What are our older folks getting up to these days?

We continually read and hear that there are more seniors than ever, living healthier and longer.

That’s great, but what are all these folks up to with their free time? Save with SPP decided to try and find out.

The Age Space blog has a list of 50 activities! Here’s a small sampling.

Crafts. “Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas,” the blog post states. “You can make some beautifully creative decorations for your home all year round.”

Another pastime – getting back into cooking. “Dig out an old recipe book or watch a cooking show and choose a meal you’ve never made before. The more unusual the meal, the better!”

Farther down the list is an interesting one – the virtual coffee club. “Have a weekly coffee morning video call with your friends. This can be even more fun if you bake the day before, and you can have a little treat with your coffee – and share the recipe!”

The PrimeCarers website offers up a few more.

The first – putting on walking shoes. “Walking is a simple but helpful way for elderly parents to stay active. It makes their hearts healthier, muscles stronger, and bodies more flexible.” There are often walking trails and parks nearby, the article encourages.

Gardening, the site suggests, helps older folks “enjoy nature… it can help improve their hand skills and give them a sense of achievement as they care for plants and watch them grow.”

Another classic activity is birdwatching, the site notes. “Help (seniors) set up a bird feeder in their garden or take them to local parks or nature reserves. Birdwatching can encourage them to spend time outside, enjoy nature, and sharpen their observation skills,” the site adds.

The Great Senior Years blog says group exercise classes “are an excellent way for seniors to stay active and maintain their fitness levels.” A side benefit, the blog adds, is that the classes also provide “a social and enjoyable experience.” Options include yoga class, which benefits flexibility, balance and strength, and for older seniors, chair exercise.

Our mother-in-law, now 92, takes part weekly in the next activity suggested by the blog, Wii sports. Her specialty is bowling, and she often gets the high score in this interactive, “motion sensitive” video game that allows seniors “to participate in sports they may have enjoyed earlier in life or (to) even try new ones.”

A final suggestion from the blog is art class. “Art classes provide a wonderful opportunity for seniors to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and foster a sense of connection with others. Engaging in artistic activities has been shown to have numerous benefits for the elderly, including improved cognitive function, reduced stress levels, and enhanced emotional well-being. Whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpture, or ceramics, art classes offer a diverse range of mediums for seniors to express themselves and engage in a fulfilling hobby,” the blog concludes.

Our circle of seniors do many of these activities, as well as dancing (line and square), playing bridge, darts and pool, cycling, singing groups, working out at the gym, travelling and cruising, and much more. Once you join the ranks of the retired you will wonder, as they say, how you ever squeezed in the time to actually work.

If you don’t belong to a workplace pension plan, and worry you lack the expertise to invest your retirement savings, take a good look at the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. Members of SPP can contribute any amount they want, right up to their annual registered retirement savings plan limit. Then SPP takes on the heavy lifting of investing and growing those savings in a low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund. At retirement, SPP can convert some or all of your savings to a lifetime monthly annuity payment. There’s also the more flexible Variable Benefit option.

Check out SPP today!

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Tips provide ways you can have a happy and financially secure retirement

What sorts of things do we need to think about to have a happy retirement – fun and financially secure?

Save with SPP decided to take a look around the Web to see what sort of retirement tips there are for those of us who are still working away.

The Wellington Advertiser in Ontario offers up several tips.

First, the newspaper suggests, you need to “get your finances in order.” As you prepare to retire you need to “plan out your finances ahead of time… people heading towards retirement should look into paying off any outstanding debts, and organizing their money, so they know what to expect come retirement and how much they will be living on.”

The Advertiser’s second tip is to “take it slow.”

“Going from working full time to not working at all can be a harsh adjustment for some, slowly working into retirement is a great way to smooth out the transition. Those heading towards retirement should consider easing off their workload over the course of several years or months,” the newspaper notes.

The article’s other tips include being active, and “getting out” as well. “It’s important to stay mentally active as well, volunteering, clubs, committees and community events are all great ways to stay connected in the community.” That involvement can ease any feelings of loneliness you may have post-work, the article concludes.

The Kiplinger website offers up a few more ideas.

“Happy retirees find a clear sense of purpose,” the site explains. Sometimes, the article continues, golf, strolling the beach and reading don’t provide enough “purpose or meaning.” Many retirees go back to the workforce, not only for the money but for the social connections and sense of purpose, the article adds. Others like to volunteer, which “keeps the brain healthy and active” and prevents “loneliness and isolation.”

