Greetings from the Rocking Chair - May 2008

Retirees facing recession:

We have been hearing for some time now the debate as to whether or not the United States is in an economic recession.  Economists don’t necessarily agree, politicians try to put a positive spin on the economy, and the media tends to use the following definition:  “The standard newspaper definition of a recession is a decline in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for two or more consecutive quarters.”  Perhaps the more realistic definition is the one demonstrated by the following joke comparing a recession to a depression:

Recession:  When your neighbor loses his job.

Depression:  When you lose your job.

While we want our elected officials and other leaders to take the bull by the horns and solve our problems, we need to make whatever adjustments we can in our own sphere of influence. 

There was a company back in the late 1920’s that was on the verge of extinction, but due to an innovative method of marketing, they were able to fend off bankruptcy and were able to become a mainstay in America until about 1963 when they were acquired by another American company.  Let’s see if any of you remember the following: 

 In case you can’t read the words:

She kissed

The hairbrush

By mistake

She thought it was her husband Jake

Burma Shave

This company was able to find a solution to their individual need and as a result weathered the storm.

Retiree’s, and especially those that are considered “The Silver Tsunami” or Baby Boomers have demonstrated a great resiliency and a desire to make a difference in their world beyond their previous work place.  Retiree’s definitely are not through with living.  They were independent in the 50’s and 60’s and they are still independent today.  With the greatest level of wealth of any category in this country, many are able to make great strides in achieving their goals, trying something adventurous and focusing on different passions to make the world a better place.

This generation has seen a great deal of change, especially in the area of breakthrough technology, but this generation is also embracing new technology and in many ways is leading the bandwagon to create change. 

What will we see in the next 20 years?  I don’t know that anyone can accurately predict.  Even if they could, it wouldn’t be any fun.  We need the dreams, the creativity, the challenges, and the breakthroughs of the unknown to make life enjoyable.  Take for instance this excerpt from PCWorld.com which talks about a humanoid robot created by Honda Motor Company conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on May 13, 2008.

I read of one wish by a 10 or 11 year old about not having to carry around a backpack full of school books every day but could have an electronic device that would have all their her textbooks where she could access them and only have to carry the one device.  This isn’t as far fetched as it may seem.  We all know of the information available through computers, cell phones, pda’s, and other digital media.  Amazon came out with a product in November of 2007 that sold out immediately after being placed on the market.  It is just now recovering enough from the initial demand and is now able to ship on a regular basis.  You can read more about this device called the  Kindle Here.

Take a look at our blog roll on the right hand side of this blog.  If you have suggestions for helpful links, please let us know.  We want to make this blog as well as our web site as useful as possible for those that are retired or are nearly retired.  We would like to see these two vehicles become a way to demonstrate how we can Enjoy Life After Retirement.

In case you haven’t read it yet, take a look at the April 2008 edition of the Rocking Chair Squeaks.  Rocking Chair Wisdom has presented some information there relating to the switch from analag television broadcasting to digital broadcasting in February 2009.

Until next time, enjoy your life after retirement to the fullest.

 

 

Rocking Chair Squeaks - April 2008

It is April 2008 and almost daily on a local television station there is a crawl warning me that my television may stop working on February 17, 2009.

While the above statement may sound quite ominous, it is a true statement. After that date, older analog televisions will no longer be able to receive over the air programming. The federal government has established that date as the date broadcast television stations must switch over to broadcasting solely a digital signal. There are some exceptions such as low power stations or translator stations, but this change will involve most television stations throughout the country.

What this means is that if you currently receive your television signal over the free airways on an analog television set (do you have an older set using “rabbit ears”?) you will need a converter box between your television and the antenna to continue receiving the over the air signal. If you are using a digital television with “rabbit ears” to receive over the air signals, then supposedly you will be ok without a converter box.

U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI) held a hearing, Sept. 19, 2007 concerning the upcoming DTV transition and its disproportionate effects on America’s seniors. “Seniors are particularly vulnerable to slipping through the cracks of the transition. Not only are they more likely to rely on free over-the-air analog TV signals, but for many seniors television is their only link to the outside world,” said Chairman Kohl. “Without adequate planning and coordination, seniors will be left in the dark.”

The government has set up a coupon program to help Americans switch to digital. They are offering up to two (2) coupons good for $40 each towards the purchase of converter box that allows for the digital signal to be viewed on an analog computer.

