One thing we always talk about here at Kennedy Wealth Management is retirement income planning. We’re always thinking about how we can help people save money, how they can save over the years, how they can leverage their assets to provide a good future, and so on. But one topic that could certainly use more attention is retirement itself. We spend so much time worrying about whether or not retirement is possible at all that we sometimes don’t stop to think about how great it’ll be when it finally does happen. And it will — especially if you come to us for your retirement income planning needs.
We’ve asked many people over the years what their retirement plans are, and we’ve gotten all kinds of different answers. But among them, there’s almost always one constant — travel. Almost everyone wants to travel in their old age, and it’s not hard to see why.
In this blog post, let’s take a break from talking about all the nitty gritty details of saving retirement money, and fantasize about what you’ll be able to do with it when the time comes. Here are some wonderful vacation ideas for when your retirement age finally comes.
Four Great Retirement Vacations
Go on a Transatlantic Cruise
If you’re reading this, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to assume that there’s a good chance you’ve been on a cruise ship before. All things considered, it’s a fairly affordable form of vacation, and a large number of Americans have done it at least once. If you’re among our clientele in the Calabasas California area, the odds are even greater due to your proximity to the coast.
However, even if you have been on a cruise, the typical four to seven-day ventures pale in comparison the extravagant adventure that is a transatlantic cruise. Crossing an entire ocean n a cruise line is a different experience entirely. It gives you a lot of time to just kick back and truly unwind.
You almost feel like you’re in a rush when you go on a normal cruise ship — no matter what you do, it’s hard to shake the fact that you only have a fleeting week or less to enjoy all of the incredible things your cruise ship offers. Most passengers barely end up scraping the surface of what they can do on their boat.
Whether you’re going transatlantic or transpacific, a month-long cruise is perhaps the purest form of ultimate relaxation. For many retired people, this is the first major vacation they take once retirement hits — and we can’t blame them.
Chase Your Hobbies
Another great choice for a post-retirement vacation is one that puts a focus on your passions and hobbies. As you go through life, you will no doubt pick up many interests, and for many of these, there are definitely trips you can take to definitive locations that are hot spots for said interests.
Maybe you’re big into surfing, and you finally want to chase the biggest waves. Maybe you’ve always been fascinated by castles, and you decide to take a trip to Ireland to see the best of the best. Maybe you want to pursue the best golf courses in the world, or take a grand tour of the best foods found in every country. Whatever your passions and hobbies are, retirement is an age where you can devote all of your time to chasing them.
This is a boon for many retired people who grew up raising families, who never quite got the opportunity to go on “their” ideal vacation. When a family is involved, there are always compromises to be made, and we wouldn’t blame your children if they were more interested in going to Disney World instead of the world capital of your favorite hobby. But in retirement, the world is your oyster, and it’s time to take all those trips you’ve always wanted to go on.
Go On an Epic Road Trip
You’ve probably gone on a road trip or two at some point in your life. But whether you’ve gone on one or 100, the truth behind road trips is that most of them are done for reasons of practicality rather than pleasure. Road trips are often cheaper than taking a plane, and they also allow you to have your own vehicle at your ultimate destination. They allow you to take your own pace, and you can see some cool things along the way, but ultimately, if the cost is the same, most people will elect to fly.
Have you ever gone on an extended road trip just for the sake of being on the road? This paradigm shift can completely change the tone of a road trip — instead of seeing it as a drag, you can see it as an adventure.
The best thing about retirement is that your time is beholden to no one but yourself, so there is no longer a rush. Want to take a mighty cruise around the entire perimeter of North America? You got it! Want to drive down Route 66 because you’ve never gotten that chance? Retirement is the time! Want to fly all the way to Australia and tour the Great Down Under? Go for it.
Regardless of what your plan is, there’s never quite a moment as ideal as retirement to just take as long of a road trip as you want. Taking a month or more off work to just drive all over the world isn’t a practical option for most career workers, but in the ripe age of retirement, supported with a retirement income that was cultivated over many years, it can be a transformative experience.
See the Northern Lights
There are a lot of things in this world that qualify as “must-sees” in your lifetime, and perhaps none of them are as prolific or universally accepted as the Northern Lights.
Many people would call the ancient wonders of the world “must-sees,” but ancient culture doesn’t appeal to a lot of people, and some would argue that many of these wonders aren’t as impressive in person as they are in photos.
Some would say that certain, famous tourist destinations are “must-sees,” such as the Eiffel Tower or natural wonders, like the Grand Canyon. But, this again comes down to the personal preference of many.
The Northern Lights, however, leaves almost nobody unimpressed, and they’re one of the most incredible natural phenomenons this world has to offer. If you’ve cultivated a healthy retirement income, you can afford to go wherever the Aurora Borealis shows itself. Whether you want to stay in a cool, Nordic-inspired lodge in Norway or visit Iceland, ever a more popular tourist spot in recent years, there are plenty of amazing places to go to see the Northern Lights.
Prepare for These Vacations Today By Cultivating Your Retirement Income Plan
Ultimately, the world is your oyster when you reach retirement. But, for this old adage to hold true, there’s one thing you need to take care of — your retirement income plan. Climbing the hills of Macchu Picchu and taking pictures next to the Great Pyramid of Giza aren’t viable options if you have to spend your retirement years working in a cashier lane. It’s up to you now to plan your future, and here at Kennedy Wealth Management, we’re here to help.
We’ve assisted thousands of clients with their retirement income planning, and we would love to help you. If you’re in or around Calabasas and Woodland Hills, we would be happy to serve you, so you can one day take the vacation of your dreams. Contact us today!