retirement Archives - Other CMS

Best Jobs for Retired Teachers

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Retirement doesn't have to be the end of your career. You never stop being a teach or a student in life.

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How To Plan A Successful ‘Retirementmoon’

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 08:30:00 +0000

How To Plan A Successful ‘Retirementmoon’

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Tips to Make Money in Retirement

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 23:20:07 +0000

Tips to Make Money in Retirement

Ask an American worker of just about any age what they look forward to in retirement and the answer will most likely be not having to work. Retired reality, however, might be very different. Many seniors, for example, feel the pull of returning to the workforce to counter the isolation that often accompanies leaving valued co-workers behind.

There are also hard economic truths to face, as more than one in four seniors in a 2020 Employee Benefit Research Institute study reported they were spending more in retirement than they can afford. Rising costs and a fluctuating stock market also make it more difficult for many retirees to make ends meet. Here a few options for seniors looking for low-key but effective ways to supplement their existing retirement income.

Back to School: The American education system offers retirees several opportunities to not only earn extra money but make a substantial contribution to the well-being of the community. Public school districts across the country, for example, desperately need substitute teachers, positions that generally enable retirees to work when they want and to share with children the knowledge and wisdom accrued over a lifetime. If you hold an advanced degree, you should consider applying for an adjunct teaching position at your local community college.

Call the Consultant: Retirees often have decades of valuable professional experience and taking on project work as a consultant is an excellent way to draw on it on your own timeline. Consulting helps you stay relevant in your field by offering insights and advice without having to go back to the office full time. The first step is to sign up with a relevant temp firm or consider starting your own consulting business.

Room For More Income: The past decade has seen the vacation rental by owner industry explode in popularity, as Americans have increasingly eschewed traditional hotels for stays in private homes through services like Air B and B and Vrbo. If you’re fortunate to live in a region that regularly attracts visitors and have some square-footage to spare, listing your home with these services can be a reliable source of lucrative passive income. Even better, you get to set the availability, meaning you’ll never be stuck with guests at inopportune times. One tip: If you winter (or summer) elsewhere, consider hiring a property manager to manage your rental.

Happy Returns: Death and taxes are here to stay, right? Having tax-preparation skills and experience will enable you to find work completing clients’ returns each February through April. You can also take one of the tax prep courses needed to get hired on at the big-box tax firms.

Delivering the News: You probably haven’t thought of this one since you were a kid, but people still get paid to throw newspapers. The best part of the job is using your own car and getting done early so you have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy being retired.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

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Tips to Strengthen Your Economic Position in 2023

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 00:00:58 +0000

Among the many aphorisms coined by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), the most quoted might well be his contention that “if all the economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion.” Shaw’s quote is particularly relevant in times like these, as millions of Americans continue to struggle in an era of economic and political uncertainty.

But maybe Shaw was being too rough on economists. After all, their forecasts are just that – informed best guesses based on current conditions and projected trends. Given the form’s inherent uncertainty, the smart thing to do is take your economic well-being into your own hands. With the nation’s inflation and interest rates still at their highest in decades, here are a few things you can do to strengthen your personal economic outlook.

Cut Credit Debt: Paying down credit cards is always a good thing but it’s particularly important given current economic conditions. Data reveals the average rate of credit card interest is nearly 20%, up from 16.3% a year ago. And that figure promises to do nothing but rise as long as the Fed continues its current strategy of pursuing interest rate hikes. Your debt is only going to cost more in 2023, so now is the time to bite the bullet and pay down those credit cards.

Improve Credit Rating: Suffice it to say, cutting your credit debt will do wonders for your credit rating. If you foresee needing to borrow this year to purchase a home, car or other big-ticket item, you will want to make sure your credit score qualifies you for the lowest rates available, particularly given that a slow economy often leads banks to tighten their credit standards.

Rainy Day Fund: An emergency fund has long been regarded as the first line of defense against financial hardship and yet studies show that just 27% of Americans have the recommended six months’ worth of expenses saved up. Get in with that ‘in’ crowd and start salting away money now from each paycheck to help carry you over if those paychecks stop coming.

Develop/Revise Your Budget: Data also shows that few Americans utilize a monthly budget to track their income, savings and expenditures. Creating – and, more the point, sticking to – a monthly budget enables you to easily track where your money is going and to make adjustments as needed. It’s also important to revise your budget no less than annually, as the amount of your take-home pay and expenditures can fluctuate.

Prepare for Retirement: Sure, you might think you’ve got plenty of time to think about retirement but Americans approaching that age will tell you those decades fly by faster than you can imagine. Now is the time to set up or increase contributions to a retirement account. The goal is to contribute enough each month to at least qualify for your employer’s full match, which typically ranges from 3%-5% of your salary. If you can’t afford that right now, take a slow and steady approach with gradual increases that, over time, will make a big difference.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Tips to Strengthen Your Economic Position in 2023 appeared first on Other CMS.

