Advertisement

How many things on this 50 before 50 bucket list have you achieved?

Candle on top of birthday cupcake, celebration of fiftieth birthday
50 before 50: What's on your bucket list?

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

  1. Have a happy marriage / relationship 36%

  2. Have a retirement plan in place 28%

  3. Learn how to say “no” 27%

  4. Have two holidays a year 26%

  5. To have had children 25%

  6. To feel happy with your body 22%

  7. To have been on a luxury holiday of a lifetime 21%

  8. Own the house of your dreams 21%

  9. See the Northern Lights 20%

  10. Welcome your first grandchild into the world 19%

  11. Pay off your loans / be debt free 18%

  12. Have a driveway 18%

  13. Have enough spare cash to treat yourself 17%

  14. Have savings in the bank 15%

  15. Get back in touch in touch with an old friend 15%

  16. Be a proficient gardener 15%

  17. See your child get married 14%

  18. Learn to get by in another language 14%

  19. Enjoy your own company 13%

  20. Have time for reading 13%

  21. Make a million pounds 13%

  22. Visit Niagara Falls 13%

  23. Forgive someone who upset you 12%

  24. Watch the sunrise on a deserted beach 12%

  25. Live abroad for a year 11%

  26. Fly first class 11%

  27. Swim with dolphins 10%

  28. Own your own company 9%

  29. Be in your dream career 9%

  30. Own a sports car 9%

  31. Drive across America on Route 66 9%

  32. Go on a safari 8%

  33. Learn to play an instrument 8%

  34. Walk along the Great Wall of China 8%

  35. Volunteer for a charity 7%

  36. Own at least an acre of land 7%

  37. Pen a novel 7%

  38. Walk my daughter down the aisle 7%

  39. Stay up all night 7%

  40. Throw a big 50th birthday bash 6%

  41. Have a walk-in wardrobe 6%

  42. Visit a vineyard 6%

  43. Go to a festival 6%

  44. Go skinny dipping 6%

  45. Meet up with an ex 5%

  46. Eat at a Michelin star restaurant 5%

  47. Own a four-wheel-drive 5%

  48. Do something that scares you 5%

  49. Write a love letter to someone 4%

  50. 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.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo Style UK: