You’ve worked hard all your life and you want your retirement to be an enjoyable reward. But then you realise you don’t have as much money as you’d hoped and that you’ll need to start watching the pennies from now on.

So that means you can wave goodbye to having fun in retirement, right?

Wrong! Here are 8 ways you can enjoy a happy and fulfilling retirement, without spending a whole lot of money.

How to have fun on a budget

Having fun in retirement doesn’t have to be about first class travel, five-star dining and expensive new toys. Enjoyment can be found in lots of other, less obvious ways, many of which involve little or no financial outlay.

Volunteering

One way to stay happy in retirement is to give back to your community. Helping others will give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning and volunteering is known to have positive benefits for our mental state and outlook on life. There are lots of charities out there who would be delighted to have your assistance and just like joining a club, it’s a great way to meet new people.

Hobbies

Few things are more rewarding than doing something you love or mastering something you’ve always wanted to do. And taking up a hobby in retirement can provide you with years of enjoyment for very little cost. Whether it’s gardening, cooking, woodworking or quilting, there are thousands of great hobbies and pastimes and plenty of introductory classes to help you get going.

The Internet

The Internet is a bottomless well of fun so if you haven’t had much to do with the world wide web during your working life, retirement’s the time to learn how to surf. There are millions of YouTube videos on how to do just about anything and social media sites such as Facebook will give you a space to connect with like-minded people or stay in touch with family wherever they live. And if you’ve always wanted to share your ideas, starting a blog is fun and totally free.

Sports

Whether it’s tennis, golf, hiking or bowls, whatever sport you enjoyed during your working life, you should keep it up once you retire to keep yourself healthy and happy. Sport is a win-win, offering both physical exercise and social interaction, so even if you switch to something less strenuous in later years, keeping sport of some kind in your life is a sure-fire recipe for a happy retirement.

Creativity

Have you always harboured a secret desire to paint, sculpt or write a best-selling novel? Well, retirement is the ideal time to spread your creative wings and give it a go. And apart from some materials and perhaps a few classes, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Now that you’re no longer working, time is the most precious commodity you have, so why not get creative and see what happens. Who knows. You might just discover your true calling!

Education

If you enjoy learning new things, going back to school is another great recipe for a happy retirement. Whether it’s learning a new language or studying for a degree, there are plenty of low cost options available both in-class and online. And education is believed to provide lots of health benefits for older adults, from memory enhancement to reduced risk of dementia.

The great outdoors

The great outdoors really is great and they’re totally free to enjoy. For a happy retirement, why not get out there and make nature a larger part of your life. Hiking, climbing, cycling, fishing and bird watching are all great outdoor activities you can enjoy for little or no cost and the benefits of fresh air and exercise are well documented, whatever your age.

Travel

While travel is considered a must-do bucket list item by many retirees, it doesn’t have to involve expensive overseas holidays and five-star hotels. If you want to travel, but don’t have a lot of funds, consider taking shorter trips to destinations a bit closer to home. And if you really want to see more of the world, consider cruising, which provides great value for money, with your travel, accommodation, meals and entertainment all included in the price.

Clearly, there are plenty of low-cost options that offer fun and relaxation in retirement. While clubs may require membership fees and sports and hobbies can involve purchasing materials and equipment, there are plenty of interests that need nothing other than a map or a good pair of shoes.

So there’s really no excuse for not enjoying yourself when you retire. Providing you have your health and an interest in discovering new things, the world can be your oyster, regardless of whether or not you can afford the pearl.