I am trying to do something this year that I have not succeeded in doing during other holiday seasons----have my Christmas gifts mailed early enough that I do not need to pay extra for faster delivery. I am done with the gifts for the grandkids and half done with the rest of family and friends. I am doing a lot of this online this year as I dread the long wait in line at Postal Annex where I go. Because I am used to shopping online, my concern with giving out my credit card information is less than it used to be. But, I must admit that I still get a little nervous, especially when I am visiting a new website that I have not used before. I have talked with others who are concerned about identity theft, not only in the online world but in the real world as well.
I received the latest issue of The Costco Connection the other day and they had an article about identity theft during the holiday season which I thought that I would share with you. The article was written by Stephanie E. Ponder for Costco.
Close the Door to Identity Theft during the Holiday Season
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, many shoppers can be at risk for identity theft--often through the loss of credit cards or other important pieces identification. Give yourself the gift of peace of mind by guarding against one of the fastest growing types of crime in the country.
Here are a few tips to help you guard against identity theft.
* Do not carry your Social Security card, passport or birth certificate while you're out shopping. The loss of a Social Security card--or the theft of that numer--could allow identity thieves to set up new credit card accounts in your name, but at a different address that may go undetected.
* Carry only the ID cards and credit cards that are absolutely necessary for that shopping trip. Credit cards should be signed with "See picture ID" on the back in permanent ink.
* Look out for "shoulder surfers", people who hover near shoppers and watch them as they carry out transactions at ATMs or checkout counters.
* Use a crosscut shredder to safely dispose of tax-related and financial papers, as well as mail such as credit card or calling-plan offers.
* Remember, cordless phones are essentially short-range radios whose broadcasts can be monitored by strangers. When using a cell phone in a public place, be careful what you divulge; wait until you're at home to call in an order for last-minute holiday gifts.
* Minimize the information you share, especially on checks.
It seems a shame that we need to think about this kind of stuff, but there are people out there who make their living by preying on unsuspecting people; so it is always wise to just remember some of the steps we can take to protect ourself and our identity.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
RETIREMENT -- ITS HARD WORK!
My husband and I took the early retirement route in 2001. My retirement was a result of my planning to do so when I could take early Social Security at 62 and after 28 years at the same job. It was accompanied by a retirement party and lots of cards and well wishes. My husband's retirement was a result of agency planning and the elimination of his and other positions after almost 30 years. It was accompanied with no parties and no cards nor well wishes. But it was something that we had discussed and planned on for in the future; so we decided that the future was now.
9/11 happened and our situation seemed to be an opportunity rather than a misfortune. Remembering the old adages that "there are no guarantees" and "life is too short to put your dreams on hold"; we entered into an early retirement filled with some fear; but mostly excitement and anticipation of what was to come next. We have not had regrets of either the early retirement or the move from Nebraska to California; as we were "living our dream"!
But there are days when it becomes abundantly clear that retirement is not always easy; in fact, sometimes it is hard work. There is so much more to retirement than just having enough money, whatever enough is. There is just the considerations one must make due to natural aging. There is the realization that no matter how much money you do have, there are always unexpected expenses that alter your equations. (Of course, that is no different in retirement than it was in earlier years.)
There are always adjustments to be made due to a different lifestyle. Learning to live side by side with your spouse on a more more regular basis, learning how to be a part of your grandkid's lives by long-distance, how to stay close to your best friends from afar. The ease of the Internet helps in so many of those areas.
The Internet is also a major help in solving some of those questions about retirement issues; whether they be about financial planning/investments, travel, researching healthcare issues and the right insurance and mainly about communication with those grandchildren, children and friends.
We would love to hear from some of you about how you are dealing with retirement, if you are already there; or with the dream of retirement, if you want to be there. Please leave a comment and perhaps we can learn from each other.
9/11 happened and our situation seemed to be an opportunity rather than a misfortune. Remembering the old adages that "there are no guarantees" and "life is too short to put your dreams on hold"; we entered into an early retirement filled with some fear; but mostly excitement and anticipation of what was to come next. We have not had regrets of either the early retirement or the move from Nebraska to California; as we were "living our dream"!
But there are days when it becomes abundantly clear that retirement is not always easy; in fact, sometimes it is hard work. There is so much more to retirement than just having enough money, whatever enough is. There is just the considerations one must make due to natural aging. There is the realization that no matter how much money you do have, there are always unexpected expenses that alter your equations. (Of course, that is no different in retirement than it was in earlier years.)
There are always adjustments to be made due to a different lifestyle. Learning to live side by side with your spouse on a more more regular basis, learning how to be a part of your grandkid's lives by long-distance, how to stay close to your best friends from afar. The ease of the Internet helps in so many of those areas.
The Internet is also a major help in solving some of those questions about retirement issues; whether they be about financial planning/investments, travel, researching healthcare issues and the right insurance and mainly about communication with those grandchildren, children and friends.
We would love to hear from some of you about how you are dealing with retirement, if you are already there; or with the dream of retirement, if you want to be there. Please leave a comment and perhaps we can learn from each other.
Monday, October 30, 2006
RETIREMENT FROM WHAT?
If you are like my husband and I, you are continually seeing articles about how babyboomers are going to impact our economy, health care and even the "appearance" of retirement. I too believe that the sheer numbers of babyboomers will have a significant role in the future of retirement and retirement planning. However, I don't believe the doomsayers and their dire predictions of that role. I see that this influx of babyboomers will strengthen and enhance the view of retirement. I have always believed in the "safety in numbers" theory and I think that this is an example of same.
Successful retirement has never been simply a one size fits all picture. We are all unique individuals with our own personal needs and wants. The successful retirement requires each of us to be involved in our own future and to develop our own personal retirement plan, not the one that someone else has for us. Advice is always helpful, especially when it comes to the financial and estate planning. But I urge you to take all advice and make sure that it fits both you needs and wants; not what someone else thinks that you should do.
If you are already retired, we would love to hear your story. Did you retire early? Did you recareer to support your retirement? Did you move to a different community? Your story might be the tip or hint to help someone else move from not retired to retired. Let's start a collection of retirement stories.
If you are not retired but are exploring what you need to be doing, I would encourage you to take a look at an Early Retirement Book which might help you design Your Own Retirement Plan. Check this out: http://www.babyboomersandretirement.com/
RETIRED AND READY TO:________________(Fill in the blank, it's your life.)
Successful retirement has never been simply a one size fits all picture. We are all unique individuals with our own personal needs and wants. The successful retirement requires each of us to be involved in our own future and to develop our own personal retirement plan, not the one that someone else has for us. Advice is always helpful, especially when it comes to the financial and estate planning. But I urge you to take all advice and make sure that it fits both you needs and wants; not what someone else thinks that you should do.
If you are already retired, we would love to hear your story. Did you retire early? Did you recareer to support your retirement? Did you move to a different community? Your story might be the tip or hint to help someone else move from not retired to retired. Let's start a collection of retirement stories.
If you are not retired but are exploring what you need to be doing, I would encourage you to take a look at an Early Retirement Book which might help you design Your Own Retirement Plan. Check this out: http://www.babyboomersandretirement.com/
RETIRED AND READY TO:________________(Fill in the blank, it's your life.)
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
HOW LOSING YOUR JOB CAN AFFECT YOUR RETIREMENT.
My husband and I know personally how your retirement can be affected by losing your job. Both he and others we know lost their jobs of many years because of a variety of reasons. Most of which had to do with down-sizing, budgetary cuts and change in management. Regardless of the reason, losing a job not only affects one's retirement but current lifestyle and self esteem. We will deal with those issues at a later time, but wanted to share the following article with you.
I know, just what you need, one more thing to think about in your quest for a successful retirement. But these are the things that everyone must think about when they are designing their retirement plans.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-yourmoney-1001journey,1,7896842.story?coll=chi -business-hed
PLAN NOW -- RETIRE EARLY!
I know, just what you need, one more thing to think about in your quest for a successful retirement. But these are the things that everyone must think about when they are designing their retirement plans.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-yourmoney-1001journey,1,7896842.story?coll=chi -business-hed
PLAN NOW -- RETIRE EARLY!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
WOMEN BABYBOOMERS AND RETIREMENT
Even though my husband and I retired together, I am constantly reminded of how many women are heading into retirement as a single woman. I personally know several women who are single and are babyboomers or already retired. I have a best friend whose husband died unexpectedly at the age of 56. She herself is still in her early fifties and still working a full-time job. I know that we never know what life holds in store for us; but I also know that there is a chance that she shall enter her retirement as a single woman. I feel a need to try to reach out to this demographic and try to bring articles of interest to them. I will also bring to their attention websites of interest.
