Use Your Hobbies to Earn Extra Cash

Hobbies can entertain us and give us a sense of accomplishment. They help us define ourselves and give us a way to connect with others who have the same interests. Hobbies can also be a great source of additional income, offering a fantastic opportunity for a retiree to fill their time and their wallet.

Think hard about the things you do for fun. Could you be making some extra cash WHILE you are enjoying yourself? Or perhaps there is always a lucrative hobby you’ve always wanted to try out but never had the time? The time is now.

 

Woodworking

Woodworking is a fine skill that can prove to be a very enriching hobby. It’s amazing what you can make by hand once you have the training, like furniture, picture frames and other decorative items, and stylish storage boxes. Sherwood Oaks has a large wood shop for residents to work in, giving you plenty of room to bring your creative ideas to life.

 

Ceramics

Original work is more sought after than generic art you can get from a big box store. Ceramic creation is a wonderful hobby to have, as you can make items that are both beautiful and functional. Molding and painting custom mugs and sculpting ornate vases will help you to keep your creative juices flowing, and once your masterpiece is complete it can serve as a great gift item for someone to buy. Sherwood Oaks makes the entire process simple, as there is also a ceramics studio on campus!

 

Other Crafts

If you’re a master knitter or have a talent for creating stunning holiday wreaths, you should turn that fun into funds! In the past few years, there has been more and more focus on shopping locally and opting for handmade items. You don’t need to look any further than the online merchant site Etsy to see how successful handcrafted items have become. If you aren’t sure of the kind of project you would like to work on, spend some time on the DIY section of Pinterest, or the project section of the Michael’s website.

 

Baking

It’s no secret that a little bit of sweetness is hard to resist. If baking for family and friends has made you the favorite person at every get-together, try to benefit beyond just their compliments. Start baking for pay at community events or by order for private events. You can even serve a certain niche by baking diabetic-friendly or gluten-free items.

 

Lending a Hand

It’s a hassle for many people to do even simple “handy” tasks around the house. Those who are good with their hands can make a good amount of money from doing household maintenance for other members of the community, whether it’s helping to install a new window or painting a room.

 

Carrying on Your Former Career

Retirement doesn’t mean that you have to completely abandon the skills you acquired during your career. If you spent the last 40 years of your life enriching the lives of children as a teacher, you could take on some work as a tutor or after-school babysitter. Former accountants can help others with their taxes. Writers can start a travel blog and allow businesses to advertise on their sites. There was a reason you chose the career you did, and it can be easier than you think to keep the aspects of your life’s work that you loved the most.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m pretty financially stable. I would rather do my hobbies for fun rather than pay.”

In that case, how do you feel about using your talents to make money for others? If you’re active, you can ask friends, family, and community members to donate money to a charity of your choosing in order for you to complete a 5k. And for those bakers we mentioned above, why not have a bake sale and donate your proceeds to a good cause?

No matter where the money goes, there is money out there to be made, even in retirement!

3 Reasons Why Americans Might Be Putting Off Retirement

According to Gallup’s Economy and Personal Finance survey, the average age of retirement in 1994 was between 57 and 58. In 2013, it was 61. The poll also revealed that only 26% of working Americans expect to retire before the age of 65. So why over the past 20 years have senior citizens chosen to put off their retirement? Here are some possible reasons: 

1. They don’t have the money to retire.

Retirement isn’t cheap, especially for those who wait until later in life to start saving and those who fail to save at all. The earlier you started saving for retirement, the better off you’ll be for the final time you have to clock in.

According to a CNBC article from 2011, “Fidelity Investments estimates a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2011 will need $230,000 to pay for medical expenses throughout retirement, not including nursing-home care. This figure assumes there is no employer-provided retiree health-care coverage, and life expectancies of 17 years for men and 20 years for women.”

And that is just a rough estimate of medical cost – not housing, travel, or any other unforeseen expenses that might pop up over the decades spent in retirement. Because of this, 50% of workers say they believe they will return to work during retirement. But there is some good news here, too…

2. They really love their job.

Some people choose to put off retirement just because they really love their job. If you’ve spent most of your adult life building a career you can be proud of, you will obviously have mixed emotions about leaving it behind.

