Advice from this retiree: ‘If you’re healthy enough and have the finances, go travelling as soon as possible’

In Tales from the Golden Age, retirees discuss their spending, financial savings and whether or not life after work is what they anticipated.

Kathryn Brookfield, 69, Winchester, Ont.

I retired about 11 years in the past, at age 58, after a profession as a high-school instructor and later as a supervisor at a federal public service union in Ottawa. I suffered from despair, and the job was very demanding. I had an excellent pension and determined it was time to cease working to concentrate on my psychological and bodily well being. It was an enormous reduction to have the ability to do this for myself.

My late husband, who was six years older than me, owned an promoting company in Ottawa and began to wind down his work across the identical time. In 2011, as soon as we have been each retired, we moved to Wellington, Ont., in Prince Edward Nation, the place we lived for 10 years. We had a terrific time there however then determined to maneuver to Winchester – a couple of 30-minute drive south of Ottawa – which was extra accessible for our households and made it simpler to get specialty well being care companies.

Sadly, my husband handed away in Might, 2021, earlier than we moved to our new residence. He was identified with pancreatic most cancers in April and died a couple of weeks later. It was very surprising. It additionally induced me to rethink my retirement plans.

I made a decision to promote our residence, which I moved into in November, and can be relocating to a rental house in Ottawa this fall. It’s a stunning place that overlooks the Ottawa River. I made a decision to hire any further so I’m not tying up my capital. I’m investing and plan to journey much more now that pandemic restrictions are easing. My bucket checklist contains cruises on the Nile and Danube rivers, and I’ve booked a visit to Paris subsequent June.

My recommendation to others is that, if you happen to’re wholesome sufficient and have the funds, go travelling as quickly as attainable. And luxuriate in spending time together with your associate, since you by no means know what may occur.

I additionally advocate getting concerned in your neighborhood to remain energetic and engaged in retirement. Personally, I like volunteering the place I can use my mind and spend time outside. Over time I’ve volunteered at native gardens and as an English-language tutor. I’ve additionally performed fundraising for varied non-profit organizations. It’s very satisfying to have the ability to assist others.

My recommendation: Take into consideration what you want about life after which see if you happen to can switch it into one thing the place you possibly can meet new folks, get entangled in your neighborhood and discover a true sense of belonging.

As advised to Brenda Bouw

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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