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# Real Life Retirement

Useful and fun information for retirees

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://realliferetirement.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Star gazing adventures](https://realliferetirement.com/star-gazing-adventures/) - Retirement is the perfect time to look up and explore the wonders of the night sky. You can stay up half the night without worrying about getting to work on time the next day. Whether you're tracking the International Space Station (ISS), observing Starlink satellites, watching a meteor shower, or identifying constellations there is a
- [Secret Weapon for senior job hunting](https://realliferetirement.com/secret-weapon-for-senior-job-hunting/) - Age discrimination exists. We all know it. We also know it is very difficult to prove. Here is how it often works. When facing a business slow-down or when "down-sizing", employers layoff the older (and more highly paid) employees first. And by "older" I mean those in their 50s and up. Then when business gets
- [Live for (almost) free in National Parks. Get paid, too](https://realliferetirement.com/live-for-almost-free-in-national-parks-get-paid-too/) - Retirement has turned out to be surprisingly more expensive than most people realize. Expenses keep rising while fixed incomes don't keep up. That's why more than 20% of people of retirement age in the U.S. are either still working full or part time in their primary career or have found another job after officially retiring.
- [Step 6: Stay Curious](https://realliferetirement.com/step-6-stay-curious/) - A doctor online yesterday asked an important question: “What is the value of a long life, if you are only facing ill health and perhaps even dementia?” And he’s right. Maintaining good physical health so you will live for a long time is only one part of aging. Another part is maintaining as much mental
- [It's a good dog's world](https://realliferetirement.com/its-a-good-dogs-world/) - Dogs can create very good things in a retirees life, including better health and a bigger social circle which can help you live longer.
- [Merlin app helps you i.d. birds -- free](https://realliferetirement.com/merlin-helps-you-i-d-birds-free/) - Free app for your phone helps you identify birds by sound or description or by the photo you take. Learn how to take part in the annual bird census in North America.
- [How to become a Master Gardener](https://realliferetirement.com/master-gardeners-talk-dirty-sometimes/) - There are many ways to pursue a love of gardening including joining the Master Gardeners, volunteering at a botanical garden, creating a little free plant stand.
- [Become a Beta reader. Get free books.](https://realliferetirement.com/become-a-beta-reader-get-free-books/) - If you love books and would enjoy reading them before publication, become a Beta Reader offering your opinion to authors. It's fun and gives you "bragging rights."
- [Number 5 Social Connections](https://realliferetirement.com/number-5-social-connections/) - There are two previous posts in this series about living much longer: One about your genes and Another about food and exercise. So that brings us to... Step 5. Social Connections Having a good social network adds to your life as study after study has proven. This, however, can sometimes become difficult as the years
- [Steps 2 to 4 for living a longer life](https://realliferetirement.com/steps-2-to-4-for-living-a-longer-life/) - Step 1 was something you had no control over: your genes. Living a long time is based, partially, on the genetic material you were born with thanks to your Mom and Dad. That, however, only contributes to about 10 to 25% of your lifespan according to experts. So even if you didn’t get absolutely perfect
- [Planning to live a much longer life](https://realliferetirement.com/planning-to-live-a-much-longer-life/) - “Live much longer?” You ask. Yes, if you are basically healthy now there are actions you can take to live longer—even if you are 65, 75, or 85. You may have 10 to 20 years of living ahead of you.
- [Cooking up extra cash for retirement fun](https://realliferetirement.com/self-employed-selling-food-for-extra-cash/) - You do not have to be a skilled chef to earn extra retirement money with food, nor do you have to work long hours. Learn how retirees make good food and extra spending money.
- [Which retirement for you? Step-Down or Jump-Off-Cliff](https://realliferetirement.com/2-retirements-step-down-or-jump-off-cliff/) - Learn which retirement is better for you: Step-Down gradually or abruptly Jump-Off-Cliff. How to plan for each type of retirement and how to convince your boss.
- [Early Retirement: Prepare for the Unexpected](https://realliferetirement.com/early-retirement-prepare-for-the-unexpected/) - Early retirement may sound like permanent vacation, but many become bored or discover they miss the challenges and friends at work. Solve this problem with self-employment.
- [How to Spot Vacation Rental Scams](https://realliferetirement.com/how-to-spot-vacation-rental-scams/) - 3 fast and easy proven techniques for identifying vacation rental scams using your computer. How vacation rental scams work and how to avoid them.
- [Sewing, crocheting and knitting for kids, pets](https://realliferetirement.com/sewing-crocheting-and-knitting-for-kids-pets/) - How 2 retired women made extra money by making washable books and colorful hats for infants, children. One woman's designs were so popular she now sells only online
- [3 Tips for Bargain Travel](https://realliferetirement.com/3-tips-for-bargain-travel/) - Yes, you can travel even if your budget is limited. But you have to be smart about it and invest some time to make the most of every vacation dollar. Because most hotel rooms are priced for business travelers, it is so satisfying to find ways to book nice but astonishingly cheap rooms to stay in--even
- [Turning used books into spending money](https://realliferetirement.com/self-employed-booking-cash-sales/) - If you are a book lover you may have a large personal library. Maybe even signed First Editions. But with used book stores vanishing, learn where to sell your books for extra retirement money.
- [Reselling tools, sports equipment, coins for cash](https://realliferetirement.com/self-employed-reselling-tools-sports-equipment/) - Reselling is popular with retirees to earn extra money and dispose of unwanted stuff at yard sales then on Ebay, Next Door, other sites. Learn 3 tips to success as a reseller.
- [Entertain at children's birthday parties](https://realliferetirement.com/entertain-at-childrens-birthday-parties/) - Entertaining at children's birthday parties can be both fun and a money-maker for retirees. What it it takes is a character you create, plus stories you tell and music.
- [Blue Collar Job-- Here I Come!](https://realliferetirement.com/blue-collar-job-here-i-come/) - After decades writing for corporations, I had to make changes and decided to be a soap maker with a luxury brand to sell in open air markets. It was a Blue Collar experience.
- [How to Sell Your Stuff Today](https://realliferetirement.com/how-to-sell-your-stuff-today/) - Face it. Our adult children do not want our stuff. And the grandkids? They don't either. So now is the time to downsize your stuff and make a little money, too.
- [Annuities may give you less than you hope](https://realliferetirement.com/annuities-may-be-less-than-you-hope/) - The ads for lifetime income annuities for retirees are so beguiling. After the financial swings and the up-and-down interest rates during recent years finally having predictable, guaranteed income for as long as you live sounds like a dream come true. But before jump into investing in an annuity and writing that check, be aware of

