The start of a new year may be your next step toward retirement. Is your lifestyle budget ready for this big moment? SMART SENIOR CASH CUTS If you or a loved one will soon call it a day at work for the last time, there are several ways to reevaluate and restructure your everyday expenses, allowing for greater financial flexibility when your well-earned retirement finally arrives. Here are three things to consider as you prepare for peaceful times ahead. Keep extra wheels well away. There may have been a time when your two-income household required you and your spouse to each own and maintain a vehicle, but impending retirement may lessen the need for double the oil changes and insurance. Perhaps it’s time to rethink your automobile expenses by saying goodbye to the car you use least. Get personal with your pruning. The ability to keep a gorgeous home is one reason why many people work, but balancing job responsibilities and regular lawn care can be tricky. If you’ve relied on the expertise of a gardener or housekeeper to keep your living space fresh while you were at the office or traveling all these years, it may be time to reconsider the continued need for these services once you’re home more regularly. The rewards of doing your own yard work may be more than just financial, as engaging in outdoor activities for your home will help you stay physically fit and provide a positive hobby to explore with your newfound free time. Wish your wardrobe needs a fond farewell. If your career was spent in an office, it’s likely you amassed years’ worth of formal attire, dry cleaning visits, tailoring, and other expenses to keep your clothes in check. Now that your daily attire will be comprised of T-shirts instead of suits, you can say goodbye to the high costs of expensive garments and consider second-hand stores for your future outfits. THRIFTY AND THRIVING
NO COMMUTE, NO GERMS, NO HASSLE The Telehealth Trend That’s Sticking Around The pandemic helped bring the concept of telehealth into the public eye. Many doctors’ offices urged their patients to book video or telephone appointments if they needed help refilling medications, receiving a prescription for an illness, or getting answers about their symptoms or conditions. Although we’re now a few years removed from the pandemic, telehealth is still going strong, offering patients a wide range of services. While telehealth can benefit people of all ages, it is an invaluable tool for those in their senior years. For starters, it is one of the most convenient ways to get help with your health care needs. Instead of getting in the car when you don’t feel well, you can boot up your computer or hop on the phone from the comfort of your home. One of the greatest benefits of telehealth is how easy it is to reach someone when you have a need or concern. How often have you called a doctor’s office to book an appointment when you feel ill, only to hear their soonest available appointment is not for another month or several months? Telehealth services often have openings at all times of the day to meet your scheduling needs. Telehealth services can be a game-changer when managing specific conditions and your overall health. Doctors and nurses can help manage medication, monitor chronic conditions to determine whether intervention is required, and provide preventive care to keep you in the best shape possible. While telehealth can’t and won’t replace the doctor’s office entirely, it’s an excellent option for a quick fix or questions!
NEW YEAR’S KISS COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS • Lemon wedges • Sugar • Ice • 3 oz vodka • 1 oz blue curacao
• 2 tsp lemon juice • 6 oz champagne or sparkling Moscato • 2 maraschino cherries
DIRECTIONS 1. Rub the rims of 2 champagne flutes with a lemon wedge and dip in sugar to coat. 2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add vodka, blue curacao, and lemon juice. 3. Shake until chilled, then strain into prepared flutes. 4. Top with champagne or sparkling Moscato. 5. Drop a maraschino cherry into each glass and serve immediately.
Inspired by RestlessChipotle.com
PATRIOT WEALTH | 919.322.4113 | P3
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