The beginning of a new year is the traditional time to gaze into that proverbial crystal ball and make your New Years resolutions. And hey, this time you are really going to keep them, right? No question about that. And in 2008, you really will stop your ten-year spending spree. Good for you! If the US economy collapses as a result, there’s always Aunt Gertrude in Germany who will take you in.

But maybe living with Aunt Gertrude for the rest of your life is not your ideal retirement scenario. If you, like so many others, have been putting off thinking seriously (rather than just dreaming) about your retirement, maybe its time to add a few very specific resolutions to your New Years list. These will allow you to retire sooner than you ever thorugh possible. Below are five you might consider.

First, however, begin by doing a quick self-evaluation. Take the retirement readiness quiz (see below) to get a baseline evaluation of your situation. This free quiz measures your readiness from various different perspectives, only some of which are financial. Then, depending on what you learn, you can modify the following list to suit your needs:

So here are your five retirement resolutions.

1. I Will Set A Date: I will determine the specific date I will retire, and I will write it down right here, right now! Month/Day/Year:

Wow. I did it! So, through my carefully-honed mathematical skills of subtraction, the time I have left before that date is( ) years and( )months. Oh my God! Really? That’s not much time! I better get going! OK, here goes!

2. I Will Remember The Happy Times: No, not just the great vacations! Others who have thought of retirement as a perpetual vacation have mostly wound up disappointed and depressed. I know I will need to “get a (new) life.” In order to figure out what will make me feel happy and fulfilled in my new life, I will think about what I was doing when I was happiest and most satisfied in the past, and then plan to recreate those situations in my retirement life.

3. I Will Make a Life Plan: Based on this information, I will make a specific retirement life plan including (a) where I will be living, (b) what I will be doing in the first two years, (c) who I will be doing it with, and (d) what I want to accomplish.

4. I Will Share My Plan and Get Buy-In: I will share this information with those closest to me to make sure they are bought in and supportive. I will make adjustments based on their feedback.

5. I Will Create a Financial Plan: I will estimate how much this is all likely to cost on an annual basis, and then I will meet with my financial advisor to review both my life plan and my finances and develop a realistic financial plan which will ensure that my resources will be sufficient to support me for the rest of my life. Based on what I learn, I will make the necessary adjustments to bring my life plan in line with my resources. Then, I will begin immediately to make the maximum possible contributions to my retirement accounts every year before I retire.

Whew! That was hard work! Now all I have to do is make sure to keep all of these resolutions in 2008 and beyond. And that will be easy, because in the past I have always kept all my New Years resolutions!

Right.



By: John Trauth

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Retirement is a time of transition and new beginnings.  Before shopping for the perfect retirement gift, remember that the corporation will also be giving a gift as well.  Although possibly not as thoughtful or fun as the gift you want to give, following is a list of gifts that many corporations consider appropriate.

Items like:  desk clocks, pen sets, passport holders, paperweights, ornaments, company stock options, wall clocks, money clips, luggage and luggage tags, watches or jewelry items, grooming or manicure sets and of course any awards or plaques are all items that are pretty standard retirement gifts from corporations.  Although memorable and thoughtful, let’s face it, they are rather boring.  Plus they tend to collect dust somewhere or never get to see the light of day stored in a box. 

In my personal opinion, corporations should try to honor the retiree with a gift that is not only memorable and appropriate, but is also something that can be proudly displayed and incorporated into their daily lives.  Items like:  picture frames, photo albums and barware or decanter sets can all be personalized for that extra special touch.  Best of all these items fit easily into people’s lifestyles, are truly memorable and will be used and displayed for many years to come. 

If the retiree is from the military, there are lots of websites out there who sell many different items to honor those who have served.  Items like:  throw blankets or afghans, rings, watches, clothing items and collectables like knives, guns and bullets are all items that can be personalized.  Plus they allow the retiree to proudly display, in many different forms, their proud military heritage.  Something they are especially proud of, as most who serve in the military never make it to retirement due to injury or death. 

Other items that would make good corporate gifts are as follows:  jewelry boxes or jewelry rolls, valet trays, Ipod or CD cases, serving trays, plates or bowls, wine and chocolate lover gift sets, signed retirement frames, card playing sets, personalized poems and smoking accessories like cigar boxes, Zippo lighters and cigar with flask combos.  Also gift baskets come in a huge variety sure to please even the most discriminating.  Plus golfing accessories like a divot tool and ball marker, shoe bags and shadow boxes help them to pursue their hobbies.  Finally wine gifts like:  carafes, crystal glasses, stoppers and totes are a thoughtful addition to any wine lovers collection. 

These gifts can all be personalized which turns and ordinary gift into something that is truly memorable.  Plus these gift ideas are not only appropriate but also help the retiree to pursue other interests and hobbies while showing appreciation for all their hard work. 

