 Advice from a very successful Reverse Mortgage Specialist:
A friend recommended I read the book Younger Next Year by Crowley and Lodge. The book is about navigating the last 1/3 of your life in health, strength, and purpose. One of the lines in the book asks if you are preparing to live or preparing to die in your retirement years. "Are you preparing to live or preparing to die?" Having worked with senior homeowners for the last several years, I have met both. Those with vision and purpose for the last 1/3 of their lives, find ways to fund their goals and dreams. Those who aren’t willing to live a reduced or diminished life in retirement, live longer and happier lives. While others who accept that they can’t go here, or can’t do this or that live a life that seems to get smaller. They don’t go out, they do not have friends, and more importantly, they have no vision for the rest of their lives. In reality, they are existing and not living. They seem to be waiting for the end to come, and the sooner the better. Honestly, the first group is much more enjoyable to work with. They are proactive when it comes to their finances, and most other things in life. They are willing to learn about new opportunities and have decided to live their life to the fullest. Often times they fund their lifestyle in retirement with a reverse mortgage. So, which one are you? Are you preparing to live or to die in your retirement years? The choice is yours. Source: The Retirement Years Credit: Kevin A. Guttman, Reverse Mortgage Specialist
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Yes, parents stuff can be a boomer burden! Many baby boomers and those in the over 50 group are facing the inevitable in life. They have aging parents or their parents have already passed away. Besides coping with the emotional burden, there is also the matter of the financial aspect of a death and also dealing with your parents stuff. It can certainly be overwhelming!  Top 4 suggestions for action to take now and later: 1. Start Now – If parents are alive and willing, ask if they would like help in deciding what they want done with their belongings when they die. They might also want to start giving things away to family and friends while they are still alive. 2. Savor Memories – One way to remember a loved one is to make shadow boxes containing mementos of their hobbies and activities. They take up much less room and provide pleasant memories of a loved one. They can also be made for other members of the family. They make nice mementos for grand children and nieces and nephews. 3. Don’t Wait Too Late – You will be surprised to know that your aging parent (s) would actually welcome help in culling out possessions. It is a good time for them to reflect back on their life. It is also an excellent way to find out more about their life that you maybe didn’t even know! Communicate with your parents early! 4. Dealing with Siblings – Keep in mind when working with siblings in this situation that there are differences in how things should be done. Some adult children just want to “get it done” without giving much time or thought to the process. There are also those that want to touch each item and reminisce to great lengths. Come up with a plan on how you are going to deal with your parent’s possessions that will be workable for all to handle. Professional organizer, Claudia Smith, advocates a simple rule of thumb. “We spend our first 40 years in life collecting things and the second 40 years getting rid of things.” How to Deal with Your Parents Stuff!
Coffee Drinkers…this is for you! Go ahead. Pour yourself another cup of joe. “Studies have shown that coffee may have health benefits, including protecting against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver disease, including liver cancer. Coffee also appears to improve cognitive function and decrease the risk of depression.” There is a word of caution in the research. There could be some risks. If you drink too much unfiltered coffee (boiled or espresso), you may have mild elevations in cholesterol levels. There is also a caution for an increase in the risk of heart disease in people with a fairly common, specific genetic mutation that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body. How fast you metabolize coffee may affect your health risk. There’s always something to put a damper on things!! Just a reminder…adding cream and sugar to your coffee adds fat and calories. And, sometimes it’s hundreds of calories! This video from the Mayo Clinic tells you why! There is also important information concerning peanut allergies. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is a heritage railway and is located in Canon City, Colorado. The railroad runs through the Royal Gorge on a 2-hour scenic and historic train ride along the former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The 1950s-era train leaves the Santa Fe Depot in Canon City on a daily schedule. This is a family-oriented outing for young and old alike. It carries 100,000+ guests each and every year!  Top 7 Facts to Know About the Royal Gorge Route Railroad: 1) A heritage railway is a railway that is kept to carry living history rail traffic in order to re-create railway scenes of the past. It is like stepping back in time! 2) In the 1870s, carbonate ores rich in lead and silver brought miners to the upper Arkansas River Valley of Colorado. 3) The mining activity was so brisk it attracted the attention of both the Rio Grande and Santa Fe railroads. After the Royal Gorge War between the two railroad companies, the route opened in 1879. 4) The Santa Fe Depot was built in 1910; the last passenger train ran in 1967. 5) Union Pacific RR purchased the Route in 1995; the last thru freight train ran in 1997. 6) Royal Gorge Express purchased the Route in 1998 and began regular service in 1999. 7) Dining service was introduced on RGRR in 2003 and Vista Dome cars entered service in 2005.  Looking up at the Royal Gorge Bridge from an open train car |
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