I found this article about women and retirement that I would like to share with our blog readers.
A recent national survey of employed adults commissioned by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies revealed that many women are not as prepared as they should be for retirement. Women are lagging in total savings, averaging nearly $51,000 less than men. They are also underestimating how much they need to save for a comfortable retirement, with estimates nearly $300,000 less than those given by men. The survey, however, found promising opportunities for women that might be easily overlooked but can significantly improve their chances for a more secure retirement. To read the rest of the article, please go to this link: http://www.dentalplans.com/Dental-Health-Articles/Six-Retirement-Tips-Every-Woman-Should- Know.asp
I would love to have any women who are babyboomers and/or in retirement to add comments about the value of this article. I will follow up with more articles and websites of interest
Retired and Ready to: (Your choice).
I found this article about women and retirement that I would like to share with our blog readers.
A recent national survey of employed adults commissioned by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies revealed that many women are not as prepared as they should be for retirement. Women are lagging in total savings, averaging nearly $51,000 less than men. They are also underestimating how much they need to save for a comfortable retirement, with estimates nearly $300,000 less than those given by men. The survey, however, found promising opportunities for women that might be easily overlooked but can significantly improve their chances for a more secure retirement. To read the rest of the article, please go to this link: http://www.dentalplans.com/Dental-Health-Articles/Six-Retirement-Tips-Every-Woman-Should- Know.asp
I would love to have any women who are babyboomers and/or in retirement to add comments about the value of this article. I will follow up with more articles and websites of interest
Retired and Ready to: (Your choice).
Thursday, September 07, 2006
WHAT DO YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT RETIREMENT?
One of the things that I have enjoyed since we started this blog about early retirement is doing the research on baby boomers and retired people and those who "want to retire". Just when I think that I won't find something new, I come across the information that you will find when you go to the link provided at the end of this post. It is interesting to see how much of the media is jumping onto the babyboomer bandwagon. To me this is a good thing. The more we discuss the issues, concerns and worries and the joys of retirement; the more we will be able to find the solutions to the questions we have. Also it will mean that consumer marketing might better reflect the fact that we are not all alike, whether we are baby boomers who haven't really thought about retirement all the way to already retired and wondering how we can sustain the lifestyle of the retired.
I ask you to go to the following link from an MSNBC Special they are doing on Baby Boomers and take the quiz. You might be surprised at either how much you DO or DON't know about retirement.
Once you take the quiz, please leave a comment or two about what you thought.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13089081/
PLAN NOW -- RETIRE EARLY!
I ask you to go to the following link from an MSNBC Special they are doing on Baby Boomers and take the quiz. You might be surprised at either how much you DO or DON't know about retirement.
Once you take the quiz, please leave a comment or two about what you thought.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13089081/
PLAN NOW -- RETIRE EARLY!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
RETIREMENT STUDY
From the time that my husband and I started even thinking about retirement and also in our work with aging programs for so many years we have seen so many "studies" about retirement.
I, myself, started to get skeptical about all of the surveys. But after we retired and started to think about how we could help people who were interested in retirement and especially early retirement and with the baby boomers; I started paying more attention to them. This is one study/survey that I found interesting and thought that some of you might as well. You must keep in mind that any time that you read one of these you need to remember that they are usually conducted with a specific purpose in mind. But, also keep in mind that the people being interviewed don't know what that specific purpose is.
As always, we are very interested in what any of you who read these posts on our blog think about the information that we include. Any comments are welome. Heres to a happy, healthy and hearty retirement for us all!
seniors : US: New Merrill Lynch Retirement Study [TheMatureMarket.com]
Retired and Ready!
I, myself, started to get skeptical about all of the surveys. But after we retired and started to think about how we could help people who were interested in retirement and especially early retirement and with the baby boomers; I started paying more attention to them. This is one study/survey that I found interesting and thought that some of you might as well. You must keep in mind that any time that you read one of these you need to remember that they are usually conducted with a specific purpose in mind. But, also keep in mind that the people being interviewed don't know what that specific purpose is.
As always, we are very interested in what any of you who read these posts on our blog think about the information that we include. Any comments are welome. Heres to a happy, healthy and hearty retirement for us all!
seniors : US: New Merrill Lynch Retirement Study [TheMatureMarket.com]
Retired and Ready!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
BABYBOOMERS AND RETIREMENT
Baby Boomer Facts You May Not Know
Welcome to Older-Americaville to Presidents Bush & Clinton, Cher, Donald Trump, Dolly Parton, Sylvester Stallone
Dec. 12, 2005 - In 2006, the oldest of the baby boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, will turn 60 years old. Among the Americans celebrating their 60th will be our two most recent presidents, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Other well-known celebrities reaching this milestone include Cher, Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton. To commemorate this occasion, the Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts relating to, perhaps, our most celebrated generation.
78.2 million:
Estimated number of baby boomers, as of July 1, 2005. http://www.census.gov/popest/national/
7,918:
Number of people turning 60 each day in 2006, according to projections. That amounts to 330 every hour. http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/
James & Mary:
The most popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, in 1946. Today, the names Jacob and Emily lead the list; James ranks 17th among boys and Mary is 63rd among girls. (Source: Social Security Administration, at http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html )
50.8 percent:
Percentage of women baby boomers in 2005. http://www.census.gov/popest/national/
9.1 million:
Estimated number of baby boomers in 2004 who were black. http://www.census.gov/popest/national/
32 percent:
Proportion of Alaska's population that was part of the baby boom generation, as of the last census. Baby boomers also comprised 30 percent or more of the population in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. In contrast, Utah (23 percent) was the only state where baby boomers constituted less than 25 percent. http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-12.pdf
Then and Now -- 141.4 million:
Estimated U.S. population in 1946. Today, the nation's population stands at 297.7 million. http://www.census.gov/popest/archives/1990s/popclockest.txt and http://www.census.gov
33 percent and 5 percent:
The proportions of adults age 25 and older with at least a high school diploma and at least a bachelor's degree, respectively, in 1947. By 2004, the respective proportions had risen to 85 percent and 28 percent. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/educ-attn.html
The Future-- $2,695:
Average annual expenditures on health care in 2004 for people ages 45 to 54 the age group that is the heart of the baby boom generation. When budgeting medical expenses, baby boomers should expect increased health-care spending as they age; for instance, those age 55 to 64 spent $3,262 and those 65 and over, $3,899. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/cex/2004/Standard/age.pdf )
57.8 million:
Number of baby boomers living in 2030, according to projections; 54.9 percent would be female. That year, boomers would be between ages 66 and 84. http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/
2.1:
The number of workers for each Social Security beneficiary in 2031, when all baby boomers will be over age 65. Currently, there are 3.3 workers for each Social Security beneficiary. (Source: Social Security Administration, at http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/basicfact.htm )
4,041:
Number of continuing care retirement facilities in 2003. Many boomers could have parents in need of such facilities or may have to move into such a facility themselves in the future. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html
Staying Young and Fit: 27,813
Number of fitness and recreation centers nationwide in 2003. These are good places to visit on a regular basis for boomers who are trying to become or stay physically fit. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html
11,938:
Number of cosmetics, beauty supply and perfume stores in 2003. These stores carry numerous antiaging skin care products aimed at people in this age group. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html
"Special Editions" of the U.S. Census Bureau's Facts for Features are issued to provide background information for less known observances, anniversaries of historic events and other timely topics in the news.
Welcome to Older-Americaville to Presidents Bush & Clinton, Cher, Donald Trump, Dolly Parton, Sylvester Stallone
Dec. 12, 2005 - In 2006, the oldest of the baby boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, will turn 60 years old. Among the Americans celebrating their 60th will be our two most recent presidents, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Other well-known celebrities reaching this milestone include Cher, Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton. To commemorate this occasion, the Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts relating to, perhaps, our most celebrated generation.
78.2 million:
Estimated number of baby boomers, as of July 1, 2005. http://www.census.gov/popest/national/
7,918:
Number of people turning 60 each day in 2006, according to projections. That amounts to 330 every hour. http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/
James & Mary:
The most popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, in 1946. Today, the names Jacob and Emily lead the list; James ranks 17th among boys and Mary is 63rd among girls. (Source: Social Security Administration, at http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html )
50.8 percent:
Percentage of women baby boomers in 2005. http://www.census.gov/popest/national/
9.1 million:
Estimated number of baby boomers in 2004 who were black. http://www.census.gov/popest/national/
32 percent:
Proportion of Alaska's population that was part of the baby boom generation, as of the last census. Baby boomers also comprised 30 percent or more of the population in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. In contrast, Utah (23 percent) was the only state where baby boomers constituted less than 25 percent. http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-12.pdf
Then and Now -- 141.4 million:
Estimated U.S. population in 1946. Today, the nation's population stands at 297.7 million. http://www.census.gov/popest/archives/1990s/popclockest.txt and http://www.census.gov
33 percent and 5 percent:
The proportions of adults age 25 and older with at least a high school diploma and at least a bachelor's degree, respectively, in 1947. By 2004, the respective proportions had risen to 85 percent and 28 percent. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/educ-attn.html
The Future-- $2,695:
Average annual expenditures on health care in 2004 for people ages 45 to 54 the age group that is the heart of the baby boom generation. When budgeting medical expenses, baby boomers should expect increased health-care spending as they age; for instance, those age 55 to 64 spent $3,262 and those 65 and over, $3,899. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/cex/2004/Standard/age.pdf )
57.8 million:
Number of baby boomers living in 2030, according to projections; 54.9 percent would be female. That year, boomers would be between ages 66 and 84. http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/
2.1:
The number of workers for each Social Security beneficiary in 2031, when all baby boomers will be over age 65. Currently, there are 3.3 workers for each Social Security beneficiary. (Source: Social Security Administration, at http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/basicfact.htm )
4,041:
Number of continuing care retirement facilities in 2003. Many boomers could have parents in need of such facilities or may have to move into such a facility themselves in the future. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html
Staying Young and Fit: 27,813
Number of fitness and recreation centers nationwide in 2003. These are good places to visit on a regular basis for boomers who are trying to become or stay physically fit. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html
11,938:
Number of cosmetics, beauty supply and perfume stores in 2003. These stores carry numerous antiaging skin care products aimed at people in this age group. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/cbptotal.html
"Special Editions" of the U.S. Census Bureau's Facts for Features are issued to provide background information for less known observances, anniversaries of historic events and other timely topics in the news.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
EARLY RETIREMENT AND YOU
One of the things that we have enjoyed since our early retirement and then starting this blog is doing the research on retirement issues and especially the increase of babyboomers and their issues. The Internet is such a wonderful resource and blogs just add to that wonder. We would encourage you to do some of this research yourself, but if you are still involved in a job, or have other things in your life that prevent you from doing that research; remember -- we see this as one of our "jobs" in helping you. We hope that perhaps we can all help one another in the adventure of life-changing proportions commonly known as Retirement.
It is important to be aware that what retirement has been in the past in not the same as it is for a lot of the current babyboomers. What an exciting time, despite all the doom and gloom that we keep hearing about pensions, social security and our lack of saving and planning. I have always been an optimist and have believed that a positive attitude will make any adventure, no matter how difficult it may be at times, a lot easier and afford more opportunities. Now that I have convinced my husband to join me in the "half full glass", we view our retirement with open eyes and an open mind. We hope that you will do the same.
In that line of thought, we would like to direct you to a link from a gentleman with his own personal views of retirement and some interesting thoughts.
philip.greenspun.com/materialism/early-retirement
It is important to be aware that what retirement has been in the past in not the same as it is for a lot of the current babyboomers. What an exciting time, despite all the doom and gloom that we keep hearing about pensions, social security and our lack of saving and planning. I have always been an optimist and have believed that a positive attitude will make any adventure, no matter how difficult it may be at times, a lot easier and afford more opportunities. Now that I have convinced my husband to join me in the "half full glass", we view our retirement with open eyes and an open mind. We hope that you will do the same.
In that line of thought, we would like to direct you to a link from a gentleman with his own personal views of retirement and some interesting thoughts.
philip.greenspun.com/materialism/early-retirement
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
7 STEPS FOR CREATING A SATISFYING RETIREMENT
As my husband and I get further into our own retirement, we realize the importance of having some very good advice or steps if you will and so anytime we see someone offering such steps; we will pass them on to you. Since we don't know for sure where you are in your retirement, whether that is already retired or still want to be; we will pass on to you any of those steps that we think are good ones. We know that everyone has different views of when, where and how they plan their retirement. If any of you would like to share some steps you see as critical in the retirement process; please add them in the comments section.
Seven Steps for Creating a Satisfying Retirement
from Gary Billings, Ph.D.
by Gary Billings, Ph.D., Guest Author
According to the AARP there are 76 million baby boomers who are beginning to retire in droves. In fact one boomer reaches age fifty every 7.5 seconds! Most will retire within five years. Because boomers are chronologically, physically and psychologically younger than their parents were when they retired retirement will be very different for them. So, if you are a boomer here are seven suggestions for making retirement more satisfying.
§ Think of your retirement as an opportunity to transition from first adulthood to second adulthood something akin to moving from infancy to adolescence. In this way your retirement can be properly seen as an opportunity for growth, learning, and discovery.
§ Listen to your inner voice when it begins asking, "Who am I?" "How do I use my talents? and "What do I really believe?" These questions offer an opportunity to live unfulfilled dreams and use hidden talents-- something that is often illusive during First Adulthood.
§ Allow yourself to dream about all the things you'd like to do, to have and to be.
Perhaps it's buying a vacation house, or taking piano lessons or starting a new business. A well-known person reluctantly thrust into Second Adulthood and anxious and depressed dreamed about opening a fried chicken restaurant using a recipe that had been in the family for years. Colonel Sanders and his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise are now part of popular lore about the power of dreams.
§ Evaluate your situation remembering your life is made up of many different parts-- career, finances, family, social relationships, health, intellectual development, values and beliefs. One of the goals of Second Adulthood is to create a more balanced life by placing equal emphasis on each area. So assess each one. List your strengths and areas in which you'd like to improve. Be sure to identify your achievements. You'll find you've accomplished a lot more than you think. This gives you an opportunity to build on existing strengths.
§ Develop goals and priorities in each area of your life to help organize your time and energies. Goals create action and its action that gets results. One of the reason people often flounder during the initial phases of Second Adulthood is they don't have specific, measurable goals. Time becomes something to fill in, not something that bring them closer to their hopes and dreams.
§ Organize your time and get a day planner because after a life of hard work and stress it is easy to lapse into doing things are fanciful at a given moment. When we do this for too long we fritter away the day doing things that take us away from achieving our goals. As someone once said, life is what goes on while we're doing other things.
§ Eliminate negative self-talk because it works against a successful transition into Second Adulthood. The challenge is to replace negative thoughts with positive ones that help us achieve our goals. For each goal you've developed; identify negative attitudes that get in the way. For, example, if one of your goals is to find a part-time job doing something that is completely different and you find yourself thinking "No one is going to hire me at my age," or " I am too experienced for the job". Or, you've decided to buy a vacation home and you find yourself thinking, "It'll cost too much", or " I'll never find one in my price range." Once you've identified negative, self-limiting thoughts, develop positive ones to replace them. Just as you developed negative thoughts, you can just as easily re-program your mind to develop positive ones.
The transition from First Adulthood to Second Adulthood is often a jarring and unsettling experience. One doesn't move seamlessly and painlessly from one stage to the other. There will be periods of uncertainty, anxiety, even fear. These reactions are normal. Making the transition often involves going up a lot of different paths until finding the right one.
If you find yourself losing sleep over leaving your First Adulthood, give yourself a break and remember what Henry David Thoreau said: "If one advances confidentially in the direction of their dreams and endeavors to live their life which they imagined, they will meet with a success unexpected in common hour." So, if you are losing sleep, get out of bed and listen to your inner voice, allow yourself to dream about what you want to do in your Second Adulthood, assess important areas of your life, set your priorities and your goals, organize your time, and stop the negative self-talk. If you do this with confidence and purpose, as Thoreau implied, you can't fail.
~ Gary Billings is a Personal Coach. He is an expert in adult development. Much of his work centers on helping people make life transitions that enable them to do more and be more. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he earned a Ph.D. in Education.
Seven Steps for Creating a Satisfying Retirement
from Gary Billings, Ph.D.
by Gary Billings, Ph.D., Guest Author
According to the AARP there are 76 million baby boomers who are beginning to retire in droves. In fact one boomer reaches age fifty every 7.5 seconds! Most will retire within five years. Because boomers are chronologically, physically and psychologically younger than their parents were when they retired retirement will be very different for them. So, if you are a boomer here are seven suggestions for making retirement more satisfying.
