PORTLAND OREGON | 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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Investing For The Future
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Destination Vacations
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Senior Living
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Local Event Guide
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Cataract Surgery
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23 Saving For Retirement 26 Travel In Style 28
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. 4
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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. 5
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INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE Not many people stumble into financial security through sheer luck: a lottery win, big inheritance, or huge stock winnings. For most of us the only way to financial security is a long term plan of saving and investing. Consistency is key to reaching long term goals no matter your income. The sooner you start saving and investing, the longer your money has to compound and grow. Set goals for how much of your income you will invest monthly and stick to it. Keep investment money and cash reserves separate so you won’t dip into your investment account when the market is down. Keep expenses low and spend on what is really important to you whether it is experiences or material things. Try to avoid the big mistakes, like buying a home that is more than you really need or creating a heavy debt load. If your employer offers a matching 401(k) contribution, be sure to take advantage of that option and contribute at least enough to receive it. It is essentially 6
extra income that will grow and compound and is not taxed until you withdraw it. You can do it yourself but it probably makes more sense to work with a financial advisor who is more knowledgeable about financial markets. An advisor will help analyze short term vs long term needs, separate emotions from objectives as well as help with devising a portfolio and strategy suitable for your needs. Investing consistently over the long term is the best way to grow your wealth as there is no way to time the market.
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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 -
on the Mediterranean Sea. It offers
dive for Spanish galleons, seek out
beautiful beaches, great cafes and
the caves, or go sailing or fishing. The
restaurants, exciting night life and a
Bahamas offers a plethora of Eco-
24 hour a day culture.
tourism options, from bird watching to hiking.
History abounds and there are interesting museums including the
Nassau offers a few cultural sites
Tel Aviv Museum and the Eretz Israel
like
Ardastra
the
Museum which covers archeology,
addition
folklore, crafts and features an on-
to being the capital city, but the
site excavation of 12th century-BC
Bahamas is great for island hopping
ruins. Tel Aviv is also the technology
as well. Or just pick one of the great
and financial center of Israel.
Conservation
Gardens center,
in
and
resorts and relax at the beach. 4. Tel Aviv, known as the non-stop city, is a vibrant and exciting city
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g n i v i L r o i n e S
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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. 12
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.
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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.
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!
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 13
LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
PORTLAND OCTOBER
OCT 4-6 | Greek Festival The Greek Festival has become one of the largest festivals of its kind, sharing our Greek Orthodox faith and rich culture with over 15,000 guests annually. The festival is an iconic event in the Portland Metropolitan area and has been designated as an Oregon Heritage Tradition by the Oregon Heritage Commission. Each year a portion of proceeds from the festival go toward worthy philanthropic endeavors in the greater Portland community. http://bit.ly/prt-oct4 OCT 19 | Pumpkin Regatta Festival If you have never seen the Pumpkin Regatta then you probably have never seen costumed characters paddling 1,000 pound pumpkins around the Lake of the Commons in a series of wacky races.Over the last 15 years the award-winning West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta has become Oregon’s most anticipated Fall event. Spectators come from not only the Pacific Northwest but also from all over the United States and Canada. http://bit.ly/prt-oct19
NOVEMBER
NOV 7-17 | Women In The Arts The 2019 Siren Nation Festival presents a stunning musical lineup, a night of the best comedians from 14
