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Who should have a bucket list?

8/25/2020

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Bucket lists are a popular topic among all age groups, but especially those in their 50’s, 60’s and beyond. There was even a popular movie titled The Bucket List, released in 2007, featuring seasoned actors Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman – who played two men with terminal illnesses – who wanted to cross items off their own bucket lists before they died.
Of course, you don’t need an illness to start a bucket list. Better to begin long before your own mortality is staring you in the face. Here are some reasons you might or might not want to start and pursue you own bucket list.
Bucket List Pros:
  • It’s highly motivational. Just ask someone who completed an item like hiking Machu Picchu or catching that awesome fish, or whatever it is that his or her heart desires. They can’t wait for the next adventure.
  • It’s pleasing. Your bucket list items should be fun and bring you joy and a feeling of satisfaction.
  • You will be following your own life plan instead of what others expect of you.
  • Most of your bucket list items will probably involve others. This gives you many more chances for creating meaningful connections.
  • Having important things to do can give you something to live for and actually extend your life.
Bucket List Cons:
  • You lose some of your flexibility and spontaneity when following a prescribed list.
  • You can become so focused on your bucket list, you forget to enjoy the experience. Remember, it should be about the journey more than the goal.
  • You may spend too much time or money out of a compulsion to complete your items.
  • If you load your list with irrational items, or take no action, this can be worse than never starting the list.
  • Even if you have a rational and achievable list, you may be disappointed if you fail to achieve some of the items on your list.
To speak to the last point, it is perfectly acceptable and to be expected, that you not complete all the items on your list. In fact, if the list is easily achievable, you probably haven’t tried hard enough.
There is a Common Misperception That Bucket lists are Only for Big ItemsThere is a common misperception that bucket lists are only for big items, but they are really for whatever you find meaningful. Here are the types of things that can go on bucket lists:
  • Places you want to see (e.g. Machu Picchu).
  • People you want to spend time with (your best friend from high school).
  • Physical goals you want to achieve (complete a half or full marathon).
  • Things you want to learn (speak a foreign language)
  • Habits you want to establish (meditate or establishing exercise routine).
I started my bucket list a dozen years ago and it is gratifying how many of the items my wife and I have completed. Here are just a few: learn to play guitar and perform in a band, take singing lessons, travel to interesting places like Russia, break 100 in golf, learn to play pickleball.

If you are looking for idea starters, try this article from developgoodhabits.com. They not only give you 553 potential bucket list items but also the following great advice for building your own list: “As you go through this list, be sure to write down the items that resonate with your “personal why.” Then add the ideas that sound like a great challenge. Then the stuff that’s fun. Then the ideas that you can share with your significant other. And finally, the ideas that will help with your self-improvement efforts.”

Remember that the bucket list is a positive endeavor – what you intend to do – and not about what you aren’t going to do. Not doing cool stuff is a common deathbed regret. And guess what my friend – you get to define what you consider cool stuff! This is a great privilege but can be wasted if you fail to write out and go make the items on your bucket list happen. What better time to start than right now? Source...

For more adventures in retirement...Click Here


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Colorado Vacations – Breckenridge

8/20/2020

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Breckenridge is a Great Place for a Summer or Winter Vacation!

We love this place!

* You will enjoy good food and accommodations with a mountain atmosphere

* Perks: Easy to get to with lots of winter & summer activities

* You’ll love the historic atmosphere of Breck – Founded in 1859 – the largest historic district in Colorado

* Breck has a rich and colorful history!

* Average daily summer temperature at 77 degrees

* Breckenridge Ski Resort is the 2nd most visited ski & snowboard destination in the U.S.
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* The Nordic Center offers Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing; Also, dog sledding tours with Real Siberian dogs

* Mountain biking, hiking trails – Especially the Peaks Trail connecting Breckenridge and Frisco

* Quandary Peak (a Fourteen-er) is really close for spectacular hiking opportunities

* The AVA Colorado Zipline is close by in Idaho Springs

* The Pine Cove Campground and Peak One Campground are close by in Frisco

* The Silverthrone shopping outlet is only a few miles away off I-70!

