Properly Planning for Financial Retirement

The vast majority of people reading this will never receive the benefit of social security for the purpose of retirement-unless of course serious adjustments are made in the current system. There are simply too many people living much longer than anticipated. At the same time, regardless of how much you've managed to pay into social security over time it is doubtful that anyone could live on the amount of money they would receive in social security benefits even if they had no other significant bills to pay such as house notes, car notes, or insurance on a home or automobile.

It amazes me that my grandparents managed to live on the modest sum that was earned from my grandfather's retirement and social security. They were never wealthy but in the last decade or so I understood just how little they had and yet they managed somehow to have all the things they absolutely needed in order to survive. I know that in the world of today, their meager incomes would not even begin to make ends meet for groceries let alone utilities and other necessities in life.

It is because of the struggles my grandparent's faced that I have devoted a good deal of time and effort into making sure that we do not go through those same challenges and struggles upon retirement. We have taken steps today to insure that we will have income throughout our retirement as well as a few carefully crafted investments to pull us through. I do not believe that I have all the answers and for this reason we have relied heavily upon the advice of our financial planner. He has helped us discover avenues for investing money and methods of doing so that have been nothing short of amazing for us as we watch our holdings grow year after year in preparation for retirement.

If you haven't taken the time to find a financial advisor for your investments there is no time like the present to do so. Even if you are nearing that magical number you might be amazed at the guidance and advice that can be offered by a competent financial planner to maximize your short and long-term investment and retirement planning needs. I believe you will be amazed at the financial miracles a good financial planner can work with even the most modest of investments with which to work.

You should also make sure that you take care of as many of the recurring bills as possible before you retire. It helps greatly if you have your home paid off and do not have the worry of a monthly mortgage payment. Another thing that is good to keep in mind is that you will want to downsize rather than upsize at retirement. Eliminate the second car and ride together when possible (this also eliminates an insurance payment as well).

If you are planning to move to a particular area of the country for your retirement you may want to begin now, as early as possible, seeking property in that area at a much lower price than you will pay ten to twenty years down the road when you actually get around to retiring. This will increase the likelihood that you either have your retirement home paid for or are very close to having it paid for. Another thing to remember is that you will want to get a smaller home for your retirement rather than a larger home that you will need to care for. This means you can eliminate some of the utility costs, which may prove substantial.

The most important thing to remember when planning for retirement is that it is your retirement for which you are planning. Make sure you set aside funds to make your retirement worth retiring for. Don't merely exist throughout your retirement because you can't afford to live, take the steps now to insure that this is not going to be a problem for your retirement years.

Driving Safely - How to Know When It's Time to Turn in the Car Keys

As the bulk of our country's population is getting older, that means the drivers on the road are too. First of all, it is important to draw attention to the fact that just because you are older, does not mean that your driving skills deteriorate. Many people still are great drivers in their 70's and 80's. However, there are some elements that can affect driving skills that you should be aware of as you age.

Physical Changes

Getting older means that your muscles and joints also are older this translates to more muscle and joint aches and pains. If you feel stiff, this could hinder your reaction time behind the wheel. Just think about what would happen if your knee is stiff and slows your braking time. How about a stiff neck or elbows interfering with checking traffic or turning the wheels of your car? Reflexes also get slower as you age, no matter how good a shape you are.

Hearing and eye sight are also physical changes that can make a difference in driving. Some older adults have a hard time with seeing at night while others have trouble with bright lights and sunshine hurting their eyes. Peripheral vision becomes less focused and if you are suffering from any type of eye condition, you could run into problems.

Any number of health conditions that are normally treatable can become problems. A defibrillator could cause your heart to skip a beat or two and cause dizziness just like low blood sugar in a diabetic. Adverse reactions to medications can also trigger health issues. Any number of physical or medical changes can turn an innocuous trip to the corner grocery into a huge accident.

Savvy Driving Advice

Before you leave on a trip, even if it is a quick one, plan your route in advance along with a back-up in case of road construction or other road problems. Avoid highway driving if possible and always add extra time to get where you are going in case of any problems. In addition, only drive when you are fully rested.

During the drive, always wear a seat belt and do not drive with distractions like talking on a cell phone. If you must make or take a call, pull into a parking lot or safely on the shoulder of a road. Leave at least two to three car lengths between you and other vehicles in case there are any sudden stops or traffic problems. You need to leave yourself a way out of those situations. Always have your head lights on and discourage tailgaters by slowing down to let them pass. Do not, however, drive on the shoulder to do so as it can be dangerous.

Keep routine maintenance kept up on your vehicle and make sure that you have all the latest safety features such as air bags. Always have your fluids and tires checked every so often and go in for a full car check-up if you plan to travel for any length of time.

Evaluating your own Driving Skills
Evaluate your own driving skills. Are you becoming more nervous on the roads as you get older? Do you avoid driving unless absolutely necessary? Do other drivers honk at you or have you have some minor dings on your car as a result of your driving? Do family and friends show concern with your continued driving privileges? These are all concerns that can help you decide whether you not you should still keep those car keys.

If you still feel that your reflexes are good and that you can handle being on the roads, look into a roadside club you can turn to in case of an emergency or traffic mishap. Also, check into driver's education refresher courses for seniors to keep you abreast of the latest techniques and tips to keep you safe as an older adult on the road.

When driving is something you need to give up, don't fret. There are plenty of ways that you can still get out and about. Bus lines and taxis are options as are family and friends. There are even senior assistance programs that you pay a nominal fee to that will take you grocery shopping or to the doctor's office. Check with your local senior advocate offices or even your church parish. There are volunteers that would love to help out with driving and errands. There are plenty of options to stay safe and still get around without driving.