§ Think of your retirement as an opportunity to transition from first adulthood to second adulthood something akin to moving from infancy to adolescence. In this way your retirement can be properly seen as an opportunity for growth, learning, and discovery.
§ Listen to your inner voice when it begins asking, "Who am I?" "How do I use my talents? and "What do I really believe?" These questions offer an opportunity to live unfulfilled dreams and use hidden talents-- something that is often illusive during First Adulthood.
§ Allow yourself to dream about all the things you'd like to do, to have and to be.
Perhaps it's buying a vacation house, or taking piano lessons or starting a new business. A well-known person reluctantly thrust into Second Adulthood and anxious and depressed dreamed about opening a fried chicken restaurant using a recipe that had been in the family for years. Colonel Sanders and his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise are now part of popular lore about the power of dreams.
§ Evaluate your situation remembering your life is made up of many different parts-- career, finances, family, social relationships, health, intellectual development, values and beliefs. One of the goals of Second Adulthood is to create a more balanced life by placing equal emphasis on each area. So assess each one. List your strengths and areas in which you'd like to improve. Be sure to identify your achievements. You'll find you've accomplished a lot more than you think. This gives you an opportunity to build on existing strengths.
§ Develop goals and priorities in each area of your life to help organize your time and energies. Goals create action and its action that gets results. One of the reason people often flounder during the initial phases of Second Adulthood is they don't have specific, measurable goals. Time becomes something to fill in, not something that bring them closer to their hopes and dreams.
§ Organize your time and get a day planner because after a life of hard work and stress it is easy to lapse into doing things are fanciful at a given moment. When we do this for too long we fritter away the day doing things that take us away from achieving our goals. As someone once said, life is what goes on while we're doing other things.
§ Eliminate negative self-talk because it works against a successful transition into Second Adulthood. The challenge is to replace negative thoughts with positive ones that help us achieve our goals. For each goal you've developed; identify negative attitudes that get in the way. For, example, if one of your goals is to find a part-time job doing something that is completely different and you find yourself thinking "No one is going to hire me at my age," or " I am too experienced for the job". Or, you've decided to buy a vacation home and you find yourself thinking, "It'll cost too much", or " I'll never find one in my price range." Once you've identified negative, self-limiting thoughts, develop positive ones to replace them. Just as you developed negative thoughts, you can just as easily re-program your mind to develop positive ones.
The transition from First Adulthood to Second Adulthood is often a jarring and unsettling experience. One doesn't move seamlessly and painlessly from one stage to the other. There will be periods of uncertainty, anxiety, even fear. These reactions are normal. Making the transition often involves going up a lot of different paths until finding the right one.
If you find yourself losing sleep over leaving your First Adulthood, give yourself a break and remember what Henry David Thoreau said: "If one advances confidentially in the direction of their dreams and endeavors to live their life which they imagined, they will meet with a success unexpected in common hour." So, if you are losing sleep, get out of bed and listen to your inner voice, allow yourself to dream about what you want to do in your Second Adulthood, assess important areas of your life, set your priorities and your goals, organize your time, and stop the negative self-talk. If you do this with confidence and purpose, as Thoreau implied, you can't fail.
~ Gary Billings is a Personal Coach. He is an expert in adult development. Much of his work centers on helping people make life transitions that enable them to do more and be more. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he earned a Ph.D. in Education.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
MORE STEPS FOR RETIREMENT
As we have gone into our early retirement and even for our daily living, we are always looking for systems, processes, steps if you will. It seems easier to think through what your own plan will look like if there are a list of steps to use as a guide. So when we started this blog on retirement, we decided that in our research for interesting articles, we would always be on the lookout for steps or guides to help those of you ready to take on that same adventure.
Seven Steps for Creating a Satisfying Retirement
from Gary Billings, Ph.D.
by Gary Billings, Ph.D., Guest Author
According to the AARP there are 76 million baby boomers who are beginning to retire in droves. In fact one boomer reaches age fifty every 7.5 seconds! Most will retire within five years. Because boomers are chronologically, physically and psychologically younger than their parents were when they retired retirement will be very different for them. So, if you are a boomer here are seven suggestions for making retirement more satisfying.
§ Think of your retirement as an opportunity to transition from first adulthood to second adulthood something akin to moving from infancy to adolescence. In this way your retirement can be properly seen as an opportunity for growth, learning, and discovery.
§ Listen to your inner voice when it begins asking, "Who am I?" "How do I use my talents? and "What do I really believe?" These questions offer an opportunity to live unfulfilled dreams and use hidden talents-- something that is often illusive during First Adulthood.
§ Allow yourself to dream about all the things you'd like to do, to have and to be. Perhaps it's buying a vacation house, or taking piano lessons or starting a new business. A well-known person reluctantly thrust into Second Adulthood and anxious and depressed dreamed about opening a fried chicken restaurant using a recipe that had been in the family for years. Colonel Sanders and his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise are now part of popular lore about the power of dreams.
§ Evaluate your situation remembering your life is made up of many different parts-- career, finances, family, social relationships, health, intellectual development, values and beliefs. One of the goals of Second Adulthood is to create a more balanced life by placing equal emphasis on each area. So assess each one. List your strengths and areas in which you'd like to improve. Be sure to identify your achievements. You'll find you've accomplished a lot more than you think. This gives you an opportunity to build on existing strengths.
§ Develop goals and priorities in each area of your life to help organize your time and energies. Goals create action and its action that gets results. One of the reason people often flounder during the initial phases of Second Adulthood is they don't have specific, measurable goals. Time becomes something to fill in, not something that bring them closer to their hopes and dreams.
§ Organize your time and get a day planner because after a life of hard work and stress it is easy to lapse into doing things are fanciful at a given moment. When we do this for too long we fritter away the day doing things that take us away from achieving our goals. As someone once said, life is what goes on while we're doing other things.
§ Eliminate negative self-talk because it works against a successful transition into Second Adulthood. The challenge is to replace negative thoughts with positive ones that help us achieve our goals. For each goal you've developed; identify negative attitudes that get in the way. For, example, if one of your goals is to find a part-time job doing something that is completely different and you find yourself thinking "No one is going to hire me at my age," or " I am too experienced for the job". Or, you've decided to buy a vacation home and you find yourself thinking, "It'll cost too much", or " I'll never find one in my price range." Once you've identified negative, self-limiting thoughts, develop positive ones to replace them. Just as you developed negative thoughts, you can just as easily re-program your mind to develop positive ones.
The transition from First Adulthood to Second Adulthood is often a jarring and unsettling experience. One doesn't move seamlessly and painlessly from one stage to the other. There will be periods of uncertainty, anxiety, even fear. These reactions are normal. Making the transition often involves going up a lot of different paths until finding the right one.
If you find yourself losing sleep over leaving your First Adulthood, give yourself a break and remember what Henry David Thoreau said:"If one advances confidentially in the direction of their dreams and endeavors to live their life which they imagined, they will meet with a success unexpected in common hour."
So, if you are losing sleep, get out of bed and listen to your inner voice, allow yourself to dream about what you want to do in your Second Adulthood, assess important areas of your life, set your priorities and your goals, organize your time, and stop the negative self-talk. If you do this with confidence and purpose, as Thoreau implied, you can't fail.
~ Gary Billings is a Personal Coach. He is an expert in adult development. Much of his work centers on helping people make life transitions that enable them to do more and be more. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he earned a Ph.D. in Education.
Seven Steps for Creating a Satisfying Retirement
from Gary Billings, Ph.D.
by Gary Billings, Ph.D., Guest Author
According to the AARP there are 76 million baby boomers who are beginning to retire in droves. In fact one boomer reaches age fifty every 7.5 seconds! Most will retire within five years. Because boomers are chronologically, physically and psychologically younger than their parents were when they retired retirement will be very different for them. So, if you are a boomer here are seven suggestions for making retirement more satisfying.
§ Think of your retirement as an opportunity to transition from first adulthood to second adulthood something akin to moving from infancy to adolescence. In this way your retirement can be properly seen as an opportunity for growth, learning, and discovery.
§ Listen to your inner voice when it begins asking, "Who am I?" "How do I use my talents? and "What do I really believe?" These questions offer an opportunity to live unfulfilled dreams and use hidden talents-- something that is often illusive during First Adulthood.
