A1. WORKING IN RETIREMENT
Thinking of retiring? Expect to work when you do. Retirement is coming.
Fast. But there is no way you have the funds to retire. What can you do?
Try an Internet-based business!
The answer is simple: You need to WORK. The fact is, in our current economy
the promises of retirement ease made to baby-boomers are often "bankrupt."
If you were in management before, you will likely be working as a consultant
to your old industry. If you were a "worker bee," the likelihood is you'll
be working nights as a security guard, days as a retail clerk, a food
service worker, on graveyard shifts a cleaning crew member, or the like.
OR: You can start your own small business by using the power of the Internet
for sales, providing services, and communication with your customers.
The above option is one of the most rewarding, and takes business planning.
The idea is to offer low-cost, easily delivered services and information.
Ask yourself, "What do I know a lot about? What is my expertise?" Look
for your niche by reviewing your life and business experience.
What it does not require is a strong knowledge of technology, if a person,
preferably a young one, skilled in Internet use can be drafted into the
business to handle that end of things. How do you motivate such a person?
Offer him or her a piece of the business, and watch them use their energy
and excitement to run with the ball. You'll need an accountant to help
you, eventually, but a meeting with a CPA at the outset to get your accounting
and data-retention needs outlined can be very helpful and save a small
fortune later.
Which services you offer can take all manner of needs into account. Think
about what your other "retired" friends and relatives are doing to bring
in revenue. So many people are doing this now you might find that those
you didn't think would ever need extra income are actually in the same
boat as you. So what are they doing about it?
Here are some common small businesses for retirees (and you may need
a Web site, or at least some computer knowledge for most of them-if only
to keep track of the money you earn:
- Light housekeeping for senior citizens
- Shopping services for senior citizens
- Buying/Reselling on Ebay as an "Ebay store" (from
clothing and shoes, to vintage advertisements cut from old "Life" magazines,
etc., EBay is a modern wonder)
- Teaching music lessons
- Teaching foreign language lessons
- Pet-sitting/walking
- Babysitting
- Mediation services
- Your career's worth of industry knowledge
You probably don't need a fortune of income in retirement-just some extra
revenue. Take a look at your life, your experience, your skills, and think
of how you can sell or leverage it-then get busy! Retirement isn't going
to be what "they" promised us, but it will be happier, more rewarding,
and more successful with a little thought and effort to make ends meet
with extra revenue. Additional financial information may be found at
http://www.seniorresource.com/finance.htm
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A2. LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT
How are you going to handle your future nursing home or assisted-living
costs? A Long Term Care (LTC) policy may be an answer. Many millions of
people now own such policies. Here are a few things to consider when looking
for a LTC policy.
Period of Benefits. Most nursing home stays are for less than
five years. Hence, policies of two, three or four years are typical. Some
companies offer a lifetime policy that is more costly.
Elimination Period. This is the time, perhaps of three months'
duration, during which you must be receiving nursing care before your
policy starts paying off. The longer the elimination period, the lower
the premiums.
Premium Constancy. LTC premiums can rise without much warning.
The soundness of the insurance company may be the biggest factor: Weaker
companies may offer lower initial premiums but may not be able to keep
them there over time. In today's difficult financial times, one should
consider examining the company's financial statements and ratings. Also
check its record of premium increases.
Daily Benefits. These are the daily expenses your policy will
cover. Assisted living or nursing home costs vary in different areas of
the country, so you should investigate typical costs in your region. Recent
studies indicate that costs currently run about $200 per day in most areas.
These costs will increase with inflation. Therefore, it may be wise to
get a policy with some form of inflation protection. Most companies offer
policies with many other features. You should study these and determine
if they are helpful in meeting your future care needs.
Additional insurance information for seniors can be found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/insur.htm
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B. DID YOU KNOW...?
1. Elder Care Options
With retirement saving taking a beating in the current economy, it's
time to sharpen our pencils about the cost of elder care. Here are a few
approached to easing the cost for such care.
-
Consider adult day care. Based on a 2008 MetLife study, it
is a more affordable option than private, in-home care. The national
average rate for adult day-care services is $64 a day in comparison
with an eight-hour rate of $160 for home-health aides.
