Category: Getting Older
Is it time to start receiving your social security?
Is it time to start receiving your Social Security benefits? Once a person reaches 62, they are eligible to start receiving their Social Security benefits. However, you are only eligible if you paid into Social Security. There are some people, like teachers, who may not have paid into Social Security and therefore, will not receive a benefit from Social Security.
Let’s talk about benefits
The word benefit is kind of confusing to some people. To me, a benefit is something extra that you are given by your employer, sometimes it’s free and sometimes the employer pays a portion. In actuality, you and your employer pay matching amounts into Social Security every paycheck. This is not a random amount, it is an amount set by the Federal government. If anyone tells you that your Social Security is something that the government controls and can take away from you, it’s not really true. You put money in there, not by choice, but by the requirement of the Federal government. It is yours to keep until you die and all eligible dependents die.
Continue reading “Is it time to start receiving your social security?”Pray and let God worry
Leave the Future in God’s Hands.
Life does not . . .
I’m Really Not Fine
Since I was diagnosed with my vestibular schwannomas brain tumor, life had been going really well. I’m aware of what to expect in surgery, I have a surgery date and I’ve been following through with the pre-op appointments. My headaches seem to be more frequent and more painful, plus both my ears and my jaw hurts, but other than that everything seemed to be going well. I’m hoping that will all be relieved after I recover, or at least most of it. If you ask me, I will tell you “I’m fine.”
And then last week happened. On Monday, I had a phone appointment to go over my prescriptions and previous surgeries. Tuesday, I had a phone appointment with a physician’s assistant to go over my surgery and how I would feel afterward. He wanted to make sure I understood that there was no guarantee I would retain any of my hearing in my left ear. And he told me that I would likely have nausea, vertigo and maybe vomiting right after surgery. Also, I should expect pain where they removed the area of my skull to remove the tumor.
Continue reading “I’m Really Not Fine”
50 Ways to Fill Your Day
You have retired, now what? I hope these 50 ideas help you in your quest for what to do each day. Or maybe they will stimulate your mind toward something you would have never thought about. Go out there and enjoy your day.
- If you feel the need to keep working, look into getting a part-time job.
- Travel. Isn’t traveling what you planned to do in retirement? If you are alone, check into packages of group travel. Maybe take a cruise.
- Spare your children a multitude of decisions by decluttering your house now. Or give them the items you plan to give them in your will, now. Donate what you can. Or if you want to sell items, have a garage sale or sell them online through Facebook groups or Craig’s list.
- Start a garden. If you don’t have room in your yard check into a community garden. And if there isn’t a community garden, see if you can start one in your neighborhood or city.
- How about a compost pile to use in your garden? This is a great way to use or reuse produce leftovers, eggshells, used coffee grounds, newspapers, and even dryer lint and hair.
- Start a new hobby. Is there something you wished you had time for when you were working, but never could do it? Take up that hobby or maybe quilting, crafting, woodworking, model trains, writing, etc.
- Learn how to play chess. If you already know how, find someone to play with, or maybe teach a child how to play.
- Read all the books you have accumulated on your bookshelves. If you run out, buy more at a garage sale or estate sale.
- Once you have read those, visit your library for more books. If you don’t have a library card, sign up for one. You will be surprised how many things you can check out of a library, besides books. Things like movies, music, and magazines. Libraries usually have computers for you to use. Some cities have lending libraries that lend tools, or there may be a tool lending library in a different building. In my state of California, they include Berkeley, Oakland, Loma Linda, Tulare, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Sacramento. But there are many more, in states throughout the country. Check with your local library or PG&E.
- Put aside your former excuses and join a gym (be sure to check for a senior discount) or start walking or running.
- If you just want to relax, start taking a daily, or as needed, nap.
- Get to know your neighbors. They may end up being really great friends. Maybe they can keep an eye on your house when you are out of town. If your neighborhood doesn’t have a Neighborhood Watch, you can work on establishing one.
- Take a class or two at your local community college. In my city they usually offer classes in jewelry making, composting, music lessons, cooking, dance lessons, CPR and so much more. Or if you prefer, try Accounting, Music, Geology or Math.
- Get a college degree. Maybe you never did and now you have the time. Learn new things and once you have finished you can walk down the aisle for your diploma, as your proud children and grandchildren cheer you on. You won’t be the first person to graduate in their 60’s, 70’s or 80’s.
- Go golfing or learn how to golf. If golfing doesn’t appeal to you, try tennis.
- Load up the boat and go fishing. If you are lucky you might bring home dinner.
- Go out to lunch with a friend. Or track down an old friend from high school and go out for coffee.
