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2017 A New Financial YOu

Resolutions to save • reverse mortgages • FAce financial fears

Wine of the Month Sponsored By ATWOOD

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Winemaker’s Notes:

Noble Vines 152 Pinot Grigio showcases vibrant aromas of white peach, green apple and tangerine zest.

Medium-bodied with a round mid-palate and crisp acidity, this refreshing Pinot Grigio offers distinguished ϐ lemon curd and a hint of minerality on the palate, before extending into a ǡ ϐ Ǥ Serve chilled with fresh salads, pasta, seafood or chicken.

The Vineyard:

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For centuries, vintners have singled out individual vines that produce exceptional grapes. A select few have stood the test of time and have been granted numbers to distinguish them.

Noble Vines.

January 2017

Pr i m e Ti m e January 2017 1944 Warwick Ave. Warwick, RI 02889 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 Distribution Special Delivery PUBLISHERS Barry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, John Howell MARKETING DIRECTOR Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com Editor/ Creative Director Linda Nadeau lindan@rhodybeat.com WRITERS / CONTRIBUTORS Don Fowler, Elaine M. Decker, Danielle Zarrella, Larry Grimaldi, Mike Fink, Carol Miller, Donna DeLauro, Cristina Acosta, Nancy Fromm ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Jeff Smith, Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski, Classified ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com PRODUCTION STAFF Matt Bower, Brian Geary, Lisa Yuettner A Joint Publication of East Side Monthly and Beacon Communications.

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What women should know if they outlive their spouse

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Clean Slate in the New Year

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Declutter

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new financial you

by Cristina Acosta and Nancy Fromm Owners – Money Wise

3 Things Women Should Know If They Outlive Their Spouse The importance of women taking an active role in a couple’s financial planning represents more than just jockeying over who gets to control the checking account.

“Women on average live longer than men, which means they are going to need more money in retirement or else risk outliving their savings,” says Cristina Acosta, co-owner with Nancy Fromm of Money Wise (www.moneywiseaz.com), a financial planning firm.

“That means they have a lot at stake. And women - men, too, for that matter - often don’t realize just how long retirement might last. If you retire around age 65, it’s possible your retirement is going to last 25 or 30 years.”

The death of a spouse can pose numerous financial difficulties. First, the survivor has to deal with the emotional issues associated with grieving, which means some financial decisions may be put on hold.

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Fromm says. “You don’t want to rush into any decisions you don’t have to make immediately.”

But it won’t take long to start experiencing some of the financial consequences. If both spouses were drawing Social Security, one of those monthly checks is about to disappear. If the spouse had a pension, the amount of the check may be reduced for the survivor, or it could be eliminated.

Acosta and Fromm have made improving the retirement outlook for women a significant part of their work. They just recently launched a division of their company called Woman’s Worth (www.womans-worth. com/scottsdale) designed to focus on not only a woman’s finances, but also her physical and mental health, and her total well being.

Acosta and Fromm say there are plenty of things worth knowing about finances before and after a spouse dies, from long-term care planning to tax minimization planning. Here are just three that women should keep in mind: . Seek professional advice. This is especially important for women who left finances up to their husbands. A financial professional can help you get a better handle on the options for making retirement more secure.

“Find someone you’re comfortable with,” Acosta says. “You’ll want someone who can help you plan strategically and will take the time to understand you, your situation and your needs.” . Understand the importance of life planning. For women, it’s more than the money. It’s about understanding the emotional and even physical health issues that woman face when dealing with finances. Having an integrated approach to the planning process empowers women to address the connection between their health and wealth. . Protect your assets. If you’re nearing retirement or already in retirement, it’s critical to protect the assets you already have. Review how much risk you have in your investments and decide whether you need reduce that risk, and more importantly, validate whether your assets are laying the foundation towards a clear journey to achieving your dreamretirement lifestyle.

“It’s vital that women appropriately manage what they have,” Fromm says. “It needs to last and provide the retirement lifestyle they’re after.”

Cristina Acosta and Nancy Fromm are co-owners of Money Wise (www.moneywiseaz. com), a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based financial-planning firm that helps create retirement-income strategies for people nearing or in retirement.

Investment advisory services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC (BCM), a registered investment advisor. BCM and (Money Wise or Woman’s Worth) are independent of each other. Insurance products and services are not offered through BCM but are offered and sold through individually licensed and appointed agents. Fiduciary duty extends solely to investment advisory advice and does not extend to other activities such as insurance or broker dealer services. Advisory clients are charged a fee for assets under management while insurance products pay a commission, which may result in a conflict of interest regarding compensation.

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January 2017

new financial you

2017 New Year 2017

Resolutions that Save Money New Year’s resolutions are a tradition that many embrace but few stick with as the year progresses. The most successful resolutions are often those that make the most positive impacts on peoples’ lives, such as improving their overall health or altering their career paths. Resolutions that save men and women money also are likely to prove successful.Though saving money might not be the primary goal of many resolutions, savings can be an added benefit for those who resolve to make the following changes.

Quit smoking. Many people resolve to quit smoking to improve their overall health, as smoking has been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer. But quitting smoking also benefits your bottom line. Smokers who smoke a pack of cigarettes each day can expect to spend several thousand dollars a year on their habits.The cost of a pack of cigarettes depends on where a smoker lives, but a smoker who pays $10 per pack and smokes one pack each day will spend $3,650 in a year. Quitting smoking can put that money back in your pocket, potentially lower your insurance costs (the National Association of Health Underwriters estimates that smokers will spend 50 percent more on life insurance policies than nonsmokers) and improve your overall health considerably.

Eat right and exercise. Making exercise a part of your weekly routine is another way to save money over the long haul. According to the National Association of Health Underwriters, men and women who combine a healthy diet with exercise three times per week can decrease their prescription medications costs by 70 percent and their overall medical costs by 30 percent. Exercise greatly reduces a person’s risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Each of those conditions is not only unhealthy but costly as well. But each also is largely preventable when men and women adhere to a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Eliminate debt. Debt costs money, and research has shown that debt can negatively affect quality of life. The longer men and women carry balances on their credit cards, the more interest they’re paying on those debts. The dawn of a new year marks a great time to resolve your debt issues. If your debts are substantial, contact your creditors to discuss a payment plan that may help lower your obligations. Some credit card companies are willing to work with cardholders who are overwhelmed by their debts. Such companies may devise payment schedules that keep interest from accruing on existing debts so long as cardholders make predetermined minimum payments on time each month.