All of this sounds good, and at least my local television station is promoting the switch well in advance, but there is a potential audience that could be affected by this coupon program but won’t be able to take advantage of it. This is because the program allows for 2 coupons per Household. It is possible that retirees and seniors are living in nursing homes or group homes where they don’t subscribe for cable television and rely upon their older analog to keep them in touch with their local news or syndicated programming. Since there could possibly be more than two televisions in the Household, everyone may not be able to get their coupon.

If you know anyone in this situation, you may wish to explore these two web sites for more information: DTVtransition.org and DTV2009.gov

Greetings from the Rocking Chair – April 2008

How do we know when we have achieved our full potential? What holds us back from going further? What are the limiting factors that keep us from continuing to grow and achieving greater things in our retirement years? Let’s explore this thought for a little bit.

Some of the more overused words and overused phrases in the business community seem to be “change” and “change management”. We talked about it all the time in the business community and now that we are retired or are facing retirement we are talking about it again, but possibly in a more personal manner. I would venture to say that most of us have an area we consider to be our “comfort zone” and the only way we are going to consider moving from this zone will be if it occurs in a very deliberate and controlled manner. Some circumstances may dictate a forced change, but hopefully we are currently in a position where we can endeavor to control our destiny, so to speak.

Perhaps the greatest limiting factor to change is fear – fear of the unknown. Change will take us out of that comfort zone and if we don’t know where it is taking us we can become quite uncomfortable. I would venture to say that a close second limiting factor is the erecting of artificial barriers we place around ourselves to avoid having to make a change.

I am reminded of the age old story about elephant handlers training circus elephants. These handlers take these young elephants when they are small and weak and chain them to iron stakes in the ground which prevent them from breaking away and running free. This allows the trainers to keep them close, work with them, and prepare them for their routines. When these little elephants mature into huge, powerful elephants capable of lifting a ton or more with their trunks, they remain restricted by those same small iron stakes. When they are more than strong enough to pull the stakes out of the ground, they don’t even try. Even if you remove the chains from the stakes but leave them attached to the ankles, they remain within their usual perimeter of movement. They remain bound by their old boundaries and don’t venture beyond. If elephants are able to think, possibly they are thinking “I can’t go any farther, so why try?”

A similar scenario happened on the farm where I grew up. Low voltage electric fences were used as means to control any wandering activities of the animals. While initially they would test the boundaries, eventually you could turn off the low voltage electricity but the animals would not venture close to the fence. This story was adapted from The 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry, available from Floodgates of Heaven Bookstore .

As we venture through retirement, do we artificially limit ourselves? When we are young we look at everything in a pretty broad fashion. At that time we saw the world as a huge cornucopia of opportunity. As we went through life with our careers or raising our families, we saw some of the fruit of the cornucopia starting to disappear. When we reach retirement age, it appears that all that is left is what is in the tail end of the cornucopia basket. We don’t observe the trees of opportunity that have grown up as a result of seeds falling to the ground from the basket.

Perhaps now we can utilize the time we used to spend writing grant proposals or RFP’s to writing that novel or short story we never seemed to have time to complete. Maybe we had an eye for detail and spent our working years in the accounting or audit fields. Can this same eye for detail be refocused to apply that trait or skill to photography or painting or sculpting?

There are so many stories of folks that have used this chapter of their lives to do fantastic things. My own father’s retirement hobby was creating quilt tops. After retiring from farming, he created over 300 quilt tops. Maybe this isn’t amazing in itself, but considering he began his first one in 1934 and didn’t finish it until after he retired shows that a spark of a dream or goal remains active. For my father, he didn’t let the barriers of life deter him from fulfilling his dream and expanding upon it. Utilizing a treadle sewing machine that was reported to be at least 100 years old and 30,000 postage stamp size quilt blocks per quilt, he created an amazing array of quilt tops – all after he retired. Many small community organizations benefited from his talents by using donated quilts for fundraising activities.

Rocking Chair Wisdom challenges each of us to find ways to expand our horizons and to not allow artificial barriers to stifle our ability to lead a rich and full life where we can truly enjoy life after retirement. Let’s stretch our comfort zones.

