Retirement Blog November 2006

Nov 30, 2006, The Best Small Business Franchise Opportunity

Doug Shepherd shares his experience finding the best small business franchise opportunity to enrich his upcoming retirement.

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Nov 30, 2006, Include Home Care In Retirement Planning

Increasingly, families are turning to home care for elderly family members. Asking the right questions will help you make the most informed decision.

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Nov 30, 2006, Build A Network When You Retire

Preparing to retire? Before you decide to move, ask how much energy you have to create a new social network.

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Nov 30, 2006, British Pension Changes

Some steps in the proposed changes to the British pension system could be called regressive, changes like the increase in retirement age from 65 to 68, for example.

Others show a more liberal view of society. Currently only 30% of women qualify for a full pension. The proposed changes are expected to increase that number to 90%.

Of course the plan is only that at the moment -- a plan.

No matter where you live, keep an eye on pension issues. What happens in one jurisdiction impacts what happens in others.

The link that went to further information on this topic has been taken down.

Nov 29, 2006, An Unusual Retirement Plan

When he was left unemployed by a company that closed before he reached retirement age, Timothy Bowers came up with an unusual retirement plan. He robbed a bank.

He got only $80 -- four twenties -- but that isn't why he immediately turned the money over to the security guard and quietly waited for the police. His motivation came out at his trial.

At 62 years of age, he had three more years before he would begin to collect Social Security. He wanted to spend that time in prison where his basic needs would be met. When he gets out, he will be eligible Social Security.

Although the judge would have preferred leniency, she decided to grant him his wish, saying that if he didn't go to prison this time, he would probably just commit more crimes until he was incarcerated.

Nov 28, 2006, Your Best Franchise Opportunity

Which is the best franchise opportunity for you? You know the basics about owning a franchise, but you need to consider the details. How do you evaluate which franchise business is best?

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Nov 28, 2006, Evaluate the Top Franchise Opportunity

You want in on the top franchise opportunity. You want a business with the support a franchise offers but you wonder about the risks. What are the pros and cons of a franchise?

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Nov 26, 2006, Great Deals On Travel Gear

Where do you plan to spend your time this winter?

If you plan to travel, be sure you have sturdy, lightweight luggage. Luggage Online - Best Buys has some great prices. Check it out.

PS. Be sure to read the reviews by other users when you choose your luggage.

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Nov 23, 2006, Retirement Could Go On FOREVER!

Estimates about how many years of retirement stretch in front of us just got a whole lot longer.

Futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts that in 30 years or so, our lives will go on indefinitely thanks to technology.

His book explains how nanobots and computers will heal and repair us endlessly.

After the delightful idea of not having to face death fades into the mist, I get a horrifying image of my financial portfolio, currently aimed at keeping body and soul together for far less time than infinity, stretched to keep me fed, clothed, and housed into eternity.

Scary stuff.

And just when I decide that Ray Kurzweil is a crackpot, I discover that the likes of Bill Gates and other heavy hitters in the world of technology endorse his book, The Singularity Is Near.

I had hoped to make it through the next 30 years. Now I'm not so sure. Beam me up, Scotty.

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Nov 20, 2006, Considering Early Retirement?

Suzan Halsey lists 8 things to think about before taking an early retirement.

Follow the link below for more on her suggestions. . .

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Nov 19, 2006, Retirement Financial Planning

Facing retirement? Financial planning gives a sense of security now and a secure financial future as you age. Why boomers need to plan -- NOW!

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Nov 19, 2006, Moelfre, Isle of Anglesey

Moelfre on the Isle of Anglesey is a great place to retire. With 75% of its citizens of retirement age, it caters to the elderly.

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Nov 18, 2006, Entrepreneurs And Retirement

The ShareBuilder Small Business Annual Retirement Trend survey conducted by Harris Interactive and released this week, found that 47% of small-business worry that they're saving enough for retirement. More than half plan to retire after age 65 if ever.

Are you in that number?

If so, either you love your work so much that you can't imagine living without it, or you've put so much energy into your business that you've neglected to plan adequately for your retirement.

The large percentage of folk who worry about retirement funds leads me to believe that you might very well be in that group.

Even if you love your business, what plans do you have for the day when you can't do what you do now?

I love my editing business, but I know that if I lost my eyesight or if my ability to sit and type diminished, I'd need extra technology to carry on. The cost and bother might even push me to stop editing altogether.

One option that's perfect for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit is a Web based business. This could be an extension of your current business. Or it could be a whole new business.

In either case, the extra income stream could provide additional income for your retirement savings and perhaps even become your main retirement income.

I love the list of possibilities listed at find.inquire-sbi.com Maybe one of them would suit you, too.

