Author: Kirsten Veldman

What are good reasons to retire? It’s probably a question that you asked yourself when considering retirement. Whether you reach the common retirement age soon or maybe just want to retire earlier. There are many reasons people choose to retire from their job. 

As part of my research for the articles I write, I talk to many (soon to be) retirees. So I also asked them about their reasons to retire. It resulted in this complete list of good reasons to retire. Ready to get inspired? Let’s find out more! 

1) You Reached The Retirement Age

Reaching the retirement age as a reason to retire may sound like an open door. Still, for most people, it is the #1 reason to retire. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average retirement age in the United States is 64 years. Most people look forward to their retirement to spend more time on other things in their lives. 

2) You Want To Take It Easy

Are you tired after all those years of hard work? You just want to relax and take it easy? You just found your perfect reason to retire! When you’re close to your retirement age, and you decided for yourself that you want to take it easy, just go for it! This might be your reason to retire. 

Going with retirement is a life-changing event, and there’s a lot you need to take care of or get used to. Of course, your finances are important but have you ever thought about the new lifestyle you need to get used to? Taking it easy is one thing, but finding new things to do, structuring your days in retirement, and other lifestyle-related things are equally as important. To help you with this process, I wrote the Ebook Five Steps To Happiness In Retirement. A straightforward book with the essential tips on how to transition to a happy and fulfilling retirement lifestyle. Click here to buy this Ebook.  

3) You’re Financially Set

Saving enough money for your retirement is essential to create a budget that you can spend during your retirement years. Being financially set for retirement simply means that your savings are high enough to retire without worrying about finances. 

When you reached the retirement age, you’re probably eligible for some retirement benefits as well. Creating a retirement budget is for everyone different because each situation is different. Knowing how much you need to save for retirement is important to create a lifestyle plan for when you retire. This way, you can more easily figure out how much you need during your retirement years. 

It’s always a good idea to talk with your financial advisor about your retirement savings. When you don’t have a financial advisor yet, you can find one very easily using the website of the national association of personal financial advisors (NAPFA). 

There is a good chance that you saved enough money for only a specific period in retirement. In general, people saved a retirement budget that can last them for around 20 to 25 years after their retirement. However, with longevity and healthy aging in mind, chances are you will live longer in retirement. To avoid having a gap in your budget, you can start saving for longevity after retiring using the application AgeUp. AgeUp provides a guaranteed income for long life. Saving plans start as low as 25 USD a month. Start saving for that extra budget today. Find out more about AgeUp here. 

4) To Start Learning New Things

You are never too old to learn. In fact, learning new things when you’re getting older is important when it comes to healthy aging. It keeps your brain fit. According to Harvard Health Education, you need to challenge your brain just like when we train our muscles. Learning new things helps with that. And when you don’t love your job anymore, you probably want to focus on learning new things in life. It becomes a good reason to retire. 

One of the best ways to start learning new things is to follow classes and courses. The easiest and most inspiring way to do this is by signing up for MasterClass. The masterClass platform is an online platform where you can follow classes from the world’s most famous and successful people. Learn more about MasterClass;

5) To Spend More Time With Your Spouse

In general, most people realize that it’s important to spend time with their loved ones when they’re aging. Instead of working 40+ hours a week, you want to spend more time with your spouse, doing fun things together. If you feel like this is getting more important to you, it’s time to consider retirement. 

When you and your spouse are both working, you might wonder when it’s the best time to retire for the both of you. To help you figure this out, I wrote the article Should Couples Retire At The Same Time?

6) To Spend More Time With Family & Friends

Spending more time with your loved ones also means spending more time with family and friends. It’s funny to see that when people retire, they often meet with their old friends. Or move closer to family. One would say that finding a balance between work and spending time with the people you love is important throughout life. However, most people focus more time on their jobs and make this switch during retirement. When you feel like you’re out of balance and want to spend more time with your family and friends, it’s a good reason to retire. 

7) To Be With Your Grandchildren

Both my parents and parents-in-law are retired, and they fill in their retirement very differently. My parents love to be busy with all kinds of crafts, work in the garden, and travel. My parents-in-law are spending a lot of time volunteering and helping others in their retirement community. One thing they have in common, they want to spend as much time with their grandchildren as possible. 

As you might know, we are traveling around the world as much as we can. Because of Covid restrictions, we are limited to travel within Europe, which still is amazing. The grandparents of our son are following us everywhere we go. Not for the complete journey, but they’re visiting us at least once a month. It’s amazing to see how our son bonds with his grandparents. 

When you’re a grandparent yourself or maybe soon to be grandparent, it’s a great reason to retire. Spending more time with your grandchildren and children is one of the most precious things you can do in life. 

8) To Complete Your Bucket List

Do you have a bucket list? A list of things you want to complete at least once in your life. When you feel you want to spend more time completing these things, it’s a good reason to retire! After all, life is short, and spending enough time on the things you always wanted to do is more important than work. 

When you’re reading this part and start to think, ‘I don’t have a bucket list, but maybe I want to create one,’ I’m here to help you out. Many retirees find it difficult to create a bucket list, but they still have many wishes of things to do in retirement. In my article, 430 ideas for a retirement bucket list, you’ll find the inspiration to create your perfect retirement bucket list. 

9) To Spend More Time On Your Passion

Having something you’re passionate about is important to get the most out of your life. Spending time on your passion makes you happy. And for most people, their passion isn’t work-related. 

So, when you feel you want to spend more time on your passion, you might be ready for retirement as well. However, many retirees forgot what they’re passionate about. They spend so much time on work-related things. They need to re-invent their passion. When this sounds familiar to you, I recommend reading my article How To Find A Passion In Retirement. 

10) To Volunteer

My parents-in-law, both retired and living in a retirement community, love to volunteer. They’re often busy helping other older people in their community. It’s like they found their purpose in retirement. For many people, it’s important to give back to their community and help out others. There’s a good chance you find this important as well. 

When you want to spend more time volunteering and helping out in your community, it’s a good reason to retire and focus on volunteering instead. Volunteering creates fulfillment in life, something that is related to find more happiness. In my article, Why Retirees Volunteer, you’ll read more about the positive effect of volunteering for retirees. 

