5 sensible ways to plan & prepare for later life

Ever find it hard to picture your kids being anything other than the age they are now?

If so you’re not alone, and when it comes to planning for the future I find there’s so much going on in the now that it’s easy to put off things I probably ought to be doing to plan and prepare for later life.

There are also lots of things I’d rather not think about, like making a will and who would look after the kids if the unthinkable happened.

If you find yourself getting swept along in the now too and there are delicate topics you know you should be thinking about like me in this collaborative post here are 5 sensible ways to plan and prepare for later life.

5 sensible ways to plan & prepare for later life

1. Make a bucket list

A bucket list is a great way to focus on your goals and give yourself something to work towards. While some people might opt for adrenaline-pumping activities, others might choose to focus on little details such as making sure they see their families at least once a month. There’s no right or wrong – if you haven’t already done so, sit down and write a list of all the things you’d like to do or achieve. Ideas could include:

Learning another language
Do a skydive
Go on a backpacking trip
Get married
Have children
Buy a home
Run a marathon
Volunteer for a good cause
Start your own company

2. Plan for later years

Thinking about your own funeral isn’t the nicest of things to think about, but it’s important. Many people choose a pre-paid funeral plan from a funeral director so that their loved ones will have one less thing to worry about when they pass away. It also allows you to get your final requests, such as whether you want to be cremated or buried, what music you want played at your funeral, and how to pay for it in easy-to-manage instalments so your family isn’t left stranded and unable to afford a funeral.

3. Make a will

A will is another item that many people are opting to do before it’s too late. This is so that if something unexpected happens to them, they can voice their last wishes to their loved ones. This is especially beneficial for families with young children, as the parent can specify who the children should live with.

4. Appoint a mediator

Don’t forget to appoint a mediator to go over your will with your lawyers after you pass away if you’re making arrangements for your family’s future. You could appoint a trustworthy family member to go over personal documents and straighten things out while the rest of the family is at ease.

5. Don’t overthink things!

Planning for later life might be something we’d all rather not think about, but it’s also important not to overthink things. Once you’ve written a bucket list and taken care of things like your will you can get on with actually living your life!