​* Boating activities on nearby Lake Dillon

* Boutique shops, food cuisine variety and over 30 bars located on Main Street alone

Enjoy a Colorado Vacation in Breckenridge!
Related Travel Post: Camping in Colorado

See more: BreckVacation
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25 Retirement Adventures for 2020

8/12/2020

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We are already well into 2020. Regardless of whether you are one of those people that make resolutions, go with the flow, or something in between, why not try a couple of new retirement adventures this year (also good for pre-retirees). There are literally hundreds (even thousands) of possibilities but I’ve given you a great starter list of 25 options.

Sports and Fitness
  • Go for a nice long walk and listen to a podcast or audio book. If the subject matter is interesting enough, it will make the time pass quickly.
  • Do the podcast or audio book thing on a bike ride, assuming you are not riding where you need to keep your ears wide open.
  • Try a chair workout. This may sound like an oxymoron but if you have a serious leg injury, like I did a couple of years ago, it can help you get your muscles toned and blood flowing.
  • Find a local gym that will give you a free day (or several day) trial. Even better if they offer Silver Sneakers – which is free to many who are on Medicare.
  • Give yoga a try. Yoga has more benefits than almost anything else you can do. And if you fear being scorned because you are an amateur, have no fear. Experienced yogis love to see new participants (as they all were at one time).
  • Participate in a charity walk/run. Good cause plus great exercise: what could be better.
  • Try pickle ball. They say it’s the fastest growing sport for those over 50. Plus, it’s not too hard and really fun.
Travel, Arts, Education
  • Take an overnight trip to a town at least an hour away from your home.
  • Take an all-day road trip – the kind of thing you used to do on a spur of the moment.
  • Join an organized tour of your own town. You may be surprised by how many new things there are to discover.
  • Visit a museum you haven’t thought of before. Even better if you qualify for discount entrance fees.
  • Take a class at the local community college or senior center (if you qualify). A great way to learn something and meet people.
  • Learn a brand new technical skill that helps you communicate like email, social media, or Skype. Your kids and/or grandkids will appreciate this.
Community
  • Start a dinner club. Four to six couples (singles also work) take turns hosting a monthly dinner. The host plans the menu and serves the main course and everyone else brings side dishes, appetizers, desert and beverages.
  • Invent a new drink (or dessert if you prefer) and invite friends over to try it out.
  • Host a wine tasting at your house. These can be fun and educational.
  • Try a local meetup group. You can find a list of many different types of groups at meetup.com. In my area, groups include book clubs, investors, hikers, boardgames, yoga, political and religious groups.
  • If you know anything about business, go volunteer at your local SCORE office. There are lots of young entrepreneurs that can use your mentoring and/or teaching skills.
  • Volunteer for an environmental-friendly cause (e.g. cleaning parks, playgrounds, roadways. It will improve your fitness and your outlook on life. This is also a great way to meet like-minded people.
Home-Based
  • Pick up a jigsaw puzzle or paint-by-number set.
  • Plant something. Depending on scope, gardening can be good exercise and is always good for the soul.
  • Pull out your old photo albums – wedding, family, vacation – and relive great memories.
  • Refinish a piece of furniture. This is a great hobby and if you get really good at it, can become a part-time moneymaking endeavor.
  • Make a list of at least 50 things you are grateful for – yes you can do it.
  • De-clutter your house. If you are like most of us (including me), you have lots of stuff you never use. Sell it at a garage sale, or via Craigslist or Facebook. Even better, give it to Goodwill or ARC and let it be a blessing to others.  Source...
Hope you enjoyed this list of fun and productive activities. For more ideas on retirement adventures (also for pre-retirees), read Colleen Milner’s article, Activities and Hobbies for a Fun and Active Life.


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The Umbrella Policy!

8/8/2020

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One of the most useful but often overlooked policies is the umbrella.