11) Because Of Health Conditions

A bit more worrying reason to retire is because of health conditions. It’s possible that your health is declining with age and that you’re not able to work because of your health condition. When this applies to you, it’s always important to talk with your doctor and employer first before deciding if retirement is the best option. Maybe there are other solutions you can consider as well. 

12) To Improve Your Health

For many people, improving their health is an important reason to retire. More and more people suffer from the burn-out syndrome or other health issues that are work-related. According to the World Health Organization, “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” 

Going with retirement to improve your health can help make a switch in your lifestyle to improve your health and find more happiness and fulfillment in life.

I suffered from burn-out syndrome myself, and to recover from this is for everyone different. The most important is that you find professional help and take things slow. 

13) To Become A Teacher

When you’re close to your retirement age, you probably have a lot of experience—both work and life-related. For many people, it’s fulfilling to teach others about lifestyle or work in general. So if you want to become a teacher, it can be the perfect reason to retire and make a career switch. 

It’s possible to both retire and become a teacher and still be eligible for retirement benefits. Of course, this depends on your situation, but there are many possibilities you can consider. You can find out more in my step-by-step guide, Can You Retire And Become A Teacher?

14) Because Of A Reorganization

When you worked in the same company for years, there’s a good chance you’ve survived many reorganizations. To keep up with changing markets, companies simply need to change their working structure as well. However, when you close to retirement, you probably don’t feel like changing a lot in the way you work. This might be the perfect reason to retire. 

When your company starts a reorganization, you can talk to your boss about the possibilities to go with retirement. Maybe a bit earlier as planned, and still keep your benefits. Often, when the company need to cut down on salary budget, they’re willing to talk about this, especially when you give them an easy opportunity to save money. However, it’s important to always keep your retirement budget in mind and talk to your financial advisor before making a decision.

15) You Don’t Love Your Job

Figure this, you work for the same company for over 25 years, a lot of have changed during this time, and you feel you just don’t fit in anymore. Sounds familiar? It happens to a lot of people who are getting close to their retirement age. You just lost interest in your job and don’t love it anymore. When you don’t love your job and are close to your retirement age, it’s time to consider retirement. It’s important in life to love the things you do.

16) You’ve Created A Plan For Retirement

One of the best things you can do before you go with retirement is creating a plan for your retirement. Of course, everyone is talking about saving enough money for retirement. And this is a crucial step to go with retirement in the first place. However, it’s often overlooked to create a lifestyle plan for retirement. 

Do you already have a plan for your retirement? If you can answer this question with yes and have enough budget for your retirement, you just found your reasons to retire! 

However, when you still need to create a plan for spending your time in retirement, you might want to hold off on your retirement. When you have a lifestyle plan for retirement, you avoid getting in a gap where you don’t know what to do. A lifestyle plan makes the transition into retirement much easier. 

In my Ebook Five Steps To Happiness In Retirement, I’ll help you create this lifestyle plan. You can get the Ebook here. 

What Are Reasons Not To Retire?

In general, reasons not to retire are when you’re not financially ready. You still love your job too much, you’re didn’t reach the retirement age, or you’re not eligible for retirement benefits. 

Even when you’re financially ready and have reached the retirement age, some people choose not to retire because they just want to work for a few more years. For many people, it’s fulfilling to keep working, sometimes part-time. They become mentors or coaches for younger, more in-experienced colleagues and make this mentoring role a part of their transition to retirement. 

How To Transition Into Retirement?

Most people transition into retirement by making a lifestyle plan for their retirement. A smooth transition into retirement is only possible when you’re financially ready and know how you want to spend and structure your retirement days. 

Before you go with retirement, it’s important that you learn more about the five stages of retirement. These stages are emotional periods every new retiree gets through. The way you prepared for the transition to retirement also dictates how you experience these retirement stages. 

You can learn more in my article How To Transition From Work To Retirement. 

Seniors and kids have a lot in common. It may come as a surprise to you, but it’s true. They enjoy each other’s company because they both can learn from each other and they often enjoy similar activities. And that is why I’ve made a list of 30 amazing and fun activities for seniors and kids to enjoy together. Also, these activities come with great benefits for both groups. Ready? Let’s get started!

1) Play A Board Game

A board game is always a hit. Sitting at the same table together without any distraction to play a board game brings seniors and kids closer together, it reduces stress and increases brain function and cognitive skills. It’s the number one go-to activity when you’re spending time with your grandchildren or when you’re organizing a day for seniors and kids. Also, a great side effect of playing a board game is laughter. Therefore the best activity to have fun and feel good.

But what board game to play? A board game hit is Exploding Kittens. It’s the Game Of The Year Award Winner with more than 10 million copies sold. And great for all ages. It only costs 2 minutes to learn and 15 minutes to play. Perfect for kids and seniors.

2) Go On A Nature Walk

If you’re looking for something free to do, then a nature walk is a good idea. Everyone feels better after a nice walk in the fresh air. You can go to a nearby city park, visit nature or a national park. Seniors love to teach kids more about the birds, trees, plants, and everything that is out there. And kids will show seniors how to look at nature through kids’ eyes, which will make them feel young all over again.

On the walk, you can collect leaves, pick flowers, catch bugs, do geocaching to make it more fun and interesting. Or organize a scavenger hunt that is easy with this ready-to-go scavenger hunt game.

3) Bake Cookies

Everyone loves the smell of freshly baked cookies. It’s fun and easy to do and a perfect activity to enjoy together with your grandchildren on a rainy day. Perhaps you have a famous cookie recipe that you want to share or get creative and invent a new cookie recipe together.

4) Cook A Meal

Why not cook a meal together? It’s a great opportunity to share an old family recipe or learn kids more about healthy food options. Getting kids excited about cooking and food is a great hobby to pass on. It will help them make healthy food decisions in the future. And it’s proven that people sharing a meal tend to eat better. Also, cooking boosts skills such as curiosity, appreciation, creativity, patience, and teamwork. All very important skills for kids to learn. And perhaps some seniors too.

