You’ve finally made it to retirement and are ready to travel! But how do you prepare? Like most people, you want to travel efficiently to ensure you can enjoy your trips to the fullest. It can be overwhelming knowing where to start when planning for travel. So, here is a traveling checklist for your Golden Years!
1. Health Insurance
Before traveling, it can be a good idea to check how your health insurance will cover you if needed. Although you may not need to utilize your insurance, it’s good to be prepared just in case, especially if you’ll be traveling out of state or internationally.
Like many people in retirement, you’ll likely have Medicare insurance. In this case, you’ll want to know what kind of plans you have. With Medicare, the type of plan you have determines how you are covered throughout and outside of the U.S. That’s why, to prepare for Medicare, you should carefully select your plan if you expect to travel frequently.
2. Safety Kit
Having a safety kit prepared for emergencies can also be beneficial. This is especially true if you plan to go hiking or engage in other strenuous activities. There are a variety of items you can keep in your kit. You may consider including band-aids, gauze, water, flashlights, batteries, extra cash, and more.
Another essential item you may consider bringing in your kit is medications, if you take any. It’s unlikely you will need extra, but it’s at least a good idea to restock your medications if needed.
3. Senior Discounts
A great benefit of being an older adult is you are likely to qualify for more discounts. Many stores, restaurants, and other businesses offer additional savings for those in their 50s and 60s and above. This includes certain airlines, so be sure to take advantage of these discounts. It’s always a good feeling to save money!
To find discounts, start with a simple Google search. Many articles outline the different potential discounts available to older adults. Just be sure to verify these savings with the specific businesses directly. Some policies may only apply to certain locations or have particular requirements that need to be met.
4. Create an Itinerary
Although not necessary for everyone, having a general plan about what you’d like to do on your trip can be helpful. Once you have picked a destination, consider researching what attractions or activities you’re interested in doing. Then you can create a timeline for each day of the trip, including times and costs.
Having all your travel materials organized and available in one place can also be helpful. For example, you can gather all your flight information like arrivals and departures and gate information. Also, if you’re traveling with others like a spouse or family and friends, be sure to include them on your itinerary plan.
5. Housing Preparation
One last thing to consider is your housing situation. If you own a home and will be traveling quite a bit, you might think about whether you need someone to housesit for you. For example, if you have pets that need to be taken care of, you’ll want someone to check on them. You may also have plants or need someone to check your mail.
For longer trips, you may think of any electronics that need to be unplugged and lights that you should turn off.
Final Thoughts
Retirement can be an excellent opportunity for traveling and having new experiences! Using these tips as a checklist can set you up for success and help you get the most out of your trip.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