§ Allow yourself to dream about all the things you'd like to do, to have and to be. Perhaps it's buying a vacation house, or taking piano lessons or starting a new business. A well-known person reluctantly thrust into Second Adulthood and anxious and depressed dreamed about opening a fried chicken restaurant using a recipe that had been in the family for years. Colonel Sanders and his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise are now part of popular lore about the power of dreams.
§ Evaluate your situation remembering your life is made up of many different parts-- career, finances, family, social relationships, health, intellectual development, values and beliefs. One of the goals of Second Adulthood is to create a more balanced life by placing equal emphasis on each area. So assess each one. List your strengths and areas in which you'd like to improve. Be sure to identify your achievements. You'll find you've accomplished a lot more than you think. This gives you an opportunity to build on existing strengths.
§ Develop goals and priorities in each area of your life to help organize your time and energies. Goals create action and its action that gets results. One of the reason people often flounder during the initial phases of Second Adulthood is they don't have specific, measurable goals. Time becomes something to fill in, not something that bring them closer to their hopes and dreams.
§ Organize your time and get a day planner because after a life of hard work and stress it is easy to lapse into doing things are fanciful at a given moment. When we do this for too long we fritter away the day doing things that take us away from achieving our goals. As someone once said, life is what goes on while we're doing other things.
§ Eliminate negative self-talk because it works against a successful transition into Second Adulthood. The challenge is to replace negative thoughts with positive ones that help us achieve our goals. For each goal you've developed; identify negative attitudes that get in the way. For, example, if one of your goals is to find a part-time job doing something that is completely different and you find yourself thinking "No one is going to hire me at my age," or " I am too experienced for the job". Or, you've decided to buy a vacation home and you find yourself thinking, "It'll cost too much", or " I'll never find one in my price range." Once you've identified negative, self-limiting thoughts, develop positive ones to replace them. Just as you developed negative thoughts, you can just as easily re-program your mind to develop positive ones.
The transition from First Adulthood to Second Adulthood is often a jarring and unsettling experience. One doesn't move seamlessly and painlessly from one stage to the other. There will be periods of uncertainty, anxiety, even fear. These reactions are normal. Making the transition often involves going up a lot of different paths until finding the right one.
If you find yourself losing sleep over leaving your First Adulthood, give yourself a break and remember what Henry David Thoreau said:"If one advances confidentially in the direction of their dreams and endeavors to live their life which they imagined, they will meet with a success unexpected in common hour."
So, if you are losing sleep, get out of bed and listen to your inner voice, allow yourself to dream about what you want to do in your Second Adulthood, assess important areas of your life, set your priorities and your goals, organize your time, and stop the negative self-talk. If you do this with confidence and purpose, as Thoreau implied, you can't fail.
~ Gary Billings is a Personal Coach. He is an expert in adult development. Much of his work centers on helping people make life transitions that enable them to do more and be more. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he earned a Ph.D. in Education.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
THE INTERNET CAN HELP WITH RETIREMENT PLANNING
We have found the internet to be a valuable resource with retirement planning; especially if you are someone who wishes to be in control of your own destiny and plan. Whether you are looking for financial calculators, advice, information or new ideas; you can find almost everything you will need for your research on the internet. We shall be sharing many resources that we have found to be quite helpful in our own planning and in working with others. One of the first resources would be to visit the Social Security website and first find out what you can expect from your social security benefit at different ages of retirement. This is a great core place to start that planning.
Internet age helps you with retirement planning
By CINDY G. MCCUBBINS Social Security District Manager
Remember the old saying that "time is money?" It has gained a new meaning in the Internet Age, where just a few hours on your computer could help put you on the path to a more financially comfortable retirement.
Recent reports show that among Americans who are beginning to plan for their retirement years, people who rely on financial planning tools, such as retirement calculators, usually end up better off financially than those who do not take advantage of these tools.
Of course, the best place to begin any retirement calculation is by knowing what you may expect to receive from Social Security ... and how much more you will need to enjoy a long and comfortable retirement. Each year, every worker age 25 and older is mailed a Social Security Statement. Read it carefully because it is a roadmap to your personal financial future. It shows how much you and your family can expect to receive from Social Security when you retire, or if you become disabled or die.
In addition, you should also visit Social Security's financial planning website at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. You can use the calculators there to test different retirement ages or different scenarios for future earnings amounts. And you can link to a non-Social Security worksheet that will help you decide how much you need to save and invest for a comfortable retirement. Most financial advisors say you will need about 70 percent of your pre-retirement earnings to maintain your pre-retirement standard of living comfortably. Under current law, if you have average earnings, your Social Security retirement benefits will replace only about 40 percent, so you will need to supplement your benefits with a pension, savings or investments.
So remember: when planning for your financial future, make use of the financial planning tools that are now available to almost all Americans on the Internet. And one of the best places to begin is at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Internet age helps you with retirement planning
By CINDY G. MCCUBBINS Social Security District Manager
Remember the old saying that "time is money?" It has gained a new meaning in the Internet Age, where just a few hours on your computer could help put you on the path to a more financially comfortable retirement.
Recent reports show that among Americans who are beginning to plan for their retirement years, people who rely on financial planning tools, such as retirement calculators, usually end up better off financially than those who do not take advantage of these tools.
Of course, the best place to begin any retirement calculation is by knowing what you may expect to receive from Social Security ... and how much more you will need to enjoy a long and comfortable retirement. Each year, every worker age 25 and older is mailed a Social Security Statement. Read it carefully because it is a roadmap to your personal financial future. It shows how much you and your family can expect to receive from Social Security when you retire, or if you become disabled or die.
In addition, you should also visit Social Security's financial planning website at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. You can use the calculators there to test different retirement ages or different scenarios for future earnings amounts. And you can link to a non-Social Security worksheet that will help you decide how much you need to save and invest for a comfortable retirement. Most financial advisors say you will need about 70 percent of your pre-retirement earnings to maintain your pre-retirement standard of living comfortably. Under current law, if you have average earnings, your Social Security retirement benefits will replace only about 40 percent, so you will need to supplement your benefits with a pension, savings or investments.
So remember: when planning for your financial future, make use of the financial planning tools that are now available to almost all Americans on the Internet. And one of the best places to begin is at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Monday, May 01, 2006
HEALTHY RETIREMENT
Not only do we need to get financially fit as we plan for our retirement; we must make sure that we are mentally and physically fit as well. We all have been reminded throughout our lives about the importance of maintaining a healthy attitude and the value of getting at least moderate exercise; but the key is to remember those words and act on them; even when we don't really want to. I know, personally, that I shall never accomplish some of the feats in the following article; but I know that I can do a lot more than I am. So I shall.
How Fast One Ages is Determined by This Single Trait
(PRWEB) April 11, 2006 -- Those who look, feel, and function as if they are thirty years old, when they are actually in their fifties, have it. Those 50-year-olds who more closely resemble those in their seventies, don’t. Men and women who display youthful qualities that belie their years think differently.
That’s the finding of author, Ed Mayhew, “Fitter For Life: The Secrets of 25 Masters of Fitness” (http://www.fitterforlife.com/). Mayhew concluded this after studying dozens of top master athletes, men and women ages 40 to 93 who, defying Father Time, successfully compete with athletes who are decades younger. Mayhew says, “These successful agers are invigorated by thinking about what they want to have and to do – the next big challenge, adventure, race or game, while those on a fast track to old age think more about what they don’t want, what they are trying to avoid.”According to Mayhew, “These faster agers, dominated by the specter of age-related decline, try to ‘push away’ or evade dreaded conditions, thus keeping these things ever present in their consciousness and bringing on themselves a long-term, low-grade stress. This ongoing stress interferes with the body’s natural repair and regeneration of cells.”
Here’s the difference between focusing upon what one wants and what one doesn’t want:
• While some lament that they are too old to do what they used to enjoy, speed skaters Boris Leikin and Bruce Conner qualified for and competed in the 2006 US Speedskating Olympic Trials. At the ages of 53 and 49 respectively, they were enjoying competing with skaters half their age.
• While it is not uncommon for people to think that their time has come and gone, Tamara Savage, a health care administrator in Flint, Michigan decided to quit her decades-long smoking habit at age 48 and to get “fit by 50.” Topping off at 233 pounds, she got her act together and proceeded to lose 105 pounds. She then celebrated her 52nd birthday by running a 100-mile race in a time of 29 hours, 30 minutes.
• While many settle for reminiscing (“In my day I was…”), California’s Laura Val, a world-ranked swimmer in her youth, was setting more than 160 national and world age-group records and swimming lifetime-bests in her forties and fifties.Val says, “…anyone, regardless of their age or circumstances, can become healthier and happier and can slow the aging process by simply becoming more active…It is simply a matter of the right attitude, and with the right attitude, anyone can do it.”
