Archive for Retirement
Downsize For A Simple Life In Retirement
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve often asked seniors, and soon to become retiree friends to think about what it would be like to live life in reverse. What would you do differently if you could? Not surprisingly many say they wouldn’t put the same importance to the material stuff and would take much more time to travel and enjoy life’s experiences when young enough and physically fit enough to participate fully.
They would choose a more simple life over being bogged down with owning so much stuff. We know that the ideal retirement dream for many seniors is to have more time in the sun, on the beach, golf and travel. Really this is what many people want at any age but retirement is usually the only time when people can take the time if they are financially able to make this a reality.
The truth is that most of us get caught up with the need to own stuff only to realize when we are older that often this very stuff we worked so hard to acquire helps to keep us stuck and financially strapped rather than having the money available to fulfill our retirement plans. Think of how hard we had to work to get the money to buy all the stuff in the first place. And if that’s not enough how many of us have had to get a bigger place to hold all this stuff? What if we had saved more and wasted less!
If you had been able to resist the temptation of all that stuff and made better choices how could your life have been different? Some people learned the lesson much sooner and didn’t have to wait to retire to get their turn of some real R and R and a simple uncluttered life. Those already living a simple life are often the ones that do not seem to have a lot and this is by choice. Maybe they are smarter than the rest of us and figured out the value of the simple life and the freedom that it offers. They didn’t have to wait until they were older and wiser to figure it out. Many of them are living the lifestyle that so many of us see as a reward for having worked all year for, a week or maybe two to spend experiencing a life that makes us feel good. They are probably not doing it as luxuriously as a week’s vacation but they are living it 24/7. Read More→
Plan Where And How To Live In Retirement
Posted by: | CommentsWhere you will live in retirement is a question worth careful consideration. We keep hearing that retirement is getting further out of reach of many seniors and many retirees are not retiring with the original plans they made intact. A financial plan that they may have thought would give them a decent standard of living through their retirement years. Where you live can be a huge factor in how you’ll live!
If you are over 50 you know that you’ll have some major changes ahead of you and you’ll probably have already figured it out that the older you get the faster time seems to go by, keeping that in mind it’s best to plan ahead of retirement where and how you will live to get the most benefit or at least what you hope will be your retirement date.
For many seniors there will be lifestyles changes ahead that will probably mean downsizing your living space and having one that is more adaptable to your needs and personal lifestyle. Besides the practical logistics there’s the financial aspect too, you’ll most likely want or need to reduce your living costs. A lot of people wait until they are past really benefiting from making a sensible living plan, they stay in a home that is too big, needs too much care and attention and eats up too much of their income until one day they are forced to make the move. Some struggle with the maintenance of the home until they can no longer physically do it, others scrimp and save and go without necessities to pay higher bills that are unnecessary when they could have been living more comfortably. It is important to look at the big picture and don’t put off something that can make all the difference to your future. Read More→
VA Benefits Taking Too Long? – Learn How To Get Them Faster
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Waiting for VA benefits to finally kick in can be like planning your dream vacation three years from now and having to cross off the spaces on the calendar until the big day arrives. It is so frustrating that most Americans will have to wait up to 36 months for the money that they have earned unless they apply through a qualified professional who can help them to get their benefits faster.
If you want to get your money in less time you need to determine if you are eligible and apply for VA benefits through an expert who knows all the legalities of this topic. Just because you have a lawyer friend who has handled other issues for you in the past does not mean that you have to remain loyal to them. This is your money and you should do what you need to make sure that you receive it faster!
Do You Qualify?
There are basically three things to consider when determining if you qualify for VA benefits being your military history, current assets and your health.
• Service – Did you serve at least one day during wartime or were you honorably discharged? Were you active for at least 90 days? If so, chances are very good that you are entitled to VA benefits.
• Assets – Your military status does not necessarily guarantee that you will receive benefits, you also need take your assets into consideration. As a rule, your retirement funds, investments and secondary property cannot exceed $50,000 for a single veteran or $80,000 for a qualifying individual who is married.
• Health – There is an Aid and Attendance Pension that is specifically designed to assist in covering costs of long-term medical care. It grants you supplemental income based entirely on your condition. To qualify, you need to require assistance for daily activities, be close to blind or legally blind or reside in some type of extended care facility.
How do You Apply?
Will You Have To Give Up On Your Retirement Dream?
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By Shirley Price
With all of the economic doom and gloom that we are constantly exposed to how do you see your retirement years? Will you still be able to live your dream retirement or will you be one of the many that will be scraping by just to make ends meet?
Seniors retirement funds
A number of years ago it looked like the retirement dream was achievable for many, especially if they had been doing what has always been encouraged and that is investing and saving to build a financial portfolio that would comfortably sustain them through their retirement years.
That special retirement dream will remain just a dream for so many more seniors now, many have had to give up any thought of retirement -period. Many are facing way more financial pressure than their parents did. Many seniors will still have mortgages to pay some have had to refinance their homes just to get by.
It doesn’t look as if things are going to improve anytime soon either, so it’s not just affecting the already retired and the soon to be retired it can have long term affects for those Baby Boomers way down the road.
The over 50s are soon approaching retirement age and most have no idea what it will mean to them by the time they get there. The current economic climate is swallowing up people’s nest eggs left right and center. Many have had to start pulling in their belts now which is not a bad thing because most can cut back on unnecessary expenses which will make you more aware of the changes that can be made when it’s really needed. Read More→
Planning to Retire in Mexico –What about Health Care
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Author Shirley Price
If you are at the point that you are seriously thinking about living in Mexico then you have probably spent considerable time checking out where are the best places to retire. You want to know what the pros and cons are.
There is little doubt that there are some beautiful places in Mexico and what is more Mexico is a great place if you are looking for lots of sunshine. Let’s be honest the sun is something that most of us are looking for especially if you live in a place with long cold winters.
If you’ve been doing your research on places to retire for a while you will probably be aware that every year there are countries that are voted the best place in the world to live or the best place to retire.
Modern Mexico
For various reasons the results do change so one year it may be Panama that is voted the #1 choice another year it may be Ecuador, or Nicaragua, other years it’s Mexico. Even though Mexico may not be seen to be the cheapest place anymore it still remains one of the favorites.
Mexico has been voted the top place to retire many times over. One of the main attractions for retirees to live in places like Mexico is the opportunity to have a higher quality of living with a lower cost, making it affordable for many to live well on a fixed income. An opportunity to live with more for less, something most would not be able to do in their home country.
Mexico has had a lot of bad publicity over the last few years and it should not be ignored. However, Mexico is a big country with a large population and many of the problems related to the drug wars are located in or near the border towns but there are isolated incidents in other parts too. Even so statistics show that each year more and more people are going there for vacations and to retire.
With the economy so bad; especially in the US where many people are being forced out of the homes and losing their retirement savings is it any wonder that they are looking for less expensive options. Mexico is also ideally situated for many Americans and Canadians that want to go back and forth to Mexico or have family in these countries that they want to have visit. With regular and somewhat affordable flights still available plus the shorter flying time it is also one of the pros to be considered.
Another big factor is health care, especially for retirees. Obviously they will most likely start needing more health care as they age. Already there are thousands of Americans that go south of the boarder to get their prescriptions, dental work and other medical care. Between the high numbers of those without health care insurance and the expensive cost of prescriptions in the US is it any wonder that they want to cross the border to visit Mexico and make these huge savings. Read More→
Retirement Living- Making Decisions
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Written by Shirley Price
Once we are into our 50s and 60s most of us start to give a lot more thought to where and how we are going to live as we continue to age. Retirement living and making decisions of where you are going to possibly spend your final years is a scary thought, but something you should address for yourself while you still can. Who would have thought how fast the years would go by and that the time would come when these things would have to be considered?
Seniors enjoying their independence .
Like me you have probably watched friends and relatives dealing with issues with their aging parents or you may have even been dealing with your own parent’s loss of independence. It is a constant reminder of how life changes as we get old and what our own ability will be to stay living at home and being independent. Planning retirement living is a big consideration.
As we consider what is best for our aging parent sometimes it just isn’t possible to do what they or we would really like to for them. Sometimes heath issues dictate the decisions, also finances or physical location can play a factor.
Over the years I have seen families dealing with their aging parents, having the worry of making retirement living decisions on what’s the best accommodation option for them in their old age when they are no longer able to be independent. As well they are often dealing with the guilt of having to make less than ideal decisions for their parents.
Things have changed a lot in recent years, where at one time many elderly were determined to stay in their house or apartment, often living alone. They stayed until they were just not able to care for themselves any longer. From there they had to go into a home, stay with family or just passed away. Read More→
Debt and Your Retirement
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How to reduce debt in retirement is a question more and more seniors are asking. Most seniors will see a reduction in their income throughout their retirement years so the last thing 
they need is to incur more debt.
Those that are long term planners are more likely to be adequately prepared when it’s time for them to retire. They are more likely to retire debt free and have a good financial plan in place.
There are many more people that may have been living pay cheque to pay cheque leaving nothing for an emergency. When unexpected expenses come up they will be more likely to go into debt to meet that expense. When you are already living pay cheque to pay cheque it doesn’t take a lot to get into debt. It becomes a vicious circle.
When you recognize that you are getting into debt-don’t ignore it! Start making changes right away and if you don’t know how; get some help from a professional in this area. You need to know where you can start to cut back on costs and the sooner the better. Ignoring debt and not opening bills will make a bad situation worse and it’s just the same as burying your head in the sand and will create more stress. Read More→
Can You Really Afford to Retire?
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We all have visions of spending our golden years enjoying our freedom; doing things we want to do and having the time to do them but can you really afford to retire? It seems that more and
more people that I come across that are close to retirement age, or that have already retired are becoming increasingly concerned about their finances. So many people today are wondering if they will outlive their finances. With healthier lifestyles and the advancements in medicine many people could live longer in their retirement years than they may have spent in the workforce.
About ten years ago more workers were talking about retiring in their 50s and for many their aim was to retire at 55. Then things changed drastically and a large number had to rethink their retirement goals. Some of those that had already retired found themselves looking for work again. Most of us know that once you are over 50 years of age finding work becomes more challenging, so many of those took jobs that were at minimum wage and way below what they are qualified to do.
Now, even the thought of retiring at age 65 has become just a dream for many, because they just can’t afford to give up their jobs. I am hearing more say that they will have to continue to work until they are age 70 or longer if their health holds out. A number have even admitted that they can’t afford to live to be old.One friend that was living off the interest of her investments for a while about 10 years ago has since lost those investments. Fortunately, she did manage to find work and is making a living while in her late 50s but she like millions of others has genuine concerns about her future and the fact that trying to live on less than $1000 a month when rent or mortgage costs alone are considerably higher than that. This is a huge concern for millions of seniors today. Is it any wonder that so many are searching for other countries to live in where they can actually afford to live on their small fixed income? Read More→
Secrets to a Happy Retirement
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A happy Retirement is something that we all aspire to. With the right attitude and a bit of careful planning, retirement can be a wonderful time of life. There is absolutely no reason that anyone should be bored or lonely.
Think about it, there’s lots of time to spend with grandchildren, time to catch up with old friends and family members, not to mention all those little or maybe big chores you’ve been adding to 
your to do list. If you’re someone that’s not happy unless you are working hard or taking on some real challenge then maybe you want to tackle a larger project like giving your home a real face-lift to turn it into the perfect living space for you.
The extra time in retirement can be a gardener’s delight with time for that green house you always wanted. Now you can grow your own organic produce to help with your healthy eating plan. Gardening can offer you great satisfaction and the opportunity to use your creativity; especially in the area of landscaping. You might consider adding that extra special touch by adding a lovely water feature in a location where you are able to appreciate it from your living space.
Maybe it’s a big trip that you want to take; or even to be a snow bird spending a few months or more down south during the winter months. Maybe you’ve got your eye on a nice ocean front condo in Mexico where you plan to spend your retirement years. There are so many options available once you have retired especially if you don’t have to worry about finances. Read More→
Retirement Living
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By Shirley Price
Are you ready to enjoy your life after retirement?
Lots of people love their jobs and are hesitant to leave them when they retire. Whereas, if we are in a job that we don’t like or in a stressful situation we are more than ready to leave.
Enjoy and have fun in your retirement.
In reality when it’s time to retire most of us are ready to say goodbye to our regular routine and hope to do all the things that we’ve always wanted to do. Most of us can come up with a wish list without too much of a problem. When we are younger it seems that if we’ve have the time to do what we wanted we didn’t have the spare money to afford it. For those that have the money often they don’t have the time. So here we are with retirement upon us, can we finally make these two elements come together, and have the money and time to do what we want? Hopefully, the answer will be yes, at least for some of the time.
For some people, their experience of life after retirement is disappointing and they feel very dissatisfied with their lot. Our expectations play a big part in this. Retirement really should be the stage in life when you are totally allowed to have a lot of fun and enjoyment. This is the best time to do things for you and give to yourself! Reward yourself after all the hard work you have done during all those years. This is the time to appreciate and value yourself and put yourself on the top of your list.
This doesn’t mean that you should stop caring about other people around you but at least just for once, you need to break free from the usual daily routine because retirement is the time for some rest, fun and leisure. You deserve the best retirement living possible and in order to succeed with this, you need to take care of yourself first. Read More→
