Blogs

Figuring out Social Security

The Joy Compass 12 Steps to Successful Retirement Series has been developed for Let's Talk Money! Sirius XM Channel 141.

Step 2. Figuring out Social Security helps you:
▪ Estimate the income you will receive;
▪ Navigate important decisions around early, normal or delayed retirement;
▪ Avoid a trip to the office and apply online;
▪ Prevent a big Medicare mistake; and more.

Retirees' Money Mistakes: 6 Perennial Pitfalls

The only mistakes to regret in life are those that could have been prevented. While all of us navigate the world of economic uncertainly, there are some fundamental principles that still hold. Keep them in mind, and you will avoid the common mistakes that retirees make with their finances. 

Take financial advice from friends and family over that of professionals 

A House of Light for My Christmas Gift

Having become a collector of experiences, rather than an accumulator of things, I take delight in all events wondorous, miraculous and warm to both my heart and my touch. This Christmas, my gift came unexpectedly when I walked into the Museum District Bed & Breakfast in Richmond, Virginia. My stay came at the end of a strenuous December book tour. The bus I took from D.C. was delayed, and I when I opened the door of the B&B, exhausted, my watch showed 1:10AM.

Retirement Reinvention: A New Mindset

Modern retirement is riddled with uncertainty and is much riskier than it was decades ago when there were many safeguards and veritable guarantees in place. The burden of assuring a suitable retirement nest egg has shifted from employers and the government to individual retirees. Even with this now common knowledge, far too many have still not adapted to the changes and find them self ill-equipped or, worse, entirely unable to retire when desired.

Joy Compass Retirement Fact Sheet

You will find these studies and more at https://www.joycompass.com/resource-categories/research-summaries.

The 2010 Wells Fargo Retirement Fitness Survey

https://www.wellsfargo.com/downloads/pdf/com/retirement-employee-benefits/bpsm/2010_survey_analysis.pdf

A Checklist for a Residential Care Facility

A residential care facility is an option for seniors who need assistance, but do not want to be a part of a larger community, which is the way most assisted living facilities are set up. A residential care home usually provides service to only 2-10 individuals at one time. The limit for the number of residents in each home is governed by each state.

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Option for "Aging in Place"

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is residential community for the remainder of one's life, and with an option of services and living situations. Seniors citizens can move between Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Nursing Home Care that is based on changing requirements at every point in time.

What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?

A checklist for In-Home Care Services

To choose the most appropriate home care services, you need to learn about various types of home care providers and services available to you. There are essentially two main types of home care services: "skilled" and "custodial." 

"Skilled" Home Care Services

Retiring with (and Moving Into) Raw Faith

Raw Faith is a must-see movie about Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell as she navigates her transition to retirement. Marilyn's website is http://marilyns.nexcess.net.  The movie is now available to order on DVD for Universities, Public Libraries, Churches, and any other Community Screenings venues. Email edu@kinolorber.com to find out how to obtain a copy or order online at www.kinolorberedu.com.

Exclusive Facebook Fan Content for the Joy Compass Page

Dear Fan of the Joy Compass page!

I will continue adding exclusive content to this page. This summer, enjoy the short summary of my book, Joy Compass: How to Make Your Retirement the Treasure of Your Life. I made the license "creative commons," which means that you are free to forward it to anyone you wish, or post it anywhere you wish, as long as you give credit to Joy Compass. Enjoy!

- Julia Valentine