Start saving more money. Resolving to set more money aside for savings can save men and women money over the long haul. When they have more money in savings accounts, men and women are more capable of handling emergencies or other unforeseen expenses on their own rather than relying on credit cards or lenders to help them make it through rough patches.

Credit cards or bank loans come with interest charges, which will only make emergencies more expensive. If you are in a position to handle such emergencies on your own, then you won’t feel the financial pinch like you would if you needed to borrow or take on debt to handle such situations.

TF141870

January 2017

Ring In January Deals

When the holiday shopping rush ends, there are plenty of people who are ready to retire their credit cards for awhile and take a break from the checkout lines.

Still, others look forward to the sales that start the new year, eager to get great deals on many different products and services.

There are many deals to be had when January arrives. Smart shoppers may want to wait until the dawn of the new year to get great deals on a wide variety of products.

Electronics:

Although

many

electronics go on sale for the holiday season, once January arrives there is another round of major discounts on electronics, even highend items that were not included in holiday sales.

New items are unveiled each year at the Consumer Electronics Show in mid-January, and many stores begin to clear out older inventory to make room for the latest offerings in home-theater systems, televisions and the like. These sales are bound to continue into February.

Furniture: New furniture designs are largely unveiled in February, so come the beginning of the new year homeowners and renters can score good prices on clearance inventory. Those looking to start out the new year with new designs can generally find good prices at the start of the year.

Last-minute travel: Although the cost of travel, especially trips to warm weather locales, can increase in January, last-minute or fast-acting travel package combinations are often available at low prices this time of year.

Fitness gear: Many people make resolutions to get in shape; therefore, gyms, spas and manufacturers of fitness equipment may discount their products to take advantage of the trend toward getting in shape after a season of overindulgence.

Winter apparel: Many post-holiday sales focus on clearing out inventory of winter essentials, like coats, sweaters, hats and gloves. Now may be the time to update your winter wardrobe.

Contractors: Many people renovate their homes in the fall right before the holidays. Therefore, contractors and other home renovators may be at a loss for work come January and may discount their services to generate new business.

New home: The spring and summer are prime seasons for buying a new home. Few people want to brave the elements and look at homes with yards devoid of flowers and shrubbery. But buying a home in the winter may be more financially prudent.

The new year presents new opportunities to save money on items that are deeply discounted or go on sale this time of the year. TF131797

Did you know?

Each January 1, people all over the world make resolutions for the new year. Many of the same resolutions pop up on popularity lists each year. According to a study by GoBankingRates, which in December of 2015 asked 5,000 people what their New Year’s Resolutions would be for 2016, the top resolutions included:

• Enjoy life to the fullest.

• Live a healthier lifestyle.

• Lose weight.

• Spend more time with family and friends.

• Save more, spend less.

A study by Thomas Cook UK, a United Kingdom-based travel comPrimeTime | pany, indicated many people in Britain planned to cut back on social media as a top resolution as well. It should be interesting to see which resolutions play out upon the arrival of 2017. TF16C637

senior

issues

New Concept of Nursing Home Care Opening in the New Year The GREEN HOUSE® Homes at Saint Elizabeth Home Opening in East Greenwich in early 2017 Construction of The GREEN HOUSE® Homes at Saint Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich is nearing completion, and in a few months, a new concept of nursing home care will be introduced in Rhode Island. Four beautiful small homes will open, and 48 individuals in need of nursing home care will be moving in to these “first of its kind” in RI homes.

Each of the four homes has 12 private bedrooms and 12 private bathrooms with individual showers. The rooms are situated around shared central living space that includes a large kitchen, dining room and hearth room. The homes have a front porch and shared courtyard, as well as a smaller den and a spa bathing room.

“Many people think this must be assisted or independent living when they see these homes,” says Steve Horowitz, President and CEO of Saint Elizabeth Community, “ but these homes are nursing homes for individuals who need nursing home care.”

The houses are located next to Saint Elizabeth Home, situated on a newly built cul-de-sac. It looks like a private neighborhood next to the legacy nursing home.

“This model brings the nursing home setting into a real home and utilizes a cross trained Certified Nursing Assistants to care for the residents with the support of nurses, under the direction of a physician” says Matthew Trimble, Chief Operating Officer for Saint Elizabeth Community. “Empowering the residents to do as much as they can for themselves, to make decisions and to live life to the fullest in these beautiful homes is the goal,’ says Trimble, who leads the Guiding Leadership

| PrimeTime

Team that is spearheading opening these four homes. The motto of the GREEN HOUSE Project® is “Caring homes for meaningful life.”

The smaller setting is a proven model where relationships between caregivers and residents flourish. Introducing this model of care is a first for Rhode Island and Saint Elizabeth Home was awarded 48 licensed nursing home beds by the RI Department of Health to bring this innovative model of care to the state. This will end the moratorium of adding new nursing home beds in RI. The concept of care employs a model developed in 2001 by THE GREEN HOUSE Project®, www.greenhouseproject.org. The first Green House Home opened in 2003 and to date there are over 200 Green House Homes in operation across 30 states.

All four homes will be for long term care residents. Sixty to seventy caregivers are being hired and will begin training about a month before the homes open.

Applications for residency can be found on Saint Elizabeth Community’s website, www.stelizabethcommunity.org or can be picked up at Saint Elizabeth Home.

For more information call 401-471-6060.

THE GREEN HOUSE® Homes at Saint Elizabeth Home are a part of Saint Elizabeth Community, a not for profit provider of care and services to seniors.

Saint Elizabeth Community has 12 RI locations and 7 members including: Saint Elizabeth Home, Saint Elizabeth Manor, Saint Elizabeth Court, Cornerstone Adult Services, Cathleen Naughton Associates, Saint Elizabeth Place, and Saint Elizabeth Terrace.

