Years ago

one had to send letters and go to the Library to get information.

 

Library

The Library

 

With the advent of the internet that all changed. 

Now one only has to log in and search.  For many of us born prior to 1984, the computer is an enigma.  The internet is a wonder to behold and the cell phone is a wonder you hold.  Pats on the back to those who have learned how to use these tools.

Learning the Computer

Well - I think that's what you are supposed to do!

 

 

 

Why 1984 –

well 1984 seems to be the benchmark for this proliferation of electronic miracles and those born after that date are sometimes referred to as digital natives and the rest of us are digital natives. 

 

When it comes to retirement, there is a plethora of information on the net and it is sometimes time consuming and boring to be checking out everything you find.

Here are some selected sites that you might find interesting –

sites containing information about retirement.

  • First on the list are two government sites

    Retire when?

    Retirement Planning Gone Awry

www.ssa.gov/retirement/  information on retirement planning

www.ssa,gov/retire/2/  Social Security retirement and planner

  • These next three are relative to employment issues in retirement

    Hire Me

    I'm Availablt

 

www.retiredbrains.com jobs, finances, health and senior living information

www.retirementjobs.com/  jobs for people over 50

www.retirement-income.net/blog how to live better in retirement

 

  • These two links have resources that are broader in scope relative to Senior Living

    A Retirement Home

    A Retirement Home

www.retirementliving.com a gateway to resources for senior living

www.retireearlyhomepage.com an online magazine for people who used to work for a living

  • One devoted to places to live

www.retirementhomes.com search for retirement communities

  • One unexpected site that showed up in my searching

www.trfinc.org the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation – yup – information on retirement for race horses.  You might find it interesting to see what they do with old race horses (not the glue factory).  Enjoy this short video about a place like this.

One site that really stood out though was on where to retire.  Click here to access that information.

The only thing that is certain as we age is that there will be a lot of change.  It seems the only permanent thing we have now is change.  Enjoy checking out the links and that you find the information useful.

Please share your thoughts – would love to hear from you.

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When planning for your retirement, how do you reconcile your wants with your needs and then realizing you are now on a fixed income. how does this affect not only your bottom line every month but also your life style.  Do you have a process in place for this or will you fly by the seat of your pants?  Perhaps punting is the way to go?  And perhaps now is the time when you panic because you realize you have not prepared properly.  Perhaps you will decide you will keep working as long as possible.

Looking at one’s budget is most likely the best place to start looking at where you can prune and cut back on expenses.  Not driving to work and not having to eat out at lunch will certainly save you some money.

Money

Money

 

Are there other places you can save money as well.  What about looking around you and identifying those things where you can save some money.  Here are a few things from www.vibrantnation.com.

 

The Bare Bones Budget MantraEveryday do something for:

1. the business

2. the house

3. yourself

4. your spouse

1. The business:  this could include looking for work, polishing your resume, volunteering for an organization where you can learn skills and mingle with those who might know of jobs in your area of interest.  You might look at re-arranging expenses, such as cutting cable TV and the gym (temporarily?) out of your budget and replacing them with biking to errands, and going to the library to check out books and DVD’s for entertainment.  Investing in something for your home that will replace the gym may be OK here.  Check out www.resistancechairsystem.com, especially if you have to sit to exercise.  ‘Business’ can include making money as well as saving money and educating yourself.  Learn a new skill.  Educate yourself.

2. The house:  If you have a house or apartment this would include clearing out a little clutter each day, or vacuuming, or doing something to maintain and upkeep your home.  If you’re not sure where to start, check out online clutter advice sites such as flylady.net.  If you are living with family or friends, this means helping with cleaning, cooking, or in some way to support the home environment.  If you are in a shelter or car camping, this means maintaining your environment by cleaning your area and making sure your belongings are clean and organized so you can get to them easily.  It also means – in whatever place you call home – that you find something to appreciate about it each day. Develop an

Attitude of Gratitude

Giving Thanks

To help provide some of your own fresh food, consider starting an edible garden.  Although it takes some planning and time, putting in a rain garden will also do a lot to conserve water and grow things at the same time.  Check your local nursery or farmers market for herb starts that can grow in window pots, or edible landscaping plants for urban as well as rural use.  You can ask at your church or community bulletin board, or on www.freecycle.org. for starts from those looking to re-home their excess plants.  If you need help getting started, check out your local extension office.

3.  Yourself:  This is the area that those under stress often forget about, but it’s very important.  Every day do something you love.  Something that makes you smile.  If it makes you happy and it is important to YOU – you should indulge.  Take a walk, read a magazine, pick herbs from your garden and put them in a stew or make tea.  Take that stretched and pilled sweater that’s too small and make a scarf for yourself. Snuggle with your puppy, take a bubble bath, eat a bonbon.  Do something creative, or something that makes you feel pampered.  Treat yourself.

