Monday, August 20, 2007

WISHING I COULD RETIRE

Ah yes.  The start of another school year.  Another year of challenging students.  There are many things I love about teaching, but I find myself yearning more and more each year for the time when I won't have to answer that back-to-school bell.

Elaine

Monday, June 25, 2007

Top Earner Wants To Mentor You To Success!

Private mentoring is available from an established internet marketer with a proven track record. He's not a hype-filled guru, but a person who really cares about helping the little guy/gal get "A Hand Up". He is the author of the book by the same name. He has helped me and many others make money online and wil help you, too. Please contact dottye789@earthlink.net  for more info.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Altzheimers Disease

There is no cure for Alzheimer but care and cure can go along way in improving the condition as the disease is considered to be life threatening and has no permanent cure whatsoever. However, alternative medicine help is being sought in order to help the condition. These includes herbs and dietary supplements.
Find out more about how you can beat memory loss related to aging by visiting Better memory Made EZ

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Visiting Florida

You can go on dozens of vacations to sightsee in America and not repeat an experience.  But when making your list of great sightseeing spots in America to visit, make sure Florida is near the top.  And while you are at it, plan to spend some time there because there is a lot to take in including…

*    Snorkeling in the warm clear gulf waters on one side of the Florida peninsula and in the ocean waters on the other.

*    The amazing theme parks of Disney, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and many more.

*    Ancient mansions up and down the beaches of Florida from the early days when Spanish ships landed here to discover this big new world.

*    Wonderful foods from Cuba, the Caribbean and all across South America.

*    The always unforgettable Everglades that seem like a trip to the Jurassic Period during your brief tour there.
Visit Florida and find out how to save major dollars on your Disney Vacation

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Hobbies for Seniors

Most seniors do have hobbies and use them to pass the time wisely. Society perceives senior hobbies as traditional old people things to do, such as bowls, knitting, doing jigsaw puzzles and gardening. Whilst all of these pastimes are relaxing and constructively use your time, you should not be limited to participating in these kinds of hobbies. Making the most of time is all about doing something that you always wanted to, and age should not put you off that. Even if you only try something once, the experience can significantly enhance your life.
For example, there has been a story running in local and national newspapers about the Granny Bikers. Find out more HERE

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Fishing- a great retirement pastime

More and more people are re-discovering the fun of going fishing. You don't need to spend a fortune on a huge fishing boat and expensive equipment to have a great time. It can be as simple or as upscale as you want to make it. Fishing is great for building friendships, getting outdoors and enjoying nature and the water, and can be either laid back and easy or fiercely competitive. Here's a great site with valuable information on fishing- it's called Easy Fishing

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Bartending from A to Z

Getting ready to enjoy a wonderful retirement with a 24/7 Happy Hour? Need some new drink recipes? Look no further!! I just found a great site called Bartending A to Z, with all kinds of drink recipes, some of which I had never heard of before.
Check it out-  Click on this link to be instantly transported there!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Foreign Retirement

StartLogic Hosting - $5.95 /mo

Many Americans, tired of the rising cost of living, disenchanted with our current government, or just seeking a new local, are retiring abroad. First-class living conditions can be had on a retiree's fixed income from Social Security and pensions in such places as Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica. For about $900 a month, you could live in a luxurious home, have a full time maid and cook, and.or eat at restaurants almost every night.

One important thing you must check into in a foreign land is how real estate title is transferred, if you plan to buy property. Make sure that you actually will OWN the property-there are a lot of dishonest people out there who will take advantage of you unless you educate yourself.

Also, take a vacation trip to the area that you are scouting as a retirement destination. Go in the dead of winter and the dog days of summer, to make sure that you can live in the climate.

Locate medical care nearby, as older people tend to make more trips to the doctor. Get accurate information about the quality, cost, and availability of medical care.

Friday, April 6, 2007

7 ways by which to gain contentment in retirement

The following article presents the very latest information on Retirement. If you have a particular interest in Retirement, then this informative article is required reading.

It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of Retirement. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.

believe it or not some people dread the idea of retiring-of bringing an end to the well known and comfortable routine of each working day.

Here we will outline 7 ways by which to gain contentment in retirement.

1. PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. It has been said that "attitude is everything" and it certainly holds true that if you are open to the prospect of new challenges and pastimes, you will thoroughly enjoy this new phase of your life.

2. Stay active, both physically and mentally. Do not get into the habit of sitting around the house vegetating, get out and enjoy doing what you never used to have time to do. Play more golf, go fishing, join a walking club, all for the social interaction as much as anything. If you are in the house, play sudoku each day and do a crossword to test the grey matter!

3. Travel to places you haven't been to before. With the world a much smaller place now than before, a trip to Australia or America isn't nearly as daunting, or expensive for that matter, as it was say 20 years ago. Try a "cruise to escape the blues" of the winter cold for a few weeks.

4. Make a point of meeting regularly with your peers. Perhaps each week for a cuppa or round of golf or whatever, just to keep in touch and help each other if problems arise. A lot of fulfillment will be derived from helping and supporting those in need.

5. Try to have fun, have a laugh and don't take yourself too seriously. Be someone who brings a bit of happiness to others, even perhaps when you don't always feel like it.

6. Try to learn at least one new thing each day. Whether it be from reading a book, or the internet or wherever, keep challenging your intellect. Try to learn a new language even, or take night classes in computers or digital photography.

7. Most importantly of all, spend the time which you now have available with those who mean the most to you. Be it your spouse, your children or grandchildren, try to meet up for lunch or go out for dinner when possible, throw family parties, offer to babysit the grandchildren. Quality time with loved ones is to be cherished above all else, because it really does bring pleasure money can't buy.

