Ways women over 50 can achieve financial fitness before retirement part 2

                                                                         

                       
                                                             
                      Ways women over 50 can achieve financial fitness before retirement

the following info was found on pbs.org

By and large, women over 50 will have different financial challenges than their male counterparts, so keeping financially fit is important. 

Keeping physically fit is always important, but as we age, it becomes even more imperative to maintaining quality of life. Keeping physically fit is always important, but as we age, it becomes even more imperative to maintaining quality of life. According to personal finance expert and Next Avenue contributor Kerry Hannon, the same is true for financial fitness.


Hannon stresses the importance of “financial fitness” for women, and especially for female members of the baby boomer generation, who are now entering their fifties and beyond. “Women have been part of the workforce more in this generation than before,” Hannon says, they are also likely to stay in the workforce longer. The full retirement age for Social Security has risen from 65 to 67, and, according to Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies’ “Fifteen Facts About Women’s Retirement Outlook,” 57 percent of women plan to retire after age 65 or not at all.
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the following is my view

So, let's take a look at that last paragraph. Wow, 57 % of women plan to work past age 65, or not at all. Gee, I would love to know how many of that percentage of women are not planning to retire at all. I bet it would be a large part of that number.
When I hear on the news how the younger generation is the first to live as well financially as their parents, I think, oh really? How wrong that is... My parents were not rich, but my dad was able to retire and have pensions from two places he had worked, my mom was able to receive social security, although she never had a full time paid job. She did work part time throughout the years. She also raised six children. Now, so many women will not get social security and in reality, how many people, men or women are retiring now with pensions from 20 years or more?
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pbs

Women face some unique challenges in planning for their financial future. Women famously earn 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. In a recent article for Next Avenue, Hannon points out that women are more likely to deviate from their career paths by taking time off to raise children or care for aging parents. They also tend to work for smaller firms and nonprofits that may not offer to match employees’ contributions to their retirement savings plans, if they offer a plan at all. On top of that, Hannon says, “most American women will find themselves single at some point from the age of 65 to the end of life.” This means women should be prepared to navigate the financial world on their own in their golden years.
Research suggests the average American woman does not believe she is up to the challenge. A Fidelity study released in February found that 82 percent of women were confident in their ability to budget and manage their daily finances, but only 37 percent of women felt confident planning for their retirement. Hannon offers the following financial fitness regimen for women in their 50s who are seeking to increase their financial know-how.

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my view

It's kind of baffling that women feel they are not able to plan for their retirement. Yet they are usually the ones raising the children, balancing a job outside of the home, balancing money between childcare, food, bills, clothing, and emergencies.
Women usually put everyone first, and don't focus on their health, so it makes sense they wouldn't in later years.
In the next post, let's look at making time for ourselves. Fitness of mind and body.


Beginning article
http://olderwomenrockon.blogspot.com/2016/12/women.html

Humor Only Older Women Can Understand, Old School

                                                                               

I really like this photo of Phyllis Diller. It is perfect for today's bloom, Humor only older woman can understand!

I grew up watching Phyllis. I always thought she was funny because of the way she dressed and her laugh!

As I have gotten older, I appreciate her humor more! I want to share some with you and then I will post a short video so if you're not familiar with her, you'll get a look at her performance!

Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home.
PHYLLIS DILLER, Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse

Old age is when the liver spots show through your gloves.
PHYLLIS DILLER, attributed, Funny Ladies: The Best Humor from America's Funniest Women

PHYLLIS DILLER, attributed, The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Inspirational Quotes
You know you're getting old when your back starts going out more than you do.
PHYLLIS DILLER, Housekeeping Hints
I was born at home on newspapers ... I still have a story on my butt, although now the print is much larger.

My photographs don't do me justice - they just look like me.
PHYLLIS DILLER, attributed, Put Your House on a Diet

PHYLLIS DILLER, attributed, Women Know Everything!: 3,241 Quips, Quotes & Brilliant Remarks
Whatever you may look like, marry a man your own age -- as your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.

Pennies from Heaven

                                                                                 

                                                 Pennies from Heaven, Thanks Mom!

My mom loved pennies! I remember a few years before she died in 2002, a classmate sent her four pennies. The years of the pennies were from each year they attended high school.
Mom used to love to wrap pennies and give them to my children when they were little.