To learn more about how the Masters of Fitness slow the aging process and even reverse aging for a period of years and the role of the mind in this process, contact Ed Mayhew http://www.fitterforlife.com/ http://www.fitterafter50.com/
Not only do we need to get financially fit as we plan for our retirement; we must make sure that we are mentally and physically fit as well. We all have been reminded throughout our lives about the importance of maintaining a healthy attitude and the value of getting at least moderate exercise; but the key is to remember those words and act on them; even when we don't really want to. I know, personally, that I shall never accomplish some of the feats in the following article; but I know that I can do a lot more than I am. So I shall.
How Fast One Ages is Determined by This Single Trait
(PRWEB) April 11, 2006 -- Those who look, feel, and function as if they are thirty years old, when they are actually in their fifties, have it. Those 50-year-olds who more closely resemble those in their seventies, don’t. Men and women who display youthful qualities that belie their years think differently.
That’s the finding of author, Ed Mayhew, “Fitter For Life: The Secrets of 25 Masters of Fitness” (http://www.fitterforlife.com/). Mayhew concluded this after studying dozens of top master athletes, men and women ages 40 to 93 who, defying Father Time, successfully compete with athletes who are decades younger. Mayhew says, “These successful agers are invigorated by thinking about what they want to have and to do – the next big challenge, adventure, race or game, while those on a fast track to old age think more about what they don’t want, what they are trying to avoid.”According to Mayhew, “These faster agers, dominated by the specter of age-related decline, try to ‘push away’ or evade dreaded conditions, thus keeping these things ever present in their consciousness and bringing on themselves a long-term, low-grade stress. This ongoing stress interferes with the body’s natural repair and regeneration of cells.”
Here’s the difference between focusing upon what one wants and what one doesn’t want:
• While some lament that they are too old to do what they used to enjoy, speed skaters Boris Leikin and Bruce Conner qualified for and competed in the 2006 US Speedskating Olympic Trials. At the ages of 53 and 49 respectively, they were enjoying competing with skaters half their age.
• While it is not uncommon for people to think that their time has come and gone, Tamara Savage, a health care administrator in Flint, Michigan decided to quit her decades-long smoking habit at age 48 and to get “fit by 50.” Topping off at 233 pounds, she got her act together and proceeded to lose 105 pounds. She then celebrated her 52nd birthday by running a 100-mile race in a time of 29 hours, 30 minutes.
• While many settle for reminiscing (“In my day I was…”), California’s Laura Val, a world-ranked swimmer in her youth, was setting more than 160 national and world age-group records and swimming lifetime-bests in her forties and fifties.Val says, “…anyone, regardless of their age or circumstances, can become healthier and happier and can slow the aging process by simply becoming more active…It is simply a matter of the right attitude, and with the right attitude, anyone can do it.”
To learn more about how the Masters of Fitness slow the aging process and even reverse aging for a period of years and the role of the mind in this process, contact Ed Mayhew http://www.fitterforlife.com/ http://www.fitterafter50.com/
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
NEW RETIREMENT-(Continued)
This is such an excellent article that we couldn't wait to share the last three steps from Jan Cullinane in the New Retirement piece. Remember there is more to planning for your retirement than just your financial strategies. We would encourage any of you who read this to add a comment about your suggestion for what is the most important step for planning your retirement. Remember, we can always learn from one another.
Secret 4: Have a willingness to renegotiate roles.
The first two years of retirement are challenging for many, as major changes in roles and togetherness result. If you have a spouse or asignificant other, discussing - in advance - your goals, plans, and dreams in retirement may save some angst down the road.
For example, do you plan to age in place or relocate? Plan to work part-time or start a new career?
If moving, what characteristics are important: climate, proximity tochildren/friends, excellent medical facilities, beach/mountain/lake living, a small town or a large city with lots of amenities, downsizing to make travel possible?
Talking about issues and attempting to resolve or work out differences now may ease the transition. Recognizing that it is good and healthy to have separate as well as shared interests is important as well.
If one member of a couple has been the traditional homemaker, that person may want to retire, too, and share (i.e. get rid of!) some of the routine chores. Research shows that most couples are happy in retirement, but talk, talk, talk to help ensure you fall into this category!
Secret 5: Have a strong financial plan
Yes, you knew money was going to have to enter into the retirement discussion at some point! However, some of the studies about money may surprise you – there is both good and bad news.
Let’s dispense with the bad news first: only about one-third of adults have saved for retirement, and half of retirees rely on Social Security as their primary source of income.
The good news? Research points out that it’s not the total net worth of a person that helps determine financial satisfaction in retirement, but the knowledge that their savings have occurred in a regular, disciplined way over a period of time.
Realize that for most of us there is no retirement number that is ever going to be “enough,” but participating in a forced savings plan during your working years, such as a 401 (k) plan, is a great start toward building that nest egg.
Also, consider consulting a fee-based certified financial planner or a certified public accountant (CPA) to help in your retirement planning.Just like you might hire a personal trainer to make sure you get off on the right foot with your exercise regimen, investing some money to put you on the path to fiscal freedom in retirement is a wise move.
Secret 6: Have a good attitude.
Although there are unpleasant things that happen to us that are beyond our control, we can control the way we respond to them. Practice stopping distorted ways of thinking by replacing negative thoughts with more positive, realistic ones.
A little story illustrates the point: Two shoe salesmen were sent to a faraway island to sell shoes. After the first day, both men sent back telegrams. One read: “This place is a disaster. No one wears shoes.” The other telegram said: “This place is a gold mine. No one wears shoes.”
If you’re looking for a happy, successful retirement, put these six not-so-secret secrets into practice, and you’ll be well on your way!
Jan Cullinane is the co-author of The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide tothe Rest of Your Life (Rodale, 2004). She gives seminars on the (primarily)non-financial aspects of retirement through her company, "Retirement Livingfrom A to Z." E-mail jancullinane@fuse.net.
Plan Now-Retire Early
Secret 4: Have a willingness to renegotiate roles.
The first two years of retirement are challenging for many, as major changes in roles and togetherness result. If you have a spouse or asignificant other, discussing - in advance - your goals, plans, and dreams in retirement may save some angst down the road.
For example, do you plan to age in place or relocate? Plan to work part-time or start a new career?
If moving, what characteristics are important: climate, proximity tochildren/friends, excellent medical facilities, beach/mountain/lake living, a small town or a large city with lots of amenities, downsizing to make travel possible?
Talking about issues and attempting to resolve or work out differences now may ease the transition. Recognizing that it is good and healthy to have separate as well as shared interests is important as well.
If one member of a couple has been the traditional homemaker, that person may want to retire, too, and share (i.e. get rid of!) some of the routine chores. Research shows that most couples are happy in retirement, but talk, talk, talk to help ensure you fall into this category!
Secret 5: Have a strong financial plan
Yes, you knew money was going to have to enter into the retirement discussion at some point! However, some of the studies about money may surprise you – there is both good and bad news.
Let’s dispense with the bad news first: only about one-third of adults have saved for retirement, and half of retirees rely on Social Security as their primary source of income.
The good news? Research points out that it’s not the total net worth of a person that helps determine financial satisfaction in retirement, but the knowledge that their savings have occurred in a regular, disciplined way over a period of time.
Realize that for most of us there is no retirement number that is ever going to be “enough,” but participating in a forced savings plan during your working years, such as a 401 (k) plan, is a great start toward building that nest egg.
Also, consider consulting a fee-based certified financial planner or a certified public accountant (CPA) to help in your retirement planning.Just like you might hire a personal trainer to make sure you get off on the right foot with your exercise regimen, investing some money to put you on the path to fiscal freedom in retirement is a wise move.
Secret 6: Have a good attitude.
Although there are unpleasant things that happen to us that are beyond our control, we can control the way we respond to them. Practice stopping distorted ways of thinking by replacing negative thoughts with more positive, realistic ones.
A little story illustrates the point: Two shoe salesmen were sent to a faraway island to sell shoes. After the first day, both men sent back telegrams. One read: “This place is a disaster. No one wears shoes.” The other telegram said: “This place is a gold mine. No one wears shoes.”
If you’re looking for a happy, successful retirement, put these six not-so-secret secrets into practice, and you’ll be well on your way!
Jan Cullinane is the co-author of The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide tothe Rest of Your Life (Rodale, 2004). She gives seminars on the (primarily)non-financial aspects of retirement through her company, "Retirement Livingfrom A to Z." E-mail jancullinane@fuse.net.
