London - Monthly pub lunches may be an effective and cost-efficient way of keeping cheerful into your fifties and beyond, a survey suggests.
The over-55s can also boost their happiness without breaking the bank by going on organised day trips, joining a club or buying a new pet, says a retirement planning firm.
It examined ways to increase contentment, but took into account what those relying on the state pension could realistically afford.
The company, Age Partnership, analysed the value of making simple lifestyle changes by comparing the average cost of the change with data indicating how significantly that change would alter their happiness.
Women were made happier by getting a dog or cat, while men’s positivity was boosted by joining a club or buying a new car.
The three most affordable options are eating out once a month, going on a monthly organised day trip and being in a club – all costing less than five percent of the maximum new state pension.
By comparison, the three least affordable lifestyle changes are getting a conservatory, buying a new car or buying a campervan – all of which are impossible to afford on the state pension alone.
The group’s research unsurprisingly proved that if money was no object, the most effective happiness promoter for the over-55s would be to go on holiday, with 76 percent of respondents saying it would have a significant effect on their happiness. Yet the high cost rules it out for many.
Other interesting disparities between the sexes emerged in the examination of happiness triggers. Nearly 40 percent of men thought a new car was the key to happiness, but only 36 percent of women agreed.
Women also had little interest in joining clubs, with a mere 26 percent expressing any interesting, compared to 36 percent of men. Preferences also change according to age group, with the research showing that buying gifts for grandchildren becomes more popular as you get older.
Only 37 percent of respondents aged between 55 and 64 said buying gifts for grandchildren would be significant to their happiness, compared to 53 percent of those aged between 65 and 74 and 56 percent of those aged 75 or older.
Simon Chalk, of Age Partnership, said: “Counter to the old adage, many over-55s feel that money can buy happiness, at least to a certain extent.
“However, many are unable to afford the additions to their lifestyle that would inspire this positivity.
“Our research shows that over-55s’ happiness would be significantly boosted by going on a holiday, or buying a dog or cat.
“However, with the state pension fairly low, and many older people getting by on a smaller-than-ideal pension pot, a lack of available funds is holding back the quality of life for many.”
Daily Mail