No one is required to retire in a certain year, on a certain day, so there shouldn’t be anything holding someone back from continuing to do a job that they love and are talented at. Some people even feel a loss of identity when they do take the plunge and retire. They were used to their routine and being needed as part of a company or organization. Even if you do eventually want to quit working for good, it’s always nice to have a plan on what your new “thing” will be in retirement.

3. It keeps them active.

Gallup provided another fact that supports the idea of retiring later in life:

Gallup has found that Americans aged 60 to 69 who work have slightly better emotional health than those who do not work.

While waking up and going to work every day might not be what everyone considers to be the “dream,” many jobs keep you physically active, while others help keep your brain active – something that is just as important as physical exercise.

That isn’t to say that you can’t challenge yourself physically and mentally during retirement. In fact, we encourage our residents to be active in body and mind through activities like fitness classes and book clubs. But being held accountable at a job is a good motivator for you to stay at the top of your game.

At what age did you retire? What made you choose that time in your life to make the switch?

10 Reasons to Love Winter in Pittsburgh

It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like winter in Pittsburgh and at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community. And while winter doesn’t officially kick in until December 21, winter activities in and around the city are already happening!

We’ve already made some suggestions for a few wonderful holiday shows, but our city has plenty more to offer. So we’ve made a list, checked it twice, and decided to share our top 10 Pittsburgh winter activities with you!

1. Gingerbread Houses

The PPG Place Wintergarden is one of the best places to get some holiday cheer in Pittsburgh. Each year, dozens of Gingerbread Houses call the building home for the Gingerbread House Display Competition. Many groups, from elementary schools, professional organizations, families, and nonprofits, will decorate gingerbread houses in hopes of getting named the number one gingerbread house in the city! You can see all of the winners for free every day through the New Year.

2. Ice Skating!

Whether you are a fan of ice skating or enjoy seeing family and loved ones on the ice, you have plenty of options right near home! The Rink at PPG Place allows skaters to circle a beautiful Christmas tree while skating with Santa and taking in a great view of the city. Plus, it’s close to some other fun winter activities in Market Square that are also on our list! To avoid some of the holiday rush, you could also visit the Schenley Skating rink.

3. Giving Back

It’s the season of giving, and volunteer opportunities are an easy but meaningful way to bring joy to yourself and your neighbors during the holidays. Browse resources like Pittsburgh Cares to search for a volunteer opportunity close to your heart.

4. Light Displays

What makes the holidays so bright and cheery? The lights certainly help! You and your family can enjoy the lights at both Kennywood and Phipps Conservatory.

5. First Night

Ring in 2014 in downtown Pittsburgh at First Night on Dec. 31 beginning at 6 p.m. The evening’s festivities include a parade, children’s activities, live music, fireworks, and more!

6. Winter Sports

Football and hockey will be going strong this season. While we love catching a game at Heinz Field and Consol Energy Center, it’s also fun to curl up on the couch and watch a game from home!

7. The Holiday Market

Located next to The Rink at PPG Place, The Holiday Market is a spectacular display of cultural gifts, food, shows, and more! Pick up a fir tree or a handcrafted ornament while snacking on European sweets.

8. Joy of Cookies!

Sugar, gingerbread, chocolate chip… which is your favorite holiday cookie? No need to narrow it down, because you can get your fill of holiday sweetness with the Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour in Lawrenceville from December 5 to December 8 for free! More than 30 businesses are taking part in the event, where shoppers can enjoy shopkeepers’ favorite cookies at stores throughout Lawrenceville.

9. Pittsburgh Twists

We love holiday traditions, but we especially love when holiday traditions have a Pittsburgh twist. It’s hard not to sing along to the yinzer-inspired carol, “Santa Claus is Coming Dahntahn.”

10. Nationality Rooms at Pitt

Experience holiday traditions from around the world with the Nationality Rooms Holiday Tours. Not only are the tours fun, but you can give yourself the gift of learning something new.

17 Ways Retirees Can Save Money

Retirement means exploring new hobbies, making new friends, and taking time to do the things you truly love. But retiring also means that you are living on a budget, no matter how large or small that budget may be. Everyone likes to save money here or there, so we’ve compiled this list of 17 things you can do (most of them right NOW) to save some money to be spent on the people and things you love.

