Here I am with my friends at the start of the 2010 Seacoast Half Marathon, the first for all of us. It was a great day and a great race. We all finished and already looking forward to next year.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
2010 Seacoast Half Marathon
Here I am with my friends at the start of the 2010 Seacoast Half Marathon, the first for all of us. It was a great day and a great race. We all finished and already looking forward to next year.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Adding Details to Estate Planning
Over the past few months, I have had to the occasion to help clients organize the assets of deceased family members as they prepare to settle estates (including my own family). In most cases, wills or trusts were prepared, however details regarding the assets referred to in these documents could not be found. Stock certificates were missing, investment statements and tax returns were not available even contact information for accountant, financial advisor and attorney was buried in old boxes, drawers or had disappeared over the years.
The experience of trying to help locate missing documents has led me to suggest as part of an estate plan’s preparation to create a “Detail Book.”
1) Start with a list of contacts, be sure to include; financial advisor, attorney, accountant, tax preparer, physician, and funeral home (if chosen).
2) Next a list of requests you might want carried out at your death; i.e. cremation, family only, favorite song, prayer or poem, type of service.
3) If you have prepaid for your funeral a copy of the agreement should be included. Usually arrangements are made years in advance and a readily available copy can help family members as they prepare the arrangements.
4) Location of original will, or trust.
5) Copies of end-of-year bank, brokerage, investment, and retirement accounts, if you have multiple investment accounts held directly consolidating them in a brokerage account might make sense. If you have physical stock certificates, depositing them into a brokerage account or having them held in book form by the transfer agent can save a lot of the time and cost associated with replacing them.
6) Include a copy of the previous two or three year’s tax returns. The information on these forms and their support paperwork (W2’s, 1099’s, 1099R’s etc) can be invaluable. They will list sources of income, dividends, and transactions, probably one of the best sources of information.
7) Copies o f life insurance and annuity statements, these are tax deferred and will not show up on tax forms it is important to have information regarding issuers and policy numbers.
8) Review your beneficiaries on accounts, make any changes necessary with the appropriate custodian, trustee or issuer of the account, make a copy of the form and keep it in the book. If you are satisfied with the current listings, make a copy and save that in your book.
Depending on your situation you mad have additional items to include in your “Detail Book”, I tried to list the most common issues. Once you have completed the book put it away for safekeeping and make sure you let the administrator of your estate know where it is. When the time comes, it will help to make a difficult time easier.
The experience of trying to help locate missing documents has led me to suggest as part of an estate plan’s preparation to create a “Detail Book.”
1) Start with a list of contacts, be sure to include; financial advisor, attorney, accountant, tax preparer, physician, and funeral home (if chosen).
2) Next a list of requests you might want carried out at your death; i.e. cremation, family only, favorite song, prayer or poem, type of service.
3) If you have prepaid for your funeral a copy of the agreement should be included. Usually arrangements are made years in advance and a readily available copy can help family members as they prepare the arrangements.
4) Location of original will, or trust.
5) Copies of end-of-year bank, brokerage, investment, and retirement accounts, if you have multiple investment accounts held directly consolidating them in a brokerage account might make sense. If you have physical stock certificates, depositing them into a brokerage account or having them held in book form by the transfer agent can save a lot of the time and cost associated with replacing them.
6) Include a copy of the previous two or three year’s tax returns. The information on these forms and their support paperwork (W2’s, 1099’s, 1099R’s etc) can be invaluable. They will list sources of income, dividends, and transactions, probably one of the best sources of information.
7) Copies o f life insurance and annuity statements, these are tax deferred and will not show up on tax forms it is important to have information regarding issuers and policy numbers.
8) Review your beneficiaries on accounts, make any changes necessary with the appropriate custodian, trustee or issuer of the account, make a copy of the form and keep it in the book. If you are satisfied with the current listings, make a copy and save that in your book.
Depending on your situation you mad have additional items to include in your “Detail Book”, I tried to list the most common issues. Once you have completed the book put it away for safekeeping and make sure you let the administrator of your estate know where it is. When the time comes, it will help to make a difficult time easier.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Mom
I made my weekly call to my mom on Thursday September 2nd for our weekly chat. It was a little later than normal and I got her voice mail, not surprising, mom wasn’t one to be hanging around waiting for a call. I assumed she was in the Great Room of the assisted living home where she was living, or out shopping (her favorite pastime) with one of her friends, or just out running around with her brother Jack.
