You may think it may be too late to save for retirement... think again you can make it.

In order to get ready you must stay focused and be disciplined... stay the course.  Make sure you first find a qualified Certified Financial Planner (CFP), check them out and then hire the right one for you.  Next think about your budget and how you spend your income.  It may seem an impossible task but do some homework and get going.  With regard to finding a good CFP, find at least four to make comparisons.  Look for track records of the company or investments they represent and make  an objective decision.  Take a look at the links below and get caught up on related terms you may want to discuss with your CFP.  It sure helps to know investment options and basic financial terminology. 

Helpful Links for Retirement Options (source- LINK):
Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
An individual retirement account (IRA) is an investing tool individuals use to earn and earmark funds for retirement savings. 
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Catch-Up Contribution Definition
A catch-up contribution is a type of retirement savings contribution that allows people age 50 or older to make additional contributions to their 401(k) accounts and/or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). 
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SBO-401(k)
An SBO-401(k) is a tax-deferred, government-registered retirement savings plan for small business owners. 
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Independent 401(k)
An Independent 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan available to individual small business owners and their spouses. 
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Spousal IRA Definition
A spousal IRA is a strategy that allows a working spouse to contribute to an IRA in the name of a non-working spouse to circumvent income requirements. 
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Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is the process of determining retirement income goals, risk tolerance, and the actions and decisions necessary to achieve those goals. 
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If you want to know more about the history of Colorado, visit these Colorado museums. You can visit them both in person and online.
Established in 1879, History Colorado offers public access to cultural and heritage resources of Colorado.
Here are the various Colorado museums that tell much of the story of the Centennial State. There are plenty of hands-on displays and a wealth of information. Put them on your “bucket list.”
Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum – History Matters. The Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum (CSPM) is the only institution researching, collecting and interpreting the robust history of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. Located at 215 South Tejon, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
National Museum of World War II Aviation – The National Museum of World War II Aviation provides a unique educational experience. It promotes a deeper understanding of the historical importance of American aviation in World War II. Located at 755 Aviation Way, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
History Colorado Center – “Inspiring generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado.” Located at 1200 Broadway, Denver, Colorado.
Byers-Evans House Museum – “The Byers-Evans House was home to two prominent Denver families. It is one of the city’s most historic landmarks.” Located at 1310 Bannock Street, Denver, Colorado.
El Pueblo History Museum – “El Pueblo History Museum showcases the city’s history and the region’s many cultural and ethnic groups.” Located at 301 North Union, Pueblo, Colorado.
Fort Garland Museum & Pike’s Stockade – “Fort Garland was once commanded by legendary frontiersman Kit Carson. It had a garrison of over 100 men. They served to protect the earliest settlers in the San Luis Valley.” Located at 29477 Highway 159, Fort Garland, Colorado.
Fort Vasquez Museum – “Visit the site of an 1835 fur-trading fort. You can follow the paths of founders Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette.” Located at 13412 U.S. Highway 85, Platteville, Colorado.
Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park – “An engineering marvel originally built in 1884. The railroad fulfilled the hopes of Georgetown citizens to become a prosperous settlement connected to Denver and points east.” Located 45 miles west of Denver on I-70, Exit #228.
Healy House Museum & Dextor Cabin – “Life in a mining town where miners made their fortunes overnight.” Located at 912 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, Colorado.
Trinidad History Museum – “Explore Trinidad’s past and its place in the American West at the Trinidad History Museum.” Located at 312 East Main, Trinidad, Colorado.
Ute Indian Museum – “Experience one of the most complete collections of Ute Indian artifacts in the nation.” Located at 12753 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado.
​Make plans today to visit these Colorado Museums!

Interesting Facts About the Sand Dunes in Colorado:
1) Members of the Ladies P.E.O. sponsored a bill to Congress asking for national monument status for the Great Sand Dunes. The bill was signed into law in 1932 by President Herbert Hoover.
2) In 2000-2004 the Sand Dunes in Colorado was expanded into a national park and preserve.
3) About 300,000 people visit the Great Sand Dunes every year because of the oddly beautiful combination of desert dunes and high mountain peaks, the spring-time flow of Medano Creek, and dark, quiet nights in the Dunes wilderness.
4) Camping, hiking, and photography opportunities are plentiful in the area.
“Visitors must walk across the wide and shallow Medano Creek to reach the dunes in spring and summer months. The creek typically has a peak flow from late May to early June in most years. From July through April, the creek is usually no more than a few inches deep, if there is any water at all.
Hiking is permitted throughout the dunes with the warning that the sand surface temperature may reach 150 °F (66 °C) in summer. Sandboarding and sandsledding are popular activities, both done on specially designed equipment which can be rented just outside the park entrance or in Alamosa.” Source…
The Great Sand Dunes of Colorado is a “Must See” Attraction!

Did you know? Jigsaw puzzles help you exercise both the right and left side of the brain. Working a jigsaw puzzle helps keep your brain young!
Your left brain thinks logically and follows sequence while the right brain is creative, intuitive and emotional. When working a jigsaw puzzle, you harness both sides of the brain.
Jigsaw puzzles engage the brain to retain information on shapes and colors in order to choose pieces that will fit together properly.This hunt for pieces requires your brain to memorize what each piece looks like or should look like and what kinds of pieces you are searching for in order to complete the picture. Doing this repeatedly reinforces short-term memory.
This engaging activity:

1. Works to exercise the brain cells and thereby activates them and increases their efficiency and capacity.
2. Makes you alert, increases concentration, and expands creativity.
3. Helps you practice visualization because you are constantly looking at the images.
4. Affects your physical health by lowering your breath rate and reducing heart rate and blood pressure.
5. Builds up a base of useful individual skills.
6. Transfers individual skills to other situations where they can be applied to solve new problems.

