JANUARY 2013 From ESTEEM Pg. 1 • Stay busy and use time wisely — Fill the space that was once used for work and find activities that will keep you occupied; keep in mind that it is important that such activities also build or strengthen your physical or mental capacities. • Take care of yourself — Feeling good about our body does wonders for our self esteem at any age and getting older is no ex- cuse to stop. Exercise to stay fit and eliminate stress, eat a healthy diet and do anything possible to look your very best; a change of hair style, some new clothes or a visit to a spa will renew your general attitude.
• Stay active socially — Make efforts to expand your social net works and don’t lock yourself at home. Integrate more with family, if living together, or make new friends if living in a senior commu- nity. Look for activities that involve sharing time and activities with others. There are many volunteer opportunities for seniors, and there is also a great need for tutors, which is a great way to say busy while helping our youth in need. Don’t be afraid to try new things.
• Value yourself — Try to stop negative thoughts about yourself. Instead, substitute them with your good qualities. You are much more than the memories of what you used to be as a professional or when you were integrated in the job force. You are still the same person, with great qualities that can be shared with those around you. A good start to the new year’s self esteem boost is to write three positive things about you on a daily basis. The more you believe in your self, the stronger you will portray this positive energy to the world. It is never too late to build a positive and healthy self esteem. A new year has started, it is a new beginning and a good time to reflect on us and what we can do to make our lives better. So take a good, critical look at yourself and resolve to make those changes that will lead to better relationships, abilities to resolve any problem, deception or failure and most of all, strengthen a healthier attitude that will make you happier and with a very positive outlook for life.
Senior Voice America
From ANNUITIES Pg. 25 a sizable one-time premium, you’ll have the security of knowing essential expenses are covered — immediately. That’s what makes them worth considering. “It’s the insurance factor — the peace of mind — that people are looking for,” says Montminy. “By having that guaranteed payment for life, you know you have some protection on your overall portfolio.” Experts emphasize that the lump sum you use to buy an income annuity should be just a portion of your retirement assets. You want to diversify your retire-
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ment portfolio to also provide liquidity and to protect against inflation.
The Bottom Line There are only five life insurers that are AAA rated, so make sure the company you buy from has high marks from the insurance rating agencies. You want to make sure the company is around as you age. And review the fine print on your contract with a financial adviser. “The goal is to understand what you’re buying and approve the terms,” Weisbart says.
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