That is a line from the famous Broadway musical Carousel, in which the couples are headed to the beach for a clambake. Summer is here, so beach season is beginning. The summer heat is setting in all over the USA; kids are out of school, and vacations are in full swing. Add in Father's Day, D-Day Memorial, Flag Day, and the longest daylight of the year, the summer solstice, to create more summer gathering times. What are your plans?
Is there a vacation in your future? Or a family reunion with brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins! At these events, our uncles would get into telling "stories." Tall tales spun with the wives having to call out the 'whoppers' when the details got totally out of hand, giving everybody a good laugh.
Where are you going and what are you doing? Who's helping you decide? If it's kids, I predict a theme park visit in your near future. Your spouse might like a romantic 7-day cruise of the Mediterranean. Do something totally wild! That African safari you've always wanted to go on won't book itself!
Closer to home… try camping, spend a week at the beach or a lake house, or maybe a trip to New York for a weekend of Broadway shows. It's all out there for you to enjoy!
So, whatever summer holds for you, I hope you "bust out all over" with good times and create lasting memories of a lifetime! Start planning those adventures today.
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's enthusiasm for summer adventures really resonates with the retirees I talk with. Here's the good news: retirement gives you the flexibility to travel during shoulder seasons when prices are lower and crowds are thinner. Most people are surprised when they learn that booking that Mediterranean cruise in late September instead of July can save them 30-40% while still enjoying great weather.
One question that comes up all the time is "how much should I budget for travel in retirement?" Financial planners typically suggest allocating 10-15% of your annual retirement income for travel and entertainment. If you're drawing from a 401k or traditional IRA, remember that those withdrawals count as taxable income, so factor in the tax impact when planning bigger trips. Roth IRA withdrawals, on the other hand, are tax-free in retirement, making them perfect for funding those dream vacations.
Think of it this way: you've spent decades saving for retirement, and now it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. A little advance planning with your retirement budget can turn those travel dreams into beautiful realities.