Backpacker or Bling? What’s your retirement dream?

Sponsored by Nuffnang and Sunsuper’s the Dream Project

As many of you know, I’m fortunate enough to be on a world cruise at the moment. I’m visiting 27 different countries on a 104 night adventure circumnavigating the globe.

I’ve met some amazing retired people who are living their dreams.

They’re truly inspirational. Some of them are nearly 90 years of age and have such enthusiasm for travel and passion for life.

How things have changed

The idea of retirement these days has changed radically since the days of our grandparents. They were “old” at 60. They spent their days gardening and nights sitting in their slippers watching black and white TV programs.

I can remember Dr Who and the Daleks being a particular favourite of my granddad’s. He would watch the program while my sister, myself and our cousins hid behind the back of his armchair only poking our heads up when he said the Daleks had gone!

My mum in comparison  is a much more active grandmother. She came on a camping trip with us around South Africa for three months when my husband Dave cycled from the Zimbabwean border in the far north of South Africa to Cape Town in the south. Sam was only 21 months old at the time and I phoned Mum in a panic, needing her help as support. She dropped everything and embarked on her first ever camping holiday at the ripe young age of 61.

I wonder what Dave and I will be like when we reach retirement? I don’t think we will actually “retire”, I think we’ll “protire” – keep busy, but busy doing the things we love and are passionate about. Of course, we hope to have a little money saved up so that we  can do things that interest us … like going on cruises 🙂

Advantages of being over 50

There are  so many advantages to being over 50

Our kids are generally more independent or have left home which means we have a bit more disposable income. I think at this age we are more self assured – we know what we want and we know how to get it. We might have a bit more time on our hands, and we are probably all working towards living our dreams, well aware that this life of ours is no dress rehearsal.

We also realise that a great retirement starts with great planning, because we want it to be the time when we can do the things we have always wanted to do, but perhaps have not had the time for.

Welcome to the Dream Project

Sunsuper is one of Australia’s largest and fastest growing profit-for-members superannuation funds. The people at Sunsuper are all about helping their members live their dreams in retirement. They see retirement as a new and exciting chapter in our lives and  created the Dream Project to bring us some great information and inspiration to help us plan, achieve and enjoy our retirements.

While superannuation can be a “boring” subject, the Dream Project  offers tools and resources in a fun and informative way to help us achieve the dreams we have for retirement.

Retirement is the time to follow your dreams, big or small.

There are so many things on the Dream Project that were helpful to me.

For instance, an article on acting the way you feel, the ten foods that could help you live longer and a Retirement forecaster that will determine how long your super will last.

Just like all of us here at Lifestyle Fifty, Sunsuper see there’s more to retirement than sitting around in a rocking chair. Yay!

You might like some of these ideas too, and if you’re interested then have a squiz at some of the posts and information you can find on Sunsuper’s the Dream Project.

•How to redefine retirement.

•Why retirement is a wonderful new phase in life.

•Find out what your dream age is.

•How to plan and save for your retirement.

•Are you going to be a backpacker or bling retiree – take the quiz to find out the retirement style you’re headed for.

•Top 10 Places to retire.

•Top 5 things to do when you retire.

and

The retirement spot of your dreams.

Now that’s one I’m really interested in!

I’d love to know your thoughts on this, Lifestylers. In the comments section, please 🙂 off you go!