According to the 2007 financial freedom senior sentiment survey, more seniors may seek to use their homes to finance retirement. This is the fourth annual survey from financial freedom, a subsidiary of indymac bank f.s.b. (indymac bank®), and the nation's largest originator of reverse mortgages. The study explores seniors' attitudes on a range of issues including retirement. Results show a significant drop in the number of seniors who indicated they planned to pass their homes on to their children and an increase in the number of those who would potentially use their home as part of their retirement funding strategy.
In the 2006 financial freedom senior sentiment survey, 42% of the seniors polled, selected the response; "leave it to my heirs." when asked about future plans for their homes. in this year's survey, only 25% indicated this option as "very likely" or "somewhat likely". In contrast, 54% of seniors responded that they would keep access to their homes as a retirement asset until they are forced to make a decision.
"When you realize that the home is most Americans' largest asset, it's impossible to ignore the power of the home to assist in funding retirement regardless of the strategy," said michelle minier, ceo of financial freedom. "Clearly, a growing number of seniors are beginning to consider retirement funding strategies that incorporate their home."
Depending on their future situations, selling the home is the most popular strategy, with 12% of seniors indicating they already plan to sell it and 38% of seniors indicating they will sell if they have limited financial choices. Fewer seniors would leverage their homes, with 13% of seniors indicating they would use a reverse mortgage, or other home equity loan to access the wealth tied up in their homes.
Confidence in retirement income
The majority of seniors (83%) indicated that they were confident, or at least somewhat confident in their retirement income. However, only 56% were confident when asked about their greatest concerns for retirement years, 83% said "remaining healthy" followed by 18% who said "having enough money."
Strategies for saving, funding retirement
Despite strong confidence, when asked to choose from a list of specific strategies they might employ to fund retirement, 37% of seniors said they would work either part time (33%) or full time (4%), 14% said they would sell their home and move into a smaller one, and 9% said they would sell their belongings. Taking out a reverse mortgage rounded out the top five answers, garnering 6% of the responses.
Debt in retirement
while seniors ranked avoiding debt as their top saving strategy during retirement, a surprising 27% expect to have debt in retirement and 40% expect to have mortgage debt. Seniors revealed some startling trends:
Non-mortgage debt
o 59% of seniors with debt have at least $15,000 and 12% have more than $100,000;
o 17% never expect to pay it off;
o health care expenses topped the list of sources of debt, followed by auto loans and home repairs;
o men tend to be more in debt than women.
Mortgage debt
o 63% owe at least $50,000;
o 31% owe more than $100,000;
o 56% expect it will take 10 years or more to pay it off;
o 11% never expect to pay it off.
The financial freedom senior sentiment survey measured the opinions of "young seniors" aged, 62-75 on a variety of topics from retirement planning to family affairs to general quality of life issues. For a copy of the complete study, please contact michael gelormino of river communications at mgelormino@riverinc.com or by calling 914-686-5599.
By Michael
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Silent Partners of Domestic Violence
The month of October has been designated “ Domestic Violence Awareness Month”. In the past the words ‘domestic violence’ normally conjured up visions of some irate husband coming home and, not finding his dinner on the table, beats his wife.
Not so today. Like everything else in life, domestic violence, has evolved to become a social disease that involves us all. It can take the form described above or it may be the reverse – a wife abusing a gentle husband. It also takes the form of one or more parents abusing the children in the family.
The abuse itself takes many forms. It can be physical, emotional or sexual. The media normally reports the statistics on a daily basis. A day does not pass by without some story of a spurned lover or husband beating, maiming or killing his lost love. Some wife, girlfriend or mother running away to escape abuse. Distraught fathers and mothers hurting and even killing their children.
Most of this abuse is re-active. It comes from within and feeds our flight or fight instincts. It is not necessarily unintentional – sometimes it is just a way of getting back at those who hurt us. Even in the instances when it is intentional – as in the case of most sexual abuse cases of children- it is the perpetrator’s way of getting back at some perceived wrong that has been done to them in the past. The manner in which these people choose to extract their vengeance is often a reflection of how out of control they are.
