Well, at 76, nearly 77, I agree many of my friends seem to have decided that they're just filling in time, waiting to die. I'm just finishing my third Masters degree, have been accepted for a PhD, work 3 days a week as a senior executive and just don't have enough time in the week for everything I'd like to do, although a 4 day weekend helps. I agree people limit themselves and it's sad to see.
Hi Bec, interesting article and a few things to consider. The one thing missing however is doing something for someone else i.e. - Volunteering. Yes, don't necessary think of everything you can do for yourself in retirement however perhaps think of what you could and perhaps should do for those people who are more vulnerable in our society. If you have spare time, think of the enormous positive difference you could make to someone's life. We get far more out of giving than receiving in regard to our time. Just a thought.
What is never acknowledged in these articles, inspiring and informative as they are, is the cost of getting qualifications and time. I would love to study urban design, but as I don't have a bachelor degree, and these courses are masters, this would take years and years of my life, and cost a lot of money. By the time I finished I would be in my mid 60s, and only wanting to work part-time, if that. I am in my very late 50s , and will be going part time in a few years. I've done a MOOC, I attend public events, but if you haven't already got a degree, or pots of spare money, going for a late career change is not as simple as you go girl! And I am not sure I actually want to work another 10 years in a new career, but I would love to learn about it and be involved. They don't seem to teach urban design at the U3A, more's the pity.
You raise such an important point, these articles often overlook the real barriers like cost and time. It’s great that you’re still finding ways to learn through MOOCs and events! Have you come across any volunteer or community projects where you could apply your interest in urban design without the full academic path?
Thank you Bec, for a most informative and thought-provoking article. Since I undertook the initial flagship course, I learned a huge amount about how the super system and age-pension works and and especially how to prepare financially and personally for a staged retirement (hate that word!). I have a bit over a year to go until I hit the big 7-O, but through your help I am much more relaxed and confident about dealing with the various challenges and opportunities. Your guidance is so critical and so helpful to folks of my cohort and your continuous encouragement towards positive attitudes is most inspiring!
This is such an important perspective! So many of us have unknowingly absorbed these outdated beliefs about aging, limiting ourselves without realizing it. It’s refreshing to see a shift toward embracing growth, learning, and new opportunities at any stage of life. We truly have more potential than we often give ourselves credit for!
I agree but we are coming into a generation of retirees where many have had SGC all our working lives. So broadly speaking, our retirement will look different than previous generations who have not been as financially stable - we (hopefully) can afford to participate in retirement activities and interests that may not have been possible for previous generation of retirees.
Great article. I’m 59 so getting older is such a mental game and challenging what you’ve been taught to believe and what we should actually be focusing on.
Well, at 76, nearly 77, I agree many of my friends seem to have decided that they're just filling in time, waiting to die. I'm just finishing my third Masters degree, have been accepted for a PhD, work 3 days a week as a senior executive and just don't have enough time in the week for everything I'd like to do, although a 4 day weekend helps. I agree people limit themselves and it's sad to see.
Hi Bec, interesting article and a few things to consider. The one thing missing however is doing something for someone else i.e. - Volunteering. Yes, don't necessary think of everything you can do for yourself in retirement however perhaps think of what you could and perhaps should do for those people who are more vulnerable in our society. If you have spare time, think of the enormous positive difference you could make to someone's life. We get far more out of giving than receiving in regard to our time. Just a thought.
What is never acknowledged in these articles, inspiring and informative as they are, is the cost of getting qualifications and time. I would love to study urban design, but as I don't have a bachelor degree, and these courses are masters, this would take years and years of my life, and cost a lot of money. By the time I finished I would be in my mid 60s, and only wanting to work part-time, if that. I am in my very late 50s , and will be going part time in a few years. I've done a MOOC, I attend public events, but if you haven't already got a degree, or pots of spare money, going for a late career change is not as simple as you go girl! And I am not sure I actually want to work another 10 years in a new career, but I would love to learn about it and be involved. They don't seem to teach urban design at the U3A, more's the pity.
You raise such an important point, these articles often overlook the real barriers like cost and time. It’s great that you’re still finding ways to learn through MOOCs and events! Have you come across any volunteer or community projects where you could apply your interest in urban design without the full academic path?
Thank you Bec, for a most informative and thought-provoking article. Since I undertook the initial flagship course, I learned a huge amount about how the super system and age-pension works and and especially how to prepare financially and personally for a staged retirement (hate that word!). I have a bit over a year to go until I hit the big 7-O, but through your help I am much more relaxed and confident about dealing with the various challenges and opportunities. Your guidance is so critical and so helpful to folks of my cohort and your continuous encouragement towards positive attitudes is most inspiring!
This is such an important perspective! So many of us have unknowingly absorbed these outdated beliefs about aging, limiting ourselves without realizing it. It’s refreshing to see a shift toward embracing growth, learning, and new opportunities at any stage of life. We truly have more potential than we often give ourselves credit for!
I agree but we are coming into a generation of retirees where many have had SGC all our working lives. So broadly speaking, our retirement will look different than previous generations who have not been as financially stable - we (hopefully) can afford to participate in retirement activities and interests that may not have been possible for previous generation of retirees.
Great article. I’m 59 so getting older is such a mental game and challenging what you’ve been taught to believe and what we should actually be focusing on.
Spot on Bec. I’ve added this to my things I wish I’d known earlier list.
The comment section in The Sydney Morning Herald are worth a read.