A frugal retirement does not have to be a boring retirement. Try some of these inexpensive activities to have more fun without spending more!

While it is generally prudent to be frugal, many baby boomers and retirees make the mistake of thinking that frugality and boredom are naturally linked.

If you are a senior who has been feeling bored or unstimulated over the past few months, you may need to live it up a little more. Here are some ways you can clear your mind and make your life more enjoyable without having to empty your savings.

Ensure Your Peace of Mind by Getting Your Estate in Order

First, to be able to enjoy your time, you should make sure that you have properly taken care of your future.

If you have not yet made a will, now is a good time to do so. Wills are important because they allow you to state, in your own words, how you would like your estate to be distributed. You may want to add an additional document detailing your plans, including how and where you would like to be buried or cremated, what sort of ceremony you would like, and so forth. While it may seem difficult to compose such documents, the knowledge that you have done so will free you up from any stress surrounding the future of your family and enable you to enjoy your retirement.

As you work on getting your finances in order, you may want to look into long-term care insurance. Long-term care insurance helps you pay for nursing care, assisted living, and any other services you might need in the future that are not covered by Medicare. Paying a small premium now can save you thousands of dollars out of your own pocket.

Before settling on a long-term care policy, always do some research using sites like Consumers Advocate which will provide you with facts and statistics about the top long-term care insurance companies.

Expert Interview: End-of-Life Planning Everyone Needs To Do

Visit Your Town’s Recreation Center

Once your estate is prepared and you have achieved more peace of mind, it’s time to start thinking about how you can spend your retirement. Not every set of plans has to involve a trip around the world. If you have been spending most of your time at home, take some time to explore your community. Most towns have a low-cost recreation center that can provide you with a range of entertaining activities, and you can even make new friends.

Explore the Outdoors

If you enjoy the outdoors or exercise, go on a walking tour of your town. Walking around is completely free and can give you a new vantage point to enjoy all the sights and sounds your town or city has to offer. You may even find other things to do, like hiking on trails tucked away on the outskirts. Get your heart rate up even more by playing a round of tennis or golf. You can save money on green fees by playing discounted twilight or super-twilight times on weekdays instead of peak hours or weekends.

Take a Car Trip

If you have been looking for a low-cost method of travel, instead of going on an expensive cruise, plan out a car trip. Not only is it cheaper to drive yourself, but it also allows you to plan every inch of the trip. The beauty of a car trip is its freedom. You are completely free to stop at every eccentric roadside museum you see if you desire. Save even more money by packing staple foods like sandwiches, cereal, and fruit to keep your energy up.

Whether you have been in retirement for decades or have only just retired, it is never too early to start thinking about your future. Planning for your future will help free you from stress, allowing you to explore your community and the surrounding regions with a lighter heart.

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• For Cheap Fun Return to School
• Budgeting for Travel as Part of Retirement Planning
• Making Museum Visits More Affordable
• How Retirees Can Live On a Tight Budget

Reviewed February 2024

About the Author

Jim McKinley is a retired banker and blogs at MoneyWithJim.org. He offers his advice on an array of topics with the goal of helping people feel more confident in their financial affairs.