Glossy personal-finance magazines promote retirement replete with trips to Europe and McMansions on golf courses, but Warner says it's perfectly possible to live frugally and happily. The retirees whom Warner interviewed for his book tended to place money about fifth on their priority list, behind things such as developing new interests and maintaining health. No one wants to eat cat food or to fear eating cat food. Without exception, the people I talked to say if you get up in the morning and you're interested and excited about what you're going to do that day, your chances of being a successful retiree are high. A life of idleness looks better than it feels.
Many retirees get bored, and they conclude that the best antidote to ennui is work.
Between 60 and 70 percent of retirees return to work in the first year, says Mitch Anthony, author of The New Retirementality . Leisure is a beautiful garment for a day, but it's a terrible wardrobe for a lifetime. Choice, Anthony says. And that even goes for retirees, who usually feel that they have more freedom to pursue their interests. Volunteer or take a paying job, full time or part time, but make sure it's something you enjoy.