Saving for retirement!

Saving for Retirement

It is fortunate that I have a large family who is close and sticks together no matter what. As my parents got older, I began having to take a more active role in their lives. It was really important to be involved in their life especially when it comes to the financials, healthcare and their well being. It made me realized that it is important to create a secure financial and healthcare plan for the future.

Healthcare is a growing concern among many Americans. Its something that should be available and accessible to everyone. But it is considered a benefit or a form of compensation as oppose to a right. The cost of healthcare has continued to grow year over year. Saving for retirement and healthcare costs is critical to the current and upcoming generations. I was looking at a report on the Today show, and the correspondent provided a comparison in long term care options for retirement.

The benefits were for couples or individuals who have assets of $500,000 or more, this didn't include your home as an asset.

http://www.today.com/series/starttoday/have-healthy-retirement-jean-chatzky-how-pay-long-term-care-t106862

by: Jean Chatzky

"Who it works for: Again, people with more than about $500,000 in assets but less than a few million (over that amount you can self fund your care). Unlike traditional long-term care policies, which don’t have guarantees (that’s why so many people have seen their premiums pop in recent years), these hybrid policies often do. If you pay your premiums as contracted, you have a guaranteed death benefit, guaranteed cash value, and a guaranteed amount of long-term coverage. Typically, the amount of years you spend paying the premiums on a hybrid policy is shorter than on traditional life insurance — some have a single premium, others are paid for over about 10 years, but the amounts themselves are much higher.
For example, a 55-year-old healthy female could spend $75,000 on a policy (paid all at once, or $8,500 a year over 10 years) that would provide $271,000 to be used for long-term care, as well as a minimum death benefit of about $135,000, according to the AALTC. (Using the long-term care benefit, however, reduces the death benefit.) There is also typically a waiting period before you can access the money in the policy for care. Make sure you know what that is. "

It was also said that:

"Medical costs, especially unexpected ones, can add up. A 65-year-old couple will need an estimated $260,000 to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses through retirement — and that doesn't include long-term care, according to Fidelity Investments. "

Those of us who are getting older, have to plan ahead.

I know that many of us are too busy dealing with today, that we don't even have the time to think about the future. However, the years are going by really fast and before you know it, its that time to retire.

Either we can retire comfortably or continue working beyond retirement age?

Health and Wealth - Live Richer Challenge

Live Richer Challenge

Over the years, I think my biggest challenge has been finances.

I have lacked the discipline over the years to stick to a defined budget.

This year (2017), I am trying something new.

The Live Richer Challenge. #LRC

It is a challenge created by Tiffany "the Budgetnista", this year the challenge is centered around credit. Understanding it, managing it and maintaining good credit and why it is important.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LIVERICHER/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

I encourage people to join this challenge and movement of the live richer concept. I am the first to admit that I knew and understood many of the things I am learning.

The biggest challenge I have is accountability and discipline. In 2017, this is one of the main elements I need to overcome.

I mentioned in my previous post "New goals and New beginnings", that my goal for 2017 was to start a business. In order to do that, one of the first things I have to overcome is managing my personal finance. Poor financial management will lead to an unsuccessful business.

In addition to changing my habits when it comes to credit. I am also making changes to how I spend money and how I save it. A lot of our expenses can be better managed if we paid attention to what we spend our money on.

For example: I never realized how much money I spend on food. Eating out, ordering take out, and Wawa and Starbucks trips add up quickly. When I looked at my account I realized that the cost of all of the food spending was equal or more than what I spend on groceries each month.

In the new year, I am going to cut back completely on eating out.

1. Eliminating the Wawa and Starbucks trips ( I have a Keurig at home, so I need to put it to use).
2. Limiting the eating out to twice a month and only on the weekends. (Coupons: I realized, there are many restaurant coupons that I can use to cut cost)
3. Take out will be once a week. (Every Friday - there are coupons for this too)

These simple changes will decrease my monthly spending and I can use the extra money to pay down credit cards.

I encourage those of you reading this blog. To join the challenge.

#lovelivingmylife #LRC #Dreamcatcher #goodcredit

https://www.facebook.com/nadine.angoy

Below are some good website to review

www.smartwomanblog.com
http://www.allthisbs.com/single-post/2016/1/4/New-Year-New-Money
http://www.classycareergirl.com/2012/09/15-ways-i-paid-off-80000-of-debt-in-18-months/

New Goals and New beginnings

New Goals and New beginnings

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning to Dance in the Rain

Its 2017.

I am starting this year with a positive outlook and determined to maintain my motivation throughout the year. 2016 was a rough year, it was a year of many changes some hard, some devastating and some lessons learned. It is true what they say, when going through hard times that is when you realize who is your side. God is always by side...seeing you through!

I read an article last night, and after reading it, it gave me a new perspective and allowed me to understand certain things.

