Wow, how can time go by so quickly. I do remember laughing at older people who always said that I needed to stop wishing my life away. And that when I was older I would realize that time does go by quicker than when young. I laughed then and am not laughing now. Since we are through January and resolutions (made or not made----kept or broken) and already past the infamous day for "lovers"; I felt that it would be wiser to remind each of you to remember your dreams. Whether they are the ones you had many years ago or the ones you have set now that you are in the retirement age. To do so, I would like to send you an article about just that---The Power of Dreams. Enjoy it and perhaps submit your own ways to use the power of your dreams.
http://registeredrep.com/selling/finance_power_dreams/
PLAN NOW -- RETIRE EARLY!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
RETIREMENT and 2007 RESOLUTIONS!
Here it is January 3, 2007 already and I have still not written any new year's resolutions. I had pronounced earlier that this year I wasn't going to do any resolutions because every year I seem to make them and then break them. So -- if I didn't make any, then I wouldn't have to get after myself next year at the close of 2007. But old habits are hard to break so I have to have at least a couple of resolutions to try to keep. I found the following article the other day as I was searching the Internet and thought that this was a good start. One of them I have done, one I will try to do and (if I am honest with myself), one I will probably never do. But, like I said , it is a start. This is to be a work in progress. Share any resolutions that you think are appropriate for the retired and ready to:....s out there. Leave a comment.
"3 Resolutions That You Should Consider Any Time of the Year".
From Jenny McKinney & Patrick McKinney,
Your Guide to Retirement Planning.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
http://retireplan.about.com/od/retirementplanningtools/p/resolutions.htm
1. Review Your Retirement Plan:
A comprehensive review of your retirement plan every year is almost as important as having a retirement plan. What you save for retirement is one of the most important financial challenges you might face in your lifetime so make sure you review and monitor it often.
Reviewing your retirement plan isn't a complicated process but it's extremely important if you are going to achieve your retirement goals.
2. Think About Your Estate Plan and Will:
If you have assets, no matter what your age, marital status, or financial wealth, you should plan your estate in the event of your death or incapacitation. There are many reasons to have a sound estate plan but there are eight reasons that I feel are most important. When creating an estate plan or will, there are several things you need to know. Quicken Willmaker Plus can help you understand the process and answer many questions prior to talking with your legal counsel.
3. Organize Your Vital Records:
Do you know where your vital papers are? Are they up to date? If you keep good records, you won’t miss important information for your taxes and could save money in the long run. Organizing your vital records is an excellent weekend project.
To make this project a little easier, there is a very good book available. Get it Together by Melanie Cullen can make the task of organizing your vital records much easier."
PLAN NOW -- RETIRE EARLY!
"3 Resolutions That You Should Consider Any Time of the Year".
From Jenny McKinney & Patrick McKinney,
Your Guide to Retirement Planning.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
http://retireplan.about.com/od/retirementplanningtools/p/resolutions.htm
1. Review Your Retirement Plan:
A comprehensive review of your retirement plan every year is almost as important as having a retirement plan. What you save for retirement is one of the most important financial challenges you might face in your lifetime so make sure you review and monitor it often.
Reviewing your retirement plan isn't a complicated process but it's extremely important if you are going to achieve your retirement goals.
2. Think About Your Estate Plan and Will:
If you have assets, no matter what your age, marital status, or financial wealth, you should plan your estate in the event of your death or incapacitation. There are many reasons to have a sound estate plan but there are eight reasons that I feel are most important. When creating an estate plan or will, there are several things you need to know. Quicken Willmaker Plus can help you understand the process and answer many questions prior to talking with your legal counsel.
3. Organize Your Vital Records:
Do you know where your vital papers are? Are they up to date? If you keep good records, you won’t miss important information for your taxes and could save money in the long run. Organizing your vital records is an excellent weekend project.
To make this project a little easier, there is a very good book available. Get it Together by Melanie Cullen can make the task of organizing your vital records much easier."
PLAN NOW -- RETIRE EARLY!
Monday, December 11, 2006
IDENTITY THEFT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON!
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.
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.
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.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)