Have you been thinking about your retirement plan? No, I don’t mean your investments – I’m talking about what you want to do when you retire.
It’s good to retire to something rather than just retire from work. What do you want more time for? Family? Travel? Volunteer work? Or perhaps something creative?
We all have an inner urge to be creative. Sometimes it gets sublimated to the demands of everyday living, but it’s always there. You need a way to let those creative urges out. If a hobby or skill engages and satisfies, you should make time for it.
I happen to think woodworking is an excellent outlet. It stimulates your creativity and it’s not as difficult or mysterious as you might think. Plus, you end up with projects you can use and display for years to come. It is hard to beat the satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands.
We get folks in the store all the time who’ve done some woodworking and want to get serious about it in retirement. Sometimes they have done a little woodworking but just never had much time for it. Others took woodworking way back in high school and that memory draws them back. And ladies, this isn’t just a ‘guy thing’. We see more and more women getting involved and taking up woodworking.
What do you need to get started? As Steven Covey would say; “Begin with the end in mind.” Think about the kind of projects you would like to make. For instance, building furniture requires very different equipment and skills than turning bowls or carving wildlife. Working backwards from the project, you can determine the skills, tools and supplies you’ll need.
How will you acquire the skills you need? If you’ve never done any woodworking, try taking some classes – it will show you the basic skills you need and give you a chance to experience woodworking before you make an investment in tools. If you have past woodworking experience you can build on that knowledge with research. Pick up some books on the subject and scour the internet – there are many helpful articles and videos available. Even better, check out the local woodworking clubs where you can find like-minded woodworkers you can learn from.
Of course, woodworking requires an investment in tools. You can start carving with just a single knife, and expand your carving set as you go. But if you want to build furniture you will need a fair amount of equipment just to get started. Fortunately there are many options when it comes to equipment to help in making getting started affordable. If you’re not sure where to start, do some research and get advice from fellow woodworkers. You can find them through your friends, local woodworking clubs or woodworking stores.
Give woodworking a try! You may surprise yourself with what you are able to create.
It’s never too early or too late to think about your retirement plan.
