The 55 Guide - Northern Jersey

NORTHERN JERSEY VOL. 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FEATURED ARTICLES

RETIREMENT • INVESTING • VACATION

RECOMMENDED SERVICE DIRECTORY

TRAVEL • LIVING • HEALTH • DINING

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CO NTE NT S FEATURES 4

Luxury Living

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Senior Living

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Destination Vacations

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Local Event Guide

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27 Travel In Style

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30 Saving For Retirement 32

Recommended Service Directory

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LUXURY

LIVING IDEAS

Upgrading your home is only limited by your imagination and budget. Is it a luxury bath, fabulous kitchen, incredible master suite or home theatre that you desire?

KITCHEN Your kitchen is probably the heart of your home. This is where memories are made and shared as families love to congregate in the kitchen. The possibilities are endless. White is the most popular color for cabinetry but combining cabinet colors is the latest trend in kitchen design. Blues and greens are also becoming popular. Quartz is the latest for countertops and islands.

Commercial-grade appliances, extra sinks and dishwashers all add to the luxury kitchen.

Also popular are pizza ovens, appliance garages, warming drawers and under- counter refrigerators for wine and other drinks. If you have space, consider a butler’s pantry which acts like a second kitchen - great for caterers or just an extra space for food prep without disturbing the main kitchen area.

BATH For a luxurious bath, create a spa-worthy retreat. Consider heated floors and towel racks, a steam shower and a large soaking tub.

Create a separate water closet for the latest in remote controlled toilets that feature a night light, bidet and self cleaning feature.

Turn a great piece of furniture into your double sink vanity for a sophisticated look. And why not have a sofa and television for added ambiance.

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MASTER SUITE Add a mini-kitchen which includes a small fridge and coffee bar along with a sitting area so that you can enjoy your wine or coffee first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. Fireplaces are another nice touch for a romantic setting. If your home is equipped with gas, they are an easy addition.

LUXURY

LIVING IDEAS

MOVIE ROOM If you have a spare room, create your own private theatre with a high-definition flat screen tv, surround sound and theatre seating. A popcorn machine and fridge for drinks are nice additions.

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RETIRE WITHOUT CHANGING YOUR LIFESTYLE

Today’s upscale senior communities offer “resort style living” which is hospitality-oriented and resembles a 4-star hotel or cruise ship rather than a hospital or retirement home.

Amenities Some of the more luxurious communities at the deluxe level even feature lively bars with chandeliers and overstuffed pillows. More standard amenities include:

Activities: Education and Entertainment, Fashion shows, Lectures from retired professors and various social and cultural events which are all examples of regularly planned activities for residents at higher-end facilities. In urban settings, planned outings to the city for museums, art galleries or theater visits are frequent occurrences as well.

Grounds-keeping: Luxury communities are beautifully designed on the outside as well, from gardens to ponds to putting greens and walkways. Many include well-appointed courtyards for residents to socialize, relax, or enjoy a meal.

Concierge Service: Offering ‘Concierge Service’ is what makes a Senior Living community a Luxury one. Similar to a hotel concierge, a resident can use the Concierge to arrange hotel flights or tickets to events, a service that makes these luxury communities clearly more desirable to prospective residents and their families.

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Modern Therapies: Assisted living communities offer personal care to their residents, and the best communities often offer top notch therapy on top of standard care. In addition to specialized pet and physical therapy, upscale communities often also provide top notch occupational therapy, and music therapy, and always from trained and certified professionals.

Residences: The kitchen is the focal point of any home and it’s no different when looking at the residence at an Assisted Living community. A standard assisted living apartment has a kitchenette, traditionally including a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a small amount of cabinet and counter space.

The luxury assisted living residences feature full kitchens and appliances plus top of the line finishes, like granite counter tops for instance. (. . .continued on page 10)

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Dining: An upscale senior living community will most likely retain a registered dietitian on staff and employ experienced chefs who serve gourmet meals. Choice and variety are crucial for the success of a kitchen at a luxurious community and most have more than two restaurants within the community, each with their own menus.