The article notes that happier retirees “never stop learning.”

“Experts believe that ongoing education and learning new things can help keep you mentally sharp. Plus, exercising your brain may help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia,” the article reports.

Finally, the folks at Kiplinger extoll the virtues of having a “furry friend” in retirement.

“It turns out that Fido can provide more benefits to you than grabbing the newspaper. Older dog owners who walked their dogs at least once a day got 20 per cent more physical activity than people without dogs, and spent 30 fewer minutes a day being sedentary, on average, according to a study published in The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Research has also indicated that dogs help soothe those suffering from cognitive decline, and the physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog can boost the longevity of the owner.

At Forbes Advisor, the importance of having money in retirement is raised.

“Strive to save 10 per cent (or more) of your gross income in a tax-advantaged retirement account,” the article suggests. In Canada, this would include things like a registered retirement savings plan, a company pension plan, a Tax Free Savings Account, and so on.

The article also suggests you “spend smarter” in retirement. Huh?

“Cost and value are not the same thing. For example, if two couples took the same trip of a lifetime, stayed in the same level hotel, and booked the same class of airfare, it would be fair to say that they got the same value from the trip. But if one couple paid full price and the other couple booked at a discounted rate, like my mom always does when she travels, there would be an obvious difference between the cost for each couple. I will give my mom credit; she is the queen of stretching a dollar,” author David Rae writes.

So let’s recap. You’ll want to plan ahead for retirement and set up a budget to handle the fact you will probably be living on less income. The more you save before retirement, the closer your post-work income will be to what you are making now.

Ease into retirement, rather than jumping headlong. Stay active, get out and do things with new people. Have a sense of purpose – maybe volunteer or join a group. Keep learning. Spend smart.

If you don’t have a retirement program through work, a great resource that may be of interest is the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. Join the more than 30,000 Canadians who are members of this voluntary defined contribution pension plan that not only helps you save but can help turn those savings into retirement income.

Check out SPP today!

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The idea behind savings has always been to put a little money away today, and in the future, you’ll be covered for any little emergency that arises.

But these days, people are raiding their savings to pay for day-to-day, non-emergency expenses. Is there anything we can all do to prevent that? Save with SPP took a look around to see what others think.

The GoBankingRates website offers up a number of interesting strategies.

One idea is to put your savings in “a separate, online savings account” that “is not directly linked to your chequing or overdraft, or that can be used with a debit card,” the article suggests. We have an account with Alterna Bank that isn’t hooked up to any card, and yes, it’s a piggy bank that’s sort of hard to get at.

A similar idea is to “make savings inaccessible,” perhaps by putting them into a registered savings account (such as a registered retirement savings account) or brokerage account where you can’t get the money out immediately, or without a penalty or tax consequences, the article explains.

At the How To Money blog, one thought is to “focus on your goals,” and to remember why you opened the savings account before dipping into it.

“Do you want to own a home? Become financially independent? Finally go on that big trip you’ve always dreamed of,” the blog asks. “Having a bigger goal to weigh your purchases against can help you think twice before transferring money out of your savings, or making an impulse buy. Once you have a solidified goal, you can think about just how much you could accomplish if you cut out mindless spending,” the blog continues.

A second idea recommended by the blog is creating “sinking funds,” or essentially pre-paying, for things you know you have to spend on.

“A sinking fund for gifts is a common example. We all know we need to buy gifts at the end of the year for the holiday season. But if we don’t plan ahead, we won’t have the money to buy anything. That leads to dipping into savings. Instead, if we create a sinking fund and contribute $50 per month into it starting each January, we’ll have $550 by the end of November for gifts,” the blog explains.

Okay – make the money hard to get at, remember why you’re saving before dipping in, and create little dedicated “sinking funds” to prepay for known, upcoming expenses (again, instead of dipping in.) Are there other ways to work this?

The Balance blog suggests an oldie-but-goodie – using cash.

“Set up auto debit for all your bills and savings contributions, then see how much money you have left over. That’s how much you have to spend. Take out that amount each week or month, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. When you are using cash only for your spending, it takes a lot more work to overspend since you have to actually take the money out of the bank,” the blog suggests.