On Friday I got a call from Jack, mom was in the hospital, she had been complaining about not feeling well and the doctor had admitted her. She had a recurring problem and was going through a routine treatment and Jack thought she would go home Saturday.
That Saturday was a busy day went for a run then, Karen and I took care of our regular Saturday errands. Around 8PM I noticed a message from Jack, without listening to the call, I called him back. He told me my mom had passed away. She had gone home earlier in the day and had been visiting with one of her neighbors, after a time she returned to her room and a few minutes later she was found slumped over in her chair.
It caught me off guard, each week we spoke and she sounded great, her voice was the same I had been hearing all of my life. When Karen and I went to visit in June she kept up with us step for step.
My mom will never be mistaken for June Cleaver or Harriet Nelson, like all of us she had her own issues to deal with and demons to battle but, she was the one who cooked my favorite meals, took me to the doctor when I got sick, laughed at my jokes and smiled when I walked into the room.
Last Thursday when I couldn’t reach her I left a message on her phone. “Hey it’s me, where are you, out goofing off? I will give you a call tomorrow, love you.” I feel short changed that I didn’t have the chance to talk to her, having her go without a return to my call, keeps a loose end.
Maybe she knows what I am writing, “I miss you and love you”.
On Friday I got a call from Jack, mom was in the hospital, she had been complaining about not feeling well and the doctor had admitted her. She had a recurring problem and was going through a routine treatment and Jack thought she would go home Saturday.
That Saturday was a busy day went for a run then, Karen and I took care of our regular Saturday errands. Around 8PM I noticed a message from Jack, without listening to the call, I called him back. He told me my mom had passed away. She had gone home earlier in the day and had been visiting with one of her neighbors, after a time she returned to her room and a few minutes later she was found slumped over in her chair.
It caught me off guard, each week we spoke and she sounded great, her voice was the same I had been hearing all of my life. When Karen and I went to visit in June she kept up with us step for step.
My mom will never be mistaken for June Cleaver or Harriet Nelson, like all of us she had her own issues to deal with and demons to battle but, she was the one who cooked my favorite meals, took me to the doctor when I got sick, laughed at my jokes and smiled when I walked into the room.
Last Thursday when I couldn’t reach her I left a message on her phone. “Hey it’s me, where are you, out goofing off? I will give you a call tomorrow, love you.” I feel short changed that I didn’t have the chance to talk to her, having her go without a return to my call, keeps a loose end.
Maybe she knows what I am writing, “I miss you and love you”.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Interview With Artie Lynnworth
Here I am interviewing Artie Lynnworth about his new book "Slice the Salami" on the "Mike Bonacorsi Show."
Friday, August 27, 2010
Back To The Grind
I think coming back from vacation is one of the toughest things to do. Think about it, one minute you’re kicking back, chillin’, not a care in the world then all of a sudden Monday morning comes and BAM you are back in it. It is so much easier to slow down and go away than come back to the chaos.
Sure, after a week or so you get your rhythm back and settle down in to your routine but until that happens, you feel like you are trying to get solid footing in the middle of a tornado.
Several years ago I read an article (not sure where) discussing the benefits of not taking time off, the article suggested maintaining the same daily routine. The claim was we could function better without the disruption and stress of starting and stopping our daily habits and schedules; up every day at the same time, work the same hours each day, and go to bed at the same time each night.
It makes sense many of our ancestors followed this routine and managed to make it work. It also sounds boring, same thing same time every day. I don’t know about you but I like to mix it up, I like to get away, I like to sleep late some days, I like to change my routine it keeps it fresh and exciting.
Still, coming back to work after some time off is a bear.
Sure, after a week or so you get your rhythm back and settle down in to your routine but until that happens, you feel like you are trying to get solid footing in the middle of a tornado.
Several years ago I read an article (not sure where) discussing the benefits of not taking time off, the article suggested maintaining the same daily routine. The claim was we could function better without the disruption and stress of starting and stopping our daily habits and schedules; up every day at the same time, work the same hours each day, and go to bed at the same time each night.
It makes sense many of our ancestors followed this routine and managed to make it work. It also sounds boring, same thing same time every day. I don’t know about you but I like to mix it up, I like to get away, I like to sleep late some days, I like to change my routine it keeps it fresh and exciting.
Still, coming back to work after some time off is a bear.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
I Can’t Be That Old-I Don’t Feel It
Thursday night, I was flipping through the channels, and landed on PBS to watch the Leonard Cohen Live in London Concert, Karen came into room, listened for a few minutes and asked about the performance unfamiliar with the music.
