Seniors Site

Holidays can be expensive! Thank heavens for holiday bonuses and 13th month pays but after the holidays, when everything will be back to normal, one can’t help but think of the holiday cost and the unnecessary cash-outs we did for the holidays and feel its aftermath. Not that spending on holidays is bad but truth be told, there are many instances during holidays that we could have cut cost and still be merry!
And since I consider this week as the start of the holiday season officially, it is only proper for me to give gentle advices to those of you who would want to somehow lessen the holiday cost without appearing like a cheapskate:
· Put aside a holiday budget. Consider your current financial standing and the money you have onhand. If you have been a good senior putting aside little bits of money for the holiday since last January then by now you must have plenty to spare but I’m sure that is not always the case. Some are depending only with the money they have right now and just charge everything against their credit cards to be paid at a later time. Both ways are good although I prefer the former than the latter, however, if you are planning to use your credit card for the holidays, make sure that you limit yourself to your holiday budget and not a cent more. Plus, your holiday budget should only be a month’s worth of your income just so it would be easier to pay them after holidays.
· A holiday budget for all. The holiday budget you’ve set aside should encompass everything that you’ll ever need for the holidays such as gifts, events, trip expenditures (if you are planning to go on a holiday trip) etc.
· Make a list. Everything that you’ll ever need for the holidays should be listed down so you’ll be able to see how much you should allocate each. The same should be done to your gift list.
· Trim down your gift list and limit it only to those who really matter most. Start with your immediate family then work your way out. Work on your friends’ list according to priority. It’s okay to not give every Jane and Joe that comes your way, or if you really have to then no need to give them something expensive, a greeting card would do.
· Plan your shopping. Be a smart shopper and take advantage of the many sales, deals and offers stores are giving away, even online shops are marking down their prices for the holiday! Scour thrift shops as well, if you still have time, since they are excellent sources for antique pieces and vintage jewelry sold at a very low price.
· Skip the gift wrapping. Don’t worry, with all those “eco” thing going on, no one’s going to raise an eyebrow if you hand out unwrapped gifts. Just a little ribbon on top of it and you’re done.

You must be asking why I’m posting this so early, well, I like to start my holiday shopping as soon as it hits September so I’ll be able to do more and have some more room for other things besides shopping. For my fellow seniors, I also recommend doing this, just so you won’t miss anyone on your gift list this year! (You know how embarrassing that can get)
Here are my simple tips on holiday shopping for seniors:
· Make your gift list. For safety measures, I like to start my list with name, relationship – to refresh your memory or if you suddenly have to pass this list to someone else to buy gifts for you, age and preferences. Don’t worry if you miss anyone at this point, you can build your list as you go along.
· Set aside spending money for your gifts. This way you will not overspend. Moreover, ignore your credit card company emails luring you to join their “spend-now-pay-later” programs since most of these offerings are with interests and will only add up to your bills come due date.
· Check out online stores. Online stores usually offer cheaper stuff and deals than most physical stores. However, you have to practice safe online shopping since it’s quite easy to be scammed when shopping online. My best advice is to stick with reputable online stores, preferably those with positive feedbacks and physical stores where you can take your grievances with ease.
· Browse through catalogues. Holiday catalogues are seniors’ best friends! They allow you to see new stuff without having to go out and walk miles to find the perfect gift for your loved-ones! Also, it will give you an idea even before you hit the shopping malls.
· Make sure you can return your purchases if need be. This is exactly why it is important for seniors to buy ONLY from reputable stores since most fly-by-night shops are quite evasive about their return policies. You just don’t know when you’ll need these policies so better examine them beforehand.
· Check with your kids first when planning to buy gifts for your grandkids. Sometimes gift-giving creates friction between you and your daughter/son most especially if they don’t approve of your choices for gifts. Bear in mind that while you are the oldest amongst the bunch, they are still the parents and they would know what’s best for their kids. Anyway you can buy your grandkids something special some other time!