Every setback is a set up for a comeback!

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

Lessons are a blessings!!

http://www.essence.com/lifestyle/money-career/tonya-brigham-smoothie-king-franchise-owner

Tonya Brigham has a great story.

Her story was very similar to mine. Over the past 10 years, I have had a successful career, I was a working mom with two kids.

In 2016, I had a drastic change that was unexpected. I was laid off. The moment I was laid off my first instinct was to get right back into the workforce. My husband convinced me that I needed to take some time off. But, I didn't want to do it.

See, we had just purchased our first new home, and we were so excited to begin the new chapter of being homeowners and growing our family. Being laid off was scary, we were not a one income household. It wasn't something we ever talked about. We were always a two income household. My husband and I have always had the goal of providing for our home and growing our careers together. The idea of changing our lifestyle was something that I wasn't prepared to do.

I gave in and made the decision to be a stay at home mom. At the time, I didn't realize that this was the blessing that I needed in my life. I was able to take care of my children, my husband, my home and myself. In that time, I learned a lot about myself. I learned what makes me happy, what makes me sad, and what sets me over the edge. I learned I had to trust in God and that he had a plan. I learned that God put me in my home to take care of myself and my family. I learned that there is more that I can do with my life, other than working a 9 to 5 or working long and crazy hours and not having time to live life.

I have also learned that there are ways to making money being at home. The overwhelming work from home opportunities out there was not expected.


Among the companies to explore:

AriseWorkFromHome.com
Visit the Arise National Sponsor profile for more information on current opportunities.
American Express

Sykes Enterprises formerly Alpine Access
LiveOps

WorkingSol
ACD Direct
Alorica formerly West at Home
Convergys
Intrep
Aspire Lifestyles
Sutherland Cloud Source



Through that year, I learned that there are a new goals I have set for myself

I am determined to do them.

I have decided to start a business. I know it will be a challenge and it will take a lot of time. But I am motivated and determined to create a successful business.

The biggest challenge will be the funding. But I have learned that God always has a plan and I am ready and willing to follow his journey.


#lovelivingmylife #entreprenuer

Dream

When do you know it’s about that time???

In your career, the goal is always to progress and explore different avenues in life.

One of my biggest dreams is to own my own business. I definitely know I have the entrepreneur spirit in me and I have so many ideas in my mind. But it’s strange how fear holds me back from pursuing my dream.

How do you defeat the fear?

I love it all fashion, management, technology. I even love real estate and planning.

Just my thoughts out loud….

My New Workout Routine

Strength and Conditioning: My New Workout Routine

I started working out again. Now I have started to change my way of thinking.

Working out has become a mandatory part of my schedule. Its hard to do it, cause my schedule doesn't always have room with work, kids, maintaining home and family and friends. But I realize that I have to do it for myself.

Its been so long time since I have done something for me and my well being. So now, I am determined to maintain my health, getting my weight to the right BMI, and putting my self on a workout routine.

Instead of treating as a temporary routine that I will stop once I reach my goal weight. I am making It a part of my life.

The same goes for my diet. Its important for me to not treat it like a temporary diet. But to make a change in my overall lifestyle. Believe or not its a lot more refreshing thinking of it that way. It makes be see it as a challenge for myself.

What motivates me to do it? Its knowing that I am doing it for myself.

This is how I looked in my twenties:

Pregnant with baby #2

After two kids and in my thirties

 

to the left:That's my girl Ashente

Current Weight (don't judge me)

My Workout
I wake up early in the morning and work out on Sunday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

1. Treadmill: I started off with 30 minutes on the treadmill
2. Jumping Jacks: After the treadmill I do 4 reps of Jumping Jacks
3. Squats: 15 Squats
4. Lunges: 20 Lunges (each leg)
5. Plank: 30 second plank
6. Crunches: 50 Crunches
7. Sit Ups: 20 Sit ups
8. Calf Raises: 20 Calf Raises

It takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete.

My Goal is to maintain my weight, skin, hair and nails. Its my lifestyle change.

Easy Recipes - Slow Cooker

Easy Recipes

The husband is traveling on business, which leaves my days and nights over run with work, home, kids and oh, it’s the summer. During the past few weeks, I have tried to use some new strategies to help me get through the days and nights.

Lunch and Dinner #Lunch #Lunchanddinner #dinner #pin #slowcooker #Curry Chicken

The food network is one of my favorite channels to watch, and it helps me with the ability to make quick fix meals. Everything from fish and chicken to rice and pasta and can’t forget about the fruits and veggies. The food network has several shows that are the best at making quick fix meals “30 minute meals”, “semi-homemade”, “pioneer woman”, and the list goes on and on. They also provide some really good recipes on the food network website.

