Key Overviews: What Is a Life Experience List?
A life experience list is a practical and inspiring way to plan how you want to live, not just how much money you want to accumulate.
It helps you:
- Clarify what brings purpose and joy at this stage of life
- Balance experiences, health, relationships, and legacy
- Prioritise goals for now, soon, and later
- Plan financially for lifestyle choices and major experiences
- Live intentionally rather than putting important dreams off
With the right financial planning, many experiences, from travel to family milestones, become more achievable than you might expect.
As a new year begins, it’s a powerful time to reflect on what really matters: health, relationships, purpose, and enjoyment of life. For Australians aged 55 and over, creating a life experience list can help turn “one day” dreams into meaningful plans, whether that means travel, learning something new, or simply enjoying life’s everyday moments.
Life experience planning isn’t just about bucket‑list adventures. It’s about aligning your lifestyle, goals, and finances so you can confidently enjoy both big milestones and small daily pleasures, now and into retirement.
Experiences That Create Lasting Memories
Some experiences require preparation or financial planning, but often become life‑defining moments:
- Travelling Australia by caravan or motorhome
- Overseas travel to destinations like Europe, Japan, the UK, or the USA
- River or ocean cruises
- Revisiting places from your youth
- Multigenerational family holidays
- Living overseas short‑term
- Completing a dream home renovation
- Starting a passion project or small business
- Writing or publishing a memoir
These experiences often benefit from structured savings, investment planning, and retirement cash‑flow modelling.
Experiences That Build Skills, Purpose, and Connection
Many rewarding experiences are accessible and deeply enriching:
- Learning a new hobby such as photography, golf, painting, or sailing
- Enrolling in short courses, U3A, TAFE, or online learning
- Attending concerts, theatre, or major sporting events
- Learning a new language
- Joining wine clubs or cooking schools
- Volunteering locally or abroad
- Tracing family history or completing a DNA ancestry project
These activities support mental wellbeing, social connection, and lifelong learning.
Everyday Moments That Make Life Richer
Some of the most fulfilling experiences are simple, consistent habits:
- Walking in nature or along the beach
- Meeting friends for coffee
- Reading for pleasure
- Gardening and growing food
- Cooking from scratch
- Watching sunrises or sunsets
- Visiting local markets
- Keeping a gratitude journal
Thoughtful lifestyle planning ensures you have the time, health, and financial confidence to enjoy these moments.
Health, Relationships, and Legacy Planning
True fulfilment goes beyond activities. Many people over 55 prioritise:
- Maintaining independence and physical mobility
- Improving sleep, energy, and long‑term health
- Strengthening family relationships and friendships
- Creating meaningful family traditions
- Mentoring younger generations
- Updating wills and estate plans
- Supporting causes and charities they care about
- Feeling financially secure and informed
These elements are closely linked to good retirement and financial planning.
Making 2026 a Meaningful Year, and Beyond
A life experience list is a powerful way to live intentionally. By planning ahead, you can enjoy meaningful experiences today while protecting your financial wellbeing for the future.
If you’re ready to explore your lifestyle goals, retirement plans, or financial future, a conversation with a Morgans adviser can help turn your “one day” ideas into well‑planned realities.
Start your planning today - and make the years ahead some of your most fulfilling yet.
Turn your intentions into reality in 2026. Plannning ahead gives you the chance to save for bigger goals, try something new each month and finally turn those 'one day' dreams into reality.
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FAQs: Life Experience Planning After 55
What should I include on my life experience list?
Include anything that feels meaningful - travel, health goals, family experiences, learning, hobbies, or legacy planning. Both big dreams and small everyday joys matter.
Is it too late to try something new after 55?
No. Many people discover their most rewarding experiences later in life, especially once work pressures ease and priorities become clearer.
What if my goals feel financially out of reach?
Large goals can often be broken into smaller, achievable steps. With the right advice, structured saving, and investment planning, many experiences become more realistic than expected.
How does financial planning support lifestyle goals?
A financial adviser can help align your money with your values - modelling cash flow, investments, superannuation, and retirement income so you can confidently enjoy life experiences without unnecessary stress.
Should I share my plans with family?
Yes. Sharing your experience list can deepen relationships, inspire shared adventures, and help create lasting family memories.
Sophie Doyle (AR#000470612) is a Retirement & Aged Care Specialist at Morgans Financial Limited (Morgans AFSL 235410 / ABN49 010 669 726). Sophie is passionate about helping people over 55 make informed decisions that empower them to step confidently into the next phase of life. She specialises in creating personalised financial strategies tailored to each client’s lifestyle, aspirations, and risk tolerance—enabling them to live a life full of meaning, purpose, and peace of mind.
Disclaimer: While every care has been taken, Morgans Financial Limited makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of the contents. The information is of a general nature only and has been prepared without consideration of your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any decisions, you should consider the appropriateness for your personal investment objectives, financial situation or individual needs. We recommend you see a financial adviser, registered tax agent or legal adviser before making any decisions based on this information. Current at 20 August 2025.
