By the year 2035, Americans 65 and older are expected to outnumber those under 18 for the first time in our country’s history. In just 10 years, people over 60 will make up the largest consumer market segment and hold a majority of the wealth. In a culture that tends to glorify youth and doesn’t know how to handle the problems older Americans face, this will mean some major changes. Here’s how America’s gaining population will [...]
Have you heard of “Blue Zones”? No, they’re not places where everyone is a Democrat. They’re places in the world where there is an unusually high number of people living into their 90’s and even 100’s. These populations are known for maintaining good health well into old age. It’s not that they have special technologies, or the best doctors, or special genes – it’s thought to be their lifestyle. “Blue Zones” are found all around the [...]
Entering retirement can mean a dramatic shift in lifestyle, but luckily there is plenty of time for new or old hobbies. Remember, you’re not just retiring from something, you’re retiring to something. The “what” is up to you, and there are many options other than expensive hobbies. Here are four fun and affordable retirement activities. Volunteering Few things are as fulfilling and stimulating as doing good deeds around the local community. Activities include walking animals at [...]
Happy 244th birthday, America! The holiday is enough reason to celebrate, but after months of quarantine, seeing loved ones and spending time outside in the warm weather is even more reason to celebrate. One of the best things about retirement is freedom – you can choose what to do with your time and where you’ll go. This 4th of July, let’s celebrate the pursuit of freedom and happiness in retirement. Do What You Love Not everyone’s [...]
Successful people are ambitious and disciplined: They set big goals, and focus on achieving them over the course of a long career or a lifetime. Many people also have high-flying goals for their personal life– run a marathon, hike Mt. Everest, etc. And, they retirees assume that they’ll cross off many of them off their bucket list once they enter retirement and have more free time. But the reality is that bucket lists can sometimes feel [...]
It’s easy to fall into the trap of following a script when it comes to retirement, especially if you’re unsure of how to create your own plan. This “script” can dictate a retirement age, lifestyle, and even important financial decisions. For example, many people assume that they should downsize in retirement or even move to a less expensive area of the country. But what about those who want to stay put? Homes hold many memories and [...]
Thanksgiving is a good time to think about how you express gratitude. Some people donate their time or money to a charitable organization, or just enjoy the simple pleasures of retirement. The great thing about giving is that you often get something back. Volunteering is a great way to make new social connections, you might save on your taxes with a charitable donation, and thinking about all the ways you can enjoy retirement can make it [...]
Retirement planning forces us to make many decisions, as well as calculations. And while a professional can help you with those, it can also help to sharpen up your math skills. Calculating percentages and interest rates off the cuff this isn’t difficult, but it can be intimidating without pen and paper. After all, you haven’t taken a math test in decades! But, maintaining your calculation skills is an important part of keeping your brain sharp in [...]
Summer is over, but once you retire you can go on a vacation anytime of the year you want. And since people tend to go on vacation during the summer, the fall can be a good time to avoid crowds – as well as the heat. There’s really no good answer to the question of why you shouldn’t travel in the fall, so here are 4 reasons why you should. Avoid the Crowds With kids back [...]
Once people retire and become empty nesters, they often enjoy their freedom to travel, make their own schedule, and have some time to themselves. But after a while, they might experience a lack of social connections and a loss of purpose that a career previously provided. There are so many ways to spend your free time in retirement, and getting a pet is one. If you’ve ever looked wistfully at someone walking their furry friend in [...]