In the cases of husbands abusing their wives and even their children it may be their way of venting their feelings of being trapped in a marriage with family responsibilities for which they are ill-equipped. It may be that in their own childhood they have had no preparatory training for what is required to become a father and husband. Maybe the examples of their own parents leave very much to be desired.
Similarly, wives and mothers fail their families in much the same way. The feeling of being trapped in a loveless marriage or the overwhelming burden of raising children – many a time without the support of a loving husband- can be enough to send a woman close to the edge.
Many a time substance abuse plays a huge role in the life of an abuser. In an effort to numb whatever internal pain a person may be suffering, he/she resorts to alcohol and drugs. The result being of course that their judgment becomes impaired, leaving them with a warped sense of reality. Many a time the abuser is unaware of the severity of their actions and in the sober light of day, is remorseful. The harm is already done by that time of course and they may wake up to the fact that the have irrevocably damaged or killed one or more loved ones.
This is not to say that all abuse is unintentional. Sad to say that there are those among us who deliberately set out to harm others. But even in those cases, there is an ignorance of some sort at work. Maybe they just do not know any better. We all know that history repeats itself. A child reared in an abusive home without intervention, inevitably becomes an abuser in later life. It is the circle of life.
How then do we solve this human crisis. There is only one way that comes to mind. “Intervention”. It is the only answer. When you are trapped in quicksand, there is no way that you can pull yourself to safety unless someone passes by and extends a helping hand. In this same manner when you are in an abusive relationship or you yourself are an abuser, many a time you are unable to extract yourself from it. You remember the old adage of “not being able to see the tree for the forest?” Works the same way.
In an abusive situation you cannot think beyond the immediate moment. You are always on edge, wondering what the next moment will bring. Thoughts of escape leave you shaking with fright. I should know. I survived one for six long years. The intervention of my family saved me.
Many of us see the effects of abuse in our friends and neighbors. In this community of immigrants where life can be very hard at times, we see the evidence. What do we do? Do we continue to turn a blind eye and become silent partners to domestic violence? Or do stand up and say something.
I choose to be the one to say something. Never mind that in the process you may loose a friend or two, it is more than worth it if you can save at least one life. Especially if that life is a child’s.
By Ali
Not so today. Like everything else in life, domestic violence, has evolved to become a social disease that involves us all. It can take the form described above or it may be the reverse – a wife abusing a gentle husband. It also takes the form of one or more parents abusing the children in the family.
The abuse itself takes many forms. It can be physical, emotional or sexual. The media normally reports the statistics on a daily basis. A day does not pass by without some story of a spurned lover or husband beating, maiming or killing his lost love. Some wife, girlfriend or mother running away to escape abuse. Distraught fathers and mothers hurting and even killing their children.
Most of this abuse is re-active. It comes from within and feeds our flight or fight instincts. It is not necessarily unintentional – sometimes it is just a way of getting back at those who hurt us. Even in the instances when it is intentional – as in the case of most sexual abuse cases of children- it is the perpetrator’s way of getting back at some perceived wrong that has been done to them in the past. The manner in which these people choose to extract their vengeance is often a reflection of how out of control they are.
In the cases of husbands abusing their wives and even their children it may be their way of venting their feelings of being trapped in a marriage with family responsibilities for which they are ill-equipped. It may be that in their own childhood they have had no preparatory training for what is required to become a father and husband. Maybe the examples of their own parents leave very much to be desired.
Similarly, wives and mothers fail their families in much the same way. The feeling of being trapped in a loveless marriage or the overwhelming burden of raising children – many a time without the support of a loving husband- can be enough to send a woman close to the edge.
Many a time substance abuse plays a huge role in the life of an abuser. In an effort to numb whatever internal pain a person may be suffering, he/she resorts to alcohol and drugs. The result being of course that their judgment becomes impaired, leaving them with a warped sense of reality. Many a time the abuser is unaware of the severity of their actions and in the sober light of day, is remorseful. The harm is already done by that time of course and they may wake up to the fact that the have irrevocably damaged or killed one or more loved ones.
This is not to say that all abuse is unintentional. Sad to say that there are those among us who deliberately set out to harm others. But even in those cases, there is an ignorance of some sort at work. Maybe they just do not know any better. We all know that history repeats itself. A child reared in an abusive home without intervention, inevitably becomes an abuser in later life. It is the circle of life.