Another good idea, the blog adds, is to set up an emergency fund – for real emergencies – rather than dipping into your long-term savings.

“If you have a separate emergency fund to handle unexpected expenses, then you will no longer need to dip into your savings account to cover unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills,” the blog explains. “Although using your emergency fund may seem like you are dipping into savings, you really are not because you have earmarked these funds ahead of time to cover these expenses.”

The takeaway for all this is that your savings cookie jar should be as hard to get to as possible, so you can’t dip into them for an impulse purchase.

Members of the Saskatchewan Pension Plan can’t dip into their accounts for non-retirement purposes, because SPP is a “locked-in” pension plan. You can’t access the funds until you are age 55 or older, when you are deciding what you are going to do to turn your SPP savings into income. Options include receiving a monthly lifetime annuity or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

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For the vast majority of people, retirement is a far-away, unknown and somewhat scary idea – having to live on the money you’ve saved (gulp) because you’re too old to work.

In fact, according to The India Times, research this year by LiveCareer in the U.S. found that “61 per cent of workers fear retirement more than death, and for a large segment of participants (64 per cent) the thought of retiring is scarier than the idea of getting a divorce.”

But, reports the Starts at 60 blog, there is a solution for those who “at the end of a long and fulfilling career… (are) feeling lost about their purpose in life.” That solution is finding a post-work hobby.

“One’s golden years can also present an opportunity to rediscover meaning and purpose and one way to do this is through hobbies,” the blog notes. “Many individuals have found new meaning and fulfillment in their lives by pursuing hobbies and interests that they may have neglected earlier in life due to work and family commitments.”

The blog says you can pursue “creative endeavours such as painting or writing, or outdoor pursuits such as hiking or gardening. Hobbies can bring a sense of joy and create new experiences, encourage a sense of community, and help maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

The chief benefits of having a hobby for those over 60, the blog continues, are that the hobby can “provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment in later life, offer an escape from daily routines and stress, stimulate creativity and personal growth, and provide a sense of accomplishment.”

“Hobbies can also bring joy, satisfaction and a sense of achievement to one’s life, as well as provide opportunities to socialise and connect with others who share similar interests. Furthermore, hobbies can also help keep the mind and body active, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling retirement,” the blog concludes.

There are other, more specific health benefits from staying active (via hobbies) in retirement, reports the U.S. National Institute on Aging.

An article on the organization’s site lists the following benefits for those with hobbies, who:

• “Are less likely to develop certain diseases. Participating in hobbies and other social activities may lower risk for developing some health problems, including dementia, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.”
• “Have a longer lifespan. Studies looking at people’s outlooks and how long they live show that happiness, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose are all linked to living longer. Doing things that you enjoy may help cultivate those positive feelings.”
• “Are happier and less depressed. Studies suggest that older adults who participate in activities they find meaningful, such as volunteering in their communities or being physically active, say they feel happier and healthier.”
• “Are better prepared to cope. When people feel happier and healthier, they are more likely to be resilient, which is our ability to bounce back and recover from difficult situations. Positive emotions, optimism, physical and mental health, and a sense of purpose are all associated with resilience.”
• “May be able to improve their thinking abilities. Research suggests that participating in certain activities, such as those that are mentally stimulating or involve physical activity, may have a positive effect on memory — and the more variety the better. Other studies are providing new information about ways that creative activities, such as music or dance, can help older adults with memory problems or dementia.”

OK, time for a mid-post recap – hobbies not only help give you a renewed sense of purpose, but you may develop a new community of friends, be healthier, live longer, and think more clearly. Our line dance instructors frequently tell us seniors that dance not only helps our bodies through exercise, but it helps our minds as well – we are forever learning new steps and new dances.

If you are a happy nine-to-fiver grinding away at an important job somewhere, the idea of getting a hobby may seem a little silly. But, reports Forbes, it’s the workaholic who should be thinking about life after work the most.

“People with hobbies and activities before retirement can transition more easily than workaholics with few interests beyond their jobs. This bears consideration before retirement,” the magazine warns.

If you don’t plan to do something, ideally new or more often, after you’re done with your name tag, you may have an unhappy retirement, Forbes continues.

“Many retirees lead interesting lives, but a fair number are bored a significant amount of time. Some have few social connections. Yet still others enjoy life more than ever,” the article concludes.

