Retirement Life Magazine Issue 2

Pack your bags and tick off your bucket list

Retirement

Life Magazine

5 Benefits Of CBD Oil

10 Personal Wealth Influencers

You Should Be Paying Attention To

Clint Eastwood

Not Slowing Down Yet!

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Contents Clint Eastwood: Not Slowing Down Yet!..........................................................................7

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5 Benefits Of CBD Oil................................................ 10 Bring On An Exciting, Fulfilled Retirement Life With David Evans........................................................14

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Should I Get Genetic Screening?.........................17 10 Personal Wealth Influencers You Should Be Paying Attention To...................................................21 The 10 Commandments Of Retirement According To Fritz Gilbert............................................................. 23

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Editor’s Tips To Travelling In your Retirement.................................................... 27 Michael Casey: Cryptocurrency And The Blockchain..................................................30

Life

Retirement

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Contributors David Evans David Evans is a former lawyer and teacher who started Grey Fox Blog in December 2011 because he wanted an outlet for his wish to write.

He didn’t know what to write about, so began with the problems that he experienced as an older man knowing how to dress and where to buy clothes. His intention was to switch to more interesting topics, but he found himself drawn into the world of style and menswear and hasn’t looked back since.

He now covers topics relating to men’s style, lifestyle and age on his blog and on social media.

Fritz Gilbert Fritz Gilbert retired in 2018 at Age 55, after working for 33 years in Corporate America. He and his wife downsized to a cabin in the Appalachian Mountains, where they enjoy outdoor activities with their four rescue dogs. They’re planning a crosscountry trip in their RV to visit their daughter in Seattle, WA this summer, where she lives with her husband and their newborn daughter. He is the Founder of The Retirement Manifesto, a blog focused on “Helping People Achieve A Great Retirement”.

“Retire from work, but not from life. �

M.K. Soni

Hollie Faye

Editor In Chief

Welcome to our second issue of Retirement Life Magazine. We are so happy to have you on board!

America, to live the quiet life in the Appalachian Mountains. Enjoy reading his 10 commandments of retirements on page 23.

Retirement is a new stage of life that should be fully embraced and enjoyed; a new chapter filled with exciting opportunities and experiences is just waiting to be explored. It is also a period where planning is the key to success, enjoyment and peace of mind.

We get up close and personal with the legendary Clint Eastwood. The 88 year old hollywood icon just finished directing “The Mule,” which he also starred in; this cowboy has no plans of slowing down anytime soon!

That’s why we are so excited to be bringing you the next issue of Retirement Life Magazine - a publication especially designed for the retiree or the soon-to-be retiree!

Packed full of information and inspiration about how to plan for your retirement, how to get the most out of it and most importantly, how to really enjoy it.

In this issue, we meet retirement expert the Grey Fox himself, David Evans. The former lawyer and teacher has embraced aging in a big way. “Retirement is a time of opportunity. Age brings wisdom (to most of us) contentment and the time and (hopefully) the financial power to explore the world around us in ways not open to us when we were wage slaves,” he says. Check out David’s article on page 16 for his insights to retirement fulfillment.

We meet founder of The Retirement Manifesto, Fritz Gilbert, who retired in 2018 after working for 33 years in Corporate

This issue is also bursting with a range of other interesting and exciting articles including: • The benefits of CBD oil and how it can help you.

• Genetic screening: should you get it?

• Personal wealth influencers to pay attention to • My top retirement travelling tips • Michael Casey: Cryptocurrency and the blockchain As you can see that there is plenty to get through. We hope that you enjoy our second issue of Retirement Life Magazine as much as our team enjoyed creating it.

You have worked hard all your life so now it’s time to sit back, smell the roses and make the most out of your retirement.

Enjoy the journey!

Hollie

Clint Eastwood: Not Slowing Down

Yet!

A A In 2018, Robert Redford, 82, declared “The Old Man & the Gun” would be his last acting role.

However, Clint Eastwood doesn’t seem to share the same sentiment. “The Mule” debuted in December 2018—Eastwood, 88, played one of the main characters; he also directed.

Like Redford, he’s been a star in Hollywood since the 1960s. But unlike Redford, he has no plans of slowing down any time soon. Why would he?

