Posts Tagged ‘retirement’

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Spring Renewal

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

   There are several times throughout the year that I think you get to start over.  One, of course, is on New Year’s Day when a new year begins.  I also think your birthday marks a new beginning.  And of all the seasons, I think Spring begins a time of renewal.

 Yet with all these opportunities to start over,  I have been observing something different this year from recent years’s past.  I don’t know if it is because we have started a new decade, or because we just went through an awful financial calamity,  but I get the strong sense many people want to start over and they want things to be different this time around. 

 My observation began when a customer, at the jewelry store I work in part-time, called and complained about what she perceived as our lack of service.  While I am happy to report that is not a common occurrence, what happened next is: she called back to apologize.  She said she just didn’t want to start the year being rude to people.  I like that sentiment.

While nothing about my observations could be classified as scientific, I have also observed this new civility at the grocery store too.  People seem to be more forgiving when someone is taking up too much room in the aisle and people say excuse me when they pass in front of someone deep in thought as they search the shelves for a specific product.  And yes, I have witnessed people letting people with less items actually go first.

Is this just wishful  thinking or could it be that the economic crisis of the last few years has brought us closer together?  Could it be that these hard times  have shown that we are all in this together and for our planet to survive we must all come together as one and help one another. While the previous decade might be more about greed and a dog eat dog mentality for getting ahead, maybe this time around we will see that the best way to proceed is by courtesy and helping each other achieve our goals.  Success at another’s expense is not happiness.

 I recently read of a man, Bob Totruba, who is traveling to college campuses throughout the country, on a ten year mission to encourage and remind people to be kind every day.  This includes simple acts from smiling to picking up trash.

I don’t know if he has been to our town, but maybe his movement is spreading.

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Philosophical Discussions

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

“I think, therefore I am and I don’t see myself living in this home for the next twenty years.” While I never claimed to be a great philosopher, my simple statement touched off a debate almost as intense as when Rene’ Descartes proposed his initial theory.

In retirement, life is shorter and faster. Granted, while there are few guarantees in life, in retirement you are probably focusing on doing a little less and maybe enjoying it more. But when you think about it, is there a better time to seek new adventures than in our retirement? If our health is good, why not take on a new adventure and live life rather than retiring and calling it quits?

When my husband and I retired, we moved from a home into a condo, from a state where the weather is questionable nine months of the year, to a state where the sun shines nearly every day. So here I am several years later at the point where I had finally adjusted to the changes and was enjoying my new life.

So why would I want to bring upheaval into my peaceful existence? I guess, sort of like what Descartes was saying, because I can. I need excitement periodically. And while I do think there will come a time in my life when I will contentedly settle in and say this is my last big move, I’m not there yet.

But what is it that motivates me to make a change that isn’t really necessary or probably even financially sound? That is what I keep asking myself and the answer I come up with is because I can.

As we close the chapter on 2009 and look forward to 2010, I want to challenge myself to look at my life and see what I want to remain the same and what I want to change. While it is scary to think about doing something new, retiring from life into the security of a predictable existence is not what I am willing to settle for.

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Retirement Planning Blues

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

My grandmother lived to be 101. I used to reflect on all the things she had seen in her lifetime and how she was able to adapt to change. I am not yet close to that milestone year, but in retirement I am learning that adaptability may be the key to successful living.

As you near retirement, you are told to plan. Plan for your expenses, plan where you want to live, plan for your health and plan on living life and having fun. Plan for the future.

Unfortunately, planning for the future based on today’s circumstances is a risky proposition at best. As older Americans we have learned that no matter how much we plan, the future is likely to be different. The adage “the future is now” has never been more true.

If someone had told me that I would see some of the auto companies go out of business, that my local newspaper might be a thing of the past, and that a major recession would change life for nearly everyone, I wouldn’t have believed it, and certainly would not have planned for these things!

A recent survey by AARP Magazine targets 45-64 year olds as “a high anxiety age group”. They are preparing for their retirement, but they are worried about other generations as well.

The AARP Survey called “A Closer Look” was last done about eight months ago, before the full effect of the recession was felt. New findings show:

  • 30 percent of those surveyed have stopped contributing to their 401 (k) or IRA
  • 18 percent have prematurely withdrawn funds from their retirement accounts
  • 12 percent say they have, or a family member, have lost a job in the last year
  • Nearly half, 49 percent say they are not confident that they will have enough money in retirement.