You really have to think outside the box after life after work. If anyone had told us 15 years ago that we’d been teaching line dancing to seniors, going on a trip to Nashville with fellow line dancers, or taking a line dancing cruise, we’d have laughed. But we’ve had great new experiences and developed a new set of friends thanks to this one easy, fun hobby.

Certainly, the “what to do with all the time” side of retirement can be a challenge, and for many, so can the financial saving side of things. If you’re relying on your own efforts to fund your future retirement, a great partner is waiting in the wings to help you – the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. Designed for both individual savers or for use as a company pension plan, SPP collects contributions from its members, invests them in a low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund, and grows them into retirement income choices that include a lifetime monthly annuity or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

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When we were younger – even though we worked at a pension plan – we couldn’t quite imagine what it would be like to be retired. With no job to go to, what were we going to do?

We met a couple at the local mall 20 years ago or so who were retired and said that “you’ll never be able to understand how you found the time to work,” which was sort of helpful while at the same time, baffling.

We get it now, of course – but who do others who have slipped the bonds of employment feel about their retired life. Save with SPP did a little digging to find out!

The Travel Awaits blog gives us a few nice views on the subject.

“Retirement is not the end of your former life, but a fresh new beginning,” says Joyce, who left the world of corporate work at 62 and has moved to warmer climes in Panama. She does not miss “the long commutes or rigidity of working,” and urges others to “spend time planning what you want to do” before retiring.

Mark tells Travel Awaits to “retire as soon as possible. Life is short.” After retiring at 58, the former electrical engineer spends his days hiking, reading, and attending air shows. He says he enjoys “being in charge of how he spends his days.”

At the Retirement Online website there’s a list of quotes from happy retirees.

Craig Counters of Bloomington, Minn. says retirement “has been everything that I hoped for,” noting that he is “in no way bored with my retired life. I have plenty to do. Too much in fact.”

Cindy Petzoldt of St. Louis, Mo., was diagnosed with depression just prior to retirement, but is now “so stinkin’ happy” that her medications have been cut in half. She volunteers with a choir that performs for dementia patients, is a Ready Reader to help pre-schoolers learn to read, took classes in meditation, and stays connected with fellow retired coworkers.

“I am WAY BETTER than fine. I am incredibly happy and fulfilled, doing meaningful volunteer activities I enjoy,” she reports.

At the Kiplinger Personal Finance website, retired pilot Gary Dyson now volunteers for the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital and mentors “aspiring eye health professionals” in different countries.

His work helps people improve and even regain their eyesight.

“There is nothing in the world like it – especially knowing that it will drastically change that person’s life, allowing them to read, learn, work or support their family. Having a small part in that is very rewarding to me,” he tells Kiplinger.

Let’s leave the last word to The New York Times.

Kris Kruid, age 65, tells the newspaper “I set the goal of making retirement look good to others and finding ways to make these chapters of my life full of adventure, rewarding interactions and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.”

“My motto is `Do good, be good, get good.’ I’m 14 years into the best years of my life.”

Are you saving today for the future best years of your life? A trusted savings partner is the Saskatchewan Pension Plan, which has been helping Canadians save for more than 35 years. Every dollar you contribute to SPP is professionally invested in a low-cost, pooled fund, and when it’s time to retire, your invested savings can be turned into income via such options as a lifetime monthly annuity or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

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As a teenager, we used to play golf at a course where the green fees were $5 if you teed off before 8 a.m. The three of us would chip in for gas for our old car – you could fill the tank for maybe seven or eight bucks because gas was about 77 cents a gallon. And when we got tickets to see AC/DC play at the Ottawa Civic Centre in 1980, it cost $7 a ticket. You could also get change from a dollar bill when you got a Happy Meal at the Golden Arches.

Today these activities all cost about 10-20 times more than they used to.

What’s a person to do for fun without spending hundreds of dollars? Save with SPP took a look around the Interweb for some ideas.

While camping at a site costs less than a trip to Disney World, The Humbled Homemaker blog suggests an even cheaper alternative – camping in the backyard!

“You can still have the whole experience—s’mores, campfire, sleeping bags and all—for a fraction of the cost. When I was in high school my friend would have `camp-overs.’ We’d stay in her parent’s camper in their driveway, make hot dogs over the fire and stay up really late,” the blog tells us.

