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MARCH 2018
HEALTHY, WEALTHY,
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1 Denver Federal Center Building 45, Entrance E-9, Room 1050 Lakewood, CO 80225
Give
OUR WORD OF THE YEAR FOR 2018
At the beginning of every year, I come up with a word that serves as a guiding principle for our team. For 2018, that word is “give.” How are we living that? Of course, we give our all for our clients to ensure that they can live the most fulfilling lives possible. But we’re also focused on giving back to our community and the world at large.
For many years, I’ve volunteered with International Medical Relief. The charity’s mission is to provide quality medical care to people who would otherwise be without. Through my work with the group, I’ve been able to visit remote areas of Argentina, Haiti, Cambodia, Brazil, and India. While all of these trips were life-changing, the one to Cambodia was truly inspiring. In the 1970s, when the Khmer Rouge ruled over Cambodia, most Cambodians were evacuated from the area surrounding the Gulf of Thailand. Eventually, as the brutal regime’s strength weakened, people were allowed to resettle the area. These people were left to fend for themselves and receive nothing in terms of government support, including access to health care. International Medical Relief has done outreach work for many years there, and it was inspiring to see the resolve of the residents to survive and prosper. After traveling to various locations, I’ve come to realize that people want the same things no matter where they come from. They want to provide a better life for future generations and hope to leave the world a little better than they found it. Human connections aren’t bound by
language, politics, or geography. We’re all people, and we can all benefit from helping each other. I’m not the only member of the Retirement Planning Strategies team who gives back. Trace, our new business specialist, devotes a lot of time to lending a hand at local homeless shelters. Ashley, one of our advisors, finds her spark working with animals. Whenever a team member has a worthy cause to support, we do whatever we can to pitch in. The same goes for causes near-and-dear to the hearts of our clients. If there’s a cause you feel passionate about, whether it be a local food bank or an international organization, we want to know about it. Tell us your favorite charity and how we can help. One person may be able to do a little, but seven or eight of us together can achieve a whole lot more. As we prepare for spring, we look forward to discovering new ways to give back to our community. Help us plant the seeds of giving just in time for the spring blooming season. There’s nothing more rewarding than contributing to a worthy cause.
–Ann Vanderslice
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Life Is What Matters
THE RETIREMENT OF A ‘SENIOR VAGABOND’
Everyone has a different idea of what the perfect retirement looks like. A lot of people may want a quiet life at home, knitting and occasionally visiting grandkids. In stark contrast to this common ideal is Patricia Marek, who decided to make her post-work life one big globe-trotting adventure. “I’m basically a senior vagabond,” she says with a laugh. This decision wasn’t made overnight. “In preparation for retirement, I sold my house and most of my personal belongings,” she recalls. “I kept a small 5-by-10 storage space, but eventually realized I didn’t even need that.” Once her retirement officially began, she didn’t waste time collecting stamps for her passport. “My first trip was to Guatemala for a Spanish immersion program,” she says. “It’s quickly become one of my favorite places on earth. It’s known as ‘the land of eternal spring,’ and I would have to say that’s an accurate nickname.” In previous trips, she’s lived with local families to get a taste of their culture. When she heads out for her next adventure, she’ll be getting her own apartment.
important and made me realize that life is what matters. I still keep some cherished mementos from my sons — you know, mom stuff — but that’s about all I need. If I need plates or forks, I can always buy plastic ones.” Obviously, Patricia’s retirement is unique, so she worked with Ann to develop strategies that benefited her. “To give you one small example,” Patricia tells us, “Ann suggested that I pay the absolute minimum on my car insurance while I was out of the country. It wasn’t going to be driven, so there was no need for comprehensive coverage. Now, when I’m about to return to the U.S., I have my coverage increased. I pay for it when I need it and not when I don’t.” Patricia is living a remarkable life, and she encourages others to do the same. “Whatever your dream retirement looks like, don’t be afraid to pursue it. Ann helped give me the confidence to retire, and I’m so glad I made the decision when I did.”
