It’s almost Thanksgiving, and if you’re hosting this year then you know that preparation and organization is key to a successful feast. First, you need to know how many mouths there will be to feed, then figure out what kind of meal you’re going to serve them. Does your aunt like butter in the mashed [...]
What does your ideal retirement look like? There’s a lot of factors to think about when you’re deciding where to spend your life in retirement, who you want to spend it with, and what you want to do. A successful retirement requires having the appropriate pre-retirement mindset, which is why it’s important that you get [...]
Everyone knows that you can’t buy happiness. It’s a saying as old as money itself, and despite what decades of advertising have tried to tell us, it’s mostly correct. There isn’t a single soft drink, or car, or perfume that’s going to make everyone feel happier over a long period of time. And yet, it [...]
Inside each of us lives some form of competitive spirit. Whether you are a “go for the throat” type of competitor or take a more passive approach, we all like to win. It’s not in our nature to enjoy losing; it’s probably some type of primal response left over from the caveman days. Whether you’re [...]
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, retirement by itself often produces a positive impact on people's sense of well-being, a feeling that lasts for a considerable length of time. Psychologists have determined that each of us have our own individual set points of happiness. So, how can you help ensure that you get happier [...]
Entering retirement is a dramatic shift in lifestyle, but luckily there is plenty of time for new or old hobbies. Here are a few activities that are both fun and inexpensive that you can do in retirement: Volunteer. Few things are as fulfilling and stimulating as doing good deeds around the local community. Activities include [...]
A pretty common retirement planning question people ask is, “what’s the most important thing I can do to plan for a successful retirement?” And, the answer might surprise you… You might expect a response like, “buy low and sell high”, and although it’s a good one, it’s not the answer we’re focused on. Or [...]
Although one of the most common retirement planning questions is how much money will I need for a successful retirement, it may be more important to focus on how much income you’ll need during your retirement years. Turning your savings into retirement income involves complex and comprehensive planning as well as preparing for a number of unknown variables. One [...]
The 4th of July, a celebration of our great nation’s independence, is here! That also means you’ll be bombarded with all the big sales on everything from outdoor grills and cars, to mattresses and televisions. Unfortunately, for many the 4th seems to have evolved into nothing more than a big retail holiday, but let’s not forget the true meaning of the day. At [...]
In case you haven’t noticed, the first day of summer just passed. Don’t feel bad if you missed it because it seems to be getting harder to tell when spring ends and summer begins. A change of seasons is a great reminder to check things in your life like your air conditioning system. You’d [...]
