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Age of Fulfillment Newsletter |  |
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Dear Bruce, Do you have grandchildren? I have one – Fiona – who is just about three years old. What a cutie! Kimberly, my wife, says Fiona looks like a pixie! We went to New Jersey to see Fiona for a few days. What a delight she is! She is smart, talkative, curious, energetic, creative….O.K. I’m sure most grandparents say the same thing about their grandchildren! Kimberly and I got a chance to baby sit her one day during our visit. We all went to a park about three blocks away. The park was new and had slides, poles to climb, jungle gym and swings. Fiona really surprised us by her strength! She just scrambled up things, pulled herself up, climbed over things like a monkey! After going down the slide a few times she turned to me and asked if I wanted to go down the slide. My initial reaction was no, I’m too old to do slides. Then I reconsidered – why not?! Has the little kid in me died?! Not likely – and off I went!!! Perhaps looking with child-like eyes as we enter retirement might help the transition. Set your cynicism aside; take a fresh look at possibilities. Be willing again to explore, to be curious, and to dare! See this new phase of life as a child sees theirs – with curiosity, wonder and loaded with possibilities. Maybe we need to rummage around in our storage boxes for those rose colored glasses we’ve packed away. It might just help us see a fresher side of life that we’ve long forgotten. Retirement is a time for jubilation, renewal and excitement. I’m ready to be a kid again and be free to explore this new time of my life! How about you? Bruce Macdonald
Whether you’ve lost your significant other through a death or divorce it is emotionally traumatic. You’ve made plans together about retirement, had great hopes and dreams and now all that has evaporated. Now – you’re single with retirement approaching and without your partner. What DO you do? The loss of your significant other, either through divorce or death, will have a huge impact on your life. Understand that you will experience certain common stages of grief. Each person will mourn the loss differently and for varying amounts of time. There are 5 stages of grief you may go through: 1.Denial Stage – This isn’t happening to me 2.The Anger/Resentment Stage- Why is this happening to me? 3.The Bargaining Stage – I promise I’ll be a better person if 4.The Depression Stage – I don’t care anymore 5.The Acceptance Stage – I’m ready for whatever comes next Remember as you go through these stages while the pain felt is real and strong, in time, this shall pass and you will smile and enjoy life again! I know because I’ve been there. Go easy on yourself and feel the real emotions. It is normal and healthy for you to have these feelings. Give yourself time to feel better. Lastly, treat yourself well. You have spiritual and emotional needs along with your physical health that needs taking care of. You and your partner may have planned well for your future but becoming suddenly single is emotionally challenging as well as financially challenging. Women have a greater likelihood of being divorced or widowed at some point in their lives then men. For women following divorce, the standard of living drops 45%, while for the senior citizen the effects are more devastating – 75%! For this reason, be proactive now in the financial arena if you still have your partner. Develop a plan that incorporates your short–term and long-term dreams and goals. Get involved with the process! Know what is happening with your finances. To Be Continued Next Month!
What does your retirement financial picture look like? Does it incorporate the short and long term goals? What plans have you made with your significant other about retirement?
Throw the term "Baby Boomers" out! New nomenclature - YAPS - youthful, active, pre- seniors! Those who didn't have a retirement plan in place were more concerned about a health crisis than those who had a plan - 42% vs. 25% 37% of seniors interviewed said they were afraid of fraud such as a con or identity theft.
Boomer Health: www.boomernet.com/health.htm Alternative helth concepts for the baby boomer generation. Medical Detective: www.yourmedicaldetective.com For those baby boomers with aches and pains and want to take an active role in making their own decisions about healthcare.
Be sure to get your assessment tools on our web site to help you in your retirement planning!
Click the Forward button at the bottom to share the valuable information in this newsletter with your friends and those getting ready to retire. If they like the information, they can subscribe themselves. Please forward the newsletter in its entirety. Thanks. All email addresses are kept confidential
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11/30/05
Offer Expires
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