... to ask things you've done (or wished you'd done in your 50s)

[nyteflyte]

New to MN, and just over 50. Even though I've been lucky enough to be working through, the lockdown and all that stuff had made reflect on my age and things I'd like to do.

It's a conversation I've been having with friends too. Here are a few I've been told:

• reduce debt/mortgage in case you want/need to retire earlier
• ensure you have an annual physical
• spend time with your parents (luckily both mine are alive and osk-ish health)

Any suggestions you have would be helpful!

There are a good few things I've tried as a result of reading on MN. When you see something mentioned a few times, then it finally registers with me and I'd try it out.

Aldi choc pretzel: Don't really eat choc, but saw it in the shop, decide to buy and, and really enjoyed it. Get it from time to time as a treat

Womanizer: was just curious. I'm inclined to purchase gadgets and try them out. It was different. And like the choc pretzel I get it as a treat from time to time :)

Lots of Netflix stuff!!

I’m not at that age yet, but just to say my DPs sadly lost a good friend in his 40s, another in early 60s and another friend was diagnosed with early onset dementia at 60. Awful, and so cruel.

I know it’s hard with Covid, but if you want to travel or do things, do it now. Don’t delay.

And put as much as you can in to your pensions.

Get your property in good shape. Fix the roof, get the new kitchen, bathroom if you need, desire it. Do it whilst you still have an income.

Then when you are older hopefully it will be still OK or not need as much doing to it.

I’m 52 and I’d like to go to Australia and go on a safari before I’m 60. My DF died when he was 75 and my DM is 70 with advanced Alzheimer’s so it has made me think not to delay things I’d like to do. Obviously COVID has meant lots of things are on hold.

A month long traveling trip, changed jobs, moved to a new country, bought a new house up a mountain 😊

Great thread.
Nothing new to add, but just wanted to agree with so many of these.

People talk about things they are going to do when they retire, but sadly we never know what the future holds and I know too many people who either aren't healthy enough to travel once they retire, or who sadly don't even make it that far.
Yes to preparing for the future financially, but not at the expense of postponing all those experiences and the good times you can have now.

I hope to travel a bit, while I'm fit enough. If you wait too long, putting off that special trip, it may just become too difficult in future

And it's not exciting, but agree with clearing debt. We have no mortgage, and it's a big comfort

Well planning for retirement and financial security is important but it’s also important to think of the experiences you can’t take with you as they say. To my mind yea it’s important to be secure in old age, but i’d not focus on only that. As far as we all know we only get one go at life and a long comfortable retirement is fairly meaningless to me if it’s just going to be spent doing the same old things in the same old place until I die.

Other people’s mileage may vary though.

That's a tough question. I agree with paying off mortgage and other debts, planning for retirement, and trying to keep fit.

My 50s were very messed up by my parents becoming ill. They needed support but wouldn't accept it easily, so it became a real stress for my siblings and me. None of us lived in the same city so there was travel involved all the time. My parents both then declined rapidly and died the same week when I was close to 60.

So, if you can, try to discuss issues around aging parents before things get dire. I was glad I had managed to sit my Dad down and go over where everything was, what they wanted etc. but it was like pulling teeth to get them to accept any regular help. As I expected things came crashing down.

This is a tough thing to deal with of course, but worth trying.