Hello Boomers Magazine

Are You Ready To Retire?

The Editor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:59:25 +0000

Not only do you have to think about the financial markets and financing your retirement, but there is the equally important question of if you are ready mentally and emotionally to retire. Are you ready to quit what you are doing? It is a pretty good bet that what you have been doing in your career is what identify you both to your peers and to yourself. You may dislike the expression “You are what you do”, but it is true and who you are is going to change significantly when you retire. Did you ever think about retirement beyond how to finance it? Let me be honest – I did not and neither do most people. The mental and emotional challenges of retirement are rarely talked about and their impact is a surprise to many retirees. Allow me to offer a piece of advice – start thinking about it and you will have a much happier retirement. First you should realize and accept that your life is going to change significantly, that looking back is not going to help, that you are better of letting go and surrender to your new life. Getting that out of the way gives you the chance [...]

Click Are You Ready To Retire? for more Baby Boomers insights.

My Third Act – Mexican Moments 5

Sheila Madsen — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 07:01:49 +0000

December has zoomed by faster than a speeding bullet. An apt analogy for Mexico, since the top two fears raised by my friends are the on-going drug wars and health care. Of course, there are serious drug wars in our state of Sinaloa, but they are not obvious in Mazatlan. Apart from the policemen’s AK47’s, we never see gangs, guns, knives or any devious drug deals. I’m sure, high in the hills of Mazatlan, some drug lord is laughing hysterically at my observations, as he pats his pit bull and sips on his single malt: but I don’t sense, or perceive any danger ever. I feel safer on the streets of Mazatlan, than I do in Toronto. As long as I look down! What happens when you get sick? Well, I can tell you. In December we made an appointment to meet our new doctor, Dr. Levid Torres Guzman, known to everyone as Dr. Levid Torres. Dr. Levid has a morning and an evening clinic in Centro, and on Saturday mornings. It appears he takes Sundays off. The receptionist is efficient and duly records our appointment time. It means absolutely nothing. The clinic operates on a first come, first serve basis. Dr. Levid [...]

Click My Third Act – Mexican Moments 5 for more Baby Boomers insights.

COPD – Why Baby Boomers Should Take A Deep Breath

The Editor — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:33:24 +0000

Many baby boomers suffer from a breathing disorder called COPD or "chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder". According to recent research the number of baby boomers suffering from the condition is expected to increase as the boomers age.

Click COPD – Why Baby Boomers Should Take A Deep Breath for more Baby Boomers insights.

My Third Act – Mexican Moments 4

Sheila Madsen — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:46:34 +0000

Years ago in Sedona, Arizona, Soren and I contracted Red Rock Fever. It’s not fatal, but it can cost you a bundle. We were enchanted with the desert landscape. It was our second visit to Sedona, and one afternoon, for reasons we will never know, we got talked into a time- share. That’s a stupid expression isn’t it? – “talked into”, when you are darn well in control, you’ve knowingly signed the contract, and you are committed financially. We should have been committed to the local Sedona loony bin. In a cooler moment, under the desert stars, we acknowledged our terrible mistake. We were both still working like crazy in advertising and would never utilize a time-share properly. The bigger truth was that I longed to be on the ocean and fall asleep to the pounding waves. What on earth was I doing buying a time- share in the desert? Surrounded by golf courses? I detest golf. We quickly scrambled and reversed the transaction, paying a US dollar exchange penalty. I always refer to that Sedona debacle, as my noon-time $500 dollar glass of wine. Red Rock Fever would not strike us twice. Except, it did. Suddenly, 24 days after we landed [...]

Click My Third Act – Mexican Moments 4 for more Baby Boomers insights.