“This is good, who is it?” “Leonard Cohen, he has been around for a while I first heard him around forty years ago, Burke used to play his album.”
STOP, HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!
What did I just say? Did I just admit I have memories that go back forty years and longer? Impossible, it seems only a few years ago I was a kid, old people talk refer to memories by how many years ago they happened, not me.
I suppose as I think there has been a lot of water under the bridge but, forty years, has it really been that long since I was sixteen.
I don’t feel half way through my fifties but, then again I don’t know how I should feel, I remember how my parents and their friends described their aging process as one of continuously slowing down, fifty was old, sixty older, and past that ancient.
I know I am in better shape than I was in my twenties, thirties and forties I may have been stronger when I was younger but my overall condition is better, due to major lifestyle changes. I am smarter, I made mistakes and learned from them, I have more experiences and most important, I finally realized I don’t know everything and have a lot more to learn. Sure, I am a little gray around the edges, maybe a little thinner on top, but I have friends that had the same issues in their twenties and thirties.
Maybe it is my attitude, sure there are time to be serious and behave like an adult but if it isn’t necessary I like to laugh hard, sing loud, and as Karen says “behave like a twelve year old.”
As long as I don’t feel old enough to have memories that go back forty or fifty years ago who cares if they happened. The way I feel I feel I will be telling someone about the blog I wrote, fifty years ago.
“This is good, who is it?” “Leonard Cohen, he has been around for a while I first heard him around forty years ago, Burke used to play his album.”
STOP, HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!
What did I just say? Did I just admit I have memories that go back forty years and longer? Impossible, it seems only a few years ago I was a kid, old people talk refer to memories by how many years ago they happened, not me.
I suppose as I think there has been a lot of water under the bridge but, forty years, has it really been that long since I was sixteen.
I don’t feel half way through my fifties but, then again I don’t know how I should feel, I remember how my parents and their friends described their aging process as one of continuously slowing down, fifty was old, sixty older, and past that ancient.
I know I am in better shape than I was in my twenties, thirties and forties I may have been stronger when I was younger but my overall condition is better, due to major lifestyle changes. I am smarter, I made mistakes and learned from them, I have more experiences and most important, I finally realized I don’t know everything and have a lot more to learn. Sure, I am a little gray around the edges, maybe a little thinner on top, but I have friends that had the same issues in their twenties and thirties.
Maybe it is my attitude, sure there are time to be serious and behave like an adult but if it isn’t necessary I like to laugh hard, sing loud, and as Karen says “behave like a twelve year old.”
As long as I don’t feel old enough to have memories that go back forty or fifty years ago who cares if they happened. The way I feel I feel I will be telling someone about the blog I wrote, fifty years ago.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
My Radio Show-Why I Do It
After a recent radio show, someone commented on how I focused on not just financial issues but had guests dealing in various areas of life planning on my show.
“Wouldn’t it make more sense to talk about investments and products like the guys on TV?”
I took a deep breath and explained, there are many people offering investment advice (myself included) but what I am trying to do is go beyond products and returns. I want my listeners to realize planning for their retirement goes beyond the value of their 401k. It involves setting goals, celebrating milestones, and envisioning the lifestyle they want.
It means understanding their current position, identifying strengths and weakness and creating strategies for their unique situation not a “boiler plate cure-all”. I also want them to realize the importance of preparing now for when they are gone.
I want them to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the possibility of living twenty, thirty years past traditional retirement, maybe even longer.
I want them to rethink and recreate the old ideas of retirement no longer thinking of it as the “beginning of the end” but to enter this new stage of life prepared and ready to live it like they own it‼
“Wouldn’t it make more sense to talk about investments and products like the guys on TV?”
I took a deep breath and explained, there are many people offering investment advice (myself included) but what I am trying to do is go beyond products and returns. I want my listeners to realize planning for their retirement goes beyond the value of their 401k. It involves setting goals, celebrating milestones, and envisioning the lifestyle they want.
It means understanding their current position, identifying strengths and weakness and creating strategies for their unique situation not a “boiler plate cure-all”. I also want them to realize the importance of preparing now for when they are gone.
I want them to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the possibility of living twenty, thirty years past traditional retirement, maybe even longer.
I want them to rethink and recreate the old ideas of retirement no longer thinking of it as the “beginning of the end” but to enter this new stage of life prepared and ready to live it like they own it‼
Friday, July 9, 2010
July 4, 1965
Celebrating the Fourth of July last week got me thinking about the fun we had as kids on the holiday. We lived in Lawrence but had a camp in Georgetown (about 12 miles) where we spent time during the summer. The neighborhood was summer camps and year-round homes built around Rock Pond where we spent most of our time boating, swimming and fishing.