As you can see, corporate gifts don’t have to be boring and meaningless, they can be memorable and cherished, just like the gifts the retiree is sure to get from their co-workers.  If the gift is something you wouldn’t appreciate or use, then chances are the retiree won’t either.  Gifts that fit into their lifestyle and give them something to look forward to are the best retirement gifts.  Good luck and as always Happy Shopping



By: Angelique Ellerman

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Our profession or work stimulates our mental well-being, however, we often see it as a job which require not only our mental but also physical capability to earn for a living. Whatever work you have, eventually you have to retire and begin living and paying more attention to your own self and life. Retirement is a big drift from busy working days to a new and free living where there is obligation for anyone to work. This is the perfect time for you to introduce yourself to some free excitement that you may have. A perfect time also to have yourself available for your family, relatives and friends.

Retirement calls for a celebration. Often, family, friends and colleagues throw a retirement party for the retiree, many gifts are to be given as well. Since after retirements, the retiree has all his or her time to rejoice and relax so it is best if gifts to give are something that could introduce a fanfare in the lives of the people. If you have decided to give a retirement gift to a retiree, you have to be mindful that a good gift should reflect retiree’s interest, age, sex and likes.

Gifts for the retiree could be anything. You may consider presenting a membership card to a movie and dinner club which can allow the retiree to go every month. The retiree will always remember you every time he or she does. If he is a golf enthusiast, sent him in a golf club. A getaway trip or sea cruise would really be fantastic. There are lots of things that are out-side-the-box which you can choose that can make long lasting remembrance which he she will treasure.

Let’s try now think of some things inside-the-box. There are lots of different choices you may put inside a gift box. One of the most popular gift you can give is a picture frame. This might seem common so you want to choose the one that has your own personal touch. There are many custom-made picture frames and albums sold in the market today. You may consider personalizing the frame by having the retiree’s name or initials engraved on it. Think of this Retirement Signature Frame, a frame filled with warm and thoughtful wishes that you can give to the retiree. This is a wonderful gift that will serve as a lovely reminder of his or her accomplishments and friends at work, which has plenty of space for colleagues where they can sign their names.

Other choices are sports gifts, which doesn’t have to be a real sports items, like sports trunks organizer, sport-themed cufflinks, miniature sports room and desk decorations, desk clocks and the likes. You can also include in your list travel monogrammed bags if he or she would like to travel after the retirement. There are actually plethora of choices that are available anywhere. You might want to go with today’s online shopping trend where much wider options awaits you. All you need to do is to set down, face your computer and do some clicking and you are almost there of having a nice and thoughtful gift for the retiree.



By: Janet R.

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Retirement is a time for someone to shift his or her daily work routine to a much free and relaxing new beginning. Retirement calls for a celebration, and this celebration calls for retirement gifts. If you have a friend or loved one who is retiring from his or her service, you want to give something that can commemorate the event, as well as his or her overall contribution not only to the company, but also to the family. Before you purchase a perfect gift for a retiree, you should also think first that the company might also be giving gifts. Although, possibly the gifts they might give are not as thoughtful as what you want to give, below are are some gift ideas that many companies consider appropriate.

Many companies are sticking to standard retirement gifts such as desk clocks, wall clocks, wrist watches, pen sets, money clips, luggages, grooming kits, manicure sets, jewelry pieces, and the most popular are plaques or trophies. But admit it, they aren’t as memorable as special keepsakes does, they are rather boring! Plus, they are most likely to be kept, leave behind and collect dust in somewhere else.

Alternatively, companies are always welcome to give something that can honor their retiree. In short, gifts that are appropriate and memorable. A great choice of retirement gift should also be something that a retiree can be proudly display and incorporate into his or her daily life. This would include choices like picture frames, photo albums, barware or decanter sets. Best of all, these gift ideas fit easily into any retiree’s personality and lifestyle. These are truly memorable and will be used and displayed for many years to come.

Going back to the retiree’s personality, for men, there are so many choices of retirement gifts to choose from. The most popular are elegant wrist watches, leather wallets, cufflinks, flasks, mugs, pocket knives, outdoor gears and the likes. You may even refer your gift to his other activities, sports or traveling for example. If his a sports enthusiast, give him sports-related gifts. But if loves to travel, luggages or grooming kits are a nice choices.

Women love jewelry pieces and cosmetics, so these are good choices that can make a perfect retirement gift for women. You may also consider jewelry boxes or jewelry rolls, or cosmetics cases. Of course, handbags are also a good choice. There are many handbags today, from huge luggages to small purses that can be made personalized. Engraved her name or initials on the bag, making it a special and one of a kind gift to commemorate her retirement party.

Retirement gift basket is also a perfect choice. Gift baskets come in a wide variety choices that are sure to please any retiree. The basket can be filled with lots of different surprises, just make sure you are putting the appropriate items that are related to the retiree’s personality. If he is a golfer, then why not include golf gifts such as divot tool and ball marker, shoe bag and a shadow box that can help him pursue his golfing hobby. Other choices that can be a good filling in your basket are office desk accessories, outdoor gears, barware, cigar accessories, or other different kinds of kits that he or she is interested to.



By: Janet R.

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