December The Mint Edition

December

A career-focused couple may spend as little as 5 to 6 hours interacting with each other on most days, given hours spent working, commuting, shopping, and running errands apart. Once retired, that same couple may spend as many as 15 to 16 hours together each day, with work and commuting out of the way. When you hear stories of retired spouses or partners getting on each other’s nerves, this difference may have something to do with it.

December

Ideally, we would all like to retire without a cent of debt. In reality, few of us probably will. Large loan balances may remain with many of us into our “second acts.”

The TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies says that 40% of retirees rank cutting debt as a financial priority – but not necessarily as their top priority. 

Why good sleep matters in the winter

Getting 7 to 8 hours of solid sleep each night helps to refresh the immune system through the production of cytokines, proteins that the body needs to counter stress and infection threats. So, good sleep becomes especially important during the cold and flu season.

Source: Mayo Clinic²

November

Increasingly, Americans older than 65 are finding compelling reasons to return to the workforce, whether part time or full time. Some want the money; some want the challenge and sense of purpose. One factor in their favor: companies in many industries are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers. So far this year, U.S. job openings have outnumbered job applicants.

November

A 2018 study published in Circulation, a journal of the American Health Association, concludes that about 60% of early deaths can be linked to negative lifestyle factors. As you approach what is considered retirement age, think about what habits or behaviors could promote health and happiness in your future.

November - RECIPE

Roasted Garlic Mac & Cheese

(serves 6)

October

Each day, more than 10,000 Americans celebrate their 65^th birthday. It’s a milestone, and for some, it signifies the beginning of retirement. Your friends, family, and coworkers may know you’re planning to retire. Some might even ask “When’s the big day?” If you have concerns about maintaining retirement income, you may not know whether you’re ready.¹

October

What are the things you expect out of retirement? When you think of the many aspirations that you hold for your post-work life, which are the most important to you? Does home ownership figure prominently in your strategy, or is it relatively unimportant to you?

October

Avoiding crying babies on flights

Japan Airlines recently announced a booking tool that allows passengers to know where infants aged from 8 days to 2 years old are seated. The website will feature an icon that indicates where these young children are seated, for travelers who wish to avoid potential disruption.

Source: CNN

September, 2019

In recent years, a steady stream of articles has appeared, questioning baby boomers’ hopes to keep working part time in their retirement years. These articles have tended to take a skeptical view of such ambitions. Well, maybe it is time to sweep some of the skepticism away.

September, 2019

Depending on where you retire, you might spend more on certain expenses than your peers in other regions of the country. So finds a 2019 study conducted by American Advisors Group, which identifies the leading U.S. regional retirement costs.

September, 2019

Curing a slice

When you slice a drive or fairway shot, it means the club is swinging over your body rather than around it. To try and reduce the chance of a slice, align your feet and shoulders parallel with the target line. Bend forward from the waist at address, with your back straight, and try to swing the club underneath your shoulders on the backswing and downswing.

Source: Lozano Golf Center

August 21, 2019

The so-called “FIRE” movement (FIRE stands for financial independence, retire early) has garnered so much attention lately, even those who anticipate retiring in their sixties are wondering if they should make a sacrifice or two to exit their careers or businesses a bit earlier. A poll, commissioned by personal finance website FinanceBuzz, highlights what some pre-retirees would be willing to give up, so they could do just that – at least, in theory.

August 21, 2019

Ideally, the ranks of primary care physicians and specialists would expand to meet the demands posed by retiring baby boomers on the health care system. In reality, things are quite the opposite: America is staring at an oncoming doctor shortage.

August 21, 2019

Spirits and summer heat do not mix well

Drinking alcoholic beverages on a hot day can encourage dehydration, as alcohol is a diuretic. Alcohol consumption can also interfere with the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. As a rough guideline, drink at least two cups of water for every such beverage, to counter their diuretic effects.

Source: USA TODAY

July 24, 2019

Sometimes an article will present a generic retirement forecast, stating that the average person may need “X” dollars in savings to retire confidently. Stories like these appear every so often on financial websites, and they must be taken with a grain of salt. These articles imply that a pre-retiree household must amass a certain amount of savings or face a financially pressured future – but the forecasts they present may not apply to you.

July 24, 2019

Retirement is a life event that can be accompanied by others. As you conclude your career or your business, you may also see changes in your goals, finances, social circle, and address. Preparing for the transition, both financially and intellectually, is wise, lest the moment sneak up on you.

July 24, 2019

Grilled Caprese Salad

Ingredients
½ baguette, sliced on the thick bias
1 clove garlic, halved
Olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 small zucchinis, sliced on the thick bias

June 25, 2019

Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older; this is well-known. What is less well-known is the fact that some companies can legally cancel group health insurance for a worker reaching this milestone. Baby boomers who aspire to keep working into their mid-sixties may want to take note of this.

June 25, 2019

Roughly half of baby boomers are cutting down on their sugar consumption, according to the findings of a new white paper from Innova Market Insights (IMI), a food and beverage industry research firm. Innova reports that about 40% of Americans born during 1946-64 say they are reducing the amount of sweet snacks they eat. This dietary shift is not exclusive to baby boomers. In 2017, per-capita consumption of sugar and caloric sweeteners fell for the third straight year in the U.S.