5) Do A Garden Project

If you like to garden or have a green thumb a great activity for you to do with kids is a garden project. You can start a herb or vegetable garden indoors or let them help you trim plants or plant new flowers in your garden. Gardening has many health benefits for seniors, but also kids. Even if you don’t know how to start a vegetable garden, there are vegetable growing kits that make it easy for you.

6) Play An Outdoor Game

Another fun activity is to plan an outdoor game, which is great the improve physical health. And the most popular game of them all is corn hole. It can be played one on one or in teams of two. Each beanbag that is shot in the hole is worth three points just like in basketball. Bags on the board is worth one point. The winner is the team who earns 21 points first. Even seniors in wheelchairs are able to play this game.

7) Do A Science Experiment

Another amazing activity that both seniors and kids enjoy is to do a fun science experiment together. Perhaps you remember a couple of fun science experiments from school or you can search for easy science project tutorials on YouTube. Kids and you will love it.

A unique science project is this Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Kit. You can grow your own mini-ecosystem that also glows in the dark.

8) Go Through Family Photos

As a kid I loved going through old family photos to my grandparents life adventures. And ask them about it over and over again to learn more about their past. As a senior you have a whole life story to tell and kids will love hearing all about the crazy adventures and things you did as a kid.

A prefect activity for rainy days is to go through old family photos and tell the stories that you can remember when looking at the pictures. It’s nice to create a moment to reminisce about the good old times, and share these memories with your (grand)kids.

9) Exercise

Exercise together. It’s great for everyone’s health. You can check out great workouts on YouTube that fit your abilities, put some music on, throw in a game, and it’s fun for kids too.

10) Dance

Put on some music and have a dance-off to show your best moves. It’s a great opportunity for you to introduce kids to dance styles that were popular in the 50s/ 60s/ 70s/ 80s etc. And kids can show you what moves are trendy now so you can show them off the next time you’re surrounded by children.

Dancing is not only fun it’s also a great low-impact workout for seniors that strengthens the heart, lungs, muscles and improves coordination, balance, and flexibility. And it’s a great mood booster.

11) Coloring

Kids love to color. But chances are you do too. Adult coloring books have gone through the roof because also adults have fallen back in love with coloring. It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce stress, but it is also a great way to nurture focus, creativity and improve fine motor skills, and helps to develop hand strength. Which can be beneficial for seniors too. You can color together on one blank piece of paper, give each other an assignment on what to color, or color together in a coloring book.

12) Create A Playlist

Why not create a playlist on Spotify together to listen to every time you’re together. Listening to each other favorite music brings you closer together, and introducing each other to new music is a great conversation starter. You get to know each other better.

One song can have a thousand memories and similar stories. And listening to this playlist is creating another memory to cherish forever.

13) Do A Puzzle

Being in the moment and solving a puzzle makes you forget about all your worries for a moment. It’s the reason why everyone loves to solve puzzles. And therefore a perfect activity for seniors and kids. Depending on the age you can solve a jigsaw puzzle from 12 to 1000 pieces, and when the kids are a little bit older you can put together this awesome 3D Sailing Ship.

For seniors, it’s important to keep their brains healthy. Studies have shown that solving jigsaw puzzles improves cognitive skills and sparks the imagination in the brain that gives your creativity and productivity a boost. And for kids, it helps to develop fine motor skills. So puzzling is not only fun but also has enormous health benefits.

14) Play A Video Game

When you think about video games you imagine it’s only fun for kids. But a lot of videogames are enjoyable for seniors too and it has great benefits. A mental activity like playing a video game can decrease the chance of developing illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s. And just like any other game and puzzle, it keeps the mind sharp. Also, most kids know how to play video games these days, so they can teach seniors a thing or two but also help them get better at using digital devices.

Best Video Games For Seniors And Kids

• Wii Sports; a mental and physical video game where you can explore and try out different sports.
• Super Mario; everyone knows and loves Super Mario.
• Animal Crossing; a video game where you can create your personal getaway and customize your character, home, decorations, and even the landscape itself.

15) Do Bingo

A lot of seniors love bingo, but kids like to help out during bingo too. So if there is a bingo senior event you can bring along the kids to enjoy as well. Or organize a bingo at home with fun prices to enjoy with your grandchildren.

16) Read A Book

One of the best activities for seniors and kids to have fun together is to read together. From a young age (even as babies) kids love it if you read a book together. It stimulates their imagination and it’s a moment where they can enjoy undivided attention of an adult. Which doesn’t happen very often, due to busy working and social schedules.

Depending on the age you can read a book out loud to kids, read together one book, help them out with reading or choose to read separate books as you sit next to each other on a comfy couch.

17) Karaoke

Have a karaoke party and have fun as you sing the day away. Each person can choose their own songs to sing or sing a duet together. It’s a great way to introduce each other to their worlds through song selection. It’s an evening filled with all-time classics to the hottest songs of the moment. It’s a great activity to let go and have fun.

18) Go Bird Watching

Get out into nature and go bird watching together. You can visit a park, go into the woods or stay in your backyard to go bird watching. It’s a cheap activity that both seniors and kids will enjoy. Make it a bit more fun and interesting with a book such as Backpack Explorer: Bird Watch: What Will You Find? that is filled with interactive field guides (for common birds, nests, eggs, tracks, and more), scavenger hunts, and fun activities such as building a bird nest, etc.

19) Tell Jokes

Everyone has at least one of two good jokes up their sleeve. Have some fun and crack out the best jokes with each other. And see who has the best joke where everyone laughs the hardest.

20) Do An Arts & Craft Project

Get creative and do a fun art & craft project together. You can make a painting, build a birdhouse, make jewelry, dye t-shirts, paint rocks, make candles, macramé, do mosaic. There are so many fun art projects that you can do. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration and tutorials.

21) Watch A Movie

Pop some popcorn, snuggle on the couch and watch a movie, because there a so many fun movies both classics and new ones that are fun for kids and adults to watch. To name a few: Toy Story, Mary Poppins, How To Train Your Dragon, Inside Out, The Wizard of Oz, E.T., Paddington.