  1. Save Loose Change – A dime here, a quarter there. That loose change can really add up! Instead of letting loose change slip out of coat pockets and under couch cushions, make a habit to empty your pockets at the end of each day and put loose change in a jar. At the end of the month, you might be surprised at the extra spending money you’ve collected!
  2. Plan Out Your Shopping Trips – While a day of shopping might be a nice way to relax, it can also lead to spending more than you budgeted! Try to keep your leisurely browsing to a minimum to avoid impulse buys. And when you are ready to head out shopping, remember that Sherwood Oaks provides transportation to local malls. Don’t spend the extra gas money!
  3. Think About Big Purchases Beforehand – Speaking of impulse buys, when you are considering a large purchase, be sure to think hard about whether you really need or want it. Some sources suggest you wait 24 hours to make a decision, while others think you should contemplate it for a month. Judge how long you think about it based on the cost of purchase, but don’t run out the door as soon as you consider a high-ticket item.
  4. Reduce How Often You Eat at Restaurants – Limit the times you eat out to only special occasions, monthly outings with friends, or bi-weekly date nights. You can spend more time cooking at home with friends and family.
  5. Split Shopping Trips With Your Neighbor – Split a membership to a warehouse store like Sam’s Club with a neighbor, then split the food you purchase! You’ll be able to take advantage of buying bulk without letting food go to waste.
  6. Go On Group or Couples Trips – Splitting the cost of hotels and gas money lets you have a weekend getaway without your budget getting away from you.
  7. Take Advantage of Free Events – Pittsburgh always has a ton of fun, free events. Not just for retirees, but for the whole family! You can browse event listings at sites like Living Pittsburgh.
  8. Use Those Senior Discounts! – We previously wrote about the many senior citizen discounts available in Pittsburgh. Take advantage of them!
  9. Use Coupons and Do Competitive Research – It’s no wonder that extreme couponing is a recent trend – they can save you a ton! Browse the local paper for coupons regularly and see who is offering the products you need at the lowest price. Pay attention to which stores offer price matching to avoid going out of your way.
  10. Avoid Late Payments – Pay things such as credit card payments on time to avoid costly late fees.
  11. Regularly Check Your Budget – Looking at your expenses and seeing what you can cut out or reduce is key when it comes to healthy budgeting.
  12. Use Customer Rewards Programs – Many businesses, like Sheetz, Panera, and Giant Eagle, offer customer rewards cards that let you earn perks for spending money at places where you already shop.
  13. DIY Gifts – Are you crafty? Consider DIY gifts rather than costly gifts from the store. They will be both affordable and meaningful.
  14. Go to the Grocery Store with a List – And stick to it! Going to the grocery store with a shopping list will help keep you from picking up items you don’t need. Remember to eat before a trip to the grocery store, too!
  15. Buy Generic – Many generic items are just as good as the original. Try out some generic brands and see if you’re just as happy with a cheaper product. And if you’re not on generic medication, talk to your doctor and see if you can go generic with them, too!
  16. Keep Inventory So You Don’t Double Up – Not keeping inventory of your belongings is a great way to end up with five cheese graters! You’ll save money by not spending money on items you already own.
  17. Make the Move to a Retirement Community – Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community includes a wide variety of amenities that, paid for separately, would cost you a fortune! Review our amenities to get a peek at just SOME of the perks you get when you join the Sherwood Oaks family!

Add Some Play to Your Day and Beat the Winter Blues!

While winter is a time that many spend with friends and family, it can also get you down. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 6.5 million Americans suffer from depression, and many Americans of all ages feel particularly glum in the winter due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

SAD is a type of depression that hits during one particular season. Lesser versions of SAD are referred to as the “Winter Blues.” Women and people who live in areas with infrequent or weak sun are more likely to suffer from SAD, according to the National Institutes of Health. Luckily, your chances of having SAD reduce as you age, but that doesn’t mean that everyone can always feel the happiness of the holiday season.

