Investing In Happiness
10 Ways To Spend Money And Time On What Makes Us Happy
As covered in my previous article, Discovering the Secrets of Happiness, Harvard’s study on long-term happiness finds that close relationships are the key to living a longer, healthier, and happier life.
Investing time in relationships with loved ones is an excellent way to enrich your retirement years and make the most of your free time.
I have 2 sets of grandparents who prioritized relationships with their families growing up. They hosted family dinners and birthday parties for all of my brothers and cousins. We regularly traveled to Colorado for our family reunions.
And now my parents are passing on that tradition with the same. “Murray Mania” and “Bravo Bash”, the names of our family reunions, are my kids favorite vacations.
Bravo Bash
Murray Mania
Despite costing thousands of dollars, I don’t think my grandparents nor my parents regret ‘investing’ their money on these trips and times.
Here are ten ways to deepen relationships with family and friends and a few examples from my clients and close friends. The examples are in the orange sections.
Schedule Regular Catch-Ups: Set aside time for regular phone calls, video chats, or in-person meetups with family and friends to stay connected and strengthen bonds.
I attend my grandchildren's sports practices and games now that I have the time. I'm also available to transport them when needed.
Organize Family Events: Plan family gatherings and events, such as reunions or vacations, to spend quality time with loved ones and create new memories.
We have a Zoom meeting over dinner with our son in Atlanta every Wednesday.
Volunteer Together: Find a local cause or organization that aligns with your values and volunteer together with friends or family members to create shared experiences and make a difference in your community.
Share Meals: Host dinner parties or potlucks to bring friends and family together over food and conversation, and foster a sense of togetherness.
Every Friday I eat lunch with a group of high-school buddies at the same place, at the same time and we sit at the same table. Its been great to keep in touch all these year especially as we all pass through hard times.
Play Games: Play games, such as board games or card games, with family and friends to foster a sense of playfulness and camaraderie.
Share Hobbies: Engage in shared hobbies or activities, such as gardening or painting, with family and friends to create a sense of connection and shared interest.
Take Classes Together: Enroll in classes or workshops that align with your interests and take them with friends or family members to learn and grow together. Osher Lifetime Learning Institute (OLLI) through OSU provides great classes on various topics.
Travel Together: Plan trips or vacations with family and friends to explore new places and create shared memories.
I get excited about having the financial ability to show my kids the world. I feel very fulfilled knowing that I have shown my family places and like the Tetons, and the Caribbean. Different ways of life, culture and ways to spend your living days other than the opportunities you see most of the time.
Spending time away from the house or office in the outdoors with family showing them how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations and how to enjoy the outdoors is a major goal of mine.
Attend Cultural Events: Attend cultural events, such as concerts or festivals, with family and friends to experience new things together and broaden your horizons.
Planning several trips to visit family and friends in other states to see new places and things.
Create Family Traditions: Establish family traditions, such as holiday traditions or annual events, to create a sense of continuity and togetherness across generations.
Thanksgiving dinner at our house, for extended family and friends (10-25 people) has long been a tradition at our house. A few years ago, we moved to a location farther away from most of them. So, we passed this tradition on to our oldest daughter, and now we join everyone else at her house.
Investing in relationships with loved ones can bring immense joy and fulfillment to your retirement years.
By taking the time to connect and create shared experiences, you can deepen your bonds with family and friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.
So buy that plane ticket, book the trip, reserve the hotel room and put your money where your happiness is. In this was you will be prioritizing your relationships and investing in your happiness today!