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Boomer Quiz

July 11th, 2007

How much do you remember about the “good old days?” Take this quiz and find out! (Answers follow quiz.) 1. What year was it? “Gunsmoke” begins a 20-year run “The Lawrence Welk Show” premieres Ray Kroc gives us McDonald\’s Walt Disney opens Disneyland 2. Whose was the first Presidential Inauguration to be televised nationwide? 2. Whose was the first Presidential Inauguration to be televised nationwide? 3. James Dean met his death in a fatal auto crash. What kind of car was he driving? 4. Which cartoon character was... Read More

Retirement and Spirituality

June 11th, 2007

As adults begin to confront their mortality, and the daily rat race has faded into the background, religion and spirituality often become more front and center in their lives. A recent Newsweek survey found that 56 percent of those aged 40 – 59 described themselves as both religious and spiritual, and this percent increased to 66 for those over 60 years of age. When asked, “How Important is Spirituality in Your Daily Life?” 63 percent of those aged 40 – 59 indicated it was very important, and 66 percent of those over 60 years of age felt it was very important. The most... Read More

Should You Consider a Reverse Mortgage?

May 9th, 2007

A reverse mortgage is a loan against the equity you have built up in your home. It allows you to receive extra income, and when you die, vacate, or sell your house, the loan is repaid. You must be 62 years of age or older to obtain a reverse mortgage, and the loan applies only to your primary residence. There are several possibilities-you can receive a lump sum, monthly payments, a line of credit, or some combination of these options. The homeowner retains ownership of the home during the reverse mortgage period. Since these types of mortgages can be complex and involve fees, you need to be comfortable... Read More

Use It or Lose It

April 13th, 2007

We\’re familiar with the above expression, and know that “use it or lose it” applies to the brain as well as the body. Brain fitness is a hot new topic – as we age, is it possible to maintain the same level of cognitive ability? Let\’s take a look at our three-pound dynamo – our 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. It had been, for about a century, a basic tenet in biology that brain cells don\’t regenerate-that once the brain... Read More

Retirement Reading 101

March 5th, 2007

This month, I\’d like to share with you a list of a dozen books on a variety of topics. Although not all are targeted specifically to retirees or those contemplating the transition, they all provide food for thought. Happy reading! Finances: Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson. Wiley, 2006. Dave Barry\’s Money Secrets by Dave Barry. Three Rivers Press, 2006 (hilarious satire of personal finance) Physical Health: The Volumetrics Eating Plan by Barbara Rolls. Morrow Cookbooks, 2005 You: The Owner\’s Manual by Michael Roizen. Collins, 2005 Emotional Health/Spirituality: Celebrating... Read More

Consider a College Town for Retirement

February 1st, 2007

Question: Where can you be assured of plenty of cultural activities, stimulating intergenerational discussions, sports, entertainment, restaurants, bookstores, libraries, stable housing prices, a well-educated community, and perhaps top-notch medical facilities? Answer: college towns. For those who would rather hit the books than hit a golf ball, it\’s worth consideration. For many baby boomers, living in an academic community provides the vitality of college life without the hefty tuition. Colleges are responding to this trend with lifelong learning opportunities for retirees, such as the... Read More

Active-Adult Communities

January 10th, 2007

Age-qualified, age-restricted, age-targeted, or active-adult – four different ways of saying “Life is great!” If you\’re tired of hearing the pitter-patter of little feet in your existing community or longing to be surrounded by like-minded neighbors, you may want to explore living in an active-adult community. If a more age-homogeneous lifestyle with facilities and social activities that allow you to do as much or as little as you\’d like sounds like your cup of tea, there are many choices, often close to your present home. Some of these communities have... Read More

How to “Live Long and Prosper” (in Retirement)

December 7th, 2006

Although “Live Long and Prosper” is actually an abbreviated version of a blessing, most of recognize it as Dr. Spock\’s greeting on “Star Trek.” But, back here on earth, and in retirement, there really are two secrets to living longer and healthier – strong social support and an optimistic outlook on life. Today, I\’m going to share three scientific studies with you about longevity and better health: “The 22 percent effect.” Lynn Giles and three other researchers followed 1,500 older people for 10 years, and found that those with an extensive... Read More

Choosing the Ideal Retirement Location

November 14th, 2006

If you\’re thinking about relocating after you retire, what characteristics should you look for in a new community? Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but there are some general guidelines. Where to Retire magazine surveyed its subscribers and asked them to list what they felt was most important in choosing an ideal retirement location: Low crime rate Active, clean, safe downtown Good hospitals nearby Low tax rate/low cost of living/low housing cost Mild climate Friendly, like-minded neighbors Scenic beauty Good recreational/social/cultural environment Nearby... Read More

How Much Money Do You Need to Retire?

October 11th, 2006

How do you make your money last as long as you do? Ah, if it were only as easy as throwing out a number – actually, about $10 million would probably do nicely. But, since most of us won\’t be in the position to have that kind of nest egg, how do you determine how much you\’ll need in retirement? Let\’s discuss some general rules and some important, often overlooked factors. There are some scary statistics out there. About a third of adults have said they haven\’t saved anything for retirement, and almost half of retirees rely on Social Security... Read More