    • So, with those sobering statistics, it is more important than ever to plan. Chances are things will not go like you thought, but it is the successful plan that allows for change and our ability to adapt to it. Once you realize that you can react and adapt to your life’s many challenges, life becomes a very exciting journey.

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    Seize the Day

    Monday, August 24th, 2009

    Traveling this summer has afforded my husband and I an opportunity to catch up with old friends. It has also given us insights as to how different friends are handling retirement.

    We are blessed with good health, which may be one reason we have not considered retirement communities as our retirement option. Nevertheless, this year we have noticed that suddenly the lawns, trees, flowers and gardens, that were once a source of enjoyment for many of our friends, have now become a burden. The lawn is too much to mow. The rabbits are eating the garden and the flowers just aren’t worth the time-commitment. These friends are now considering retirement communities while planning for assisted living options.

    Granted, it pays to plan ahead, but friends who really should be enjoying their health and good fortune are looking to the end of their lives and not living fully in this moment. While I can certainly understand not wanting to spend a good part of my day mowing the lawn, I don’t want to hasten the inevitability of not being able to or looking forward to the time when most of lives are spent looking through windows at the world passing us by.

    On the other end of the spectrum are friends that have decided to seize the day and have an adventure that many of us dream about. They have bought an RV and are going to travel while they can and enjoy the thrill of being able to do what they want to do. And that is the kind of friend I want to emulate. Those who realize we’re only going around once and enjoy it for all that it’s worth.

    While not everyone has the ability or desire to move to a retirement community or travel in an RV, there is something that everyone can do and that is to appreciate every day. We may be the last generation that will be able to retire gracefully in relative financial security. Let’s seize this opportunity. Enjoy, but don’t overindulge. Exercise our brains and bodies every day. And enjoy our time. Those of retirement age will certainly understand that time is flying by and every moment is now precious.

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    Retirement-In Praise of Pets or Not

    Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

    pets retirementWhen our neighbors were discussing their upcoming cruise and how much it would cost to board their dog, my husband and I decided we would offer to watch “Muffy,” an eleven year old Shitzu.

    The irony is when we were working and gone most of the day, we always had a pet. However, once we retired and had more time to have a pet, we have remained petless.  So, this was our opportunity to see if a dog would prove enjoyable with our new lifestyle..

    Dogs are still the pets of choice in the United States with 74.8 million households  having dogs.  However, for sheer numbers, cats outnumber dogs with 88.3 million, since many households have several cats.  For those looking for pets with a little less upkeep, (although I am sure that is debatable when it is time to clean the tank)12 million households have freshwater fish and 9.6 have saltwater fish.  16 million households have birds, while another  24.3 million have  small animals.  13.8 million households have horses, followed closely by 13.4 million with reptiles.  So, what does this say about Americans?  I am not sure, but apparently many people derive great pleasure taking care of something other than themselves.

    There is no doubt that pets require a commitment.  Just like our traveling friends, if you have a pet that is not traveling with you, someone must take care of them in your absence and it is not an inexpensive proposition.  They also require time and planning.  No longer do we just walk out the door.  We now have Muffy to consider.  Has she been outside lately?  Has she been fed?  Not that we have to worry.  It soon became apparent that Muffy would  train us in no time.  The first few days she was up at the crack of dawn  and ignoring her was not an option.  No matter how often we begged her to go back to sleep, she would have none of it.  She was then ready for her morning walk.

    Ironically, when people saw me walking my new pet while they were taking care of theirs, they confided that as soon as theirs went to the Great Beyond, they probably would not rush out to get another one.  However, I have other friends who have lost pets and rush to get another to fill that  void they are feeling.

    Unquestionably,  research shows that petting an animal can lower blood pressure and add another dimension of pleasure to life.  But it’s not for everyone.  I have enjoyed having Muffy, partly because I know I am helping our friends and she will be going home.  And it was an opportunity to see if we would enjoy having a pet.  I no longer feel guilty to say I don’t .

    My advice: never be pressured to get a pet.  Try caring for a friend’s pet for a couple of weeks and you too may come to the conclusion we did, pets are not for everyone.

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    Shopping to Save in a Recession

    Sunday, May 24th, 2009

    Several years ago, when I retired,  one of the first things I noticed was that I had time to do things with some forethought.  That included shopping.  No longer did I quickly run in after work and pick up something off the shelves.  I was able to read labels and do some comparison pricing.  Now, with the current recession, I am doing comparison shopping, but with a different goal: saving money.  On a limited budget, finding ways to save is a necessity and I have become one of the best.  Here are some of my tricks:

    There is a certain sense you develop when shopping retail.  If you see something you want, let’s say a dress, you have to assess whether it will go on sale.  If there are a limited number in your size and if you don’t act, you have to weigh how disappointed you will be if you don‘t get it.  Nine times out of ten, things will go on sale and then the real  game becomes how low will it go.  In this economy, stores are marking things down to incredible savings.  Now, the beauty of retirement kicks in.  When you read the ads or see something on-line that you have been wanting, you have the time to beat everyone else to the sale.

