Retirement Life Decisions

New retirement life often brings decisions. Where are we going to live? What are we going to do? How are we going to pay for it? How does it integrate into a balanced and complete lifestyle?

My husband and I are currently in Arizona. We spent the weekend in Phoenix with our grandchildren. They recently moved into a new house their parents purchased. For the first time, we’re considering not only moving to the desert, but also moving to the location of our grandchildren. On top of that, we’re researching an adult only community.

The first thing I have to say is be careful what you declare you’ll never do. I often laugh at my husband who said he’d never move to California and has spent the last 27 years here.

Neither one of us are big desert people. I never imagined I would consider a retirement in Arizona.

In addition, I often cluck at people who move to be close to their grandchildren. I advise you can’t create a fulfilling life solely around your family and grandchildren.

Finally, I’ve had grave misgivings about moving into an adult community. I always considered them to be golden prisons, isolated from the real world, devoted to a senior life of indulgence.

Stay posted as we explore retirement life doing all the things you said you wouldn’t do.

Life Transitions, Out of Work - Where to Begin

Just want you to know I'm being interviewed by Emily Woodman-Nance on radio on Friday. Millions of people are in transition and not sure what to do next. We're going to discuss the first step to any change involves looking inward. We'll offer specific advice on how to start the process. Please tune in.

There are four ways that people can listen to the show on Friday, July 24, 2009 from 9:00 - 10:00 am:

· Internet Stream
http://www.kuci.org/kuci-flash.html
If problems occur go to www.kuci.org to listen
· 88.9 FM - Orange County area
· iTunes/Radio/public.kuci
· http://www.kuci.org/iphone/

Your Ideal Day

I was intrigued with the post at The Boomer Chronicles describing our ideal day and how that relates to an ideal retirement life. An ideal day is special that most often involves enjoying food, friends and a favorite activity.

My ideal day:

I thoroughly enjoy getting up with sun, drinking a cup of coffee listening to the birds as they awake to a new day.

My ideal day would involve a leisurely lunch with friends at a quiet outdoor cafe overlooking a pond or stream.

The day would include creating a masterful painting and spending time with my friends at the studio laughing and talking about sex.

It might also include a trip to a great gallery or museum.

The evening would be spent at a secluded B & B overlooking a beach or in the woods, a romantic dinner for two and a special night with the man I love.

OR

My ideal day would be spent enjoying my grandchildren.

New On the RLM Website

As baby boomers start the transition into retirement life, this diversified group shares one thing-the desire for experience. Contrary to popular opinion, this isn't a homogenous group, but one that is varied and complex. The desire to make the most of life is feeling most boomers share

In recent weeks, we’ve been discussing small business you can start in retirement. Meet Judy Jurisich who took the ‘retirement’ business to a whole new level by creating the New Orleans Cooking Experience.

As baby boomers reach retirement age, they want to create their own change in the world. They want to make a positive difference. One of the most successful volunteer organizations is Earthwatch which has programs on all the continents.

Warren Bland continues his journey through great retirement communities with a look at Bloomington, Indiana.

Extend Your Retirement Life

How long would you like to live? You can extend your retirement life in some amazingly simple ways according to research. Did you know that laughing daily can extend your life by 8.8 years. Get out the old Laurel and Hardy movies.

There are things you can't control, such as being born more recently. Young people are expected to live 5 years more than people born 25 years ago. Being born a woman is always better for living longer. Where you actually live can affect how long you live.

There are things you can do. You know that not smoking and have a lifetime fitness regiment will extend your life. Did you know how much you sleep and good dental hygiene also contributes to your extended life.

The question might be whether or not you wan to live to 100. But, it's fun to see how what you can do to improve your odds.

Has your life taken a U-Turn?

Every day we hear stories and encounter people whose lives aren’t what they expected. This is especially true with retirement life Recently, I’ve met people who were ‘forced’ to retire two years too early. Many people who are retired have been compelled to look for work as they watch their savings and investments tumble.

Throughout your life, you’ve met with challenges, tragedies and opportunities. They don’t go away as we get older. I heard recently about a friend whose young adult child drowned. I think we make a pact with God, or the universe if you prefer. We say that we’re going to make every intention of living a good life, of being a good person. We’ll work hard and be reasonably kind to those we meet along the way. In exchange, nothing horrible is going to happen to us. It doesn’t happen that way. As Harold Kushner wrote many years ago, bad things do indeed happen to good people.

It was a pleasure to recently talk to author and psychologist Nancy Irwin, who has compiled forty stories about people whose lives took a U-Turn as they reached the midpoint. Like Nancy, who returned to school at age 42 to become a psychologist, many of the stories are dominated by personal choices. Other stories involved people who were assaulted with life-altering situations. Read about Facing You Turns.

As Nancy declares, change is inevitable; the key is how we deal with it. As I have researched and now live with it, retirement is one of the most significant transitions we face in our lives.

The opportunity for personal growth, new challenges, and experiences is available around every corner as you transition into retirement, regardless of your financial situation. You bring with you many Tools to ensure your success.

A primary goal of Retirement Life Matters is to help you create a satisfying life, regardless of the circumstances you experience.

