Your Stronger Financial Future

It's 10 pm....DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR MONEY IS?

(Boomers - does that ring a bell with that old commercial?)

Many of us Boomers have lost hope with all the negative press out there about the high unemployment rate, business failures and fear that we may not get next month's social security check!

Often, we live our financial life out of fear, rather than being pro-active in planning and managing for our future. Personally, I do a total financial re-cap every few months using a simple EXCEL spreadsheet because I don't want to wake up one day and wonder where my money went!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What are you doing to keep on top of your assets to ensure that your money will out live you?

I found an excellent book - YOUR STRONGER FINANCIAL FUTURE.

It's a quick read with Mr. Egan reviewing concepts in easy-to-understand language. I especially liked STRATEGY 2 as he provides some peace of mind regarding the rumors about Social Security. I also enjoyed STRATEGY 8.

If you're looking to improve your financial knowledge, recommend you consider this book.

Additional info: http://macromike.com/books/

So where have I been?

Dear Readers

First, I'd like to thank you for continued support of my BLOG.

I've been negligent in writing this year as the first few months of 2012 were just too overwhelming for me.

I'm the oldest of 9 kids and within the first 4 weeks of 2012, 4 of us were operated on; one of my sisters was diagnosed with breast cancer and my 55 year-old brother Vic Lumetta, died of a massive heart attack.
He had been ill for a long time so it's a blessing that his suffering ended.

I had knee surgery just 2 days before his death so I was unable to attend his funeral which made it even more difficult to deal with as I feel that funerals and being able to share your grief with loved ones at least brings some closure.

Death should be a wake-up call for those of us left behind.......to make us realize just how short life is......which is especially true for us boomers who have lived more yesterdays than we have tomorrows to look forward to.

While I've been very blessed with many exciting adventures in my lifetime, his death makes me want to squeeze in even more travels and time with loved ones! I hope you too will take the time to visit with your loved ones and special friends while they're still here!

I've always loved the saying: TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE!! And today I was really surprised to find out that one of my favorite singers, John Denver wrote a song with that exact title. The words are so appropriate because he also talks about getting old.

When you have a few minutes, check out the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSId3xAMsNg&feature=related

WIRED!

I love technology and all the fun things you can do with it, so I recently purchased a new HP computer; APPLE iPad2 and iPhone. I know you're probably thinking, why not the IMAC to have full compatibility?

Well, the one I wanted was about $2300 and being a retired chick on a fixed income budget, I could not justify that expense when for less than $1900 I could get all 3! Plus I had an HP Entertainment Laptop so I just replaced that with the newest version.

I'm having so much fun trying to figure out the iPad2 & iPhone connectivity especially with the Personal Hotspot connection and then trying to sync it with my HP laptop. It's just so much harder to change equipment and learn about new technology when I don't have a computer guy in Data Processing that I can call up. I don't miss much about work, but I'd love having one of those computer geeks handy right now.

While it was a major challenge, I'm proud to say I set up all three gadgets; transferred all files and music on my own!

If you've not yet played with an iPad 2, visit an Apple store. I've found the customer reps to be friendly and patient in helping us inquisitive Boomers.

With over 140,000 apps for the iPad2, I'm sure you'll find many uses for it just like I have, but you might want to wait until the Spring to purchase one as APPLE may be introducing their next version then.

MEDC

MAKE EACH DAY COUNT (MEDC) is my mantra for 2012.
As Boomers, we are in the twilight of our lives. For many of us, that means just biding time -- you know the feeling -- letting the days turn into weeks, then months and you can't even recall the last time you did anything that was remotely fun or challenging?

OR Can you look back on 2011 and recall many adventurous and exciting days? For me, 2011 was a fun-filled year that I'll share with you in some upcoming BLOGS; but what about you? Reminiscing over 2011 are you happy about the way you spent your time? If not, then challenge yourself to make 2012 even better by creating your own plan to MEDC!

You can make your life better and more interesting by taking small steps like forming new friendships or trying out an ethnic restaurant. OR if you're looking for a big challenge then work at becoming proficient at a new sport or learning a foreign language.

Have you created your "Bucket List"? If so, then you can "MEDC" by working on a few of those in 2012. For me, that means taking a cruise to Alaska this year!

YOUR CHALLENGE: Spend a few days this week thinking about everything you'd like to do and see in 2012 so that on 1 Jan 2013 you can fondly look back on an exciting and fun-filled year that you personally created by "making each day count"!