The movie, “The Bucket List” is a great movie starring Jack
Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It is about two terminally ill men who have a
list of things they want to do before they “kick the bucket.” I think everybody
needs a bucket list.
When is a good time to create your bucket list? Now!
Especially if you are approaching retirement. Sit down and brainstorm ideas, no
matter how silly they are. Skydiving? Drive a race car? Take grandkids to
Disneyland? There are no right or wrong answers.
Sometimes a bucket list can lead to a big change in life. My
wife is the queen of bucket lists. On her list was completing a marathon. This
started something in her life and now she’s an Ironman triathlete. Recently,
she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, something that definitely was NOT on my bucket
list.
Once you have your bucket list, create a timeline that
describes when you want to accomplish items on your list. Put your longer trips
and more difficult adventures earlier. Your shorter, less taxing things should
go later. For example, skydiving might be easier in your 60s than your 80s. Fourteen-hour
plane flights are easier to do when younger.
This list can help you create a budget. These are the fun
things you want to do and some may cost more than others. For example, my wife’s
Mt. Kilimanjaro trek was much more expensive than doing a marathon. Marathons
aren’t very expensive, so she can do several a year. A trip like hiking in Africa
is much more expensive. It may take several years to save up for this trip.
Having your bucket list and timeline can help ensure that
you complete what is important to you. It also helps you budget for your
lifestyle in retirement. When will you write down your bucket list? Start now!
Don’t worry if it changes over time, that can be a good thing. Just ask my
wife, the Ironman.
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