## Pages

- [About](https://realliferetirement.com/about/) - Retired financial writer, Carol Lightwood, is the publisher/editor of this site dedicated to information about real activities of real people after they retire.
- [Privacy Policy](https://realliferetirement.com/privacy-policy/) - The Privacy Policy of Real Life Retirement website

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://realliferetirement.com/category/uncategorized/)
- [real retirement work](https://realliferetirement.com/category/real-retirement-work/)
- [senior travel](https://realliferetirement.com/category/senior-travel/)
- [gardens](https://realliferetirement.com/category/gardens/)
- [retirement money](https://realliferetirement.com/category/retirement-money/)
- [retirement work](https://realliferetirement.com/category/retirement-work/)
- [books](https://realliferetirement.com/category/books/)
- [retirement fun](https://realliferetirement.com/category/retirement-fun/)
- [retirement health](https://realliferetirement.com/category/retirement-health/)
- [fun](https://realliferetirement.com/category/fun/)
- [work](https://realliferetirement.com/category/work/)
- [health](https://realliferetirement.com/category/health/)
- [money](https://realliferetirement.com/category/money/)
- [travel](https://realliferetirement.com/category/travel/)

## Tags

- [annuity insurance plans](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/annuity-insurance-plans/)
- [reselling sports equipment](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/reselling-sports-equipment/)
- [children's party entertainer](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/childrens-party-entertainer/)
- [Mother Goose party entertainer](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/mother-goose-party-entertainer/)
- [fees for annuities](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/fees-for-annuities/)
- [lifetime income](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/lifetime-income/)
- [bargain travel for seniors](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/bargain-travel-for-seniors/)
- [off-season travel](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/off-season-travel/)
- [find free events traveling](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/find-free-events-traveling/)
- [live like local](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/live-like-local/)
- [travel scams](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/travel-scams/)
- [senior travel scams](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/senior-travel-scams/)
- [Nevada City California](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/nevada-city-california/)
- [inflation and early retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/inflation-and-early-retirement/)
- [early retirement healthcare](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/early-retirement-healthcare/)
- [early retirement boredom](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/early-retirement-boredom/)
- [early retirement abroad](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/early-retirement-abroad/)
- [self-employment after early retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/self-employment-after-early-retirement/)
- [gradual retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/gradual-retirement/)
- [abrupt retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/abrupt-retirement/)
- [Jump-off-Cliff-retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/jump-off-cliff-retirement/)
- [boredom in retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/boredom-in-retirement/)
- [Step-Down retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/step-down-retirement/)
- [retirees turn food into spendding money](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/retirees-turn-food-into-spendding-money/)
- [make extra retirement income with food](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/make-extra-retirement-income-with-food/)
- [make waffles for farmers market](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/make-waffles-for-farmers-market/)
- [sell garlic goodies in retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/sell-garlic-goodies-in-retirement/)
- [reselliing on Ebay and Next Door](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/reselliing-on-ebay-and-next-door/)
- [reselling used tools](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/reselling-used-tools/)
- [reselling coins](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/reselling-coins/)
- [retirees crocheting for cash](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/retirees-crocheting-for-cash/)
- [retirees knitting to earn money](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/retirees-knitting-to-earn-money/)
- [retirees dewing for extra casg](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/retirees-dewing-for-extra-casg/)
- [retirees make children's clothing](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/retirees-make-childrens-clothing/)
- [Cowboy party entertainer](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/cowboy-party-entertainer/)
- [birthday party entertainment](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/birthday-party-entertainment/)
- [story time reading in libraries](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/story-time-reading-in-libraries/)
- [retired book collector](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/retired-book-collector/)
- [selling used books](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/selling-used-books/)
- [selling signed first editions](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/selling-signed-first-editions/)
- [selling books on ebay](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/selling-books-on-ebay/)
- [beta reader](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/beta-reader/)
- [how to be a beta reader](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/how-to-be-a-beta-reader/)
- [read books before publication](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/read-books-before-publication/)