Most of the residents were belonged to the Association, the money paid to the Association maintained a private beach and provided activities during the summer at the Hall. The Hall was a small function room with a bar in the back, on weekend afternoons the men would play bocce for beers (losers pay) and the evenings there would be a dance or bingo for the kids.
The Fourth was the day we waited for early in the morning we would start getting ready for the first event of the day was the races. We would line up by age when the starter gave us the go, we would charge to the finish line the winner would receive a ribbon everyone else – nothing.
Next, the watermelon-eating contest, tables of ice cold melon triangles laid out; pick your wedge, hands behind your back, go! No manners needed here, three or four bites and it was over, you looked around the table and your friends and competition had cheeks full of fruit and juice running out of their mouths.
Then hot dogs, hamburgers, Orange Crush and Coca-Cola, a quick swim, and off to the center of town for the parade. Back for more swimming and hanging with your friends, after supper, it would be time to go to the carnival at the schoolyard and a giant bonfire would finish the day.
Most of the residents were belonged to the Association, the money paid to the Association maintained a private beach and provided activities during the summer at the Hall. The Hall was a small function room with a bar in the back, on weekend afternoons the men would play bocce for beers (losers pay) and the evenings there would be a dance or bingo for the kids.
The Fourth was the day we waited for early in the morning we would start getting ready for the first event of the day was the races. We would line up by age when the starter gave us the go, we would charge to the finish line the winner would receive a ribbon everyone else – nothing.
Next, the watermelon-eating contest, tables of ice cold melon triangles laid out; pick your wedge, hands behind your back, go! No manners needed here, three or four bites and it was over, you looked around the table and your friends and competition had cheeks full of fruit and juice running out of their mouths.
Then hot dogs, hamburgers, Orange Crush and Coca-Cola, a quick swim, and off to the center of town for the parade. Back for more swimming and hanging with your friends, after supper, it would be time to go to the carnival at the schoolyard and a giant bonfire would finish the day.
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Mike Bonacorsi Two Minute Retirement Readiness Update- Social Security
Mike Bonacorsi is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, author of the book Retirement Readiness; Creating Your Vision, Knowing Your Position, and Preparing for Your Future, and host of the Mike Bonacorsi Show on WSMN Radio. The Focus of his practice is helping clients create plans and strategies for retirement built around the key areas of Lifestyle, Wealth and Health. Mike believes that retirement planning is more than just the value of your 401k.
When are you going to start collecting your Social Security Benefit? This is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are options available and each has it’s pros and cons.
When are you going to start collecting your Social Security Benefit? This is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are options available and each has it’s pros and cons.
Take A Break, It’s Good For You
We just returned from a week’s vacation in Georgia visiting my mother. I gained a few pounds, played some golf, and spent time with relatives, some I haven’t seen in over forty years. My mother lives in is a small Mayberryesque town in central Georgia, similar to the size and feeling we see throughout New England.
It is nice to get away. A break in your day- to- day routine gets you out of the mechanical doldrums you settle into and wakes you up, physically and mentally. While on vacation I managed to stay away from business (except for the occasional phone call or email), I feasted on the local food (I can still taste the fried chicken, and greens), and we enjoyed travelling through the area with my mother and her brother Jack as our tour guides.
This was the perfect time to get away and relax and recharge, the first half of the year was ending and I am getting ready to charge full stride into to the second half with renewed enthusiasm. Breaking your daily grind whether you take time off, start a new project, even something as simple as rearranging your work area (move your desk to give you a different view) can make a difference.
It is nice to get away. A break in your day- to- day routine gets you out of the mechanical doldrums you settle into and wakes you up, physically and mentally. While on vacation I managed to stay away from business (except for the occasional phone call or email), I feasted on the local food (I can still taste the fried chicken, and greens), and we enjoyed travelling through the area with my mother and her brother Jack as our tour guides.
This was the perfect time to get away and relax and recharge, the first half of the year was ending and I am getting ready to charge full stride into to the second half with renewed enthusiasm. Breaking your daily grind whether you take time off, start a new project, even something as simple as rearranging your work area (move your desk to give you a different view) can make a difference.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Mike Bonacorsi’s Two Minute Retirement Readiness Update- Life Expectancy
Mike Bonacorsi is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, author of the book Retirement Readiness; Creating Your Vision, Knowing Your Position, and Preparing for Your Future, and host of the Mike Bonacorsi Show on WSMN Radio. The Focus of his practice is helping clients create plans and strategies for retirement built around the key areas of Lifestyle, Wealth and Health. Mike believes that retirement planning is more than just the value of your 401k.