How then do we solve this human crisis. There is only one way that comes to mind. “Intervention”. It is the only answer. When you are trapped in quicksand, there is no way that you can pull yourself to safety unless someone passes by and extends a helping hand. In this same manner when you are in an abusive relationship or you yourself are an abuser, many a time you are unable to extract yourself from it. You remember the old adage of “not being able to see the tree for the forest?” Works the same way.
In an abusive situation you cannot think beyond the immediate moment. You are always on edge, wondering what the next moment will bring. Thoughts of escape leave you shaking with fright. I should know. I survived one for six long years. The intervention of my family saved me.
Many of us see the effects of abuse in our friends and neighbors. In this community of immigrants where life can be very hard at times, we see the evidence. What do we do? Do we continue to turn a blind eye and become silent partners to domestic violence? Or do stand up and say something.
I choose to be the one to say something. Never mind that in the process you may loose a friend or two, it is more than worth it if you can save at least one life. Especially if that life is a child’s.
By Ali
Time Weighing Heavy On My Hands
Following my retirement i found time weighing heavy on my hands. the garden and house are in fine fettle, not much more i can do there. i needed a new focus. after over forty years of working for a living, i decided to do what i do best----go into business.
Setting myself up in a 'home based' business earlier this year progress is on plan.
whilst the money is welcome, an equally important benefit is the mental and social stimulation.
Spending around 3 to 4 hours per day at my desk, i have quite a success on my hands.
as my business includes a travel/holiday service we are using this to take two long haul holidays this comming year. firstly to kenya where i was stationed in the raf, and then to austrailia and new zealand.
Traveling 'club class' on both trips will add to the pleasure of our experience's. i am able to afford this level of travel due to the discounts we offer our clients, and therefore ourselves.
I am certain setting up and running my business is proving a huge benefit in terms of my health, personal and financial. anyone can do something similar, if you want to ask me any questions in this regard please do so.
By Henry
Setting myself up in a 'home based' business earlier this year progress is on plan.
whilst the money is welcome, an equally important benefit is the mental and social stimulation.
Spending around 3 to 4 hours per day at my desk, i have quite a success on my hands.
as my business includes a travel/holiday service we are using this to take two long haul holidays this comming year. firstly to kenya where i was stationed in the raf, and then to austrailia and new zealand.
Traveling 'club class' on both trips will add to the pleasure of our experience's. i am able to afford this level of travel due to the discounts we offer our clients, and therefore ourselves.
I am certain setting up and running my business is proving a huge benefit in terms of my health, personal and financial. anyone can do something similar, if you want to ask me any questions in this regard please do so.
By Henry
Senior Volunteers Neeed
share your time, change your world.
yfu usa is seeking volunteers to work with exchange
students and host families in your area
if you enjoy working with young people and families and
want to make a difference in the world, volunteering at
youth for understanding (yfu) usa may be right for you.
as a yfu volunteer you'll get to know teenagers who are
adventurous, eager to learn and want to make a difference
in the future. you'll meet interesting people and enhance
your relationships with people in your community and
workplace. you'll provide support and guidance to students
and families, and learn more about family dynamics. most
of all, you'll be making a significant contribution to improving
cultural awareness and international understanding,
changing your world a little bit at a time.
yfu volunteer opportunities
yfu volunteers provide support to students, families,
programs, and other volunteers in a wide variety of ways.
from conducting student orientations to making classroom
presentations, problem solving with international students
and their host families to arranging social activities, there is
truly a place for everyone at yfu. whether you are a
returned exchange alumnus, a parent, a retired person, or a
college student, we welcome people of all backgrounds to
work with us. whatever your skills and interests are, there
is a volunteer opportunity to match them!
why volunteer?
in addition to supporting life-changing experiences for young
people from around the world, volunteering for yfu
provides you with significant benefits. volunteering will:
* enhance your leadership skills.
* improve your interpersonal skills, such as understanding
people better, motivating others, and dealing with difficult
situations.
* help you develop better communication and public
speaking skills.