Preparing Yourself Mentally for Retirement

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 22:17:59 +0000

Ah, retirement. You’ve been hearing about it – perhaps dreaming about it – your entire working life, how those “golden years” at the end of your career will provide the freedom you need to travel, take it easy and just generally develop a deeper appreciation for life.

While there is some truth to the cliché, the reality is that the transition from the workforce to retirement represents a major life change with plenty of potential emotional challenges. Many people derive their self-esteem and identity from work, leaving them to wonder where those will come from in retirement. And there are practical matters to consider – how do you fill those 40 (or more) hours per week previously passed in the workplace?

There is no way to know what the transition to retirement will be like emotionally until you go through it, but there are steps you can take to minimize the anxiety as you say goodbye to your professional life.

Think Ahead: Preparing yourself emotionally for a life change as large as retirement cannot be done in a few weeks or months. Experts advise giving yourself at least a full year to get used to the idea of retirement and to identify any emotional issues that might arise.

Visualize Your Future: Once you have got your head around the prospect of retiring then turn your attention toward how best to utilize the years in front of you. Visualize all the things you have ever dreamed about doing, from climbing Europe’s highest mountains to supporting your local community. Then create a vision/mood board that will make these ambitions more visible and shareable.

Test the Waters: In some cases, you can tiptoe rather than plunge into retirement by slowly reducing your working hours or taking a sabbatical in the months or years before your actual retirement date. This strategy provides the opportunity to test your assumptions and revise your plans accordingly.

Peer Review: If you are nearing retirement age, it is a safe bet you have some friends in the same boat. Open a conversation with them regarding your shared emotional, physical and economic anticipations. It’s even more helpful to talk with friends who have already retired to get their thoughts on how best to make the transition.

Family Matters: For many, retirement is a family matter as much as anything else. If that is true in your case, it is important to sit down and discuss everyone’s ideas and expectations. For example, are you hoping to see the grandchildren every day? If your spouse is also retiring, what are the expectations regarding shared and separate activities? Getting everything out in the open can help prevent disappointment or even conflict later on.

Cut Yourself Some Slack: It is of the utmost importance to recognize that you might feel emotional discomfort as you transition from the workforce to retirement, even if it is mixed with happiness and excitement. This is utterly normal, so acknowledge that reality and try to be gentle with yourself as you navigate this significant change in your life.

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How Do I Know if I Have Enough Money to Retire?

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:27:39 +0000

There are a wide range of factors to consider before you make the decision to retire. What, for example, is your current level of job satisfaction? How far do you live from supportive family members, particularly those grandchildren? What is the status of your and your spouse’s health? And then there’s the matter of those post-retirement goals – just how do you want to spend your golden years?

That said, there’s no denying one factor trumps the rest – can you afford to retire? It’s not always so easy to figure out. The internet is loaded with websites and podcasts offering advice on how best to build and sustain your nest egg but comparatively light on describing when you have enough in those accounts to retire comfortably. Here are some indicators to look for.

You Can Forget Social Security: Recent generations know firsthand what history teachers never taught you about the New Deal – that Social Security benefits in and of themselves are not enough to retire on. Those contemplating retirement must not expect the federal program to be their primary source of income but rather a supplement to begin drawing at 67 or 70; icing on the cake, not meat and potatoes.

The 10 Times Rule: It’s clearly best to draw your retirement income from a range of sources – pension, 401(k), stocks and bonds, you name it. But how best to determine if their collective value is enough to retire on? Financial planners point to the 10 Times Rule, meaning you can access 10 times your annual net take-home pay. Simply multiply the latter figure by 10 and compare it with the value of your holdings to determine if you have enough salted away to retire.

And the 4% Rule: Financial planners also look to the 4% Rule to ballpark how much cash you will need in retirement. The 4% in question represents the portion of assets you will withdraw from your portfolio each year in retirement. If that number plus your anticipated Social Security benefits at least matches your current monthly budget, you’re likely good to go for retirement. You can also reverse the process –
multiplying your desired annual income by 25 can give you the amount you’d need in order to withdraw 4% from each year to live comfortably.

Prepared for Healthcare: Human mortality being what it is, the ever-escalating cost of healthcare must remain in the foreground of your retirement planning. Americans can access Medicare at 65 but every potential retiree must consider how best to finance their own regimen of treatments, checkups and prescription drugs. If you know how much you could potentially need to spend on healthcare and feel confident the resources are available – a big “if,” to be sure – then you have removed a major roadblock toward retirement.

Debt Free’s the Way to Be: A bit of a no-brainer, sure, but being debt free is a clear indicator you are financially ready for retirement. Paying off the mortgage is the obvious first step with auto loans following closely behind. Retiring these debts frees up more money each month to, well, retire on.

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Living Your Best Life During Retirement

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 15:31:06 +0000

Your retirement years offer the freedom to focus your time on things you enjoy. No longer bound to a clock or calendar, you can fill your days and hours any way you choose! From traveling the world to taking up a new hobby, this article offers eight ideas to help you maximize your retirement years.

