Limitless Learning – Learn from the Experts

Seven Steps to Downsizing

“R ightsizing” (or downsizing) often seems like a daunting task, but when approached systematically it can be quite cathartic. Try these tips for an organized approach: • Select the things you love the most and share the rest with loved ones or donate.

• Space Planning is a reminder of why you want to downsize—everything has its place and it fits in its space. • Start Small—Taking that first step may seem daunting, but small steps will get you closer to your overall goals. • Set a Date & Timer—Make an appointment with yourself and honor that time as sacred, letting nothing interfere with your work. Don’t go past the allotted time. This will make it easier to keep your next appointment with yourself! • Sort—Designate areas for keeping, selling, donating and trashing. • Share—It’s often important to share with those close to you the stories of things that have special meaning. This can make it easier to let go of the item. • ”S”elebrate your accomplishments! Now you are well on the way to successful downsizing.

As you are working to rightsize/downsize, you may realize what a huge undertaking it can be. Transition Tamers specializes in just this thing and would welcome the opportunity to advise you further or to assist with any organizing or moving services you may require.

Transition Tamers 704.237.4262 info@transitiontamers.com True Wealth – The Longevity Blessing

In last month’s article, I introduced the concept of a true wealth life legacy built with the stories of your experiences. Whether small or transformational, younger generations need to hear from us, first hand, or our history will be forgotten. Now let’s talk about your financial legacy plan. Financial discipline is critical for a sound retirement but also an important lesson to teach our youth. As baby boomers, now is the time to focus on the issue of longevity risk outliving our money. Life insurance protected you against dying too soon but are you embracing longterm care solutions to provide against living too long?

On average, someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care services. The good news is that the insurance and healthcare industries are catching up to the potential emotional and financial impact to our lives and are building the needed resources. The challenge is that we, the baby boomers, are less focused on embracing the issue of long-term care in our financial plans.

As a Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®), I encourage all people entering or already in retirement to ask yourself these questions: 1) “Does my family history have longevity? 2) Who will take care of me and how will I afford it? 3) Will it use up all my assets?”

It is critical to understand the issues and options available as you build your financial legacy plan. The website, LongTermCare.gov , may be a good place to start your education.

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 offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC

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

Home is Where Passions Live

When it comes to ‘right sizing’ your life and home, it’s important to consider what you are most passionate about, from your most prized possessions and collections to your personal passions. Do you have more than one passion? Rank your hobbies and interests in order of importance to you. Take your passions into consideration from the beginning of the designing stages.

Do you have a favorite collection or a hobby that needs its own space? Does it require a separate room, a part of a room or dedicated space, or can the collection be dispersed throughout the home? Will your special room need to be a separate structure or attached to your home? Will you require built-ins, or hidden storage? The type of collection or hobby you have will dictate the type of space that will be required to function adequately for you. Make sure to plan for optimizing the organization of these items to enhance your enjoyment of them.

Passions we’ve helped clients incorporate into their homes include:

Airplanes Wines Cooking Outdoor living Green living Artist’s studio Fitness / gyms Musician studio Guitar collections Piano rooms Recording studio Hunting & fishing Libraries Sewing / quilting Gardening Pet spaces Art collections Entertaining Travel treasures Book nooks

We call it Delight Sizing because a smaller home can still delight! Your home should reflect what brings you joy. Let your passions thrive inside and out for your everyday enjoyment.

Jennifer B. Pippin, FAIBD, CPBD, is owner of Pippin Home Designs, an awardwinning custom residential design firm specializing in homes with views that are client-inspired for joyful living. For more information: www.pippinhomedesigns.com.

Am I Making the Right Dental Care Decisions?

Life can be overwhelming at times and our oral health can get stuck in the backseat. Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve brushed or seen the dentist. It’s likely you have a missing tooth but don’t know what to do about it or if you can afford a replacement. Here are three questions to help you assess how well you’re doing at taking care of your oral health.

How often do you clean your teeth? As we get older and our teeth feel as out of shape as we do, we may start to see daily oral hygiene as less and less important, but it’s not! The last thing you want to do when you’re on vacation visiting your grandkids is to be experiencing tooth pain and have to go in for an emergency visit. Brush and floss every day to help keep cavities away.

Are you visiting the dentist every six months?

Routine dental visits are key for two main reasons. The first is to give your teeth a little freshening up with a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tarter. The second reason is for prevention. During your 6-month appointment, your dentist should thoroughly examine your oral health and look for any potential problems.

Are you seeing a dentist who has your health

and safety in mind? With the recent spread of COVID-19, our team at Carolina Crossroads is wearing protective gear such as face masks and sneeze shields. We also make our practice a safe space by screening patients before appointments, using hospital-grade disinfectants, offering hand sanitizer, regularly cleaning high-touch surface areas and practicing social distancing. We’ve even invested in Surgically Clean Air, a high-tech air purifying system.

Lindsay Spears, DDS, PLLC Carolina Crossroads Dental Care 1316 Davie Ave Ste B Statesville, NC 28677 704-873-2141 CarolinaCrossroads DentalCare.com

Retirement Living at its Best

Nestled off of Davie Avenue, minutes from Historic Downtown Statesville, and convenient to both I-77 & I-40.

THE GARDENS OF STATESVILLE

• Deluxe, Private and Companion Suite options • Residence Medical Director • Full Service Dining Room • Social, Educational, Cultural, Devotional & Recreational programs • Pet Friendly • Medication Management • Assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting and ambulation. • Transportation Services

CARDINAL VILLAGE

• 1 and 2 Bedroom w/single car garage • Full Kitchen w/ applicances including washer & dryer • Weekly housekeeping • Lunch & Dinner served daily • Electricity, Cable, internet and Life Line Alert sysytem included • Pet Friendly

Voted Readers’ Choice 2017 2147 Davie Ave., Statesville

Schedule a tour today by calling: 704.878.0123

Don’t Sweep More Dirt Under Your Rug

Say goodbye to unsightly carpet stains and damaged rugs. Love being home with clean and sanitary carpets and rugs.

• Deodorize and sanitize rugs • Clean mattresses and upholstery • Steam clean area rugs and carpets