Contemporary Retirement
Retirement is changing. The type of retirement that their parents enjoyed is no longer enough for the baby boomer generation. Today’s retirees are younger, richer, fitter, healthier and better educated than previous generations of retirees. They also have much higher expectations. The aim of this blog is to help you get the vital, healthy, prosperous, productive and fulfilling retirement that you really want (and deserve).Wednesday, May 31, 2006
See us on Squidoo
Have you seen the Contemporary Retirement lens (that's a site to you) on Squidoo? It has articles and links to resources that have not been included on the website or in this blog, so, if you have 5 minutes to spare, why not check it out at www.squidoo.com/ContemporaryRetirement?
Oh, and if you like what you see, and you would like to start a Squidoo lens yourself, do it through my affiliate link - when your lens earns its first $15, both you and I will each get $5 free... just click here to sign up: www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/referral/AnnHarrison.
Oh, and if you like what you see, and you would like to start a Squidoo lens yourself, do it through my affiliate link - when your lens earns its first $15, both you and I will each get $5 free... just click here to sign up: www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/referral/AnnHarrison.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Pre-Retirement Courses from Contemporary Retirement Coaching
Most of us spend more time planning our annual holiday than we do planning the non-financial aspects of our retirement. Consequently, many retired people report that they ‘wasted’ the first 18 months to 2 years of their retirement – ironically, the time when they were at their youngest.
Our pre-retirement courses, which are available to both individuals and couples, generally run as a two-day event in a variety of geographical locations throughout the year (UK only).
Subjects covered include:
Adjusting to a new lifestyle: Work reorientation, making the most of your time, replacement of work functions, establishing new goals and routines.
Health issues: Improving your health, exercise and nutrition, discovering your ‘ageing style’.
Home and environment: Stay put or shake things up - what are your options? How your home environment will need to serve you as you get older. Discover the assets/liabilities of your current living situation.
Leisure interests: Hobbies and activities, education, travel, sports, learning, TV and other entertainment, balancing isolation and shared activity.
Retirement career options: Do you want to carry on working in some capacity? What are your options?
Family and relationship issues: Developing a clear understanding of your own retirement expectations, the expectations of significant others and how to blend the two together. Dependents and care-giving responsibilities.
Our next course will be held in central York on Monday 17 July and Tuesday 18 July. Course fees are £250 per individual or £425 per couple.
Call me, Ann Harrison, on 01405 861074 or email
Our pre-retirement courses, which are available to both individuals and couples, generally run as a two-day event in a variety of geographical locations throughout the year (UK only).
Subjects covered include:
Adjusting to a new lifestyle: Work reorientation, making the most of your time, replacement of work functions, establishing new goals and routines.
Health issues: Improving your health, exercise and nutrition, discovering your ‘ageing style’.
Home and environment: Stay put or shake things up - what are your options? How your home environment will need to serve you as you get older. Discover the assets/liabilities of your current living situation.
Leisure interests: Hobbies and activities, education, travel, sports, learning, TV and other entertainment, balancing isolation and shared activity.
Retirement career options: Do you want to carry on working in some capacity? What are your options?
Family and relationship issues: Developing a clear understanding of your own retirement expectations, the expectations of significant others and how to blend the two together. Dependents and care-giving responsibilities.
Our next course will be held in central York on Monday 17 July and Tuesday 18 July. Course fees are £250 per individual or £425 per couple.