* share us culture and provide the opportunity to learn
more about world cultures.
yfu volunteering is flexible and engaging
yfu volunteers can choose from a variety of positions to
suit their interests, needs and schedule. the hours are
flexible, and you can even be a virtual volunteer without
ever leaving your home! yfu also gives you the freedom to
promote programs in creative ways in your own
community. you can work as a team, individually, with a
friend or family member.
a wide range of program volunteer positions are available at
yfu, including american overseas volunteers, area
coordinators and representatives, international student
volunteers and trainers. yfu provides all the training and
tools you need, in both one-on-one and self-guided
formats.
yfu relies on the skills of volunteers to perform a wide
range of tasks, including:
* administrative activities that help yfu provide more
effective services to other volunteers, students, and families.
* interviewing prospective host families and/or teenagers
who want to study abroad.
* planning and conducting orientations for international
students, american overseas students, host families,
and/or natural families.
* delivering presentations about yfu programs to groups at
schools and community events.
* recruiting host families and/or american overseas
students for yfu programs.
* supporting international students and their host families
while on program, and pre-departure support to american
overseas students and their natural families.
how to volunteer
youth for understanding volunteers are vital to the success
of yfu programs around the world. if you have decided to
join our global family of volunteers, there are three ways to
get started:
1. call toll-free 1-866-4-yfu-usa (1-866-493-8872) and
speak to a yfu representative immediately.
2. submit your application online at our web site, www.yfu-usa.org. once your application has been submitted, you will
be contacted by a local volunteer or staff person.
3. download the volunteer application, print it out,
complete is and mail it to yfu headquarters. or you can fax
your application to 240-235-2104.
By YFU
yfu usa is seeking volunteers to work with exchange
students and host families in your area
if you enjoy working with young people and families and
want to make a difference in the world, volunteering at
youth for understanding (yfu) usa may be right for you.
as a yfu volunteer you'll get to know teenagers who are
adventurous, eager to learn and want to make a difference
in the future. you'll meet interesting people and enhance
your relationships with people in your community and
workplace. you'll provide support and guidance to students
and families, and learn more about family dynamics. most
of all, you'll be making a significant contribution to improving
cultural awareness and international understanding,
changing your world a little bit at a time.
yfu volunteer opportunities
yfu volunteers provide support to students, families,
programs, and other volunteers in a wide variety of ways.
from conducting student orientations to making classroom
presentations, problem solving with international students
and their host families to arranging social activities, there is
truly a place for everyone at yfu. whether you are a
returned exchange alumnus, a parent, a retired person, or a
college student, we welcome people of all backgrounds to
work with us. whatever your skills and interests are, there
is a volunteer opportunity to match them!
why volunteer?
in addition to supporting life-changing experiences for young
people from around the world, volunteering for yfu
provides you with significant benefits. volunteering will:
* enhance your leadership skills.
* improve your interpersonal skills, such as understanding
people better, motivating others, and dealing with difficult
situations.
* help you develop better communication and public
speaking skills.
* share us culture and provide the opportunity to learn
more about world cultures.
yfu volunteering is flexible and engaging
yfu volunteers can choose from a variety of positions to
suit their interests, needs and schedule. the hours are
flexible, and you can even be a virtual volunteer without
ever leaving your home! yfu also gives you the freedom to
promote programs in creative ways in your own
community. you can work as a team, individually, with a
friend or family member.
a wide range of program volunteer positions are available at
yfu, including american overseas volunteers, area
coordinators and representatives, international student
volunteers and trainers. yfu provides all the training and
tools you need, in both one-on-one and self-guided
formats.
yfu relies on the skills of volunteers to perform a wide
range of tasks, including:
* administrative activities that help yfu provide more
effective services to other volunteers, students, and families.
* interviewing prospective host families and/or teenagers
who want to study abroad.
* planning and conducting orientations for international
students, american overseas students, host families,
and/or natural families.
* delivering presentations about yfu programs to groups at
schools and community events.
* recruiting host families and/or american overseas
students for yfu programs.
* supporting international students and their host families
while on program, and pre-departure support to american
overseas students and their natural families.
how to volunteer
youth for understanding volunteers are vital to the success
of yfu programs around the world. if you have decided to
join our global family of volunteers, there are three ways to
get started:
1. call toll-free 1-866-4-yfu-usa (1-866-493-8872) and
speak to a yfu representative immediately.
