‘Staying young’ is a phrase thrown around often and you may hear it more as you get older. It can have different meanings to different people. Whether it’s looking younger or feeling younger, there’s a whole plethora of advice out there on how to achieve these looks or feelings. However, much of this advice might include travelling or perhaps beauty treatments to achieve this, which can be out of reach for many of us. However, the simplest way to feel younger is to try new things. Our younger years are so exciting and go so fast because almost every experience we have is new to us. Here at Careline, we’ve decided to compile a list of tips; keep reading to learn how to stay young on a budget.
1. Music
Whether it’s an old bop to remind you of your youth or tuning into the current top 40 to keep up with the youngsters, simply putting on a bit of music and having a little boogie can be an excellent way to feel young. It’s also a great way to get a little more active. Why not play some tunes while doing housework and lift your mood while doing so?
Another option that costs a little more, but can be as low as a fiver, is going to a gig or music event. This might be a little daunting if you haven’t been to one in a good few years, but you never know what you might find!
2. Social Media
Social media is a relatively new phenomenon, typically associated with teenagers and young adults. However, the number of older social media users is going up and it isn’t hard to see why. Since the first social networking sites, this technology has been a convenient and fun way to stay in touch with family and friends (and meet new people too). The coronavirus pandemic has only increased our need for online communication, making sites like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Instagram more popular than ever. Social media is an excellent way to connect with other users who share your interests and make friends that way.
Recent years have even seen the rise of the elderly influencer, sharing their lifestyle, fashion, or artwork to loyal followers. Find out how to use Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook here. Even better, they’re all free to use.
3. Food
It could be any cuisine from Korean to Caribbean, but trying new food is a sure-fire to discover a tasty new interest. It might even introduce you to an entire culture you can immerse yourself in. It doesn’t have to be expensive either. Some can be found at a local takeaway or there are plenty of budget cookbooks for you to try. There are very few ingredients that can’t be found in your local supermarket.
Cooking can become a challenge for plenty of people as they get older. For some kitchen safety tips and useful gadgets, read our article on 6 Affordable Kitchen Gadgets for Your Ageing Parents.
4. Hobbies
Contrary to what you’ve been told, gardening and knitting are not the only hobbies for older people. Lots of these traditionally elderly hobbies have become very trendy in recent years. Whether it’s something like sudoku or chess to keep the mind keen, or yoga to keep the body active, there are so many hobbies to try in your later years. Picking up a new hobby is a great way to stay young on a budget.
Of course, there are several hobbies that require special equipment or clothing, so budgeting can be a concern. However, there are so many activities that do not require equipment and can also be self-taught via YouTube. All you need is an internet connection.
5. Looking Younger
We’ve spoken a lot about feeling younger, but how about looking younger? There are a few simple ways to switch up your look that could help you to feel funkier and maybe even younger. Here’s how:
- Changing your hairstyle/colour – Is there a ‘do you never dared try when you were younger? One that didn’t work for your job or lifestyle? Retirement could be the perfect time for this change. After all, we’ve learnt from our elderly influencers that there’s no age cap on a Mohican.
- Small changes to your wardrobe – Now this one could be expensive. Luckily, ‘thrifting’ (buying clothes second-hand) is all the rage at the moment. You can revamp your entire style for less than a tenner in the local charity shop. You may have fun seeing clothes from your youth back in vogue.
- Makeup – Alongside a funky hairdo, did something stop you from experimenting with makeup? Did you miss the punk era entirely and regret it now? Colourful eyeshadow and lip paint is the current fashion and the best part is you can pick up an entire pallet or kit for a very decent price.
Perhaps staying young is not so much about looking younger but more about embracing styles and trends that older people may have shied away from before.
6. The Basics
We’ve shared our top tips to stay young on a budget. However, some may not suit everyone’s needs or preferences. They may also not suit everyone’s physical ability or finances. Nonetheless, these options can be altered to suit everyone and really are good for those on a budget!
7. Staying Confident in Old Age
Plenty of us remember our youth fondly as a time before worries and stress. Here is where Careline can help. We provide a range of emergency alarms to help elderly people maintain their independence and live without worry. As we get older, fears about falling over and medical issues can make us nervous in our daily lives. Careline alarms can help relieve these worries, both for the person using the alarm and their friends and family. If anything were to happen, the alarm user can call for help with the touch of a button. We also offer automatic fall detector alarms and GPS-enabled alarms to help older people stay independent.
To find out more about the Careline alarm service and how it can help you, read our quick guide or check out our range of products here. Alternatively, contact our friendly team online or by phone – they’ll be happy to answer any queries you may have.
You can order your Careline alarm online at any time. Prices start from just £13.89 per month.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 11th November 2021 to reflect current information.
