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