Sunrises, Sunsets, and Rainbows

Is inflation eating into your retirement?  (and what you can do about it) Inflation is highest it has been for many years.  Shopping for eggs, milk, gasoline, a gallon of paint, and more - brings a reminder of the impact that inflation has had on the cost of daily living.   Individually, we cannot control inflation.  However, there are two areas that we can control: reducing expenses and increasing income.  Here are some thoughts on both: TIPS FOR REDUCING EXPENSES For many retirees - taxes, insurance, food and gasoline, home ownership are probably your highest expenses.  TAXES:  Property, income tax, and medical insurance are probably your highest expense.     Some municipalities and counties offer retirees substantial discounts on their property and vehicle tax.  Several municipalities here in Alaska offer senior property discounts - 20% or more!  Tax on first two vehicles are "tax free".  Does your municipality off...

Service Can Transform Lives Serving others is an important part of life. It is a way of giving back to society and showing respect for others.  Serving others has the benefit of take us "out of our own world with its challenges".  Giving service can come in many forms, from volunteering at a local charity to offering a kind word when one is needed.  By serving others, we are creating a more caring and compassionate world.  Giving back to the community is important to living a fulfilling and meaningful life "Giving back to the community is important to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. Giving back involves contributing time, resources, or skills to a community or group of people in need. Whether it’s volunteering at a local food bank, donating to a charity, or mentoring a young person, giving back can have a profound impact on both the giver and the recipient."   ( 50 Creative Community Service Ideas for Nonprofits and Individuals (donorbox.org) Volu...

  Slimming down after 60?  Would you like to slim down as part of your retirement years? "Maintaining a healthy weight in your younger years tends to be a bit easier, thanks to many of us living a more active lifestyle and having more energy to bop around (and thus, burn more calories). As we age, many of us tend to live a more sedentary lifestyle, which can result in weight gain over time.   Although weight is an important measure, it is not the   only  measure of health.  The number on the scale doesn’t tell the entire story of what’s going on inside. Aspects like heart health, lean muscle mass, and bone health are important factors to consider when supporting your overall wellness. And it’s important to remember, your weight is   not   a reflection of your self-worth. But, if you do want to maintain a healthy weight over 60, know that there are some steps you can take to support this goal. "  MAINTAINING HEALTHY WEIGHT - Focus on you...

During the course of life's journey, family relationships can become strained.   How are your family relationships?  During the course of life's journey, family relationships can become strained.   Family relationships provide stability, love, support, and have the power to shape how a person experiences the world. Strengthening family relationships is an important part of ensuring a healthy, happy, and productive life. It involves creating an environment of trust, respect, and open communication, as well as cultivating activities that bring family members closer.  Make it a Priority to Visit Your Family This last Spring, Linda and I, as part of a "celebration of life" for a high school classmate, made it a priority to see our family.  This included time in Denver for Linda's side of the family then on to Colorado Springs and the San Luis Valley for my side of the family.  We were able to strengthen family relationships, renew fond memories of "ea...

Physical, mental, and emotional health are key to achieving "golden years" and a fulfilling retirement.  "The older we get, the weaker our muscles become, so physical activity is essential if we are to maintain our strength. Exercise is an important factor in ageing in the healthiest way possible."  (Source: Age Watch.  Successful Retirement Staying Healthy.) Are you staying active?    During retirement, it is still important to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.   Call for Action: Staying Active Can be as Simple as...   - Daily walking with a spouse or friend  - Water aerobics, Swimming  - Biking  - Pickle Ball  - Gardening  - Other?  (Anything that get's you moving) FOR ADDITIONAL READING: Staying Active After Retirement.   Message from Acts Retirement    7 Ways To Be Happier When You Retire.  Forbes -  Andrew Rosen .  7 Ways To Be Happier When You Retire (forbes.co...

