MUMBAI (THE TIMES OF INDIA), November 16, 2004:
What comes to mind when you think about retirement?
Do you have in mind a morose picture of you helplessly waiting for your meals, asking your son for some cash to spend, relying on your daughter-in-law for some sympathy in the form of a good cup of evening tea?
Do you picture yourself waiting out your days in this dependent state of being, just waiting for the end?
If you have painted this image of retirement, it is not surprising that you dread it.
SHARMILA RAMNANI writes this in this week's column WITCH DOCTOR published today.
Also, sorry to say, you have a very negative view of retirement. Usually, what you expect is what you get. Get out of this negative frame of mind and re-visualise your retirement in a positive manner, Sharmila suggests.
Firstly, retirement need not mean dependency on your family. Dependency happens in two forms - financial and emotional.
Where financial dependency is concerned, don't ever get yourself in this situation. It is crucial that you retain your independence till your last day on this earth.
There are two ways to do this. Firstly, invest every rupee you get on retirement from your job or business carefully and with due thought. Make sure that you receive income from this investment on time in order to take care of your monthly expenses. Secondly, don't just sit back and waste time looking out the window and waiting for life to end. Use your retirement time constructively doing some work that you like and which does not exert you physically. This will also keep your mental abilities stimulated.
There are a large number of assignments a retired person can take up. Working in a retail store as a salesperson for, say half a day, giving tuitions in a subject of interest, growing plants for sale, learning to organise children's birthday parties, etc. The opportunities are countless. All it takes is a little resourcefulness and interest from you. And yes, you get to make an extra buck. All this goes to ensuring that you remain self-reliant even during inflationary times.
If you have been able to build a decent retirement kitty, you have a wonderful option of living in an old age home.
Old age homes are usually located in scenic places away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Besides, they offer luxurious living conditions - fully furnished suites, recreational facilities, and most importantly, medical facilities and company of like-minded people in your age group.
Besides you can always have your family members visiting you whenever they want. This way, not only will they love you more for not being a burden on them, but will also respect you for your independence.
If you are fortunate to have your spouse with you, it is even better. You have a family member as well as the possibility of making new friends.
How you retire is completely your choice, concludes Sharmila Ramnani.
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