Real Sage Advice

Develop Your Move Plan...even if you're not moving yet.

The thought of moving can be overwhelming, but it can also be freeing!  If you're in a house now, imagine not having to worry about cleaning the gutters, edging your lawn, or shoveling the driveway this winter!  Moving to a townhome or a senior community can mean locking the door and taking off...as many times a year as you want without having to worry about the lawn, or if the pipes will freeze because of the cold Minnesota Winters! 

It's typical for seniors to take a while to get ready for their move.  It's not unusual for that planning to take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year. I have great news for you.  You don't have to have all of the answers to start planning your move!  Here are a few quick easy steps to start developing your move plan.

1. Get your finances in order.  Know if you have to sell first, or if you'll be able to move first.  I recommend moving first if you're able to.  It's easier, you're on your own timeline, you'll only have to move once, and you don't have to be bothered with showings while your house is on the market.

2. Decide what time of the year you'd like to move.

Successful Aging

Did you know Sepetember is Healthy Aging Month?  This is a month for all of us to celebrate.  No matter how old you are now, you're getting older! As a human race, we have never lived as long as we are now. We have never had to plan as much as we do now, we've never been faced with the health care system issues as we are now, and we've never had as many years after retirment as we do now.  Wow. What a wonderful journey we are about to undertake! As a society we have the opportunity to challenge the way we think about our elders, and about aging.

Ruth Stafford Peale (widow of Norman Vincent Peale) turned 100 on September 10th this year.  Her husband authored the famous book The Power of Positive Thinking.  Ruth attributes her vitality and longevity to positive thinking.  She said “Norman and I always were positive about everything, in our marriage, our work and our whole lives.”

This week, challenge yourself to pay attention to the messages you give yourself.  How hard are you on yourself?  Do you see that glass as half empty or full?  See if you can see the positive in situations.  Your health will thank you for it!

Importance of Discussion

I've been wanting to have a place to record my thoughts on aging for quite a while.  I know there are bloggers out there who have been writing for years, and I am just a humble blogging neophyte.  However, this issue is near and dear to my heart, particularly when it comes to aging and planning for health care and housing. 

Too often we decide to not decide. When it comes to aging, health care and housing there is a truth that I've seen with my clients.  Those that have (money) get; those that haven't, and don't plan, get what's left over. 

Generations before haven't ever lived this long, or been retired for as long, as used our health care system as long.  We entering uncharted territory.  We will see the boomers make changes in our nursing homes, assited living care communities, and the real estate market in general.  I just hope more "plan and get" vs. "get what's left over."