Spending the colder months somewhere sunny and warm and staying in Minnesota during our beautiful summers makes for a fantastic retirement. Most people think it’s a lifestyle only for the wealthy–but think again. There are ways to live this life in retirement without emptying your savings. We will go over some ways to be a snowbird while being smart with your money.
Setting Your Budget
Do your homework when making your budget. With such a large selection of locations to choose from, make a list of the areas you can afford to live in and create a rough budget to start. Know exactly how much you have and how much you can afford to spend each week and each month. That’ll help you focus on the options you can afford and eliminate those that are out of your price range.
After choosing your ideal location, the first step to saving money as a snowbird is deciding how to get there. Do you drive your car or fly to your destination? This depends on how far you are traveling, how many people are traveling, and if you wish to drive your car when you get there. Do some cost-analysis on each option.
If you do want your car along, consider swapping drivers on the drive. This way you can stay on the road to avoid costly hotel expenses. If you don’t wish to drive while there, look at plane tickets at least 6 months in advance to get the best deals. This will greatly reduce costs right from the start. Take some time and do the research to figure out what’d be the best option for you.
Understanding Added Expenses
Perform research on your healthcare. By knowing exactly what plan you have and what’s included with it, you’ll have a better understanding of what you can receive at each location and what’ll differ if it does. That’ll help avoid any surprises in costs that could become obstacles to overcome. You’ll want to know about these and be ready for how much you’d need to spend out of pocket if need be.
With so many ways to live the snowbird life on a budget, it always comes down to the research. Research and plan on what you’ll be expected to pay and how you’ll live your day to day life. Once you know where you want to live and how to afford it, everything will fall into place.
If you’d like to see how Travelers Country Club on the Mississippi could fit into your retirement plans, just give us a call at: 320-743-3133, email us at: tccomoffice@gmail.com, or check out our website at: www.travelerscconmiss.com.