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For the Baby Boomers and Midlifers, this October – the Month of The Harvest Moon!: The focus is on Planning for Retirement. We’re talking about finance, and lifestyle choices. Planning for those days when after all your hard work you can “harvest” the rewards – whether that means travel, time, golf, or doing just what you want with your life.

Guest author Scott Martin suggests a way to begin the plan.

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Retirement Planner Calculator – Top 4 Must Do’s Before You Even Begin

Retirement Planner Calculator – Top 4 Must Do’s Before You Even Begin

By Scott Martin

No matter how old you are making retirement calculations should be high on your agenda. The earlier you start to think about creating a nest egg the easier your retirement will be. So what is the best retirement planner calculator to use?

Most financial planning software tends to focus on regular contributions to you retirement fund and ways to save on tax. These are both great ideas but I like to concentrate on a proactive investment strategy. Let’s face it

“most retirement funds are going backwards”

Let’s have a look at where most retirement planner calculators get it wrong:

Firstly they rely on other people to run and manage your fund. Secondly they rely on these fund managers actually producing positive returns. The financial advice system is designed to make people feel like it is too hard to manage your own money. The best advice I ever got was look after your own money because as you well know ‘nobody looks after it like you do’.

Learning to manage your own money is the most important fact that all financial planning agents forget to mention. Obviously they don’t want you to do this as it would put them out of a job.

Retirement Planner Calculator – Top 4 MUST DO’s Before You Even Begin

1. Expand your investment knowledge so that you understand what are where you money is invested

2. Find a broker/financial planner that has RESULTS. If they aren’t a successful investor themselves how are they going to help you?

3. Decide on when you would like to retire

4. Decide how much money you need per annum to live on

After you have done these simple things it is up to you to create an investment strategy that can produce consistent returns. Once you have achieved this you can start to estimate what sort of percentage returns you can create. Then it is simply a matter of working out how much savings you will require to earn this amount passively. For instance if you Retirement Planner Calculator says that you require $75,000 per year and you can earn 15% annually then you would require $500,000 in savings to create this amount.

The most important fact when calculating your retirement is to be proactive and increase your investment knowledge.

So are you serious about creating a Rich & Happy Retirement?

“I have never seen a retirement system that is so complete”

Get Your Free Retirement Planner Calculator DVD Today!

http://sharespropertymoney.com is a Free Investment Resource that is currently offering every visitor a Free ‘How to Retire Early & Rich’ DVD & Ebook

Do you want to Retire Within the Next 3 Years?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Martin
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September is Boomer Relationship Month on midlifejourney.com

Throughout the month of September we are going to focus on all kinds of relationships for Baby Boomers and the wild tangents that spring from that center of interest: Romance, dating, marriage, divorce, workplace craziness, communication skills (silent and otherwise), even relationships with your best pet. We welcome your ideas and comments, and if you wish, send us an article to add your perspective on this ever fascinating topic.

On this eighth day of September – Labor Day, the subject is workplace relationships. Guest author, Michael Roberts, Jr. has some wise words on how to make your workplace the best it can be.

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Communicating the Right Way at Your Workplace

Guest Author: Michael Roberts Jr

There are so many important things that you need to remember when you are communicating in the workplace! All leaders or people in a leadership position should have been given a communication manual when they first stepped into the workplace. But, since our business angels didn’t foresee this as a requirement we’ve had to learn how to handle certain things on our own. If you haven’t learned those things yet this article is great for you. Because, here we cover a few of the important things that you need to know while communicating in the workplace.

Having integrity is the first thing that needs to be covered in how to communicate well in the work place. In communicating you should remember to keep negative conversations and gossip out of your vocabulary. It is not the way to handle yourself in the workplace. There are appropriate ways to communicate grievances up the chain of command, but never bad mouth the company or your peers with coworkers. Many employers have been known to let employees go because they were the center of workplace gossip. You can have conversations and even friendships with your fellow employees but, do not participate in gossip! If someone is gossiping near you tell them that you don’t want to hear it or just walk away.

A lot of times in business we will find ourselves with a boss that is extremely difficult to deal with. Let’s talk about a few simple ways to deal with them. First of all, never get into a verbal argument with your employer. If you have already tried unsuccessfully to handle a disagreement with your boss feel free to go to your human resource department. Next, always be polite to your employer. Even if this person is a jerk every time he/she is in your presence keep your composure and be positive. This will take you a long ways in the company rather than being a smart mouth and eventually losing your job. In business you must always maintain a good working relationship with your coworkers.