Call me, Ann Harrison, on 01405 861074 or email
ann@annharrisonlifecoaching.com for more information.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Springwise.com
Springwise.com, which is based in Amsterdam, has a global network of 8,000 spotters in 70 countries who scan the globe for smart new business ideas. It's a fun site that will really get you thinking and, who knows, might spark that million dollar idea that will banish all your 'will my money last long enough now I'm retired?' worries. You can submit your own ideas or become a spotter. I particularly liked the following ideas:
http://www.springwise.com/food_beverage/urban_farming_update/
http://www.springwise.com/nonprofit_social_cause/mobile_schools/
http://www.springwise.com/food_beverage/urban_farming_update/
http://www.springwise.com/nonprofit_social_cause/mobile_schools/
Friday, May 26, 2006
Try a free course from Barnes and Noble University
Have you heard about Barnes and Noble University? For those of you who are not familiar with them, Barnes and Noble is a massive company which sells books on-line and in-store in the US. Their B&N University offers a range of free on-line courses - all you need to do is buy the book on which the course is based. The one that I've got my eye on is 'Forensics with Court TV' - I'm a C.S.I. fan and I'm fascinated by all things forensic - watch out Marg Helgenberger - I could be after your job...
New courses and reading groups starting June 5th are listed below:
LIBERAL ARTS
The Art of the Short Story with Gotham Writer's Workshop
Being Jewish in Today's World
The Civil War Era
Discover Dungeons & Dragons
Everyday Ethics
Forensics with Court TV
From Planets to Pulsars: Astronomy Basics
Grammar Fitness
How to Read a Film: The Technology of Art
Italian for Beginners with Living Language ®
Picasso, Braque and the Dawn of Cubism
Thinking Like an Editor: How to Get Published
Understanding Poetry
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Genius at Work
Writing Mysteries with Writer's Digest Books
Start Writing Science Fiction with Gotham Writers' Workshop
LIFE IMPROVEMENT
All About Your Dreams
Beauty: The Basics
Become Your Own Pilates Trainer
The Best Year of Your Life with Debbie Ford
Caring for Your PC
Discover What You're Best At
End Your Addiction Now!
Find a Job You Love
Give Your Lawn a Makeover
Golf Basics
Homeschooling Your Children
How to Grill Well
Learn to Play Guitar
Money Management for Women
Total Memory Workout
Unpuzzling Your Past: An Introduction to Genealogy and Family History
ONLINE READING GROUPS
Meet Kate White
Paulo Coelho on The Alchemist
Rebecca Wells on Ya-Yas in Bloom
Javier Sierra on The Secret Supper
Elinor Lipman on My Latest Grievance
Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes
Bob and Melinda Blanchard on Live What You Love
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy
Ian McEwan's Saturday
Anthony Trollope's The Way We Live Now
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
COURSES ON CD-ROM
Foreign Languages with Living Language®
Foreign Languages from Pimsleur
Portable Professor Series
New courses and reading groups starting June 5th are listed below:
LIBERAL ARTS
The Art of the Short Story with Gotham Writer's Workshop
Being Jewish in Today's World
The Civil War Era
Discover Dungeons & Dragons
Everyday Ethics
Forensics with Court TV
From Planets to Pulsars: Astronomy Basics
Grammar Fitness
How to Read a Film: The Technology of Art
Italian for Beginners with Living Language ®
Picasso, Braque and the Dawn of Cubism
Thinking Like an Editor: How to Get Published
Understanding Poetry
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Genius at Work
Writing Mysteries with Writer's Digest Books
Start Writing Science Fiction with Gotham Writers' Workshop
LIFE IMPROVEMENT
All About Your Dreams
Beauty: The Basics
Become Your Own Pilates Trainer
The Best Year of Your Life with Debbie Ford
Caring for Your PC
Discover What You're Best At
End Your Addiction Now!
Find a Job You Love
Give Your Lawn a Makeover
Golf Basics
Homeschooling Your Children
How to Grill Well
Learn to Play Guitar
Money Management for Women
Total Memory Workout
Unpuzzling Your Past: An Introduction to Genealogy and Family History
ONLINE READING GROUPS
Meet Kate White
Paulo Coelho on The Alchemist
Rebecca Wells on Ya-Yas in Bloom
Javier Sierra on The Secret Supper
Elinor Lipman on My Latest Grievance
Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes
Bob and Melinda Blanchard on Live What You Love
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy
Ian McEwan's Saturday
Anthony Trollope's The Way We Live Now
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
COURSES ON CD-ROM
Foreign Languages with Living Language®
Foreign Languages from Pimsleur
Portable Professor Series
Thursday, May 25, 2006
What motivates you - purpose, profit or passion?
