Seeing Clearly Is The Key To A Happy Retirement

When I was asked to write this sponsored post for the brand VSP Individual Vision Plans,* I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. Then it hit me, seeing clearly is the key to a happy retirement. Yes, yes, yes, in every area of my life, I want to have sparkling vision for what and how I want my post 50, or as of last month, post 60 years to play out.

First, I’ll tell you what sparkling vision has meant, and continues to mean, to my retirement. Maybe some of these tips and suggestions will be helpful as you plan for your future. Then I’ll explain why you should check out the vision plans that VSP offers for retirees or those who no longer have coverage through an employer plan. Whether you need vision correction or not, everyone needs quality vision care.

Do you have a clear path for health and happiness in retirement?

Calculating A Fabulous Fiscal Life 
How you manage your finances can make or break your retirement. Everyone says to save, save, save for retirement. So that’s exactly what I did, did, did.

A few years before I took the plunge to leave my full-time job, I started making a list of my monthly totals so I could clearly see my spending habits, how to set my monthly budget for retirement, and if I could afford to retire early. It’s a good fiscal exercise whether you intend to retire or not. I added up my necessities, like my mortgage, car insurance, food, taxes, medical and dental expenses, gas & electric & cable bills. I also examined my non-essential spending for things like clothing, dining out, and other entertainment and travel.

My vision looking out over the observation deck at the top of the Empire State Building is clear and all encompassing, just like my vision for my retirement.

Now that I’m retired, I still keep track of my monthly spending. I’ve noticed when planning for retirement it’s wise to have extra savings for healthcare and home repairs – two areas that sometimes unexpectedly run up my bills.

While my happiness is now driven more by my passions versus the paycheck, the small amounts I earn from blogging and part-time yoga teaching come in handy for what I call my “personal reinvestments” — like a special yoga training, or a blogging conference.

The amounts I earn from my yoga teaching help support my personal growth.

What Brings You Joy?
Once I looked at my finances, I was ready to tackle the rest of my retirement lifestyle. I remember five years back when my therapist asked me: “What brings you joy?” It was a great prompt to explore my interests and schedule for my second act. Taking long walks, yoga, blogging, traveling, reading, cooking, going to the beach and riding my bicycle on warm sunny days — brings me joy. Spending time with my boyfriend L, my daughter A, my son D, and my girlfriends and family members — brings me joy.

Riding a bicycle on the Oregon Trail brings me joy.

Learning new skills — brings me joy. I so enjoy my advanced yoga instructor studies at Lourdes Institute of Wholistic Studies, and sharing the benefits of what I learn with my students.

Spending time with my boyfriend L brings me joy.

Most recently, since having some health problems, I realize that I need to more clearly listen to my body. When my body signals it needs more sleep or relaxation, I need to be  mindful — and find joy in slowing down and taking time to stop, breathe, and be, instead of doing, doing, doing.

A Clear Vision for Vision Care
if you are going to do all the things you want to do when you retire, it’s important to take care of your eyes. Seeing well is important to your health and wellness at any age, especially post 50. Plus, as one who wears progressives and is also a fashionista, I consider eyewear to be a major expression of style at any age. Iris Apfel is one of my favorite fashion icons at 96 with her signature black round-rimmed glasses.

I believe eyewear makes a fashion statement at any age.

Your vision care insurance doesn’t have to retire just because you do. If your vision coverage ends post-retirement like mine did, then you may want to consider a VSP Individual Vision Plan. VSP Vision Care is the leader in eye care benefits and serves 79 million Americans through individual and group plans. Their individual vision plans include annual benefits that cover

♥ a comprehensive eye exam
♥ prescription lenses with covered lens enhancements like progressives
♥ a generous allowance for frames and/or contacts
♥ a wide selection of brand name frames
♥ access to the largest network of independent doctors.

Last year when I went to get eyewear at my local optician’s shop, she asked me if I had a VSP Individual Vision Plan. She told me the plans were good and I should consider them if I was looking for vision care options. I’m due to see my ophthalmologist this month and will likely need a new pair of eyeglasses, so I may opt for a VSP Individual Vision Plan this year. (I did a similar type of plan for dental care when I lost my group coverage after retirement and I’m so glad I did. It doesn’t pay for all my dental care, but for the low monthly price it’s worth it.)

For more information, go to GetVSPDirect.com or call 877-988-4746 to speak to a customer care representative to learn more and enroll. (Note, when reviewing the plans be sure to select the plan that works for your needs. For example, if you wear progressives you want to select a plan that covers that type of lenses like their Easy Options plan.)

Hope these brief tips brought more clarity to your vision for a happy retirement. So far, I’ve found that my life after 50 has been filled with great satisfaction.  I wish you a long, happy and healthy retirement (whatever retirement may look like for you), because as I said a few weeks ago when I turned 60, “the best is yet to come.”

Judi

*Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post” written by me on behalf of VSP Individual Vision Plans. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.