Contrary to popular notion, being a senior or indeed a baby boomer can be financially hard especially if you have retired earlier than your nest egg could afford you. Unfortunately, in a cut throat world of corporations, nobody is indispensable – the minute you’re laid off, there are about 30 people waiting in line to replace you! This effectively places seniors and baby boomers in a very difficult situation.
I personally recommend seniors and baby boomers to have a second career, or a part time, just in case an unexpected financial crisis hits you. One can never be certain so there really is no harm in trying to fatten up the couch that will catch you if all else fails. If you care to look at my older posts, you’ll find plenty of career opportunities suitable for seniors ages 60 and above. Here is yet another one: coaching.
Surely you have years of experience under your belt. Better if you have had expertise in areas and fields which are still quite a mystery to others, young and old. For example, if you worked on “health papers” before and you know exactly how it works, you can offer your services to other seniors and their families on how to go about it such as where to go to secure papers, what documents should they have to acquire from doctors and hospitals, etc. These things may seem trivial to you but believe me, a lot of people need help on this area!
Truly, retirement careers are on the rise, since more seniors are becoming interested in starting their lifelong dreams and “dream careers” after quitting their 9-5 jobs. Seniors nowadays think that retirement is a new phase in their lives, a great way to start something worthwhile for themselves. Having experienced the world for so many years, you now have the authority to speak what you have learned and the air of expertise. These things can certainly help you in launching your career as a life coach.
If you are thinking of starting your own life coaching and counseling business, you must, first and foremost, know your target market. This means you should have a definite idea of whom to sell your concept and where to find them. Do your research by interviewing and observing people from your community. Also, it will help you tremendously if you start researching online, since almost all of your needed information can be found there. Take note too that you would have to do your own marketing, if you are to coach. If you think you can’t handle your own PR, then you might want to think about hiring a good PR consultant (see, a coach needs a coach too. Lol)
Be ready to do a lot of interaction as well since your customers should be really comfortable with you, personally and professionally. Join groups and associations to build networks and don’t forget to widen your services as go along.

Let’s face it, saving is tough especially for seniors with medical needs. At some point, you’ll have to sacrifice something you love buying just to make ends meet – okay, that maybe an exaggeration but sometimes, it feels exactly like that. While I am not a big spender and rarely do I find myself splurging, I love pampering myself every now and then. However, when thinking of my next round of meds to buy, I feel somewhat guilty in treating myself and was reduced to every other month instead of monthly trips to my favorite spa. It may not be the biggest sacrifice humans have read but hey, it is sacrifice still. Below are some more ways to save:

1. Learn how to differentiate wants and needs. Before you buy anything, take a little time to think if this something you really need or if this is just something you would want to have.
2. Pay in cash. Or pay only with your credit card if you already have the cash to pay for it come due date. No ifs, no buts. This way you stay afloat and not acquire unnecessary debt.
3. Invest in something that has worth. If you don’t know how to do that, then just remember this, something that has worth grows overtime. For example, if you like a property and it will surely double in worth in 10-20 years then go on and buy it.
4. Avoid impulse buying. It is a traitor, and it robs you blind. You’re most probably going to end up paying more than you intended to if you give in to impulse buying. Just think auctions.
5. It is okay to buy secondhand/pre-owned things as long as it still has worth. Okay, there is a difference between wise buy and foolish buy and that usually applies when buying old things. It’s okay to buy a secondhand car with little wear and tear on seats but it is not okay to buy a sofa with little wear and tear on seats. I hope you get my point.
6. Think twice when buying. Aside from deciding if this is a want or a need, you also have to determine if this is something that can be used for a long time.
7. Ignore the green-eyed monster. You don’t have to keep up with the things your friends have, they will still love you even if you show up in your birthday suit next card night.
8. Buy in bulk whenever possible. Of course, you still have to practice good judgment on this one. Set your mind to buy in months depending on their expiration date, that is, one month’s worth of bathroom tissue, soap, laundry soap etc.
9. Minimize waste. Think of it as money thrown away. Everytime you throw something or consider it as a waste, you are also throwing away your hard-earned money.
10. Try doing things by yourself or if you have to hire someone for it, make sure they are really really good. Getting help is unavoidable in a senior’s life but there are things that we can still do on our own.

