There are many things that people like to plan for to help the future, such as a mortgage and debt. You may even have plans in place to secure your finances and your children’s futures. But what about your own? Sometimes you can get so caught up in material things, necessary things like a roof over your head, and your children, and forget about yourself.
When your mortgage and debts are paid, when your children grow up, then what do you plan to do with yourself? It can be a good idea to start thinking about the kind of things you want to do with your life. Not only can this be sensible so you can begin saving the necessary funds to facilitate your plans, but it can also give your life purpose by giving you something to look forward to. It can also be something you start implementing now, to make your life more fun and take some well-deserved space for yourself, as well as ensure you have peace of mind.
So, if you can, take a moment away from the hustle and bustle of your responsibilities, put yourself first and put some plans in place for yourself. If you need some help, here are some top tips to help you plan for a fun and fruitful future.
Make a bucket list
Making a bucket list can be an extremely fun activity to do. Let your imagination go wild, and even get your spouse involved too. Nothing is off-limits. Write down everything you wish you could do. By writing it down, you make yourself one step closer to making it a reality.
Figure out how much time and money you need for it
Add a column or few to your list and write out how much time you need for it, how much money you need to make it happen, and any other important and relevant details. This will help you to see what you need for each.
You can then reorganise your list, and start figuring out when you can schedule it into your life. This last part is key. You can make a good list, but if you don’t schedule it, then you will never do it. Your bucket list should include things you can use your savings for, ways to spend your retirement and maybe even a few things to start doing in the near future. This might be big ticket items like luxury holidays, or it might be lots of experiences, such as bungee jumping.
Consider all the serious things
While the fun stuff is the best part, it is always important to take a moment to think about the serious things in life. You don’t have to make everything about this, but there does need to be an element of forward thinking, so that you can get on with the fun stuff. You can think and plan for this once, then leave it aside and enjoy the rest of your life. So, make sure you have a plan for what you will do as you begin to get older and less mobile, and have all the relevant insurance policies in place (especially if your bucket list is adventurous!) as well as details such as your retirement, your pension, your will and your funeral. Small details such as what funeral directors you wish to use and where your money will go, will be a huge weight off your shoulders. Once the important stuff is done, it won’t be hanging over your head, and it will allow you to have a more fruitful life. You will then be clear on how much savings you can spend and reduce some of the worries that you might have about the future.
You must find a balance between the fun stuff you thought you would never do, as well as ensuring your future is secure. With everything covered, you can lead a more fruitful life.
Laura x