In addition to multiple visits to Guatemala, Patricia has hiked the Andes in Ecuador, pressed tortillas in Honduras, worked on an elephant reserve in Vietnam, and visited her niece in Birmingham, England. That last trip wasn’t planned. “I got a call from her one day explaining that
she could use a hand,” Patricia remembers. “She asked if I’d like to come, and I think my instinctive response was, ‘Hell yes!’” While there, she was able to explore the English countryside as well as taking a few jaunts into London. Patricia’s trips aren’t just for fun and games, as she uses them as an opportunity to do some volunteer work. She’s helped at orphanages and will soon be certified as an ESL instructor. “I’ve always known that I wanted to give back to the world after I finished working,” she notes. “One of the most rewarding parts of my retirement has been finding interesting ways to volunteer.” When Patricia isn’t exploring the globe, she’s probably spending time with her family. “During the summers, I stay with my twin sister, Marge, and I’m basically the house pool girl,” she says. “I clean it, take care of it, and use it.” During one summer, she was introduced to ballroom dancing, which has since become another passion. How did Patricia decide to prioritize these incredible experiences over the creature comforts most of us desire? “I lost a son in Afghanistan,” she says. “That tragedy made me take stock of what’s
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Prepare Your Kids for Financial Independence
Your children turned to you for support all their lives. When they were babies, you provided them with food and shelter, and throughout their childhood, you guided them and led by example. But if you’ve continued to provide them with financial support into their adulthood, the lifestyle shift that comes with your retirement might come as a surprise to both of you. If your children are still dependent on you for financial support, it’s important to have a conversation about what might change with your retirement. It’s time to consider how your well-intentioned support will affect both of your futures. CONSIDER THE COSTS A study by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave found that, on average, parents over 50 gave their children a total of $6,500 a year. When you compare that 6K to your current income, it might not look like much, but consider what that amount could do if you invested it into your retirement.
Diane Harris, a personal finance journalist, explains, “If, instead, you saved that much cash every year in a tax-deferred account averaging 6 percent annual gains, you’d have close to $100,000 more for retirement within a decade.”
transparent. Let them know that this isn’t about your feelings for them and give them time to process the information. Remember that even if your retirement has been top of mind for you, it may not be on their radar. Erin Lowry, author of “Broke Millennial,” reminds us, “Adult children can’t be expected to know how ongoing support is affecting your finances if you haven’t talked to them about it.” If you can help them understand how the change will impact them and maybe even help them plan for it, you can open up that conversation and reduce tension around it. Instead of looking at the end of financial support as a loss, frame it as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity for your child to find financial independence, and while the journey can be rough, it will benefit everyone in the long term.
MAKE A PLAN Once you consider what you’re
contributing to your child’s lifestyle, you need to find out how it’s going to affect your ability to retire. It’s time to have the tough conversations. Before you talk to your kids, meet with your financial advisor and discuss your retirement goals. Your advisor can give you a reality check if your goals are not in line with your current lifestyle and tell you what needs to change to get them there. THE TALK After your meeting with your advisor, it’s time to talk with your children. Explain how your retirement plan is going to affect them. It’s best to be honest and
Train Your
BRAIN!
COLCANNON When you think of St. Patrick’s Day cuisine, corned beef and green beer are probably the first things that come to mind. This year, consider adding colcannon to your March 17 menu. It’s basically mashed potatoes on steroids, and it’s utterly delicious.
[Inspired by foodnetwork.com]
INGREDIENTS
• 1 pound cooked bacon, chopped into small pieces • 4 scallions, finely chopped • Parsley, for garnish • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 pounds potatoes • 2 sticks butter • 1 1/4 cups hot milk • 1 head cabbage, cored and shredded
DIRECTIONS
1. Steam potatoes for 30 minutes. Peel skins and mash flesh thoroughly. 2. Chop 1 stick of butter into small cubes and add to warm potatoes. Once melted, slowly add milk, stirring constantly. 3. Boil cabbage in water. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to tenderize. 4. Add cabbage, bacon, and scallions to mashed potatoes, gently stirring to combine. 5. Serve garnished with parsley and a pat of butter.
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issue INSIDE THIS The Power of Giving PAGE 1
Spotlight on Patricia Marek PAGE 2
Don’t Be the Family Bank
A Classic St. Patrick’s Day Side PAGE 3
3 Top Places to See Beautiful Flowers PAGE 4
EARTH’S MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER DISPLAYS
Spring is here, which means flora will soon be in full bloom. Flowers can be an easy pick-me-up or a great way to add color to your home, but some people take their flower obsession to the next level by taking botanical-themed vacations. Here are some of the most impressive gardens and flower displays in the world. NETHERLANDS Holland, most famous for its tulips, always draws visitors at the first sign of spring. One of its most famous destinations, Keukenhof, located in Lisse, is among the world’s largest flower gardens. The park is 79 acres and boasts approximately seven million flowers each year. This colorful garden is open
annually from mid-March to mid-May, but mid-April is the ideal time to see the tulips.
the many wildflowers decorating Anza- Borrego Desert State Park. The various native species are often seen woven together to form a colorful carpet over many patches in the park, which is located just two hours from San Diego. In addition to flowers, visitors often spot bighorn sheep. Wildflower blossoms vary in intensity each year, but they typically begin blooming in late February or early March. The next time you’re planning a spring trip, consider visiting one of the world’s most beautiful flower displays. No green thumb required.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Besides monuments and historic
buildings, one of the biggest attractions in Washington, D.C. is the cherry tree blossoms. Travelers who visit the Tidal Basin during the spring can witness 3,000 trees, which were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, flaunt their beautiful pink blossoms. The best time to see the spectacle is from the end of March through the end of April. ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK Desert lavender, flowering cacti, pygmy poppies, and rock daisies are just a few of
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