Looming retirement - how should I prepare

[beguilingeyes]

I'm leaving my job next month (redundancy/early retirement).

I think I'm as prepared as I can be, although I'm still not sure how I'm going to fill my days.

Does anyone have any advice/tips of what I should/could be doing to get ready for retirement?

Go over your fixed costs and finances and decide on what associations you want to join for social contacts.

Does your employer offer retirement preparation courses? I went to one with my husband when he was getting ready for retirement which was useful. I retired late last year, and I wondered what I was going to do as I had a full on job. Six months on, I have ended up marking a day off in my diary to ensure I am at home sometimes!!
I have had a membership at the leisure centre for ages and can go to the gym and classes - eg circuits, kettlebells, body pump during the day now. There seem to be populated by over 50s and mums with children in the creche.
Look at things like WEA /local authority adult education to see if any courses you might be interested in. Also the University of the third ages runs lots of clubs and courses all over the place.
National Trust, English Hertitages and other charities open to the public are often crying out for help- can be room guides, researching the property, gardening, general admin - lots of opportunity. Its all very informal - you don't have to commit huge amounts of time or too far ahead. I find they often need help at weekends, which I am happy to do as I now prefer to do routine chores in the week, and I remember how irritating it is when retired people get in the way at weekends!!!
Look at things like Art passes or season tickets to things like friends of various museums to get advance notice of exhibitions.
Local library runs several books clubs, and provides the books free rather than needing to buy them
I need to back off a bit as we need to do some DIY and gardening.