Become indispensable!

Be so good at what you do that your employer doesn’t feel as if anyone else could do it better. If you are an administrative assistant– take it to the next level. Learn to speak another language. We all know that the market is changing and becoming more global every day. How much would your company need you if you were the only person in the entire company that could speak Chinese, Italian, or Spanish. By learning a new language you set yourself apart from everyone else.

This article was written by Michael Roberts Jr. the founder of Manage Up.net

His website is dedicated to developing better organizational leadership. The website has eBooks, articles, and online training for managers. Don’t miss the opportunity to sharpen your skills and take your career to new levels using insightful knowledge from an expert in management.

Visit http://www.manageup.net/ today and receive a FREE eBook to get you started.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Roberts_Jr
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Every Baby Boomer I know wants to stay healthy. But as we enter midlife and begin to feel those aches and pains, staying healthy becomes something that should not be taken for granted. I used to kid my grandmother when she would say, “If you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything.” I now realize she was right. If I can continue to maintain good health, I can do just about anything I want.

It’s not always easy to eat healthy, and choosing organic, can be very expensive. Lots of tempting fatty foods are “out there” just waiting to be devoured! Guest author Jamie Jefferson has a few ideas that might help you choose the right foods… and save money at the same time.

In the words of the famous Julia Child, “Bon Appetite!”

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Eat Healthy For Less – Tips For Saving Money While Eating Well

By Jamie Jefferson

Eating well and saving money don’t have to be mutually exclusive. If you’ve wanted to eat healthier but think you can’t afford it, think again. The key to eating healthfully on a budget is to plan your purchases, learn to cook from home, buy in bulk and take advantage of local produce. Here are some tips.

One of the biggest money wasters, and threats to good eating, is going to the grocery store without a plan. You can put yourself in an even worse position if you go to the store on an empty stomach.

The grocery store is full of temptations. Foods that are full of fat, calories and additives line the aisles in the stores. Make a list before you leave the house and be sure to have a healthy snack before you go. By preparing yourself before you go you can be sure that you’ll stave off temptation.

The second most important rule in eating healthfully on a budget is to cook at home. Packaged food costs a lot more money than the fresh ingredients that it takes to make them. If you haven’t made a habit of cooking at home before, start with a few simple recipes.

You can always expand your repertoire by taking a local healthy cooking class. When you cook at home, you can add lots of vegetables into recipes that normally don’t have them. Salads, soups and baked chicken meals can be prepared very inexpensively and healthfully at home.

You can save a lot of money at the grocery store by shopping around. Purchase products such as rice and vegetable stock in bulk. If you stock up on these basics you can save a lot of money in the long run.

Also, try to shop from more than just one store. You can often save a lot of money if you shop around and find the best prices. Make sure to arrange your cooking menu around the sales and you’ll always be able to save money. After a few weeks of comparing prices, you’ll know right off the bat where you can save the most on each item that you need.

Any healthy diet should be full of vegetables and fruits. For these, make sure you are looking at sources locally. Take advantage of farmer’s markets and fruit stands in your area. Even if the food is not organic, buying your fruits and vegetables from local farmers has benefits over buying food that is shipped across the state or across the country.

With a little time and dedication to saving money, you can find deals on healthy food. Apply these tips on your next shopping trip and you’ll be eating healthy for less.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where you’ll find wine discounts and coupons, as well as printable grocery coupons.

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If you are a Baby Boomer who is searching for true love, you need to be smart about the “who, where and how,” but the search for your perfect soul mate is not a lost cause. In this article, guest author, Samantha Jayne offers some great strategies for Building a Lasting Relationship after you hit that midlife mark of 50!

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Over 50 Dating – Baby Boomers Finding Love – It’s Easier Than You Think!

Guest Author:  Samantha Jayne

Meeting someone special for the second time round is easier than you think! The biggest difference between finding love in your 20’s and 30’s is experience! You are now in a great position, your adult tasks have been accomplished, career established, children have grown up and in many cases you have more time and disposable money for you! It’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labour!