Another suggestion – take the family to the zoo! Our daughter and her family do this all the time. “Zoos can provide entertainment for couples and families. Most are either free or reasonably priced and some will allow you to carry in food. If not, pack a lunch and eat in the car,” the blog advises.

A third idea is having a game night at home. “Extremely cost effective, or even free, board games are a great source of entertainment for groups of friends and families with children. We like to incorporate fun and learning with games and most holidays you’ll find us playing cards or fun games like ImagineIf.” Save with SPP remembers family game nights well, playing Monopoly, Careers, Clue, or cards.

Another way to reduce your entertainment costs, suggests the Canadian Budget Binder blog, is to do a little more planning and set a budget for it.

“Once you have determined your overall budget, you must allocate funds to different categories to help manage all your entertainment interests,” the blog advises. “For example, your categories include dining out, movies and streaming, events and activities, travel and vacations, and hobbies and leisure.”

“A set amount allocated to each category will help you track what you did and how much you already spent,” the blog suggests. “If you have an amount set aside for movie tickets and have nothing left, you must wait until the next month for more `movie ticket money.’”

Another approach, the blog recommends, is to look for “low-cost activities” and to use “deals and discounts.” The blog suggests going to “art shows, festivals, famers’ markets and concerts held in your community free of charge for entry.”

As well, make use of parks and trails, the blog states. “You can always explore hiking trails, beaches, or parks for free. Taking a day out of your busy schedule can mean simply taking a day off work, having a picnic in the park, or even catching the sun at the beach,” the blog adds.

The MoneyCrashers blog expands on the idea of looking for bargains. Online coupons can be found at sites like Groupon, and can offer “excellent discounts” on activities, food, or other entertainment.

Watch your physical mailbox for discount coupons on restaurants, including “two for one deals and half off coupons,” the blog notes. Keep an eye on event websites for special discounts and deals, and take note of restaurants offering “kids eat free” deals, the blog suggests.

If you have membership cards that provide you discounts on select items, use them, the blog adds.

Finally, the Tiny Buddha blog provides us with some additional thoughts.

“Have a picnic in the park and ask everyone to make something from scratch,” the blog suggests.

On the dining with friends theme, the blog also suggests having “cookie swap” parties, “hosting dinners with friends,” and having a “food themed” potluck party, where everyone brings something Italian, Thai, Chinese, or whatever the theme is.

Another suggestion is to “have a culture day – visit a museum on a free day, listen to classical music on the way, and watch a classic movie in the evening.”

If there’s a common thread here it is to use your imagination and plan when it comes to entertainment. We’ll add one other suggestion – join a group. Perhaps it’s a book club, an investing club, line dancing classes (or any dancing), yoga, running, or cycling. It’s a great way to learn something new while making new friends.

Did you know that the Saskatchewan Pension Plan is not only for individual members? The plan can be, and is offered by many employers as their company pension plan.

Here’s an interview with Trevor Stein of Stein Corp, a plumbing and electrical firm, that explains the value of offering SPP as a benefit to your employees: Stein Finds Talent with SPP (youtube.com)

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There’s a room in our basement that we euphemistically call “the storage room,” chiefly because it holds all our accumulated family clutter. Toys, books, stamp collections, ancient stereo equipment, records, unneeded furniture – the list goes on and on.

We both occasionally spend a few minutes looking at the growing collection, then close the door.

But there’s a better way to manage things you don’t want or need – having a garage sale. Save with SPP took a look around to learn the dos and don’ts of putting your stuff up for sale in your laneway.

The KindaFrugal.com blog sees a garage sale as a way “to recoup some of the sunk costs from all the gently used items you’ve accumulated.” But, the blog advises, doing a garage sale properly requires a little strategizing.

“Pick the right day,” the blog advises. “Pick a weekend at least one week in advance, but two weeks ahead might be better if you have a lot of stuff to sell. That gives you time to get everything ready without feeling rushed.”

Sundays, the blog adds, seem to be the best days for it.

Next, the blog says, do a thorough check of the house and gather up all the stuff you want to sell. “Good sale items include old furniture, tools, computer stuff, dishes and other household items, books, appliances, vintage items, toys, kitchen gadgets, sporting goods, and other unwanted items,” the blog continues.

Be sure to clean/dust every item, and check pockets of all clothing – you don’t want to be selling your spare keys, important papers, or money.

Getting the word out about your sale is of crucial importance, notes The Garage Conundrum blog.