the NW, a visual art show with outstanding NW artists, an art and craft sale, and free workshops! For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-nov7 NOV 9 | Food and Wine Festival the Northwest Food and Wine Festival returns as the definitive wine festival in Portland with a targeted half-day wine and food celebration. The festival brings the highest quality regional wines, spirits, beers, and foods. It’s designed to present a rich and rewarding experience for wine lovers, gourmet food enthusiasts and industry experts. For all involved, it offers a great opportunity for direct conversation. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-nov9 NOV 24 | Holiday Cirque Show Cirque Musica presents Holiday Wishes brings a holiday story to life in a full theatrical cirque event for the entire family. Featuring the world-renowned cast of Cirque Musica with your favorite holiday hits all performed LIVE by a full symphony orchestra. Audiences will be amazed by the acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks and holiday cheer. The show blends the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with the sensory majesty of a symphony orchestra. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-nov24
LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
PORTLAND DECEMBER
NOV 29 - DEC 15 | Holiday Express Join Santa Claus and his elves for a magical ride behind Portland’s famous steam locomotives. Vintage rail cars transport you along the Willamette River in the heart of the city. For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/prt-nov29-exprs NOV 29 - JAN 4 Drive Thru Winter Wonderland Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi”, the 27th annual Safeway Winter Wonderland powered by Advantis Credit Union, will grab your attention with glimmers and glows around every corner. Spectators can enjoy the most spectacular drivethrough light show in the region, viewing over 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes from the comfort of their own vehicle. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-nov29 DEC 7-26 | Nutcracker Ballet OBT’s season would not be complete without Portland’s Favorite Holiday Tradition, the 17th annual production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker ®. Filled with swirling snowflakes, glorious scenery, and lavish costumes, this production gets better and better with
each passing year. Join Marie, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Prince on their adventure through the Land of Sweets – all set to Tchaikovsky’s joyous score! Immerse yourself in this magical journey for children of all ages. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/prt-dec7
JANUARY
JAN 15-19 | Old-Fashioned Music The Portland Oregon Old-Time Music Gathering is a grassroots volunteer-run festival that aims to celebrate and enrich the community of traditional old-time Appalachian style stringband musicians. We wish to create an environment where the music is as meaningful as it is when we gather to swap tunes and play in a friend’s living room or meet to play at a campsite during a summer festival. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/prt-jan15 JAN 24-25 | Art, Food, and Drinks First Taste is an event of epic proportion featuring the best in Oregon Wines, Hard Ciders, Spirits, Brews & Delectable Eats and a one of a kind shopping experience. For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/prt-jan24 JAN 31-FEB 1 | Seafood & Wine Fest Come join us and 175 exhibitors in 90,000 square feet of space with (. . .continued on page 16)
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entertainment, lots of fresh Oregon seafood and wine, craft beers, cider, and distilled spirits at the COUNTRY Financial 15th Annual Portland Seafood & Wine Festival! Taste some of Oregon’s best wines from over 65 WINERIES and munch on deliciously fresh seafood at the peak of Dungeness Crab season! We encourage you to bring the whole family! With face painters, balloon artists and so much more! Everyone is sure to look forward to coming every year! http://bit.ly/prt-jan31
FEBRUARY
FEB 6-8 | Winter Light Festival The Portland Winter Light Festival is an annual event of the Willamette Light Brigade, a non-profit arts organization. PDXWLF is presented to guests for free, and builds community by bringing art and technology to inclusive audiences while invigorating Portland in the winter. The event showcases over 114 illuminat-
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ed art installations, over 60 vibrant performances and live events, educational programs, stunning kinetic fire sculptures throughout our city, and hosts over 150,000 guests. http://bit.ly/prt-feb6 FEB 19 - MAR 1 | Jazz Festival The 2020 Biamp PDX Jazz Festival will include an array of artists spanning the full breadth of jazz during the 17th annual edition of the event; musicians, composers and producers who “take chances” with their art figure prominently. The music begins with performances by Mark de Clive-Lowe and Jaimie Branch on Wednesday, and falls solidly into its groove with Ghost-Note and Liv Warfield on Thursday night. http://bit.ly/prt-feb19 FEB 20-23 | Home & Garden Show The Portland Spring Home & Garden show returns to the Portland Expo Center filled with great home (. . .continued on page 18)
This is how you say it’s going to be okay. Every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to a disaster and makes this promise. You can help us keep it.