Do you have a written will and end-of-life documents?  As we journey through life, we realize that mortality can be brief.   " End-of-life" documents, or "advance directive" ...help ensure your healthcare wishes are carried out as you near death and after you die. They’re also used if you’re incapacitated, you are unable to tend to matters regarding your own well-being.  Advance directives include proxies, living wills, do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, and organ donor cards   ...all of which are meant to protect you when you can’t speak for yourself. While often thought of as something only older adults need to have in place, the  COVID-19 pandemic  put a spotlight on the importance of these documents for all adults."   Without these key documents, personal assets and estate can be bogged down in probate, your personal wishes are not known or honored.  (Quoted from:   What Are End-of-Life and Advance Directive Documents?  Livin...

  Are you keeping up with rapid advancements in technology?  We live in a world of rapidly changing technology.  Gone, are the days of the typewriter, large, slow computers, land lines and chorded phones.  Much of the world's happenings, including tools for day-to-day living, involve the use of technology.   Pandora (streaming music), PBS documentaries, YouTube "how to" and instructional videos - add to the quality of life, easily accessible and at $0 cost.  Technology can be used to create new "sunrises".  New Technology: Healthy Balance "All technologies are developed with a purpose. However, some can become a substitute for moments in life that don't need tech, creating an imbalance between the real physical or spiritual world and binary code." Source: Forbes Technology rapidly becomes outdated: Ideas for maintaining availability of technology  - Is there a local library or "senior center" that has access to computers and the internet...

Are you decluttering and simplifying your life?   By simplifying and decluttering our lives, we create a more organized, peaceful environment that allows us to focus on what matters most.  Her Life Was Simply Clutter Free... Linda's aunt was very wise with her journey through her golden years.  Her wisdom involved "simplifying".  Over the years, she had literally given all family heirlooms to her family and had gotten rid of all non-essentials.  She had learned that the really "the only thing we leave this life with, is what we leave to others".  Her life was simply "clutter free".   On the other hand, we have also literally sifted through 3 generations of "stuff", requiring the use of a "horse trailer" to transport old, outdated items to the local landfill.  Ultimately, my sister held a several week-end "garage sale".  FAMILY HEIRLOOMS Linda, over the past several years, has sorted through years of accumulation.  Family h...

Leaving a lasting legacy is creating something so powerful, so enduring that it will outlive us and live on for generations to come.   Legacy can take many forms, from philanthropic giving to artistic masterpieces, to something as simple and lasting as preserving your family history.   Preserving Your Family's History For several decades, preserving our family's history, including stories and photos, has been a priority and a lasting legacy.  The journey has been personally fulfilling and memorable! Preserving your family history is a way to keep your family's stories and memories alive. It can help you (and your family) gain insights into where you come from, how you fit into your family's overall history, and the struggles and achievements of those who have gone on before.  Gathering and preserving your family's stories, photos, documents, and artifacts - you are preserving a legacy that will last for generations. Source: Pinterest With today's technology, bil...

You bring a wealth of experience and knowledge Individuals who have retired from their career, bring a wealth of experience and knowledge.  Have you considered self-publishing??   Self-publishing can be done, initially, with $0 investment to write, format, and publish your e-book.  Why e-book?  e-books can be easily read using a smart phone, i-pad, computer.  e-books eliminate the cost of printing.   SELF PUBLISHING E-TOOLS ($0 COST) Here are several self-publishing e-tools that are simple to use and require $0 expense: Reedsy - exceptional  web-based book editing software that provides the author with simple tools to format into e-book and print (PDF) format.  No cost.  Great for book formatting and simple print; formatting photo size is largely missing.  Microsoft Paint  - to create your book cover and save in PDF format.  Book publishers will require both book interior and cover in PDF format.  Lulu - web-ba...

You're going to go through tough times A sister related to me the story of an extended family member who was stricken with severe polio at a young age.  His father wisely purchased a mountain ranch with a cabin and warm springs pool built in the early 1900's.  The hydrotherapy treatment was effective, resulting in near complete healing.  Many family weekends were spent at the "Ranch".  The mountain ranch became a literal "source of healing" to family members - a "get away" from the challenges of life.   After each Storm, the Rainbow will follow After each storm, we can be certain of one thing: the rainbow will follow.  Storms are often seen as chaotic and destructive events, but after the storm comes a beautiful reminder of hope and promise.  The Rainbow is a symbol of the possibility of a brighter future, a reminder that out of darkness comes light.  It is a reminder that no matter how difficult or dark the times may seem, there is always th...