Social media can be a big help here, the blog says. “Create an event on platforms like Facebook to tap into a wide local audience. Highlight key items for sale with photos to pique interest and drive foot traffic. Share the event in community groups to maximize visibility and attendance,” the blog advises. We used Kijiji to help promote our sister-in-law’s garage sale, and it generated a lot of interest.

You also want to set prices for your items, the blog suggests, and those price tags should be able to withstand the elements. “Weather-proof pricing labels endure the elements, ensuring prices remain visible regardless of weather conditions. These labels stick firmly to items, preventing them from blowing away or getting lost during the sale. With clear labeling, customers can quickly identify prices, streamlining their shopping experience,” the blog suggests.

Other ideas in the article suggest displaying any more valuable or collectible items in a separate area/table, and to set a “flat rate” for things like books and CD – if you take 10, say, they are $1 each but otherwise $2 each. This pricing idea “helps clear out inventory quickly,” the article tells us.

A few more insights are on offer over at Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Scope out other garage sales in your neighbourhood “to gather intel on what works, what doesn’t, and how to price everything to sell,” the article suggests.

Another tip – “price as you gather your items,” the magazine advises. Pricing, the article continues, takes forever and “you’ll be too stressed and tired to make good choices” if you try to do it all the night before.

The article also says social media is the way to go for advertising, but says a few old-school signs and banners help as well. “Always include your full address, the days of the sale, and times.” Indicate if you are able to accept other forms of payment besides cash, the article notes.

The Money Smart Family blog gives us some final good ideas.

Consider minimizing the work by joining forces with neighbours and doing a multi-family sale, the blog states. Talk the sale up with neighbours prior to sale day, e-mail or message friends who live farther away, the blog adds.

Use tables so people can see the items better. “Gather as many tables as you can.  Use sawhorses with doors or pieces of plywood if you have to. You’ll sell more if what you display isn’t super-cluttered. We even build a rack for shoes out of wood scraps and put mini-shelves in the middle of tables to give us more space on the tables,” the blog advises.

If everything goes well, you’ll have turned most of the items into cold, hard cash. In our neighbourhood, items that don’t sell are usually put by the curb with a “free” sign, and usually disappear within a day or two. Alternatively, you can donate them to your local thrift shop.

A nice use of any sudden, extra cash is long-term saving. Consider opening an account with the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. For over 35 years we have been helping Canadians save for retirement. SPP, open to any of us with unused registered retirement savings plan room, will professionally invest your savings dollars in a low-cost, pooled fund. When it’s time to turn savings into retirement income, you can choose such options as a lifetime monthly annuity payment, or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

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Every morning, as soon as the first beam of sunlight dares to enter our room, our Sheltie Phoebe is instantly awake, making encouraging “wake up” barks and little indignant cries that soon are joined by our other Sheltie, Duncan.

Negotiation does not work – we need to get up, right now, and feed the little princess and prince, and then, soon afterwards, stumble around the still-dark neighbourhood for a walk. Their early morning antics make us appreciate winter, when the sun comes up hours later. But we love them dearly.

Save with SPP wondered how others feel about the value of having a dog in retirement.

The Extra Mile blog sees a lot of value in having a dog in retirement.

“Dogs are man’s best friend, and that’s especially true for retirees, who can enjoy an array of health and lifestyle benefits sharing their home with a canine companion,” the blog reports.

The article quotes Janice Walker, 71, as saying “dogs just make your golden years brighter.” She originally was “dogless” in retirement “so she could travel more easily,” the article continues, but that thinking changed and soon she and her husband Richard added a Lhaso Apso and a Bichon Frise to their family.

“The dogs encouraged them to walk around their neighborhood four times a day, follow a healthy daily routine, and meet and chat up neighbors. One of Walker’s favorite things about having dogs is being greeted at the door by their wagging tails,” the blog reports. “The unconditional love that dogs give you, and the excitement when you come home, you can’t bottle that,” she tells the blog.

The chief benefits of having a dog in retirement include exercise, the benefits to your heart health (blood pressure is usually lowered), companionship, and “fostering a sense of community” through more interaction with neighbours and other dog walkers, the blog says.

The Kiplinger website recalls that many people got their first dog during the odd, isolating days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Their instincts to shelter in place with a dog or cat were right on target because in times of stress pets offer people emotional and social support,” the site notes.