#Pioneerwoman, #30minutemeals

 

Slow Cooker Recipes

I had my slower cooker for two years before I actually used it. A friend of mine ‘fellow blogger’ was raving about how great it is and how much time it saves when preparing meals. With all of her convincing I finally attempted a slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe. It was great, my husband and kids loved it. They couldn’t believe how short of a time it took to prepare and then just putting it on the slow cooker for 4 hours. During that 4hours, I cleaned, did laundry, played with the kids and even read one of my favorite magazines. Pinterest is also great for slow cooker recipes #Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/

Below are some really good recipes. They are quick and easy #pork #currychicken #curry #recipes

The recipes below, you can always add your own twist, by including some other spices

Healthier Amazing Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/healthier-amazing-pork-tenderloin-in-the-slow-cooker/ (MakeItHealthy) – 6 servings (enough for leftovers)

#tenderloin #porkreceipes #porktenderloin #pork #redwine #wine

1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin

2 cups onion, sliced

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup red wine

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 tablespoons minced garlic

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place pork in the slow cooker with sliced onion. Pour water, wine and soy sauce and coat the pork. Spread garlic over the pork, sprinkle pepper, cover and cook on low setting for four hours Serve with cooking liquid on the side.  

 

 

 

Slow Cooker Curry Chicken

Total Time: Prep: 25 min. Cook: 4 hours

6 boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh

6 peeled and cubed (cut in cubes) potatoes

1-1/4 teaspoon of salt

½ cup of Chicken Stock

¼ cup of water

5 teaspoons of curry powder

1 teaspoon of Adobo all-purpose seasoning

½ teaspoon of ginger minced

1 teaspoon of garlic minced

½ teaspoon of cumin

1 teaspoon of ground black pepper

1 teaspoon of oregano

1 teaspoon of thyme

 

Combine the salt, chicken stock, water, Adobo all-purpose seasoning and 3 tablespoons of the curry powder, garlic, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and 1teaspoon pepper, and oregano in a bowl.

Spread the potatoes and chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker. Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 2 tablespoon curry powder. Lay the chicken over the potatoes in a single layer. Pour the mixture over the chicken. Add the thyme and Cook on high for 1 hour and 3 hours on low.

Uncover the slow cooker and stir and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over rice or baked macaroni and cheese

 

Career Driven – Being strategic in the workplace.

Career Driven – Being called aggressive in the workplace. Is it because I am a woman?

I am a Sr. Business Analyst for a software company. Although this is not the path my career started on, this is where I ended up. When I started working for my company, I didn’t intend to continue in the software industry. Growing up, I aspired to become an obstetrician. When I entered college I didn’t have the focus for the amount of studying that was required.

In my current field, the perception is that I am aggressive when it comes to business and at times that can intimidate others or prevent others from working with you. By the way, I have only heard this from my male collogues. When it comes to business I am very direct, precise and analytical with all projects.

At times, I like to take the lead on projects and set up the appropriate direction for the project based on client expectations and the business needs.  But, I don’t believe this makes me aggressive, I think it makes me competent. I have always had an ambitious and optimistic outlook on life. With that comes a lot of passion for anything I put my all into.

I was introduced to a book a few months ago that I thought was one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, it called “LEAN IN” (Sandberg, 2013)

 

 

 It made me understand why women are perceived differently in the workplace and that I wasn’t the only one with this experience.

After reading the first few chapters, I was inspired and exhausted all at the same time.

It inspired me to learn even more about software development. My new goal is to go into either software engineering or software project management. After reading the book I felt more determined to pursue this path and I believed that I could do it.

Although I know I will do all that I can to reach this goal, I do know how much of a challenge this will become.

Here comes the feeling of exhaustion.

As a woman it’s not easy, although I have an extremely supportive husband, his career is just as demanding mine. We have two beautiful girls and both work 40 to 60 hours a week. In addition to maintain a balance in life with family, friends and each other now I have to go back to school to pursue my new goal.

Just recently, started looking into various women organization that provides the support, networking and mentoring that I believe I need as well as all women example: http://leanin.org/  (Lean In, 2014).  It’s important for women to come together to support each other in there endeavors whether it’s being a career mom, in the workplace or being a stay at home mom. In life, I have only maintained very  few female friendships and I have always asked myself why that is, I believe I know…but I will save that for another post.  

I have never felt a sense of support or mentorship from other women. It is definitely something that needs to change, and I know the change has to start with me. I might not be able to impact other women, but I can mentor and support those who need it or welcome the advice.

 In the corporate world, I have learned a lot about the business and how things work which has led to my success. Sadly, all those who have mentored to my level have been men.  They saw my potential and believed that I could progress beyond what I imagined.

I started mentoring my little girls since they were toddlers my youngest is 2 ‘she’s a diva’.

I have instilled in my girls that they can do anything they put they mind to and never settle for less.

I will post any other women organizations I find to my blog.