Downshifting into Retirement – Lessons from Japan

In Japan, more than forty percent (40%) of men remain in the work force after 60 as compared to the U.S., where thirty percent (30%) do so.

Why the difference? Researchers at Boston College have identified five reasons for the high participation among men over sixty in Japan – they are:

• Economic need
• Type of employment available
• Cultural values
• Health, and
• Policy factors

Jim Bremner a Coach and Consultant, living the 2nd half of his life in Hilton Head, SC. offers his insight and thoughts about whether we should be taking our California Dreaming even further west-across the ocean to Japan where the economic climate fits our downshifting lifestyle?

Read Mr. Bremner’s full article here.

Career Fair a Huge Success

I finished the Career Fair for the Alamo Chapter of AFCEA on Wednesday.  It has been a lot of work for almost a year but the two days of speakers and job hunters made it worth it.  It never ceases to amaze me the number of people that are willing to give their time and effort to help others.  We had four great speakers that spent their time to prepare presentations that would really help the attendees with their job hunt and career advancement.

Mary Elizabeth Bradford talked about the hidden job market.  April Kelly spoke about how to get the most from your LinkedIn account.  David Patrick spoke on transitioning from the military to civilian life.  Shane Pulver told the attendees what really goes on in the interview process and how to make the most of it.

All this was possible because of the generosity of several companies who sponsored the Career Fair and the booths, the speakers who gave their time and expertise and the volunteers who spent almost a year preparing for the event.

This is the type of dedication and effort that really makes a difference in people’s lives.  Thank you all.

Heart Healthy Lifestyle

Coronary artery disease is the most common chronic, life-threatening illness in the United States. It affects 11 million Americans. Earlier in life, men have a greater risk of coronary artery disease than do women. However, after menopause, a woman’s risk eventually equals that of a man.

- www.everydayhealth.com

One of the best ways to prevent heart disease is to simply live a “heart healthy” lifestyle.  To find out more, read our recently published article titled “A Healthy Lifestyle for the Prevention of Heart Disease.”

Social Security Q&A

Have you looked at My Best Second Half’s Social Security Q&A lately?  Each week we provide valuable questions and answers about your Social Security benefits. Questions cover important topics from eligibility to the latest news on cost of living adjustments.  This week’s questions are:

What should I do if Social Security paid me too much and wants it back now?  Read the answer here.

I just moved. How do I notify Social Security of my address change?  Read the answer here.

Thanks for visiting!  While you are here, leave a comment and tell us what you would life to see here at mybestsecondhalf.com. We are here to provide a resource to you and we’d love to incorporate your suggestions.

Happy Independence Day

Some 233 years ago, a group of men put their lives and freedom at risk to declare that they, their fellow citizens and their country were no longer ruled by an oppressive monarchy but they were independent and would rule themselves. It took years of warfare and sacrifice to secure their vision but secure it they did. Eventually, they and their peers would establish a constitutional republic that would stand as a beacon of liberty around the world.
We have grown in many ways in the last 233 years. We have become a world power though this was not the vision of the founding fathers. They simply sought liberty, freedom, independence. In many ways, many parts of the world have caught up with us. I think this would greatly please our founding fathers.
What we become in the future depends on the decisions we all make today. We each have a responsibility to contribute in our own way. We are each different and have different talents to contribute but, contribute we each must. In truth, we are contributing whether we realize it or not. What we do each day affects us and those around us. So, I encourage you to appreciate, value and take advantage of the gift each of us was given through the labors of the founding fathers and to contribute to and improve the future for those that will be here 233 years from now.

Panic is NOT an investment strategy

Things have gotten very “exciting” lately in the economy and they have gotten downright scary for investors in the financial and real estate markets.  I have heard a number of people talk about pulling out of the stock market altogether.  I’m not sure where they would put their money afterwards, perhaps under their mattress, but I see that as a sure way to lock in your losses.  Can you say “market timing?”

Can you or I afford to be on the sidelines when the stock market begins to recover?  Imagine if the stock market as indicated by the DOW, went up 500+ points tomorrow or next week and you had your money in a desk drawer.  I wouldn’t want to face that.

When I started investing seriously, I chose to invest for the long term and I selected a strategy for the long term.  I am not about to second guess that strategy now.  I knew there was a chance that the market would go down; well, actually, I was almost positive that at some point the market would drop.  Maybe I didn’t foresee it dropping as much as it has over the last month or so but, I knew it could.  I selected my strategy based on my tolerance for risk, not some financial columnist’s, talking head’s or my financial advisor’s risk tolerance.  With that knowledge, I will ride out this storm and keep to my strategy.

If you the current economic situation is too turbulent for you or if you can’t sleep at night worrying about your finances, you need to re-evaluate your investment strategy and reconsider your risk tolerance.  Maybe you aren’t as risk tolerant as you thought you were.  If that is true, then THAT is a good reason to re-evaluate and perhaps re-allocate your investments.  If not, then consider sticking to your investment strategy and avoiding panic because panic is not an investment strategy and turbulent times are the worst time to panic.

Take a deep breath and have confidence in the strongest and, in my opinion, the best financial system in the world.  It may take six months or a year or maybe even two years but I am sure we will bounce back and in the end you will get to tell people how much you made in the great stock market recovery of the early 2000’s.  They will be amazed at your wisdom.

Karl