Please do the 7 steps so retirement isn't a depressing thing it will be a happy day.

Sometimes it's tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I'm positive you'll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

A great place to retire

Sebring, FL is a great place to retire. Although Real Estate prices have gone up. like almost everywhere else, they are starting to go down! There is new modern construction available, along with older homes. Highlands County is second in the state of Florida and third in the county in population density of those 55 and older. There are several communities that are 55 plus active seniors; there are new developments that are transitional into assisted living, and of course there are the traditional "mixed" neighborhoods.

What is a big indicator of growth is the boom in commercial construction. In the last four years, there have been ten new commercial buildings within a five mile radius from where I live, and seven more are under construction right now, including a brand new shopping mall, complete with an Olive Garden restaurant.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Retirement Scrap Booking

My mom is a retired school teacher for that last year and was constantly telling me how bored she was. So one day I had heard about making a scrap book. She loves taking pictures and collecting things we have done when children so why not suggest it to her.

So what I did was a gave her one of my computers (my husband is a technician) and showed her how to search and write emails. She loved this idea . She constantly would send me emails every day. Sometimes 3 times a day.

Well it was Christmas day. I will never forget it either because it was the most memorable one that i have had. We arrived at her home as usual . We were taking our coats off and she said I have something I want you to open right now. So I sat down and proceeded to open what looked like a shape of a box. I couldn't believe what i saw. A beautifully made scrap book of all the things we have done as children, my kids have done as children, and some of the awards and other accomplishments my dad had done though out the years. (my dad had passed away 2 yrs b4) I just looked at her and started crying. I said mom this is the best gift anyone could of given me. We sat that day and went through everything and to this day I still have it.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Money101 Lesson 13: Retirement

1. Save as much as you can as early as you can.

Though it's never too late to start, the sooner you begin saving, the more time your money has to grow. Gains each year build on the prior year's - that's the power of compounding, and the best way to accumulate wealth.

2. Set realistic goals.

Project your retirement expenses based on your needs, not rules of thumb. Be honest about how you want to live in retirement and how much it will cost. Then calculate how much you must save to supplement Social Security and other sources of retirement income.

3. A 401(k) is one of the easiest and best ways to save for retirement.

Contributing money to a 401(k) gives you an immediate tax deduction, tax-deferred growth on your savings, and - usually - a matching contribution from your company.

4. An IRA also can give your savings a tax-advantaged boost.

Like a 401(k), IRAs offer huge tax breaks. There are two types: a traditional IRA offers tax-deferred growth, meaning you pay taxes on your investment gains only when you make withdrawals, and, if you qualify, your contributions may be deductible; a Roth IRA, by contrast, doesn't allow for deductible contributions but offers tax-free growth, meaning you owe no tax when you make withdrawals.

5. Focus on your asset allocation more than on individual picks.

How you divide your portfolio between stocks and bonds will have a big impact on your long-term returns.

6. Stocks are best for long-term growth.

Stocks have the best chance of achieving high returns over long periods. A healthy dose will help ensure that your savings grows faster than inflation, increasing the purchasing power of your nest egg.

7. Don't move too heavily into bonds, even in retirement.

Many retirees stash most of their portfolio in bonds for the income. Unfortunately, over 10 to 15 years, inflation easily can erode the purchasing power of bonds' interest payments.

8. Making tax-efficient withdrawals can stretch the life of your nest egg.

Once you're retired, your assets can last several more years if you draw on money from taxable accounts first and let tax-advantaged accounts compound for as long as possible.

9. Working part-time in retirement can help in more ways than one.

Working keeps you socially engaged and reduces the amount of your nest egg you must withdraw annually once you retire.

10. There are other creative ways to get more mileage out of retirement assets.

For instance, you might consider relocating to an area with lower living expenses, or transforming the equity in your home into income by taking out a reverse mortgage.

Guide to opportunities in retirement : Directgov - Over 50s

Being retired may mean you have more time to do the things you've always wanted to. Or you might want to look for new ideas to do things you never knew you'd enjoy. In any case there are a range of opportunities you can enjoy in retirement.

Learning for fun

Learning can be fun and a great way to relax and socialize. It doesn't have to be formal and you don't have to learn for a qualification. Free courses are easy to find and if you're learning just for fun, you can choose anything you find interesting – whether it's a new interest or a subject you already know something about.


Leisure

When you're retired you'll probably have more time for your favorite leisure activities, or you may be looking for a new interest or activity to enjoy in your spare time.


Voluntary work

Voluntary work can be a good way of working in a way that suits you. It's also a great way to use your skills and experience to help others, and at the same time learn something new. There are many volunteering opportunities so it's worth thinking about what you want to do and what you want to get out of it.

Become a coach or mentor

Older people's skills and experience are highly valued in communities. You can put your work experience to good use by becoming a mentor or coach. In return you can develop your own inter-personal skills and remain active and involved in your community.

Retirement Quotes, Sayings about Retiring

"The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off. ~Abe Lemons

When a man retires and time is no longer a matter of urgent importance, his colleagues generally present him with a watch. ~R.C. Sherriff

When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband but only half the income. ~Chi Chi Rodriguez

A retired husband is often a wife's full-time job. ~Ella Harris

Retired is being twice tired, I've thought First tired of working, Then tired of not. ~Richard Armour

Retirement: It's nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to learn to get along with less cheese. ~Gene Perret

I'm retired - goodbye tension, hello pension! ~Author Unknown

Retirement: World's longest coffee break. ~Author Unknown"

The question isn't at what age I want to retire, it's at what income. ~George Foreman

Retirement means no pressure, no stress, no heartache... unless you play golf. ~Gene Perret

Golf is played by twenty million mature American men whose wives think they are out having fun. ~Jim Bishop