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Finding Inspiration in Retirement

By WTOP Staff

Do you remember as a kid when a new day rolled in and you could hardly wait to get up and get to it? As soon as the sun was out you were ready. There was nothing better than opening your eyes and feeling the excitement of not knowing exactly what was in store, but anticipating a multitude of possibilities that could be. Each day held the promise of something new. Perhaps a best friend in the neighborhood awaited your attention. Maybe a new bike enticed you to ride off into the day. Whatever the specifics, it was wonderful in that moment to feel energized, hopeful and expectant.

As time passed, that idyllic childhood evolved into a career, and for the next 30 years the focus was on fulfilling the duties of your job. Not all mornings begin with the same excitement you felt as a youngster. In fact, sometimes it took all the will power you could muster just to get up and get yourself to work.

By the time retirement rolls in, it is not always easy to resurrect the simple passion for living that was second nature not so very long ago. The burdens of years lived can weigh upon us, too often transforming carefree optimistic people into down-to-earth realists. Challenges continue to manifest, and we often struggle to transition into our second act.

It’s up to you to remember how to find enjoyment in the little pleasures life has to offer. Now that you are retired you have more control over how you choose to spend your day. Finding a little inspiration can make the difference between existing and enjoying a satisfying retirement. Here’s where to look for inspiration for your second act.

Family. Spending more time with family is often a top retirement priority. We often have many shared experiences to relive and new happenings to relate. Sometimes we also have a lot in common with our loved ones. My son and I are in many ways mirror images. Often when I see a picture on his Facebook page I take a second look, swearing the image is that of a younger me. His sense of humor is similar to mine, and his love of animals and fanatical loyalty to the San Jose Sharks came right from Dad. When I spend time with him I feel proud of all he has become as well as a certain satisfaction that I had a little something to do with it.

My wife is Swiss and has a wonderful family spread across Switzerland. Over the years we have visited and hosted many happy travelers. The next generation is reaching an age when they are venturing out to explore the world around them. When visiting, they quickly find themselves sharing our love of California and regaling us with fun stories of their day’s adventures. Their youthful exuberance and endless energy helps us to recharge as we bask in its glow.

Creative pursuits. Although the working world jealously hoards time we may otherwise use to explore hidden talents, retirement can be the perfect venue to delve into our creativity. You can pursue whatever sparks your interest now that you have free time. My aunt took up oil painting later in life and has produced some colorful creations that grace the walls of family members. A friend spends his spare moments taking amazing photographs. Another aunt had taken up square dancing. You don’t have to worry about how good the end result may be. This new activity should be about doing what you want and enjoy.

Travel. Back in school I was never very interested in geography. I did not care to learn about people and places beyond my immediate neighborhood. These days I cannot learn enough about other cultures. I find the history, food, fashion, distinctive architecture and wonderful idiosyncrasies of the local population all incredibly interesting. I love to walk the neighborhoods, heading nowhere in particular and uncovering hidden treasures along the way. And I don’t necessarily have to travel far to find interesting destinations. There is plenty to see within driving distance. For me, the planning that goes into a pending trip is almost as much fun as the trip itself. Anticipation and a little research behind the scenes prior to embarking can make travel even more inspiring and rewarding.

Retirement can become boring if we don’t take steps to prevent it. Taking up creative pursuits or travel can help break up the monotony. These inspiring activities will enhance your retirement years and help you to make the most of your second act.

Dave Bernard blogs at Retirement-Only The Beginning.

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Finding Inspiration in Retirement originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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