June 25, 2019

Plan for smooth passage for your pets

Different air carriers have different policies regarding traveling with pets. The same goes for cruise lines, bed and breakfast inns, and hotels; guidelines can vary widely. Research the policy of the specific airline, cruise line, inn, or resort before you leave home, to avoid surprises.

Source: AlaskaAirlines.com

April 24, 2019

Your retirement income strategy will almost certainly evolve. How much you spend will vary from year to year, and in some years, you will spend more on some things than others. At the start of your retirement, you may spend more than you think. A recent J.P. Morgan Asset Management analysis of more than 5 million Chase accounts confirms this tendency.

April 24, 2019

Each fall, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the University of Michigan sponsor a National Poll on Healthy Aging. In the 2018 poll, a majority of adults aged 50-80 said that they owned a pet, and many reported distinct benefits from that friendship. Eighty-six percent said that their pet(s) made them feel loved, and 79% credited their pets for reducing stress in their daily lives.

April 24, 2019

Try the talk test when you walk, bike, or run

To make sure your aerobic workouts are really working, try talking with your walking, running, or cycling partner (or yourself) for about ten minutes after you begin. During a brisk, challenging workout, the conversation should take some effort. If you can talk smoothly, you may need to increase the pace of your workout to see real aerobic benefits. 

March 20, 2019

For years, you have imagined the way your “second act” will unfold: when it will start, what you will do, and where you will be. Then life hands you a wild card. You are forced to retire years earlier than you planned and with little notice. How do you adjust?

March 20, 2019

Some baby boomers and Gen Xers hope that they can work into their seventies. Is that hope unfounded? It may not be. Consider the nation’s shifting generational demographics, and how they may reshape the workforce.

March 20, 2019

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

[serves 9] Ingredients

2 cups Southern all-purpose flour (White Lily or other brands, plus more for kneading

February 20, 2019

Certain financial decisions may help a woman grow and sustain her retirement assets across the decades to make up for time out of the workforce and the prevalent earnings gender gap. Obviously, one fundamental move would be to start saving and investing for retirement as early as possible – but other, sometimes underrecognized choices may also allow a woman to make more financial progress. 

February 20, 2019

Nearly 5 million American seniors cannot regularly go out and get the nutritious food they need to eat in order to stay active and healthy. This may have to do with a lack of money, a lack of access, or even, a lack of awareness. This problem is called “food insecurity,” and it is no small social issue. Nor is it one only poor seniors face. 

February 20, 2019

Enjoy a pricy restaurant at lunch

One way to save money while sampling fine cuisine: eat lunch at a highly regarded eatery rather than dinner.

December 18, 2018

You have probably spent decades saving for retirement, and you might have a decade or more of saving to go before you actually retire. At times, your resolve may be tested. The stock market may falter; household money pressures may mount; new near-term priorities may arise. What can you do to stay on point and…

December 18, 2018

If some of your fondest travel memories center on the cuisine you have savored abroad, you may be intrigued to know how culinary vacations are taking on a whole new flavor. The new trend is toward a deep food experience: exploring the origin and culture giving birth to the food, not merely the food alone.…

December 18, 2018

Scrub your hands when you wash them! Some people wash their hands more thoroughly than others, and thorough is good. Start by wetting your hands, then apply enough soap to get a good lather going. Then, vigorously scrub your hands, your fingernails, and between your fingers for 15-20 seconds. This scrubbing is what removes the…

November 27, 2018

Going abroad? Bring medications and supplements in original packaging. In other countries, you may end up getting generics rather than brand names, and supplements and vitamins may come in different forms than you expect. Ask your physician for the exact generic names of the drugs you take.

November 27, 2018

When one spouse or partner is considerably older than the other, retirement may unfold differently for that couple than it does for others. Most importantly, the younger spouse or partner must realize how self-reliant he or she may need to be decades from now. If you are a Gen Xer married to or partnered with…

November 27, 2018

It can be easy to think of retirement planning as a means to an end: a series of purposeful meetings leading up to a life transition. This transition is not the end of retirement planning. Think of this transition (and the steps preceding it) as the first phase. The second phase focuses on managing your…

October 24, 2018

In 2019, seniors collecting Social Security will get their biggest “raise” since 2012. Benefits are of course keeping up with the rise of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) that the federal government uses as a guide for cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). This 2019 adjustment follows a 2.0% boost in…

October 24, 2018

Avoiding the crowds may not require rising at the crack of dawn Some longstanding travel wisdom says that to really experience a great natural landmark or iconic tourist attraction, you should get up with the dawn and arrive there early in the morning. That way, you will have the place all to yourself. In some…

October 24, 2018

If retirement feels less like a possibility and more like an oncoming certainty, then it is time to respond. This is the time to firmly decide whether you want to “age in place” in your current home or relocate. This is when you work on sustaining the friendships you have made in your career, while…