Retiring in California

 I am very fortunate to be retired in my home state of California.  I always loved Southern California, and knew from age thirteen that I wanted to live here.  We would drive down from San Mateo to visit my grandma when I was little.  I was always shocked at how warm it was in the winter.  That is one of my favorite things about it now.

Burbank Airport and LAX are both a short drive from my home.  The beach is just thirty miles on the freeway, and I have many kayaking spots that are close by and convenient.  Hiking trails are abundant, and the nature is gorgeous!  I am able to grow numerous fruits and vegetables in my front and backyard.

The main reason I was able to retire here is because I purchased a small home when they were cheap.  I chose the tiniest house on the street.  The cottage and neighborhood needed a lot of work, but I put in the time.  Many of the other homeowners fixed up their places, as well.  We are now reaping the rewards.  It also helped to have a set of parents who were both born and raised here.  My mom grew up in Fullerton, and my dad in San Francisco.

How about you?

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Switching To A Discount Brokerage In Retirement

 

Moving your retirement funds from a full service brokerage to a discount brokerage firm is surprisingly easy.  It generally takes about five business days for the stocks to show up at their new location.

Online banking and investing have become much simpler. Our computer skills as seniors can continue to grow.  I was able to do it all online, over the phone.  The woman from my new branch guided me verbally through the steps.  You need to know your account numbers, balances, and have a statement handy.  You can call the hotline for assistance.  Some offer 24 hour service! 

If your funds are in a trust, you will need that at your disposal so that you can upload copies of the title page, signature page, notary stamp, and any amendments.  They also will need a copy of your driver’s license.

You can ask the person helping you if they offer any promotions, and if they will pay for the transfer fees.  It’s a competitive business, and the rewards are excellent.  In my case, I received a $1,500. bonus, and they paid the transfer fees that my old brokerage firm charged.  I initiated the move through the new company.  This avoids any pressure to stay.  My old broker did call and asked me to return.  I thanked him, but explained that I am now ready to make my own trades, online.

Many women are intimidated by the stock market, buying and selling, and putting money into Treasuries or CD’s.  There are excellent opportunities available right now.  This gives you more money for the fun stuff.  If you manage your accounts yourself, that one percent an advisor would make can be spent on travel, day trips to the beach, or special treats from the grocery store.

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The Importance of Relationships in Retirement

 

Once you have retired, you will have many relationships that make a huge difference in your stress level.  If you are staying in your home, you will need a reliable plumber, handyman, tree trimmer, electrician and house painter.  If you have developed a rapport with these people over the years, it will make things much easier.

Your car will still need repair, you may need a driver to take you to the airport, and a reliable pet sitter or boarding kennel is essential for dog and cat owners.  It can be difficult to find these people in smaller towns.  The best are usually booked.  If you are already an existing client, and the business owner likes working with you, it makes all the difference.

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Start Saving as Early as Possible For Retirement

 

 Becoming a senior creeps up on most of us faster than we expect.  The sooner you start investing and planning, the better; none of us knows what the future holds.  If you have a paid off home or condo, an emergency fund, and a source of income for your old age, it is much easier to sleep at night.  You will not be worrying and fretting.  Plan for success.  Failing to plan can spell disaster.

Keeping track of your net worth on a monthly basis shows if you are moving in the right direction, financially.  Has your home gone up in value?  How long do you plan to live there?  Does it suit your needs and budget as an elderly person?  Many of us will be old ladies or old men for decades.  We want that time to be enjoyable.  There are many options for seniors right now.  It helps to visualize yourself in happy and healthy situations.

Keeping in touch with your soul tribe makes a huge difference, too.  Any time I am invited to an event or reunion, I make every effort to go.  I thank the organizers.  Because of them, I have gotten to reconnect with old and dear friends.  Some friends invite me to travel, and it’s fantastic!

It’s important to keep an eye on your stocks, and to know how much they have gone up or down since you purchased them.  Many of us shift more money into cash or CD’s as we age.  If you plan to travel, those amounts need to be calculated, as well.

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Found A Fabulous Cobbler

 Last week I found an excellent shoe repair, close to the cottage.  I could tell as soon as I walked in the door that Gary was a master.  He dyed and resoled my favorite fur lined winter boots from Alaska.  They look brand new now! 

My hiking boots needed a couple of the hooks replaced.  He sewed on leather straps that will work.  The rest of the shoe was fine.  They are Vibrams, and are very good quality.  Now they won’t feel lopsided when I lace them.

He sewed a buckle back on a pair of high quality sandals I found at  T.J. Maxx.  I had never worn them, since they needed repair.  They had one of those permanent plastic tags on them when I got home.  While cutting it off, I damaged them.

I feel like I have three brand new pair of shoes!  i even purchased some matching shoe polish for my favorite boots, so they don’t get scuffed. It’s made in Germany. 

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please reply in English.  I’m sorry, but those with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.

Avoided an EBay Scam

 This morning I was excited to purchase some Shetland wool that I found at an excellent price on EBay.  When I went to pay, I was rerouted to a streaming site for television shows and movies.  I immediately called the number on the back of my debit card, and reported the fraud.

We canceled the card, and I didn't lose any money.  Tomorrow I will stop by the bank and have a new card reissued.  

I reported the incident to EBay, and hope that I can speak with them and resolve what happened.  You have to be so vigilant these days.  I am relieved that I picked up on it right away, and blocked the transaction.  I still hope to buy that beautiful wool, though.  Right now my account with them is labeled as restricted.  We'll see.

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please reply in English.  I'm sorry, but those with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.