The umbrella policy is often compared to a security blanket. It sits over your existing coverage to provide extra protection in case all hell breaks loose. What a lot of people don’t realize is how flexible an umbrella can be.
Umbrella policies come in all shapes and sizes just like their physical namesakes. Most start at $1,000,000 and can get as big as $10,000,000. They also have a range of purposes like covering personal assets up to covering multi location businesses. Some umbrella policies sit over both for broad protection.
What a lot of people don’t realize about umbrella coverage is that it can be for more than just liability coverage. Although its primary purpose is to extend liability protection it can also be used as an extension of your personal protection.
For example in automotive coverage it is generally a good practice to have uninsured motorist protection to cover you if you are hit by someone without insurance. The umbrella can expand this coverage, usually for additional premium. Some business umbrellas have endorsements that extend them over things other than strict liability as well.
To understand the value of the umbrella, I’ll tell you a story that I heard from a colleague of mine. There was a farmer who was getting close to retirement and his farm, worth 1.5 million, was his retirement plan. One evening a gate was left open on his property. Early the next morning one of his cattle bolted across the highway and slammed into an SUV with a family of 5, all of whom sustained significant injuries and sued for their bills and to replace their totaled car. The car spun out and significantly damaged fencing on the neighbors property as well. The farmer did not carry an umbrella and only had 1 million on his farm. Total court costs and damages came to over 3 million. For lack of an umbrella he lost his farm, lost his cash savings, and was unable to retire as planned.
A basic 2 million umbrella probably would have cost him under 1000 per year and would have helped save the farm and his retirement. There are many more examples like this. Moral of the story is, if you have assets protect them.
Courtesy of: J. Wilcox Insurance Associates -
https://yourinsuranceguide.co/blog/


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Are You Dealing With Mood Swings?

8/2/2020

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Oh, those mood swings that seem to be an inevitable part of our lives!
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Did you know you can actually control them so the good days are even better and the bad days aren’t so bad after all? Regardless of your age, surroundings or background, you can reduce your mood swings and increase your overall happiness.

            Special Information on COVID-19 and your mental health at the end of this article!


 Four proven ways to reduce mood swings and increase your happiness:

1)  Diet and Mood Swings – What you eat really does make a difference in how you feel each day, especially your overall mood. Eating lots of fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, high-quality grains and lean protein is a good place to start. Your “happiness baseline” will be higher and you can keep on improving. You can also add dark chocolate and stay away from alcohol, nicotine and sugar for even more success in balancing mood swings.

2)  Exercise and Mood Swings – Getting a “runner’s high” is the result of prolonged physical activity because it releases mood-enhancing endorphins.  This  equates to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise two to three times a week which can have a very positive effect on your overall happiness. Exercise also keeps your body healthier and gives you more energy which lessens the risk of going into a slump.

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3)  Rest and Mood Swings – We can’t emphasize enough the importance of getting a minimum of six or seven hours of sleep a night. Your body must have sleep to repair itself! Rest also encompasses quiet time in the form of meditation, sitting quietly sipping a warm beverage or any other method of quieting the body and mind without distractions. Our addiction to technology is a major contributor to the stress in America today!
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4)  Happiness Emphasis and Mood Swings – It is possible to elevate your mood by simple daily exercises.
  • Write down something positive that happened in the past 24 hours…even if you had a “bad” day.
  • Write down three things for which you are grateful every day.
  • Give and share…”paying it forward” actually releases dopamine which makes both the giver and receiver feel happy!

These bonus tips will help you get started on your way to more happiness and less stress in your life:
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  • Keep a food journal
  • Exercise with a workout buddy
  • Take a relaxing vacation…even if it’s a weekend away from home.
  • Go out and thank someone for an immediate happiness boost.

Worries and anxiety about COVID-19 and its impact can be overwhelming. Social distancing makes it even more challenging. Learn ways to cope during this pandemic ~ Mayo Clinic Resource


For Additional Info: Manage Mood Swings

It is Possible to Successfully Deal With Mood Swings!
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