If you are in your 50's and looking for a change of career (or if you are retired and looking for a retirement career), you might like to try the following short quiz devised by David Batstone, a professor of ethics at the University of San Francisco. It will help you to discover whether you are motivated by purpose, passion or profit at this stage in your life.
Just click the link below (but you will need to submit your name and email address to get the results) http://www.triplepquiz.com/quiz.aspx
Just click the link below (but you will need to submit your name and email address to get the results) http://www.triplepquiz.com/quiz.aspx
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Retiring soon in the UK?
If you live in the UK, and are about to retire in the near future, click the link below to see guidance on preparing for retirement from the Pension Service Website (part of the UK Department for Work and Pensions).
http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/approachingretirement/home.asp
http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/approachingretirement/home.asp
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Silver Surfer Week
I know I'm preaching to the converted but, in case you didn't know, this week is Silver Surfer week here in the UK, when older people can learn to use the internet at local computer and internet training events. If you know of anyone who would love to learn to use a computer or who would like to get on-line but needs a bit of help, you might like to show them the following website:
http://www.directgov.gov.uk/Over50s/Learning/LearningForFun/LearningForFunArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10037004&chk=EjDNQW
http://www.directgov.gov.uk/Over50s/Learning/LearningForFun/LearningForFunArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10037004&chk=EjDNQW
Monday, May 22, 2006
Do you have what it takes to be a retirement success?
Do you have what it takes to be a retirement success?
Why not find out by taking the Retirement Success Profile (or RSP)?
The RSP is a unique, personalised, scientifically-designed retirement life-planning tool for people who are either planning their retirement or who are already retired. It is administered online (so you will need access to a computer which is connected to the Internet) and takes about 20-25 minutes to complete.
The RSP:
~ measures your retirement expectations and preparedness for retirement
~ determines your personal retirement strengths and
~ identifies potential problems, so that you can then focus your attention and energies in time to make a difference to your retirement success.
The RSP measures your expectations about retirement against your current behaviour in the following 15 factors which have been identified as essential to a successful and fulfilling retirement:
· Work Reorientation
· Attitude Towards Retirement
· Directedness
· Health Perception
· Financial Security
· Current Life Satisfaction
· Projected Life Satisfaction
· Life Meaning
· Leisure Interests
· Adaptability
· Life Stage Satisfaction
· Dependents/Care giving responsibilities
· Family/Relationship Issues
· Perception of Age
· Replacement of Work Functions
The package costs just £54 or $97 and includes:
The RSP Assessment Tool (taken online)
A 25-page RSP Interpretative Report (delivered immediately via email)
A 121 page companion book, The New Retirement: Discovering your Dream by Dr. Richard P Johnson (delivered by mail a few days later)
The RSP can be taken alone or alongside a number of coaching packages which are designed to help you get the retirement you deserve. Click here to visit the Contemporary Retirement Coaching website to find out what’s on offer and/place your order.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Do you give organ recitals?
Do you give ‘organ recitals’? Giving organ recitals involves giving everyone you meet a blow-by-blow account of your latest illness, operation or stay in hospital.
There’s an old man in our village (I’ll call him Jim) who gives organ recitals and, to be honest, people dread meeting up with him. On warm, sunny days, he sits on his garden wall and, whenever anyone walks past, he tries to engage them in a conversation which very quickly turns into a litany of his various ailments, his trips to hospital, the amount of time he has spent in the I.C.U. and a verbatim report of what the doctors said to him.