Donate today at redcross.org
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products and ideas. Talk with experts, shop for the newest products and find your inspiration for your next home project. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-feb20
MARCH
MAR 6-8 | Celtic Music Festival Join us for the 2nd annual Coastal Celtic Music Festival on the Long Beach Peninsula. This year will bring 12+ bands, new venues, dancers and workshops! 3 day festival that will span March 6th 7th and 8th. http://bit.ly/prt-mar6-celt MAR 6-8 Antique & Collectible Show Attending an Antique & Collectible Show can be an emotional and fun-filled journey into the past. Seeing items from your past provoke wonderful memories such as the toys your mother threw away, your grandmother’s cookie jar, garden antiques, board games and memorabilia. With thousands of outstanding vintage items ranging from period lighting to estate jewelry and everything in between. Hundreds of booths will fill the Portland Expo Center! http://bit.ly/prt-mar6 MAR 12-15 | Savor Cannon Beach Wine & Culinary Festival The Savor Cannon Beach Wine & Culinary Festival offers a series of six unique wine tasting experiences 18
over four days, including the opportunity to taste some of the top award-winning wines from recent wine competitions paired with chef-designed appetizers. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-mar12
APRIL
APR 1 - MAY 2 | Tulip Festival We invite you to stop by and enjoy the expansive views of our farm and learn about the crops and tulips we grow! Taste some estate grown wine and wander through our summer event garden! Life is about memories, moments and the simple times we have with family and friends. It is those memories and simple moments on the farm that drive us to continue the Tulip Festival every year. http://bit.ly/prt-apr1 APR 13 | Vine 2 Wine Now in its ninth year, Vine2Wine will highlight the diversity of Oregon wineries with wines from Southern, Central, and Eastern Oregon wine regions. As in past years, winepaired food will be provided and the evening will be rounded out with live music by Two Spirit Jazz throughout the event. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-apr13
MAY
MAY 1-2 | Cinco De Micro Brewfest The eighth annual Cinco de Micro Brewfest, featuring your favorite (. . .continued on page 20)
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local and northwest brews, local eateries and distilleries, musical entertainment and the unique opportunity to taste hard to find, spring release brews. For more info visit: https://cincodemicro.com MAY 2-5 | Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Portland’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is the largest multicultural festival in the state of Oregon and is held at beautiful Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, Oregon.Come celebrate with us as you enjoy top entertainment. Groups include Mariachi Ciudad de Guadalajara, direct from the city of Guadalajara, as well as Oregon’s very own Ballet Folklórico Mexico en La Piel. http://bit.ly/prt-may2 MAY 29-31 | Canby Wine & Food Festival Come enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes and scents of wonderful Oregon wineries, artisans, nurseries & specialty foods at the Annual Canby Wine, Food and Brew Fest! For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/prt-may29
JUNE
JUN 12-14 | Craft Beer & Wine Fest The annual craft beer & wine fest in Vancouver, Washington. Featuring over 100 craft wines, 60 craft brews, craft bourbon & cocktails, great food & live music all weekend. Come 20
experience our live music lineup and join us for fun games as well as Sunday’s legendary Beers, Bloody’s & Blues! For more information visit: http://bit.ly/prt-jun12 JUN 21 | Milk Carton Boat Race A classic Rose Festival event and family friendly community tradition dating back to 1973, the Milk Carton Boat Race is a spectacle you won’t want to miss. Children and adults race and show off their handmade, human powered boats that float only by means of recycled milk cartons and jugs. Creatively constructed watercraft will compete in nine categories, with one earning a place in history upon the coveted Best in Show milk can trophy. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-jun21
JULY
JUL 1-26 Chamber Music Northwest Our 50th Annual Summer Festival and Clarinet Celebration! Treat yourself to a summer filled with extraordinary music in a fun and casual atmosphere. Explore the schedule and learn more about our concerts, music, and artists. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-jul1 JUL 17-19 | Jazz Festival Hear local and international jazz and blues heroes in a beautiful setting under the historic St. Johns (. . .continued on page 22)