1. Find a part-time job.

If you aren’t ready to leave the workforce completely, a part-time option may be right for you. After years of working in a particular industry, retirees can bring a great deal of expertise to companies in their field as consultants. For more great employment options for seniors, check out our blog article on this topic.

2. Get fit.

The benefits of staying active in your senior years are many. Not only does physical fitness prevent disease and help overall immune function, but regular physical activity also boosts memory and improves cognitive function. Look for low impact activities like swimming or tai chi or join a walking group. Increased activity during the day has also been shown to help seniors sleep better at night.

3. Learn something new.

Are you interested in learning to speak a new language or cook a different cuisine? From enrolling in a class (whether online, through a community college, or at a senior center) to reading books and listening to podcasts on topics that interest you, there is no limit to the number of learning resources available!

4. Join (or start) a club.

Clubs are a great way to meet other people who share your interests, and there is no end to the types of clubs available. Whether your interest is books, gardening, quilting, wine, or photography, you’re sure to find other seniors who enjoy the same. Check with your local senior center to see what clubs are available in your area, or think about starting your own.

5. Tackle a DIY project around the house.

Now that you’ll be spending more time in your humble abode, consider starting some projects around the house. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a space. A vegetable garden gives you a chance to spend some time in nature and you can share the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor with neighbors and friends!

6. Travel the world.

Ask most people what’s on their bucket lists and travel is often top of mind. Whether your goal is to visit every baseball stadium in the United States or see the seven wonders of the world, now – when every day is a vacation day – can be the time to pack your bags and board the plane (or train, automobile, boat, or bus)!

7. Try out a new hobby (or even turn one into a new career).

Whether you enjoy sewing or photography, jewelry-making, or cake-baking, chances are you can find someone who would benefit from your talents! Rent a booth at a craft fair or set up at a farmers market. Get permission to hang posters on the bulletin board at a senior center or community center to advertise your services.

8. Volunteer.

Volunteering not only helps your community, but it also gives you a great sense of purpose as well! Churches, food banks, libraries, museums, and many other charitable organizations are always in need of volunteers. Identify some charitable organizations you’re interested in and check their websites or call them for more information on how to become a volunteer.

No matter how you choose to spend your retirement years, finding time for friends, family and the things you enjoy will help make these some of the best years of your life!

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Ten Ideal Post-Retirement Jobs for Seniors

CENTRESTAGEFILMS — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 19:08:22 +0000

There are plenty of reasons why you might be considering a post-retirement career. Whether you’re looking to explore a new employment option, stay active, meet new people, or simply add a little cushion to your monthly budget, there are as many job options available to seniors as there are reasons to stay in the workforce.

As an increasing number of older adults are continuing to work past age 55, many employers are also recognizing the value of hiring experienced workers, as well as the traits like loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness that are common in older generations.

Here are just some of the employment opportunities that are available for those in adults over the age of 55:

1. Administrative Assistant/Virtual Assistant

Assistants answer phones, book appointments, respond to customer questions, and more. Virtual assistants work remotely, which means the job can be done anywhere with a strong Internet signal.

2. Artist

Put your drawing, painting, sewing, soap- or jewelry-making, or other crafting skills to work and make products to sell at craft fairs, farmers markets, or online through a site like Etsy.

3. Consultant

Perhaps you no longer wish to work full time, but you’d like to continue working in your field of choice on a part-time basis. If so, you can share your experience and knowledge with others as a consultant. Companies may seek out consultants in their field to help with specific projects or during times of transition.

4. Courier

Couriers deliver food, packages, and other goods to those who order them through services like GrubHub and Amazon Flex. Medical courier jobs are also becoming increasingly common.

5. Home Health/Personal Care Aide

Personal care aides help people with basic needs by running errands, tending to housework, and more. Home health aides provide basic medical care such as administering medications, changing bandages, and similar tasks.

6. Retail Sales

Retail positions offer many perks, including flexible hours, a store discount, and even health benefits in some larger retail stores.

7. Tax Preparer

You don’t have to be an accountant to earn money helping others prepare their taxes; you simply need to pass a competency exam and obtain a Preparer Tax Identification Number from the IRS.

8. Teacher

Community colleges and senior centers often hire instructors for professional development or general interest classes and you don’t need to be a scholar or professor to share your knowledge with those eager to learn.

9. Tour Guide

Share your knowledge of popular vacation spots and the history of the site by becoming a tour guide.

10. Uber/Lyft Driver

On-demand drivers can set their own hours, making this one of the most flexible post-retirement jobs available.

Many post-retirement jobs offer more than just a paycheck – they also offer a chance to make a career from a favorite hobby or pastime, the opportunity to help others, and a means for keeping your mind and body active. Take the time to consider your post-retirement job carefully, and you may even find that it doesn’t feel like work!

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