Baby Boomers and Retirement - Is a Home-Based Business in the Future?

Daryl Ballard

 

Baby Boomers - Retirement is Coming
Retirement is coming for the Baby Boomers, and it may be coming faster than some would like. To their parents retirement meant a gold watch, and a comfortable if not affluent life after work, but baby boomers have a different perspective now. They may not be ready to retire financially, but more importantly, they may not want to quit working for mental or emotional reasons.

The AARP reports that 79% of the boomer generation doesn't plan to stop working at age 65. This number is far greater than both the generation before them and the one after. Why is this and what does it mean?

Some will argue that it is because they are not prepared for retirement financially. While this is true to some extent, they are much better prepared than the generations following who don't save much at all and want to retire earlier.

Baby Boomers are concerned about Social Security. They most likely don't have as much to be concerned about as Gen X and Gen Y, but that doesn't mean there is no concern. Social Security started in 1935, and at that time only slightly more than half of workers lived to reach the retirement age of 65.

These days, though, life spans are much longer (boomer's average lifespan may approach 90), so we now have only two workers contributing to the system for every one withdrawing from it. Social Security has been identified by many experts, and I think correctly, as a Ponzi scheme since the day FDR started it in the 30s.

Many people think they withdraw the money they paid in, but this has been shown not to be the case. There really is no Social Security trust fund.

Medicare faces the same demographic challenges as Social Security, but additionally must cope with the rapid expected growth in health care costs. Baby Boomers have reason to worry here as well.

Add to this that Baby Boomers are known for an almost unquenchable desire to look and feel young. They are quite fond of most other creature comforts as well.

Will Baby Boomers Retire?
But maybe the most important reasons that Baby Boomers don't want to retire are their strong work ethic and their personal identity being tied up in what they do. Steven Rothberg at the CollegeRecruiter.com blog says "The shorthand description that I like to use is that Baby Boomers live to work and Gen Y'ers work to live."

Baby Boomers like to work, and they like to do it their own way as they get older even if they were always an employee when younger. Paul and Sarah Edwards in their book The Best Home Businesses for People 50+ describe several reasons why those over 50 choose to work at home. Two of those reasons are "We want to try something new, stimulating, and challenging," and "We want to spend our second half 'our way,'"

Attempts are being made to keep workers in the traditional workplace in some industries. Among the options likely to grow more common in order to retain our aging population of workers are part-time positions, job sharing, flex-time, consulting arrangements, and extended time off when possible. As baby boomers age these types of arrangements may be beneficial both for maintaining the workforce as well as satisfying the desires of the boomers.

But some Boomers are more independent, and have or are considering striking out on their own. An ever more attractive option for this generation may be to work form home. Online businesses fit in nicely with the boomer lifestyle, too, because they allow a more flexible schedule than running a traditional storefront type business. They can be reasonably successful part time at least initially, and often can be started with relatively low initial investments.

Studies have shown that nearly 72 percent of boomers age 51 to 59 go online, while 54 percent of 60- to 69-year-olds surf the net. So the boomers have mostly embraced the internet, and are much more comfortable with computers than the proceeding generation.

The trend in most age groups is to more self-employed jobs as the economy changes from the old industrial model to a more information based society. The traditional job really is becoming rarer and not just shipped overseas as we are told by the media and our politicians.

Home-Based Businesses as a Solution
But for the Baby Boomer, who is even more likely to be downsized because of age and the perceived lack of modern skills (whether that is true or not), home-based businesses are becoming very attractive. Some are taking a preemptive approach to this and not waiting for the pink slip.

For those who are looking for a business finding your niche is probably the hardest part. In Paul and Sarah Edwards 2004 book mentioned above, the authors discuss many businesses in several categories including "Serving Business Clients," "Helping Individuals and Families" and "Turning Your Hobby into Income." You can find everything form Aromatherapy to Wedding Consultant and Planner there.

A Harris Interactive study found that 62 percent of boomers are concerned they won't be healthy during retirement. Businesses that help them stay healthy, such as health food and nutritional supplement stores (even on-line) or health clubs focusing on low-impact exercises could be in increasing demand.

If you are looking for a home-based business, my advice would be not to overlook the network marketing businesses as well. With the new internet models of attraction marketing to generate leads for your business, good income can be made with very little initial investment, and without even having to talk to friends and family. The business can be very much automated over the internet.

In the early stages of the business when income is very low, you can even use affiliate income as you build your clients. If this sounds difficult and you have no idea where to start, there are several great programs out there to teach you how to do this. And they don't have any connection to a certain networking business. You can choose your own.

You can see a list of my favorite resources for guiding you through the business set-up process by going to my attraction marketing blog. Again, you won't find any recommendations for a network marketing company here, just a list of low-cost resources that can give you step-by-step instructions on setting up a complete business, generating leads to business clients to business associates, that even a computer novice can understand.

There has never been a better time to establish a profitable home-based business than right now. Check it out today; I'm sure you'll be happy you did.

Daryl Ballard is an internet network marketing coach whose passion is teaching others the most effective way to attract leads for their business on-line. Using the New Model of Attraction Marketing he teaches enables you to find leads that already want what you have to offer while generating affiliate income that pays you to generate leads. He strongly recommends the Renegade Network Marketer University for its low cost and simple click-by-click instructions as the best way to reach your dream MLM business, because even a computer novice will follow it easily, so all efforts are easy to duplicate. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Ballard

Arthritis in Baby Boomers Needs Strength Training

Carolyn Hansen 

 

Arthritis affects millions of people around the world every year and is the number one source of pain and disability in older people. Health systems are preparing for an epidemic of arthritis cases as the baby boomer generation hovers around age 60. It is estimated that by 2020 twenty percent of the world population will be affected. Arthritis is about to get worse, much worse - and very soon.