Personal Fitness Trainers and Recreational Facilities: Recreation rooms are always available to use at the residents’ convenience, with computer labs, fitness rooms and cinemas.

Fitness programs supervised by physical therapists and personal trainers are also kept on staff by any upscale community.

High-end assisted living communities also provide full service spa treatments, beauty salons for the women and barbershops for the men. Additionally, no luxury assisted living community would be complete without a heated pool and spa, which are always popular with residents.

Pet Friendly: Studies have shown that pet ownership has been shown to be beneficial to seniors, and more and more luxury communities are open to 10

allowing residents to have their pets on site. There can sometimes be limitations regarding the size and number of pets.

They frequently provide pet care such as dog walking, nail clipping, grooming and litter-box changes as well as formal, certified pet therapy.

Spacious Apartments: One can expect about 20% more square footage at a Luxury community (approx 600 sf versus 500 sf at a standard community). A Two bedroom apartment at an upscale community can be more than 1200 square feet.

Clearly, senior living is not what it was years ago. And for the retiree with means, it can be a lively, active, and rewarding lifestyle full of growth and fun!

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TRENDING LOCATIONS TO VISIT THIS YEAR

Destination

Vacations

If you are looking for an exciting and affordable travel destination, consider the following locations.

1. Hawaii is a tropical paradise loved by all. It offers a rich marine life, unmatched underwater experiences, gorgeous landscapes, volcanoes, and interesting history. Of the six largest islands, Maui has the state’s most beautiful beaches - some with white sand and others with red or black sand. Oahu has Hawaii’s largest city and capital, Honolulu, which is known for Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor’s World War II memorials. The weather is perfect and there are endless opportunities for adventure.

2. Barcelona is both a beautiful city as well as a renowned beach town. It boasts a lively nightlife, lots of activities, and restaurants galore. There are amazing museums and galleries; Including the Picasso and Salvador Dali Museums, La Sagrada Familia, and other buildings by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. Las Ramblas, the main walking street ends with a monument to Christopher Columbus honoring his discovery of the new world.

3. The Bahamas, which is made up of a series of islands, has the clearest turquoise water on the planet, as well as white sandy beaches.

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Underwater adventures abound dive for Spanish galleons, seek out the caves, or go sailing or fishing.

The Bahamas offers a plethora of Eco-tourism options, from bird watching to hiking.

Nassau offers a few cultural sites like Ardastra Gardens and the Conservation center, in addition to being the capital city, but the Bahamas is great for island hopping as well. Or just pick one of the great resorts and relax at the beach.

4. Tel Aviv, known as the non-stop city, is a vibrant and exciting city on the Mediterranean Sea. It offers beautiful beaches, great cafes and restaurants, exciting night life and a 24 hour a day culture.

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History abounds and there are interesting museums including the Tel Aviv Museum and the Eretz Israel Museum which covers archeology, folklore, crafts and features an onsite excavation of 12th century-BC ruins. Tel Aviv is also the technology and financial center of Israel.

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

NORTHERN JERSEY DECEMBER

NOV 16-DEC 30 | Skylands Christmas Light Show & Village With more than two million dazzling lights on a mile-long drivethrough course PLUS a new outdoor village, it’s a must-see holiday attraction for your whole family.

Come experience our brilliant walk-thru light displays, Santa’s workshop, a skating rink, ice cream shop, smores station, and other venues and games for the family.

For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-nov16 DEC 15 The Nutcracker - Bolshoi Ballet In this timeless story accompanied

by Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, rising star Soloist Margarita Shrainer perfectly embodies Marie’s innocence and enchantment along with the supremely elegant Principal Dancer Semyon Chudin as The Nutcracker, captivating audiences of all ages and bringing them on an otherworldly journey. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-dec15

JANUARY

NOV 29 - JAN 5 Winter Wonderland Join us at Van Saun Park for the Annual Winter Wonderland, featuring Ice skating, Santa visits, ice carvings, face painting and more. http://bit.ly/nnj-jan5 18

JAN 12 Neil Berg’s 104 Years of Broadway This production recreates the greatest moments from the finest shows of the century featuring the actual stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, CATS, Jesus Christ Superstar and Jekyll & Hyde. These amazing performers light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred.