Research carried out by biologist Ericka Friedman found that “people who had a heart attack and owned a pet were more likely to be alive a year later than those without a pet. Among the 39 patients without pets, 11 (28 per cent) had died compared to only three (six per cent) of the 53 pet owners,” Kiplinger reports.

She also found that those with dogs “have healthier lifestyles, including getting enough exercise and sleep.”

“Other studies have linked pet ownership with decreased blood pressure, slightly lower overall blood cholesterol levels and general calming benefits, although more research could determine whether pets reduce anxiety or even depression in people,” the Kiplinger article concludes.

There are a few downsides to having dogs, reports The Globe and Mail. Dog ownership “can be a headache for those who travel a lot,” since someone has to look after your furry friends while you are away.

Having a dog may limit your rental options as well, The Globe reports. Pet owners Bruce and Brenda Rennie tell The Globe that as renters and dog owners, they found it much harder to rent. “Renting with a pet is much more difficult,” she tells the newspaper. “It easily took 60 per cent or more of the possible places we could rent off the market to us. People are worried about dogs doing damage to their property and stuff. That was a big thing. I could have had five kids, but one dog …”

Other dog-related expenses include food and treats, toys and “eye-watering” vet bills, the article warns.

It’s true that the cost of food and care for our doggies are higher today than in the past, but we are of the opinion that they are worth every penny.

If you are thinking of taking on a dog in retirement (or a cat, or both), you will need to have some extra dollars put aside for that new expense. A great way to supplement the modest benefits you’ll get from the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security is to sign up for the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. SPP will do all the difficult investing work for you – you provide contributions, and we will invest them in a low-cost, pooled fund. At the end of work, SPP helps you turn your now-grown savings into income – options include a lifetime monthly annuity payment or the more flexible Variable Benefit. Check out SPP today!

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Here’s how to chop that grocery bill down to size

Inflation is said to be slowing down, but the high cost of groceries is still a hot topic at the golf course and around the table after line dancing class.

Save with SPP decided to scour the Interweb to find out what others are doing to cut their food costs.

At The Penny Hoarder blog, one suggestion is to “create a grocery budget.”

“The first step to saving money on food is to think like a Boy Scout (i.e., “Be Prepared”). Setting up a monthly or weekly grocery budget will help you stay on track and keep your spending in check,” the blog suggests.

We like this one – instead of grumbling that everything on your list costs more, you bring a set amount of money, say $100, and come home with that amount of groceries. Interesting!

Other ideas from this blog are to develop a meal plan – so that you know exactly what you need to buy, item by item – and the classic advice to clip/save/find coupons and make good use of them.

The Daily Hive offers up some additional thoughts.

Skip pre-cut fruit and veggies, the blog advises. “Since there’s an added labour cost to these items, it’s often cheaper to buy the larger item and cut it up yourself, especially if it’s a low-cost product like squash or watermelon,” the blog adds.

A second thought – don’t just plan your meals, plan your snacks too, the blog suggests.

“One top trick to see lower grocery receipts is to plan your meals and snacks for the week,” The Daily Hive reports.

“By crafting each meal ahead of time, you know exactly what to shop for and can avoid unnecessary or impulsive buys,” the blog continues.

A USA Today article via Yahoo! provides a few more ideas.

“Shop your pantry” before going out to buy ingredients for meals – maybe you have some of the things already, the newspaper advises.

“Use your grocery store’s app to carefully plan your shopping trip from the comfort of your own home and check all available coupons. Utilizing your grocery store’s app is one of the best ways to stay on budget and save time when you shop,” the article adds.

Another idea from USA Today is to buy things that are in season. “When purchasing produce, choose produce that’s in-season. Out-of-season produce tends to be more expensive than its in-season counterparts,” the newspaper notes.

The Victoria Times-Colonist provides a few more tips.

One interesting idea is to avoid going to the grocery store altogether. Huh?

“If you tend to wander off your grocery list because every time you go to the store you buy things you don’t need, shopping online and picking up curbside is a good workaround,” the article suggests. This can also save time if you are buying groceries from multiple locations, the article adds.

As well, a sort of further idea to the “grocery budget” plan is to keep your previous grocery bills so that you can “track what you are already spending,” the article reports.

“Start by reviewing how much you have spent on the last few times you’ve gone grocery shopping,” states David Brindley, deputy editor for AARP Bulletin, in the article.