    Shopping for cosmetics is also an art.   I have tried to hone the skill of waiting, but am not always successful.  If I see something I want, I ask for samples.  At least then I can try it before spending a lot of money.  Also, if I decide that it is something I must have and call a store to send it, they will often waive the shipping fee, if asked. Also, if you develop a rapport with staff in certain lines, they will alert you to sales, or give you complimentary gifts.  I have a friend who always buys her perfume from the same salesperson.  She is alerted to the new scents of the season and she is also rewarded with free samples.

    Clipping coupons is something I would have never bothered with when working.  Now it is fun.  Sunday’s paper if full of coupons and as more and more papers disappear, coupons are available on line.  I try to plan our weekly menu around what is on sale.  I also look for two for one specials and share them with our neighbors.

    This is also a time when companies are willing to negotiate to keep their best customers. Always pay your bills on time.  Never be afraid to ask if you are getting their best price.  Things change and although you might have needed 70 cable channels in the past, you might not need them now.

    My last trick is really a wake-up call.  Again, it is practicing the art of patience.  Instead of buying spontaneously, I write down what it is I want and how much it costs.  In a week or two, I go back and review the list.  If it is something that I still want, I may buy it, or I will note how much money I have saved by waiting. Remember, the whole art of negotiation is being able to walk away if the price is too high!

    Retirement is tricky.  There is a fine line between having enough money to enjoy things and  being too frugal that you forget how to enjoy things.  Becoming a savvy shopper helps.

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    Retirement Finances

    Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

    we_can_do_it
    There are have recently been many events affecting retirement. It is hard to know when we will pull out of our current recession, but it does make one wonder if we will be the last generation that will be able to retire. The American Dream, as we once understood it, may be very different for future generations.

    For people that have been retired for awhile, it is a scary time as retirement funds continue to dwindle. People looking forward to retirement may postpone it, if possible, and continue to work until things improve. The latest government report shows household net worth dropped by 9 percent in the third quarter, which is the most since records were first kept almost 50 years ago. Even if people want to go back to work, the outlook is bleak as more people are losing their jobs and the number of unemployed has reached an all-time high with 5.3 million people receiving unemployment benefits, with another 1.4 million receiving extended benefits.

    For the first time in history, there are as many women as men in the work force.
    While women have made strides in recent history for equality in pay, we are still not there. So the fact that more women are working is a mixed blessing as it also means that those being laid off are often those with the higher pay, with women being retained due to their lower pay. Loss of pay is only one of the affects of unemployment. Families that that suffer this monetary loss of income, also suffer from emotional loss of self-worth and purpose.

    Everyone is ready for this recession to be over and to go back to life as we knew it. Economists and newscasters continue to look for signs of progress and sometimes report hopeful stories. So when the stock market goes up, will people believe that it can be sustained?

    I have always heard people speak of the American Spirit. From what I have observed, we are actually witnessing a time in history when people are showing hope, when all the indicators would show otherwise. It is a time to stay positive and to stay away from people who blame the government for all our ills and offer no solutions themselves.

    Hope and optimism are contagious, but unfortunately, so are doom and gloom. Our country was built on optimism and I believe we will return to more optimistic times. Let’s make it so.

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    Color Your New Year

    Sunday, December 21st, 2008

    As the year draws to a close it is only natural to reflect on all that has happened. We made history in so many ways. Some of the things we thought would never change have probably changed forever and retirement is just one of them. Retirement does not look like it did even a year ago, as so many of us watch our 401k’s become 201k’s. The idea of retiring from work completely is less likely than six months ago and may even be out of reach for some of us.

    So, if you are considering re-entry into the workforce and want to be trendy and hip, there is probably something you should know: yellow is the “in” color for 2009. Pantone, which provides color standards to the design industry and influences what colors fashion designers use, has designated yellow as the optimistic color, so let’s all be optimistic and wear a little yellow, paint a wall or two yellow, and think yellow thoughts, as we all need an optimistic attitude for the New Year!

