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FINANCIAL FREEDOM AFTER 50: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR WOMEN TO BUILD A SECURE RETIREMENT

As we approach our golden years, securing financial freedom and a comfortable retirement starts becoming more important.
image via stokking on freepik

INTRO

Today on the blog I have a really interesting collaborative article on how to begin preparing for a financially secure retirement. I remember that finances were my biggest concern when I decided to leave my job, and knowing that we had sufficient funds to get us through the years ahead was the deciding factor on permanently retiring and getting to enjoy this new lifestyle.

So without further ado, let's launch into some interesting tips that I hope you find helpful and encouraging....

WHEN ONE WORD LEADS TO ANOTHER....AND ANOTHER

When your word of the year becomes so much more

WHEN YOUR WORD OF THE YEAR EVOLVES

I spent a lot of time trying to drill down to one all-encompassing Word for 2024 that included being more calm, centred, and at peace with myself and the world. As I mentioned in my January post, I chose Equanimity (with a bit of help from my daughter). Because it's a complex word, it seems to have made me think harder, and in the process it's attracted me to other words that have begun to resonate.

I thought today I'd share a little bit of what's been going through my head in regard to all I've been processing....

THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO A WHOLE NEW LIFE

Retirement means different things to each of us, but for me it's been the opportunity to finally slow down and discover who I truly am.

THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE GIVES US SO MUCH

Last year I wrote about Ullie-Kaye, a poet whose work resonated with me on many levels. There were so many of her poems that spoke to my heart, I follow her Facebook page and her poems regularly appear in my feed. Recently a new one called "Wonder Road" popped up that was all about what life gifts us, but for me it perfectly described what the second half of life (especially retirement) has brought into my world. 

I just had to share it here today with a few words of my own....

LOOKING BACK AT A SIMPLY LOVELY SUMMER

Looking back at December, January and February 2024 - summer in Australia and highlights of what I've been doing during that time.

LOOKING BACK AT THE SUMMER THAT'S BEEN

Summer here in Western Australia comprises December, January, and February. It's full of hot, dry days that are so much easier to navigate now that I'm happily retired. I really enjoy being able to choose when to be out in the heat, and when to be indoors in the cool.

It's also been three months of Christmas, family, dabbling, and generally enjoying life on my own terms - living with equanimity and joy. I'm sharing a few of the highlights today and I hope you'll enjoy them too.....

I WAS SURPRISED BY THE ADVICE I'D GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF

When I look back at the last few decades I've realized that we need to experience life in all its fullness - we can't skip the tough parts.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD I GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF?

Mika from Musings by Mika suggested that it would be interesting to read a post on the advice I'd give my younger self now I know all the ups and downs life has brought my way over the years. I took a look back over my shoulder at the last few decades and all that I've been through to get where I am, mulled it over for a while, and had a surprising revelation.

This is what came to mind, and this is what I'd tell my younger self (that's me above on my last day of high school - not quite 17 years old) if I had the chance...

8 INSPIRING QUOTES ABOUT EQUANIMITY - AND MY VISION BOARD

8 inspiring quotes about Equanimity - including: In the midst of winter,  I found there was,  within me, an invincible  summer. And that makes me happy.

QUOTES ABOUT EQUANIMITY

I think it's pretty obvious that I love a good quote, and when I choose a Word of the Year, a whole lot of quotes suddenly leap out and become even more meaningful. This year when I chose Equanimity as my WOTY, I put several of my favourite quotes together and created my own version of an Equanimity Vision Board to remind me to remain calm and centred throughout the year.

Today I thought I'd share some of those quotes and what my board looks like....

GENEROSITY - THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Being on the receiving end of generosity is a true joy, but being the giver of generosity is an even greater blessing.

SCARCITY VERSUS GENEROSITY

I've mentioned before that I've struggled my whole adult life with frugality and having a scarcity mindset. The need to squirrel away whatever income we had to pay the bills and to make ends meet was very important for the first few decades of life. Despite the need to save,  there were still worthy causes to support - the church, overseas orphans, or local charities, and it felt good to be able to contribute where we could.

Now all that frugality has paid off, and we're in a comfortable, debt free 3rd third of life.....but it's been a battle to shed that scarcity fear and to live larger. The key for me has been to learn to be more generous with myself and with others.....

I'M NOW IN THE 3RD THIRD OF LIFE

What do you want to be and do as you enter the 3rd third of life? Here's some thoughts on life after 60.

THE 3RD THIRD OF LIFE

Recently I came across a Facebook post that mentioned the 3rd third of life, and I realized that I had just entered this new phase. The concept assumes that we're going to live to around 90 - which is about as far as I see myself getting to (if I'm lucky), so when I hit 60 it meant that I entered this final third of my life. It felt a little daunting, but also raised some interesting thoughts about what the previous two thirds of my life had taught me, and where this last third is leading.....

EXPECTATIONS NOT MET? OR HOPES THWARTED?

What happens when we're disappointed, and our hope feels lost? Do we give up? Do we step back? Do we take it one day at a time?

LIFE ISN'T ALWAYS A BOWL OF CHERRIES

At the beginning of last year I wrote a post about my struggles with an area of my life that had been so important to me for decades, and had devolved into disappointment after disappointment. I had reached the end of my tether, and decided to step back and wait for changes that were in the wind to occur. 

Six months later I returned to see if things were on the upward ascent, and now, a further six months down the track, I  find myself almost back where I was last January.....

THE GIFTS OF MIDLIFE

Midlife brings with it many valuable gifts that we need to take a moment to appreciate.

IT BEGAN WITH IMPERFECTION

Brene Brown wrote a fantastic book called "The Gifts Of Imperfection" that was an eye-opener for me, and I'll be forever grateful for the lessons it taught me. I've learnt that it's okay not to be perfect, that I can be my authentic self, allow myself to be vulnerable, and to embrace this wonderful life I've grown into. 

Along with the gifts of imperfection, I've realized that there have also been several other gifts that Midlife has bestowed upon me, and I thought I'd share a few of them here on the blog today....