decades to fill | | | | winter they close their Maryland home, pack up her |
| with things that really matter to you. And, if you give up | | | | home-based marketing business, and head to |
| traditional employment sooner, you've got even more | | | | Snowmass, Colorado. For the next two months, they |
| years to enjoy the "third half" of life. Today the | | | | work for the ski corporation -- alongside college kids |
| average retirement age is an astonishingly young 57. | | | | from Australia and a few other couples their age. He |
| I said "enjoy," and I mean it. To do that, you need to put | | | | parks cars and slings skis on busses; she helps families |
| yourself squarely in the driver's seat -- decide when | | | | plan their vacations at the resort. The minimum wage |
| and how you retire and who you will be. Don't let | | | | they make covers basic expenses; they each get a |
| someone else's definition determine your retirement. | | | | season's pass worth $1,799; and they only work a few |
| So, begin by putting the money issue aside entirely. | | | | days each week. The rest of the time they follow their |
| That's right. Just forget about money and take a good | | | | passion  on the ski slopes. |
| hard look at the life you want to be living. Start | | | | Seasonal employment is available at National Parks, |
| journaling, brainstorm with friends and family, and | | | | community facilities, and as travel hosts to exotic |
| dream a lot. For inspiration, begin to brainstorm ideas | | | | places. Furthermore, there are lots of Web sites that |
| and tools needed to help you plan the perfect | | | | specialize in senior employment. |
| retirement for YOU. | | | | 5. But if you really want to make the most of the "third |
| OK. So money does have something to do with it. | | | | half" of your life, consider packaging what you know |
| Now's the time to figure out exactly how much you | | | | and sharing it with others. That's what Miriam did. After |
| have and what you'll need. Maybe you'll discover that | | | | 30 years of a successful therapy practice, she traded |
| you have enough money to do everything you want | | | | her East Coast home for a West Coast apartment. |
| to do. Congratulations! | | | | With her savings and a handsome settlement from her |
| But what if you don't? Will you need to work until | | | | ex-husband, she lived the good life. Then one day the |
| seven years after you're dead? Or can you still create | | | | money was gone. Already in her seventies, she picked |
| the retirement of your dreams? Of course you can. | | | | herself up, buffed up an old passion, and began writing |
| Here are some ways to make that happen. | | | | psychological thrillers. Today, Miriam is making more |
| 1. First, sharpen your pencil and reconsider how much | | | | money than she did during her other career  and |
| is enough? Maybe you don't need to stay in the big | | | | she's having a lot more fun. |
| house and take care of all that stuff. Perhaps you'd | | | | What will it take for you to let go of your outdated |
| love to simplify your life by living out of your RV as | | | | beliefs about money and retirement and get inspired to |
| you travel the country. What could you downsize or let | | | | revolutionize the "third half" of your life? |
| go of to buy yourself a more carefree existence? | | | | Remember, money is merely one of the 15 "must |
| 2. Second, consider supplemental income. Wait a | | | | haves" for a thriving retirement. While taking charge of |
| minute, didn't I just say you were going to stop | | | | your life, having dreams for the future, and a purpose |
| working? Well, there's work. And, then there's work. | | | | that pulls you out of bed in the morning are not as |
| Larry was an art teacher in an urban high school for | | | | tangible as, say, $1.3 million in assets, they're just as |
| his entire career. In retirement, he followed his passion | | | | crucial. |
| for painting and also volunteered at a national art | | | | |