His movie debut came uncredited in “Revenge of the Creature” (1955). He really became famous on TV during his six seasons on “Rawhide” as Rowdy Yates. International stardom came when he was cast by Sergio Leone as the Man With No Name in “A Fistful of Dollars” in 1964, “For a Few Dollars More” in ‘65, 7

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ll good things come to an end, but there doesn’t seem to be an end in the near future for our favorite resident moody, broody cowboy.

and “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” in ’66.

Eastwood’s directing debut came in 1971 with “Play Misty for Me.” “The Mule,” which was released in December 2018, marks his 37th direction film. “The Mule” is based on fact—something that’s become a bit of a filmmaking specialty for Eastwood.

“Invictus” is about a famous South African rugby match; “J. Edgar” is about the FBI director; “American Sniper,” about a Navy SEAL marksman; “Sully,” the Hudson crash

landing; and “The 15:17 to Paris,” which is about three young American travelers who foiled a 2015 terrorist attack.

With such a successful directing career, you’d have thought Eastwood’s acting days were behind him—his last leading role was in 2012 in “Trouble With the Curve”—but you’d have been wrong. Aside from directing “The Mule,” he also stars alongside Bradley Cooper and Andy Garcia as a World War II veteran who becomes a courier for a Mexican drug cartel.

It’s also important to note that, yes he’s a master of screen acting, performers love working for him. He’s led many actors to Oscar nomination with his direction. Actors nominated for Oscars include Gene Hackman in 1992 for his role in “Unforgiven,” Meryl Streep (“The Bridges of Madison County, 1995), Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Marcia Gay Harden (“Mystic River,” 2003), Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby,” 2003), Angelina Jolie (“Changeling,” 2008), Matt Damon (“Invictus,” 2009), and Bradley Cooper (“American Sniper,” 2014).

Out of the nominations, five won. That’s a pretty good track record! Also worth noting, Eastwood directed himself in two acting nominations for “Unforgviven” and “Million Dollar Baby.”

That’s not the only time he’s had interesting pairings of films. “Jersey Boys” (the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons musical) came out only six months after the release of “American Sniper.” The juxtaposition of these works is drastic but not surprising. Eastwood has always been a macho man, but he’s also a seasoned pianist…so directing a musical seems like a casual move.

Will the 88 year old ever truly retire from Hollywood? It’s hard to tell. He told reporters in Los Angeles, “I have been trying to retire to the back of the camera for quite a few years and in 1970 when I first started directing, I said, ‘If I could pull this off, I can move to the back of the camera and stay there.” He continued by saying, “I was never able to pull it off because somebody offered me a role. Every once in a while, they come up with a grumpy old man thing and they say, ‘OK, let’s get Eastwood for that.’ So we’ll see…The material’s got to spark with you…You just have to make that judgement and, if you feel in the mood, to do it.”

People also tend to forget that Eastwood, who has spent over 50 years acting as a monument to masculinity, has a sensitive side behind the camera. Four of the 11 performers he’s led to Oscar nominations are women.

It’s the same versatility that allowed him his unique back to back directorial effort on “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters From Iwo Jima” in 2006, highlighting that battle from the US perspective, then from the Japanese perspective.

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“Go Ahead Make My Day” 9

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Clint Eastwood

CBD

The Wonder Oil A recent Facebook post: “My favourite childhood memory is… my back not hurting.”

CAN ANYONE ELSE RELATE? Despite our best planning for retirement, we can’t control the effects that ageing has on our bodies. Even the fittest and healthiest retirees can suffer from injuries, which take longer to recover from as we get older, as well as chronic conditions such as arthritis, MS, fibromyalgia, and of course cancer.

While doctors keep pushing painkillers and prescription drugs for these conditions, many retirees are turning to CBD oil as a means of relief. With the increase in legalised use of cannabis, CBD oil is increasingly popular as an alternative remedy.

CBD’s chemical name is Cannabidiol and is one of the 104 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant. Made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil, CBD oil does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive cannabinoid

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found in cannabis that causes the sensation of getting “high”. This means sufferers of chronic pain and anxiety can access the relaxing properties associated with marijuana, without the mindaltering effects.

Here are five possible benefits for retirees using CBD oil.

1

PAIN RELIEF

Clinical studies have shown that Marijuana is effective in decreasing pain associated with arthritis, nerve pain, sciatic nerve pain and inflammation, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. CBD oil can be used in oil, cream or tablet form to treat pain.