Life Expectancy has changed the way we need to plan for retirement. This two minute tip is about retirement and longevity.
Life Expectancy has changed the way we need to plan for retirement. This two minute tip is about retirement and longevity.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Two Minute Retirement Readiness Update- Cash Flow
Mike Bonacorsi is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, author of the book Retirement Readiness; Creating Your Vision, Knowing Your Position, and Preparing for Your Future, and host of the Mike Bonacorsi Show on WSMN Radio. The Focus of his practice is helping clients create plans and strategies for retirement built around the key areas of Lifestyle, Wealth and Health. Mike believes that retirement planning is more than just the value of your 401k.
This is a two minute tip from MIke is about planning for your cash flow while preparing for retirement.
This is a two minute tip from MIke is about planning for your cash flow while preparing for retirement.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A Different Time
I remember when I first started hearing about retirement, it was around 45 years ago. I was in the third or fourth grade and my grandfather was talking about his upcoming retirement from the mills in Lawrence.His retirement was an event that should have made me happy; he lived next door to us, he would be around more, I could spend more time with him hanging out and watching cowboy movies but I wasn't happy - I was sad.
I was sad because everyone that I knew that had retired at that time died within a few years; for me my grandfathers retirements signaled his death.Retirement planning for many of his generation covered a five to ten year time period, a fraction of the twenty,or thirty plus years the baby boomer generation may expect to live past traditional retirement age (65).
He received a pension and social security, my grandmother continued to work,and they continued to live a simple life following the same day-to-day routines. My grandfather would head out in the morning do the daily shopping and errands, come home for lunch then meet with his friends; play some cards, a glass or two of wine, then back home to get dinner ready.
This lifestyle lasted three or four years into his retirement, until his health began to fail him, he was seventy when he died, life expectancy was around seventy two at the time.
Today an average life expectancy for an individual at sixty five is in the eighties, many will make it to the ninties and beyond. Longevity carries good and bad news: I will longer longer but am I prepared for it. Money, health and lifestyle all have to be considered, it's not as simple but there is so much more time to do so much more.
I was sad because everyone that I knew that had retired at that time died within a few years; for me my grandfathers retirements signaled his death.Retirement planning for many of his generation covered a five to ten year time period, a fraction of the twenty,or thirty plus years the baby boomer generation may expect to live past traditional retirement age (65).
He received a pension and social security, my grandmother continued to work,and they continued to live a simple life following the same day-to-day routines. My grandfather would head out in the morning do the daily shopping and errands, come home for lunch then meet with his friends; play some cards, a glass or two of wine, then back home to get dinner ready.
This lifestyle lasted three or four years into his retirement, until his health began to fail him, he was seventy when he died, life expectancy was around seventy two at the time.
Today an average life expectancy for an individual at sixty five is in the eighties, many will make it to the ninties and beyond. Longevity carries good and bad news: I will longer longer but am I prepared for it. Money, health and lifestyle all have to be considered, it's not as simple but there is so much more time to do so much more.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Mike Bonacorsi's Two Minute Retirement Readiness Update
Mike Bonacorsi is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, author of the book Retirement Readiness; Creating Your Vision, Knowing Your Position, and Preparing for Your Future, and host of the Mike Bonacorsi Show on WSMN Radio. The Focus of his practice is helping clients create plans and strategies for retirement built around the key areas of Lifestyle, Wealth and Health. Mike believes that retirement planning is more than just the value of your 401k.
This is a two minute tip from Mike on some simple steps to take while preparing for retirement.
This is a two minute tip from Mike on some simple steps to take while preparing for retirement.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Golf -I Just Don’t Get It!
I have been going to golf courses, attempting to hit a little round ball approximately 1.5 inches in diameter with a bag of L shaped sticks into a hole in the ground for over ten years with no success. Now to some of you this may sound like an activity you are familiar with; golf. I assure you in no way shape or form can my activities on the golf course be considered golf.
All winter I think to myself this year I am going to turn it around, my tee shots will be straight, and my putts will drop in the hole but it doesn’t happen. I take lessons. I hit buckets of balls at the driving range and still no improvement, my ongoing concern is whether or not the dozen balls I bought on the way to the course is enough.