January 2017

new financial you b y danielle zarrella

Grocery Cart Road Rage and how to avoid it in 2017 A NEW YEAR! For many, it’s also a clean slate on which to inscribe a healthier, more financially responsible, less gassy person. (New Year’s Resolutions come in all styles, just trying to be all-inclusive!) What starts out as a fervent push to become a better person often dwindles down to a trickle of willpower that ultimately ends in disappointment. Handfuls of people who decide that January is going to be the start of a healthier diet with a new workout routine end up eating double portions of corned beef & cabbage by the time March comes around.

I don’t make new year’s resolutions at the beginning of each year, but my Facebook news feed is evidence of this disappointment that many people face after only a couple of weeks or months. Experts say (and I tend to agree) that focusing on the small changes in your daily habits results in more success than simply setting a vague goal of “losing 30 pounds by this Summer” or “saving more money this year.”

Rather than the broad goal, stick to smaller goals of “making coffee at home instead of buying it” or “going for a walk after dinner every night.” This will be more encouraging and will likely result in more success because each day that you continue the habit, you have accomplished the goal you’ve set for yourself!

For those of you who do make New Year’s Resolutions, maybe I can suggest a new habit that is one of my favorite things that my husband and I started doing about 6 months ago. It’s nothing crazy or new and I’m sure a lot of you already do this, but it really is a life changer if you don’t do it already! Before we started this habit, we would go to the grocery store and wander around getting basic things to make dinner like meats, eggs, vegetables, and any other items we thought we may need. Breakfast and lunches have always been easy and healthy because we are relatively consistent with what we have for those meals and will often plan the same thing every day for the entire week because it can be cheaper that way.

Dinner, on the other hand, has always been simply thrown together that night using what we have without any prior thought of what the meal will actually be until I’m in the kitchen cooking it. This has resulted in some really yummy meals that I still make frequently, but I would often come across recipes that I would want to make, but there were always a few ingredients that I didn’t have. This meant I needed to either go to the store and spend more money or, what we would usually opt to do, just not make the recipe and come up with something else for dinner using what we already had, which again, wasn’t bad at all, it just made me think of how we could possibly be more organized with the process to save both time and money.

We started planning our meals for the week and making a grocery list based on these meals. This has helped us stick to a budget and it also allows us to integrate new recipes into our menu as part of the plan for the week so there’s no extra time and money spent going to the store for a rogue ingredient. We spend less money at the grocery store and are often under budget for the week. We even joke about the small number of ingredients in our cart because it doesn’t look like you would be able to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner for seven days with such a small number of items! We eat delicious meals every night and are always trying fun new recipes as well as old favorites from our days of “throwing a bunch of stuff in a baking dish and hoping for the best.”

One of the best parts of the meal planning and grocery list is LESS TIME AT THE GROCERY STORE! I’ll admit, I have shopping cart road rage and I have very little patience for slow-moving aisle blockers (blame it on my four college years living in NYC) so anything that helps me spend less time with these folks is worthy of an entire article.

January 2017

PrimeTime |

new financial you

Time to Declutter Shared habits of organized people

The beginning of the year is an ideal time to get organized and set oneself up for productive months ahead. It’s also a good opportunity to take inventory of seldom-used items and clear out as much clutter as possible.

The amount of stuff the average person owns can affect how easy or difficult it is for that person to get organized. In 2014, professional organizer Regina Lark estimated the average American home contains 300,000 items. And it’s not just adults who love to collect and keep things, as kids contribute to the problem, too. British research, as published in The Telegraph, indicates the average 10-year-old owns 238 toys, playing with just 12 in a typical day.

All of these belongings contribute to disorganization and lost time. A study

by Esure Home Insurance found looking for lost items accounts for 10 minutes of wasted time each day.

Getting organized can take perseverance. However, it is possible. Use these strategies to get organized in the months ahead.

• Observe the ‘one-in, one-out’ rule. Practice the rule of giving away or discarding one item per each new item that comes into your home. This approach can keep a cap on the new things you own.

• Skip the freebies. Resist the temptation to accept items that are being given away by family, friends, retailers. etc. Politely refuse these unnecessary items, which will only pile up.

• Rent items rather than buying them. Renting rather than buying is another way to stay organized. Avid readers can rely on the public library for their weekly reads. Instead of purchasing new formal wear to wear to a wedding, rent tuxedoes, suits or evening gowns.

• Make lists of what needs to be done. Writing down tasks can help them become more manageable, and a list can also ensure a task is fully completed. Physically checking off a to-do list can be quite satisfying, providing motivation to finish the rest of the list.

• Take a catch-up day. Those who feel bogged down by a backlog of responsibilities can take a day off from work to catch up on chores and tasks. Fit a few things in over the course of the day.

• Plan ahead for meals and other tasks. Use the calendar to plan out the week or the month. When you know what to expect, instead of spending time figuring out what to make or which task to do each day, you can be more efficient about getting it done.

Getting organized is a common goal. It’s entirely achievable with a positive attitude and some dedication. TF16C633 | PrimeTime

R I H ealth C are A ssociation

senior

issues

RI Health Care Association Announces New Officers and Directors The Rhode Island Health Care Association has announced that Deborah M. Griffin, of Somerset, MA, has been elected to serve a two-year term as Chairperson of the Association’s Board of Directors.

RIHCA is a non-profit organization comprised of approximately three-quarters of Rhode Island’s residential skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers.

Deborah M. Griffin In her new post, Griffin and her fellow officers will support the Association in its efforts to ensure high quality short- and long-term residential nursing care and rehabilitation for Rhode Island’s elderly and infirm.

Griffin is the Administrator of the Hattie Ide Chaffee Home in East Providence.

She began her career in health care administration as an assistant administrator at Cedar Crest Nursing Centre in 1990. She moved on to administrator positions for Landmark Health Solutions/Bristol Nursing Home and St. George Group/St. Anne’s Hospital, before assuming her post at Hattie Ide Chaffee Home in 2003.

Earlier this fall, she was chosen by her peers to be the recipient of the 2016 Rhode Island Health Care Association Administrator of the Year award. A licensed Nursing Home Administrator in both MA and R.I., Griffin is a graduate of Providence College.