2

MENTAL HEALTH

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the single largest contributor to disability worldwide, while anxiety disorders are ranked sixth. CBD’s properties allow it to act on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior. This natural approach eliminates the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs, including drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction and headache. CBD can also help in the extension of the deep sleep phase and the reduction of the lighter sleeping phases, allowing the body to regenerate and release toxins. As we get older we can experience loss of appetite, leading to weight loss, tissue weakness, and mental issues.

Marijuana is well known to increase appetite (think midnight munchies!), and CBD oil can be used to stimulate appetite.

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NEUROLOGICAL BENEFITS

Researchers believe that CBD’s may provide benefits for neurological disorders due to its ability to act on the endocannabinoid system and other brain signalling systems. While research in this area is still relatively new, studies have shown promising results in treatment for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and the neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer’s disease. CBD may be delivered in a nasal spray for these conditions.

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HEART HEALTH AND BLOOD PRESSURE Studies indicate that CBD may be a natural and effective treatment for high blood pressure, a condition often linked to strokes and heart attacks. This is due to CBD’s powerful antioxidant properties and ability to reduce stress and anxiety.

5

CANCER

While not a cure for cancer, CBD oil can help to reduce symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment, such as nausea, vomiting and pain, including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

CBD is administered via a mouth spray for these conditions.

Before rushing out to stock on CBD oil, do make sure you:

• Check the legalities in your location – legalisation of cannabis products varies greatly between countries and states.

• Consult your medical practitioner to fully understand the potential benefits, side effects and combination with existing medication.

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David Evans:

Bring on an exciting, fulfilled

retirement

life

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oving from the predictability of your nine-to-five, to facing the prospect of hanging up your work boots for good is both an exciting time, as well as downright scary. What are you going to do with yourself now? You used to have a routine, work is pretty much all you have known, and even the kids have moved out and on with their own lives. You are left to ponder the last stage of your life – retirement.

You are not at the end yet – you have many years to enjoy, so make them count!

David Evans is a former lawyer and teacher who discovered a passion for writing, so he began his blog Grey Fox in 2011 as an outlet for his creativity. To begin with, he chose to write about an issue facing many older men

and women; how to dress well and where to shop. While he initially planned to move on from this topic quite quickly, what has emerged is an oft-cited and very popular fashion and lifestyle blog that has featured in likes of The Guardian, GQ Magazine, The Times Magazine, Huffington post and an array of international fashion publications.

David is a shining example of how one can embrace retirement for all it has to offer and take the opportunity to spark new passions, new interests and a whole new life. Once retired from his career, David took on the challenge of doing what he always wanted to do, to write, and hasn’t looked back.

“Retirement is no longer the time to pull out

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the carpet slippers and moth-eaten cardigan (well, maybe occasionally) it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore further and start afresh.

It’s a time to look ahead and not dwell on the past,” David said.

“Retirement is a time of opportunity. Age brings wisdom (to most of us) contentment and the time and (hopefully) the financial power to explore the world around us in ways not open to us when we were wage slaves.

Our life expectancies are longer than were our parents’ so we can look forward to many years of being able to extend our interests, travel, fall in love, read, collect beautiful things - whatever we want to do.”

David’s key to a happy and fulfilled retirement is staying engaged and active. As we move into older age, it is more important than ever to stay fit, both mentally and physically, and allow ourselves the simple pleasure of being excited by new prospects and embracing change.

something… Take up hobbies; painting, photography, keep fit, cycling, dancing, dating - your age is no barrier to the opportunities,” advises David.

“You may want to get to grips with the problems that will face our children; climate change, pollution, overcrowding and become involved in an issue that interests you.”

Staying physically fit need not be a chore either, just weave exercise into your every day. David recommends walking or cycling instead of driving (where possible), joining a gym, or signing up for a dance or yoga class designed for your age and ability level. A healthy body helps foster a healthy mind and a greater appreciation of the opportunities open to you.

In terms of staying mentally fit, it is as simple as getting out and enjoying the world around you. No longer do you need to grab a coffee on the way out the door and spend your daylight hours sitting in an office or warehouse – these hours are now are yours to do as you wish! Take a vacation to that holiday destination of your dreams, check out the latest cruise deals or join a travel club. If you are the entrepreneurial type, why not start a small online business or work from home on a project that excites you.