I was invited to play with an acquaintance recently and warned him my game was pretty ugly. He said “it can’t be that bad, if we were any good we wouldn’t be working” after the round he said “I owe you an apology, you were right.”
So today is Tuesday and once again I will play in my weekly golf league, I have been to range a couple times since last week’s round and hoping for some improvement. I am not sure it will come, I keep saying this is the last time I will play, but I keep going back. I just don’t get it.
All winter I think to myself this year I am going to turn it around, my tee shots will be straight, and my putts will drop in the hole but it doesn’t happen. I take lessons. I hit buckets of balls at the driving range and still no improvement, my ongoing concern is whether or not the dozen balls I bought on the way to the course is enough.
I was invited to play with an acquaintance recently and warned him my game was pretty ugly. He said “it can’t be that bad, if we were any good we wouldn’t be working” after the round he said “I owe you an apology, you were right.”
So today is Tuesday and once again I will play in my weekly golf league, I have been to range a couple times since last week’s round and hoping for some improvement. I am not sure it will come, I keep saying this is the last time I will play, but I keep going back. I just don’t get it.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Mike Bonacorsi Show- May 18, 2010 with guest Nancy Padberg
Mike Bonacorsi is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, author of the book Retirement Readiness; Creating Your Vision, Knowing Your Position, and Preparing for Your Future, and host of the Mike Bonacorsi Show on WSMN Radio.
The Focus of his practice is helping clients create plans and strategies for retirement built around the key areas of Lifestyle, Wealth and Health. Mike believes that retirement planning is more than just the value of your 401k.
Today Nancy Padberg from BestBoomerTowns.com is on the Show. Ms. Padberg is a former Fortune 500 Times Mirror executive, Integrated Marketing Communications Vice President and MBA graduate from the Graziadio School of Business & Management at Pepperdine University. Ms. Padberg has over 17 years of publishing and marketing expertise, served on several boards, is a guest speaker, published author, former Big 12 golfer and resides in Santa Monica.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Nudge
Nudge-to push against gently, especially to gain attention or give a signal.
At some point we all need a nudge to motivate us to get things moving, whether it is starting a new project or reenergizing your efforts in an existing activity. This nudge can be as subtle as a whisper in your ear or as blatant as a kick in the pants but when it comes you need to be ready to take advantage of the momentum it creates and turn it into action.
This weekend, accepting a friend’s invitation, I attended National Speakers Association meeting as a guest; “you’ll love it, the people are great and the speakers are top-notch” she said.
I am always cautious about joining a group, I’m not one to mingle, however she was right, the people were friendly and I felt comfortable from the moment I walked in.
My nudge came when the speaker began, Chad Barr (CB Software, Chad Barr Group) a web designer and internet strategist, began to speak about web presence, websites, blogs, articles, videos you name and this was my “kick-in-the pants” moment.
I have been thinking about making changes to my website for the past month or two, I had been thinking about updating my blog regularly for the past three months, I had been thinking about doing some e-books. I had been thinking about doing all these things but not doing them something else always got in the way.
This was more than a timely event or a coincidence, maybe a sign from above, who knows but it is Monday morning and I am posting my first blog in three months and have built scheduled postings into my calendar. I will be discussing my website with my web person later this week and plan on having the e-book complete by June 30.
Reasons to put off, ignore or delay are plentiful and easy to accept, fighting the urge to follow them is difficult. Nudges are difficult to find but powerful and loaded with potential energy when acted on. They may come from a book, a speech, maybe a dream, but you need to recognize it and use the momentum it provides.
At some point we all need a nudge to motivate us to get things moving, whether it is starting a new project or reenergizing your efforts in an existing activity. This nudge can be as subtle as a whisper in your ear or as blatant as a kick in the pants but when it comes you need to be ready to take advantage of the momentum it creates and turn it into action.
This weekend, accepting a friend’s invitation, I attended National Speakers Association meeting as a guest; “you’ll love it, the people are great and the speakers are top-notch” she said.
I am always cautious about joining a group, I’m not one to mingle, however she was right, the people were friendly and I felt comfortable from the moment I walked in.
My nudge came when the speaker began, Chad Barr (CB Software, Chad Barr Group) a web designer and internet strategist, began to speak about web presence, websites, blogs, articles, videos you name and this was my “kick-in-the pants” moment.
I have been thinking about making changes to my website for the past month or two, I had been thinking about updating my blog regularly for the past three months, I had been thinking about doing some e-books. I had been thinking about doing all these things but not doing them something else always got in the way.
