Where IS The Best Place To Retire?

Sailboat In Chicago

I read a great article online the other day called The Real Best Places to Retire   I am of an age that has me paying attention to all of those articles.  I am interested from the financial perspective because how we are taxed as retirees makes a big difference to our income when we retire.  There is also the question of whether we are taxed on our retirement income, pension, etc.  So I am wise enough at this point to not want to pay a lot of my income to the government.  Accessibility to healthcare, etc. is an issue. So I have a lot to consider.  However, this article was close to my heart because it addressed the fact that living near friends and family was most important, at least to most people.  I know it is to me.  I have always said I could move somewhere warm for winter, but I have to be able to travel to see my kids and grandkids and friends.  This article talked about how to do that, and it doesn’t matter how warm it is if you are bored, lonely, away from friends.   What is the point then?  Often children will move with, or friends may go with, or you may find ways to visit warm climates in January, but stay put in your home area.  I happen to live near Chicago, a city I find very energetic and I love it.  There is much to do there all the time at any age.  And my kids are there.  It is a comfortable area for me, but should I move somewhere strange, I would have to start over making friends and would miss my grandchildren.   I also have great friends who have been like family and been there for me for 15 years or more.  That is a special history to have with people.  Not easy to replace.

So, the realization I’ve come to is that there are alternatives.  With today’s housing market, etc., it may be best to rent places for as long as I’d like to leave in the winter, or other places I’d like to visit, but always come home.  Yes, Home Is Where The Heart Is!`     

As many people are these days, I am always seeking ways to enhance my income for the retirement that gives me financial freedom.  One of the opportunities  is     Empower Network.                                                                             

Newt Wins South Carolina

Post South Carolina Primary and Newt Gingrich won.  I get very concerned about the people that are running for office and the lack of integrity and concern for the public.  I have watched politics much closer as I've gotten older and I have to question if politicians really work for the people or for the big money causes.  The oil companies, anti-labor groups, those with the most cash.  That would not be the environmentalists, those fighting for equality for all, or for those trying to help children and poor or underprivileged.  The rich may throw some money in that direction, but with the billions that are out there, if they put their energy behind such causes, there would be cures.  Right now, the rhetoric that Newt is throwing out about welfare queens, obama giving out food stamps, and the poor living off the government, I know where his heart is.  I have always worked with children and underprivileged and not made a lot of money in the process, but I have passion about what I do.  I was always a single mom who ultra-religious husband left me with 3 children so he could be happy. Our children were 6,4, and 1. Sounds like Gingrich.  But their God forgives them. But I guess my point is that I was not poor because I was a third generation welfare mom. I was poor because I trusted my husband and stayed home with children and was at his mercy financially because of that. 
I also have a college educated son who just lost his job after surviving the 2+ years since the recession. But he is a young man who wants to work and has worked since he was 16.  He's not a slacker accepting food stamps.  So, Gingrich needs to watch his stereotypes.  No one's story is the same.  Perhaps if I were Newt or Mitt and lost my job, or my son lost his job, it wouldn't matter because we were wealthy anyway. But that is not the case for the middle class, the working class. We need help to survive when we cannot get a job with a college education.  Making $8.00 an hour doesn't pay for gas, and a house payment, and food. So when I hear this rhetoric from the republican nominees, I get angry.  They are wrong!!!
Newt was released as speaker of the house for a reason.
These are some of the reasons I work 2+ jobs, trying to change my money flow from that of someone who has always had to struggle with money to having it easier, but I'll never make it to the status of a Newt financially. If you are where I'm at, here's an idea.  Empower Network.

