Lazy Hazy Days of Summer

Wasn’t there a song about the Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer? Mind you, I sometimes think of it as the Lazy, Hazy, Daze of Summer because by the time it gets to August, that’s often how I feel. Certainly the first part of this year has been an even busier time than usual for me and now, with the natural break August provides and the kids on holiday, there’s a chance to take things at a slightly slower pace, review what’s been achieved over the last few months and put plans in place for the next few.

It’s a good idea to use this natural break to focus, not so much on the material aspects of things but on the things money can’t buy – quality time with each other, with family and friends as well as time spent at the numerous free attractions we can all take advantage of in our local areas.  This is important to all of us. It is especially important to those who are at a certain stage in their working lives, because it’s a great opportunity to cast your mind forward to exactly what shape you might like your retirement to take.

My thought is, why not use August as a ‘practise run’? See what you enjoy, what you don’t and explore different avenues, ideas and plans you might like to put into action. Everyone has a different idea of what makes life fun, rewarding and enjoyable and of course will have different thoughts about what makes for a happy retirement. I spotted a recent survey carried out by Aegon Retirement Readiness that found, of the people questioned:

• 62% wanted to travel
• 59% saw themselves spending more time with family
• 49% looked forward to taking up new hobbies
• 25% saw themselves doing voluntary work
• 15% planned to continue working
• 13% wanted to live abroad
• 12% were going to start a new business
• 12% saw the opportunity to study

That’s a huge variation in different directions and aspirations isn’t it?. So maybe this month, whilst you’re taking some time off and hopefully relaxing, it’s worth thinking about a future when you’ll have a lot more time for doing what you want. After all, it seems to me, It’s far better to think about it now than get to retirement day and then wonder ‘What next?’