Neil Berg presents brilliantly revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling numbers from Broadway’s newest hit shows. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-jan12 JAN 18 | Art Fest 2020 Join us for a fun and exciting day of creating art! Paint, make jewelry, fold books, create sculptures, and be creative! Recommended for children 5 and up. SNOW DATE: January 25rd Tickets are just $15 for participating artists. Adults watching/helping children are FREE. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-jan18

FEBRUARY

FEB 7 | NJ Wind Symphony The New Jersey Wind Symphony (NJWS) continues its 37th season with a concert featuring works by Mozart, Turrin, Sousa, and more.

Guest soloist Kim Laskowski (bassoon, New York Philharmonic) will perform Mozart’s Concerto for Bassoon. Included in the program (. . .continued on page 20)

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is John Mackey’s “Places We Can No Longer Go”, which was written for wrote this piece for his mother who suffered from dementia. Well into her decline, she still remembered music and this inspired Mr. Mackey’s composition. The piece tells the story of this disease, but does it in reverse. It starts in the present, or maybe even in the future, and over the course of 22 minutes, goes in reverse, as confusion turns to clarity, and grief turns to comfort.. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-feb7 FEB 8-9 Greenberg’s Model Train Show Greenberg’s Great Train and Toy Show will be here on Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9, 2020 from 10am to 4pm. This event will feature hundreds of tables of trains and accessories for sale, huge operating model train displays, free modeling workshops, activities for kids, and more. Admission for adults is $10.00 (good for both days) or $9 on Sunday. Kids 11 years old and under are admitted free. For further information call 630-279-4087 or visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-feb8 FEB 16 | Vance Gilbert Concert w/ Sophie Buskin Singer/songwriter Vance Gilbert celebrates his new release, Good Good Man at the Acoustic Café, high20

lighting the new songs and also fan favorites! Special guest singer/songwriter Sophie Buskin will open the show! Vance Gilbert burst onto the singer/songwriter scene in the early 90’s when buzz started spreading in the folk clubs of Boston about an ex-multicultural arts teacher who was knocking ’em dead at open mics. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-feb16

MARCH

MAR 3 | Underwater Bubble Show B-The Underwater Bubble Show takes place in colorful underwater world of Bubblelandia. After another long day full of meetings and deadlines, Mr. B finds himself transported to a magical world that’s inhabited by seahorses, dragon fish, starfish, mermaids, clown fish and more. They carry Mr. B along his imaginary journey in this beautiful underwater world where fantasy becomes reality and you are invited to follow him. For more info visit: bergenpac.org MAR 11 | Sonic Voyage Fest Join us at Debonair Music hall for SVF. What started out as a threeband gig has turned a traveling music festival! Created Memorial Day 2015 by three incredible bands: Circuline, and Shadow Eden & Stratospheerius, Sonic Voyage Fest’s (. . .continued on page 22)

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purpose is to create a night of music that dazzles with virtuosity, ignites the senses, and pushes boundaries.

Writes ProgSheet’s editor John A. Wilcox, “Sonic Voyage Fest was like General Tso’s chicken: spicy, filling, and I already want more!” http://sonicvoyagefest.com MAR 21 | Harborside Craft Brew Fest This event will feature local variety of fermented beer and cider in all styles combining the best elements of a Beer Garden with a wide variety of choices found only at a Craft Beer Festival. Attendees will enjoy unlimited craft beer samples for the entire evening paired with live entertainment, Food and Interactive Games. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-mar21

APRIL

APR 25-26 | Tenafly Street Fair and Craft Show Join us on the streets of downtown Tenafly, NJ to experience: Artists, Crafters, Vendors, Food, Rides, Live Music, Children’s rides, Game Trailer, Petting Zoo, Martial Arts exhibitions, and More! StreetFairs.org is New Jersey’s Largest Street Fair organizer with 30 events throughout the state. We are widely known to vendors as having run the most organized and successful events around.