Now I really don’t mean to sound unsympathetic – this man has, undeniably, suffered a great deal and, during the 3 years since he moved to the village, he has probably spent a year of that time in hospital. What I am attempting to do is point out that the kind of result that this man is probably hoping to achieve, (which I imagine would include an alleviation of his loneliness and boredom, the receipt of time and attention from his neighbours and maybe some recognition of and sympathy for his undoubted suffering) is being withheld from him. Because the first time you engage with him, you listen to his sorry tale and feel sympathy and compassion for him, but then, after you have listened to him for about half an hour, you realise that he is showing no signs of running out of steam, he is still very much ‘on topic’, that you (genuinely) have things that you need to do and that, without appearing rude, you need to make your excuses and go off to do them. Eventually, with difficulty, you manage to make your exit and you go home and tell your partner about how much the old man up the road has suffered, how ill he has been and what a shame it is that he seems so lonely.
The next time you meet Jim, he greets you like an old friend and so you stop for a quick chat with him, and before long, you realise that you are having exactly the same conversation with him that you had before and that, once again, he is showing no sign of ‘drying up’ and that, once again, you could be in for an extended conversation (except that it isn’t really a conversation because a conversation usually implies more than one person taking part).
So, what happens next time you see him? You either turn around before he spots you and take a different, more circuitous route around the village that will get you home in twenty minutes, rather than the five it would normally take you, or you put your head down, speed up your pace, pretend you haven’t seen him until the last minute and then say, ‘Oh, hello, Jim. I’m sorry I can’t stop for a chat, I’m expecting a caller…’
So what is the answer? Would it be kinder to gently explain to him the effect that he has on people? Or would that just be too devastating for him to cope with, coming from a virtual stranger? Should I just stand and talk to him for as long as he needs me to, whilst, at the same time, ignoring my own needs and the things that I have to do to keep body and soul together? Or do I, like everyone else in the village, try to dodge him and politely ‘shortchange’ him whenever I can’t avoid running into him? I suspect that I will plump for the latter and live in hope that when I get to the same age, I will remember Jim, his attempts to engage with people and the fact that, not everyone enjoys an ‘organ recital’.
There’s an old man in our village (I’ll call him Jim) who gives organ recitals and, to be honest, people dread meeting up with him. On warm, sunny days, he sits on his garden wall and, whenever anyone walks past, he tries to engage them in a conversation which very quickly turns into a litany of his various ailments, his trips to hospital, the amount of time he has spent in the I.C.U. and a verbatim report of what the doctors said to him.
Now I really don’t mean to sound unsympathetic – this man has, undeniably, suffered a great deal and, during the 3 years since he moved to the village, he has probably spent a year of that time in hospital. What I am attempting to do is point out that the kind of result that this man is probably hoping to achieve, (which I imagine would include an alleviation of his loneliness and boredom, the receipt of time and attention from his neighbours and maybe some recognition of and sympathy for his undoubted suffering) is being withheld from him. Because the first time you engage with him, you listen to his sorry tale and feel sympathy and compassion for him, but then, after you have listened to him for about half an hour, you realise that he is showing no signs of running out of steam, he is still very much ‘on topic’, that you (genuinely) have things that you need to do and that, without appearing rude, you need to make your excuses and go off to do them. Eventually, with difficulty, you manage to make your exit and you go home and tell your partner about how much the old man up the road has suffered, how ill he has been and what a shame it is that he seems so lonely.
The next time you meet Jim, he greets you like an old friend and so you stop for a quick chat with him, and before long, you realise that you are having exactly the same conversation with him that you had before and that, once again, he is showing no sign of ‘drying up’ and that, once again, you could be in for an extended conversation (except that it isn’t really a conversation because a conversation usually implies more than one person taking part).