“Golden years” is simply passé. When you think of retirement and golden years, you are most likely to imagine kid-free house, no mortgage, trips to remote and unheard-of islands, holidays with grown-up kids and spoiled-rotten grandkids, growing old together with your partner, simple yet comfortable living and of course, no job or money pressures instead, you may now be looking at unknown years of caring for your grandkids, delayed retirement, credit card debts and mortgages – not really a sight to look forward to, ain’t it?

Unfortunately, it is quite impossible now to go back and change your life – what’s done is done, no use in dwelling about it. Furthermore, you don’t have to stress yourself too much by thinking of those could-have-beens and what-might-haves, you just have to move on.

Protecting your retirement dreams should be your priority now. Or salvaging what was left of it and making the most out of it. Here are few tips on how to still be on top even if your current situation does not suggest it:

* Seek help from a professional. Hiring a financial adviser must be your wisest decision right now. Getting a professional perspective on your current situation will help you understand it better thus arriving into a more doable solution. Bear in mind that your financial woes can never be remedied overnight. It takes time and a little bit of work.
* Examine your documents. It might be a good idea to do a thorough go-over on your legal documents. This should include your insurances, pension plans, etc. knowing where you gain and where you lose provides a good starting point in replanning your retirement.

* Clear up your debts. It is very much advisable that you enter your retirement debt-free as you won’t be needing that kind of pressure now. As much as possible, work on paying your debts before you go unemployed and build a plan on how you could still pay them if you won’t be able to make it to deadline.

* Budget your money. Nothing beats budgeting your money and learning how to stick with it. By having a weekly or monthly allowances and setting aside some for emergency situations, you won’t worry about having to go penniless later in your life.

* Consider your options. If you, by now, are really convinced that your financial situation won’t get any better, perhaps you should start thinking of ways to supplement your nest egg. Reverse mortgage, for one, has many flaws but nobody can’t deny how it was able to help many seniors during the strongest phase of the financial crisis.

You would be amazed how seniors are now getting into online selling. Just consider the number of successful online stores out there that are operated and managed by seniors, particularly those who have just retired and enjoying the perks of retirement.

It is a no-brainer actually, online selling indeed fits seniors to a tee. Why not? Online selling allow seniors to be able to control their working hours, work from home, and most especially earn some while doing so.

However, some senior online sellers think that the only way to sell online is through a fully functional ecommerce website. This thought alone may discourage a senior from getting into the bandwagon considering the technical skills needed to run an ecommerce website not to mention the amount of money it needs in order to be up and running. Senior sellers need not be afraid as there are many ways other than an ecommerce website to sell your stuff – some don’t even cost a dime to start!

* Auction sites. Surely you have heard of one, perhaps even participated in one. If not, then think “Ebay” and you’re on the right track. There are still many out there and most of them don’t require registration fee to join. If you are just testing the waters then opt to go for a simple text ad which usually won’t cost you anything other than basic fees, if applies.
* Online marketplaces. If Ebay is synonymous to online auction site, then Amazon gets this one. Again, there are many out there however, Amazon is the most recommended especially for newbies since they have millions of members – who are potentially buyers – and they provide awesome support to new sellers.
* Targeted marketplaces. I firmly believe that the pioneer for targeted marketplaces is Etsy. For those of you who are not familiar with the website, Etsy is a place for artists to buy and sell their products. Etsy supports handmade products like jewelries, clothing and keepsakes.
* Online classified ads. To date, the most popular is Craiglist. Walmart has their own classified ads too and I believe they offer this service for free. Online classified ads are like traditional newspaper-classified ads only they can be found online and much easier to scan.
* Social Networking Sites. Most social networking sites do not encourage businesses from using their sites to sell their stuff but let’s face it, it is the easiest way to get attention and they have the best and widest audiences. You just have to find a way to get attention while following the site’s rules and regulations regarding selling stuff.