-
Negotiate with candidate senior communities. With many assisted-living
and nursing communities not filled to capacity, it is worth the effort
to see if you can negotiate lower fees. This approach may be helpful
even for those already in such a community.
-
Share a room. Many assisted-living communities have provisions
for lower-income individuals to share a room.
-
Hire a geriatric-care manager. Such managers can assess the
situation, identify potential solutions, and negotiate favorable terms
at assisted living facilities. The savings in your time and efforts
to negotiate may mitigate their fees (especially if you're not experienced
in negotiation).
-
Part-time caretaker. If full time attention is not required,
then someone to look in periodically may be all that is required.
This person might be a neighbor, a local college student, or someone
from a local service organization. He or she might help with such
activities as cleaning, shopping, and meal preparation.
Additional housing options may be found at
http://www.seniorresource.com/house.htm
2. Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan
The deep contraction in the economy and in the housing market has
created devastating consequences for homeowners and communities throughout
the country. The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is part of
the president's broad, comprehensive strategy to get the economy back
on track. The plan will help between 7 and 9 million families restructure
or refinance their mortgages to avoid foreclosure. In doing so, the plan
not only will help responsible homeowners on the verge of defaulting,
but also prevent neighborhoods and communities from being pulled over
the edge, as well, as defaults and foreclosures contribute to falling
home values, failing local businesses, and lost jobs. The key components
of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan are:
- Refinancing for up to 4 to 5 million responsible homeowners to make
their mortgages more affordable;
- A $75-billion Homeowner Stability Initiative to reach up to 3 to 4
million at-risk homeowners;
- Supporting low mortgage rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac.
Learn more here: http://www.financialstability.gov
Additional financial information may be found at
http://www.seniorresource.com/finance.htm
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C. THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
We present here some words from those with a birthday this month.
Gregory Peck - "Tough times don't last, tough people do, remember?"
Colin Powell - "Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is
dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant."
Bette Davis - "A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want
it at the expense of everything else."
Mandy Moore - "Love is like nothing else on this earth, but only
when it is shared with someone wonderful like you."
David Frost - "Love is when each person is more concerned for
the other than for one's self."
More "Thoughts" at: http://www.seniorresource.com/thought.htm
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D. SPECIAL SURFING SITES
 1.
The Johns Hopkins Guide to Arthritis Pain Relief.
In addition to an overview, it provides the latest treatment options to
relieve pain, including, but not limited to, treatment options for osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis. These new treatments move away from the advice
to rest your joints and take analgesics. The report includes a wide range
of medical and non-medical treatment options. Get your no- cost report
here: http://www.hopkinsreport.com/special_reports/arthritis/a_reg_landing.html
Also learn about Senior Health at http://www.seniorresource.com/health.htm
2. Energy Policy Basics
With today's difficult economic times, energy policy and strategies are
more important than ever. These policies will impact the well being of
our retirement. The Wall Street Journal, in conjunction with Exxon Mobil,
has prepared a series of articles on this key subject. The Challenge
to Petroleum: Biofuels, Plug-In Hybrids, and Low-Cost Electric Cars
presents a discussion of new technologies-biofuels, hybrids, and battery-powered
cars-challenging the position of petroleum. All these technologies have
the potential to make a dent in the dominance of gasoline and diesel-fueled
cars. Find the report here: http://online.wsj.com/ad/ceraweek
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E. OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE
1. Nicely Said BK San Diego
To realize the value of one month, ask a senior who is waiting for
the Social Security check.
To realize the value of one week, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one minute, ask a person who has missed the
train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of one second, ask a person who has survived an
accident.
Time waits for no one; treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.
2. Smart Answer #8
The cop got out of his car and the kid who was stopped
for speeding rolled down his window. "I've been waiting for you all
day," the cop said. The kid replied, "Yeah, well, I got here
as fast as I could." When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent
the kid on his way without a ticket.
"Oh My Aging Funny Bone" is at: http://www.seniorresource.com/jokes.htm
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This issue has been edited by Betsy Day (betsyjday@aol.com).
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