So, what happens next time you see him? You either turn around before he spots you and take a different, more circuitous route around the village that will get you home in twenty minutes, rather than the five it would normally take you, or you put your head down, speed up your pace, pretend you haven’t seen him until the last minute and then say, ‘Oh, hello, Jim. I’m sorry I can’t stop for a chat, I’m expecting a caller…’
So what is the answer? Would it be kinder to gently explain to him the effect that he has on people? Or would that just be too devastating for him to cope with, coming from a virtual stranger? Should I just stand and talk to him for as long as he needs me to, whilst, at the same time, ignoring my own needs and the things that I have to do to keep body and soul together? Or do I, like everyone else in the village, try to dodge him and politely ‘shortchange’ him whenever I can’t avoid running into him? I suspect that I will plump for the latter and live in hope that when I get to the same age, I will remember Jim, his attempts to engage with people and the fact that, not everyone enjoys an ‘organ recital’.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Ernie J Zelinski on making friends
'Unfortunately, with the loss of a job, some people also lose what they feel is their best opportunity to make new friends. If you have recently been retired or laid off and you want to meet new friends, you can't wait at home to be discovered. Nor are you going to meet new friends if you pursue your interests alone. If you watch TV or work on a solitary hobby all day long, you can rest assured that no new friends will come your way. Making new friends requires that you place yourself in communal and social situations where you can share yourself with others.'
Ernie J Zelinski
Ernie J Zelinski
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Role model retirees
Who is your best role model of a retiree? I think I’ve mentioned before that my Dad is one of mine, with his various activities which include study, volunteering and competitive athletics. As a retirement coach, I probably notice retired people and what they are up to more than most people probably would.
When I was in Florida earlier this year, I was constantly noticing people that I would consider to be good role models of retirees. For example, the two couples who were biking their way around the ‘Ding’ Darling Nature Reserve on Sanibel. We were following them around the trail and I have to confess that I was paying as much attention to them as I was to the wildlife. They were interested in everything and seemed to have boundless energy - calling to and laughing with each other all the way around. Then there were all the volunteers who staffed the shop at the same nature reserve, who were struggling to use the new and complicated cash register with relaxed good humour – happy to be learning something new.
But the one that made the biggest impression on me (and the one that I think of every day when I’m doing my workout) was the woman we spoke to at the beach on Captiva between 8 and 9 am every morning. It was difficult to estimate her age – I’d say at least 65, but she had the tautness and flexibility that come with a body 30 years younger than that. During our morning beach walk, we would ‘meet’ her at some stage in the proceedings – she would be either warming up, fastwalking along the beach or doing her cool-down stretches before heading off home.
Now, obviously, I have no idea what her life was like away from those morning sessions on the beach – she may have headed home, grabbed a bag of Fritos for breakfast and spent the rest of the day, laying on the couch watching the daytime soaps, but, somehow, I don’t think so, do you?
And before you say it, I know that it’s easier to be fit, active and energetic when you live somewhere like Florida and the weather is (usually) not an obstacle, but what about you, wherever you are in the world? Who is your best role model of a retiree? What do they do that makes them a role model? What qualities and attributes do they have that you would like more of? How could you be more like them? And when do you plan to start? Don't leave it too late, will you? You could just turn out to be the role model of a future retiree of your acquaintance...
When I was in Florida earlier this year, I was constantly noticing people that I would consider to be good role models of retirees. For example, the two couples who were biking their way around the ‘Ding’ Darling Nature Reserve on Sanibel. We were following them around the trail and I have to confess that I was paying as much attention to them as I was to the wildlife. They were interested in everything and seemed to have boundless energy - calling to and laughing with each other all the way around. Then there were all the volunteers who staffed the shop at the same nature reserve, who were struggling to use the new and complicated cash register with relaxed good humour – happy to be learning something new.
But the one that made the biggest impression on me (and the one that I think of every day when I’m doing my workout) was the woman we spoke to at the beach on Captiva between 8 and 9 am every morning. It was difficult to estimate her age – I’d say at least 65, but she had the tautness and flexibility that come with a body 30 years younger than that. During our morning beach walk, we would ‘meet’ her at some stage in the proceedings – she would be either warming up, fastwalking along the beach or doing her cool-down stretches before heading off home.