22) Learn A New Skill

Another fun activity is learning a new skill because learning is for all ages and together it’s a lot more fun. Also, it keeps the mind sharp. And there endless skills to learn that are suitable for kids and seniors. For example, you can organize a workshop to learn how to play the guitar, watch tutorials on YouTube to learn a Magic Trick, use an app to learn a new foreign language, etc.

23) Volunteer At A Charity

Many seniors and retirees love to do volunteer work. It gives their life more meaning. And teaching kids to volunteer is a valuable life lesson. They get an experience that will stick with them for a lifetime. Helping others in need and experiencing that they can make a difference in someone else’s life teaches them that they can make a difference in their own life as well. And it gives them a different perspective on the world. Also for (lonely) seniors, it’s a great way to spend their time. Helping others instantly makes you happy.

You can check out if you can volunteer at your favorite charity, local (church) community, or other charity organizations in your area.

24) Go On A Trip

Hit the road and go on a trip. You can go camping together, fishing, visit a theme park, museum, national park, library, local farmers market, swimming pool, beach, concert or festival.

25) Have A Water Balloon Fight

On a hot day you can organize a water balloon fight, because everyone loves a good water fight to cool off. And if you or other seniors are in good shape why not participate in a slip and slide.

26) Share Technology Skills

Kids and seniors can share their knowledge and skills in different areas of technology. The obvious is of course kids teaching seniors more about digital technology and how to work on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. But it can also be the other way around. Seniors can teach kids all the devices that came before the smartphone. Maybe you have an old VHS recorder, cassette player, or typewriter in the garage that you can show kids how it all worked in the good old days.

For example, if you both have an interest in cars you can teach kids more about care repair and maintenance. It can be a great bonding experience.

27) Watch The Stars

Get out of the city and watch go stargazing together. It’s relaxing and puts your mind at ease because your problems seem very small compared to the gigantic universe you’re observing. Besides the relaxing benefits, the night sky is beautiful. And there is a potential to see a shooting star and make a wish. It’s a great activity for all ages. And with the app SkyView you can see which constellations are passing by across the sky.

28) Plan A Party

Organize a party together. It can be a tea party, pool party, movie marathon, game night or dinner party that you both will plan and enjoy together.

29) Go An A Date

Treat each other by going on a nice date and spend quality time as you share ice cream, lunch, or dinner together and talk about life.

30) Have An Animal Encounter

Everyone loves to watch, touch, and see animals in their natural environment. It’s a great activity that both kids and seniors enjoy. And there are so many different opportunities to see animals in the wild. You can go snorkeling, go on a hike to watch birds, squirrels, visit a national park, go to the beach or harbor to spot dolphins or seals or go on a boat to see if you can spot whales.

Portugal is a very popular country for retirees. It has a low cost of living and an ideal climate year-round. You probably wonder what the best place to retire in Portugal is. I’ll tell you all about it in this complete guide. 

The best place to retire in Portugal is Tavira. A village half an hour drive from the city Faro in Portugal’s most southern region, the Algarve, which has an ideal climate year-round. Tavira is still an undiscovered place, with a low cost of living, around $ 1500 a month, including renting a fully equipped two-bedroom apartment.

For years I’ve been traveling several times a year to Portugal to visit my family, who spent their retirement in Portugal. In this guide, I’ll tell you what to expect when you’re retiring to Tavira, the best place to retire in Portugal. You learn more about the culture, climate, and cost of living. Also, I’ll tell you more about the Algarve region, a famous area for retirees. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in! 

What is Tavira, Portugal Like?

Tavira in the Algarve is the best place to retire in Portugal. Tavira is like walking back in time because of its historical 18th-century architecture. It’s the perfect place to spent your retirement with a combination of modern-day facilities, a warm climate, and cultural history. 

The Gilão River flows slowly through the center of Tavira, directly into the Atlantic Ocean. In the middle of the city center, you’ll find the ancient bridge, Ponto Romano, where you can cross the river and walk to another part of the town. This bridge is typical of the cultural heritage Tavira is known for. 

When you walk around Tavira’s city center, you’ll notice the historical architecture. Beautiful 18th-century buildings. It’s what makes Tavira a lovely town to walk through. This cultural heritage also dictates Tariva’s vibe. It’s not a vibrant city like Lisbon or Faro. It’s more relaxed, easy-going. The perfect vibe for a retiree to enjoy a slow day with beautiful weather. The cultural markets, which you can visit almost daily, and the local residents give Tavira its extra authentic touch. 

When you talk with retirees about moving to Portugal for retirement, most of them mention the Algarve region as the place to be. However, cities like Albufeira, Faro, and even Lagos are among the most popular sites in this region. These cities are still great places to retire to. Still, because of its popularity, the cost of living rises, and some places even lose their authenticity. 

Tavira, located in the most southern region of Portugal, is still undiscovered. Tavira is unknown among mass tourism, making it one of the most unique places in the Algarve region. 

Cost Of Living In Tavira, Algarve Portugal

On average, you’ll need $ 1500 a month to cover all the living costs when you decide to stay in Tavira, in the Algarve region in Portugal. You can live cheaper, for around $ 1000 or make it more expensive. In the end, the total cost of living depends on your personal wishes. 

In general, the Algarve region is the cheapest region to live for retirees in Portugal. However, popular places like Albufeira and Lagos are more expensive to live in because of their popularity. 

Next to the climate, the monthly costs are one of the most important reasons you choose to retire to a different place abroad. We already know that the climate in Portugal is perfect for retirees. Especially the southern region, Algarve, where Tavira is located, is known for its warm climate. Hot and dry summers and mild winters with minimum rainfall.

In the next part, I’ll explain more about the different living costs you can expect when living in the Algarve. It’s good to know the in Europe you’ll pay with the Euro. The exchange rate of this currency is on average 0,80 EURO to 1 USD. Of course, the exchange rate varies all the time, so the cost of living I present to you is based on averages. I recommend calculating the total costs for yourself, so you get a more specific overview of what you’ll pay monthly.  

Let me tell you more about the general cost of living in Tavira, so you’ll have a better idea of what to expect. 