If you would like to share how you are enjoying or are planning to enjoy your life after retirement please let us know at Rocing Chair Wisdom.  Contact us at RockingChairWisdom@gmail.com .  We would love to hear from you and if you allow us, to share some of your experiences and perhaps photos on the web site we are developing at: www.Rocking-Chair-Wisdom-Life-After-Retirement.com .

Greetings from the Rocking Chair - March 2008

Wow!  The first quarter of 2008 is just about to pass into the history books.  In some aspects it has been a wild ride with presidential candidates, rising food and gas prices, massive stock market fluctuations, political scandals, and of course Bear Stearns.  But wait, that was just in this month alone wan’t it.

Anyway, spring is bursting forth with new life and bringing with it an energized vigor.  I walked out my front door the other morning and was surprised to hear a lone bird singing some kind of song.  This is in an area where birds, especially singing birds, are not too plentiful.  I went on about my business and returned about four hours later.  And guess what?  That same lone bird was still singing that same song.  When was the last time you sang for 4 hours?

I had a few comments from my Rocking Chair Squeaks earlier in the month that dealt with the Economic Stimulus Rebate and I appreciate that.  It would appear that at least some of you followed the links provided.  I hope you found this information useful and perhaps it will result in some individuals receiving some money they weren’t expecting. 

I recently read this quote from Louis Armstrong, “Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music in them.”  This appears to be a very fitting statement regarding where my life is today.  All of my prior education and working backgrounds have been centered around financial details in the business world.  I find myself now being much more appreciative of those who have a more developed creative and artistic background than I do.  I find myself in awe at times of the sheer beauty of the great outdoors.  That mosaic in itself changes minute by minute and one never knows what is next.  Who can’t appreciate the beautiful colors of the setting sun over the Arizona desert or over California’s beaches.

What I am discovering as I research material for my associated web site Rocking-Chair-Wisdom-Life-After-Retirement.com is there are very few places that do not have some kind of magical appeal to someone.  Whether you like the desert living of Arizona, the cooler environment of Montana, or the beaches of California, there will be always be something to enjoy. 

Let’s always remember that wherever we are in our life, retired or “nearly” retired, there are others always watching us.  Even before the advent of You Tube (Only 3+ years old) and camera cell phones, folks were watching us to choose those actions and responses to daily living that they perceived would benefit their individual lives.

Be Positive and think positive thoughts.  Enjoy Life and the beauty of your surroundings. 

With that I leave you with this link to Diane Maxey Watercolors.  I consider Diane and her husband Bill to be good friends of my wife and myself.  While the flat images of the computer screen don’t do justice to Diane’s work, I trust you will find Diane’s web site enjoyable.  Feel free to browse, purchase a piece of her art, or join one of her workshops.  You won’t be dissapointed.  My comments are totally unsolicited and I receive no compensation from Diane for this referral.  My compensation would be to know that you found her work as enjoyable as I do.

Rocking Chair Squeaks - March 2008

I am going to use Rocking Chair Squeaks as a means of periodically communicating what I believe to be important issues having a significant impact on those that are retired and those that are nearly retired.

We all know the sound of a rocking chair on a wooden floor and the squeaking sound it makes. However, if you rock long enough you tend to put the squeak out of mind and just enjoy the relaxation. In the Rocking Chair Squeaks I will be presenting thoughts related to issues to which we individually may find a need to respond. But on other issues, there may be no action required and we can continue on with living life after retirement.

March 2008 Squeak

Under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, more than 130 million American households will receive economic stimulus payments beginning in May. The only way to get one is to file a federal tax return for 2007. This filing requirement also applies to some people who do not normally file, including many low-income people and recipients of Social Security, certain benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs and certain Railroad Retirement benefits.

On the surface this appears to be very simple. But as I thought about this and share with others, I discovered that there may be a population or audience that may not be getting the message. Here I refer to those individuals that reside in nursing homes and their social security check may be going directly to the nursing home. If this happens to be the recipient’s only income or their other income is such that they don’t have to normally file an income tax return, then they may not be aware of this provision.

My mother-in-law happens to be in this category. We called the nursing home today because we weren’t certain whether she was receiving Social Security or SSI. SSI doesn’t qualify for the economic stimulus payment. The individual we spoke to indicated they had heard about the plan but wasn’t aware of any details or how it applied to the residents of the nursing home where she worked even though the majority of the residents are social security recipients. She suggested we call back tomorrow to speak with one of the social workers assigned to the nursing home.

