While we aren’t necessarily too close to retiring yet, I’m discovering that it is a good idea to start thinking and discussing these types of things before the decisions are upon us. Since the past few years have been full of transitions and losses, it’s been on my mind. The Declutter Community I facilitate has a number of older and wiser ladies in it, and I love daily checking in with them beyond our decluttering tasks. One of them mentioned they were meeting with their retirement guy. I never followed up after I ask her what it is that the retirement guy helps her to do.
Retirement Guy
So it got me thinking, “Should I have a retirement guy or gal?” And then I got to thinking about all the other things surrounding later-life topics. We’ve gotten familiar with a few of these, but these types of topics don’t come up in everyday conversations, and I’ve found few people who like to openly discuss these sorts of things.
I’ve been helping people clear their clutter for the past few years and many of them have expressed that they have helped loved ones and friends go through stuff after parents have died, or their own parents, and they do not want their own children to have to make decisions about items. Many of them are planning on downsizing as well now that they have an empty nest. Even when you host guests from time to time, it doesn’t make sense to have a huge house for many reasons. I’m thankful for the opportunity to hear about their experience but I think most of them, and most of us, try to navigate things as they come.
(Image credit: David Gonzales, Brown and Red Birdhouse from pexels.com)
RetireGuide
I have found a resource that could be helpful. RetireGuide has a lot of guides (surprise!) to guide us. It has information on Medicare, life insurance, annuities, financing, estate planning, retirement planning, and even downsizing, which is something we are helping a loved one with at the moment – not necessarily moving out but reducing the amount of stuff to move to the downstairs area of the house.
These look like helpful articles:
- Downsizing For Retirement: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Senior Scams: The Complete Guide
- Medicare Rights and Protections
- How Much Do You Need to Retire?
- Medical Binder Printables To Keep You Organized (you know I like a good checklist and tracker!)
What resources do you know about that can help folks understand how to prepare for what’s ahead? Let me know in the comments below.
I’m also still learning about all of this stuff so I’m not an expert but I’ve learned a thing or two this past year that no one has told me, I didn’t think to ask, or just never came up. I will probably try to share a few more things in some upcoming posts. If that’s helpful, or if you have questions, also comment below or message me.