Merry Christmas “Baby Boomers”, Merry Christmas “Mom” and “Dad”
The “baby boomer” generation is generally defined as those born between 1946 and 1964. Since there was indeed a “baby boom” after the second world war.
“Baby Boomers” are the most educated and successful generation ever. They are taking an active role in their own career and wellness as well. This is a switch from their parents’ generation, who trusted that “doctor knows best.” Distrustful and skeptical, “Baby Boomers” are more likely to seek out information for any given situations. As they reach their golden years, this penchant for challenging authority will no doubt carry over into investigating the best solutions to any given problems.
Far from growing old graciously and fading away, the generation that taught us to rock and roll, to shop till you drop and to be “Me”, with attitude, with style, is doing it their way, and better than anyone else before. And as life expectancy continuous to increase, they will be doing it for longer period of time.
The rebellious and carefree attitudes that epitomized the “Baby Boomer” generation have begun to change as they enter the mid-century mark. In their youth, they could afford to fight the establishment, mock the authority, and champion causes. They were looking for something to rebel against, and their parents were an easy target. Now, they are the establishment and their parents are older and need assistance and not resistance.
The first baby boomers are now in their 60’s and 50’s and are just as “Me” as ever. And unlike their parents, they want to remain active and to carry on working. They want to rediscover learning — often something different from the profession they have practiced in their working lives.
Bill Clinton, the first “baby Boomer” president, is also the youngest former US president at age 56. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and action star Sylvester Stallone are in their 50’s. Gray is cool for the “Baby Boomers”. Harrison Ford, who was recently voted “The Sexiest Man Alive” at age 56 by People Magazine. Some relatively older women are also cast as sexy stars, like Sigourney Weaver, Cybil Shepherd and Susan Sarandon, who are in their 50’s. And surely our next president would be a “Baby boomer”. Wanna bet?
Most of all “Baby Boomers” want to keep looking good. Plastic surgery, face-lifts, Botox, Spas, gyms are the booming business to be in. As “Baby Boomers” got adapted and older, they never quite forgot the obsession with youth. For them, what in means to be middle-aged is now re-defined. No more or no longer is it “over-the-hill”. Now, when they want to do something, it is a new opportunity to do what they want to do. It’s “baby Boomers” second chance to relive their youth.
Recognize any of these? Jackie O, JFK, Women’s Lib, Mary Quant, Mrs. Robinson, Viet Cong, My Favorite Martian, hot pants, bell bottom, Love Story, Let it be, “I like to teach the world to sing”, and disco fever. hahaha
Merry Christmas “Baby Boomers”! Merry Christmas “Mom” and ” Dad”!
The road less traveled
I chose banking as my career. I rose from the ranks and have achieved senior position in a banking institution. Still, did I choose to stay long? What is the significance that I built my career around a theme that is fast disappearing today — bank.
Alfred Meeks, a professional, an achiever and a banker, and in his time — it was the road most traveled.
My father, my mentor, a traveler who passed a road only few others negotiated successfully. And stand after all that arduous struggle.
I progressed on the back of this fine man through my whole history of banking career. Proud in what he has accomplished and satisfied in what he has helped to build. The man who demonstrated hard work, excellence, a strong will to succeed and the stamina to see the whole thing through to take the road less traveled. It is because of him that I did not grow and prosper accidentally as a banker.
My career and my future achievements shall be measured against the high standard that my father has set as a banker. It reflects on the discipline and intelligence needed to perform well. Find within him the qualities and example as both inspiration and challenge.
With the values that enabled success that gets transmitted from one generation — my father, to the next — to me, through his achievement and journey. I am looking to life outside this journey. This is my choice, I am so sorry Dad… to follow your journey… the road less traveled.
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Income after retirement for today’s seniors
Retired? Or are you planning for retirement. Is there life after retirement? Or income that is after retirement? Let’s face it, the trauma of a retiree is the loss of regular income. Luckily, this can be planned for, with less pain, if one starts early enough. When a former baby boomer reached his retirement age reality takes over. It’s like launching your second life. Designing your life with financial affluence. This includes the planning tools, tips and advice for enjoying life after retirement. Here are the several ways to stay active and make money after retiring for today’s seniors.
- Plan. Retirees typically need at least 70 to 80 percent of their pre-retirement income. Be sure you are on track for a secure retirement. Perhaps you can also look at a Pension Plan to augment your income in the future.
- Make your money last. Be sure to outlive your money. Your money must last as long as you do. Save enough, invest wisely and have a pension life that pays for life.
- Consider working. Older people decide to continue working in some way after retirement. Many continue working because they like their work and enjoy being productive when the real and major reason is financial need.
- Give gift, why not? Gifts help you reduce your taxable estate to a level that is free of federal estate taxes. They don’t have to be related to you. Give away as much as $12,000 to anyone without paying taxes. The gifts are nontaxable. However, don’t give away this money if it will leave you short of funds.
- Homemade money. Your financial needs after retirement can be augmented by your home. The equity in your home can be a source of cash in retirement. And because you don’t want to lose your home in the process, be cautious about it. Borrowing against your home’s value has several advantages:
o Tax deductible. The interest you pay to your loan is tax deductible. Ask your tax advisor.
o Benefit from low interest rate. Interest on loan secured by your home is typically lower than other types of loans.
o Manageable risk. Use the loans instead of cashing in stocks or withdrawing from an IRA prematurely. Remember, both are taxable.
- Social Security. The largest source of income — Social Security provides a strong base for retirement security.
There is no clear cut answer or choice on the best course of action. It makes sense to take less investment risks when you reach retirement. Why not go too far, investing is not really money—but your health — worth its weight in gold.