4.  Your Spouse:  If you are married or in a special relationship, do something kind for your special someone – rub their shoulders, do a chore for them that they hate, make their favorite snack and deliver it to them with a smile.  If you aren’t married, do something kind for a friend, family member, co-worker, neighbor, or person you don’t know that could use some cheering up – like saying a kind word to that overtaxed store checker, or holding the door open for the young mom with a fussy baby.  Your kindness will make the world a better place.

Budgeting your life, money, time, emotional and social resources and more, are all a part of living a healthy and happy life.

What ideas can you add to these 4 tips?  Share what you know.

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Retirement Sign

You have reached your destination - Retirement.

Some day soon, it will hit you – it is time to retire. 

What goes into the process of retiring?  If you own your own business, there are several questions you might ask yourself.  Have you planned for succession?  Will you just sell out inventory, close up shop and go home?  How about setting up retirement income?  Perhaps a visit to Social Security (if you’re eligible to receive benefits)?  Or a visit to your pension plan office to get things set up?  What about Health Insurance?  Do you have enough of a nest egg for a comfortable retirement?  Is your spouse still working?  How long do they plan to work?  Retirement planning is a lot more complicated than most realize.  As you can see there are lots of questions – and many more that are not listed here.  After the retirement party is over, your new life begins.

Retirement Party Celebration

Retirement Party Cake

Once you have navigated through the process and everything is in place and you are now sleeping in every morning (hopefully), what’s next?  Do you have hobbies you want to do?  Do you have a list of things you want to do after retirement?  How about volunteering somewhere?  What about travel?

Do you have health issues that need attention?  More questions – again.  And what about the Bucket List?  

 To Move or Not to Move – That is the Question?

Perhaps one of the biggest decisions is whether or not you want to relocate to a milder climate year round.  Or perhaps just during the winter months?  How do you decide where you want to go?  Maybe you should invest in a camper of some kind and just travel.  There are people who sell their homes, buy a motorhome or 5thwheel and travel all over the country – living out of that motorhome or camper.  The life of a nomad may not be for you – a home with a basement is more to your liking?  If you decide to relocate what goes into that decision?  Where?  Close to family?

Tropical Paradise

Life in the Retirement Lane

 

What about taxes?  Bet some of you never thought about that one.  Actually taxes are something you need to consider.

Tax free Retirement

No Taxes kind of Retirement

Some states are more user friendly for tax payers than others.  You can check out the taxes relative to retirement considerations at Retirement Living.  The taxes for each state are available there.  Then you want to look at the prices of homes in the areas you have identified as potential places to live.  As you can see there are lots of questions to be answered and lots of planning that goes into retirement.  How many of us have really thought a lot about this? And how many of us just decide to “do it” one day without any forethought or planning?

 

So here’s the questions for you to answer:

1.           How much thought and planning have I put into my retirement?

2.           What is most important to me as I plan for retirement?

3.           What do I want to do with the rest of my life?

Share your answers with us here.

Don’t end up like this couple? 

How much longer?

Learning the hard way

 

 

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So many times one hears on the news about Grandparents having to raise their grandchildren.  Today we are seeing more multi-generational households just like a century ago – but there is a big difference.  Years ago, most of those households were on farms and if they were in the cities, it usually involved families immigrating to America.  Today the economy seems to be dictating this move back to this type of household.  Another factor involves an adult child with children moving in because of a separation or divorce and no place else to go but home.  In many situations, a lot depends on the size of the parental home, the finances of the grandparents etc.  Our home is now a multi-generational household.  We now have an adult daughter and a teenage granddaughter living with us.  We are fortunate enough to have the space.  However, we are “old” people, according to our granddaughter and we both know we are very set in our ways and routines.  Example:  my husband basically had the lower level set up just the way he wanted it, with a few computers (he likes to tinker) here and there, TV’s in different areas so he could watch whenever he wanted to etc.  Well, folks – he is now homeless.  In fact, he has invaded my space upstairs.  We now share the computer room upstairs.  Because our daughter has relocated, she has been looking for work and found two part time jobs.  She now works at least 8 hours a day and sometimes 12 hours.  So we find ourselves as surrogate parents to our granddaughter.  I enjoy having her here, but it is extra responsibility for us – something we did not expect as we age.  So – how flexible are we?  When it’s family, you do what you have to – it’s what makes a family – even if it is difficult.  How many of you are multi-generational households?  Any tips on how to survive?  I’m anxious to hear how others have survived this ;0)!

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