12 Things Every Woman Should Do Before Turning 60

12 Things Every Woman Should Do Before Turning 60

12 Things Every Woman Should Do Before Turning 60
© Pexels

The years leading up to 60 can be a time of tremendous transformation. With a few intentional steps, you can safeguard your financial future, prioritize your well-being, and embrace the freedom that comes with age. Here are 12 essential things every woman should do before reaching this remarkable decade.

1. Create a Concrete Retirement Plan

Create a Concrete Retirement Plan
© Kampus Production

Financial clarity now can mean a stress-free retirement later. Instead of relying solely on Social Security, explore all your income sources—401(k), IRA, pensions, or rental income. Look at what you’ve saved and what you’ll realistically need.

Schedule time with a trusted financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning. They can help you estimate expenses, project income, and offer strategies for making your money last. Even small adjustments today—like increasing savings or reallocating investments—can have a big impact down the road.

2. Get a Full Health Screening and Preventive Care Plan

Get a Full Health Screening and Preventive Care Plan
© Alexander Mass

Neglecting preventive health can lead to serious—and expensive—issues later in life. Now is the time to schedule comprehensive screenings and establish a regular check-up schedule.

Make sure you’re up to date on mammograms, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, bone density, and colonoscopies. Vision, hearing, and dental health matter too. Preventive care is more than appointments; it’s about building a plan that helps you feel your best and catch problems early while they’re most treatable.

3. Make or Update Your Will and Estate Plan

Make or Update Your Will and Estate Plan
© Antoni Shkraba Studio

Thinking about estate planning may feel overwhelming, but it’s one of the most empowering steps you can take. Having a will ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones aren’t left with legal confusion.

Don’t stop at a basic will. Include a power of attorney, healthcare directive, and designated beneficiaries for your accounts. If you already have documents in place, review them—especially after major life changes like divorce, retirement, or a child’s marriage. Peace of mind is priceless, and this plan will protect everything you’ve worked for.

4. Reassess and Declutter Your Life

Reassess and Declutter Your Life
© RDNE Stock project

The mental clarity that comes from simplifying your surroundings can’t be overstated. Whether it’s physical clutter, emotional baggage, or financial obligations—you’ll benefit from a good purge.

Start small. Donate clothes you no longer wear, let go of furniture that no longer serves a purpose, and unsubscribe from services you don’t use. Beyond stuff, consider which relationships or responsibilities drain your energy. Focus on what genuinely brings joy, value, or purpose. Less truly can be more.

5. Strengthen (or Rebuild) Your Emergency Fund

Strengthen (or Rebuild) Your Emergency Fund
© Photo By: Kaboompics.com

Life’s curveballs don’t stop after 60. Whether it’s a medical bill, a family emergency, or a housing repair, having an emergency fund provides vital security.

Aim to save at least 6 to 12 months’ worth of essential expenses. If that sounds daunting, start with one month and build gradually. Automate your savings if possible. Even if you’re debt-free, unexpected costs can shake your sense of stability. A strong emergency fund is the financial cushion you’ll never regret having.

6. Take a Solo Trip

Take a Solo Trip
© Ánh Đặng

You don’t need a companion to explore the world. Traveling alone helps you connect with yourself in ways you might not expect—and it’s a gift many women don’t give themselves until later in life.

Choose a destination that excites or challenges you, whether it’s a nearby town or a far-flung country. You’ll gain independence, confidence, and new perspectives. Solo travel also reminds you of your resilience, creativity, and adaptability—traits that come in handy in every stage of life.

7. Learn (or Relearn) a Skill That Makes You Money

Learn (or Relearn) a Skill That Makes You Money
© Alena Darmel

Relying on one income stream can be risky, especially post-retirement. Whether it’s an old talent or a brand-new interest, a monetizable skill can offer both fulfillment and financial padding.

Think beyond the 9-to-5—skills like writing, consulting, crafting, or tutoring can evolve into flexible side hustles. You might even rediscover a passion you set aside years ago. The bonus? Earning money doing something you enjoy feels a lot less like work.

8. Forgive Someone — or Yourself

Forgive Someone — or Yourself
© Ketut Subiyanto

Holding onto resentment is like carrying emotional weight that quietly wears you down. Before 60, it’s time to finally let go of the grudges, regrets, and guilt that no longer serve you.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean condoning bad behavior—it means releasing yourself from the constant emotional burden. Whether it’s a strained family relationship or a mistake you made long ago, offer grace and move forward. Inner peace is the real prize, and you deserve it.

9. Try Something You’ve Always Been Scared Of

Try Something You’ve Always Been Scared Of
© Jeff Vinluan

Fear has a sneaky way of keeping us stuck. But what if the thing you’ve been avoiding is actually the key to a more fulfilling life?

Whether it’s swimming lessons, public speaking, or writing that novel, stepping into discomfort builds new confidence. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s growth. Facing your fears now sets a precedent for your 60s and beyond: that you are still evolving, still learning, and still brave.

10. Build a Fitness Routine You Actually Enjoy

Build a Fitness Routine You Actually Enjoy
© Nathan Cowley

Exercise doesn’t need to be intense to be effective—it just needs to be consistent and enjoyable. If you’ve spent years dreading the gym, it’s time to rewrite that narrative.

Try different forms of movement until you find something that fits—yoga, walking, dancing, swimming, or even gardening. The key is to support your long-term mobility, heart health, and mental well-being. You don’t have to “train like you’re 30”—you just have to move like you care about your future self.

11. Preserve Your Legacy

Preserve Your Legacy
© LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Your stories, traditions, and life lessons are priceless. Taking time to preserve them ensures your wisdom lives on in a meaningful way.

You don’t need to be a writer or genealogist to pass things down. Digitize photos, write letters to your grandchildren, or record your memories in short videos. Share the lessons you’ve learned the hard way. This isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a lasting gift to the people who love you.

12. Define What ‘Success’ Looks Like to You Now

Define What ‘Success’ Looks Like to You Now
© Pavel Danilyuk

Your 60s can be a season of reinvention. What mattered in your 30s or 40s might not hold the same weight today, and that’s okay.

Take time to reflect on what truly brings meaning now—whether it’s health, family, creativity, or freedom. Let go of outdated definitions of success shaped by others. This is your time to live by your own values and desires. Redefining success now ensures the years ahead are spent with purpose.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Loading…

0