Now, obviously, I have no idea what her life was like away from those morning sessions on the beach – she may have headed home, grabbed a bag of Fritos for breakfast and spent the rest of the day, laying on the couch watching the daytime soaps, but, somehow, I don’t think so, do you?
And before you say it, I know that it’s easier to be fit, active and energetic when you live somewhere like Florida and the weather is (usually) not an obstacle, but what about you, wherever you are in the world? Who is your best role model of a retiree? What do they do that makes them a role model? What qualities and attributes do they have that you would like more of? How could you be more like them? And when do you plan to start? Don't leave it too late, will you? You could just turn out to be the role model of a future retiree of your acquaintance...
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Job hunting for the over 50's
I was looking around the SAGA website yesterday - for those of you who are not from the UK, the SAGA group, which is based at Folkestone, concentrates on the provision of services for people who are aged 50 and over. They are famous for offering high-quality, value-for-money holidays, insurance and financial products and they also publish a popular magazine. Many of the magazine articles are available to read on-line, and I spotted the following about job-hunting for the over 50's which you might find useful if you are looking for a retirement career:
http://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/article/7289E508-50BC-40FE-9C27-550B74970EB1.asp?bhcp=1
http://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/article/7289E508-50BC-40FE-9C27-550B74970EB1.asp?bhcp=1
Monday, May 15, 2006
Do you hate packing?
Here in the UK, the holiday season is starting to ramp up. It began with the Easter holidays (when kids have a 2 week holiday from school), then, two weekends ago, we had our first Bank Holiday of the season (May Day) and, at the end of the month, we have Spring Bank Holiday, when schools will close for a week.
Of course, if you're already retired, you are probably avoiding these peak holiday periods like the plague, but before you take your next trip, you may want to check out the following sites for ideas to help ease the burden of deciding what to take with you and how to fit it all into your baggage allowance:
www.travelite.org
www.smartpacking.com
www.onebag.com
Of course, if you're already retired, you are probably avoiding these peak holiday periods like the plague, but before you take your next trip, you may want to check out the following sites for ideas to help ease the burden of deciding what to take with you and how to fit it all into your baggage allowance:
www.travelite.org
www.smartpacking.com
www.onebag.com
Friday, May 12, 2006
Are you piling on the pounds?
I learned this week that during our 40s and 50s, we start to lose 2 to 3% of our muscle mass per year.
Weight gain can be a real problem for new retirees. When I took my first retirement from working as a manager in a Further Education college (roughly equivalent to a US Community College), I gained two dress sizes within the space of about 18 months. Now I admit that some of that was down to my need to take things easy and just have a complete break from working, but some of it was due to the natural reduction in the amount of exercise that I was taking every day.
Now I think about, I used to be on my feet all day. Dashing off to meetings, running around managing my teams, teaching classes… I even chose a house which meant that I could walk to and from work each day – which added 25 minutes walking time to my day, and I would often walk into town during my lunch hour or take a stroll around the nearby park with a colleague. When I retired from college life and started to work from my home office, much of this activity disappeared from my life and the extra weight started to pile on.
Nowadays, I work out for an hour and 15 minutes, 5 mornings a week and I know that I will always need to keep a close eye on what I eat. I also know that I could just resign myself to it and accept that, as we get older, we do get thicker around the middle, but, somehow, I just don’t feel like me when I’m bigger. It feels unnatural and I could never get used to what I see when I look in the mirror, so, for as long as is humanly possible, I will continue to get up at 6 am and work out.
What about you? Have you gained weight during your retirement? Are you able to accept that situation or do you need to do something about it? What will you do? When will you start? How will you make sure that the exercise you take is safe and effective? Who can help you with that?