“What books, music, art, films have you always meant to see but haven’t yet got around to? Get out and about and visit places, cities, museums, galleries and beautiful parts of the outdoors and you’ll find that an enthusiasm will emerge for 15 r e t i r e m e n t l i fe n m a ga z i n e . c o m

image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce Photography

Use it or lose it is the watchword.

From this will come mental fitness too - boredom and depression can come from inactivity and are best managed by getting out of your chair and staying busy.”

SO, WHAT’S NEXT FOR DAVID? “I’ve recently extended the subject of the blog to talk about travel and lifestyle because these things are all relevant to the man of style. Style isn’t just how we look, it’s what we do, where we go on holiday, the watches, pens, cars, cameras we use. I like all those things too, so it’s an opportunity to explore subjects I find interesting. They are all part of the style formula so are worth writing about too.”

Be inspired by David’s journey by visiting his blog; www.greyfoxblog.com Follow him on social media: GreyFoxBlog GreyFoxBlog GreyFoxBlog

Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce Photography, Dege & Skinner and Johnstons of Elgin

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Should I get genetic screening?

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t’s hard enough planning retirement around the things we can control, but what about the things we can’t? Everyone hopes they have enough money to see them through a long happy retirement with a comfortable lifestyle, but what about the unforeseen events that can get in the way? Unwelcome surprises come along throughout all times of life (financial, personal and health issues), but in retirement they can seem to appear at an alarming rate. If you had a crystal ball, would you want to know what’s coming so you can be prepared, or would you prefer blissful ignorance? Specifically, would you want to know if you are at higher risk of developing certain types of cancer?

It’s not an easy question. About 5% to 10% of all cancers are thought to be related to gene mutations that are inherited or passed down through the family. Predictive genetic testing can look for inherited gene mutations, and is recommended when a gene mutation is suspected. This may be because of identified risk factors, including:

You have several first-degree relatives (mother, father, sisters, brothers, children) with cancer.

Many relatives on one side of your family have had the same type of cancer.

There are clusters of cancers in your family, such as breast, ovarian, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers

A family member has more than 1 type of cancer.

Family members have had cancer at younger than average for that type of cancer.

Genetic testing is also done to determine whether family members without obvious illness have inherited the same mutation as a family member who is known to carry a cancer-associated mutation.

Testing is done on a small sample of body fluid or tissue—usually blood, but sometimes saliva, cells from inside the cheek, skin cells, or amniotic fluid (the fluid surrounding a developing fetus). Samples are analysed in a laboratory that specializes in genetic testing, and returned to the treating doctor after several weeks.

A “positive test result” means the laboratory found a specific genetic mutation associated with a hereditary cancer syndrome, and may:

Provide early diagnosis of a hereditary cancer syndrome

Show that someone carries a particular genetic change that does not increase their own risk of cancer but that may increase the risk in their children

Suggest a need for further testing

Indicate an increased risk of developing certain cancer(s) in the future. If this is the case, you can take steps to lower that risk, or increase the likelihood of early detection through regular checkups, preventative medication or surgery, lifestyle changes.

Genetic tests can’t tell you whether you will or won’t get cancer, only if you have a higher risk. “Negative test results” mean the laboratory did not detect the specific mutation. This does not mean that there is no cancer risk, but rather that the risk is the same as the cancer risk in the general population. r e t i r e m e n t l i fe n m a ga z i n e . c o m

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While early detection of cancers can help keep you and your family members free of cancer or increase the success of treatment, there are some downsides to consider.

Tests are expensive and aren’t always accurate.

Results can lead to more tests, waiting time, anxiety and costs

Genetic tests can reveal information not only about the person being tested but also about that person’s relatives. Family relationships can be affected when one member of a family discloses genetic test results that may have implications for other family members.

Knowing that you are at risk can lead to feelings of fear and guilt for family members.

The possibility that a test result might not be informative—that is, that the information may not be useful in making health care decisions.

Before undergoing any genetic testing, seek advice from a genetic counsellor, who will work through the likely benefit and reliability of any tests, as well as possible consequences.

If you had a crystal ball, would you want to know what’s coming so you can be prepared, or would you prefer blissful ignorance?

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Personal Wealth Influencers You Should Be Paying Attention To

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ost of us could benefit from learning better money management and investing techniques, regardless of age. Money management may look different for millennials than it does for those of us ready or already retired, but there is always something new to learn.