Cost of Renting A House In Tavira

Housing costs vary throughout the season and also depend on amenities, luxury, and location. You can find different housing options on Idealista. It’s the website I used to research the cost of renting a place in Tavira. Renting prices on this website are most of the time including electricity and service costs. But it is always important to ask what’s included in the rental price. 

According to Idealista, you’ll find a fully furnished 2-bedroom apartment in the center of Tavira for just € 400 a month, which is around 477 USD. If you’re looking for a fully furnished apartment with air conditioning, prices start at € 650 (775 USD) a month. 

When looking for more luxury, if you want to have the availability of a swimming pool, for example, you’ll pay somewhere between € 850 (1014 USD) and € 1400 (1671 USD) a month. 

As you can see, renting prices vary depending on your needs. Tavira is still an affordable option in the Algarve region. When you rent a place in Albufeira, of the most famous places in the Algarve region, the prices for an apartment with a swimming pool are on average € 1500 (1790 USD) a month. 

You can find the latest offers and availability on the website of Idealista.

Cost of Groceries, Internet, and Entertainment 

So we covered the rental costs, but when you make a monthly budget, you need to take other costs into account as well. Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be expensive in Portugal. 

Tavira is known for its many local fresh markets, where you can buy farmer’s products for a lower price. There are three large supermarkets located in Tavira; Continente, Pingo Doce, and Lidl. 

Continente is Portugal’s largest supermarket, similar to Walmart. It’s more like a department store that offers many different products, from food to non-food. Continente is also the most expensive on this list. 

Lidl and Pingo Doce don’t vary much from each other. However, Lidl is a supermarket concern throughout Europe known for its budget prices and quality products. We always go to the Lidl for our grocery shopping, so it’s something I can recommend if you want to save money. 

You can easily do your weekly grocery shopping at Lidl for € 50 (60 USD), including beer or wine. We shop at Lidl once a week, buying fresh vegetables and other products for a family of three, and we don’t spend more than € 60 a week. And that’s in The Netherlands, Portugal is even cheaper! 

Let’s say you want to go to a restaurant once a week for a nice dinner. On average, you’ll pay € 25 a person, often including a three-course meal and drinks. 

When internet access isn’t included in your housing rental, or you want to have 4G data access when you want to buy or rent a data sim card on the road. There are many options available, but the most affordable option I found is via Portugal Internet. Where you can rent a sim card for € 1 day, with unlimited 4G data. This will cost you € 31 a month. You can also add a portable WiFi Hotspot device to your order for an extra euro a day, which allows you to connect to different devices. 

These data sim cards don’t allow you to make phone calls or send SMS messages. 

Traveling Costs

The easiest way to get around Tavira and Algarve region is by car. When you stay for a longer period in Portugal, you want to buy a car which is the most affordable option. You can find good used cars for around € 3000 or higher, depending on the age and mileage. 

If you want to buy a car as a foreigner in Portugal, there are some rules you need to be aware of; 

• You need to have proof that you’re staying in Portugal (for example, your rental agreement) 
• You need to have a Portuguese Tax Number (find out how to apply for a Portuguese Tax Number on this website of Get Golden Visa)
• Your passport, driver’s license, or other Identity Document. 

Gasoline prices vary but are around € 1,60 (1,90 USD) a liter. 

Portugal also has toll roads. Prices vary per road you use. It’s recommended to get an automatic transponder that takes the money from your bank account every time you cross a toll road. You can get one at Via Verde. The toll isn’t expensive in Portugal. For the A22, the highway in Algarve, you pay € 9 (10,75 USD) to complete the entire highway.

Regions To Consider For Retirement In Portugal

When you’re looking for something different than a warm climate year-round, Portugal is still a great country to retire to. Many people decide to Portugal’s southern region, the Algarve, other popular cities like Lisbon and Porto are often overlooked. 

Lisbon is a great vibrant city, with a beautiful history and much to discover. The weather in Lisbon is great during spring and summer. Even during the winter months, the weather is mild, but there are more rainy and cold days than in the Algarve region.

The cost of living is much more expensive in the metropolitan region of Lisbon. This is because of its popularity among expats, Portuguese citizens, and other Europeans moving to Lisbon. 

A two-bedroom apartment with air conditioning starts at around € 950 ($ 1130) a month, which is currently the lowest price available at the listings on Idealista.

When you’re more of a nature lover, you should consider retiring in the more northern part of Portugal. The area around Porto will be a great fit. The northern part of Portugal is much greener, but this also means there’s more rainfall. The weather is great during the summer months, but between September and March, it can be cold, with a lot of rain. Sometimes it even snows in this region! 

Of course, you can always decide to stay in different parts of the country throughout the year. As a retiree, you have all the freedom you want! 

The cost of living in the northern part of Portugal is a bit cheaper because the renting prices for completely furnished apartments are lower. You can find a furnished 2-bedroom apartment with air conditioning for around € 550 ($ 655) a month.

Is Portugal A Nice Place To Retire?

In general, Portugal is a nice place to retire. The cost of living is the lowest of all Western European countries. Portugal has a warm and mild climate year-round. Portugal has favorable tax rules for retirees and foreign residents. The Non-Habitual Resident program in Portugal offers reduced taxes and sometimes event tax exemption on different income sources. This can be beneficial for retirees. You can learn more about this program on The Non-Habitual Resident official website.

The country has a lot to offer. You’ll find mountainous and green areas in the North, close to Porto. Vibrant city life in the metropolitan region of Lisbon. A year-round summer climate with perfect beaches, and the best retirement lifestyle settings in the Algarve, the most southern part of Portugal. 

There’s also a lot of history to find in Portugal. The country was once one of the largest marine countries in the world. Between the 15th and 17th century Portugal was known for its trade routes and explorations around the globe. For example, Cape Verde Islands were discovered by Portuguese explorers.

Suppose you truly want to have the best time as a retiree when living in Portugal. In that case, I recommend learning the Portuguese language. It’s great to get involved in the local community, have conversations and make new friendships with the Portuguese locals. Portuguese are very friendly and welcoming people. Portuguese isn’t very hard to learn. The language has lots of similarities with Spanish. An easy way to learn Portuguese is by using the smartphone application Busuu. This app, which is awarded as the best language learning application, offers several programs and helps you become fluent in any language you want. 