This response came from an employee of a nursing home in a small town in Texas. I only mention this as there may be pockets of our retired population that may not be receiving this information or may not be aware that it applies to them.

I am including a copy of the Social Security Flier provided by the Internal Revenue Service the for your reference and would encourage you to follow up with your loved ones if they happen to fall in this category to ensure they file a return for 2007. I am also providing a link to a sample completed Form 1040A if you wish to help them complete the form. Also, pass this information on to others you know that have not be required to file an income tax return but has income in excess of $3,000.

For social security recipients this payment has no impact on past or future benefits and should go directly to them.

Greetings from the Rocking Chair - February 2008

Looking back over the past few weeks I see it has been a while since my last posting.  As I reflect upon this journey called “retirement” I can only wonder if I am living it to the fullest?  I suspect, for most of us in this category, we like and desire the freedom of choice that retirment brings but also want some of the structure we were used to in the “work every day” lifestyle.  At least, that seems to be the way it is for me.

With retirement. I am finding that there are different choices, different decisions, and different activities and priorities. However, I don’t believe my fundamental character has changed.  I still have compassion for my fellow human beings.  I still feel compelled to do my best in whatever I do.  I always try to strike a win - win situation in striking deals with others.  My nature has never been one of taking advantage of another and that has not changed.

I haven’t been blessed with an over abundant supply of financial resources during my lifetime, so I still look for ways to stretch the dollar.  As a matter of fact, one of the comments made at my retirement party was that I was often seen as being “tight fisted” (I was the Business Manager).  Compliment?  I don’t know, but it sure didn’t bother me considering the reserve balances I left my employer when I walked out of the office on that last day.

I recently read an article written by Steve Diggs, a minister for the Antioch Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee, author of several books, and presenter of No Debt No Sweat! Christian Money Management Seminars around the country, that intrigued me.  It introduced a very simple concept but one that has a very profound result.  Quite simply, I present his concept as a question, Are you a Penny-Picker-Upper?

Simply put, a penny has very little monetary value.  In fact it costs more for the government to manufacture both a penny and a nickel than what they are worth monetarily.  However, by stooping to pick up one of these coins that may be lying on the sidewalk or pavement, we demonstrate that we remember the value of money and it serves as a good discipline in remembering to not take things for granted.  This can be related to our financial blessings, but how about the minutes or hours of each day that God gives us?  Do we utilize our time in the most useful and appropriate manner?  Or do we squander minutes or sometimes hours because we don’t value the time?

We are called upon to be the good stewards of everything we have, including our financial resources, our material possessions, and our time.  Maybe this is even more evident in our Life After Retirement.

Musings from the Rocking Chair - January 2008

        

Well, I guess this is one of those days the experts would call a “milestone” day.  Today is the day I turn the corner to that magic number of age 62.  I read somewhere that over the next several months, and possibly years, there will be about 365 of us turning 62 each hour.  Just think of the economic

Greetings From the Rocking Chair - January 2008

 

Isn’t it amazing how quickly time appears to pass?  But then does time really move or is time motionless?  No matter what the answer is, it is now 2008 and I hope your year is off to a good start and you are enjoying the daily blessings given to you and those around you.

The political races are off in heated contest with caucuses and primary elections taking a front seat on the daily newscasts.  Later on in the year we will be able to see and possible take part in the national party conventions.  The political process is a very integral part of the American way and we should be as informed as possible when we cast our vote in November.

This is also the year that the Baby Boomer (born 1946 – 1964) generation

Greetings from the Rocking Chair - December 2007

I am slowly moving into this “retirement” thing and am continuing to evaluate resources that can be useful to us as we prepare to enter that new chapter in our life or as we progress through that chapter.  It seems like there are so many things to investigate, so many things to reflect upon, and so many things that challenge us to stretch our minds that some times it is difficult to find adequate time.  It is truly amazing how one’s perspective changes from the daily “workforce” perspective.  I invite your comments and hopefully we will be able to encourage one another.

Greetings from the Rocking Chair

Having recently retired after spending 28 years with one organization, I found myself experiencing new thoughts and looking at new ways to expand my horizions.  I didn’t think I would ever be involved in doing any kind of blog but