After my mom died, I stopped into see my dad and he said, "You know, your mother leaves pennies in the strangest places around the house."
I have found pennies many time left by my mom. One day I was taking the dogs outside and noticed butterflies at the end of the driveway. They were beautiful, black with blue spots.
I walked up to them, four of them were on the pavement in a circle, in the center of the circle was a penny. When they flew away, I picked up the penny and thanked my mom.

My youngest daughter was having her first baby, I was with her and so was her mother-in-law. She looked at me and said, "Grandma won't be here to see the baby." I assured her that she would.
A few minutes later, her mother-in-law looked at the floor, picked up a penny and showed it to us. It hadn't been there before, she commented. My daughter and I looked at each other and smiled. I said, "I told you grandma would be here!"
One morning I got up and walked into the dining room with my coffee. On the table directly in front of the two middle chairs, straight across from each other, were two pennies. Now, the night before, all of my children and grandchildren were over for a visit. I had cleared the table and polished it, so I knew the pennies weren't on the table.

I am grateful to find pennies sent by my mom!

****My mom has been gone for 14 years and throughout that time, I have found pennies from her. There is no doubt in my mind that they are from my mom.
I remember her showing me a gift from someone who went to high school with her about 5 years before she died. There were four pennies, one for each year of high school she attended. The person remembered how much she loved pennies!
When my kids were growing up, my mom would give them pennies that she had wrapped. 
After my mom died and I visited my dad, a lot of times he'd say to me, "I find pennies from your mother in the strangest places."

Pennies from Heaven! Thanks Mom!


Marjorie Farrington ©

Holidays, Hurtful Times and Giving

Let's face it, for so many people, holidays are really hurtful times. Women tend to talk about those feelings. Speaking for myself, a flood of memories hit me like a wave at this time of year.

I get that "homesick" feeling when thinking of my children when they were young, making the holidays a magical time.

I miss my parents, memories that I tuck away all year make their way to daily thoughts.

So, what do you feel during these times? How do you not only cope with them, but do something to make things better?

I get into my writing, make phone calls to childhood friends I have kept in touch with..they know the real me. I don't just talk, I listen to them.

This year my plan is to do some Christmas shopping for our local pet rescue and also pick up a toy for children in need.

Here are some suggestions you may like:

Volunteer Match  is a great place to find a cause you would like to volunteer, how, where and when.

Animal Humane Society Volunteer From in-shelter support to at-home foster care, volunteers are involved in every part of the work we do at all five of our shelter locations. Our volunteers help make the world a more humane place for animals. (if you can't volunteer, there is always a need for food, blankets, etc.)

Newborns in Need

Clothing for the tiniest children

Four years ago, single mom Sue T. delivered her son Daron 14 weeks early. She was poor, alone, and by her own admission, "jaded and cynical." After searching everywhere for affordable clothing that would fit her preemie, she learned about Newborns in Need, which provides clothing and blankets for poor and premature babies.

"When the boxes arrived with the supplies I needed, it restored my faith in humanity," Sue recalls. Her situation improved, and today, she is a volunteer with the organization, helping other women and infants.

Last year, Newborns in Need volunteers distributed more than 350,000 pieces of clothing and baby gear to 2,000 hospitals, shelters, and families across the country. The organization is looking for donations of blankets, sleepers, gowns, all-in-ones, hats, booties, bottles, pacifiers, and disposable diapers. Contact: 417-967-9441 or https://newbornsinneed.org/

Local Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens are always in need of donations or volunteers.

If you are not able to get out to volunteer, you can always make online donations.

Oh, don't forget about yourself, treat yourself to a day out for you. What would you like to give to you! A piece of jewelry you have wanted, get your nails done, a lunch date with someone you haven't seen in awhile..do something for yourself that you would usually make you feel guilty!

**So, today's Bloom, make yourself feel better by giving, to others and to yourself!**

                                                          

Pearls of Wisdom by Older Woman

Today's Bloom  "Pearls of Wisdom by Older Woman"  

 

                                                                    

Remember, you are unique, Embrace Yourself, Trust Your Instinct, Never lose your Inspiration