2. submit your application online at our web site, www.yfu-usa.org. once your application has been submitted, you will
be contacted by a local volunteer or staff person.
3. download the volunteer application, print it out,
complete is and mail it to yfu headquarters. or you can fax
your application to 240-235-2104.
By YFU
Retired Teacher Trades In Chalk For Microphone
One year ago, 64 year old lee douglas began to translate
his love for the music of the 50's and 60's lovingly called
oldies, into a new medium, the pod cast.
Together with the folks at talkshoe.com, he began his venture into the new
medium. just retired from teaching he decided to turn in his
chalk for a microphone.
His new show, which he called "old time rock n roll,
would be different in the way it was presented. the usual
play lists that are the hallmark of the oldies am radio
stations were out the window.
His own collection of 20,000 songs would be digitized onto
his computer to lay the groundwork for the show. Instead
of playing those songs which the oldies lovers had grown
tired of, he opened his collection and played the songs
that haven't been heard for many years. Then he would have
a spotlight for each show, novelties on one, doo wops on
another, rockabilly on yet another. Each show replete with
a dose of rock history and reminiscences.
He researches each singer and each song to provide
background for each show. so in november 2006, he went
on the air on talkshoe.com. the first week he had 8
listeners. obviously his friends had at least listened.
By the third week he managed 80 listeners, still quite
a jump. however, he was unprepared for the next week when out
of nowhere 800 people listened in.
One month later the 800 listeners grew to 3,000 and by
january 2007 he had garnered a listener ship of 25,000.
His gateway site http://www.oldtimernr.com , is the host
to old time rock n roll.
He actually still takes requests and dedications just like in
the old days through his e mail address - oldtimernr@hotmail.com
where does he go from here? his plans are to as he puts
it, "take it the next level."
Douglas says he would like to garner an even larger
audience and eventually try his hand at bringing some live
oldies and doo wop shows around the country. but that is a
long way off.
His focus is to make old time rock n roll even bigger and
better with each passing week. with his success also
means success to his pod casting network, talkshoe.com.
Douglas predicts that talkshoe will be the biggest thing in
pod casting in 2007 and beyond.
Now douglas has added two new live shows to his
repertoire. he has a weekly live commentary show where
listeners can call in and add their comments called only one
manâ?Ts opinion. this show also can be accessed by a button
on his old time rock n roll web site.
In Lee's own words, "what a way to end 2007 with the most popular
new oldies program around." 25,000 listeners must agree.
By Lee
his love for the music of the 50's and 60's lovingly called
oldies, into a new medium, the pod cast.
Together with the folks at talkshoe.com, he began his venture into the new
medium. just retired from teaching he decided to turn in his
chalk for a microphone.
His new show, which he called "old time rock n roll,
would be different in the way it was presented. the usual
play lists that are the hallmark of the oldies am radio
stations were out the window.
His own collection of 20,000 songs would be digitized onto
his computer to lay the groundwork for the show. Instead
of playing those songs which the oldies lovers had grown
tired of, he opened his collection and played the songs
that haven't been heard for many years. Then he would have
a spotlight for each show, novelties on one, doo wops on
another, rockabilly on yet another. Each show replete with
a dose of rock history and reminiscences.
He researches each singer and each song to provide
background for each show. so in november 2006, he went
on the air on talkshoe.com. the first week he had 8
listeners. obviously his friends had at least listened.
By the third week he managed 80 listeners, still quite
a jump. however, he was unprepared for the next week when out
of nowhere 800 people listened in.
One month later the 800 listeners grew to 3,000 and by
january 2007 he had garnered a listener ship of 25,000.
His gateway site http://www.oldtimernr.com , is the host
to old time rock n roll.
He actually still takes requests and dedications just like in
the old days through his e mail address - oldtimernr@hotmail.com
where does he go from here? his plans are to as he puts
it, "take it the next level."
Douglas says he would like to garner an even larger
audience and eventually try his hand at bringing some live
oldies and doo wop shows around the country. but that is a
long way off.
His focus is to make old time rock n roll even bigger and
better with each passing week. with his success also
means success to his pod casting network, talkshoe.com.