New On the Retirement Life Matters Website

Great new articles appear at the Retirment Life Matters website this week. Take a look.

Baby boomers want to find balance in retirement. A life out of whack has led them to want to have it all without feeling out of control. Nancy Merz Nordstrom discusses Creating Balance in our After-50 Years

Learn how taking out the trash as a youngster affected your retirement in Retirement Money and Why There is Never Enough

Stan Spector continues his series with a suggestion you specialize your retirement business.

Warren Bland continues his quest for the perfect retirement community with a review of Bellingham, Washington.

Do You Resist Your Retirement Life Dreams?

Retirement life is a time to explore new options, have new experiences, take on challenges and yet so many people get stuck. Why?

A client left a message on my phone this week. She had taken my retirement workshop and had become interested in finding a meaningful part time job. She had not completed her homework assignment and concluded the phone message with, “Perhaps I don’t really want to do this?”

Maybe.

A few weeks ago, I met with my business partner for Retirement Life Matters. I ranted and railed about how I didn’t have enough time, especially to work on completing the Retirement Life Success Kit. In his irritatingly calm voice, he replied, “Do what you have to do, Cathy.”

So I set aside time- one hour a day- to work on the book, yet still I struggle. When I sit down to begin each of these daily sessions, my mind goes blank. I feel overwhelmed and out of sorts.

What is the problem with my client, with myself?

People work their whole lives to reach retirement. “Now is the time I finally get to do what I want to do,” they declare. Sure, people might take a few trips. But do they push the boundaries and dream grand dreams? Or do they feel stuck?

Why do we struggle to do the things we love? Why do we, at times, resist doing the things we’re passionate about?

Several years ago, I read an essay about resistance, written by Tama Kieves. I pulled it out yesterday, read it, made a copy of it and put it next to my computer monitor. If you struggle with resistance at doing what you love, take a look at The Only Road to Everything You Want

Retirement Health: You ARE What you Eat

A key component of a happy retirement life is being healthy. Obviously, anyone can be hit with an ailment at anytime. With that said, research is more conclusive that we have control over our retirement health.

There was a fascinating story on ABC Nightly News last night. A reporter and producer saw the immediate effects of consuming a five thousand calorie meal full of saturated fat. While most seniors don’t consume a vast amount of food at one sitting, the piece clearly demonstrated the toll the body takes from poor eating.

As quickly as you can hurt your body, you can equally improve it. There are Four simple Changes That Can Save Your Life. Unfortunately, many people don’t do them.

Whether you like it or not, a key to a healthy retirement life is a commitment to Lifetime Fitness.

I smoked for almost thirty years. While I can’t ever remove all the damage smoking did, a conscious attempt at eating well and get exercise is helping me live a longer and happier life. It can work for you also.

The Best Retirement Life Includes Travel for Boomers

Travel remains the number one goal for retirement life. With such a vast world, limited financial resources, we're all trying to maximize our travel dollars. Check out travel expert Donna Hull's blog, 'My Itchy Travel Feet.' Geared specifically to baby boomers, Donna shares information about the experience of travel, as well as destinations.

No longer content to travel "If It's Tuesday, This Must be Belgium" style, baby boomers want to experience a locations' culture, people and geography.

Follow Donna as she explores locales both near and far. She provides great tips for your own travel plans, but also a way to journey vicariously.

Retirement Life and Thai Green Curry Chicken for Dinner

Retirement life takes on new rhythms and practices. As I've mentioned before, I continue to work, since my husband retired. To a certain degree, I work more than ever. My husband was always a good cook, but very rarely prepared meals beyond taking over the grill.

A year before retiring, he became intrigued with smoking food (don't even email me about the carbon footprint). That has waned since retirement.

He has taken over cooking most of the evening meals. At first we struggled because he likes things hotter (spicier) than me. He tries very hard to please me and has recently ventured into more adventurous meals.

This week he made Thai Green Curry Chicken. He must have spent $100 on ingredients, since I've never made a Thai meal in my life. It took him two days and he got every pot in the house dirty. On top of that, he does his own dishes. Am I lucky or what?

I'm telling you this for two reasons. The first reason is to gush about the wonderful new housemate I've acquired in the last six months. More importantly, neither of us could have anticipated this new passion. We don't know how long it's going to last or where it's going to go.

I help people plan their retirement life. A plan is a guide, but not an absolute dictation for the future. You know you're retirement is successful when you have the time, money and opportunity to explore new interests and challenges.

It's fun to see him experiment. AND, it's fun not to have to cook dinner every evening.

New on the Retirement Life Matters Website

One of the goals of Retirement Life Matters is to form a community of people to provide and receive support as they transition through the next phase of life. We’re beta testing the Member Registration (it’s free). You don’t have to be retired to join. A willingness to be part of this community is all that’s needed. I’m looking for brave souls to take a few minutes to fill out the form. Feel free to email me with comments, problems or suggestions.

Family will always be the center for many baby boomers. How to help adult children is always a concern.

Stan Spector continues his series about starting a business based on your hobby. Warren Bland continues his quest for the perfect retirement location with a review of Austin, Texas.