“If you don’t keep receipts from past grocery runs, try looking at your bank account statement and adding up the grocery charges. Once you know how much you spend on groceries, set a goal, for example, staying within a specific budget or reducing your spending,” he adds.

These are all good ideas. If there’s a common theme, it is to spend more consciously on groceries rather than just tossing stuff into the shopping cart and then complaining about the cost.

A couple of things we’ve learned to do to save on shopping is to work with a fairly empty fridge – don’t pile it full to the brim. Why? If you can see everything in your fridge, you won’t buy the same things twice, or throw out stuff that’s been shoved to the back behind something else and has gone “off.”

Having an extra stream of income will also help out your grocery shopping in retirement. If you aren’t covered by a retirement program at your workplace, have a look at the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. With SPP, you decide how much you want to save, and we do the rest – investing your savings over time in a low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund. You can make contributions in many ways – through pre-authorized contributions from your bank account, via online banking (SPP can be set up as a bill), by credit card or by mailing us a cheque.

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We often hear from fellow seniors about the advantages of going to one vehicle versus two – and the money they’re saving.

Save with SPP decided to take a look around to see what’s up with this thinking.

An article from a few years back by Rob Carrick of The Globe and Mail suggests that going to one car – particularly in your later years – can really pay off.

“Take two working parents, add kids and you have a strong convenience-based case for paying the many costs of owning and maintaining a pair of vehicles. Add a home in the suburbs and the argument gets even stronger,” he writes.

“But owning two cars stops making so much sense later in life. In retirement, you can save a bundle by going down to one vehicle,” he reports.

The article quotes Sylvia Thys, an associate financial planner at Caring for Clients, as showing how planning to “downsize” to one car could add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a couple’s net worth in retirement.

“By adding the money (spent on a second vehicle) saved to their investments, the couple would have two extra years of living in their home before it had to be sold to generate retirement income. Their net worth would increase by a future value of $678,000 at age 95,” Thys states in the article.

Wow. The article notes that a typical couple spends $1,000 per month on each car they own, buying a new car every 10 years and spending “$30,000 to $35,000 a vehicle.” (Five years later, this number is probably more like $50,000.)

And it’s not just financing a car, the article adds – insurance can costs $1,000 per year per vehicle, with maintenance costing even more than that. Going to one car cuts those costs in half, the article concludes.

The Dollar Stretcher blog cites a few further examples culled from the blog’s readers.

Lisa H. of Aloha, Ore., tells the blog her family switched to one car “a few years ago” and have since saved $6,000 “counting payments and maintenance. There are not many times we wish we had two cars, and we are always able to make do.” She says other ways to get around can be tapped when needed – public transportation, ride-sharing services, or getting a lift from a friend.

Reader Laura says Dad can often take the bus or ride to work with a colleague when she needs the car. Mom also can chauffeur him to the office when she needs the wheels, a “great way to get Mom up and ready for the day.”

The Money Smart Guides blog says that while going to one vehicle may not work for everyone, it has great financial benefits.

Savings go far beyond going to one monthly car payment from two, the blog notes.

“You’ll also save money on car insurance, oil changes, vehicle maintenance, and fuel costs,” the blog advises. “Depending on your living situation, having one vehicle could mean you don’t have to pay for a second parking space, too. Don’t forget about the taxes, the registration, the emissions tests in some places, and even car washes,” the blog adds.

We can add personal testimony to this money-saving argument. We went to one vehicle around 2009 – at that time, one of us worked during the week in Toronto and then came home to Ottawa on weekends by train. There was no point having a car in downtown Toronto – parking was crazy expensive even then, traffic was brutal, and you could take the subway/streetcar/bus system anywhere, or cab it, or walk.

These days in Ottawa we share one car, and while we very occasionally have conflicting agendas, it works out. One car payment, one insurance payment, one car to fuel up, one license plate to pay for.

The money that you can save by going to one vehicle can boost your savings. And if you are saving for retirement on your own, perhaps the savings can be directed to a Saskatchewan Pension Plan account. SPP makes saving for retirement easy, because they do the “heavy lifting” of investing your savings for you. SPP’s low-cost, expert investment in a pooled fund has benefited retirement savers for nearly 40 years. At retirement, you can choose between receiving a monthly lifetime annuity payment, or the more flexible Variable Benefit option.

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