TAMPA BAY FLORIDA | 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
Destination Vacations
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Investing For The Future
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Luxury Living
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Senior Living
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26 Local Event Guide
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38 Travel In Style 40 Saving For Retirement 42
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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 Ecotourism 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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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.
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.
Try to avoid the big mistakes, like buying a home that is more than you really need or creating a heavy debt load.
Investing consistently over the long term is the best way to grow your wealth as there is no way to time the market.
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 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 8
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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. 12
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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. 14
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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. 16
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 18)
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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 18
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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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
TAMPA BAY NOVEMBER
NOV 1-3 | Greek American Festival This 35th annual family-oriented event features a carnival with thrilling midway rides and games for all ages and favorite fair food, and a festive cultural celebration with Greek dancing, live music, beer and wine, and delicious culinary offerings such as gyros, dolmades, souvlaki, baklava and more. greekamericanfestival.com NOV 20 - DEC 22 | Silent Sky When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours”. Social progress, like scientific progress, can be hard to see when one is trapped among earthly complications in this luminous, witty and inspiring true story of a brilliant, history-making woman. For more info visit: americanstage.org/SILENTSKY
DECEMBER
DEC 10 | Christmas in Ireland feat. Emmet Cahill Celebrate the magic of Christmas this year with Ireland’s most exciting young tenor, Emmet Cahill. 26
Having recently sold out New York’s Carnegie Hall, Emmet has quickly become a sought-after performer, bringing his vocal talents to over 60 cities across North America this year alone. Emmet’s Christmas in Ireland concert will feature many of your beloved holiday songs and carols, such as “Silent Night”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “O Holy Night” as well as favorite classics from the Emerald Isle, including “Danny Boy”, “An Irish Lullaby” and so much more. www.emmetcahill.com/tour-dates DEC 15 Tampa Riverwalk Winterfest Feast, shop and mingle! Shop Local this holiday...Be a part of the fabric of our local artisan community. Spend your day outdoors on Tampa’s beautiful waterfront while shopping for holiday dinners, parties, or gifts! A promise of uniqueness!. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-dec15 DEC 21-22 | Model Train Show Over 300 tables representing dealers from all over the nation will have model items in all gauges and Railroad Antiques for sale. This is Florida’s largest combination show, displaying items for both the “modeler” and “rail buff” alike all under one roof. The model railroader may choose from Lionel, American Flyer, (. . .continued on page 28)
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LGB, Marklin or Ives Trains from the past or present. The rail buff may focus on dining car china, lanterns, switch locks and keys, calendars, timetables or any other artifacts actually utilized by the railroads. Both collecting interests represent truly unique pieces of Americana. http://bit.ly/tbay-dec21
JANUARY
JAN 19 | Tampa Riverwalk Fit Fest Come Experience Tampas Healthy side!, from flavorful food trucks, local artisan foods, diverse sports, healthy choices, free wellness screenings, eco friendly, music, arts and handcrafters, etc. It’s all happening on Tampas Riverwalk! For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-jan19 JAN 31 | St Pete Beach Seafood & Music Festival The event is a unique blending of food, music and visual entertainment affording attendees a delectable selection of seafood creations and delicious drinks. General Admission is FREE. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-jan31 JAN 25-26 | Gasparilla Pirate Fest The Gasparilla Pirate Festival has been held in Tampa since 1904. Every year it takes place in late January or early February and is 28
organized by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa. The festival is dedicated to the legend of captain José Gaspar (Gasparilla), a Spanish pirate who operated in Southwest Florida. The 100th anniversary of the festival in 2015 featured the 3rd largest parade in the United States and brought about $20 million to the city of Tampa. http://bit.ly/tbay-jan25
FEBRUARY
