Your happily ever after

LIFE after work is a time for great plans. You can surround yourself with the warm company of your loved ones or adopt a pet from the local shelter and shower it with gourmet treats.

You could also perhaps finally move to that quaint country cottage – painted Naples yellow – that you have so deeply adored.

All the thoughts and images of the things you always wanted to do but never quite had the time.

This is it, the retirement years – the period where you can truly explore life, right? Take a moment and consider this: What if a lack of planning leads to one of the most headache-inducing times of your life?

Do not let your retirement dreams collapse before your eyes. Put in some careful preparation before embarking on your bucket list.

After all, as Benjamin Franklin famously and wisely said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Before the wanderlust

The mere thought of travelling can take people to a happy place. Who does not want to see, touch, taste and fully experience a completely new environment, bursting with culture and beauty?

Many who have spent thousands of hours going through the grind of working life will see retirement as a time to finally go on that world tour or cruise they have been yearning for.

But before you call up the travel agency, do consider doing a few things.

Check if you can afford it – Do your funds allow you to go on that Euro trip or Balinese wellness retreat?

Update family and friends –Doyou have loved ones who should be contacted and informed about your plans? You would not want people to worry about your sudden disappearance.

Furthermore, letting people know of your whereabouts is important as they can help look for you in case you go missing or help you with your travel itinerary when you are feeling uncertain.

Get vaccinated and insured –New places bring with them the possibility of contracting new diseases.

You may not be a child, but you still need to check if you are up to date with your vaccinations.