And if you are not yet retired but know that you have a tendency to gain weight, may I suggest that, once your retirement begins, you don’t leave it too long before implementing some form of exercise routine? The extra pounds really do creep up on you until, before you know it, you have a battle on your hands…
Weight gain can be a real problem for new retirees. When I took my first retirement from working as a manager in a Further Education college (roughly equivalent to a US Community College), I gained two dress sizes within the space of about 18 months. Now I admit that some of that was down to my need to take things easy and just have a complete break from working, but some of it was due to the natural reduction in the amount of exercise that I was taking every day.
Now I think about, I used to be on my feet all day. Dashing off to meetings, running around managing my teams, teaching classes… I even chose a house which meant that I could walk to and from work each day – which added 25 minutes walking time to my day, and I would often walk into town during my lunch hour or take a stroll around the nearby park with a colleague. When I retired from college life and started to work from my home office, much of this activity disappeared from my life and the extra weight started to pile on.
Nowadays, I work out for an hour and 15 minutes, 5 mornings a week and I know that I will always need to keep a close eye on what I eat. I also know that I could just resign myself to it and accept that, as we get older, we do get thicker around the middle, but, somehow, I just don’t feel like me when I’m bigger. It feels unnatural and I could never get used to what I see when I look in the mirror, so, for as long as is humanly possible, I will continue to get up at 6 am and work out.
What about you? Have you gained weight during your retirement? Are you able to accept that situation or do you need to do something about it? What will you do? When will you start? How will you make sure that the exercise you take is safe and effective? Who can help you with that?
And if you are not yet retired but know that you have a tendency to gain weight, may I suggest that, once your retirement begins, you don’t leave it too long before implementing some form of exercise routine? The extra pounds really do creep up on you until, before you know it, you have a battle on your hands…
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Will you continue to work in retirement?
I found an article on the BBC website which claims that 70% of the population say that they want to continue working in retirement. However, they don't want to work full-time - they prefer part-time, flexi-time or even a whole new career. Coincidentally, I came across this article on the day that I had started a new poll on an on-line business networking group that I belong to. The poll was entitled: 'What do you want to do when you hit the traditional age for retirement?' and, by the end of the first afternoon, 10 people had responded with 7 of them stating that they wanted to continue working. Only 1 of the 10 wanted to have a traditional 'rest and relaxation' retirement.
You can read the BBC article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4945534.stm. I do apologise for the unfortunate use of the word 'elderly' in the title... the article was obviously written by some child reporter...
You can read the BBC article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4945534.stm. I do apologise for the unfortunate use of the word 'elderly' in the title... the article was obviously written by some child reporter...
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Life Expectancy Calculator
Check out the Life Expectancy Calculator at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/interactive_area/calculators_lifeexpectancy1.shtml. (90, in case you were wondering...)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/interactive_area/calculators_lifeexpectancy1.shtml. (90, in case you were wondering...)
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Sean Connery voted UK's sexiest male pensioner
I read a news snippet that a survey by Virgin Money has shown that Sean Connery has been voted the UK's sexiest male pensioner.
Apparently, just over half of the people who voted rated Connery as being the sexiest man in the UK who was old enough to draw a pension. Star Trek's Patrick Stewart came second, with actors Anthony Hopkins in third place, and Michael Caine in fourth. Singer, Cliff Richard was fifth.
I wonder if Virgin ran a similar poll on all the undoubtedly sexy women who are pensioners... and, if so, who would they be?
Apparently, just over half of the people who voted rated Connery as being the sexiest man in the UK who was old enough to draw a pension. Star Trek's Patrick Stewart came second, with actors Anthony Hopkins in third place, and Michael Caine in fourth. Singer, Cliff Richard was fifth.
I wonder if Virgin ran a similar poll on all the undoubtedly sexy women who are pensioners... and, if so, who would they be?
Monday, May 08, 2006
Do you Squidoo?
I’ve been doing a lot of web surfing this weekend and one of the most interesting sites I found was Squidoo. It’s a site where enthusiasts or experts write and blog about their ideas, advertise their services and generally make themselves known. Squidoo is free to join and you can also earn revenue by the various links to Google Adsense, Amazon and Ebay that your site contains.