This was more than a timely event or a coincidence, maybe a sign from above, who knows but it is Monday morning and I am posting my first blog in three months and have built scheduled postings into my calendar. I will be discussing my website with my web person later this week and plan on having the e-book complete by June 30.
Reasons to put off, ignore or delay are plentiful and easy to accept, fighting the urge to follow them is difficult. Nudges are difficult to find but powerful and loaded with potential energy when acted on. They may come from a book, a speech, maybe a dream, but you need to recognize it and use the momentum it provides.
Monday, February 8, 2010
I Went, I Plunged, I Had a Blast
Yesterday was 30 degrees with a 15-20 mph wind, the water temperature at Hampton Beach was a few degrees warmer; a good day for a swim? You wouldn’t think so but that is exactly what I and several hundred others did participating in the Special Olympics of New Hampshire’s annual Penguin Plunge.
Being a rookie I didn’t know what to expect, Karen and I arrived at the Hampton Beach Casino & and Ballroom around 10:30 to see a party in full force. The place was packed with fellow plungers, some in costume, and supporters, and an 80’s cover band was on stage rockin’. I found my teammates the “No Flockin’ Ideas” from the Plus Company in Nashua and the first words out of everyone’s mouth was “are you ready for this”?
At 11:30, the costume parade began and the changing tents opened, these were giant heated tents to hang out in until it was time to plunge. There were four waves of plungers; we were in the first group. Once changed we headed out toward the beach, you don’t realize how cold it is at first because you are still warm from the tents but, it didn’t take long for the chilly reality to set in.
The wait at the starting line seemed to last forever, I’m not sure if it was the cold or the nervous adrenaline that forcing me to jump up and down. All of a sudden, the crowd started to move forward and I Knew there was no turning back. I remember laughing as I dashed to the water; I plowed in to thigh deep then dropped under. As I came up the cold caused me to take one deep inhale, I think it was the only breath I took until I reached the warmth of the tent.
After changing, we headed back for lunch, laughs and our stories of the experience. Karen and I are new to Special Olympics, my first involvement last summer with softball and now basketball and Karen working with the snowshoe team sponsored by the Plus Company. The plunge event like all events involving Special Olympics had me smiling from the time I arrived to the time I left. When I was I asked how I felt my answer wasn’t “cold” it was “I had a blast, and I will do it again next year”.
Being a rookie I didn’t know what to expect, Karen and I arrived at the Hampton Beach Casino & and Ballroom around 10:30 to see a party in full force. The place was packed with fellow plungers, some in costume, and supporters, and an 80’s cover band was on stage rockin’. I found my teammates the “No Flockin’ Ideas” from the Plus Company in Nashua and the first words out of everyone’s mouth was “are you ready for this”?
At 11:30, the costume parade began and the changing tents opened, these were giant heated tents to hang out in until it was time to plunge. There were four waves of plungers; we were in the first group. Once changed we headed out toward the beach, you don’t realize how cold it is at first because you are still warm from the tents but, it didn’t take long for the chilly reality to set in.
The wait at the starting line seemed to last forever, I’m not sure if it was the cold or the nervous adrenaline that forcing me to jump up and down. All of a sudden, the crowd started to move forward and I Knew there was no turning back. I remember laughing as I dashed to the water; I plowed in to thigh deep then dropped under. As I came up the cold caused me to take one deep inhale, I think it was the only breath I took until I reached the warmth of the tent.
After changing, we headed back for lunch, laughs and our stories of the experience. Karen and I are new to Special Olympics, my first involvement last summer with softball and now basketball and Karen working with the snowshoe team sponsored by the Plus Company. The plunge event like all events involving Special Olympics had me smiling from the time I arrived to the time I left. When I was I asked how I felt my answer wasn’t “cold” it was “I had a blast, and I will do it again next year”.
Monday, January 25, 2010
10 Retirement Planning Ideas for 2010
After a rocky year, we have finally turned the corner to 2010, like many of you I am ready to put 2009 in the history books and move forward. I am always excited to move onto the next year, I consider it the time to recharge, review and restart after the craziness of the holidays.
Over the past year, I have written a number of articles relating to issues to help you plan and prepare for your future. I thought this would be a good time to list ten actions for you to take as you review your current plan and prepare for the upcoming year.
1) Review your expenses, not just your monthly bills but include your out of pocket spending. Get a notebook and track where your money goes, after a month of tracking review your spending habits. Look for “habit expenses” you can reduce or eliminate.
