If you’re approaching retirement, or already in the retirement phase of life, time is flying by. Time is going by quick so let’s get to the getting. What are you waiting for? Tomorrow? None of us are guaranteed tomorrow and we all know in the back of our minds that anything could happen. The problem is many of us do not face reality. We all think things will continue on as they are and nothing will change, nothing bad will happen when we all really know that is not true. Should you live in fear? No! But while things are going okay, take advantage of it.

What have you been dreaming about doing all of your life? Seeing the world? Go see it! We are not saying to be foolish and blow all of your money. At the same time, you can’t take it with you. If you have worked hard for many years, raised a family, sacrificed, scrimped, saved, put your kids through college, etc., it is now your time. Time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Time to see the world if you want to.

As The Retirement Guys, we talk with folks all the time who have similar concerns. The concern of having enough money to live out the rest of their lives and do it in an enjoyable way. Here are two important things to do to accomplish this. 1. Meet with a financial professional and get a handle on your financial situation. Understand it to the point that you know what your income needs are to not only live and pay the bills, but to also do some of the things you have always wanted to do. Analyze what your sources of income are and what you can reasonably expect as an income stream if you are taking money from your retirement savings. 2. Get out there and live life. Do not wait. If you wait it may never happen.

I (Mark) wrote recently about living five years of my childhood in the country of Korea. What an experience! Here are a few of the things I remember. Great food! I have never been a picky eater and loved the Korean food. I did however draw the line at squid and other unidentifiable things I used to see when we visited the Korean market. Things like Kim chi, bulgogi and kimbab were like delicacies. If you like spicy food and are adventurous you don’t have to go to Korea to experience it. Go visit Mr. Kim at Koreana right here in Toledo on Reynolds Road. He will take good care of you. Tell him The Retirement Guys sent you. If you like sushi be sure to order the kimbab. Excellent stuff, but I digress.

I also remember many differences in the culture. Some of the things I remember are pretty trivial, but somehow have stuck in my mind. Things like motioning to someone to come here is like we wave our hands goodbye. I can remember my mom, waving goodbye to a lady and every time she did the lady came back. We could not figure it out. Things like, if something was “number 1,” it was good. If something was “number 10,” it was bad. The custom of removing your shoes at the door, and back to the food for a moment, it was not rude to belch after a meal. This was a compliment to the person who prepared the meal.

This past year I got to do a lot of traveling and experienced a lot of fun, cool things. So many, that I had to sit down and make a list. I am extremely grateful for the year I had and realize that it will not be like that every year. Even so, in my appreciation for what I was able to experience, I have realized that time is short and it is time to just go do it. I hope to return to Korea some day to see how things have changed over the 35 plus years it has been since I was there. Think about what you want to do, where you want to go. If you can, go see the world.

For more information about The Retirement Guys, tune in at 1 p.m. Saturdays on 1370 WSPD or visit www.retirementguysradio.com. Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through NEXT Financial Group Inc., member FINR/SIPC. NEXT Financial Group Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. The Retirement Guys are not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group. The office is at 1700 Woodlands Dr., Suite 100, Maumee OH, 43537. (419) 842-0550.

Tags: financial planning, Mark Clair, Nolan Baker, Retirement Guys, Travel

This entry was posted on Friday, April 13th, 2012 at 8:45 am and is filed under Retirement Guys, Toledo Business Link.
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