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