Becoming an empty nester can be a great thing. Some empty nesters have no strings attached as their kids are out of the house. Some empty nesters also have complete freedom when it comes to both time and money.

With no football practice to rush to, no parent-teacher meetings to attend, and need to rush home and cook dinner—what should empty nesters be doing with their time? Some say, “Whatever they want.”

Here are four ways empty nesters can enjoy their free time once the kids leave home:

1. Travel

Traveling as an empty nester is cheaper than traveling with a family. While this may seem obvious, sometimes it’s hard for parents to think about traveling if it’s not for a family vacation. The beauty of traveling as a childless couple or as a single parent is that more money can be spent on life experiences and excursions. Why? Money is saved when it comes to accommodations. Now might be the time to splurge on that once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Trip Advisor says that Morocco and Cambodia are among some of the most popular travel destinations this year.

2. Find a New Hobby

Now is the time for empty nesters to do something they’ve always wanted to do, but never had a chance. Carpe Diem! According to MarketWatch, popular hobbies for retirees include learning to play an instrument, taking up cooking and learning to paint. According to MarketWatch, these retirees can expect to spend around $2,200 per year on their new hobby.

3. Join a Club

Empty nesters without time constraints or dependents should get social. Joining a club is a great way to meet people who share common interests and passions. Empty nesters should think about what they really love and ask themselves, “How do I want to spend my time?”

While some empty nesters may like to read (and could join a book club), others might want to be a bit more active (and could join a bowling league or a karate club). When it comes to finding clubs in the area, Google is an empty nester’s best friend. Type in the name of the activity as well as the preferable location—and a list of all the clubs in the area should come right up.

4. Start on a To-Do List

Empty nesters should planning life experiences that they’ve never had the chance to achieve. For example, my to-do list includes visiting Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia as well as learning to speak Spanish.

It’s important to plan a budget before starting any new activities. Use helpful financial calculators to calculate how much fun money makes sense to spend each month. Then, start planning how long it will take to save up.

Need help planning for a future as an empty nester? Get started today with the help and guidance of CESI Solutions.

Image Source: Pixabay

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