I specifically like the fact that you’ll connect with native speakers when using the Busuu application. Find out more about Busuu here. 

As your retirement is coming closer, you’re probably wondering what to do in retirement. Perhaps you want to inspire younger generations by sharing your knowledge and experience as a teacher. And that is why you might wonder: can you retire and become a teacher?

You can become a teacher or have a teaching role in retirement. With a bachelor’s in any field, you can become a teacher after finishing a one-year state-approved alternative teacher certification program. With a master’s degree in any field, you can start teaching at private schools right away. Seniors can apply for teaching roles like mentoring, coaching, and substitute teaching without a degree.

Now that you’ve got the quick answer let find everything you need to know about how to become a teacher in retirement in this step-by-step guide.

Step-by-Step Guide To Become A Teacher In Retirement

Being a teacher gives your retirement more meaning. Being surrounded by younger people keeps you young at heart. And staying busy, socializing, and to keep learning are key ingredients to happiness in retirement.

The demand for teachers in the U.S. is high because of the enormous teacher shortage that is growing every year. This has led to states creating alternative paths for people to become aspiring public school teachers that are faster and very affordable. And makes the chances of you getting hired as a teacher in retirement much higher. So when you’re considering becoming a teacher in retirement, now is a perfect time.

But what requirements do you need to become a teacher in retirement? Well, to get started you need to be eligible to work in the U.S. but what to do next when you have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or if you don’t have a degree? These questions are all answered below.

How To Become A Teacher In Retirement With A Bachelor’s Degree

The most traditional way to become a teacher with a bachelor’s degree is to get a master’s degree in Education. Either Master of Arts in Teaching or Master of Education. But you’re probably not looking forward to committing your hard-earned time in retirement to a full-time study. Let alone the costs of graduate school. As I mentioned earlier there are alternative paths to become a licensed teacher that is much more affordable and faster, so you don’t have to.

There are a wide variety of state-approved alternative certification teacher programs available that are designed for people to become a licensed K-12 teacher in a public school. Becoming a K-12 teacher means educating children between Kindergarten and twelfth grades. That’s anywhere between the ages of five and eighteen.

Once you finished the program you can then apply for a teaching job with the Department of Education in your state. Also, when you take the alternative route you can be eligible for financial aid provided by the government. And you don’t need any working experience to get a teacher certification this way.

These teacher programs can be followed online or in a classroom, depending on the options in your area. Following an online course gives you the advantage of staying in charge of your own schedule. One of the perks of being retired. But on the other hand, going to a classroom makes it possible for you to meet other people, socialize and make new friends. One of the most important key factors to a happy retirement. You can read more about getting on the fast track to retirement and so much more in my ebook: Five Steps To Happiness In Retirement.

Now, let’s continue on how you can become a licensed teacher through this alternative path.

Step 1: Pass Required State Exams

Before you can enroll in a teacher certification program in your state you need to pass the required state exams. It’s important to read the state’s requirements before you start your journey. This saves you a lot of time and money. If you want to teach in another state you need to check the requirements of that state because they are different per state. You can check out Teacher Certification Requirements by State for more information.

Step 2: Enroll In An Alternative Teacher Certification Program

When you’ve decided in which state you want to teach you can enroll in a state-approved alternative teacher certification program. For example, the teacher certification program in Hawaii from Teachaway. It’s an online core curriculum to complete in 6 months (15 hours a week) plus a 450-hour clinical placement which you can complete concurrently or upon the program. Once you completed the program you’re eligible for teaching jobs in Hawaii. And some other states through interstate teacher certification reciprocity.

Step 3: Complete The Course

The duration of the core curriculum can vary from anywhere between 6 – 12 months but some programs also offer self-paced studies so you can study whenever and where ever you want. It takes the pressure off while you get to enjoy other activities in retirement. And finish whenever you’re ready. But if you can’t wait to become a teacher it’s best to stay in the momentum and keep studying. After a couple of months you’re done and ready to go.

If you postpone your coursework you’ll get less motivated to finish, and then that teacher job looks far away.

The program will make you classroom-ready and equip you with knowledge and skills and everything else you need to know to be a good teacher, aside from the subject matter. You’ll get tools and information from classroom management to basic pedagogical approaches. But the best way to learn is in the classroom where you get to experience and put everything you’ve learned into practice.

Step 4: Get Valuable Field Experience

After completing the theoretical part you need to finish a mandatory field placement. Where you decide to get field experience depends on the program and your wishes. It and can take anywhere from three to twelve months, depending on the requirements of the state and program.

Some programs require you to get field experience in the same state, but some online teacher certification programs allow you to complete your field experience wherever you are in the world. For example the teacher certificate program of Arizona.

Step 5: Apply for State License

Once you completed the coursework and fieldwork you can apply for a state teacher license at the Department of Education. And this is perhaps the most frustrating part of the journey to becoming a teacher as it requires a lot of patients due to the bureaucratic process. They’ll do background checks and it’s sometimes is a hassle to have all the required documents in place. After that, you’ll get a teaching certificate so you’re qualified to apply for teaching jobs.

As I mentioned earlier in this article, the requirements vary per state. As well as the fees. Normally a license costs you between $50-$200. The validation of the license is between one and five years and you need to renew it every couple of years.

Step 6: Apply for teaching job

Now with a license, you’ll eligible to apply for teaching positions throughout the state. As well as other states when you decide to relocate. It’s often possible to transfer teaching certificates between states. Many states have reciprocity agreements to make it easier for licensed teachers to become certified in another state.

Also, because of the teacher shortage, there will be a lot of schools in high demand of great teachers. There are looking for you. Especially with the years of working and life experience, you’re an ideal candidate. Also, it says a lot about you that you have the ambition to become a teacher after retirement. So you’re in a luxury position because you’ll have the advantage to choose. Therefore make sure you look around and apply at different schools, talk with other teachers to get a sense of the working culture and environment.

