Melody Teh

Tips for a happy and healthy retirement on a budget

Marilyn Rainier, 72, is a retired English and English Literature teacher. She is interested in people’s life stories and the issues that confront us all today, especially human rights and equality. 

As a retiree, now 72, I know I am one of the lucky ones. First and foremost, I still have my health. Secondly, I have an interest that gives me a great deal of satisfaction and at very little cost. When I retired from teaching, four years ago, I did what I have wanted to do since I was four years old but never had the time for; I wrote a novel. Having this plan for retirement meant I transitioned very easily from ‘other’ employed to self-employed. I wrote my novel, self-published, and am now working on a second novel. As I say, I know I am lucky. Some retirees I have met are really lost without their previous employment and understandably so – and some interests are expensive to fund in retirement.   

My writing works well for me; however, absorbing myself in something that interests me is obviously not the answer to everything. By nature, I would rather read a book than run a marathon but when I retired I knew I couldn’t be a couch potato, I had to exercise. Recognising myself as a person who needs motivation to work towards a goal, I used the competitions in the newspaper and on the internet to get me walking. Each morning, I check out the competitions and I enter anything that involves posting an envelope. This means I must walk to a post box and I then continue in a full circle so I cover at least two kilometres before returning home. I vary my post boxes so I don’t travel by the same route each time! Seniors are allowed a book of stamps annually at a low rate but when those run out I find spending $1 per stamp, per day, is not much to invest when it helps to protect me against such ailments as diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure. I win movie tickets and other small prizes on a regular basis and that again motivates me and serves to refund whatever I have spent on stamps.    

Going to the theatre and to concerts has always been a passion of mine but on a restricted income that is no longer possible. However, that should not deter anyone. I joined Friends of WAAPA (the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Mount Lawley) and enjoy free music and inexpensive theatre and musical theatre that is of world standard. I can’t speak highly enough of the talented teachers and students who work together to provide outstanding entertainment for everyone. 

My final investment is the $40 a year that it costs for membership to the University of the Third Age. Every second Monday, I attend my local branch of U3A. I pay $5 for coffee and to listen to talks given by a variety of interesting speakers. Everyone takes something for lunch and the community feeling is very special. A university degree is not necessary – just an interest in learning. 

Hopefully this will give someone, somewhere, some encouragement and help them to enjoy their retirement as I do.

If you have a story or advice to share, please get in touch at melody@oversixty.com.au

Related links: 

3 questions to ask before coming out of retirement

16 places you didn’t know you could use your Seniors Card

Free online resources to keep your mind active over 60

Tags:

Lifestyle, Retirement life, Community contributor, Happiness, Health, Retire, Tips