Come and join in their Success!!

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Come on down for a day of family fun with original & interesting Arts & Crafts, shopping, kid’s rides and great FOOD! For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-apr26 APR 25 | Art Garfunkel Blessed with what the New York Times described as a “beautiful countertenor,” singer Art Garfunkel has made an indelible mark on the music world as a solo artist and half of the unrivaled Simon & Garfunkel.

He has also enjoyed a successful film career, published a book of poetry and released 12 solo albums, the most recent being Some Enchanted Evening in 2007. Hear this legendary voice sing his favorites of his numerous hits throughout the years. For more info visit: http://bit. ly/nnj-apr25

MAY

MAY 17 | Festival Italiano Festival Italiano is a celebration of Italian automotive engineering where area automobile enthusiasts can view a variety of vintage and modern Italian-engineered automobiles including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-may17

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

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MAY 3 | Empanada Extravaganza & Sangria Fest Paramus Food Truck Fest! Emanadas at the Garden State Plaza!

Who knew Empanadas could be so much fun! Join us for the first ever Empanada Extravaganza and Sangria Fest at the Garden State Plaza.

We’ll be highlighting local gourmet food vendors and their unique twists on empanadas. Sample a bunch, then vote for your favorite!

(Don’t worry if empanadas aren’t your thing, we’ll have plenty of other gourmet food options too!). http://bit.ly/nnj-may3

JUNE

JUN 7 | TEF Tenafly 5k Run and Dog Walk The 22nd annual TEF Tenafly 5K Run and Dog Walk will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2020. The USATF-sanctioned 5K Run is one of the largest road races in North Jersey, drawing more than 1,500 runners of all ages and abilities. After the runners leave the starting line, more than 100 dog owners follow them on the 5K course with their dogs. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-jun7 JUN 25 | Judy Collins & Arlo Guthrie Judy Collins has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment 24

to social activism. Arlo Guthrie helped define the singer-songwriter genre burgeoning in the ‘70s. With over 30 albums in his discography, an Arlo Guthrie show delivers an astounding time capsule from the works of his dad, Woody Guthrie, to the present day. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-jun25

JULY

JUL 4 | Pops Patriots & Fireworks Celebrate Independence Day at Caramoor! The Westchester Symphonic Winds, joined by vocalists Candice Hoyes and Jorell Williams (both alumni of Caramoor’s Bel Canto Young Artist program), perform a selection of works that pay tribute to America’s independence.

Hear a medley of works by George Gershwin arranged by talented young composer Matt Podd, the score of An Ellington Portrait as part of Caramoor’s exploration of the Harlem Renaissance, and rousing renditions of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Stars and Stripes Forever. This program of patriotic works for symphonic winds concludes with a spectacular fireworks display. http://bit.ly/nnj-jul4

AUGUST

AUG 1 | Seafood Festival Enjoy great local seafood while watching the eliminations for the (. . .continued on page 26)

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Hambletonian Oaks & Hambletonian. Vendors open at 6pm; live racing 7:15pm. Full Vendor/Food Truck listing at Playmeadowlands.com.

List includes: Carnival Concessions, All Surf No Turf, Two Guys Catering, Delicious BBQ, The Mozzarella God, Star of the Sea Seafood, Little Bite of Paradise and more. Who has the best seafood & clam chowder enter your chowder for a chance to win $500 in our 2020 Chowder Cook Off! http://bit.ly/nnj-aug1 AUG 12 | La Festa Italiana La Festa Italiana is an olde world Italian Street Festival which began in 1902. The festivity brings friends, neighbours and family members together around food, music, and fun. This event is free and open to the public. Local restaurants create many culinary delights and homemade wares. Each night, there is live entertainment like games and rides for kids and adults. Today, the festival continues to draw thousands of people from all across the country as they make their annual trip back to their home parish. It has become one of the most anticipated annual events in Jersey City! For more info visit: www.lafestaitalianajc.com