In addition, RIHCA announced the following slate of officers for 2017: Trevor Kinney of Genesis HealthCare, First Vice-Chair; Angelo Rotella of The Friendly Home, Second Vice-Chair; Akshay Talway of Briarcliffe Manor, Secretary; Chuck Kenoian of Overlook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Treasurer; Jennifer Fairbank of South County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Genesis HealthCare; Immediate Past Chair; and Associate Business Representative, Pam Bibeault of Triad Health Care.

Information about the Rhode Island Health Care Association and residential skilled nursing and rehabilitation services can be found on www.rihca.com.

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new financial you

REferse Mortgage Specialist NMLS#595725

Closing Financial Gap for a New Generation of Retirees Retirement has become a bit more complicated in recent years. Retirees can no longer rely on just Social Security, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and personal savings—what’s known as the “three-legged stool” of retirement planning. Many of today’s retirees simply do not have the employer-sponsored plans their parents did, and therefore need to rely more closely on personal savings and other assets to close the gap and meet their financial needs. Additionally, with increased longevity and medical expenses, planning for the unknown is difficult. That’s why Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are growing in popularity.

If you’re 62 or older, a HECM can help you tap into the equity of your existing home and turn it into cash that can be used today, or a line of credit that will be there when you need it. It also can help to preserve invested assets, leaving them intact to continue earning for you.

In short, a HECM can give you more power to live better. Do you want to make some needed or desired home improvements? Get additional funds to help cover unexpected medical expenses, or supplement your income?

A HECM can help by eliminating your existing mortgage payment and freeing up cash to use for those purposes and others as well. (As the homeowner, you’d remain responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and property maintenance. A HECM is a home-secured debt payable upon default or a maturity event.)

You can receive your loan funds as a lump sum, a line of credit, a monthly payment, or any combination of these. (If you elect a fixed-rate loan, you will receive a single disbursement lump sum repayment option. Other payment options are available only for adjustable rate mortgages.)

The HECM loan program was created by the Federal Housing Administration specifically for homeowners age 62 and older, and has been growing in popularity. Today, many consumers and their financial advisors view HECMs, in the right circumstances, as a smart solution to help qualified homeowners achieve their retirement goals.

Remember, this is not your parents’ retirement planning, it’s yours. You owe it to yourself to explore all of your available financial options, including a HECM loan.

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b y M ichelle L a F rance

Alzheimer’s Disease a lzheimer ’s asso c i a t i o n r h o d e i s l a n d c h a p te r

senior

issues

10 Early Signs & Symptoms Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in a different degree. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.

1. Memory Loss that Disrupts Daily Life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remember them later.

2. Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems Some people may experience changes in their

ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. What’s a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks at Home, Work, or Leisure

People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. What’s a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

4. Confusion with Time or Place People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. What’s a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble Understanding Visual Images & Spatial Relationships

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving. What’s a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.

10 | PrimeTime

6. New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing

People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”). What’s a typical age-related change?

Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over the steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

What’s a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.

8. Decreased or Poor Judgment People with

Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. What’s a typical agerelated change? Making a bad decision once in a while.

9. Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove

themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced. What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary or work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in Mood and Personality The

mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. What’s a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

What to do if you notice these signs? If you

notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or someone you know, don’t ignore them.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor. With early detection you can: Get the maximum benefit from available treatments - You can explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer. You may also increase your chances of participating in clinical drug trials that help advance research.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The Rhode Island Chapter provides programs and services that include a 24/7 Helpline, Support Groups, Trainings for Families and Professionals, Early Stage Social Engagements Programs, Newsletters, Advocacy, Resource Library, Conferences, Lectures, and special fundraising events. 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906. 1-800-272-3900, Fax: 401-421-0115 www.alz.org/ri Facebook @alzassocri.

January 2017

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

lifestyles

by DON FOWLER

Beer and a Bold Menu There’s no doubt about it: Cranston’s Brutopia Brewery & Kitchen boasts the finest assortment of home brewed beers in Rhode Island.

Joining with the Revival Brewing Company in a huge facility at 505 Atwood Ave., the owners hired consultants develop a new menu that would complement the eclectic variety of beers.

It works at high end restaurants that pair their wines with dinner selections, and for what we tried at a Prix Fixe Dinner and sampling last week, the pairings work perfectly at Brutopia.

The restaurant features a huge bar with tables around the perimeter, plus two additional rooms that can be used for large parties or regular dining. In warmer weather, there is an outside patio.

Adjoining the restaurant is the brewery, filled with large vats, which is available for group or individual tours.

Revival Brewing has one of the most unique basements I’ve ever seen, where you can sample their long list of beers and ales, play ping pong and electronic games, or just relax and enjoy a Rocky Point Red Ale, coffee or cocoa stout, or Belgian White Ale. For only $5, you get three choices, paying a dollar more to taste more of the over ten choices.

Richard Benson has been the head chef and kitchen manager at Brutopia for the past two years, coming

with a variety of experience in the food industry.

“I started when I was in the Navy on the Nimitz where we cooked for over 1,000 sailors,” he said. “I worked for accompany that provided the meals at LaSalle Academy, and then at Red Stripe. I love working here and especially enjoy coming out of the kitchen and talking with our customers.”

The new menu expands on the usual BBQ and craft beer favorites of the growing customers.

“We now offer something for everyone,” Benson said as he offered me a sample of a pork belly taco which was tasty and like something I had never experienced.

Starters also include house smoked wings with a variety of sauces ($9), Hush Puppies ($8), and pulled pork nachos ($13).

Soups and salads have been added to the menu. Joyce enjoyed a very large Arugula salad, which looked too good to eat. It included craisins, almonds, figs, blue cheese crumbles, and a balsamic and extra virgin olive oil. ($9).

Joyce’s pan roasted Atlantic salmon was perfectly cooked and lay on a bed of pearl barley pilaf with brussel sprouts and cranberry ($22).

I enjoyed the Dark Marvel Stout Braised Short Ribs, the most tender, tastiest short ribs I’ve ever had. They were served over a dish I have never had and changed

my opinion on grits: Vermont cheddar grit cakes.

