Taking the PLUNGE
Coronavirus has caused many of us to reassess what we want out of life. Lockdown has made us look at our homes, driving up property prices as homebuyers seek more space and new locations, freed by remote working. Almost a third of buyers, and one in five first-time buyers, say they want to live in a rural area, according to research by property portal Rightmove.
The pandemic has also driven career and financial changes. ‘Many people who were never able to save now can – because money is not going out on haircuts, eating out, socialising and kids’ clubs,’ says Simonne Gnessen, director of Wise Monkey Financial Coaching and co-author of Sheconomics. ‘Others may be in financial chaos, if they have lost jobs or fallen through the gaps of state support.’ Nearly one in seven of those aged 40-67 have had to delay their retirement, while almost one in 10 have been forced to retire early, according to My Pension Expert.
The good news is that we can reinvent ourselves and enjoy exciting new opportunities. Midlife can be a brilliant time to step off the treadmill, perhaps returning to whatever we were passionate about before raising a family, or exploring something we really care about.
‘You may have done a big chunk of your caring role, and be able to see light at
