How to live long and prosper
Living well in your later years has very little to do with money, maintains Toronto sociologist Lyndsay Green.
It's all about attitude and how you chose to spend your time.
In her new book, You Could Live a Long Time: Are You Ready?, she chronicles the lives of 40 Canadian retirees identified as role models for aging well.
What do they have in common? They're as engaged as they were at work. They're searching for ways to enrich their lives by giving back and forging strong ties with those around them -- most of whom are significantly younger.
When people think about retirement, they often envision being surrounded by an ocean or a lake -- signs of tranquility and, often, isolation, Green says. This is the opposite of what most people need. They need vitality and energy around them. They need a sense of community.
Instead of concentrating on TFSAs and RRSPs, Canadians need to spend more time cultivating what will become the most valuable part of their retirement plan: their emotional circle of friends, families and partners.
Her subjects maintain that aging has brought them many advantages. For example, their worries have been reduced and life has become more stress-free; they have more control over their time; they feel they no longer have to please others; and their life experience has given them a measure of authority.For more on this topic, have a look at this panel discussion from TVO.
Do you know an older person who's living this type of vibrant retirement?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Dean | Apr 5, 2021 1:58:32 PM
You need money to eat,shelter,drive,pay utilities.I cant see why that is not right up there to.Money is mentioned more times in the Bible than any other subject.
Posted by: Steve | Apr 5, 2021 2:37:32 PM
the bible has absolutely nothing to do with this stop pushing your religion on poeple
Posted by: Ryan | Apr 5, 2021 2:49:50 PM
Dean makes a good point it is still very important to save for retirement withought money to pay for the things we need to live, having a great circle of friends will only go so far. However Steve is very right, I don't know why Deans comment shifted to the Bible, and what the ammount of times money is mentioned in a dusty old book matter anyways? The people living in Biblical times only lived to maybe their 40's if they were lucky. The benefit and problem we live with today is people are living into their late 80's sometimes longer so it is important to have that nest egg to keep us going. And make sure all the retirement funds don't go to funding that local chruch.... scam artists.
Posted by: Jen | Apr 5, 2021 3:06:28 PM
Just retired sold the place on the lake bought in a small town with lots of friendly people no mortgage money in the bank and a small pension life is good with todays electronic connections there is no need to feel disconnected, though sometimes thats a good thing. Walk down the street and meet new people, get a bike, talk to atree OK that ones strange and might attract the wrong crowd, but you get the idea. You don't need that much.
Posted by: Kennard Delano | Apr 5, 2021 8:54:18 PM
I am 79 years old and in two months I"ll be 80. Itake vitems and keep active. I also work to keep my mind sharp.People tell me that I look 10 years younger. I found that you cannot sit aroun and expect stay fit and be healthy.Just sitting around lets your body waste away. So all you 79 tear olds,get off your butt and keep active. Ken
Posted by: Patricia | Apr 5, 2021 9:47:14 PM
Having been retired for 6 years and found life very boring after having a job for 45 years and raising 4 children. Life was so hectic that I was having problem slowing down. Only now can I say I am happy being retired because we spend 6 months in Europe and 6 months here. While in Europe we travel around the various European states and while in Canada we travel around our country and sometimes in the U.S.A. However, being very active is key to happiness I believe, because busy people are usually happy people.
Posted by: ralph | Apr 5, 2021 10:15:31 PM
Seems that Dean has struck a nerve with you Steve by mentioning the Bible in his comment. So don't get so defensive and relax. He only made a reference to it.
Posted by: kyzlorda | Apr 5, 2021 10:24:52 PM
All I can say is... your only as old, as the woman you feel!!!
Posted by: Jewels | Apr 5, 2021 10:34:58 PM
For my hubby and me, we see ourselves retiring in about 3 years but are wondering how we're going to spend our time after working so many years. Not quitting work completely looks good for the first few years but I have yet to see retired people that I envy, who have interests that I would enjoy. etc etc. How much traveling can one do before feeling like you've seen various places and it starts to all look the same. I'm open to suggestions for sure, Biblical or not. I thought there were VERY old people in Bible times actually so I wonder what they did to live so long. Never stop work perhaps?
Posted by: countrychick | Apr 5, 2021 11:26:22 PM
people need to find out while they're still working what makes them happy as far as relaxing, some excitement mixed in there is good as it's a stimulant. Watch and listen to other retirees for ideas in case there's something you haven't thought of yet. Then keep active both physically and mentally, it makes you a more interesting person to be around which will help attract people and not be lonely. Do some good as a volunteer, it feels great to see others benefit from your efforts. I could go on and on, you get the idea.
