Health insurance and health care spending are popular topics of conversation among Americans. Most households are eager to maintain the quality of the coverage they enjoy well into their retirement years. But preparing for extended care requires consideration and thoughtful preparation.
For those whom retirement is a long way off, it can represent a never-ending vacation, a time free of work and full of play. For others who are closer to retiring, their next chapter may represent an exciting season filled with new and meaningful contributions. Whatever your retirement plans may be, shrinking your domestic footprint may be an important aspect to consider, and you may be surprised why it matters. In this article, we’ll explore some reasons to downsize, and some smart strategies to consider that can help make sure your retired life is everything you’re hoping for.
By Brenda Carrico
Are you still learning new things on a regular basis? Maybe you’re reading about a subject that you don’t know anything about, or you’ve joined an archeology club for example – credit to you!
Or, are you someone who doesn’t want to, nor feels like you should have to, learn anything new once you reach a certain age? If so, did you know that studies show if you force your brain to learn something unfamiliar that you may be able to stave off or even prevent memory loss and other cognitive issues?
In our industry, so that we can assist our clients with their changing needs as they transition through the different phases of life, we’re constantly learning about aging issues such as elder abuse and the impact that cognitive loss could potentially have on their futures. So, we are advocates for lifelong learning, especially if doing so can protect you against both elder abuse and cognitive decline.
By Brenda Carrico
Do you already schedule time for the most important people in your life? If your answer is yes, then kudos to you. However, if you’re not or you have found yourself faltering in this area lately, remind yourself that loneliness can undermine your physical and mental health.
Love is the Key! Through every stage of life, friendships come and go. The relationships often end with such ease that we barely notice the absence of those individuals in our lives. Sometimes though, our special friendships end for trivial reasons; you didn’t like who they were dating at the time, or they moved far away. You may not even remember why you quit talking.
By Brenda Carrico
Refire, Don’t Retire: Getting Started
Does the word retire conjure up an image in your head of someone being put out to pasture or of someone slowly melting into a recliner never to be heard from again? If so, let’s join the movement to redefine the word and end the stereotypes surrounding what being a retiree truly means. The individuals on this crusade are writing blogs, books and creating groups to change how retirees are viewed by society and by themselves.
If you’re ready to embark upon this endeavor, we recommend you start by reading a book called “Refire! Don’t Retire: Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life” by Ken Blanchard and Morton Shaevitz. The book takes you on a journey of emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual renewal. We would like to take you on that same journey through this blog series and become a part of your “Re-firing Gang.”
By Michael J. Searcy
There has always been a divide in the financial industry between those who embrace fiduciary duty and those who skirt around it. It is a divide that can be nearly impossible for consumers to recognize and understand, leaving them exposed to potential harm depending on whose hands they find themselves in.
Am I working with an actual advisor or a salesperson? Is this person legally required to put my interests ahead of their own or are they suggesting something that’s good enough because it earns them a nice commission?
Knowledgeable investors are aware that investing in the capital markets presents any number of risks – interest rate risk, company risk, and market risk.
Risk is an inseparable companion to the potential for long-term growth. Though some risk can be mitigated through diversification, it does not eliminate the risk of loss if security prices decline. Chances are, this is a risk you were very willing to take when you started investing for your future.
Did you know? As an investor, you face another, less-known risk for which the market does not compensate you, nor can it be easily reduced through diversification. Yet, it may be the biggest challenge to the sustainability of your retirement income or other goal funding.
By John C. Fales
Although an inheritance typically comes from some form of loss, it could mean a significant monetary gain for the receiving party.
If you have advance knowledge of the incoming inheritance, you may be better prepared for how to handle it, but there are always things you should consider in this situation. Let’s take a look at several of those considerations:
Actor Lee Marvin once said, “As soon as people see my face on a movie screen, they [know] two things: first, I’m not going to get the girl, and second, I’ll get a cheap funeral before the picture is over.”
Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about their own funeral, and yet, many of us have a vision about our memorial service or the handling of our remains. A letter of instruction can help you accomplish that goal.
By Michael J. Searcy
There’s a big difference between making a good living and making a good life. Making a good life, for me, means I get to help people pull together all the pieces of their current situation, and show them how each piece impacts the others, creating an organization to the chaos to help guide them through the life they desire. I’ve met countless people who make a great living, but make no time to really live. Having a financial plan is crucial to getting the most out of life, and beyond. Following that financial plan could be the difference between “I’m so glad I planned and prioritized,” and “I shoulda, coulda, wish I woulda.”
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