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10 Things You’ll Love About Retirement

By U.S. News & World Report

There is no doubt we face some issues when we retire. Our relationships change. We may sometimes have money problems or get bored and lonely. Some people fear that they will become irrelevant and feel aimless. That’s why retirees should decide what is important to them, so they can plan their future and appreciate retirement for the exceptional opportunity that it really is.

It’s no coincidence that studies have shown people tend to be happiest when they’re in their 60s and 70s — when work responsibilities have been shed, the kids are grown up and everyday stress levels melt away like the spring snows. Of course, different people appreciate different aspects of retirement — and maybe you have some special ones of your own. Here are my favorite things about retirement.

1. We can go wherever we want, whenever we want. My wife and I fly mid-week. We drive during non-rush hours. We’re free to go out to dinner at 5 p.m. if we want to. We can also stay out late because we don’t have to get up for work the next morning. Personally, I’m not a big traveler. But plenty of retirees are, and they make bucket lists that include trips to the Grand Canyon, the Empire State Building, the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China.

[See: The Top Travel Destinations for Retirees.]

2. We’re free of our addiction to ambition. I spent a good portion of my working life competing with colleagues, pushing for a raise and angling for a promotion. It’s the American way. But now I no longer care whether I get a better title or bigger office. A huge weight is lifted from your shoulders when you quit the rat race. It’s the freedom that many retirees appreciate so much: Freedom from the pressure to get ahead, to get your kid into college and to keep up with the neighbors.

3. I can still work part time. Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you can’t pick up a job here and there. I’ve done what a lot of people do, which is to carry over occasional assignments from my old company. Others parley their personal interests into a money-making gig or take a temporary job just for the fun of it.

4. We have time to catch up and keep current with the culture. You might have been too busy with a career and kids to follow some of the great directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Woody Allen or Robert Altman. Now you can go on Netflix or Amazon, or borrow DVDs from the library, and enjoy some of the great stories of our times. There’s also time to watch current shows like “Happy Valley” or the new David Chappelle comedy special. Or you can fret about the latest news from the cable channels.

[See: 10 Classic (and Unique) Retirement Gift Ideas.]

5. I joined a book club. My wife has belonged to a book club for years. Now I finally have the time to read a biography or a novel and sit around and talk about it. The latest book on my reading list is “News of the World” by Paulette Jiles. I’m getting ready for the next book club meeting at our senior center. If reading is not your thing, try playing bridge or pool, or going to an evening class.

6. We babysit our grandchildren. My wife and I just had our first grandchild, and we now have the opportunity to spend time with the next generation. We hope to get to know them and create some deep and lasting memories that will endure long after we are gone.

7. There’s time to give back. To be honest, I didn’t do much volunteering when I was working. I didn’t coach Little League or belong to a civic club. But now I have found my niche as a volunteer tutor at our community college, and I find it enormously rewarding to share my knowledge and skills with young and sometimes disadvantaged kids who so obviously appreciate my efforts.

8. We have time to do nothing. Finally, there’s time to enjoy the pleasures of sitting on the front porch or the back deck and soaking up the atmosphere, reflecting on your life and enjoying the cool breezes wafting through the trees.

[See: 12 Great Things About Retirement.]

9. I’m living my dream. Some people have a half-written novel in their study or a half-crafted piece of woodwork in the basement. Retirement gives you the time to write the rest of your story and perhaps even publish it online. You can complete the projects in your workshop, make jewelry or crochet sweaters and sell them on Etsy.

10. We do what we want, instead of what other people tell us to do. In retirement there are no more expectations. You don’t have to please your parents or bear responsibility for your kids. You can move to the city, or the country. You can do something, or nothing. No matter how well-financed you may or may not be, you can live the lifestyle of the truly wealthy: You can do what you want and answer to nobody but yourself.

Tom Sightings is the author of “You Only Retire Once” and blogs at Sightings at 60.

More from U.S. News

10 Financial Perks of Getting Older

12 Ways Retirees Spend Their Newfound Free Time

25 Ways to Enjoy Retirement on a Reduced Income

10 Things You’ll Love About 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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