Online personal wealth, finance, and investment advice isn’t only for younger generations. A number of personal finance leaders that serve as resources for retirement are beginning to voice their advice online so you can establish your personal finance goals.

Whether you’re looking for advanced advice on money management during retirement or simple tips on dealing with ageing, these 10 social influencers will help you get your money in order in the coming year.

1 Rodney Brooks Brooks is a retirement columnist, author, and public speaker. His book, Is One Million Dollars Enough, focuses on planning for and living a successful retirement.

He is an expert on a wide range of retirement topics from budgeting for retirement to retirement homes.

2 Adele Horin

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Horin was the social issues reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald for nearly two decades and now runs the popular blog Coming of Age. She explores how her generation is braving the

challenges of getting older and isn’t afraid to tackle sensitive topics ranging from suicide among older men to retiring too young.

3 Joe Saul-Sehy Stacking Benjamins is one of the most interesting money podcasts on air. Joe SaulSehy hosts the brightest minds in financial media to talk about retirement, savings strategies, side hustles, and more.

4 Dave Ramsey Ramsey’s podcast, The Dave Ramsey Show, is great for people of all ages and personalities who want advice on how to get out of debt, stay out, and start saving. With more and more retirees entering retirement in debt, Ramsey is a great resource. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to know a bit of everything from a credible source without getting bored.

5 Jean Chatzky Financial Editor of NBC’s TODAY Show and AARP’s personal finance ambassador, Jean Chatzky is an award winning financial journalist. She is also the founder of Her Money, a multimedia company that explores the relationships women have with money.

6 Clark Howard Author, media personality, and podcast host, Clark Howard tells you how to avoid consumer rip-offs. His podcast, The Clark Howard Show, helps guide you to spend less while maintaining more of your money.

planning and retirement transition expert.

8 Catherine Collinson Collinson serves as CEO and president of the nonprofit Transamerica Institute and the Center for Retirement Studies and is one of the sharpest retirement researchers in the world. She’s been researching about retirement for nearly 20 years, publishing reports that offer advice for employees and employers. Her goal is to help people have financially secure retirements.

9 Trace Mayer Mayer is a veteran investor of the traditional market and was one of the first bloggers to start mentioning Bitcoin in early 2011.

He’s an entrepreneur, investor, journalist, and monetary scientist and holds degrees in accounting and law. He mostly tweets about economics surrounding Bitcoin and its comparison with other assets.

10 Vitalik Buterin While Buterin is nowhere close to senior living, and the youngest on this list, this creator of Ethereum in 2015 is a must follow influencer— especially if you’re interested in cryptocurrency news. He isn’t afraid of voicing his unique and critical opinion surrounding problems of openblockchain projects like Ethereum or Bitcoin.

He is oftentimes spouting Twitter threads about scalability, governance, ICOs, DApps, and security.

Are you ready to make the most of your retirement dollars?

7 Sara Zeff Geber Geber brought the term “solo agers” into the global vocabulary with her book, Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers.

According to Geber, a solo ager is a boomer without children and/or grandchildren. She is a retirement coach for boomers and life

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The 10 Commandments Of Retirement According To

Fritz Gilbert

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etirement planning can be daunting.

We’ve all been told about managing investment portfolios, making sure our employers are matching our contributions, and diversifying our income. We can plan everything meticulously, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a looming stress once retirement actually approaches. According to Fritz Gilbert, author of The Retirement Manifesto, one of the biggest challenges of retirement is focusing too much on the financial aspects instead of what your life will be like (the soft side, as he calls it on the blog). His advice to those entering into retirement is to do a trial run. About 18 months before your planned date, start living as though you’ve already retired.

“Pretend you’re living in retirement, and take some time to really think about what you want to do with your life in your retirement years,” he says.

Gilbert launched the website three years before his own retirement. “I started my blog with the hope that others could learn from the steps was taking as prepared for the transition into retirement,” he explains. He wants others to learn from the steps he’s only sharing about the retirement process. Considering the blog won The Retirement Blog of the Year Award in 2018, it seems he’s been successful in his insights. The Retirement Manifesto offers advice surrounding both the financial and soft sides of retirement, including Gilbert’s 10 Commandments of Retirement. Countless other retirement bloggers have similar lists of “commandments,” but they tend to focus on finances and not actually enjoying your retirement.

