Cooperative Living May 2024 - 19

YOUR BUSINESS
Staying Active
on a Budget
Ideas to make your
retirement aff ordable
story courtesy of Family Features
R
etirement means you probably
have unlimited time to enjoy
each day, but it doesn't mean
you have a budget to match.
You probably already know staying
active is essential for aging with grace,
so instead of letting limited funds keep
you at home, explore some ways you
can enjoy your leisure time without
breaking the bank.
Hit the Gym | Many fi tness centers
off er special rates and programs for
older adults. Hitting the track or joining
a group fi tness class are
easy ways to socialize
while getting
some exercise.
Th e discounted
membership is
also an investment
since staying fi t
is important for
physical and mental
health.
Enjoy Early Dinner Deals | You
can still enjoy dining out occasionally,
especially if you take advantage of
lower-cost meals designed with older
adults in mind. Many specials are for
meals earlier in the day, which
is consistent with a
growing trend toward
earlier dining. Eating
earlier promotes
better digestion,
and earlier meals
are oſt en lighter
portions for smaller
appetites. For example,
Cracker Barrel's Early
Dinner Deals feature smaller
co-opliving.com
portions served from 4-6 p.m. on
weekdays.
Check Out Your Local Library |
Your local library is fi lled with hours
of free entertainment, but it's not
just the kind you'll fi nd from
getting a library card. Most
local libraries also off er
programming tailored
to special interests and
the sessions are typically
off ered for free or at a
low cost. It's an easy,
aff ordable way to pick up
a new skill, meet a favorite
author, learn about a topic that
intrigues you, and more.
Nurture a Garden | Tending a
garden may seem like a seasonal activity,
but you can make it a year-round hobby.
Researching and planning is a good
way to carry your gardening
enthusiasm into the cooler
months, and you can start
seedlings indoors to extend
your growing season. While
you're digging into this lowcost
pastime, remember the
results of your eff orts, such as
fresh fruits and veggies, can help
cut your grocery costs, too.
Mind Your Money with DIY | Saving
money at the grocery store is just one
way you can make DIY projects work
for you. Th ere are dozens of other
examples of ways you can put your skills
and interests to use by passing time
doing something you enjoy,
while benefi ting your bank
account. If you like to
tinker with cars, fi gure
out what repairs you can
handle yourself to avoid
heſt y service fees. Craſt ing
and sewing can provide
ready-made giſt s for special
occasions and a way to repair
or repurpose damaged clothing instead
of discarding it.
Ask About Discounts | You may
be surprised by how many places off er
discounts for older adults that they
don't readily advertise. In some cases,
you'll fi nd the information on their
website or signage, but other times,
you may fi nd it easier to just ask.
Sometimes the discounts are off ered
on certain days or for specifi c services,
or they may require you to join a loyalty
club to access the discounts. When
dining out, many restaurants off er a
variety of loyalty perks.
*
May 2024 * Cooperative Living * 17
PHOTOS COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living May 2024

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