Nov 14, 2006, Where Are You On The Retirement Map?

JPMorgan Invest, a British investment firm, created a map of pensions expected for Britons about to retire.

Overall, only 14% can look forward to a comfortable retirement. But for those in the east and for women, the picture is even bleaker.

See the link below for details and no matter who you are, if you aren't saving for your retirement, START NOW!

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Nov 13, 2006, American Couples Separate Retirement Pots

American couples are taking a more independent attitude toward their retirement savings and plans than former generations took.

For some, this is because they are in a second marriage. For others, the independence is in anticipation of a separation.

To make the best decisions, all couples would do well to talk with a financial advisor who can help to set up joint and independent retirement plans.

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Nov 11, 2006, Pay Your Mortgage, Or Save For Retirement?

When money is tight, deciding whether to pay off the mortgage or to save for retirement can drive a person to distraction.

A financial advisor suggests reasons for choosing each option.

The article uses a broad brush. For information on what YOU should do, see a financial advisor you trust.

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Nov 11, 2006, Canadians Not Ready To Retire

Desjardins Financial Security released its retirement planning survey and the results look scary.

1. We don't start saving early enough.
2. We want to retire early, but will probably work longer than our parents did.
3. Governments, faced with high pension projections, are considering raising the age for pension eligibility.
4. We are not psychologically prepared to retire.

Share your ideas here.

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Nov 11, 2006, Weather Impacts Housing Costs

Housing costs figure high on the list of cost of living items. And I don't mean only the cost of buying.

Insuring a home is an ongoing expense. . .

. . .and it's growing in "Act of God" areas of the southern United States.

With storms pounding the southern coastline, insurance companies are raising their rates so high that retirees, some of whom have lived near the water all their lives, are opting to live farther inland.

When you choose a place to retire, remember to check the cost of home insurance.

If you have a story about the place you think is the best to retire, you can share it here.

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Nov 9, 2006, Saskatchewan Needs Its Seniors

Saskatchewan follows Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba in doing away with mandatory retirement.

In a bid to fill jobs left begging, the government hopes to put the change into effect by December 2007.

I predict many other jurisdictions will join this trend.

Boomers, healthy and energetic, want to work. The system does not have enough young workers to fill all the jobs.

Letting seniors work past traditional retirement age will meet both needs.

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Nov 9, 2006, Retire To A College Town

Many boomers choose to retire to a college town. Is this option right for you?

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Nov 9, 2006, Non-Traditional Retirement Destinations Growing In Popularity

The picture of North American retirement is changing. For one thing, Boomers are expected to live longer, healthier lives. That means we are looking for something different than our parents looked for.

Retirees are no longer flocking to Florida and Arizona.

Looking for variety and a better quality of life, new retirees are heading for Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Missouri, and other less traditional spots.

If you have a retirement wish to share, you can submit it at http://www.retirementinvestigator.com/best-place-to-retire.html

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Nov 6, 2006, Do You Like This Video As Much As I Do?

When I saw this video, I just had to contact Claude, who made it, to get his permission to post it here. He graciously gave permission.

Claude is an inspiration in the way he has taken his passions and abilities and built a meaningful retirement.
If you have something you would like to share with others, you could do what Claude has done.

Nov 3, 2006, Women Go Back To Work In Record Numbers

Nearly 12 percent of women 65 and older are now in the work force, up from 8 percent in 1980, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, even though the average woman now retires at 62, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. In coming years, millions of today's female baby boomers will find that working longer may be the only way to avoid falling into poverty in their elder years.

Women need to work to stave off poverty more often than men do.

Women, as well as men, are turning to work at home options as an alternative to doing physically demanding jobs.

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Nov 3, 2006, Debt Payments Gobble Retirement Savings

Saving for retirement is slipping as a priority. Retirement saving is being replaced by getting out of debt.

In 2003 85% of Americans said that saving for retirement was important. Today, that number has dropped to 76% according to a study released by Mercer HR Services.

In 2006 38% of Americans make debt reduction a priority, up from 25% in 2003.

Understandably, more than one half of those surveyed are "not confident" about being financially ready for retirement.

Given the purchasing insanity that has ruled the lives of Boomers, paying down debt is probably the best use of any extra cash. Saving for retirement may seem too little too late at this point.

The best advice is to pay off the debt, buy only what you can afford, and save as much as you can as soon as you can.

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Nov 3, 2006, RV Living

If you enjoy rv living, you might like to do it full time. A retired couple explain how and why they chose to live fulltime in their RV.

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Nov 2, 2006, Retirement Blog October 2006

Archive of Retirement blog with breaking news of interest to people of retirement age.

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