The Retirement Manifesto’s 10 Commandments of Retirement

1 HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Every day is a gift that should be celebrated.

2 GIVE WITH A GENEROUS HEART

Gilbert explains that if able, we should all give a little more generously in retirement.

Tip the waitress better, take a friend out to dinner, and give with a generous heart.

3 PURSUE PASSIONS

The world is yours now. Pursue what brings you joy. Experiment and find purpose.

Enjoy your time; you’ve earned it.

4 KEEP THE BALANCE

Find a balance between your faith, family, work, money, all aspects of your life. Give yourself energy to acknowledge and enjoy all of them.

5 MAKE NO OBLIGATIONS

Gilbert recommends giving yourself one year of zero obligations, if possible, to enjoy your time off.

6 TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY

You’ve worked hard to earn these next years off, so why not take care of your body so you can actually enjoy them!

7 STAY FLEXIBLE TO CHANGE 8 CHERISH FRIENDS & FAMILY 9 HAVE FUN 10 KEEP ETERNITY IN MIND Our days are numbered, whether we like it or not. Now is the time to think about your spirituality and religion and prepare yourself for the end.

It’s been a year since Fritz Gilbert initially posted his 10 Commandments for Retirement, so we asked him how it’s gone in the previous year.

He explained, “I’m happy to report that I’ve only broken one commandment, and I’m pleased that I took the time before I retired to establish some guidelines for how wanted to live my life post-retirement. I strongly encourage folks who are approaching retirement do the same. It helps you frame what’s important for you in retirement, and (perhaps more importantly) what’s not. For the record, I broke #5—Make No Obligations— but it was an intentional decision when I had the opportunity to join a board of directors, and felt it was a little too interesting obligation to pass up.

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During the year prior to my retirement, my wife and I filled a cookie jar with ideas of things to try (each of us contributing independent ideas). It’s been fun to pull items out and discover what the other had in mind and give it a try. It’s a good way to do new things,, or things we haven’t done in years. Our latest pull from the jar was Go Bowling.

As for passions, the biggest has been a charity my wife has decided to start called “Freedom For Fido,” which aims to build free fences and dog houses for low-income residents who keep their dogs on chains. We’ve been having fun figuring out how to organize a non-profit, and we’re looking forward to changing the lives of dogs in our area. We are also planning a three month cross-country trip to visit our daughter and her family in Washington State this summer, traveling via our 5th wheel RV with our four dogs!”

Retirement can be the best years of your lives. Follow along with Fritz and his wife on their retirement journey and pick up some tips for yourself at TheRetirementManifesto.com.

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Editor’s tips to travelling in your retirement

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or many of us our retirement dream is to hit the road running, whether by plane, train, boat or car, imagining life after work as a new adventure waiting to be discovered.

Retirement is the ideal time to embark upon extended travel adventures that were not possible in your working years where holidays were restricted by demanding work schedules and family life commitments.

As most retirees are on fixed incomes it is important to be savvy when spending your travel dollars. Some of the money saving tips that will help the retirees dollar to go further include utilising travel rewards, holidaying out of peak times, taking extended holidays to 27 r e t i r e m e n t l i fe n m a ga z i n e . c o m

make the most out of better rates and utilising any senior discounts!

It’s also a good idea to start your travelling as soon as possible to make the most out of your health and vitality as well as to maximise the travel potential of your retirement years.

Here I have put together my top 8 travelling tips for retirees:

1. Take it slowly: Slow travel is an ideal option for retirees principally because it takes longer and costs less. Extended stays allow you to take advantage of lower cost accommodation and also ensure that you incur fewer travel expenses. It also means that you

will have the opportunity to submerse yourself in the culture and avoid the tourist traps. You can experience what it is to live like a local!

2. Travel in the off peak seasons: Not only is this a great way to avoid the crowds it is also a great way to save money. Knowing the time of year that is considered off peak at your destination will allow you to reduce the cost of your trip and save not only on airfares but also accommodation, car rentals and tours and many other things.

3. Be flexible: To get the best value flights it pays to be flexible. Avoid traveling around Christmas, Easter and July when flights tend to be more expensive (and if you do make sure you book as far in advance as possible). The key to saving on airfares is to be flexible and if you are able to move your dates, even slightly, you might find that there are some great discounts on offer.