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A CLEAR CHOICE: CATARACT SURGERY Removing and replacing a clouded eye lens with a clear, synthetic lens is one of the most common and safest surgeries performed in the United States. About 95 percent of people who have the procedure see better. A cataract is a clouding, or haziness, of the lens of the eye – the part that helps focus light on the retina where images are formed. When the lens becomes cloudy, these images are less clear. There’s no way to prevent cataracts. They are part of the aging process caused by a natural buildup of protein in the lens of the eye. Cataracts are the most common source of vision loss in people over the age of 40. In fact, NEI states that 68.3 percent of Americans 80 and older had cataracts in 2010. Common symptoms of cataracts include: • Cloudy or vision • Difficulty seeing at night • Light/glare sensitivity • Experiencing colors as faded • Seeing ‘halos’ surrounding lights • Double vision in one eye • Frequent changes in prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses Cataract surgery is recommended when cataracts affect everyday vision – reading, watching TV, driving, etc. It is an outpatient procedure that typically takes less than 30 minutes and is generally performed with minimal sedation. Depending on the lens choice, eyeglasses may no longer be necessary. In most cataract procedures, a high-frequency ultrasound device is used to break up a cloudy lens into tiny pieces that are removed with gentle suction. A clear, intraocular lens is then inserted where the natural lens used to be. In some cases, a cataract may be removed without implanting an artificial lens. As the eye heals, some eye redness or blurred vision may occur, but vision generally improves within a few days. If another eye condition affects your vision, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, you might not have good vision even after cataract surgery. According to a 2013 AARP telephone survey, four out of five people say cataract surgery was easier than expected. It is proven to be safe and effective, with a low risk of serious complications, though it’s important to have this discussion with your surgeon for an assessment of your specific risks.”
Ophthalmologists at Oregon Eye Specialists are some of the most experienced cataract surgeons in the Northwest. Surgery is performed in a comfortable eye surgery facility with the latest equipment and an experienced, caring staff. Learn more about cataracts and how you can seek treatment at Oregon Eye Specialists by visiting www.oregoneyes.net or by calling (503) 935-5580. 21
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Bridge at the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. You can bring a blanket, low-back chairs, and a picnic, or buy from food vendors. Free. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-jul17 JUL 19 | Elegant Car Show Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance has more than 300 antique, classic, sport, race, and collector cars to browse plus live music, beer, wine, and fine food on the beautiful Pacific University campus. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-jul19
AUGUST
AUG 1 | Japanese Festival Obonfest commemorates ancestors with Obon dance, lanterns, children’s booths, Japanese food, beer, and sake at Oregon Buddhist Temple. Free entry. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-aug1 AUG 7-8 | Crawfish Festival The Tualatin Crawfish Festival offers a wide variety of food, entertainment and activities. There’s something for all ages! For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-aug7 AUG 20-23 | Vancouver Wine & Jazz The Festival recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary and has become a major jazz and arts festival on the west coast. Enjoy wonderful wine selections from our vendors, amaz22
ing Jazz music, delectable food items, and local art. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/prt-aug20
SEPTEMBER
SEPT 17-20 | Mt Angel Oktoberfest Experience this family-friendly and wondrous celebration of the harvest in Bavarian style. Mount Angel Oktoberfest has beer and wine gardens, live music, singing, dancing, arts and crafts, and a car show (Sat. & Sun.) in Mount Angel. https://www.oktoberfest.org SEPT 25-27 | Juggling Festival Portland Juggling Festival offers shows, workshops, vendors, and a juggling & vaudeville extravaganza Saturday night at Reed College. For more info visit: https://www.portlandjugglers.org SEPT (TBA) | Feast Portland Taste adult beverages, eat exotic dinners, and attend cooking classes at Feast Portland for age 21+. Night Market is a street food party Friday evening at Zidell Yards. The Big Feast is a tasting event on Saturday & Sunday at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. feastportland.com
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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. (. . .continued on page 24)
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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. •
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. 24
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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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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. 26
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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. 27
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