- [offer authors your advice](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/offer-authors-your-advice/)
- [paid beta readers](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/paid-beta-readers/)
- [Master Gardener program for seniors](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/master-gardener-program-for-seniors/)
- [Master Gardener training](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/master-gardener-training/)
- [Little Free Plant Stands](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/little-free-plant-stands/)
- [Seed swap at libraries](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/seed-swap-at-libraries/)
- [botanical garden volunteer](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/botanical-garden-volunteer/)
- [dogs good for health](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/dogs-good-for-health/)
- [dogs good for retirees](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/dogs-good-for-retirees/)
- [show dog after retirement](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/show-dog-after-retirement/)
- [free bird watchiing app for smart phone](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/free-bird-watchiing-app-for-smart-phone/)
- [how identify local birds](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/how-identify-local-birds/)
- [annual census of birds](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/annual-census-of-birds/)
- [annual bird census in Australia](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/annual-bird-census-in-australia/)
- [Annual bird census in U.K.](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/annual-bird-census-in-u-k/)
- [Merlin free birdwatching app](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/merlin-free-birdwatching-app/)
- [blue collar job](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/blue-collar-job/)
- [retirement job](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/retirement-job/)
- [soap making](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/soap-making/)
- [luxury soap](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/luxury-soap/)
- [sell in farmers markets](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/sell-in-farmers-markets/)
- [changing career](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/changing-career/)
- [Retirees work for national park Service](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/retirees-work-for-national-park-service/)
- [Seasonal jobs with National park service](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/seasonal-jobs-with-national-park-service/)
- [Jobs for Seniors with national park Service](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/jobs-for-seniors-with-national-park-service/)
- [Volunteer jobs with National park Service](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/volunteer-jobs-with-national-park-service/)
- [Cool Works jobs for seniors](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/cool-works-jobs-for-seniors/)
- [age discrimination for seniors](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/age-discrimination-for-seniors/)
- [secret weapon to get a job](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/secret-weapon-to-get-a-job/)
- [overcoming age discrimination](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/overcoming-age-discrimination/)
- [job hunting tip for older people](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/job-hunting-tip-for-older-people/)
- [job hunting for retirees](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/job-hunting-for-retirees/)
- [watch satellites in sky at your home](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/watch-satellites-in-sky-at-your-home/)
- [watch starlink satellites](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/watch-starlink-satellites/)
- [track the International Space Station](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/track-the-international-space-station/)
- [track Starlink satellites](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/track-starlink-satellites/)
- [space exploration by other countries](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/space-exploration-by-other-countries/)
- [best sites for tracking satellites](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/best-sites-for-tracking-satellites/)
- [life expectancy for seniors](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/life-expectancy-for-seniors/)
- [how much longer to live](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/how-much-longer-to-live/)
- [long life due to genes](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/long-life-due-to-genes/)
- [3 thiings to increase longevity](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/3-thiings-to-increase-longevity/)
- [food and long life](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/food-and-long-life/)
- [should you walk 10 thousand steps](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/should-you-walk-10-thousand-steps/)
- [do Steps in your house](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/do-steps-in-your-house/)
- [exercise and long life](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/exercise-and-long-life/)
- [how senior make social connections](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/how-senior-make-social-connections/)
- [zoom meetings for seniors](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/zoom-meetings-for-seniors/)
- [esercise your mind](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/esercise-your-mind/)
- [read newspapers every morning'](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/read-newspapers-every-morning/)
- [take up cooking](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/take-up-cooking/)
- [seniors take up kayaking](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/seniors-take-up-kayaking/)
- [seniors do crosswords and games](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/seniors-do-crosswords-and-games/)
- [track satellites](https://realliferetirement.com/tag/track-satellites/)