4. Tick all the boxes before you leave: By this I mean make sure that you have all your health and insurance checks up to date. See your doctor for a complete check up before you leave and make sure that if you are taking large amounts of medication with you that you take a letter of explanation from your doctor to avoid any hiccups or red tape barriers along the way. Making sure that your travel insurance is in order is essential too – don’t forget to take out pre-existing illness cover if needed.

5. Take care of yourself whilst holidaying: Although you might have a renewed zest for life remember to be kind to your body and don’t forget that you might not be able to keep up quite the same cracking pace as you did in your younger years. Allow some rest days along the way, don’t try and squeeze too much into one day, drink bottled water if you are unsure of the water supply and stay away from unpasteurised dairy products, undercooked meats and raw fruits and vegetables.

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6. Travel light: Make sure that your carry on or daypack has everything that you will need for the duration of your travel time. It’s always wise to include any regular medical items that you might need including painkillers, antacids, band-aids etc. These are best kept on your person in case checked in luggage gets lost and then you are left stranded without the medication that you might need. As we get older its harder to lug heavy bags around so opt for light weight suitcases (preferably with wheels) and pack the minimum and choose to simply do a load of washing more regularly. If you wear glasses – pack two pairs!

7. Research easy and fun travel options for the more mature traveller: There are so many fun ways to travel and ease of travel becomes far more important the older we get. Cruising is a fantastic option for retirees. They provide an ideal way to see multiple destinations whilst not having to pack up and unpack and move hotels. Cruises are easy as everything is done for you and usually in the lap of comfort.

They provide a range of accommodation, entertainment and dining options plus can organise all your activities and day trips for you. Another great option for the retiree traveller is train travel. Train travel is a comfortable, affordable and scenic way to explore the globe.

8. Travel rewards: If you are planning on doing a fair amount of travelling then make sure you make the most out of any programs and reward schemes that are on offer. Do some research into what programs offer the best benefits and make sure that you take advantage of them. By being clever and strategically signing up to certain credit cards and spending according to the guidelines

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you have the potential to earn some great travel rewards, which can then be used to help you save money on flights and accommodations or even splurge on an upgrade! Be careful though to make sure that you know any loopholes, traps or restrictions that might prevent you from making the most of travel rewards.

Retirement really is the beginning of a new and exciting part of your life and if you’re anything like me travel is the key to exploring new places, seeing new things and meeting interesting people. I hope that your retirement travel is full of some fabulous adventure and incredible memories and that these tips help you to make the most out of your trip!

Stay safe and have fun!

Michael Casey:

Cryptocurrency and the Blockchain If you were talking to a financial planner about your retirement plan five or ten years ago, it’s unlikely ‘cryptocurrency’ or ‘the blockchain’ would have featured.

But this technology represents a paradigm change that we can’t ignore. The blockchain is here to stay.

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That’s the view espoused by Michael Casey, co-author of The Age of Cryptocurrency, in which he and Paul Vigna demystify the cryptocurrency phenomenon. Cybermoney, they claim, is poised to launch a revolution, one that could reinvent traditional financial and social structures while bringing the world’s billions of “unbanked” individuals into a new global economy. Cryptocurrency holds the promise of a financial system without a middleman, one owned by the people who use it and one safeguarded from the devastation of a 2008-type crash.

Currently located in New York, Michael Casey grew up in Perth and completed a Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Western Australia. His subsequent career as an auditor was short lived and he completed a Graduate Diploma in Journalism at Curtin University of Technology a few years later.

Most of Casey’s career has been spent as a journalist, including 18 years at The Wall Street Journal (along with Paul Vigna). He was a senior columnist covering global economics and markets and a frequent TV and radio commentator. He credits this global exposure and experience as the defining feature of his career. International Journalism teaches you that the perspective you might have inside one country is the result of the cultural and other factors that shape it, while there is a completely different viewpoint to be had from a different culture. It also highlights the inequity in the global economy, made more visible in the digital age.

Casey moved on from his column about global financial and economic affairs in 2015 and began advising governments and businesses on the deployment of digital currency and blockchain technologies. Since then his career has diversified to author,

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researcher, teacher, mentor, communicator, advisor and entrepreneur. As Senior Advisor with MIT Media Lab, Casey creates blockchain related products for developing countries and educates people about the complex yet fascinating potential of cryptocurrency, and its disruption on the global financial system.

He is Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and a frequent public speaker.

He seeks to advance public understanding of the potential for digital innovation to further public good.

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