Everyone has heard the phrase – “money can’t buy happiness”, and while this is generally true above certain income thresholds, several studies have shown that money does buy happiness up to about $75K a year. Beyond this level of income, there is a diminishing return. And to get to this level of income in retirement, one must save and invest diligently over their lifetime.
There is something else that studies have shown you can invest in that also creates happiness, especially in retirement. It is something that you also need to diligently invest in over a long period of time, just like you do for your retirement nest egg.
It is your Health.
The studies show that besides having a livable income, the most important element to happiness in retirement is your health. This makes intuitive sense as it is hard to enjoy doing things with your money in retirement, like travel and hobbies, if you don’t have good health.
Just like a retirement nest egg, optimal health isn’t something that you just wake up with one day when you get to retirement age and there are no shortcuts to get there either. It is something that takes as much hard work, discipline and sacrifice as saving your money, maybe even more. And like the nest egg, the investments you make in your health generally compound over time. You have probably even noticed as you get older that your past health choices may be starting to catch up with you and staying healthy takes more effort!
So if you want to have the most fun and happiness one day in retirement, consider not only investing in your retirement accounts but also in yourself. Maybe that gym membership investment you make this year or a commitment to lose some weight might pay off in retirement more than you realize.