Whether you think you can or think you can't, you are right!  Heard this quote, love this quote. So relevant to many things in life.  My kids, myself sometimes, my students I work with, many adults I work with as a counselor - they all need to pay attention to this quote.  Believe in yourself and your abilities, or just let life sweep you along. Who are you?  What fits your personality.  Many entrepreneurs are people who believe they can, and that's why they are seeking new opportunities and they believe (we believe) in the possibility of success, or should I say the "likelihood" of success.  You can see from my blog that words really do make a  difference.  Also our self-talk is very important because of the words we use to ourselves.  Maybe is different than I will.
  Could is different than will.  So we must be careful how we talk to ourselves, to our children, and to others.  I'm a counselor, and when working with children, they often use the weaker words, and do not want to use the affirmative words, because it's a bigger commitment.  So, not just if you think you can or think you can't, but also what you say to yourself about it.  Students will ALWAYS say "I'll try."  No, that won't work.  I only accept "I will." As YODA says,  "There is no try, there is only DO!"  I love it.  So, whatever your journey in life, believe it, say it, do it!!!!  Here's a great program to check out and think positivelye.  They are helping you along the way, using their blog, etc. The Empower Network.

My Life Does Get Better!

It has been a very good year for me. Supporting the blog theme - Life Gets Better and Better.  I do believe that my path as a spiritual seeker has brought me a long way in learning about life and how it works.  Yes, with age comes wisdom. If you will notice, most people do not want to go back to another age, they like being older, wisdom wise.  Physically is another story.  But I wouldn't want to go through some experiences again.  And I have learned the secret about manifesting your destiny, and I have positive statements I repeat over and over again about what I want my life to look like, and it does happen.  I am in a very good place in my life.  I had a surprise birthday party this weekend and all the people in my life are really genuine and special. Lucky me. But that's also a reflection of what I put out there.  I have earned the respect of those people. I raised wonderful children on my own.  I worked my butt off and I am very proud.  I also am very grateful every day as I know how tenuous life can be.  Every day is definitely a gift.  Everyone in my life is healthy and good.  I am so happy for them and that makes me happy that they are doing so well - and it is not about money.  It is about who they are as people.  And this is during a time of stress and economic struggle for many people.  But I look at who all these people are, and I am so proud.  So, my life does get better and better because of PEOPLE.  I continue on other quests to gain financial freedom but not at the expense of integrity and people.  Check out these programs to help you find more ease in life - the Empower Network is about helping each other, building upon someone else's success.  The Automatic Profit Machine is similar, but without the support of the long-term blog.  Go there and do your research.

The Empower Blog

So, I had wonderful people give me a surprise birthday party last nite - at least an 85% surprise - I had an inkling something was going on and my children - who are adults, can't lie to me very well.  And I was curious why we hadn't talked about any plans.  But it was great. There was a houseful of people who I love and I felt special, even though I don't like being the center of attention.  And we all had fun and everyone got along.  I remember on my 16th year, I had 3 surprise parties - boy did I feel special.  I guess I've always tried to treat people with respect and digniity and perhaps it comes back to me.  I work as a counselor, and the focus of the job is to help people achieve their best and love themselves and enjoy others.  I believe all that helps to make the world a better place.  I found a great program that is about empowering each other, with the help of 2 guys who have an established blog and let us hop on board.  An easier way to make money for all.  Check it out.

What Is Your Automatic Profit Machine and Cause?

I believe this will be a good year for many people as the economy improves, I hope. The news about the job market appears to be a little better. Right now President Obama is trying to do things without the Republican Congress of Do-Nothing.  I have been listening to a lot of positive motivational audio, listening to the empower network audios,  and I've also been listening to the Oprah channel on Sirius.  I like this because they have many takes from her show re: spiritual perspective.  I never watched the show much due to work, and wasn't a "biggest fan" but really like some of the shows, and this station plays some of that "best."   But it is always very motivating and inspirational. I am  a person who could listen to positive inspiration constantly as I have seen myself as a spiritual seeker, which means I'm always eager to learn and change. I have had a belief that this was going to be my year when things really got going for me - things are good anyway, but I have always felt one of my things to do was to achieve abundance so I could live to the fullest and I could help others.  This is just one of those things I know in my gut.  I believe some of the programs I have found are going to enable me to do that.  Check out Automatic Profit Machine.Automatic Profit Machine It is  easy and inexpensive.  It is about viral marketing, collecting emails, earning money, and it is so easy because the website does all the work for you.  It is great.  They really took off, gaining 1000's of new members quickly.  And they are so easy.  It is truly a program that I did not have to think about too hard. Go listen to the video.Automatic Profit Machine You will be glad.  And when you achieve financial freedom with your online endeavors, who will you help?  I heard today of a program called "Wine into Water" - sort of a play on Jesus' Water Into Wine.  This group is trying to help 3rd world countries fix wells and have access to clean water so they do not have to walk miles to get clean water.  There are so many good programs in the world, I was so touched.  I also heard of a program called CARE that is about helping women and girls achieve in these under-privileged countries.I haven't checked that one out on the internet yet.  We do have to be careful about what we donate to as there are a lot of false charities these days.  I did hear about these 2 on the progressive radio. I will further check them out, just as I do the money making opportunities. 