FEB 7 WineFest 2020: Cabbyshack The multi-course menu, created and catered by Mise En Place chef Marty Blitz, will feature delectable small plates expertly paired with exquisite wines. Taste dozens of boutique wines and sample favorite fare from Tampa’s top independent restaurants. You’ll also have the opportunity to bid on premium silent auction items representing Bay area retailers, restaurants, services and attractions. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-feb7 FEB 15 | Tampa Chocolate Fest The Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival is back for its 5th year... The Themed Food Truck / Trailer / Tent event covers every bit of Chocolate... as vendors must stick to a Chocolate Theme. Both Sweet and Savory is represented! The Festival also (. . .continued on page 30)
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boasts Live Entertainment both audio & visual. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-feb15 FEB 29 | Seafood Fest What better place than Tampa Bay Downs to savor delicious mouth-watering delights? The event will be under the Trackside Picnic Pavilion Tent from noon 4:00 p.m. The price includes seafood boil, shrimp, jambalaya and the fixin’s, plus world-famous King’s Cake, wine and beer tastings, admission, a racing program and a chance at the prize wheel.. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-feb29
MARCH
MAR 28 | Uptown Music Festival The Uptown Music Festival was created to bring the Uptown District of Tampa Florida together to highlight the rich culture of the area through music. This one-day event will draw Tampa residents and surrounding cities to the Uptown District of Tampa Florida for a day of music and art to benefit the programs and services of the University Area CDC. For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-mar28 MAR 27-29 | Crab & Music Festival Thousands of festival-goers will flock to the 3 Day St. Pete Beach Crab and Music Festival, March 2730
29, 2020 on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach. Live music kicks off Friday night at 4:30 pm - 10 pm and continue Saturday from 11 am - 10 pm and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm. Admission is FREE so — come enjoy all three days!!! For more information visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-mar27
APRIL
APR 3-5 | Tampa Bay Blues Fest 2020 Some of the biggest names in blues music have taken the stage at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida. Blues enthusiasts from all over the world come to scenic Vinoy Park to watch this spectacular showcase of American Blues music, performed right on the waterfront. With acres of plush grass and palm trees, Vinoy Park is the perfect tropical setting for one of the world’s biggest and best blues concerts. For more info visit: www.tampabaybluesfest.com APR 10-26 | Sugar Sand Festival Fourteen world-class artists craft elaborate sand sculptures from Clearwater’s internationally famous sugar sand. The works of art are on display in a 21,000-square-foot structure. More than 1,000 tons of Clearwater sand takes on a new life, bringing visitors on a magical -
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journey. Each year, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival continues to grow in popularity and garner national attention. Last year’s event drew in more than 200,000 visitors. The festival has also received numerous awards and continues to attract visitors from around the world. https://sugarsandfestival.com
latest in boating and fishing supplies and accessories. This three-day sales event offers a great way to see and compare millions of dollars in boating inventory all in one location. You could be on the water by the end of the weekend! www.tampabay.com/expos/boat-show
MAY
JUN 2-7 | My Fair Lady From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (The New York Times). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1). For more info visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-jun2
MAY 2-3 | Tampa Home Show At the Tampa Home Show you will find Builders, Contractors, Kitchens, Baths, Garden Displays, Landscapers, Pools, Spas, Security Systems, Garage Doors, Driveways, Windows, Solar, and much more. For one weekend, you’ll find wall-to-wall displays and exhibits of the latest trends in home improvement. Most importantly you’ll have the opportunity to speak directly with experts and receive the advice and inspiration you need to turn your dream home or other home improvement project into a reality. For more info visit: www.tampahomeshow.com MAY 15-17 Tampa Bay Spring Boat Show Ahoy Mates! The largest boating event in the Tampa Bay area showcases area boat dealers and manufacturers, from yachts to cruisers, kayaks to standup paddle-boards along with multiple vendors for the 32
JUNE
JUN 20 | Summer Fest for Good Tampa Bay’s Favorite People’s Choice Foodie Competition on June 20th with food trucks & local restaurants competing for the titles of... Tampa Bay’s Best Summertime Dish and Tampa Bay’s Sweetest Summertime Treat. With a beautiful beach, a family fun zone, live entertainment, AND the addition of a People’s Choice Sandcastle (. . .continued on page 34)
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Competition, your family won’t want to miss out on this KICK-OFF of Summer! For more information visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-jun20
JULY
JUL 4 | Red White and Blue Fest Tampa’s original 4th of July Festival and Celebration returns to Downtown, Tampa this 4th of July. Admission is FREE! RSVP is not required but with RSVP your name is automatically entered into our gate prize raffle of hourly giveaways! Come represent in your patriotic colors for the Best Dressed Contest! In America, our dogs are family! Feel free to bring your dog to celebrate at the fest with you! For more info visit: Cityfestivals.org JUL 25 | Watermelon Festival With a beautiful beach, a family fun zone, live entertainment, AND the addition of a People’s Choice Watermelon Carving Competition, your family won’t want to miss out on this afternoon of mouthwatering festival fun “for good”. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-jul25