Forget the southern style grits and try these. Pickled red cabbage, kale, and the dark marvel stout gravy all made for one of the best meals I have ever enjoyed. ($19).

We topped it off with a White Electric Stout Float ($9) and an old fashioned root beer float ($6).

Their new menu also includes brined pork chop ($17), grilled flat iron steak ($19) and a big bowl of mac and cheese ($8), to which you can add pulled pork, brisket or pork belly for a few dollars more.

The traditional pub food remains on the menu, including burgers, fish and chips, tacos, and, of course, BBQ. For those with huge appetites, we suggest the BBQ combo of pulled pork, brisket, and a half rack of ribs $25).

Open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and late night snacks, Brutopia has become one of the top eating and drinking establishments in Cranston and the entire state.

They have a variety of specials, special events, brunches, tours, etc…too many to mention. Check out their attractive web site at www.Brutopiabrewery. com. Their phone number is 464-8877.

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Route 44 • Greenville Common Greenville, RI (401) 949-0180 andersonwinfield.net

January 2017

PrimeTime | 11

food & drink

Starting Lineup apps and starters perfect for game day

R

FAMILY FEATURES

ules may vary from one event to the next, but whether your favorite team kicks it, runs it or dunks it, sports fans and food always provide a winning combo. Gather your friends for the next big game with a menu that gets everyone revved up for a win.

A lineup filled with starters is just the ticket for a game day watch party or tailgate.

Offering a series of finger foods and lighter fare lets your fellow fans grab a quick bite before the game or during a commercial break and continue snacking through the game.

Make no mistake, serving up a lighter menu doesn’t mean you need to skimp on quality – just the opposite, in fact. Make every bite count by using exceptional ingredients and introducing unexpected flavors such as the distinctive taste of Jarlsberg Brand Cheese, which has a rich, 60-year Norwegian heritage.

Best known as a classic wedge, this mild, mellow and nutty cheese can also be served sliced, shredded and cubed.

Quesadillas are always a hit, and this version combines the best of gooey, melted cheese with bacon and a deliciously tangy salsa for a lively burst of fresh flavor. Then keep the mouthwatering cheese and bacon combos coming with a whole new take on grilled kebabs.

No game day is complete without pizza, and this one scores big with its unexpected blend of flavors for a pie that is smoky and tangy, sweet and savory, and briny and creamy all at once. Then round out your menu with these easy sliders that are big on flavor and small on prep time.

Find more ideas to liven up your game day menu at jarlsberg.com.

Grilled Pizza with Cheese, Prosciutto and Figs

Servings: 4 2 cups pizza or tomato sauce 4 1/2 cups pizza dough flour, for rolling 3 1/2 cups Jarlsberg cheese, coarsely grated 2 1/2 cups thinly sliced prosciutto 8 dried figs, each cut into six wedges dried red pepper flakes black pepper Heat grill and warm pizza sauce.

Divide dough into desired number of pizzas. On floured surface, roll dough into long, thin ovals and spread with sauce. Sprinkle light layer of cheese over sauce. Add layer of prosciutto and a second layer of cheese. Dot with fig pieces then season with red pepper flakes and pepper.

Reduce grill heat, slide pizzas onto grill and close lid.

Cook 3-5 minutes, or until crust is lightly charred and cheese is melted.

12 | PrimeTime

Hawaiian Sliders with Cheese, Ham and Pork

Servings: 3 3 Hawaiian bread slider buns 1 cup pulled pork 3 slices ham 3 slices Jarlsberg cheese sliced pickles Dijon mustard, to taste Heat oven to 350 F. Separate buns and layer pulled pork, sliced ham and cheese. Place sliders on oven-safe tray and bake about 10 minutes, or until cheese melts. Remove from oven and gently remove top bun. Add pickles and mustard before serving.

Cheese and Bacon Kebabs

Servings: 4 18 slices bacon 2 1/2 cups Jarlsberg cheese, cubed 18 pearl onions 12 long skewers Relish: 1/4 cup roasted bell peppers 1 1/3 tablespoons capers 2 2/3 tablespoons olives 1/4 cup cucumber 3 1/3 ounces olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice and grated zest salt pepper Cut bacon slices in half and wrap around cheese cubes. Place cheese cubes and pearl onions on each skewer, alternating ingredients. Roast in pan or on grill 2-3 minutes on each side.

To make relish, chop peppers, capers, olives and cucumber, and mix with olive oil, lemon juice and zest. Season with salt and pepper.

Cheese Quesadillas

Servings: 4 4 slices thick slab bacon 1 small chili pepper 4 medium tomatoes 1 small shallot 1 clove garlic 1 tablespoon coriander or cumin salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1 small lime (juice and zest) 6 slices Jarlsberg Original or Hickory Smoked cheese 2 large tortillas Fry bacon, drain and chop.

To make salsa, remove seeds from chili pepper and finely dice.

Chop tomatoes then dice shallot and garlic clove. Combine pepper, tomatoes, shallot and garlic with lime juice, coriander, salt and pepper, to taste.

Divide cheese slices and bacon on one half of each tortilla, top with 1/4 cup salsa and fold tortilla over, pressing down to close. In mediumhot, lightly oiled pan, toast tortillas about 1 minute on each side.

Cut each tortilla in half and serve with remaining salsa on the side, or combine salsa with black beans and fresh chopped cilantro to make a side salad.

January 2017

b y L arry G rimaldi

January

So here we are in January, the most curious month in the calendar. The holidays are over and the reality of winter is about to set in. Although the observances of Martin Luther King Day in January and Presidents Day in February will offer a break in the winter drought of holidays, some people may not have another day off until Memorial Day in May. After New Year’s Day, January becomes the orphan of holidays. February has Valentine’s Day and March has St. Patrick’s Day. Even April has the income tax day filing deadline, obviously not celebrated, but nonetheless a well noted day on the calendar. If you scan the calendar, you will note that virtually other month has its own significant holiday.

So what shall we make of January?

The word January is based on the Latin term Janarius in the Roman calendar.

The month is named for Janus, the god of beginnings and endings. When you think about it, January bridges the old year to the new. We reflect on the past and make plans for the future. The month serves as a preparation for February, famous (or infamous if you prefer) for its horrible winter weather in spite of its short duration. Remember the Blizzard of 1978?

During January, we try to keep all those resolutions we made for the new year.

Even if we don’t succeed for the entire year, the effort is made and hope remains that we will still make good on those promises we made to ourselves.

For school children, January puts them back into the classroom after the long Christmas break. While some students can anticipate a week off from school in February, others may have to wait until spring for a break from their studies. Most of all, we can remind ourselves in January that the next change of the seasons will usher in spring!

lifestyles

A Bridge From The Holidays To Spring January is not totally without merit. As a youngster, I can remember multiple newspaper and broadcast ads for those January white sales? Do they still have those? For the avid and devoted bargain hunters, January is a festival of clearance sales. They can stock up on supplies for next Christmas or get an early start on their 2017 shopping (much more preferable than Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc.). If you are really ambitious, you can start planning your summer vacation.

January may gives winter sports enthusiasts the opportunity strap on those new ski boots and to try out those new skis and they got for Christmas. With a little luck and a few snowflakes, kids can head for the nearest park or hillside and jump on their sleds and flyers.

For the hardcore sports fans, January offers a smorgasbord of must-see games.

Professional football begins its playoff season and annual march towards the Super Bowl, our newest American holiday. More than 350 Division I College basketball teams start their conferences schedules in a quest to reach round ball NirvanaMarch Madness (otherwise known as staying up until the wee hours of the morning to see how your tournament brackets are shaping up). Baseball’s ritual of spring training games previews the upcoming season openers in April. Can the Chicago Cubs win another World Series? Unfortunately for fans of professional basketball and hockey, the January offes only an endless parade of regular season games.

If you really think about it, January can be as productive, active, and as much fun as any other month that hosts any of the “big” holidays. It’s what you make of January that counts. Then again, that’s the case for most things in life. Happy January!

Larry Grimaldi is a retired freelance writer living in North Providence. Comments can be e-, mailed to lgrimaldi@cox.net.

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new financial you

Managing Costs of Assisted Living As individuals age, various circumstances have to be reassessed. A current living situation may not be meeting the needs of a senior who may be having difficulty caring properly for himself or herself. Families often consider senior residences to provide welcoming and safe environments for their loved ones during the golden years of their lives. These facilities may range from independent living homes with minimal care offered to nursing homes that provide more intensive care when needed. Somewhere in the middle lies assisted living homes, which blend the independence of personal residences with other amenities, such as the housekeeping, medication reminders or meal services.

Assisted living can be a viable option when a person can no longer live alone, but such facilities come with a price. According to a Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs conducted by MetLife, the national average for assisted living base rates was $3,550 per month in 2012. In the 2015 Cost of Care Survey conducted by Genworth Financial, the assisted living, national-median monthly rate was now $3,600 Ñ and it’s only expected to grow. Affording these homes and apartments can be challenging for those with fixed incomes, but there are some strategies that can help.

The payment method that serves you best will depend on your unique circumstances, but there are options available.

• Long-term care insurance: Long-term care insurance is specialized insurance that is paid into and may cover the cost of assisted living facilities and other medical care, depending on the policy. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance says that only roughly 3 percent of Americans have this type of insurance, but it is something to consider during working years.

• Personal savings: Some people have the means to pay for assisted living with their own savings and retirement nest eggs. However, it’s easy for savings to become depleted when facing a $40,000+ per year bill.

• Life insurance: A financial advisor may advocate to pay for assisted living with

a life insurance policy. Some companies enable you to cash out for ‘accelerated’ or ‘living’ benefits, which usually is a buy-back of the policy for 50 to 75 percent of the face value.

Other third parties may purchase the policy for a settlement of a lump sum, again roughly 50 to 75 percent of the policy’s face value, according to Caring.com, an online source for support and information about the needs of aging people.

• Location: Costs of assisted living fa- Consider the different options availcilities vary depending on location. able to help pay for assisted living It’s possible to get a lower monthly services. rate simply by choosing a facility in a different state.

• Negotiation: Not all prices are set in stone. Speak with a manager at the facility and see if there is any price flexibility or move-in incentives. You also may be able to get a lower rate by negotiating certain a-la-carte costs against all-inclusive pricing. Perhaps you do not need laundry or shopping services, and family members can fill in the gaps, reducing your bill.

• Veteran’s benefits: Many veterans are eligible for care benefits that can offset the cost of assisted living care.

• Rooms: Opting for a smaller room or sharing a space can keep costs down as well.

See if shared rooms are a possibility.

Assisted living is a necessity for thousands of people. Explore the ways to finance this purchase. MM15C743

your taxes

professional perspective

b y meg che v alier

Tax Professionals:

Protect Your Clients and Protect Yourself

Due to the sensitive client data held by tax professionals, cybercriminals increasingly target the tax preparation community. Thieves use a variety of tactics, from remote computer takeovers to phishing scams.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the private-sector tax industry ask for your help to combat identity theft and fraudulent returns. Working in partnership with you, we can make a difference. That’s why we launched a public awareness campaign that we call, “Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself.”

Identity thieves are a formidable enemy. Data breaches are increasing in number and scope. Thieves often use the stolen identity information to file tax returns. As a tax preparer, you play a critical role in protecting taxpayer data.

Most tax professional’s software includes security protections. You should take other defensive moves as well.

Here are a few critical steps: • Secure Data. Make sure that taxpayer data, including data left on hardware and media, is never left unsecured; use security software on all digital devices.

• Shred Documents and Destroy Media. Securely dispose of taxpayer information.

• Use Strong Passwords. Require strong passwords (numbers, symbols, upper and lowercase) on all computers, tax software programs and Wi-Fi. • Change Passwords. Require periodic password changes every 60 – 90 days.

• Safely Store Data. Store taxpayer data in secure systems and encrypt information when transmitting across networks.

• Encrypt Email. Encrypt e-mail that contains taxpayer data.

Also, learn to recognize phishing attempts that mimic tax software providers or the IRS. A number of current scams pose as IRS e-services or other entities to trick you into clicking on malicious links or downloading malicious attachments. These phishing scams may attempt to steal your usernames and passwords for critical accounts.

Or, they may secretly install software that will track your every key stroke.

The IRS and its partners have issued numerous alerts and warnings to the tax professional community this year on emerging phishing scams specifically targeting you and your colleagues.

When in doubt about any communication purporting to be from the IRS or a tax software provider, go to their main web page instead of clicking on any links.

For additional information go to www.irs.gov on the search box type Tax Professionals.

14 | PrimeTime

January 2017

b y donna d e lauro

new financial you

senior real estate specialist

Is it time to sell your home?

Let’s face it, most of us would love to remain in our home. It is easier than making a move. It’s where we made many memories, where we have our precious belongings, and the thought of moving may be too overwhelming a task.

In some cases, we can no longer live in home. It’s too big, and we may not have the ability to manage it properly. It may be too expensive to maintain, and it may just make more sense to downsize, or transition to an alternate lifestyle.

Everyone has a unique set of circumstances, desires, needs, and goals. There are many things to consider when you begin to plan for your move.

It is never too early plan for your future. Whatever your age or situation, knowing what your options are will help you make the right decisions.

Will it be a downsize to a one level home, a condominium perhaps? Maybe renting as opposed to owning? Retirement communities are an option as well.

Many communities offer studio style, or one or two bedroom apartments, with various levels of assistance with care, medications, cleaning, etc. Many communities offer independent apartment option, if you can manage on your own, but may prefer the simplicity of having no responsibilities with maintenance, or grocery and utility bills, and want to take advantage of all

that is offered for a more social lifestyle.

Without a plan, the options may be limited, if a move is required due to a crisis situation.

Whatever the case may be, you will need a team of experts to reach your goals with the highest satisfaction, and least amount of stress, while gaining the most out of your home’s equity, Your home could be one of your most valuable assets. Therefore, selling your house at retirement age may present a different set of considerations than when you were younger. As a senior, it is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls, and incentives associated with buying and selling a home at this stage in your life.

If your move is to a nursing home, there are specific requirements based on your financial status, if medicaid is needed. An elder law attorney can provide assistance with deciding how you hold title when selling your property, and offer personalized estate planning.

A financial planner, or accountant will advise you of the possible consequences of tax implications, based on your financial situation, property value, and cost for your new living choice.

Sound overwhelming? It certainly can be. So where do you start?

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A senior real estate specialist can take at look your situation and determine who will be needed on the team to get the job done.

Your property value may determine how you will afford your new lifestyle. Your senior real estate specialist will provide information on the value, based on your specific market area, and condition of the home.

The good news is that we are in a vibrant real estate market with more buyers than sellers. There are many great mortgage options for 1st time home buyers, as well as those up-sizing. Interest rates, although climbing slightly, remain affordable, allowing buyers to make their move.

As the old saying goes, timing is everything...is this the right time for your move?

Donna DeLauro is a Senior Real Estate Specialist and founder of Mature Matters 401-486-6044 donnadelauro@hotmail.com www.maturemattersrealestate.com.

Leader of All Around the House at Keller Williams. Accredited Buyer Representative Recipient of Five Star Award for six consecutive years

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PrimeTime | 15

senior

issues

retirement sparks b y elaine m . dec k er

Retirees’ Triads Pampers has a new tag line. It’s a take off on the book and the movie: Eat, Pray, Love. Procter and Gamble tweaked its diaper ad version to Love, Sleep, Play. To which I snorted: “For people our age, it’s more like: Eat, Pray for Sleep, Eat Something Else.” This got me thinking about other well-known triads and how they might be revised for retirees.

One that comes to mind immediately is Veni, Vidi, Vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.) The seniors’ adaptation has to be: I came, I forgot why I came, So I left. Another from literature is Keats’ “beloved trinity”—“Give me women, wine and snuff until I cry out ‘Hold, enough!’” With minor alterations it’s a favorite of ladies who’ve migrated to Florida. “Give me women, wine and Mahjong ‘til I cry out ‘Enough already!’”

Some of the revised groupings are inspired by health issues that plague many older folks. The patriotic red, white and blue are phonetically modified into bread, wheat and gluten—foods to be avoided by those with sensitive digestive tracts. The western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly mutates into The Cane, the Walker, and the Wheelchair. That

popular lunch sandwich—bacon, lettuce and tomato? It’s still bacon, lettuce and tomato—but now it’s things we have trouble chewing or digesting.

Then we have trios of noises, or groups that morph into them. Let’s begin with Snap, Crackle and Pop—the sounds of a beloved breakfast cereal. These days, snap, crackle and pop are still morning sounds, but they’re the ones we make when we first get up. Remember the rock band Earth, Wind and Fire? They’re now Gurgle, Windy and Fart. (Oh, don’t give me that look. You know you were thinking something similar.)

Famous threesomes from TV and movies get makeovers as we age. The Three Stooges are no longer Moe, Curly and Larry. They’re now Bald, Frizzy and Flyaway—our hairstyles.

The Marx brothers, Chico, Harpo and Groucho, have become Cheeky, Harpy and Grouchy—our personalities. The Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Tin Woodsman morph into the Couch Hippo, Frightful Hair Crow and Titanium Knees Man. How about the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to the manger—Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh? If they were coming to see us today, they’d bring presents that are more age appropriate,

calendar of

events All Ages Park Rx & Hikes January 7

Join the South Kingstown Land Trust for an all ages hike through pine and oak forest and past amazing stone walls. Hike about 3 miles, though you can shorten your outing to 1 mile if desired.

Kids and leashed dogs welcome. This monthly hike on first Saturdays of the month is part of a new ParkRx initiative in which healthcare providers in South County are joining a national movement to “prescribe” taking walks and spending time in nature for better physical and mental health.

Browning Woods Trail 779 Shannock Road, South Kingstown 401-789-0962 • www.sklt.org 16 | PrimeTime

Rex and the Rockabilly Kings at Courthouse Center for theArts

January 7

All about Elvis!

200 Cadillacs film, Q&A, and a Live Concert with a multi-media slide show.

3481 Kingstown Road South Kingstown 401-782-1018 MA@courthousearts.org www.courthousearts.org

like cold compresses, Airwick and Vaporub. Meanwhile, The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria translate into a trinity that grandparents and great aunts everywhere will love—Nana, Pop-pop and Tanta Mariuccia.