Your retirement should be a time where you’re in control and have fun. So choosing the right kind of working environment is important. Even if you need the extra paycheck, working can be fun too. So be picky and ask the right questions to be fully informed about what you can expect before you commit to a teaching job. You can even suggest trying out a day to really feel and experience if the school and the students are the right fit for you.

How To Become A Teacher In Retirement Without A Degree

Now, when you don’t have a degree you might wonder can you become a teacher in retirement without a degree?

Well, if you want to teach in a public school system you’ll need a teaching license. But there are some private or non-profit schools out there that don’t require a teaching degree because they don’t follow the same regulations as public schools. However, they do look for applicants that have either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in a certain field.

Not to worry. There are other ways to teach without certification and a degree.

For example, you can get a supporting teaching position in a school. Or you can volunteer for teaching roles. Or become a substitute teacher.

Substitute Teacher

Being a substitute teacher is an excellent way to get teaching experience without a degree because states do not regulate substitute teaching. Every district has its own substitute teacher requirements that vary tremendously. This is also because the job varies per school. One school needs substitute teachers just to look over a class for a couple of hours, while in other schools substitute teachers need to teach all kinds of different subjects to different grades. It can be a fun retirement job because you never know where and what you’re going to teach next.

It’s best to check out some schools in your area to see what requirements they have for substitute teachers. Perhaps there is a chance you can start very soon. And along the way, you can complete some courses and assignments to get better skilled and experienced in being a teacher.

Keep in mind that schools are very interested in you as a substitute teacher candidate because of your work experience in a particular field. Make sure to highlight this in the conversations you have with different schools in your area.

YouTube Teacher

And just to give you some inspiration to think more outside of the box. You can teach anything on Youtube. Whether it’s a school subject you’re passionate about for example geography or sharing your job experience or hobby secrets in different videos. The classroom is the world and you’re the one that decides how you give substance to your role as a teacher. Without a degree and a boss looking over your shoulder. It’s just an idea to put it out there.

In my ebook: Five Steps To Happiness In Retirement, I show you lots and lots of more ways to think outside of the box and how to chase your dreams even if they seem impossible.

How To Become A Teacher In Retirement With A Master’s Degree

When you have a master’s degree the route to find work as a teacher is easy. In most states, you can become a teacher without an education degree or alternative certificate. As I mentioned private schools (colleges and universities) are especially interested in candidates with a master’s degree and years of working experience in a certain industry. But also public colleges and universities want to hire you.

How Much Can Teachers Earn After Retirement?

Now that we’ve tackled how to become a teacher, it’s also nice to know what you can earn as a teacher. Whether you want to teach to makes ends meet in retirement or just for fun, getting paid for it is always rewarding.

The teacher salary varies per state. According to niche.com: “The national average starting teacher salary is $38,617, while the average teacher salary in America (non-starting) is $58,950. Montana has the lowest starting salary: $30,036, while D.C. has the highest starting salary: $51,359.”

A better way to check is at Teach.com. They have a very handy website where you can check the teacher requirements per state but also what the teacher salary is in secondary and elementary school per state. They present the salary information in a clear way that is collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Also, when you continue to work after retirement you can possibly delay the start of collecting your Social Security benefits. The longer you wait after your full retirement age, the more you’ll monthly receive. But before you start working make sure to check with your financial advisor what other consequences you can expect financially when you start or continue to work in retirement.

If you need to take care of a senior parent, relative, or someone else, you might ask yourself what do seniors want most?

Seniors want to keep their independence when they age. Living at home independently, being part of a community, and creating financial independence is the most important to seniors. Avoiding loneliness and isolation is essential for seniors regarding healthy aging.

When we’re traveling around, I meet many seniors enjoying their retirement, and when we’re at home, we live with my parents, who both are seniors. I asked my parents, parents-in-law, and other seniors what they want most. I combined this knowledge and some exciting research and created this list of things seniors want most. Let’s find out more! 

Things Seniors Want Most

After interviewing both my parents, parents-in-law and other seniors living in a retirement community, I came up with this list of 9 things seniors want most. Independent living and healthy aging are known as the most important factors for seniors when their aging. However, there are many more important factors when it comes to creating a happy retired and senior life.

1) Financial Independence & Security

One of the most important things for seniors is having financial independence and security. Not to worry about their finances helps with the ability to enjoy their lives more. For many seniors, it’s just that simple. When they know that they have their finances secured, it’s easier to focus on other things to create happiness in their lives. 

That said, financial independence doesn’t create happiness. However, it is important to have a solid financial basis to focus on other things. Suppose that one of your parents is retiring soon, but they’re unsure about their financial situation. It’s probably that one thing where all their energy focuses on. So, having a solid financial plan, independence or security helps to focus on other things to find fulfillment in life.  

Most soon-to-be retirees and seniors have some financial plan for their retirement. Often this plan is a combination of personal savings, pension, and investments. However, many seniors don’t know that they can often save on their monthly payments. Lowering utility bills can save a lot of money that you can use to create more financial security. 

BillShark is a helpful tool that helps with the process of lowering your bills. They do all the hard work, and you’ll end up with more money you can spend on other things! Find out more here. 

2) To Stay Active

When it comes to aging, seniors all want the same thing. Healthy aging. One of the most important things someone can do when it comes to healthy aging is to stay active. According to the CDC, having regular physical activity is one of the most important things an older adult can do regarding their health. 

The CDC mentions a minimum of physical activity per week for older adults, which is actually very easy to reach. Their minimum requirements are at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise and two times muscle strengthen training a week for older adults. 

In my article, How Can I Stay Active In Retirement?, I’ll share many ideas to stay active as a senior. 

Staying active is also very important for my parents, who both are seniors. My dad loves being busy with different kinds of chores in and around the house, like gardening, maintaining his car, and things like that. He is in his early 70s and easily gets to the minimum physical activity requirements set by the CDC. He’s even getting much more exercise than required. Having enough things to do makes him feel happy. 