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SEPTEMBER

SEP 12-13 | Art in the Park Fest Join us for a celebration of various forms of art, right in Goffle Brook Park! The festival will be complete with displays, live performances, exhibitions, activities, vendors, food, entertainment, and more. Admission, and access to the Passaic County Arts Center at the John W. Rea House, are both free. For more info visit: www.pcartscenter.org SEP 19 Ort Farms Food & Music Fest Food! Beer! Music! Fun! New Jersey foodies, eat your hearts out! It’s a fun filled family day! 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, DJ, Kids activities, Beer/Sangria/Margaritas & Vendors, make for an enchanting and fulfilling Summer day. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, four legged friends and blankets. Dine on excellent food, while enjoying the beer and sangria garden along with the amazing sounds. PONY RIDES, Face painting & kids activities.. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-sep19

OCTOBER

OCT 17 | Botanical Gardens Arts & Crafts Harvest Festival Held on the beautiful grounds of the New Jersey Botanical Gardens, this annual Harvest Fest is a great (. . .continued on page 28)

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Travel in Style – by Bonnie Roseman

If there’s anything I’ve learned in my 35 years as a stylist, it’s to “carry on,” and by that of course, I mean take a carry-on bag!

In order to make travel easier for my busy clients, I’ve spent years developing techniques to make traveling simple and fun.

A carry-on bag is key to making your journey more enjoyable; no more hauling multiple bags, or worrying about losing your luggage, which can ruin your trip before you even begin!

In my most recent trip abroad, I traveled to the Scandinavian countries before flying to Greece for a little sun in the Cycladic Islands. After that, it was off to Italy and over the Alps. All the while, I had just one bag with me. (. . .continued on page 29)

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way to celebrate the beauty of northern New Jersey and experience the beginning of the beautiful fall foliage. This outdoor festival is hosted by the New Jersey Botanical Garden/Skylands Association and the Ringwood Chamber of Commerce - NJ and will feature: Vendors offering Arts & Crafts, Gourmet Food Trucks, Live Music, Children’s Games & Entertainment, Hay Rides & Pumpkins, Many activities are free to the kids. Artists, crafters, musicians and non-profit organizations lend their talent to make this event a great success. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-oct17 OCT 17 Edelweiss Passaic Oktoberfest The Oktoberfest is an evening full of food, joy, music, dancing, entertainment and Gemütlichkeit.

Listen and dance to the music of the Austrian Boys band and watch Schuhplattler and Volkstanz performances by Edelweiss Passaic and visiting dance groups. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest Dinner is served from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Music starts at 7:30 pm. The all-inclusive ticket includes a Bavarian buffet dinner, cake, coffee, and unlimited German beer, wine and soda. Join us and share the Gemütlichkeit with family and friends. http://bit.ly/nnj-oktoberfest 28

NOVEMBER

NOV 27 | Gobble Gobble Walk Burn off that Big Meal on our Annual Post-Thanksgiving Walk. Walking with us is NOT a race; it is a personal challenge, just as Paul’s vision of walking 50 miles was a decade ago.

We walk to motivate each other, to go that extra mile, and when you think you’ve had enough and can’t take one more step, someone pops up beside you and says, “ Hey, we can do this.“For more info visit: http://bit.ly/nnj-nov27 NOV 20-22 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Frankie Valli, who came to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of the Four Seasons, is hotter than ever in the 21st century. Thanks to the volcanic success of the Tony-winning musical Jersey Boys, which chronicles the life and times of Frankie and his legendary group, such classic songs as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” are all the rage all over again. As the play enters its third sold-out year on Broadway, and two touring companies of Jersey Boys travel around the U.S., the real Frankie Valli is packing concert halls coast to coast. For more info visit: frankievallifourseasons.com

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To make the most of your luggage space, I suggest you wear your jeans and sneakers, and carry your leather jacket while you travel, to save space in your bag.

Roll all items tightly! It saves space, and keeps everything from wrinkling.

I usually prefer to stuff my undies and socks in my shoes. Select pieces with fabrics that can wash and hang to dry without needing to be pressed – it’s easier to keep things fresh and avoid using foreign cleaners that can be very expensive.