I seriously think seniors should be given a handbook or something of all their possible benefits and how they should go about it once they reach the tender age of 50. I mean, it’s quite hard to keep track of it all, right? I now have the suspicion that despite their knowledge of how forgetful seniors can be, they are deliberately making us forget so we miss all the fun! Below are some answers to basic questions about your social security:

* When is the right time to file for Social Security benefits?

Anytime is the right time as long as you allow at least 3 months before you start collecting benefits. Starting age 62, seniors can file to receive benefits or wait for full retirement. However, it is important to note that the longer you wait, the higher amount you get for benefits.

* What documents do I need to prepare for filing?

You will need your social security card and other documents supporting your social security number, birth certificate and proof that you are a citizen of the United States. You may also need other documents depending on your work status and past jobs, that is, US military service papers if you have served your country before or W-2 if you are self-employed.

* I am a senior with disability, now what?

Check if you qualify for adult disability Social Security. In this case, you will need to fillup your filing form along with your adult disability report. Prepare for an interview and secure the following documents:  names and contact information of the hospital and doctors who are currently seeing you for your disability, your medical records, your health journal which includes the dates of checkups, medication prescribed etc. There will be other important documents that the social security administration may ask you to bring to support your claim.

* How much will I get from social security?

Your benefit depends on your lifetime earnings and the year you decided to file to receive Social Security benefits. There are many online calculators to help you calculate your benefits and get an estimate, so you’ll have an idea.

* Can I get my deceased spouse’s social security benefit?

Actually, yes. Even a divorced widow or widower may be eligible for their ex-spouse’s social security benefits.

* Is it okay if I don’t encash my social security checks right away?

Yes, but observe the 12-month terminus from the date issued.

* Can my partner for 10 years collect my social service benefits?

Depending on your state’s law, your partner, even if you are not bound by legal marriage, can be recognized and be eligible for survivor benefits. Please do check with the law governing your state.

Your home becomes a big deal right after you hit your retirement age, there’s no doubt about it. You even have to plan ahead, consider several housing options and decide – even pay—on what you want even before the need arises. That’s the weird part of it, just when you finally found your own, true home – a place where you truly belong — you’ll be forced to look for another just because you will not be able to maintain the home of your dreams anymore. Or, if you are stubborn like that, you need to make a major makeover, fitting the home with assistive devices, then putting on a poker face just so nobody will see how daunting your situation is.

But what about your house, the one that you’ll be abandoning sooner or later? Below are some ideas and tips on what you could do with your home:
•    Make sure your home is fully paid to begin with. As much as possible, bring your home to retirement fully paid and ready to sell if the need be. Like I always say, you don’t need the burden of paying mortgages when you should have been enjoying your retirement years.
•    But what if, by chance, your hands are now both tied by mortgage? Seek refinancing of your home. What refinancing can do for seniors is that it will be able to lower their monthly payments if that is what’s burdening you. You can shop around for manageable rates than your current one.
•    Downgrade. One of the reasons why seniors are having problems with their homes is that it seemed to have grown or they seemed to have shrunk as the house is evidently bigger than the first time they laid their eyes on it. No matter how you see it, you either have to start with a smaller house or sell your mansion and settle for a one bedroom apartment.
•    Rent out the extra space. The upkeep of a big house will eventually take toll on you. And if you are living on your own, it will definitely get lonesome as time goes by. By renting out the extra space you have, you’ll be able to keep your house, live in it and have company all at the same time.
•    Take a reverse mortgage against your home. This must be the most popular option for seniors nowadays as reverse mortgage will allow you to borrow money against your home until you’re able to sell it. The beauty of this is you don’t have to pay anything while on reverse mortgage. The downside is, it is possible to max out your credit against your home leading you to almost nothing when sale date comes.

