Looking Forward: An Optimist's Guide to Retirement    by Ellen Freudenheim Order:  USA  Can Stuart, Tabori and Chang, 2005 (2005) Paperback     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Is retirement age creeping up on you? Are you trying to ignore the whole thing? Not sure how you'll fill your days when you no longer have that 9 to 5 job? Today, more and more people are staying on the job because they are still vital and anxious to keep productive. But do you really think this is the only way to do that? Pick up a copy of Looking Forward: An Optimist's Guide to Retirement. In the first pages, 'you'll meet mature adults who describe what it's like to be going back to school, running marathons, getting political, teaching inner-city children to read, and, yes, just smelling the roses.' You'll find an inner you, 'whether it's an old passion, a new love, or a sudden urge to give something back to society.' What is an optimist? I like the thought of an eighty-five year old man buying green bananas. Why not? He's on the right track. Take advantage of the time you have left and live. Don't just rock and wait for the end of your days. What a waste. Looking Forward gives the future retiree (or someone already on that path) alternatives to that rocking chair. Information and advice and good humor abound on each page. Worried about being able to afford retirement? Pages 288 to 319 will give you the info you need to handle your finances. What are you going to do with all your free time? Suggestions for filling it will more than use that time up. Should you move? Answers to that are there for the reading. Exercising, volunteering, traveling, hobbies, your social life, and yes, your romantic life – all these are covered in this comprehensive guide to a healthy and fruitful retirement. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews