Living to be One Hundred - the Calculators

There are a lot of calculators out there. Prof Gupta of CNN has recently noted on line that his prediction is only for 81. I tried one and it game me 92. Sleep was a big recommendation.

So what changes to make

This web page has good suggestions

http://registeredrep.com/hancock/images/checklist_march2007.pdf

Do I Really Want to Live to be One Hundred ?

I will be 75 in February. If I were to live to be 100 it would mean I still have a fourth of my life left, and 2009 to 2034 are certainly going to be WOW years maybe comparable to those of my grandmother's lives, when the world added electricity, automobiles, telephones, air transportation and significant urbanization. My father's mother actually had a Thor washer..it washed both clothes and dishes..in th early twentieth century.

I have been collecting something of a library of books on living to be very old, finding obituaries of 100 plus year old people and generally looking at what might lie ahead.

I am facing up to what it is like to be old. I am really old...face it...right now. So I am finding I enjoy being alone, not dealing with people treating me as an unwaned minority..."Are you all right ?" people keep asking.

Financial Declaration of Independence

Who would have thought there is actually a 10 point document.

http://bhorner3.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/financial-declaration-of-independence/

Saving Money - Tips - Health

If you are 75 as I am, maintaining health is about the best way you can save money.

I love this quotation

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.
The Buddha

These are the steps I have taken

1.Insurance

A and B Medicare
Medigap
Part D..drugs
Dental insurance, though it is not especially good

2. Dental Health

My dentist of 10 years is across the street in the amazing Suntrust Building which is another reason for anticipating my quarterly visits and I have my cleanings and annual xrays on a regular basis. What I need to improve is more personal compliance with more regular flossing and brushing.

3. Taking maintenance drugs regularly

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
High Osteoporosis
Vitamins

4. Exercise

I belong to 2 health clubs
It is just a question of going regularly and engaging in a balanced program

5. Sleep
If you are sleeping 8 hours a night you are not spending money during that time. And you might have some interesting dreams.j

Saving Money - Tips - Don't Use Giving to Grandchildren as a Big Turn on

Last year I really got a charge out of buying my granddaugher some really great clothes. Some are classics...the black North Face down coat....black boots..and 12 wonder all of different colors (including strapless) in Size A32 bras from Target (which incidently sells the best brands of bras). But this is a good way to start savng and also a good place to teach lessons for life.

I have just reviewed records from my parents' lives and realize how they lived well but frugally.

There is a good Wall St Journal article about grandchildren and teaching economic facts.

http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2008/12/02/teaching-kids-lessons-from-the-recession/#comment-81830

So hear comes my big idea.

Use FACEBOOK. I also have access to their friends so could extend it beyond just my own grandchildren.

Saving Money - Tips - What You Need Versus What You Want

This is an excellent site that shows in detail how to put this excellent habit in place.

What you need vs. what you want and how to tell the difference ... - 12:37pmFor instance, I want a new computer. I could tell you that I need it to do my writing, but that would be a lie. I have a computer that's not dead yet. ...
www.wisebread.com/what-you-need-vs-what-you-want-and-how-to-tell-the-difference

If you are a "hoarder" as I am then this is a big problem in getting a budget under control. This is probably a real mental health problem,not just a minor problem.
However, the idea of starting with the simple distinction of want versus need is there.

Here for example is a "want" versus need that I have right now. I started collecting international dolls and have had the idea of having a museum. I just found some great African dolls in a neat place in Atlanta. I bought one of these dolls, but want all four big as they are.

How do I deal with this want ?

Saving Money - Tips - Over 62 Free Tuition at Georgia's Institutions of Higher Education

Since I live downtown Georgia State University is a great choice. Other than taking classes there are other advantages

l. Uses of the Library
2. Swimming pool and gym
3. Clubs
4. Student discounts

There is also the consideration of how to retool myself for a real job.


Georgia State University - GSU-62 Program
... Registration. To receive the waiver of tuition and fees, GSU-62 applicants are required
to register during late registration on a space available basis. ...
www.gsu.edu/gsu-62_program.html

Saving Money - Tips - Free Entertainment - Atlanta's Parades

Not everybody lives 12 floors up the place parades start in Atlanta, Georgia but I do. I have a great view of West Peachtree where the parade organizes and Peachtree where they start. It is great entertainment and Atlanta has perhaps the most parades of any city.

January - the King holiday
March - St. Patricks Day
somewhere in here Gay pride, that goes in the other direction toward Piedmont Ave
July - Fourth of July
November - Veterans
December - Children's' Hospitals Christmas parade

There are sometimes sports parades and a Caribbean parade.

Saving Money - Tips - Vacation at Home

I dream of a freight trip around the world, a train trip through the West but next year my plan is to get a 53.00 MARTA Breeze card, take my trusty camera and systematically tour and document my home town, Atlanta and environs. In order to do this I need to approach it as though I were a real visitor and plan my trips. Perhaps I could also combine this with some real travel writing.

A Pretty Amazing Guy - Blog Pension Pulse

http://pensionpulse.blogspot.com/2008/12/specter-of-deflation.html


Leo Kolivakis
Location: Montreal : Quebec : Canada
About Me
I am an independent analyst with a Master's in Economics from McGill University and over ten years experience in the buy and sell-side. I previously held senior investment analyst positions at two of the largest public pension funds in Canada researching, recommending and investing in traditional and non-traditional asset classes like stocks, bonds, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity, infrastructure, commodities and timberland. In 2007, I completed a detailed report for the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada on the governance of the Public Service Pension Plan. My passion is researching financial markets. I love reading books and articles on finance, history, philosophy and politics. I am currently trading stocks independently and relying on my own research to earn a living. Feel free to contact me at lkolivakis@gmail.com for specialized consulting mandates on pension investments, including consulting mandates on alternative investments and performance audits on your pension fund managers.

My Blogs
Pension Pulse

Reforming Spending Habits to Get Me through the Meltdown

There are a lot of blogs out there with a lot of good ideas.

The Frugal Rebel
http://www.thefrugalrebel.com/2008/10/07/something-to-learn-from-the-financial-meltdown/

This is a good example.

I have combined a system using online Calorie Counter to both take off the pounds, eat healthy food and also save money.

Vegetables

Spinach
Mixed Vegs
Peas (canned)
Bean (canned)
Carrots (fresh)
Tomatoes (fresh)
Potatoes (fresh)
Cauliflower
Beets

Fruit

Tangerines
Bananas
Peaches (in season)
Plums (in season)
Apples
Blueberries (health benefits are suggested)

Cheeses to make the vegetables more palatable

Do not eat out