If you are serious about finding love you need to take a strategic approach. Just as you would have a plan for any goal in life such as buying a house, career, weight loss or holiday. Take fate into your own hands and open the door, challenge yourself to find love by a given date.

Let me share with you top 10 strategies to finding love in your 50’s:

1. Get out and about! Break out of your comfort zone. You have wonderful friends, family, and career, it’s time to get out there! Meet new people, try new things, a new course, cooking classes and dancing are and excellent way to meet singles. Take some golf lessons or simply enjoy a coffee in a new cafe whilst reading the paper, you never know who’s path you may cross!

2. Network! Expand your wings. Let your friends and family know that you are dating. Have them introduce you to anyone that may be suitable.

3. Get back in touch! Look up an old friend you have lost touch with. A large portion of people in their 50’s rekindle romances and find love from their past.

4. Hire a professional! Professional matchmakers meet single men and women daily who are in the search for finding love for the second time round. A professional will do the work for you, find out what it is you are searching for in a person, run through compatibility tests based on values and lifestyles and most importantly offer you the advice and support you need.

5. Make new single friends! Having single friends in the same situation will give you healthy support. Host dinner parties and invite new people to join your group.

6. Be positive! Listen to your words, are you negative? Complaining that no one is good enough, and that everyone wants a younger man or woman will get you nowhere! Loose the cynicism, it is a huge turn off, you will be more attractive with a positive attitude.

7. Engage in light conversation. The intention of your date should be purely to having a nice time while getting to know a new person.

8. Prepare conversation starters. I always recommend 3 – 5 open ended questions about food, travel, favourite weekend escapes, and favourite outdoor activities. It is a great opportunity for you to establish whether there is intrigue or an interest in a second date.

9. The topic of children. Mention you children however don’t dwell on the subject, your date will lose interest. Remember your date is here getting to know you not your children.

10. The ex! Embrace the past relationship and move on, your second relationship will never compete with the first. Once you acknowledge the past have confidence in yourself in finding a new will happen sooner rather than later.

Most importantly have fun! You are in a great time in your life! Have balance between friends, family, time for you and of course finding new love! Learn to live in the moment. Be fulfilled by who you are now and remember, not everyone will be the love of your life, but it is likely you will make many wonderful friends along the way for your search for your companion. My most valuable advice is to never give up!

Samantha Jayne is dating Expert, Presenter and Matchmaker for exclusive matchmaking company for professional singles Blue Label Life. She has matched thousands of couples who have walked down the isle, is a guest speaker and presenter at seminars and events. To find the one you are looking for or to simply meet like-minded professionals visit http://www.bluelabellife.com.au

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Last night Susan Boyle gave her final performance on Britain’s Got Talent TV show. Dressed in a beautiful  blue floor-length gown, she repeated the song that stunned everyone “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables. The video wasn’t available on YouTube until this morning (see it below) but already more than half a million people had viewed it and by the time I finish this post the number will surely be several thousand higher.
(If the video does not appear, click here to view it at YouTube)

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Once again it was a great performance. She was self-assured and self confident, using more demonstrative gestures to deliver the song. The audience and all three judges gave her a standing ovation. But perhaps judge Piers Morgan said too much. He said that, without equivocation, she should win the contest. I could hear boos in the background from the competition’s fans. Perhaps it was just too much enthusiasm, and just what the other contestant’s fans needed to boost the votes. For when it all came down a few hours after the program was done and all the votes were counted, Susan Boyle came in — second. She lost to a dance group, Diversity. But as reported in The Los Angeles Times:

Susan Boyle proved a gracious loser today when the dance group Diversity won the top prize on “Britain’s Got Talent.”

“The best people won,” said Boyle. “They’re very entertaining. Lads, I wish you all the best.”
On this evening’s finale, the 48-year-old Scotswoman performed her best-known number, “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables,” the song that carried her to fame on her first appearance on the show
It had been a rough week for Boyle leading up to the finals. She had a well-publicized shouting match with a group of journalists and was reportedly considering pulling out of the competition on account of nerves.
But she rebounded and delivered a performance tonight that was warmly welcomed by the audience.

It’s been a great ride for the woman from Scotland, and I’m sure she will be making a Christmas Album very shortly! We’ve not heard the last of Susan Boyle. The woman has courage, guts and a dream she still needs to fill: to sing before the Queen which I believe will indeed happen someday soon.