Many years ago, a Vancouver Sun article presented a study of retirees based on their income. I think there were five categories from the very rich who had yachts and country clubs to entertain themselves to the other end where people barely survived on government pensions and subsidies.
In the middle were three categories, with the lower one having just a little discretionary income compared to the upper category who were those who could afford to travel extensively and live as lavishly as they did before retirement.
I fall squarely into the lower category which the piece called a Park Bench Pensioner. Often, when I am sitting on one of the many park benches in Ambleside, I think back to this article; the purpose of which was to offer suggestions of how to make the most of whatever situation applied to you.
As I was about to be laid off from my last permanent job, I took these suggestions to heart. Eighteen years later I am still applying those ideas. Basically, I need to find inexpensive ways to socialize and entertain myself so that I can save money for the odd luxury which for me often means travel. Next week, I am embarking on my first major trip in a very long time.
I know, of course, when I get back home, I will need to find inexpensive ways to keep myself amused over the summer and fall. Luckily for me, there are many options which I hope to explore in this blog over the next few months.
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