If you are anywhere near middle age chances are you already have arthritis - a degenerative disorder in which the cartilage - the hard but slippery cushioning that lines the inside of your joints begins to break down. A joint is a place where two bones meet and healthy cartilage allows the bones to glide over each other. It also allows shock and impact from everyday movement and activities to be absorbed

People who are sedentary and have inactive lifestyles are more prone to developing arthritis. When muscle tone and bodily flexibility are lost, weak muscles increase the risk of everyday injuries and accidents due to their inability to properly protect and cushion joints. Strong muscles around weight bearing joints help support and distribute the pressure and load of body weight and movement.

Although it seems like an old person's disease, this silent devil starts young, often in the 30's, 20s or even younger. As there are no nerve endings in cartilage no pain is felt as it silently advances through the years and decades. But when it finally starts to cause pain, stiffness and loss of range of motion the damage has been done - the deterioration of cartilage is fairly advanced.

As the damage to the cartilage progresses, the pain encourages a person to become more and more sedentary setting off a vicious cycle of pain, inactivity, muscle weakness, more joint damage and more pain.

The bad news is that you can't grow new cartilage to replace the cartilage that has been damaged and worn away. The good news is that you can increase muscle strength and thereby rebuild a critical part of the joint's shock absorber system, supporting and protecting the joint even if it is weak and damaged from arthritis.

Research shows that exercise is one of the best treatments for arthritis. Exercise can improve mood and outlook, decrease pain, increase flexibility, improve the heart and blood flow, maintain weight, and promote general physical fitness. Exercise if done correctly, has few negative side effects unlike painkillers that are often prescribed to people with this condition. There is no pill or treatment to cure arthritis, the best hope is to adopt and learn the exercise skills necessary to manage this condition.

People that have this condition need to examine their attitude about exercise; they often believe that exercise is just for young people or for people that have been athletic all of their lives. Or they believe it will do them more harm than good.

This is definitely incorrect. A proper exercise program that includes 60% strength training exercise cannot only help with this condition, but can actually beat it and can have a profound effect on a person's physical, mental and emotional health.

The biggest barrier to being physically active with arthritis is pain and stiffness. If you can push through this as when the correct exercise is performed pain is decreased, strength, flexibility and overall fitness in increased. By being active and moving your joints, nutrients are absorbed into the cartilage and surrounding tissues keeping them healthy and pain free.

Learn to see your health problem as a reason for exercise rather than as a barrier to exercise. See a fitness professional at your local gym or fitness center to give you the best start possible on the correct exercise program to prevent progression of arthritis and improve quality of life.

Carolyn Hansen has worked in the Fitness Industry for over 30 years. Currently the co-owner of 2 Fitness Centres in Northland New Zealand. A National Champion Bodybuilder with over 25 years competition experience. Enjoys writing health and fitness articles for local newspapers and magazines. If you want a second chance to right the wrongs you have committed against your body, you can be rejuventated. You can regain vitality, muscular strength, endurance and a higher quality of life. Go to http://www.over50looking30.com for a FREE Report "I've Found the Fountain of Youth"- Let Me Show You Too! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Hansen

Baby Boomers Cupboard Could Be Bare

Rodney Dunn

 

If you were born between 1945 and 1964 you are part of a huge group of people worldwide known as the "baby boomers".

The oldest baby boomers are about to retire however over the next 10 years the numbers retiring will increase dramatically. This of course depends on in which country you live and the age at which you can retire. (Currently 65 is the age of eligibility for National Super in New Zealand).

Studies show that compared with their parents at the same age today's baby boomers have higher incomes, a better standard of living and possess greater personal wealth.

This could be about to change however due to the current recession that's affecting many western countries. It may affect the prosperity of those intending to retire during the next 10 years.

With the continual increases in fuel, food and the basic necessities of life, plus predictions of a 22% drop in property values there's little wonder that many people nearing retirement are worried. They have every right to be.

Hopefully they won't but if current predictions run true, that investment property you bought 10 years ago will soon be worth $76,000 less. These figures are based on a valuation of $345,000 in 2007. This example is based on an actual situation that I'm familiar with.

Using the same scenario, your own mid range home worth say $650,000 will decrease in value by $143,000. This makes a grand total of $219000.

It's all very sobering as many of my clients are in similar situations.

Another part of the retirement equation is whether the current levels of benefit are sustainable. The ever increasing numbers that will be clocking out for the last time as from about 2010 onwards suggests otherwise. There are real concerns the current levels cannot be retained.

The most obvious ways to remedy this problem is by either increasing the age at which a person can retire or reducing the level of benefits.

Neither option will be viewed as very palatable especially if you've been contributing all these years and you're now about to throw your hat on the hook.

The research I've undertaken is based on what is expected in the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. This clearly indicates that if you wish to enjoy a comfortable retirement it would be prudent to consider your options now.

Doing so will mean that you shouldn't need to scrimp and chance your luck with the generosity or lack of from the government of the day. The alternatives may result in you reaching 60 or 65 and finding your retirement cupboard is rather bare.

Online affiliate marketing is one way for baby boomers to earn extra money to ensure your retirement is as comfortable as you want it to be ...

Article by Rodney Dunn http://www.affiliatestwo.com/ After 25 years successfully marketing offline, now dedicated to helping others create wealth online. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rodney_Dunn