Posted by: Don | Apr 6, 2021 12:10:35 AM
Just stay busy - volunteering to help others is the best because you see the results of your efforts and seeing others who are less fortunate snaps you out of your "I'm so bored mantra."
Just look around, there are so many who need your help, contact the local human society to volunteer, walking dogs gives you physical exercise and these animals are so grateful to be let out of their cages while waiting for their forever homes.
If you have some finances to spare get in contact with the local childrens aid society, a few $ can go a long way to provide a lonely child with the food resources they need to survive and prosper in a less than perfect environment.
At the end of each day you will feel much more fullfiled than you will just sitting around and moping about your perceived boring retirement.
Posted by: abby | Apr 6, 2021 1:19:19 AM
I am retired. I have good health, a good partener, a fun family, friends, books and just enough money to be comfortable. I do not want to own a house. I own my stuff, it does not own me. I am happy I have been given all this time to be here on this planet to see the sunrise and set and I really don't care where I am in this wonderful country when it occurs. I believe we ask too much of ourselves in this day and age. I lived on almost nothing as a young woman and had a great time. I am repeating the experience at 70. So far so good.
Posted by: Laszlo | Apr 6, 2021 10:43:26 AM
So you think money is not impotant? Thanks to a 6 figure yearly income from our dividend and royalty paying equities we have a wonderful retirement. I spend most of my time working on my Ferrari and my Lamborghini and my Maserati. Both of us do a lot of gardening, playing the stock market and travelling. We do 2 trips a year to Europe, 2-3 weeks at a time, always a different a country. I always rent a car and visit the hidden gems away from the cattlecar tourism. In the winter we spend 3-4 weeks in Florida (Hollywood) and another trip somewhere in the Caribbean.So all you wonderful people keep on dreaming while we do all these things because yes we always thougt to have $ is important. And yes, we have been married for 42 years AND still very happy together.
Posted by: fairlady | Apr 6, 2021 10:52:58 AM
i totally agree. active people including younger friends will age more gracefully shall we say . also if you have lead an active life aa along that is the key to aging . hope so.
Posted by: not there yet... | Apr 6, 2021 11:10:55 AM
Well, I've read all these comments and looking at my own grandparents and parents...who all retired. You need to keep active AND have the money to keep active with. OR...just keep working (if you happen to have a cushy career--like a lawyer)...and never retire. (I've heard of that too.)
Posted by: Saltiballs | Apr 6, 2021 11:49:54 AM
Wow Laszlo you are so awesome!!I am impressed lol.Anybody that has to brag about material things liike you do is either full of it or lacking something down low.You ever heard of family and love?Yes you need money but if you don't have happiness you have nothing.Are morals in Canada really gone forever?I'm 37 today and make a comfortable living as a tradesmen but I turn down overtime constantly to go home and spend time with my family.I save enough for retirement to live comfortably later on but time spent with loved ones is more valuable than millions.I know too many people working 60 hour weeks and never see their family which they will regret,chasing money will affect your health as well,whats the point in all that money if you don't live a long life?Don't get me wrong you definately need to put away enough as it will be more expensive to live down the road but the fact that we need to import our population because everybody seems more interested in money than having a family is sad.Anyways to all you retirees I wish a happy and healthy retirement!!And thanks for the chuclkle on my birthday Laszlo I appreciate it!!(and you can get surgery these days to make it bigger if you need it)lol
Posted by: harold pinnance | Apr 6, 2021 11:57:50 AM
I wonder which bible that Ryan character is referring to,the one I read had people living to be 900 years old.Just smile everyday and relax,you'll live longer.
Posted by: Morty | Apr 6, 2021 12:36:49 PM
The auther is right on!
Bible does it's job when one requires it.
I"m a fatalist.
You are happy when you go with the flow and don't sweat the little things
Posted by: jojo | Apr 6, 2021 1:46:02 PM
Money has a lot to do with how you age, stress is the number one killer when it comes to the human body, and what causes more stress then anything else? MONEY. I'm sure the author is not lacking in that department, hence why they would be out of touch with reality.
Posted by: Debra S | Apr 6, 2021 9:21:23 PM
I agree with Jojo...Money has a lot to do with how we age. After all... no money, pure stress which manifest itself in high blood pressure, heart attack ... just to name a couple. So no matter what age you are..well, unless you are a child, you need money to live until you die. Does not have to be much but enough to live stress free and not have to worry about paying bills and buying a meal.