Post-Iowa Thoughts

Comments following the Iowa Caucus and the Republican Primary - sorry Republican readers, but... I am so disappointed in what we have all become - but that's not right - not all.  It appears to be the Republican leaders who are not willing to consider any of Obama's plans, will not consider jobs plans, tax plans, or anything else because they want Obama to lose. Again, how many R. have vocally said that is their goal - Obama to lose, get rid of Obamacare, which is really a public health plan that many Americans desperately need as they have no health care. Is it oh well, so sad- let them die?  I don't understand.  How can people treat others that way.  How can Scott Walker lie, bulldoze people, kill unions, cut salaries, create NO jobs, and take money from the Koch brothers so he can become another rich republican.  I am hoping he will be gone soon.  Ohio vetoed their union busting bill and wisconsin will be getting rid of their governor - yay Americans, fight back.  I am a proud resident of the city where the Democratic senators escaped to in Illinois last year so the vote could not happen in Wisconsin.  I think they were the start of people not being afraid to fight back - speak up - say enough is enough.  I think a lot of what is happening is illegal.  Again, as I always say, I hope we return to better days for people, for the middle class, for the poor.  I work with many children of poor people and this new group is not multi-generational poor - they are a new poor of working parents who lost their jobs and lost their homes, not people who have always lived on welfare, but people who will now work part-time whereever they can, but that is not enough to pay for housing and food.  And then someone like Newt Gingrich speaks.  It makes me want to cry that this is okay.

Chris
Visit the Empower Network site for a wonderful new program!

A Better 2012!

I'm really hoping for things to improve in the world. Mind you, my life really does get better and better, but I personally feel sad about what others are going through.  I live in an area that was hard hit by the economy and there is a high percentage of poverty and unemployment in my area.  I work with children, and their lives are affected by the poverty, unemployment, homelessness of their parents.  I am amazed at the number of divorces I see due to the unemployment and poverty.  Many of the fathers of the kids worked in construction and our construction industry i.e. housebuilding, has decreased to 0, so these fathers, without other skills, have no work, no benefits, etc.  I see the impact on their marriages and their children.  The poor kids come to school and are so sad about parents fighting all the time. 
So, yes, I want to see the world improve.  I want people to earn a living wage, have health insurance and retirement again.  I want the 99% to be treated with dignity.  I want the teachers and nurses and firefighters and police officers to be respected for the hard work they do, instead of denigrated for "earning too much money" which none of them do.  They may earn above poverty, but everyone should have the ability to earn enough to pay bills and drive a decent car.  No one should have to pay $700. a month or more for health insurance.  I don't understand how the CEO's can have millions for a year, while their employees get wage freezes, wage cuts, vacation cuts, health insurance benefit cuts, retirement cuts. I don't understand how that is okay.  I don't understand how the executives of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were seeking bonuses this year, when they were involved in fradulent, unethical behavior that helped bring about the recession. 
YES, I WANT a BETTER LIFE tor people in 2012 - jobs, money for food, cost of living increases, etc.
Because the rich continue improving their life.  Again, my own life has improved, but I know that it would be different if I received that layoff notice, so I am eternally grateful for my luck.  I also have many skills and education that would help me with other employment, unlike many.  But I paid for my education through those school loans!!!!
So, let's all work together to help each other.  There are even the ethical millionaires out there calling for things to be different - letting the wealthy pay more in taxes.  I am working with the Empower Network to help others improve their financial status through the work of marketing.