Plan Now-Retire Early
Sunday, April 23, 2006
NEW RETIREMENT
Several years before my and husband and I actually retired, we bought and read many books, looked at myriads of retirement articles trying to get all the information we could. And of course with our many years of working in the aging field; we thought that we knew a lot. What you read, what you see others doing, and what experts tell you "ain't necessarily so" when it comes to your OWN retirement. When we started this blog and asked you to join us on this adventure, we knew that we were asking you to be on a long journey. Just when you think you have it all figured out, life has a way of changing what your plan A was and sends you in search of Plan B. For us, we are on about Plan E by now and imagine that we might get further in the alphabet before we are done.
Therefore we promised you that we would share many different articles, ideas and suggestions with you. Much of what we find in the area of retirement and expecially early retirement focuses on money and rightfully so; but--sometimes we get so focused on whether we have enough money that we forget that there are many other parts to retirement.
The following article is an excellent view of some of the other "parts" of retirement we need to consider and put into our plan. PLAN NOW!
Six Secrets for a Successful Retirement
By Jan Cullinane
Retirement (n): removal or withdrawal from service, office, or business; withdrawal into privacy or seclusion.
WRONG! With apologies to Webster’s Dictionary, this is no longer your father’s (or mother’s) retirement. Today’s retirees, and those approaching retirement, differ from their parents in a number of important ways.
Baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are living longer, perhaps spending 30 or more years in retirement. As a group, they are healthier, more active physically and mentally, more affluent, more educated, and more likely to relocate after retiring. Although seemingly an oxymoron, more Boomers plan to continue working in retirement and view retirement as a process, rather than an end, with perhaps several forays into and out of the workforce.
This truly is a “new” retirement.In fact, many believe the word “retirement” itself needs to be retired – the word no longer represents the porch-rocking, shuffle-board playing, early-bird dining, silver-haired stereotype of yore.
So, how can you plan for a successful, happy transition into the second half of your life?
I’d like to offer six secrets:
Secret 1: Have strong social support.
Who would have known Barbra Streisand foreshadowed the results of a scientific study when she sang her song “People”? But did you know that those lucky people also live longer? A study done in New Haven, Connecticut found that men and women who were socially active lived an average of two and a half years longer than those who were not.
Other studies have found that social interactions have a significant effect in maintaining mental health, regardless of whether retirees live alone, live with someone other than their spouse, or are childless.
Satisfaction in retirement is strongly correlated to the strength and number of your personal connections. It would seem that investing in building and maintaining friendships can reap far greater rewards than investing in stocks and bonds!
Secret 2: Have something to wake up for.
Intellectual stimulation, structure, a sense of purpose, feelings ofpride and accomplishment – these are key ingredients to a happy retirement.
Sure, golf, fishing, tennis, and beachcombing are great, but can you really do them 168 hours a week? Although the answer is “yes” for some, for most of us, there needs to be more.
According to AARP, about 70% of boomers plan to continue working.
Though an economic necessity for many, for others, work provides the feelings of engagement and self-esteem we crave (and don’t forget the built-in social aspects most jobs provide).
When surveyed, the number one reason people give for retiring is “to do something else.” But, if you are content with working (and your significant other, if there is one, is okay with it, too), and there is nothing else you’d really rather be doing, then by all means continue to work.
If your present career doesn’t provide you with the emotional and psychological plusses you need, or if you find yourself unable to work, or you’re bored with your retirement lifestyle, here are some other options to consider so you’ll be leaping out of bed every morning eager to start the day:
In addition to volunteering, a volunteer or service vacation is a way to help others while enjoying yourself. Tens of thousands of people the world over are involved in constructing homes, improving public health, helping set up small businesses, gathering data on global warming, or building trails in National Parks.
Examples of organizations that offer volunteer vacations include Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitat.org/), the EarthwatchInstitute (http://www.earthwatch.org/), and the American Hiking Society(http://www.americanhiking.org/).
Some of the costs associated with these volunteer vacations may be tax deductible – check IRS guidelines, or consult your tax advisor.
Rather hit the books than a golf ball? Lifelong learning opportunities abound – in fact, the mature learner is the fastest-growing contingent on campus, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.
Many institutions offer classes for free or at reduced rates for seniors, allow you to audit courses (no tests or papers – yippee!), offer distance education courses (curl up in your comfy chair in front of a computer and go to it), have continuing or adult education classes, or offer member-driven courses through organizations such as the Lifelong Learning Institute.
Contact your local community college or university for programs available to you. Give the Internet a try – you can take classes online through QuicKnowledge (http://www.quicknowledge.com/), ThirdAge (http://www.thirdage.com/), or SeniorNet (http://www.seniornet.com/). The term “college senior” can have a whole new meaning! Strengthen your spiritual life. For many people, this time of transition provides an opportunity to delve further into religion and/or reconnect with the things that are truly important – areas that may have been neglected while climbing the corporate ladder and/or raising a family. Opportunities abound for involvement - explore them!
Secret 3: Have a high level of activity (Physical and mental)
This really isn’t much of a secret at all. The physical act of exercise actually brings about a shift in mood. Even after something as simple as a 15-minute walk, people experience a more positive affect (feelings or emotions), and feel calmer and more relaxed.
As researcher Paddy Ekkekakis noted in a study on exercise and mood, “Walking is inexpensive, familiar, and safe. That’s why many have argued that the most effective piece of exercise equipment is a dog.”
If you’re not a natural exercise-lover, increase your chances ofconsistently exercising by doing activities you enjoy, doing them on aregular basis (first thing in the morning prevents excuses later in theday), and doing them with another person (the guilt factor of letting anexercise buddy down can be a powerful motivator).
The three pillars of physical fitness are flexibility, strength-training, and cardiovascular work. To ensure you get the most out of your workouts and are using proper form, consider hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions. Call your local health club for some recommendations.
Costs vary, but run about $50 an hour. Trainers can come to your home (some have mobile vans outfitted with equipment), to your health club, or you can go to their place of business.
In addition to the body, we also need to exercise the three-pound dynamo we call the brain. Comprising about 2 percent of our weight, but consuming close to 20 percent of our energy needs, this vital organ needs to be kept in the best shape possible.
Specific suggestions: do crossword puzzles, brain-teasers, acrostics, play bridge or chess, read, listen to music, dance, learn an instrument or foreign language, travel, play board games, or do something to disturb your normal routine such as switching hands to brushyour teeth or getting dressed with your eyes closed.
These activities can rev up neglected nerve pathways. “Use it or lose it” applies to both body and mind!
Come back for the next update and we will share the next 3 secrets.
Jan Cullinane is the co-author of The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide tothe Rest of Your Life (Rodale, 2004). She gives seminars on the (primarily)non-financial aspects of retirement through her company, "Retirement Livingfrom A to Z." E-mail jancullinane@fuse.net.
Therefore we promised you that we would share many different articles, ideas and suggestions with you. Much of what we find in the area of retirement and expecially early retirement focuses on money and rightfully so; but--sometimes we get so focused on whether we have enough money that we forget that there are many other parts to retirement.
The following article is an excellent view of some of the other "parts" of retirement we need to consider and put into our plan. PLAN NOW!
Six Secrets for a Successful Retirement
By Jan Cullinane
Retirement (n): removal or withdrawal from service, office, or business; withdrawal into privacy or seclusion.
WRONG! With apologies to Webster’s Dictionary, this is no longer your father’s (or mother’s) retirement. Today’s retirees, and those approaching retirement, differ from their parents in a number of important ways.
Baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are living longer, perhaps spending 30 or more years in retirement. As a group, they are healthier, more active physically and mentally, more affluent, more educated, and more likely to relocate after retiring. Although seemingly an oxymoron, more Boomers plan to continue working in retirement and view retirement as a process, rather than an end, with perhaps several forays into and out of the workforce.
This truly is a “new” retirement.In fact, many believe the word “retirement” itself needs to be retired – the word no longer represents the porch-rocking, shuffle-board playing, early-bird dining, silver-haired stereotype of yore.
So, how can you plan for a successful, happy transition into the second half of your life?
I’d like to offer six secrets:
Secret 1: Have strong social support.
Who would have known Barbra Streisand foreshadowed the results of a scientific study when she sang her song “People”? But did you know that those lucky people also live longer? A study done in New Haven, Connecticut found that men and women who were socially active lived an average of two and a half years longer than those who were not.