    Since so many people are “in the red” that was apparently a bad color choice. Green would have been in bad taste, since few of us have seen much green lately. Orange appeared a few years ago and a pale blue was the choice for 2008, so yellow is really the only choice we have. Yellow is the color of sunshine and happiness. Many people have abandoned a sense of optimism, so if seeing splashes of yellow in our living space and on our clothes helps; that is an easy fix.

    But for those who are looking toward a year where new fashion is a luxury and new furnishings may not be in the mix, there is one thing everyone can take into the new year. And that is hope. Hope that the things can and will change, like bigotry and skepticism. And that going forward we all have hope for the future, no matter what color it is.

     

     

     

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    Recession and Retirement

    Monday, October 27th, 2008

    dow jones stock marketIf you are of retirement age, perhaps you have heard people talk about what it was like to have lived through the times called  “The Great Depression”. ‘Those that lived through those hard times were forever changed by the experience.  For better or worse they and their world were never the same.

    Now, it is our time  to experience something no one has ever lived through before and it will be interesting to see where it all takes us.  In a way, it is comforting to me that economists are admitting that they don’t know what to expect.  It is also scary because I always thought they did know.  If you are like us, we are watching our retirement accounts dwindle away, and the very concept of a comfortable retirement has changed.

    For many of us, working beyond retirement age has become a necessity rather than a luxury; second homes and yachts a fading thought; and extensive travel plans have turned into weekend trips to Paducaville.

    If you listen to the TV News Shows, you can get different advice from as many people as you listen to.  Perhaps, some of the best advice I have heard came from self-help coach Tony Robbins.  In an interview on the Today Show he gave some tips for getting through this historic time.  While it would be easy to get depressed, don’t.  Realize what is important in life and that we will get through this. In times of strife and crisis, it is a time to realize what is important.  He cited a recent health scare that both he and his wife have had.  It has been said many times, but if you have your health, you are indeed fortunate.  He also called on people to get outside themselves and do something physical.  There is a mind body connection that can’t be denied and research shows you do feel better if you exercise or do active hobbies.  Don’t sit behind the computer or television and watch the world go by, get out there and experience it yourself.  We are a generation that was known to get out and experience things.  Now is not the time to become inactive and unengaged.

    It would be very easy to become discouraged with the world economic issues, so perhaps, November, which brings the holiday of Thanksgiving couldn’t come at a better time.  We  are living in historic times and we are fortunate to live in a democracy where we will have a chance to vote in an election that will change history.  Get out a vote, whoever your candidate, for it is time to make a change, and strong leaders will be required.    Now, more than ever, we should reflect not on what we have lost, but what we have.  These are historic times but resist the temptation to be an observer.  Hard times are also times of great opportunity and those of us that live with a view toward the future rather than the past will be best prepared for what lies before us.

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    Working With Your Spouse

    Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

    When my husband and I first retired I was very keen on the idea of starting a business with him. I didn’t really care what we did, as long as there was an income and something that provided a chance to use creativity. We had both retired from the nine to five world and I was not quite ready to retire completely.

    My brother and sister-in-law had opened their own coffee shop and it looked like fun to me. It looked like fun until I heard that they often got up at 4:00 a.m. to make sure everything was ready for people on their way to work. It looked like fun until I heard the horror stories of trying to find reliable help. And it sounded like fun until they were forced to sell their business.

    Fortunately for me, my husband brought me back to reality with the statistic that half of all small businesses fail in the first year. And for those that succeed, another fifty percent will fail within the next five years.

    I thought I had lost the urge to work with my husband until I recently read an article about couples who work together and saw a book entitled Couplepreneurs: Prosperity through Partnership, written by Jean Charles. The book is written to help couples already in business together, or couples who are thinking of going into business together. However, Charles also notes that most small business fail within the first few years of operation, regardless if whether or not they are run by married couples. But if done carefully, husband and wives might have a better chance of succeeding than regular business partners.

    Having a plan is key. I guess that was the step I could never get past. I never fully developed a plan. However, I do believe one of the advantages of being in business with a partner is that you know their work and life ethic. Often you complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

    However, one lesson I learned in retirement, is that it is an adjustment in itself. To start a business at this stage of the game takes a lot of courage. And the thought of jeopardizing all that you have worked to have over the years is daunting. No matter what idea or plan you come up with, as the National Federation of Business Education Foundation points out, 39% of small businesses are profitable, 30% break even, and 30% lose money.

    Retirement is different things to different people. If starting a business, or being your own boss has always been your dream, and you and your partner work well together, it might be a worthwhile idea to explore.

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