For many older single women, housing insecurity can come as an unwelcome surprise. We’ve spent our best decades building a family, caring for loved ones, and holding down a career. The reward is often divorce, job loss, and estrangement. When coupled with scarcity of suitable affordable housing, and cost of living far outstripping earnings or interest from savings, it becomes hard to keep a roof over your head.

Teaching English abroad can be a life-enriching experience. Spending time in countries such as Rwanda, China, Nepal or Laos allows you to make a positive impact on young lives, embrace a new culture, and gain a sense of purpose in retirement. Here’s a guide to help you consider if this journey might be right for you, along with some practical tips to make it happen.

As we move through retirement, many of us start to think about the impact we want to leave behind. This can be an especially personal journey—one rooted in the people, causes, and memories that make our lives feel rich and meaningful. Building a legacy is about more than financial gifts; it’s about living out our values, sharing our stories, and enriching the world around us. Here are some thoughtful ways to create a legacy that will be remembered and cherished long after we’re gone.