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Redefining Traditional Retirement
Tweet Share on Facebook August 21, 2012 CommentSome of the most fortunate people in the world never retire. For example, Elizabeth Windsor, at age 85, is still going strong as Queen of England. Warren Buffett, 81, remains chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
Not all of us have the option to keep our jobs for as long as we want. Some of us belong to a different, but equally exclusive club--people who were forced to retire at a fairly young age. But we have plenty of company. For example, Jimmy Carter was forced to retire at age 56 in January 1981. Bill Clinton retired at age 54 in January 2001. And George W. Bush retired in January 2009 at age 62.
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The Only Right Time to Buy Life Insurance Is Now
Tweet Share on Facebook August 20, 2012 CommentOne day you’re sitting on the couch sharing some laughter over that silly reality show only the two of you watch. The next thing you know, a heart attack takes them away from you unexpectedly.
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Questions to Ask Before Buying or Renting Overseas
Tweet Share on Facebook August 20, 2012 CommentIf you're retiring abroad, either full- or part-time, one of your first and most important challenges will be finding a place to live. Real estate markets, for both sales and rentals, operate differently outside the United States and can be intimidating when you first try to navigate them. How can you safely choose a new place to call home?
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The Case for On-Again, Off-Again Retirement
Tweet Share on Facebook August 17, 2012 CommentA funny thing happened on the way to retirement. It turns out that not everyone feels the all-consuming need to escape from the working world. Some people actually enjoy the benefits that come from working with others in a company environment toward a common goal. Staying engaged and involved mentally and physically can help senior citizens realize a more fulfilling and exciting second act. And for some, the working world offers an increasingly attractive option.
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Investing Tips for a Volatile Market
Tweet Share on Facebook August 16, 2012 CommentI can’t blame you if you are spooked by today’s investing climate. Memories of the May 6, 2010, “flash crash” were just starting to fade. As I am sure you will recall, on that fateful day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by an astounding 1000 points (initially) in 16 minutes. According to the New York Times, almost a trillion dollars of value disappeared. Stocks of major blue-chip companies traded for a fraction of their value. Accenture fell to a penny a share. Proctor & Gamble dropped from $60 to $39.37 in minutes.
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What to Do With Your 401(k) After Retirement
Tweet Share on Facebook August 16, 2012 CommentWhen you retire, you need to figure out what to do with the 401(k) from your former job. There are a few options to consider, and it is very important to understand all the options. If you are under 59 1/2, it is essential to decide which option is best for your financial situation.
Here are the options and the pros and cons of each.
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Beyond Compound Interest: The Benefits of Saving Early
Tweet Share on Facebook August 15, 2012 CommentWe've all seen the argument for saving early and letting the magic of compound interest do most of the heavy lifting for us, but saving for retirement as soon as possible has additional benefits few people ever mention. If you're still wondering why you should sacrifice that dollar now for a potentially better tomorrow, consider these five ways an early saver benefits:
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Should You Give Money to Your Adult Children?
Tweet Share on Facebook August 14, 2012 CommentSome in-laws came to visit last week, bringing news that their daughter had dropped out of college after her sophomore year, because as she put it, "I just don't see the point." Of course our in-laws said they hope she goes back to school, but in the meantime she has found a job at a preschool, making a little more than minimum wage.
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Retire to the Simple Life in Cayo, Belize
Tweet Share on Facebook August 13, 2012 CommentIn Belize’s Cayo District, it doesn't take long for any other reality you've brought with you to fade. In this frontier land of rivers and rain forest, your mind and your body are occupied with challenge and discovery from sun up until you fall exhausted into your bed each evening.
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The Secret of Aging Gracefully
Tweet Share on Facebook August 10, 2012 CommentThe other day I was walking through the neighborhood, and I spotted a dime on the ground. I paused to stare intently at the coin, yet made no effort to bend down to pick it up. At that moment I realized I must be getting along in my years. A younger me would not have hesitated to swoop in and grab any shiny coin, even a penny. However, on this day I was evaluating the cost and benefit of bending down for ten cents. A quarter would be a no brainer, but a dime didn’t seem worth the effort.