2) Increasing your savings should follow cutting back on expenses. Increase your 401k contribution add to your IRA, or your savings account on a regular schedule. It does not have to be a lot but once you start do not stop, over time it will add up.
3) Lower your debt where possible work on paying off loans, and credit cards. Add to your scheduled payment when possible, every dollar of debt payment you reduce puts a dollar in your pocket.
4) Review your Social Security and pension benefits. Social Security provides statements to you each year showing possible benefits available. Start thinking about when you will take your benefits. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of each option and consider the affect your decision will have while you are alive and the needs of your surviving spouse.
5) Review your estate plan and make sure your plans align with your wishes; review your will, trust and beneficiary designations to make sure they are current.
6) Review your insurance policies and make sure you have sufficient coverage; auto, home, life and liability.
7) Spend more time with family and friends reconnect with someone with whom you have lost touch.
8) Review your health with your doctor just as you would your financial plan with your advisor. Discuss areas to work on to improve your health, set reasonable goals, and commit to them.
9) Exercise your mind. Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle to perform at peak capacity, make this a year to learn something new and give your brain a workout. Take a class, learn a language, write a book, or join a book club.
10) Take some time for yourself. It is ok to be selfish and enjoy some “me” time. A massage, a spa day, a round of golf, whatever the activity take time out of your busy life to do the things you enjoy.
Make your goals reasonable do not decide to reduce your monthly expenses by eating two rather than three meals a day. A more practical goal would be to fill your travel mug with coffee before leaving for work and eliminating a stop at the high-end coffee shop, you can probably save ten dollars a week or more.
Make sure you get a notebook and commit to your goals and the strategy to reach them in writing, the commitment to accomplish is much stronger if it is in writing and monitor your progress. Set dates to accomplish each goal for example meet with attorney to update trust during the month of February, add fifty dollars a month to my IRA, the more specific the goal and strategy the stronger the commitment.
Each January 1 people make resolutions and by January 15 they have been forgotten. Make this year the year you carry your resolutions from January 1 to December 31, look at your accomplishments and you will stronger more confident and more “in control”.
Over the past year, I have written a number of articles relating to issues to help you plan and prepare for your future. I thought this would be a good time to list ten actions for you to take as you review your current plan and prepare for the upcoming year.
1) Review your expenses, not just your monthly bills but include your out of pocket spending. Get a notebook and track where your money goes, after a month of tracking review your spending habits. Look for “habit expenses” you can reduce or eliminate.
2) Increasing your savings should follow cutting back on expenses. Increase your 401k contribution add to your IRA, or your savings account on a regular schedule. It does not have to be a lot but once you start do not stop, over time it will add up.
3) Lower your debt where possible work on paying off loans, and credit cards. Add to your scheduled payment when possible, every dollar of debt payment you reduce puts a dollar in your pocket.
4) Review your Social Security and pension benefits. Social Security provides statements to you each year showing possible benefits available. Start thinking about when you will take your benefits. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of each option and consider the affect your decision will have while you are alive and the needs of your surviving spouse.
5) Review your estate plan and make sure your plans align with your wishes; review your will, trust and beneficiary designations to make sure they are current.
6) Review your insurance policies and make sure you have sufficient coverage; auto, home, life and liability.
7) Spend more time with family and friends reconnect with someone with whom you have lost touch.
8) Review your health with your doctor just as you would your financial plan with your advisor. Discuss areas to work on to improve your health, set reasonable goals, and commit to them.
9) Exercise your mind. Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle to perform at peak capacity, make this a year to learn something new and give your brain a workout. Take a class, learn a language, write a book, or join a book club.
10) Take some time for yourself. It is ok to be selfish and enjoy some “me” time. A massage, a spa day, a round of golf, whatever the activity take time out of your busy life to do the things you enjoy.
Make your goals reasonable do not decide to reduce your monthly expenses by eating two rather than three meals a day. A more practical goal would be to fill your travel mug with coffee before leaving for work and eliminating a stop at the high-end coffee shop, you can probably save ten dollars a week or more.
Make sure you get a notebook and commit to your goals and the strategy to reach them in writing, the commitment to accomplish is much stronger if it is in writing and monitor your progress. Set dates to accomplish each goal for example meet with attorney to update trust during the month of February, add fifty dollars a month to my IRA, the more specific the goal and strategy the stronger the commitment.
Each January 1 people make resolutions and by January 15 they have been forgotten. Make this year the year you carry your resolutions from January 1 to December 31, look at your accomplishments and you will stronger more confident and more “in control”.
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