Retirement is the light at the end of the tunnel. A lifetime of working hard, saving money, and enduring swings in the market has led us to that promised time of rest, relaxation, and enjoyment. However, not working means that we must rely on whatever money we have stashed away. A big part of that is managing — specifically, reducing — our spending. So how can we successfully reduce our spending in retirement?
With the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, a startling fact emerged. The building's Homeowners Association (HOA) was aware of serious structural problems. Unfortunately, the association was not financially prepared to cover with existing funds raised over the years by HOA monthly dues. As a result, a special assessment was levied. Building residents were required to pay between $80,000 to $200,000 depending on unit size. The necessary building fixes were delayed in part because residents were reluctant to pay these high amounts.
Although it is is an extreme example, the Champlain Towers South disaster brings into sharp focus the impact of a competently run HOA on the well-being of its residents. As a result, those considering purchasing a condo or other "Common Interest Community" type housing will benefit from learning about its HOA and how well it is run.
Retiring can be a time of change. It can also be a time to take advantage of your skills and try new things. Retirement is a great time to learn new skills, and there are plenty of them out there that can help you stay busy in retirement. As the world keeps changing and technology advances, it is easier than ever to teach yourself new things, right from the comfort of your living room or kitchen. Retirees can take advantage of their time and find a new encore career path or a new hobby to pass the time. Let's take a look at some new skills you can learn from home while in retirement.
In the summer, many older adults find it more challenging to stay active. Extreme heat and intense rays from the sun can make it uncomfortable and even dangerous to spend time outdoors. However, older adults can still keep their mind and body active with any appropriate activity, even during the summer. Summer is a time for memories, family gatherings, and outdoor fun. It is also a time for reflection on the past year of life that has passed by. So to stay healthy mentally and physically this summer, older people can take up new activities or return to old ones that they haven't done in a while. There are plenty of things that older people can do during the summer break.
Older adults with limited mobility or without children often feel lonely during the summer months when isolated at home. So we have gathered a list of eleven safe and fun activities older adults can enjoy during the summertime.
Dementia is an age-related condition where one's cognitive functioning becomes so impaired that it interferes with activities of daily living. Emotional changes often accompany these changes in cognition, and people's personalities may change. These changes can be startling and difficult to deal with, both for the person with dementia and their loved ones.
That said, there are ways to identify dementia early. We know to look for stereotypical signs of dementia like memory loss, but what other signs of dementia should we watch for?
There's an age-old saying that if you make more demands on your body than it can handle, eventually, it will break down. But what if you can take small daily steps to combat this?
How can you start your day off right to help make the most of the hours that follow? These 15-morning tips will help start your day on a positive note and keep the body in shape for years to come!
As we age, the body goes through many changes, including stiffening joints and decreasing muscle mass. To maintain mobility, it is crucial to find ways to improve the flexibility of joints and muscles. By increasing flexibility, muscle mass and balance improve, which lowers the risk of falls and injuries. In addition, when a fall does occur, the body is better able to prepare for the impact, recover, and fewer injuries result.
Let’s begin this post with an exercise: Name three things that you avoid doing. It could be going to parties, meeting new people, paying your electricity bills, or climbing the stairs. Chances are that you have gotten good at avoiding these activities.
We like to organize our life around things that make us feel comfortable rather than uncomfortable. Comfortable places are also important. They keep us safe and stress-free. But they may also be devoid of possibilities. So while there is nothing wrong with being comfortable, you need to be mindful if your comfortable places are, in fact, your hiding places!
Ask yourself, is your comfort place your hiding place? Only outside your comfort zone can life surprise you. This post will discuss a few tips that will help you step out of your comfort zone safely.
Traveling alone is not the most popular way of traveling. Yet, solo trips are gaining popularity. The world is much safer than it used to be, and with global connectivity, you can plan a journey from the confines of your home and then take off alone. If you are considering taking a trip after your retirement, traveling alone can be a great idea.
Solo trips are very popular with young people, but it doesn't have to be something that only the young do. A 2018 study by Booking.com found “a surge in solo travel, with 40% of global baby boomers having taken a solo trip in the last year, and another 21% planning to take one in the future.” In this article, we list some significant benefits of traveling alone.
In exploring senior living options for the first time, older adults and their families might feel apprehensive. Experience Beyond Measure correspondent Mike Lawson recently sat down with Jennifer Thorson, Executive Director of The Harbors Senior Living Community of Fridley, in Minnesota, to throw some light on the subject.
In her role at The Harbors, Thorson oversees the full range of operations, including managing employees, meeting prospective residents and their families, and handling the paperwork for leases. "I make sure that everything is streamlined and running flawlessly, but I get to do the fun stuff, too."