So how can you fight off seasonal sadness? By incorporating a little bit of play into your every day! Here are a few ideas to help you beat the blues:

  • Cook dinner with your family or spouse instead of cooking solo. If you want to add an extra element of fun, have a themed dinner night once a week. From a French twist to a meal honoring your favorite movie, the planning and implementation of the meal can be fun for everyone!
  • Take a day trip! There are plenty of things to do in and around Pittsburgh, and we will even provide the transportation. Our buses take residents to cultural events downtown and regularly go to local malls, grocery stores, hospitals and doctor’s offices.
  • Spend the day with a child. They may take a lot of your energy, but spending time with grandchildren or family friends can remind you what it’s like to see the world from a child’s eyes. Take some time to enjoy coloring books and puzzles to bring out your inner kid!
  • Also playful are animals! Visit a nearby animal shelter and spend some time playing with the animals. It will give you the fun of spending a day with man’s best friend, without all of the responsibility!
  • Add a special ritual to your day or week. Do you LOVE spending time enjoying your morning cup of coffee? Make it even better by trying out new flavors or by finding a coffee shop drink that you can go out and enjoy once a week. If you love a particular TV show, start hosting screening parties at your home for friends. Whatever makes you happy, be sure to do more of it!
  • Smile! Studies have shown that even forcing a smile can actually relieve stress.

You don’t have to be somber this season, especially if you’re a Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community resident. Residents always have the option to take part in activities like chorus, handbells, line dancing, ceramics, painting, sewing, book club, bridge, and board games, and we also have scheduled activities such as fitness classes, resident parties, special speakers and musical performances.

Please note that if you do feel that you are suffering from depression, speak with a member of our medical staff.

You’re never too old to add some fun play into your day, so start having more fun now!

Educate Yourself on Cancer Risks in Patients Over 50

Cancer can affect patients of any age, but cancer risks increase with age. According to Senior Homes, “Approximately 2.15% of all adults over 65 will be newly-diagnosed with cancer each year compared to 0.2% of those under 65.”

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the word “cancer” seems to be everywhere. And while everyone has been affected by cancer, whether firsthand or by watching a family member or friend fight the disease, those near and above retirement age should take a particular interest in the topic and what it means for them.

Women and men should do monthly self-examinations to check for Breast Cancer, and women over the age of 40 should schedule yearly mammograms.  According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, women who go through menopause later in their life have an increased risk of breast cancer.

But there are also things you can do to lower your risk! According to recent research by the American Cancer Society, taking a brisk walk for an hour a day can help women over 50 reduce their chances of breast cancer by 14%.

Here are some other facts about cancer as you age:

  • Age-related illnesses, such as arthritis, can make cancer treatments less effective and make healing after cancer treatment more difficult.

  • The most common fatal cancer in men is prostate cancer, which is why it is important to get a yearly exam.

  • Men die from cancer more often than women because they fail to visit a doctor and get proper treatment, according to the Daily Mail. Women are also more informed about the signs of cancer.

  • As is important to patients at any age, a healthy diet, limited exposure to UV rays, not smoking, and living an active lifestyle can all reduce your risk of cancer.

The American Cancer Society clearly lays out guidelines for cancer screenings, and the closer you follow these guidelines, the better chance you will have at detecting a problem early. If the unthinkable would happen and you are diagnosed with cancer, you can find comfort in Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community’s excellent level of medical care.

10 Reasons to Love Fall in Pittsburgh

Have the end-of-summer blues? The season of sun and surf may have ended on September 22, but that’s no reason to get down. The city of Pittsburgh has plenty to keep you busy. Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community residents can, of course, enjoy a nice stroll around campus when they want to take in the vivid colors of autumn, but when you want a fun fall day on the town, you have many options. Here are 10 of our favorite reasons to love fall in Pittsburgh:

  1. A giant duck?
    A 40-foot rubber duck is currently floating in the Allegheny River, and you’d better catch him before he’s gone! A series of rubber duck sculptures have been floating in Amsterdam, Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo, and Hong Kong, and Pittsburgh became the first U.S. city to host the duck when it arrived last Friday! The duck was created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman and will remain at the Point until October 20.
  2. Pumpkin patches.
    Choosing a pumpkin to carve or display in your home is one of the most important decisions you make during the fall. One of the most talked-about pumpkin patches in the Pittsburgh area is Soregel Orchards in Wexford. Their Fall Festival takes place every weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from now until October 31. You won’t want to miss pumpkin painting, a cornstalk maze, hayrides, and more. Choose apples and pumpkins for all of your fun fall needs. It’s perfect for the entire family. Another local pumpkin patch is Trax Farms in Finleyville, Pa.
  3. Rides on the Clipper.
    When you have as many rivers to choose from as we do, it’s a shame to not enjoy them! The best way is to enjoy a cruise on the Gateway Clipper. Along with their regular sightseeing cruises, they have seasonal offerings for tourists and locals alike to enjoy! Throughout October, you can enjoy a Fall Foliage Cruise, a Halloween Whodunnit Cruise, a Halloween Fun Cruise, or a Haunted Halloween Dinner. Ticket prices and times vary.
  4. Halloween at Phipps.
    Phipps isn’t just a beautiful experience in the summer, it’s also a must-visit spot for fall. The fall Flower Show takes place from October 19 to November 10. The stars of the show are chrysanthemums in bright, seasonal colors, which have been featured in the Flower Show since 1893. From 4-8 p.m. on October 25, Phipps has Halloween Happenings for everyone! Kids in costumes are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of spooky fun with parents and grandparents.
  5. Museums.
    When the air gets chilly, it’s a great time to get indoors and enjoy some of Pittsburgh’s most interesting art and history sites. The Carnegie Museums, the Heinz History Center, the Mattress Factory, and the Andy Warhol Museum are some of the most popular options for a fall day filled with art and culture.
  6. The scenery!
    It’s no secret that Western Pennsylvania has some of the most beautiful foliage to view in the country. One of the best perks of calling Pittsburgh home is witnessing the transition from greens to browns, yellows, and reds!
  7. The shows.
    Autumn is the perfect time to catch a show in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. October’s shows include “Defending the Caveman,” “Ina Garten: The Barefoot Contessa,” “Our Town,” and “We Will Rock You,” a musical featuring music from Queen.
  8. Pumpkin everything!
    This might not be a regional perk, but we sure do love it, either way! From pumpkin coffee and pumpkin cookies to pumpkin soup and pumpkin gobs, everyone is seeing orange! Enjoy a delicious pumpkin soup at Nicky’s Thai Kitchen on the North Shore or fill up with a pumpkin bagel from Oakmont Bakery. The world might be going crazy for pumpkin, but Pittsburgh is making it a local specialty.
  9. Phantom Fright Nights.
    If you don’t scare easily, you might want to take a chance on Phantom Fright Nights at Kennywood Park. Phantom Fright Nights, which is celebrating its 10th year this season, takes place on Fridays and Saturdays through October 26 (Plus October 13), and includes some of Kennywood’s favorite rides, plus tricks and shrieks around every corner. This event is not recommended for children under 13.
  10. The sports!
    We are now in the midst of both hockey and football seasons in the City of Champions, but everyone is talking about the Pirates! Good luck to the Bucs in tonight’s National League wild-card game.

 

Share Travels with Friends and Family

Saint Augustine said,  “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Many people choose to use their retirement as a time to experience new places and make memories through travel. And they love to share their adventures with friends and family! Today’s technology makes it simple to instantly share your travels with the ones you love.

Use your smartphone

There are plenty of applications on your smart phone that can help friends and family feel like they are there with you as you explore. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Foursquare and Instagram make it easy to share photos and videos, check into places, and let users know what you are up to.

But there are also apps made specifically for travel. These apps include Travelog, which allows you to share stories and media from your travels

Start a blog

Blogging is a great way to keep people updated with each leg of your travels. If you have a laptop, you can take it along with you to document your trip. Or you can simply plan out posts for when you come back, writing about individual days, weeks, or locations. Blogs are also great for including video and photos and can easily be emailed to friends and family.

Send a letter or email to friends and family

Speaking of emailing, why not email a summary of your trip to friends and family to keep them updated on your journey? You might even consider snail mail if there is a specific person you would love to reach out to. You can include photos, funny stories, and give them the best souvenir that they could have asked for.

Take good notes

Take a notebook with you or use your smartphone to jot down interesting, funny, or romantic details of your trip. When you go to tell your stories to your loved ones, you’ll remember the best moments in vivid detail. Because you wouldn’t want to forget that time you ate pizza in Napoli or finally saw the Statue of Liberty!

Or snap a photo wherever you go

If you don’t feel that you will have time to take notes while you’re on your trip, you can just snap a photo when you want to remember a specific moment. It will save you time and help you keep memories alive and frozen in time!

Make a scrapbook

If you’re crafty, consider making a scrapbook of your travel time to show guests. While this can be a little bit more costly than the other solutions on this list, it is also the most creative! In fact, you can make this a project for you and your spouse, children, grandchildren, or friends! Let everyone share in your adventure.

Make an online photo album

Once you’ve snapped photos of your trip, you can simply upload them to a photo-sharing site like Flickr. You can then share the link with whomever you please and have a place online where these photos will always be stored.

At Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community, we love to hear our residents’ travel stories. And we keep an eye on their home while they are gone! Security keeps an eye on their patio home, and maintenance is on-call in case of an emergency. So pack your bags and start making memories to share!

 

Tips to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Aging does a lot to the body as well as the mind. Most retirees find that their memory and cognitive health decrease as they age, which can be frustrating and hard to deal with. But exercising your brain can help with these issues. In fact, it can help at any age. The New York Times reported that in a 2012 study, “Participants [of all ages] who regularly did more to challenge their brains — reading, writing, attending lectures or completing word puzzles — did better on fluid intelligence tests than their counterparts who did less.”

So, what can you do to keep your brain as sharp as a tack?

Read Up!

If you’ve been a lifelong fan of books, you may have been slowly building your memory without even knowing it. According to Smithsonian Magazine, being a bookworm throughout your lifetime leads to a slower decline of your cognitive function in old age. Beyond that, “Remaining a bookworm into old age reduced the rate of memory decline by 32 percent compared to engaging in average mental activity. Those who didn’t read or write often later in life did even worse: their memory decline was 48 percent faster than people who spent an average amount of time on these activities.” So whether you prefer a romance novel or a thrilling historical read, you’re doing yourself a favor by cracking open your favorite book.

Play Some Games

Some websites harness the power of science to create games and puzzles that are designed to help with memory and superior brainpower. Sites like Lumosity give you more tailored activities, but it comes at a price (this one is $15/month). Similar is My Brain Trainer, which provides brain teasers that are supposed to “train” your brain just like you train your body during a workout.

Laugh With Friends

According to Fitness Magazine, a study done on 80-year-old subjects showed that those the most social people in the group suffered 70% less cognitive decline than their less social counterparts. That’s great news if you love spending time with family and friends. Not only can they make you happier with their presence, but they can make your brain more sharp. Perhaps you should thank them.

Take a Class

It’s never too late to learn something new in order to enrich your life and keep your brain pumping. At Sherwood Oaks, we offer continuing education classes that are free and open to the public. During the month of October and in the spring, we offer classes three days a week on topics such as history, travelling, books, and more. Plus, some of our residents speak about their interesting careers!

While some memory loss is out of your control, taking these steps will help you to keep your brain in top shape AND add some enriching activities to your life. For more information on October’s upcoming speakers, call 800 642-2217.

Talking to Your Family About Your Retirement

Retirement is something you look forward to through most of your career. Finally having freedom from the stress of the 9 to 5 is something that comes well-earned. But with the decision to retire come a lot of decisions: decisions about money, decisions about your home, and decisions about your family. That is why it is critical to talk to your family about this change in your life. Keep the following things in mind when bringing up the next phase of your life to your loved ones.

Your family is concerned with your living situation.

Open and friendly communication is key when explaining your retirement plan to your family. Part of looking to the future is anticipating your living situation long-term. Many retirees choose to continue to live in their homes, while others downsize based on space or budget. Others choose to move to a retirement community such as Sherwood Oaks to help relieve the household duties they have and build a relationship with their neighbors.

If you do decide to sell your home, consider the consequences to your family. Retirees who sell their homes often are leaving the home that they raised their family in, making this an emotional decision, but one that may have their best interest at heart. Having an open discussion with your family where everyone’s feelings are heard, even if they don’t affect the end decision, will help everyone feel more comfortable with the retirement situation you choose.

Your family is concerned with the cost.

Money is a touchy subject, even when you’re talking about it with the people closest to you. It is important to explain how you plan to finance your life once you retire, as well as how you will handle any costs of long-term care. Most people are concerned with the burden that it could put on you… and possibly them. Be sure to come up with a clear financial plan to explain to your family to help ease their minds. This is especially important if you are retiring before your spouse. Going from two steady incomes to one will take some adjusting.

Your family wants you to be happy.

Families are very concerned with your quality of life following your retirement. They will want to know how you plan on spending your free time when you enter retirement. Do you want to take up volunteering or a hobby? Will you have a part-time job? Would you like to travel? Your quality of life will be a topic that your family will want to explore and be reassured about.

When discussing your retirement with your family, it helps to start talking early so that they have time to process and help you with the transitional period. And don’t worry if you and family members don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on your decisions. Make the choices that are right for you, and your family will be supportive.