Staying active for my mom, who is half the age of 60, is much different because of her mobility issues. She can’t reach the minimum requirements of the CDC when it comes to physical activity. However, she is physically active and does the things that her condition allows her to do. She also found many other things to stay active, like staying mentally active with doing art and handcraft projects at home. Also, she loves to stay socially engaged with people that are closely related to her. 

It is essential to stay active for seniors, but staying active means much more than focusing on physical activity. Physical activity is just one part of the puzzle. Focusing on staying mentally and socially active is just as important. I’ll explain this in the next parts of this article because staying active it’s not only related to healthy aging. Staying active on all levels (physically, mentally, and socially) is also something seniors want most. 

3) To Learn New Things

In 2020 we couldn’t travel at all because of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. So we end up staying at home for the entire year, living with my parents. It was a great year, and funny enough, I learned a lot more about how my parents spent their time. They’re actually eager to learn new things all the time. Both my parents are interested in learning about using new technology to make their lives easier. Of course, we love to help them with that. 

They also keep themselves up to date with important developments in society to adjust their lifestyles if they feel they need to. It’s funny to see they actually live according to the famous saying ‘You Never Too Old To Learn.’

Healthy aging is one of the most important factors for seniors, and learning new things is a major part of this. According to Harvard Health Publishing, seniors need to focus on learning new things, challenge their brains, just like we challenge our muscles with physical activity. The article mentions when seniors learn new things, they can actually slow down cognitive aging! 

4) Meaningful Relationships

Socially engagement is also very important to stay active for seniors. Having meaningful relations helps with staying happy. In fact, seniors who have a wider social circle that is larger than the standard contacts of family and friends, are often more active. Researchers think this is because you actually need to get out of the house to meet up with other people. 

Staying active and having many social interactions is also related to slowing down cognitive aging. Mainly because with different interactions throughout the day, you keep challenging your brain, just like training your muscles. 

Seniors are most scared of loneliness and social isolation. According to the CDC, it is even linked to serious health conditions. The CDC mentions that loneliness and social isolation are associated with a 50% increase in dementia and other medical conditions. Knowing this, it is even more important for seniors to have enough meaningful relationships. 

5) To Be Part Of A Community

An excellent way for seniors to create meaningful relationships is to be part of a community. However, that’s not the only reason why seniors want to be part of a community. 

My parents-in-law live in a retirement community in The Netherlands. When I asked them why they decided to move into the retirement community, they told me it was because of the many contacts with people of the same age. 

They love that they live closely with people of the same generation and with the same interests. Doing activities together with their community members keeps them fit, active and gives them renewed energy. 

6) Stay Independent

Seniors want to stay independent. It’s something we all want, right? Next to becoming lonely, seniors are most afraid of losing their independence. But later, more on that. 

It’s important for seniors to keep their independence when it comes to daily activities. For some, even simple daily activities like grocery shopping becoming difficult when they’re aging. 

There are ways for seniors to stay independent as long as possible. It all starts with creating an active and healthy lifestyle. However, health is declining with age, and sometimes things just happen without reason. You just can’t influence everything, right? Still, for seniors, it’s important to stay independent as long as possible. It gives them a sense of worthiness. 

7) To Have A Daily Routine

Having a daily routine is important to create some structure in our lives. For seniors, it’s extra important to have a daily routine. With structure and repeating activities, it’s easier to keep their independence for a longer period. Also, when we’re retiring at some point, it’s for most seniors and retirees difficult to create structure during their day. 

Life is changing when you’re retiring and also when you’re aging. When you stop working, you don’t have the daily activities from heading to work and all the other social events that are work-related. You basically need to re-invent yourself. In my ebook Five Steps To Happiness in Retirement, I help you create a new daily structure and many other challenges retirement has. 

8) To Be Treated With Respect

Suppose that you’re aging and still are fit and healthy. However, people treat you like if you need help with everything, and even your opinion doesn’t matter anymore. You probably don’t like that, right? 

It is what happens to many seniors, though. Often seniors are treated differently. However, if we treat seniors with respect, we probably help them much more. Seniors do matter. They want to be treated with respect. 

Let’s look at people living in the blue zones globally—areas where people get much older than average. Most centenarians, people that reach the age of 100+ healthily, live in the blue zones. Apart from a healthy diet and active lifestyle, they are also treated with respect within their community. They are part of the daily activities and often have specific tasks within the community. 

9) Healthy Aging

Healthy aging, it might sound logical. Isn’t that something we all want? Still, it’s what most seniors want in their lives—aging without major problems, both in health and with daily activities. We do get older on average, so we have a longer period to live as a senior. However, most seniors have some decline in their health status when they’re aging. Healthy aging is different for everyone. Most important is that as a senior, you do things that are beneficial when it comes to healthy aging. Like staying active, have a healthy diet, and create enough social contacts. 

Things That Seniors Fear The Most

Seniors want to live a happy life while aging. However, aging comes with different struggles in life. Like health declining, loss of independence, leaving their homes, and loneliness. Unfortunately for many seniors, these things are more common than we like. 

According to this study from AARP, 3 out of 4 seniors in the age of 50+ want to stay at home when they’re aging. They even want to invest in home modification if this helps them to stay at home independently longer. Most of them aren’t able to stay at their homes while aging. Often because of health declining. 

Loneliness and loss of independence are the things seniors fear the most. The same study from AARP mentions that 3 out of 10 seniors report feeling left out or isolated from others. Loneliness occurs much more often when we’re aging because the social circle of friends and family is declining with age. However, according to the CDC, loneliness is mentioned as a serious health issue. It’s associated with things like dementia and other major medical issues. Therefore, seniors need to keep up with their social contacts and create more contacts and relationships next to the standard circle of friends & family. 

Loss of independence is something seniors are often afraid of because you can’t do anything about it. When health is declining, it sometimes is inevitable to create some sort of assisted living for seniors. However, many seniors can still live independently with the right tools and products, even when their health is declining. 

For example, they can use a product like MobileHelp. An alarm system seniors can use to call for help when they fall. It gives them much more freedom to get around, knowing there’s always a way to ask for help when they need it. You can get the MobileHelp device here.

In my article What Products Do Seniors Need, you can find a list of helpful items that seniors can use to stay independent for as long as possible.