Oh how I love the term! Being a cheapskate has its own downside, sometimes people won’t take it well just because you are acting out of the norm or, by being a cheapskate by nature you sometimes forget to extend proper behavior expected from you by other people. You  need not be as you can still be a senior with etiquette while being a cheapskate and save few more extra bucks!

Good news is, being frugal nowadays is not anymore embarrassing as it is now being adapted as a way of life—there is even a book written about it! Cheapskates are now coming out of their closets and proudly showing the world their way of life. Whether you are just thinking about adapting this kind of lifestyle or a pro already, below are some tips on how to stay decent while maintaining frugality:

* Don’t be ashamed to tackle the issue of money. In order words, don’t let it bother you because if you do, it may not allow you enough time to react decently. Remember etiquette is about knowing the right things to say and do, it is not easy to be knowing the right things if you are taken by surprise. If you need ask a lunch companion to split the bill, then do so rather than ending up unexpectedly paying for all of it and blurting out embarrassing words just because you didn’t ask.
* Be the “cheapskate who tips”. Just because you are a cheapskate doesn’t mean you don’t tip. A decent 20% is enough. They deserve your tip, you should give it to them.
* “Regifting” is now acceptable. However, make sure you are not “regifting” to the same person who gave you the gift which he is about to receive! Recycling of gifts is also acceptable, just as long as you think the receiver needs it and the gift is not badly worn out.
* A simple “thank you” is enough. Not all token of appreciation is in material form. If you are given a gift, a simple thank you can be enough, or perhaps you can return the favor by doing something the other person will appreciate. These acts of kindness are more heartfelt than any other gift you can give a person.
* Any minor occasion you won’t be able to attend, you don’t have to send anything. Call or email the celebrant and express your regret for not being able to go to their party however, for a major one such as weddings or perhaps your boss’ birthday party, you certainly have to send a gift.
* Had been a house-guest, now what? You can extend the same offer to your host if the need be. It’s only ethical to offer your house or a room in your house if your friend suddenly find herself needing a place to stay.

I just love the notion that seniors are now moving forward even after retiring from fulltime work.  It’s not all about money, you know. However, I must admit that money plays a really huge part on why seniors are now opting to work even after retirement. Whether it’s trying to make life a little more comfortable or perhaps make yourself a bit busier as retired life can be boring, you just need to let the world know what you’re doing and what’s keeping you busy nowadays. Our lesson for today is about advertising and how to do it if you are on a tight budget because, well, admit it, life is tough these days.
The beauty of today’s technology is that it enabled people from all over the world to connect—and I am not speaking of the internet alone. It certainly broadened our horizons and made a lot of things possible, like say, running your business straight from home. Just imagine 20 or 30 years ago when putting up a website is not possible to just about anyone—now it is, and it won’t take you a week to get it up and running either, shopping carts and all. So just imagine the opportunities it opened for us seniors who no longer wish to be cutting throats with younger ones in the workforce. However, you still  need to exert a little effort and be really creative to be able to make your cause known without having to spend a lot of money. Here are some handy ideas seniors can use to advertise their products, services and even causes even if on a shoestring budget.
·         Use your network. Word of mouth is the strongest form of advertisement and given the time you have lived on the face of the earth, you probably have hundreds of friends and that is not even counting the ones you forgot about. If you are to do this, it is best to categorize your friends—even if that doesn’t sound right—and determine if they are “buyers” or “sellers”. Either way, you’ll still be able to use them to advertise your stuff for free.
·         Choose your battles wisely. Remember that not all battle fields are worth fighting on. There are those that are just not worth your time and effort. One good example is social networking. If you wish to use social networking sites to advertise your products, better be in the popular ones only or at the very least, those in-line with the product you are selling. Just imagine if you are spending one hour a day on say, MySpace, and all your friends and buyers are on Facebook, then your one hour just went to waste.
·         Be the expert. If you are the “go-to” person, they will surely be knocking at your door everytime they need advice on related things. Your business will grow and many people will come to know you just because you know how things work thus promote your product just because it is associated with you.