Here are the basics for 6 weeks of traveling abroad across different climates. This short, gender-neutral list includes the basics for a great travel wardrobe. I recommend that your main wardrobe color for travel be black. It looks slimming on everyone, and doesn’t show dirt as easily. A few colorful tee tops can be added to give a little zip to your ensemble. All of these items will fit into your carry-on luggage and provide options for mixing and matching stylish looks while you see the world. You can then personalize your list by adding your toiletries, gloves, hat, or other essential accessories as needed.

TRAVEL WARDROBE Underwear 6 undergarments 6 pairs of socks Pajamas (your choice) Outerwear 2 tee shirts 2 button down shirts (one dressy, one casual) 2 pairs of pants (one jean, one black trouser) 1 pair of shorts 2 jackets (one leather, one raincoat) 1 cashmere sweater (pullover or cardigan) 1 bathing suit 1 basic black blazer (can be worn day or night) Accessories Scarves (colorful, lightweight) Belts (at least one black) Jewelry (a few pop pieces) 1 tie (traditional or bow tie) Shoes One heel or dress shoe One pair of flats (for day or night) One pair of sandals

Feel good, and look even better!

Please contact me personally if you have any questions or would like to see my unique travel collection which can be dressed up or down.

Bonnie@bonnieroseman.com | www.bonnieroseman.com | 917-209-0516 Bonnie Roseman Bio Fashion Designer. Style Consultant. Wardrobe Architect. The press has designated Bonnie Roseman as the ultimate fashion expert over the years.

Featured on the NBC Today Show, People Magazine, and more, Roseman furthered her B-L-T brand by presenting her collection through the Home Shopping Network and Home Shopping Europe.

Bonnie Roseman’s BLT has evolved into a full service boutique for women of all body types and lifestyles, featuring wrinkle-free fabrics and unique accessories that pack well and travel lightly wherever you go. Schedule with Bonnie and she’ll tell you all the secrets she’s been telling her clients for over 30 years.

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10 Year Countdown

To Retirement

Money See Where You Stand - It’s time to assess how prepared, or unprepared, you are financially for retirement.

• Take a quick test: Assuming your retirement is about 10 years away, you want to have roughly seven times your current salary in savings, according to research from Fidelity.

That puts you on the road to having about 10 times your final salary saved by retirement and maintaining your present standard of living. Retire before hitting 67 and you’ll need more saved; after, you’ll need less.

• D . o a deeper dive: Plug your current numbers (such as earnings, savings and future pensions) into an online calculator to estimate your retirement income. Experts say you’ll need 75 to 80 percent of preretirement income to live well — debatable but a good starting point.

• D . on’t despair: You have 10 years to act, by earning more, trimming expenses or delaying retirement. “Whatever you can do can only help,” says George Papadopoulos, a financial planner in Novi, Mich.

Save the easy way If you’re among the 82 percent of workers paid via direct deposit, save more by splitting your pay across accounts. Have your payroll department put part of each check into an online savings account, where it’s out of sight and out of mind. The direct-deposit users who split their deposits save up to $90 more per month than those who use another method to save, according to a recent study.

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Pad your nest egg If you already have significant savings in a 401(k), 403(b) or IRA, open a Roth IRA (in 2019 you can contribute up to $7,000 if you’re 50 or older), or put money into a regular taxable account.

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Why do it? You’re laying the groundwork for lower taxes later. Say you need a new roof on your house in retirement; If you take money from a 401(k) or traditional IRA, it is taxable as ordinary income, and you may end up in a higher tax bracket, explains Carolyn McClanahan, founder of Life Planning Partners. But you can pull your contributions from a Roth IRA tax free (earnings, too, if you’re at least 59½ and have had the Roth at least five years). You can also invest via a basic taxable brokerage account; when you sell securities, you’ll pay only (usually lower) capital gains taxes on the profits.

Pay down the mortgage The problem with a mortgage in retirement is that you may have to sell investments to cover payments. And sometimes that will be when the markets are down - the worst possible time to sell, says Shelley Giordano, chair of the Funding Longevity Task Force at the American College of Financial Services. Her advice: 1. In place of your monthly payments, make half payments every two weeks. Those 26 payments per year are the equivalent of 13 monthly payments, resulting in a faster payoff and lower total interest costs.

