| The lavish retirement years are gone. Our fathers | | | | inflation and other things like taxes, etc., but by |
| enjoyed great retirements, but we will not. | | | | the fact that our Social Security system may no |
| Buy-outs, business failures and economy drills by | | | | longer exist. |
| big business have forced us into a new reality. Not | | | | For years we've been hearing, "don't count on |
| a bright one either. | | | | Social Security for retirement". Not only could it |
| Most people spend more than they earn and huge | | | | completely disappear, but it just is not enough |
| debt is more normal than not. We have become | | | | money for any of us to depend on anyway. It's |
| a credit card society with huge mortgages and | | | | only a supplement to other income streams. Do |
| car loans and therefore we are an in-debt society. | | | | you have your other income streams in place? |
| WHAT HAPPENED? | | | | Many don't! |
| The great economy following World War II | | | | A few retirees will be OK, but the majority will |
| allowed successful companies to develop | | | | face a dim future during their retirement years |
| wonderful retirement and benefit plans for | | | | and could become a real burden on society.. Who |
| employees and, when our fathers began to take | | | | would have ever thought that we might become |
| home the retirement benefits, those same | | | | a burden on society, but in fact it is quite |
| companies discovered that funding these retirees | | | | possible? |
| was not so easy and not what was expected. | | | | How can each of us take control and change it? It |
| Part of this was caused by Americans living longer | | | | is possible to completely turn this dim situation |
| by many years and health costs rising. Profits | | | | around. To accomplish this, some retraining may |
| were being eaten up by higher benefit costs and | | | | be necessary, but it could completely change the |
| these same companies were beginning to fail | | | | future of these elder generation folks. The real |
| because of that. Cost cutting was essential to | | | | beauty is that if a diligent effort is made, the |
| preserve the company. | | | | future could look completely the opposite. It can |
| Inflation contributed to the problems as well. In | | | | be and you can do it. You already have the work |
| 1940 gasoline was 18 cents a gallon, a Ford car | | | | ethic. It doesn't matter what your skills are. If |
| was less than $800 and the average new home | | | | you're open to a new-world kind of opportunity, |
| was less than 5,000 dollars. Hasn't that changed a | | | | your life could look entirely different and your |
| bunch? How could any company keep up with | | | | future could be more than secure. You could even |
| inflation and taxes and costs all combined? We've | | | | become wealthy. Imagine being able to completely |
| come a long way Baby! Sadly, the trip has not | | | | rotate your life in a short time so that you would |
| really been a very good one over these many | | | | never have to worry about your future, ever. |
| years. | | | | This could be an opportunity to remove the fear |
| Many new retirees and soon to retire | | | | that accompanies us as we grow older. Think of it |
| baby-boomers are facing a not very bright future | | | | as a chance for a complete life changing concept |
| in retirement. They will probably have to continue | | | | that will allow you to head into retirement without |
| to work long after retirement and often the jobs | | | | the fear and hesitation that undoubtedly could |
| available to them will not likely allow them to | | | | shorten your life. I don't think that anyone would |
| continue in the lifestyle they have become used | | | | disagree with the fact that stress causes health |
| to. It's a horrible future and one that likely will | | | | issues and possibly the shortening of life. Without |
| continue to their children. That's right! Our children | | | | your health, you are in trouble and money |
| could actually be in a worse situation than we are | | | | concerns certainly can effect your health and |
| in and much of that could be caused, not only by | | | | your relationships. |