How many things on this 50 before 50 bucket list have you achieved?
What should you achieve before turning 50?
A nationwide survey has revealed what Brits consider the most important things to achieve before you’ve lived for half a century.
For the research, which was conducted by Raisin UK Savings Marketplace, some 1,500 respondents over the age of 50 were provided with a list of 80 achievements and asked to tick however many they agreed were their biggest achievements.
The most important is to have a loving marriage, according to respondents, with 36% ranking this as among their key achievement by the age of 50.
READ MORE: The rise of the 50-plus motherhood club
The next most voted for was having a retirement in plan (28%), learning how to say “no” (27%), and having two holidays a year (26%)
Having children came fifth place – with 25% of respondents ranking this as among their most important achievements before 50, while owning a house of their dreams was ticked by 21% of respondents.
Owning a sports cars was also important to 9% of respondents, while curiously some 5% added “meet up with an ex”.
Other achievements included travel – with 13% said visiting Niagara Falls, and 9% said driving across America on the famous Route 66 – and learning to get by in another language (14%).
The list also reflected a fair few goals more commonly associated with a free-spirited adolescence and early adulthood: skinny dipping (6%), smoking cannabis in Amsterdam (4%) and going to a festival (6%).
Here is the list in full:
50 before 50: A bucket list
Have a happy marriage / relationship 36%
Have a retirement plan in place 28%
Learn how to say “no” 27%
Have two holidays a year 26%
To have had children 25%
To feel happy with your body 22%
To have been on a luxury holiday of a lifetime 21%
Own the house of your dreams 21%
See the Northern Lights 20%
Welcome your first grandchild into the world 19%
Pay off your loans / be debt free 18%
Have a driveway 18%
Have enough spare cash to treat yourself 17%
Have savings in the bank 15%
Get back in touch in touch with an old friend 15%
Be a proficient gardener 15%
See your child get married 14%
Learn to get by in another language 14%
Enjoy your own company 13%
Have time for reading 13%
Make a million pounds 13%
Visit Niagara Falls 13%
Forgive someone who upset you 12%
Watch the sunrise on a deserted beach 12%
Live abroad for a year 11%
Fly first class 11%
Swim with dolphins 10%
Own your own company 9%
Be in your dream career 9%
Own a sports car 9%
Drive across America on Route 66 9%
Go on a safari 8%
Learn to play an instrument 8%
Walk along the Great Wall of China 8%
Volunteer for a charity 7%
Own at least an acre of land 7%
Pen a novel 7%
Walk my daughter down the aisle 7%
Stay up all night 7%
Throw a big 50th birthday bash 6%
Have a walk-in wardrobe 6%
Visit a vineyard 6%
Go to a festival 6%
Go skinny dipping 6%
Meet up with an ex 5%
Eat at a Michelin star restaurant 5%
Own a four-wheel-drive 5%
Do something that scares you 5%
Write a love letter to someone 4%
Smoke Cannabis in Amsterdam 4%
Entering middle age (between the ages 40 to 60) has historically been associated with a time of midlife crises – buying a sports car, having a marital affair or reinventing your wardrobe.
READ MORE: Nigella Lawson reveals she'll keep colouring her grey hairs brunette as she turns 60
However, research has challenged this received wisdom in recent years. In 2016, a University of Alberta study found, contrary to popular belief, people are happier in their early 40s (midlife) than at age 19.
There are a number of proven benefits of ageing – including a better sex life; greater confidence; and a greater ability for self-care.