2. Got a tax refund? A bonus? A side job? Apply that to your principal.

3. Avoid refinancing your mortgage, since a new loan with a later payoff date means more of your monthly payment goes to interest expense, not an increase in your home equity.

4. Don’t use a home equity loan or line of credit for purchases. The new tax law makes that less attractive, says Giordano. And this is the wrong time to be growing your mortgage debt. (. . .continued on page 33)

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RECOMMENDED SERVICE DIRECTORY

ANIMAL FEED STORE Mike’s Feed Farm..........................................................1

PERSONAL INJURY Lehr Law Offices........................................Back Cover

BEAUTY SCHOOL Cutting Edge Academy............................................3

PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS Peter Comet................................................................25

CPAP INTOLERANCE Bergen County Center for Snoring | Sleep Apnea | CPAP Intolerance....23

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AVE....................................................................................7 Taylor Management Company......................16-17

CRUISES Denville Travel Company.......................................25

RADON TESTING & TREATMENT RAdata Inc..................................................................... 9

DINNER THEATER Hunterdon Hills Playhouse....................................13

REALTOR Josephine Briganti...................................................25 Donna Keidel & Dale Serebnick............................11

ESTATE PLANNING Lehr Law Offices........................................Back Cover GROUP TRAVEL Denville Travel Company.......................................25 INSURANCE Allwood Forlenza Agency Inc................................5 LUXURY APARTMENTS AVE....................................................................................7 LUXURY TRAVEL Denville Travel Company.......................................25 MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS Peter Comet................................................................25 NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION American Red Cross....................Front Inside Cover

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RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Fellowship Senior Living.........................................21 SENIOR LIVING Saint Francis Residential Community...............15 SNORING / SLEEP APNEA Bergen County Center for Snoring | Sleep Apnea | CPAP Intolerance....23 WATER TESTING & TREATMENT RAdata Inc..................................................................... 9 WINDOW TREATMENTS Metropolitan Window Fashions...... Front Cover, 19

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Put new retirement savings to work Not sure where to invest additional money? Aim for growth, somewhere between a trip to Vegas and stuffing cash into your mattress.

The sweet spot •. Balanced mutual funds: Seek a mix of stocks and bonds;

a 50/50 or 60/40 ratio of stocks to bonds is reasonable.

• Target-date mutual funds: These balanced funds automatically adjust investments to lower risk as you age.

Conservative but sound • High-grade corporate bond funds • Money market accounts • U.S. government bond funds • Certificates of deposit and online savings accounts (See bankrate.com for Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.–insured banks offering higher rates.)

• Series I inflation-protected savings bonds (sold at treasurydirect.gov)

Work Prepare Your Plan B - Ask yourself these questions, and be honest.

1. Do I work in a stable and growing industry?

2. Do I work for a stable and growing company?

3. Is my heart still in it?

Have you answered no to any? It’s time to update your LinkedIn profile and see what else is out there.

• Why do it: Only about half of workers cruise their way to a planned, voluntary retirement; the rest of us exit prematurely, often as a result of job loss or burnout.

You still have time to regroup. “With 10 years to go, there is still enough runway to make a mark,” says career and retirement expert Nancy Collamer.

• .How to do it: You know the routine. Tell people who can help you. Sign up for job alerts on the go-to site in your industry. Browse the postings that interest you, and note the skills that employers are seeking.

• .Want to stay put? Get busy anyway. “Whether you drive a bus or work in a store or in a professional occupation, maximize your opportunities by building your capital,” Collamer advises. “Give talks or write articles to boost your profile, or take advantage of short-term training programs.” One option: Go to linkedin. com/learning and get online access to thousands of business, creative and technology courses for $30 per month.

Miller, Mark and Powell, Robert, AARP (2019, Feb 6). Countdown to Retirement: 10 Years [Web log post].

Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2019/10-year-countdown.html

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