QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU RETIRE
HOW TO KNOW YOU’RE READY FOR LIFE AFTER WORK
Retirement is a chapter of life most people look forward to. Sadly, many don’t actively prepare for what their life after work will look like. Entering retirement with your eyes open can be the difference between later-in-life stress and post-career bliss. To make sure you’re ready, ask yourself the following questions. WHAT WILL MY RETIREMENT LOOK LIKE, AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? Don’t fall into the trap of seeing only what you won’t do in retirement: work. The more important concern is figuring out what you will do. Start with the first year and go from there. Once you’ve established a tentative plan, you can realistically determine how much you will spend each month. It’s a good idea to estimate spending on the high end to leave yourself a little wiggle room. AM I PREPARED FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS? People are living much longer than they did in past generations, so you have to consider both current and future health care costs. Anticipating these costs is an essential aspect of prudent
retirement planning. Many people should also consider long- term care insurance because quality care is extremely costly without coverage. Your decisions on these matters are based on personal circumstances, but everyone needs to think about them. DO I HAVE ENOUGH CAPITAL? Borrowing money can be difficult for retirees. You may be denied loans or forced to pay a higher rate. As such, you may want to consider refinancing your home before you retire. It’s also vital to understand the dividends you’ll receive from retirement savings accounts. A good-sized emergency fund should cover six months of expenses, so you’ll want to have at least that much cash on hand at all times. IS MY ESTATE IN ORDER? Planning your estate early in retirement will give you peace of mind when it comes to your assets and decisions about your health should they arise. Addressing all aspects of the estate will ensure your later-in-life wishes are fulfilled.
JUICY LUCY SLIDERS MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
take a break
INGREDIENTS
• 2 lbs. ground chuck beef, 20% lean • 8 slices melting cheese (like American, Swiss, Muenster, or cheddar) • 16 small potato rolls, toasted
• Salt and pepper, to taste • Your favorite burger accompaniments
DIRECTIONS
1. Divide beef into 16 evenly sized balls. 2. Rip cheese into roughly equal pieces, creating 16 equal portions. 3. Using your index finger, create a small indentation in each ball. 4. Fill indention with cheese and pinch meat around to seal. Then gently form balls into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Season patties. 5. Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high. 6. Lightly coat skillet with oil and cook patties in batches. Brown one side undisturbed, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium. 7. Serve on toasted potato rolls with your favorite accompaniments.
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