Oh, and if you click on the links to Squidoo in this blog, and you open a 'lens' (that's a site) with them, you will be joining through my affiliate link - which means that when your lens earns its first $15, both you and I will each get $5 free. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Oh, and if you click on the links to Squidoo in this blog, and you open a 'lens' (that's a site) with them, you will be joining through my affiliate link - which means that when your lens earns its first $15, both you and I will each get $5 free. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Need a new hobby?
If you're on the lookout for a new hobby, check out
www.coachville.com/tl/thomasleonard//cli/activities.html - a list of almost 300 sports, hobbies and activities compiled by the late, great Thomas Leonard.
By the way, can anyone tell me what 'hacky sack' is?
www.ContemporaryRetirementCoaching.com
www.coachville.com/tl/thomasleonard//cli/activities.html - a list of almost 300 sports, hobbies and activities compiled by the late, great Thomas Leonard.
By the way, can anyone tell me what 'hacky sack' is?
www.ContemporaryRetirementCoaching.com
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Debtproof Living
If you're feeling the pinch (and who doesn't occasionally?), the excellent Mary Hunt, who writes very well-respected books about getting rid of debt and living within your means, is offering a free copy of her book, 'The Financially Confident Woman' with every purchase from the Debt-Proof Living Bookstore starting now through until Sunday, May 14. Well worth a look...
www.ContemporaryRetirementCoaching.com
www.ContemporaryRetirementCoaching.com
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Powerful questions to ask yourself about your retirement - Part 2
If you have a partner, after you have asked the question, ‘What would my ideal retirement look and feel like?’, it would be prudent to also ask the question,
closely followed by,
The failure to develop a clear understanding of your own retirement expectations, the expectations of significant others and how to blend the two together can be a recipe for retirement disaster. For example, what is your definition of 'healthy togetherness' with your partner? And does your partner share that definition? How many interests do you share as a couple? Have any of those interests been 'forced' upon you as an individual? Are you still happy for that situation to continue?
If you and your partner are both due to retire at the same time, can you cope with suddenly spending large amounts of time together or will you be sick of the sight of each other within a fortnight? Are you likely to want to spend more time with your loved one than they are prepared to give? Do they have other plans for how they will spend their time and who they will spend it with?
Be aware that even couples who have happily rubbed along together for many years can by surprised by the effects that retirement can have upon their relationship.
What does my partner’s ideal retirement look and feel like?,
closely followed by,
Do the two match up?
The failure to develop a clear understanding of your own retirement expectations, the expectations of significant others and how to blend the two together can be a recipe for retirement disaster. For example, what is your definition of 'healthy togetherness' with your partner? And does your partner share that definition? How many interests do you share as a couple? Have any of those interests been 'forced' upon you as an individual? Are you still happy for that situation to continue?
If you and your partner are both due to retire at the same time, can you cope with suddenly spending large amounts of time together or will you be sick of the sight of each other within a fortnight? Are you likely to want to spend more time with your loved one than they are prepared to give? Do they have other plans for how they will spend their time and who they will spend it with?
Be aware that even couples who have happily rubbed along together for many years can by surprised by the effects that retirement can have upon their relationship.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Powerful questions to ask yourself about your retirement
I’m currently writing an article on the non-financial aspects of retirement for the ezine of an Independent Financial Advisor that I met on Ecademy. The theme of the article is ‘Planning for your retirement – an alternative perspective’ and in it, I talk about some of the powerful questions that you need to ask yourself with regard to your retirement.
The first of these questions is: What would my ideal retirement look and feel like?
The first of these questions is: What would my ideal retirement look and feel like?
Have a think about it and then call back tomorrow to discover the next powerful question that you really need to ask yourself in order to ensure that you have a vital, healthy, prosperous, productive and fulfilling retirement.
Archives
April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006