- Travel to visit your grandchildren or if they are local, take them out for a special day at the zoo or the lake.
- Make a list of the states in the United States that you have never visited and start planning trips to visit them. A great way to show your progress is a scratch-off map that you can hang on the wall. Check Amazon for a nice selection.
- Go on a group excursion, offered through your local college or travel agent. Our Junior College offers shopping trips, theater trips and trips to sporting events.
- Start going to garage sales and estate sales. If you learn the value of old items, you may be able to resell the items on eBay or Craigslist for a profit. Or maybe you will find a hidden treasure to keep. Keep in mind #3.
- Change your hairstyle or if you are adventurous, change your hair color.
- Hike somewhere locally, or far away. If you are an expert think mountains.
- Make a budget to plan your future, so you can afford to finish off your Bucket List. If you don’t have a Bucket List, make one.
- Take a train ride on Amtrak. Be sure to take advantage of the 10% senior discount.
- Is it time to do a little updating in your home? Consider expanding your master closet, adding a shop in the garage, a wine cellar in your home or maybe a craft room.
- Take a hot air balloon ride. Or if you are really brave, go skydiving.
- Go on a date to the local putt putt golf course.
- Become a regular fan at the local minor league baseball games. Part-time jobs at baseball stadiums are plentiful if you are interested. Mascot anyone?
- Attend any local events like Chili-Cook-Offs, Annual Festivals, Craft Fairs, Car Shows, Farmers Markets and Fund-Raising Events.
- Check into the social opportunities through your local senior center.
- Take wellness classes through your insurance, a local yoga studio or local church. Possibilities include, but are not limited to grief counseling, monitoring your health, divorce care, caregiver support, women’s health, etc.
- Play board or card games with your friends or family.
- Attend City Council meetings and get to know what is happening in your community.
- Run for a political office in your local community, like mayor or city councilperson. Or set your sights higher.
- Do you love sports? Follow your team through their season, seeing every home and away game. Or possibly visit every professional baseball stadium, even if it takes you a few years.
- Join a Bible study.
- Go shopping, window, or real, depending on your budget from item #25. Take a trip to a local shopping outlet, Ikea, or maybe the big city.
- Start training for the next 5K, half-marathon, or marathon in your area. Enter it and have your fans cheer you on, as you pass the finish line.
- Visit your state capital.
- Get a DNA test. This will be very interesting for you and a conversation starter among your friends.
- Do a random act of kindness and pay for the person behind you in the drive-through. This is especially nice if there is a mother with small children behind you.
- Surprise someone you love with a romantic picnic.
- Go to a concert, symphony, or play. Maybe an outdoor one if you have them in your area.
- Roller skate or ice skate, like you, did as a kid. Extreme caution suggested.
- Take a cooking or baking class and impress your guests at your next dinner party. Homemade pasta, anyone?
- Go bowling. If you like it, try joining a daytime bowling league.
- Beat the crowd and see a matinee. When you see a movie always ask about their senior discount.
- Keep your brain working with crossword puzzles and Sudoku. Buy a paperback book full of them.
- Learn photography and take pictures of every trip you take. Enter them in your local county fair.
- Winery tours are common in California. What kind of tours do you have locally? Check them out.
- Don’t forget to have your annual medical checkup.
- Take a relaxing bath.
- Start a blog.
- Buy your Senior Lifetime National Park Pass for $80 and start seeing all the National Parks. It’s a super deal. https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/understanding-national-park-senior-pass-rate-increase
I hope you don’t mind that I got carried away and added a few extra. Learn something new every day. There is a world of knowledge out there, waiting for you to discover. Most of all, make the most of the rest of your life.
Let me know below which item is your favorite.
Who is in Control – God or You?
I had my future figured out. I would retire from my job, once we had paid off my husband’s truck and the line of credit. In the meantime, I would get my blog all figured out and maybe this winter complete a few quilts. Once I retired we would visit our grandchildren more often. It seemed like I had everything figured out. The only problem was, it wasn’t my plan that controlled the future I had forgotten that God was in control.
Maintaining control
Maybe you make New Year’s Resolutions. Do you accomplish them, or by March are they a forgotten memory? I will write down goals throughout the year, but usually, they are in my head, filed away with numerous other bits of information. Sometimes, I reach the goals, but other times I change my mind, possibly dreaming up a better plan.
Can you make a list of five goals or plans that you have for the next year or two? Is retirement in your near future? Do you have a money savings goal you must reach? Are there a few more bills that you want to have paid off before you start working fewer hours, or maybe retire? Do you plan to move to a smaller home?
Continue reading “Who is in Control – God or You?”