Then there’s the classic baseball play: “Tinker to Evers to Chance.” It’s now: “Don’t Tinker with the TV remote settings, because it will take forEver to figure them out again. We only found PBS

by Chance.”

We also have famous three-part mottos. The words of the French Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité still translate into Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. But for senior citizens they mean we still have some mobility, our socks match, and to keep in touch with our family and friends, we need a smart phone. The Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) stays the same, but it now refers to our heartbeat, our blood pressure and our body odor.

We still enjoy the Sun, Moon and Stars. However, if your night vision has evolved in sync with your age, the sun often appears to be glowing around streetlights at night. You may go to bed too early to appreciate the celestial moon, but you can still catch a glimpse when a gentleman with stretched-out Sansabelts

bends over. And the stars are what we’re assured every one of our friend’s grandchildren are, as we look at yet another dozen photos from their ballet recitals.

Let’s consider a holistic triad—Mind, Body and Soul. We must nurture all of these if we aspire to lead a long, full life.

Some maxims to follow to make this happen are: Don’t mind anything your neighbors say about you. Don’t look at your body in the mirror unless you have on at least two layers of clothing. And if you want to cultivate your soul, forget those Chicken Soup books. Read Retirement Sparks in every issue of Prime Time.

Lastly, referring to the biological classifications Animal, Vegetable, Mineral: Seniors are told to avoid red meat, get plenty of roughage and keep hydrated with lots of water, not wine. As if that’s going to happen.

Copyright 2017 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s books—Retirement Sparks Redux, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks and CANCER: A Coping Guide—are available at SPECTRUM-INDIA, on the East Side of Providence and on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions. One of her essays appears in the anthology: 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. Contact her at: emdecker@ ix.netcom.com.

9th Annual Knitting Weekend and Fiber Art Marketplace January 20-22

10:00am–4:00pm Slater Mill Historic Site, 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket That’s right, it’s a celebration of all things knitting, with some of the finest yarn producers, spinners, dyers, and micro-farmers in New England. The Rhode Island Hook and Needle Guild will host their annual sale of homebased goods, and on-site demonstrations of spinning, weaving, and knitting will help adorn Slater Mill’s historic space with live practice.

(401) 725-8638 www.slatermill.org

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes January 27

The Greenwich Odeum • 8 p.m.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes first achieved prominence in the mid-1970’s with a classic blend of hard-core R&B, soulful guitar licks and blistering horn section 59 Main Street, East Greenwich 401-885-4000 greenwichodeum@gmail.com www.greenwichodeum.com January 2017

new financial you Photo courtesy of Getty Images

R

FAMILY FEATURES

etirement is supposed to be a reward for decades of hard work, but if you haven’t planned well, the milestone may be a dark cloud on your horizon. In fact, new data shows that nearly 50 percent of Americans are most afraid of outliving their income or the inability to maintain their current lifestyle, and nearly 20 percent are worried about having enough money to cover health care expenses.

The research, released by the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC), also found that despite these very real fears, Americans are failing to take action to address them. For example, a quarter of Baby Boomers, the age group closest to retirement, have less than $5,000 saved for retirement and nearly one in five Americans have no idea how much they’ve saved.

The findings indicate that Americans are afraid of the unknown when it comes to managing their money and retirement. While you can budget for leisure and travel, health care expenses and life expectancy are unpredictable.

“Americans are living longer than ever, so it’s no surprise that the No. 1 retirement fear is that they’ll run out of money in their final years,” said Jim Poolman, executive director of the IALC. “Thankfully, there are strategies and products out there that can help you create sufficient retirement income to last throughout your lifetime, which can help with this crippling fear.”

To take control of the uncertainty and create peace of mind when it comes to retirement, here are some simple steps you can follow:

Make a budget.

Those who plan for retirement are estimated to save three times more than those who don’t. Take into account that your expenses may increase during retirement, specifically for items such as health care and travel. Also, be sure to revisit your budget periodically to make adjustments for new circumstances that affect how much you need to support the retirement lifestyle you desire.

Balance is key.

Investing in a 401(k) is a great way to start a retirement portfolio, but putting all your eggs in one basket is a common mistake. One method to provide balance to your retirement portfolio is to add some more conservative, lowrisk products, such as Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs), which protect your principal regardless of market ups and downs. According to the survey, FIAs are an attractive choice for consumers, with 45 percent of Americans surveyed interested in this type of retirement product.

Plan to adjust.

Understanding Fixed Indexed Annuities In today’s economy, experts recommend ensuring you have a diversified retirement plan and balanced financial portfolio that includes conservative, low-risk products that are less impacted by stock market volatility.

According to the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council’s research, 45 percent of Americans are interested in retirement products, such as Fixed Indexed Annuities, that offer steady lifetime income and protect your principal even if the stock market goes down.

A savings strategy that makes sense today might not fit your needs in five, 10 or 20 years.

Factors like market volatility, changes in your career or personal life, can impact the amount you’re able to save and how much you anticipate needing when you reach retirement age.

Monitor the balance.

While it’s not as critical to track the ups and downs of your portfolio in your younger years, the closer you are to retirement, the more important it becomes to be aware of your account values. Your level of risk should reflect your age and your retirement goals. Generally, the younger you are, the greater risk you may be able to tolerate because market cycles generally rebound losses over time. When the window of time before retirement is tighter, you may not be able to recover from a dip as easily.

Small changes count.

Even seemingly little adjustments can have a noticeable impact on your finances over time. For example, packing your own lunch and giving up an evening out with friends once weekly or monthly will allow you to direct that January 2017

money to a retirement account instead. Also, be sure to pay your credit card bills on time to avoid fees that not only affect your credit rating but deplete funds that could be directed to retirement savings.

retirement account as a debt you owe and be sure to pay yourself every month. If necessary, meet with a financial advisor who can help you determine a strategy to pay down debt without sacrificing your retirement planning.

Make it automatic.

Find more tips and tools to guide your retirement planning at FIAinsights.org.

Set up scheduled transfers so you don’t forget or aren’t tempted to spend the money you planned to save. Treat your

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