AUGUST
AUG 12 - SEP 6 Little Shop of Horrors A sadistic singing dentist, an enormous people-eating plant and plenty of doo-wop interludes, Little Shop of Horrors is a laugh-out-loud 34
toe-tapping thing of nightmares. Despite that, it’s a love story. Of sorts. When flower shop clerk Seymour adopts an adorable but toothy baby plant and names it after the object of his affection, good intentions quickly pave a highway to hell in this campy dark-comedy sing-along. Feed us, Seymour! For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-aug12 AUG 21 | Journey with The Pretenders JOURNEY – Neal Schon (founding member and lead guitarist), Ross Valory (co-founding member and bassist), longtime members Jonathan Cain (keyboardist) & Steve Smith (drummer), and Arnel Pineda (lead singer) – have set an extensive North American tour in 2020 with the PRETENDERS that will feature all new production and hits from start to finish. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-aug21
SEPTEMBER
SEP 15 | Fall Boat Show This is the boating sales event of the season. Chart your course to Florida State Fairgrounds. The Tampa Bay Boat Sale is a grand event showcasing area boat dealers and manufacturers, the latest in boating and fishing supplies… great accessories too. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-sep15 (. . .continued on page 36)
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SEP 19 | New Tampa Brew Fest What could be more fun than sampling ninety+ craft brews, ciders & seltzers from over 30 of Tampa Bay’s finest breweries in New Tampa’s premier venue, The Venetian Event Center? We’ve gathered the finest local brewers and distributors and they’re bringing their best brews for you to sample in your own collectible Pilsner glass! Kick off the Florida fall season with the finest, funnest, friendliest brew festival in Tampa! For more information visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-sep19
OCTOBER
OCT (TBA) | Oktoberfest Tampa The Tampa side of the bay’s largest Oktoberfest is a three day celebration in early to mid October that starts in the morning and runs into the night. This downtown Tampa waterside fest is filled with German cheer, dancing, singing, and cold
German Imported beer. Learn new customs and sing a few songs while drinking your favorite ice cold German brew. For more info visit: www.oktoberfesttampa.com OCT 18 | Taste of Latino: Music, Food and Wine Festival Bask in the scents, sounds, and flavors of Latin American Foods, Wine, Art, and Music! Enjoy latin beer, wine, and food from featured cultures: Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, Peru, Venezuela and MORE!. For more info visit: http://bit.ly/tbay-oct18
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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. 38
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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. 39
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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. •
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 43)
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RECOMMENDED SERVICE DIRECTORY BANKRUPTCY LAW Carolyn Secor PA....................................................... 9
ESTATE TRUSTS Lambert Law Offices.................................................5
BUILDING AND REMODELING South Shore Building and Remodeling.... 22-23
FERRY SERVICE Caladesi Island Ferry...............................................33
BUSINESS LAW Lambert Law Offices.................................................5
FINANCIAL ADVISOR Florida Financial Advisors..... Front Cover, Front In Cvr Larry Buck - Edward Jones......................................1
CAR BATTERIES Electro Battery............................................................ 9 CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Chris’ Carpet Service, Inc...........Back Inside Cover CONSTRUCTION South Shore Building and Remodeling.... 22-23 COSMETIC DENTISTRY Inspiration Dental.................................................10-11 CRUISES Travel Max....................................................................27 CUSTOM CLOSETS Southern Closet Systems.......................................13 DENTISTRY Inspiration Dental.................................................10-11 ESTATE PLANNING Spinner Law Firm.....................................................35
FULL SERVICE MED SPA Bella Med Spa...............................................................7 HOME CARE Home Instead Senior Care....................................17 INSURANCE Morgan Medicare Advisors...................................15 Crosslet Insurance Services...........................20-21 INSURANCE DISPUTES Spinner Law Firm.....................................................35 LONG DISTANCE MEDICAL TRANSPORT
Medical Transport Services...................................19 LUXURY TRAVEL Travel Max....................................................................27 MEDICARE ADVISORS Morgan Medicare Advisors...................................15 (. . .continued on page 44)
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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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