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Lake Norman is home to many retirees soaking up the sun, and for good reason. If you know anyone looking for a good place to retire, share these facts with them! 4 Reasons to Retire to Lake Norman

1. Being so close to Charlotte you have all the benefits of big city living including an international airport, uptown night life, dining, shopping and cultural options, including museums and theaters, while still being able to enjoy the feel of small town living. 2. There are 25 Active Adult/55+ Communities in the area. With prices starting in the low $200’s to over $700K and sizes from 998 square feet to almost 4000 square feet, there is something for almost everyone. Amenities vary widely. Some of these communities are age restricted and others age targeted. 3. The Lake Norman area is ideally located for many day trips to the local wine country region as well as to Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville. While driving to these destinations you will enjoy spectacular natural surroundings including mountain views and foliage. Overnight trips will get you to places like Charleston, Atlanta, Savannah, Hilton Head and Nashville, all within a 3-5 hour drive. 4. The cost of living in North Carolina is some of the lowest in the country with reasonable property taxes, affordable home prices and lower insurance rates. At present there are no homes in Active Adult Communities with Lake Norman water views, though there are a couple with lake access via a walking path for launching kayaks and paddle boards. One Lake Norman community offers Freedom Boat Club membership as part of its HOA dues.

Karen Spell, Broker, SRES, J.D., 55+ Community Expert

Helen Adams Realty 321-279-1384 kspell@helenadamsrealty.com PurplePineappleRE-NC.com

Arecent article I read featured this quote by Antoine de Saint Exupery, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Have you heard yourself use words like hope, wish or ‘if I am lucky” when describing experiences or activities desired in the future?

Now consider that most people do not have just one dream, they have many. Dreams about travel, philanthropy, family, and maybe even education or a second home. Is this you? So where do you begin?

For decades, executive leadership guidelines have encouraged making goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time defined which establish benchmarks for achievement in pursuit of a job promotion, larger home, or material wealth, as examples. My True Wealth standards focus on experiences as goals, with the achievement benchmark simply being that you did it … you experienced it.

A True Wealth Action Plan starts by making a list, with no restrictions, of as many things as you can think of that you want to do. Instead of benchmarking via SMART standards, use the 5 W’s of Planning: What, Who, Where, When, and Why. Here’s how it could work. Let’s say your goal is more travel — a common desire for most people heading into retirement.

What: Travel Who: Me, Me & Spouse/Significant Other, Family Where: International When: Every year for ten years Why: See the world

Add the details and a plan is now in place so you can “Pursue It.” And then, as Rene Russo encouraged Kevin Costner in the movie Tin Cup, “Just go for it Roy!” True Wealth – Juggling the Possibilities

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Securities and Advisory Services provided through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC.

Jeffrey Karp, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® founder of Karp Financial Strategies and is a registered agent representative of LPL Financial. More information and his blog, Permission Granted SM can be found at www.karpfinancial.com.

Consider Joining a Boat Club

Have you wanted to go boating on beautiful Lake Norman, but have no desire to get involved with the preparation and investment required to bring satisfying boating days to life? The marine industry is working hard to satisfy boating needs at every level, from day rentals to private boat ownership, and lots of offerings in between. Boating is and inviting sport for all.

The boat club model is one that opens the opportunity for people who, for a number of reasons, aren’t in a position to buy a boat. Freedom Boat Club pioneered this innovative alternative to boat ownership more than 25 years ago. The company now operates in over 200 locations across the nation with a fleet of more than 2000 boats. Freedom Boat Club has experienced a steady growth in membership based on its model of offering affordable, hassle free boating for a monthly fee. The industry has grown as well, with other boat clubs of similar business models starting up.

Members of boat clubs not only have a choice of multiple boats to use at each location, but they also avoid the typical frustrations associated with boat ownership. For this reason, the boat club model works particularly well for retirees.

A common sentiment shared by many other boating enthusiasts when they reach retirement age. “It is an unbelievable deal,” says Marcia Rose, who along with her husband, Jerry, retired to Jacksonville, Florida. “The boats are always ready to go. You simply climb on board, go out and have a great day, then return the boat and go home. There is nothing like it. ... We are thrilled this allows us to keep boating.”

Jeff Weir, Owner Freedom Boat Club 17505 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius NC, 28031 888.781.7363 Freedomboatclub.ocm

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are currently the most advanced and effective way to replace missing teeth. Although the technology has been around for over 25 years, recent advancements continue to improve the success rates and decrease healing times. Dental implants are titanium screws that are placed into the bone where the teeth used to be. Implants are very small, ranging several millimeters in width and usually no longer than 15 millimeters. The placement process is quick, with minimal discomfort or down time following the procedure. Placement is tolerated as well as many other common dental procedures. After several weeks, the bone will heal to the implant and it will be ready to support teeth. Implants can support everything from a single tooth to an entire arch of teeth, depending on how many are used and where they are placed. Much like a house, an implant requires a strong foundation. That foundation is bone. If inadequate bone is present, grafting procedures can improve bone quality for implant placement. Oral surgeons are dental specialists who concentrate on procedures to gently removed diseased teeth, graft and prepare bone in the mouth for implant placement, and then place the implants to help improve your smile.

Michael J. Foran, DMD Carolina Oral & Facial Surgery 19910 North Cove Road Cornelius 704.892.1198 www.charlotte-oms.com