Interesting facts about jigsaw puzzles!They were first created by an English mapmaker by the name of John Spilsbury in the late 1760’s. He made a puzzle by gluing a map of the world on a piece of wood and cut out the countries. Children would put the pieces together to learn to identify individual countries and their relation to one another. This was much like our puzzles of the United States that we all worked on when we were growing up.
Thus, jigsaw puzzles were originally invented for education instead of entertainment. Jigsaw puzzles are now loved by people of all ages. Jigsaw puzzles became a form of daily amusement and activity for adults in the early 1900’s. However, they were quite expensive ($5 for a 500-piece puzzle in 1908). By the time of the Great Depression in the early 1930’s, they became more reasonable in price. In fact, 10 million puzzles were sold per week during this time in history. This was an escape from the troubles of the Depression years.

The Fair continues to call Pueblo home, and in fact, has only cancelled once during its entire history. In 1917, during World War I, the Fairgrounds’ horse stables and open space offered an ideal training facility for the Army National Guard. Since then, the Colorado State Fair has developed into the largest summer event in the State which offers families a fun, educational summer vacation!
This is the 147th year (started officially in 1872!) for the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colorado which promises to be the best ever!
The Fair runs from August 23 to September 2 with each day filled with events for everyone which is 11 days of activities for all ages to enjoy!
Whether you are a “seasoned-fair goer” or are planning your first visit, you won’t be disappointed.
What you will find at the Colorado State Fair:1)  Concerts and entertainment – A great lineup to choose from; get your tickets now!
2)  Shopping and eating – About 50 food vendors and 300 distinctive commercial vendors.
3)  Rodeos – PRCA Ram Rodeo, Ranch Rodeo and Celebracion de los Charros
4)  Agriculture – Showcased in a fun, educational and interactive manner.
5)  Carnival and Rides on the Midway.
6)  Great deals and discounts available.
7) Shuttle service – FREE
8) Parade – Colorado State Fair Parade is Saturday, August 23, at 10 am.
A great way to get involved in this yearly event is to volunteer. Click the link we have provided to see how you can contribute to and enjoy the Colorado State Fair 2019 as a volunteer!
For all the details:   http://www.coloradostatefair.com/
More Things to Do in Colorado: Great Sand Dunes
Have a Great Time at the Colorado State Fair 2019!​

1) Canteloupe – One serving has just 46 calories and nearly a day’s worth of vitamins A & C. It’s also a very good source of potassium. Eating it raw or making a fruit salad with a little feta and mint makes a delicious summer lunch.

2) Zucchini – Wow, only 29 calories in one cup and is high in fiber, vitamins A, C and K and also potassium. It also adds bulk and substance to your diet. Zucchini is versatile in that it can be grilled, eaten raw, stuffed, made into chips or used to replace noodles in homemade lasagna.
3) Eggplant – This purple beauty is a good source of vitamins B6 & K as well as being a very good source of fiber. It is also low in calories and contains antioxidants that fight disease. The purple color is a cue that it will benefit the heart and memory. Prepare it sautéed, grilled or cubed in a stir fry or on a sandwich.
4) Blackberries – Blackberries are a good source of potassium and vitamins E, C, K & manganese. They are also loaded with fiber and antioxidants. Other benefits include protecting the heart and lowering blood pressure. They add a nice taste to a glass of ice water or seltzer or add them to salads. Blackberries are popular in baked goods as well.
5) Yellow Summer Squash – This is also known as “crookneck or straightneck” squash. It is rich in fiber, vitamins C, K, and potassium and has very few calories. Prepare it grilled, in a summer soup or be creative and use it as a pizza topping.
A culinary tip: A grilling basket or tray is a very easy way to prepare veggies alongside your main meal on the grill. It makes for easy clean up and no mess in the kitchen!
Let us know which summer super foods are your favorite…Comment Below
Read more here: Super Foods

Eat Plenty of Summer Super Foods for a Healthier Diet!

All images courtesy of posted website links or wikipedia.comTravel Related Post: Colorado Museums
Enjoy going back in time by visiting these Colorado ruins!

4) Both of the above agencies have campsites that range from developed areas with restrooms, fire rings, water and other amenities to remote areas. They have no amenities and are reached only by horse, mountain bike or backpacking. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov.
5) There are many privately owned campsites in Colorado which have perks you may not find on public lands. These include playgrounds, hot tubs, laundry facilities and Wi-Fi.
6) One caveat for camping in Colorado is that the weather can change quickly, even in the summer months. It’s best to wear layered clothing.
7) You may be required to purchase a pass or permit depending on your location. Plan ahead by visiting the website listed below and the information posted at campground entrances.
​Packing Essentials for Summer Camping in Colorado:(Courtesy of Colorado Camping: The Basics)
• Tent with a rain cover
• Down sleeping bag (even in summer, it can get below freezing in Colorado’s higher altitudes)
• Pillow and sleeping pad (keeps you warmer than just sleepin’ on the ground)
• Camp stove and/or matches to use your campsite’s fire pit
• Plenty of drinking water and food
• Can opener, aluminum foil, paper plates, cups/mugs, utensils, multipurpose knife, trash bags, paper towels
• Layers of clothing, including water-resistant coat, wool socks and long underwear
• Flashlights/headlamps/lanterns
• Sunscreen, bug spray, first-aid kit, toilet paper
Camping in Colorado…A Camper’s Paradise!