If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness, you are certainly wrestling with a lot of mixed emotions. If you want to make the most of your remaining days but are worried about financing the fun, you have the option of selling your life insurance policy through a viatical company. The unexpected cash can give you an opportunity to tackle bucket list items you may not otherwise have the chance. A viatical settlement is one way to finance travel, adventures, and quality time with family in the days that are left. Here are some exciting ideas for the child in all of us, no matter what our age is.
1. Indulge In Cultural Experiences
Head to New York City and buy Wicked Tickets so that you can see live theatre on Broadway. This is a great opportunity to see professional actors perform on stage and share stories about life, love, loss, and adventure. You can also indulge in a concert to see a favorite performer. If musicians in New York City don’t appeal to you, consider heading to Nashville to see a show at the Grand Ole Opry or one of the city’s other concert venues.
2. Hit An Unexpected Travel Destination
Make a list of the places you would like to see most. Perhaps you’ll board a plane and explore Australia or New Zealand. If you prefer to travel by water you may take a cruise to Central America or Alaska. Many places can be reached by rail or car. Popular U.S. tourist destinations include the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, and Savannah, Georgia.
3. Cherish Local Treasures
You may think about traveling far away and overlook places close by that you’ve never visited. What attractions bring tourists to your town, county or state? Make a list and go and see the wonders in your backyard. One of the benefits of visiting local sites is that you can make plans to do day trips with friends and family who live nearby.
4. Soak Up Friends And Family
Take time to do things with your close friends and family. Meeting up for lunch, taking a walk in the park, or going to see a movie are all ways to build memories with the people who are important to you. You may also want to combine this item with others so that you can share memories and experiences with those important to you.
5. Get Into Some Trouble (The Good Kind)
Think of the wildest things you ever considered doing. Make plans to have those adventures in the time you have left. Ride in a hot air balloon. Go sky diving. Take a dip in a shark tank so you can see the marine mammals up close. Travel by sled dog in Alaska.
6. Loosen Up
It’s common to think of the big things you want to do, but there may also be some fun or silly things you enjoy or have always wanted to try. Take a ghost tour. Play ping pong. Take your grandchildren to go-karting and see if you can beat them on the speedway. Think of the activities you’ve enjoyed most and made time to indulge in them again.
7. Relish In Your Memories
Document your experiences and memories. You may have lived through historic events and have recollections about those events that you wish to share. It’s possible that you were a pioneer in your industry or that you have special insights on specific topics. You can opt to write and publish your memoir or record your family stories for future generations.
8. Make A Family Scrapbook
Put your photographs and mementos together in scrapbooks. You can have replicas of photographs made so that you can pass them on to all of your children or grandchildren. This is a great way of ensuring that your descendants have complete and accurate records of their ancestors. It’s also a way of showcasing places and experiences that were important to you.
9. Plan Your Memorial and Obituary
If you’re the kind of person who likes to look after all the details then you may find it comforting to plan your own service and even write your own obituary. This way, your loved ones won’t have to make difficult decisions after you pass and you can plan some personal surprises in the service.
10. Set Up a Scholarship Fund or Charity
You don’t have to be rich to set up a scholarship fund. This is a way of investing in future students studying in a field or at a school you care about. Another option is to start a charity. One family memorialized their daughter with an annual book drive. Another honored their father with a charity devoted to supporting opera singers.