Douglas predicts that talkshoe will be the biggest thing in
pod casting in 2007 and beyond.
Now douglas has added two new live shows to his
repertoire. he has a weekly live commentary show where
listeners can call in and add their comments called only one
manâ?Ts opinion. this show also can be accessed by a button
on his old time rock n roll web site.
In Lee's own words, "what a way to end 2007 with the most popular
new oldies program around." 25,000 listeners must agree.
By Lee
Drug Related Crimes Run Rampant In The United States
Drug related crimes run rampant in the United States and have not missed the very little corner of the world in which I live. In the past the crimes have always happened somewhere else to someone else. This all changed dramatically when I became property manager in a small, old apartment building in a nearby town.
The owner of the building had been a uninvolved landlord and had rented the apartments to anyone who showed up with cash. Both the apartments and the tenants were in poor shape. I had been hired to collect rent and not much more. Very quickly I learned that there were drug dealings going on along with a bit of very sleazy prostitution. I knew from the news and crime dramas that innocent people often are victims of these types of crimes and I was not about to be counted as such. Thus, my first call to the police.
The police were well aware of the illegal activity in the building but were never able to catch anyone in the act. I was asked to become their eyes and ears, in other words, a confidential informant. We had long discussions about my safety and my never having to be seen in contact with the police. There is a county-wide anti-drug force and the local police would use their resources to act on any information I had.
I agreed. My first task was to inform the owner that I wanted to rid the building of drug sales and have tenants that were without felony records. He agreed that he would stand with me. I gave notice to all tenants that as the new property manager I would not tolerate any late rent payments or illegal activities. That notice prompted the tenants to start "snitching" on each other. I would listen and forward the info to my police contact. The police have all types of legal tactics to approach suspects. In one instance I called in to tell of a domestic disturbance only a day after I had reported that one tenant was harboring a fugitive. They took the opportunity after investigating the disturbance to do a "knock and talk" with the other residents. The police always ask for i.d. and were able to catch the fugitive when they did a check of people in one apartment.
In all, I have helped in the arrest of three people selling drugs, one prostitute and a fugitive. I have also been able to evict the other tenants because of late payments. We now only have tenants without felony records and with good paying jobs. The apartments have been upgraded and the rent is on time. It is also safe.
I cannot tell anyone around me what I have done because there always can be some sort of revenge. I did not have to sneak around or listen through a glass against a wall. That type of work would not suit me at all. My crime-fighting days are over.
By Jeanne
The owner of the building had been a uninvolved landlord and had rented the apartments to anyone who showed up with cash. Both the apartments and the tenants were in poor shape. I had been hired to collect rent and not much more. Very quickly I learned that there were drug dealings going on along with a bit of very sleazy prostitution. I knew from the news and crime dramas that innocent people often are victims of these types of crimes and I was not about to be counted as such. Thus, my first call to the police.
The police were well aware of the illegal activity in the building but were never able to catch anyone in the act. I was asked to become their eyes and ears, in other words, a confidential informant. We had long discussions about my safety and my never having to be seen in contact with the police. There is a county-wide anti-drug force and the local police would use their resources to act on any information I had.
I agreed. My first task was to inform the owner that I wanted to rid the building of drug sales and have tenants that were without felony records. He agreed that he would stand with me. I gave notice to all tenants that as the new property manager I would not tolerate any late rent payments or illegal activities. That notice prompted the tenants to start "snitching" on each other. I would listen and forward the info to my police contact. The police have all types of legal tactics to approach suspects. In one instance I called in to tell of a domestic disturbance only a day after I had reported that one tenant was harboring a fugitive. They took the opportunity after investigating the disturbance to do a "knock and talk" with the other residents. The police always ask for i.d. and were able to catch the fugitive when they did a check of people in one apartment.
In all, I have helped in the arrest of three people selling drugs, one prostitute and a fugitive. I have also been able to evict the other tenants because of late payments. We now only have tenants without felony records and with good paying jobs. The apartments have been upgraded and the rent is on time. It is also safe.
I cannot tell anyone around me what I have done because there always can be some sort of revenge. I did not have to sneak around or listen through a glass against a wall. That type of work would not suit me at all. My crime-fighting days are over.
By Jeanne
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