Other studies have found that social interactions have a significant effect in maintaining mental health, regardless of whether retirees live alone, live with someone other than their spouse, or are childless.
Satisfaction in retirement is strongly correlated to the strength and number of your personal connections. It would seem that investing in building and maintaining friendships can reap far greater rewards than investing in stocks and bonds!
Secret 2: Have something to wake up for.
Intellectual stimulation, structure, a sense of purpose, feelings ofpride and accomplishment – these are key ingredients to a happy retirement.
Sure, golf, fishing, tennis, and beachcombing are great, but can you really do them 168 hours a week? Although the answer is “yes” for some, for most of us, there needs to be more.
According to AARP, about 70% of boomers plan to continue working.
Though an economic necessity for many, for others, work provides the feelings of engagement and self-esteem we crave (and don’t forget the built-in social aspects most jobs provide).
When surveyed, the number one reason people give for retiring is “to do something else.” But, if you are content with working (and your significant other, if there is one, is okay with it, too), and there is nothing else you’d really rather be doing, then by all means continue to work.
If your present career doesn’t provide you with the emotional and psychological plusses you need, or if you find yourself unable to work, or you’re bored with your retirement lifestyle, here are some other options to consider so you’ll be leaping out of bed every morning eager to start the day:
In addition to volunteering, a volunteer or service vacation is a way to help others while enjoying yourself. Tens of thousands of people the world over are involved in constructing homes, improving public health, helping set up small businesses, gathering data on global warming, or building trails in National Parks.
Examples of organizations that offer volunteer vacations include Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitat.org/), the EarthwatchInstitute (http://www.earthwatch.org/), and the American Hiking Society(http://www.americanhiking.org/).
Some of the costs associated with these volunteer vacations may be tax deductible – check IRS guidelines, or consult your tax advisor.
Rather hit the books than a golf ball? Lifelong learning opportunities abound – in fact, the mature learner is the fastest-growing contingent on campus, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.
Many institutions offer classes for free or at reduced rates for seniors, allow you to audit courses (no tests or papers – yippee!), offer distance education courses (curl up in your comfy chair in front of a computer and go to it), have continuing or adult education classes, or offer member-driven courses through organizations such as the Lifelong Learning Institute.
Contact your local community college or university for programs available to you. Give the Internet a try – you can take classes online through QuicKnowledge (http://www.quicknowledge.com/), ThirdAge (http://www.thirdage.com/), or SeniorNet (http://www.seniornet.com/). The term “college senior” can have a whole new meaning! Strengthen your spiritual life. For many people, this time of transition provides an opportunity to delve further into religion and/or reconnect with the things that are truly important – areas that may have been neglected while climbing the corporate ladder and/or raising a family. Opportunities abound for involvement - explore them!
Secret 3: Have a high level of activity (Physical and mental)
This really isn’t much of a secret at all. The physical act of exercise actually brings about a shift in mood. Even after something as simple as a 15-minute walk, people experience a more positive affect (feelings or emotions), and feel calmer and more relaxed.
As researcher Paddy Ekkekakis noted in a study on exercise and mood, “Walking is inexpensive, familiar, and safe. That’s why many have argued that the most effective piece of exercise equipment is a dog.”
If you’re not a natural exercise-lover, increase your chances ofconsistently exercising by doing activities you enjoy, doing them on aregular basis (first thing in the morning prevents excuses later in theday), and doing them with another person (the guilt factor of letting anexercise buddy down can be a powerful motivator).
The three pillars of physical fitness are flexibility, strength-training, and cardiovascular work. To ensure you get the most out of your workouts and are using proper form, consider hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions. Call your local health club for some recommendations.
Costs vary, but run about $50 an hour. Trainers can come to your home (some have mobile vans outfitted with equipment), to your health club, or you can go to their place of business.
In addition to the body, we also need to exercise the three-pound dynamo we call the brain. Comprising about 2 percent of our weight, but consuming close to 20 percent of our energy needs, this vital organ needs to be kept in the best shape possible.
Specific suggestions: do crossword puzzles, brain-teasers, acrostics, play bridge or chess, read, listen to music, dance, learn an instrument or foreign language, travel, play board games, or do something to disturb your normal routine such as switching hands to brushyour teeth or getting dressed with your eyes closed.
These activities can rev up neglected nerve pathways. “Use it or lose it” applies to both body and mind!
Come back for the next update and we will share the next 3 secrets.
Jan Cullinane is the co-author of The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide tothe Rest of Your Life (Rodale, 2004). She gives seminars on the (primarily)non-financial aspects of retirement through her company, "Retirement Livingfrom A to Z." E-mail jancullinane@fuse.net.
Monday, April 17, 2006
ARE YOU RETIRED OR READY TO?
Since we retired in 2001, we have come to view people with whom we interact as falling into two categories. First, are those who are already Retired. If one uses the dictionary resource definition, they are no longer active in a regular workplace. Understand this, these people are plenty active, just not at a defined JOB.
The second category covers just about everyone else we meet. They are Ready to Retire. Understand again that we meet many outstanding entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who have found their life and/or market niche and are excited, enriched and well compensated while doing what they do best or love. However, if we visit with them for awhile and move the discussion to retirement, nearly all of them will make a wistful reference along the lines of "when I retire and (fill in the blank)". It is usually about spending more time with loved ones. Sometimes it is about travel, playing golf, pursuing hobbies and crafts; but for many of those we often refer to as desk jockeys, it is simply about not having to work at that desk, at that JOB.
To that end, we have created this blog to share everything about retirement from the actual experience to the planning, right down to even the wishful thinking. We will share our experience as well as provide the opportunity for many others to do the same. We will provide access to tips and activities to enhance your current retirement, plan for future retirement and even visualize your retirement.
Join with us as we explore this exciting adventure!
To get the trip started, here is a short piece about a few health tips to help you stay young brought to you by famous baseball pitcher, Satchel Paige.
How to Stay Young
by Leroy R. "Satchel" Paige
In July, 1948, the 42 year old Paige joined the Cleveland Indians to become the first black pitcher in baseball history. He won 2 of his first 3 games by shutouts. He was already a legend before he entered the major leagues. In the 25 years before that, hurling for barn-storming black teams and the National Negro Leagues, he pitched 3,000 games and achieved 300 shutouts and 50 no-hitters. In 1965, Paige pitched for Kansas Ciuty and became the oldest person to appear in a major-league baseball game. He was 59. He had strong ideas about staying youthful and here are some of them:
1. Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.
2. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
3. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.
4. Go very lightly on the vices, such as carrying on in society.........the social ramble ain't restful.
5. Avoid running at all times.
6. Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.
1975-1981 by David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace. Reproduced with permission from "The People's Almanac" series of books. All rights reserved.
The second category covers just about everyone else we meet. They are Ready to Retire. Understand again that we meet many outstanding entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who have found their life and/or market niche and are excited, enriched and well compensated while doing what they do best or love. However, if we visit with them for awhile and move the discussion to retirement, nearly all of them will make a wistful reference along the lines of "when I retire and (fill in the blank)". It is usually about spending more time with loved ones. Sometimes it is about travel, playing golf, pursuing hobbies and crafts; but for many of those we often refer to as desk jockeys, it is simply about not having to work at that desk, at that JOB.
To that end, we have created this blog to share everything about retirement from the actual experience to the planning, right down to even the wishful thinking. We will share our experience as well as provide the opportunity for many others to do the same. We will provide access to tips and activities to enhance your current retirement, plan for future retirement and even visualize your retirement.
Join with us as we explore this exciting adventure!
To get the trip started, here is a short piece about a few health tips to help you stay young brought to you by famous baseball pitcher, Satchel Paige.
How to Stay Young
by Leroy R. "Satchel" Paige
In July, 1948, the 42 year old Paige joined the Cleveland Indians to become the first black pitcher in baseball history. He won 2 of his first 3 games by shutouts. He was already a legend before he entered the major leagues. In the 25 years before that, hurling for barn-storming black teams and the National Negro Leagues, he pitched 3,000 games and achieved 300 shutouts and 50 no-hitters. In 1965, Paige pitched for Kansas Ciuty and became the oldest person to appear in a major-league baseball game. He was 59. He had strong ideas about staying youthful and here are some of them:
1. Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.
2. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
3. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.
4. Go very lightly on the vices, such as carrying on in society.........the social ramble ain't restful.
5. Avoid running at all times.
6. Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.
1975-1981 by David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace. Reproduced with permission from "The People's Almanac" series of books. All rights reserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)