Throughout her career, Rita Wilkins has many times found herself in the middle of husbands and wives who couldn’t agree on whether to sell their family home for something smaller—an apartment, condo, or cottage perhaps, in the city, near grandchildren or somewhere else.
Wilkins has learned to embrace this role of middleman helping couples reconcile what they both want so everyone wins.
“I tell couples they can have it all,” says Wilkins, an interior designer and author of “Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle.†“All they have to do is figure out what having it all means to them and what compromises they are willing to make.”
For couples who find themselves on opposite sides of their own “downsizing war,” Wilkins suggests:
Coming up with a firm idea of what your downsizing vision is: A two-bedroom apartment, a condo, a townhome? Then do a reality check on which items you could realistically take with you.
Sticking your toe in the water. If you always wanted to live in Charleston, S.C., but have never visited, plan a several-week vacation there to see if you like it.
Consider renting in the new place to keep your options open and tamp down the fear of making a change one or both of you will regret.
In her own downsizing journey, Wilkins gave away 95 percent of her belongings when she downsized from 5,000 square feet to an 867 square-foot apartment. The experience led her to write her book.
Selling their home doesn’t have to lead to a “downsizing war” between couples, says Ruth Wilkins, an expert on the subject.
There are ways to keep mosquitos and other bugs at bay this summer.
Spotting more bugs than usual around the house? While a pest problem can cause embarrassment and concern, this summer you can take comfort in the fact that not only are you not alone, there are new ways of dealing with insects that can help you manage the problem without harsh chemicals.
A warm winter and a humid, wet spring set the stage for insect populations to thrive in summer, according to the National Pest Management Association.
Finding a roach in the home ranked number one in terms of “Grossness,†beating out cleaning the toilet, cleaning the gutters and removing hair from the shower drain, in a recent survey conducted by Zevo, a maker of bug killer sprays and traps that are safe for use around people and pets when used as directed. But beyond the “eee-ew†factor, households will want to manage pest problems for health and safety reasons. Cockroaches and filth flies can serve as mechanical vectors for diseases, and ticks and mosquitoes can transmit pathogens that cause disease.
Consider these tips to keep bugs in check this summer and beyond:
Keep food sealed and stored properly. Get rid of crumbs around the kitchen or anywhere else you eat around the house. Regularly sweeping and wiping down counters can help.
Prevent moisture buildup on surfaces and remove standing water to prevent mosquito (and other bug) breeding around the home.
Never bring in unwashed, used furniture and other objects. Before introducing such items into your home, inspect them carefully.
Bugs often enter homes through garages and open doors. Set up a line of defense by keeping windows, doors and garages closed as much as possible, and by placing chemical-free traps, such as flying insect traps, in your garage or other areas that get high bug traffic.
Taking an active approach to your health is important for enjoying a long and happy life in retirement. Seniors can benefit from a wide range of healthy behaviors, from regular doctor visits to following a diet and fitness plan. And, with 70 percent of seniors connected to the Internet, all kinds of handy tech tools can make healthy living easier to achieve. Learn how technology can help you maintain your health in your golden years.
Health tracking apps have become exceedingly popular as people of all ages strive to eat cleaner and get more exercise. Many health apps even sync with wearable tech like smartwatches, fitness wristbands, and blood pressure monitors to make health tracking even easier.
Seniors can take advantage of special fitness apps to monitor important health indicators like weight, physical activity, diet, sleep quality, and heart rate. For example, MyFitnessPal is a wellness app for tracking the nutrients in your diet so you can avoid the dangers of malnutrition. When it’s time to go grocery shopping, use apps like Shopwell to simplify nutrition labels and discover new products to fit your particular diet. Seniorliving.org recommends many other useful apps that can remind you to take your medications or compare the costs of prescription drugs at different pharmacies. Turn your smartphone into a health assistant by downloading apps that will simplify your life.
If your phone is outdated, you’ll have a hard time getting the most out of health apps. There’s nothing more frustrating than learning that your fitness tracker crashed during your daily walk. Consider upgrading to a new device that’s a little more powerful.
The Internet is a limitless resource for health and wellness information. Take advantage of this tech tool to review your Medicare coverage during the open enrollment period that runs between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. During open enrollment, review your plan even if your coverage has worked well for you. Plans can change every year, and something new may pop up that will serve you better.
If your current Medicare plan is no longer meeting your needs, or you could use some extra coverage, consider switching to a Medicare Advantage plan to gain access to additional services like dental, vision, and hearing care. Seniors who use these kinds of services can save a lot of money with a Medicare Advantage plan, even if it means spending a little more on premiums.
Do some online research to learn about the various plans available in your area and compare their rates and coverage offers. It’s much easier to do this on a computer instead of trying to sift through a pile of flyers advertising various Medicare plans. Shop for plans based on your particular healthcare needs and budget. For example, if you rely on several medications, narrow your search to plans that include prescription drug coverage.
Analyzing your Medicare plan options can be complicated, so take advantage of online resources like Medicare.gov for guidance. If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans simply by joining a new one during open enrollment. Your old coverage will be canceled when your new plan’s coverage begins.
Thanks to the tech resources of today, it’s easier than ever to maintain control over your health.
Katybeth Dee, who wrote this article,
Using apps on smartphones to track weight, heart rate and other health indicators is a way technology can bolster one’s wellness.
created Self Exam (selfexam.org) after her sister received a cancer diagnosis at a young age. She encourages people to stay on top of their health so illnesses don’t go unnoticed and untreated.
Should I go, or should I stay?
That is a question that many people who are looking at retirement are asking themselves. Many future retirees look around their homes that they have lived in for 20 or 30 years or more and look at all they have accumulated–the big yards with the swings for the kids and grandkids, maybe a pool or tennis court, too. While it was all fun at one time entertaining family and friends, you may think it is time to enjoy life a little more and have more “me†time for travel, hobbies, reading, or start a new career as an entrepreneur.
“Should I go or should I stay†may mean downsizing or rightsizing–moving to a smaller home, downsizing or rightsizing to that perfect community condo for 55-plus with activities and everything provided for you, even housekeeping. Although most of the future retirees are not ready for that type of living, those who are will find freedom of yardwork, home maintenance, decluttering, and more time for family and themselves.
Many of the baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964), with the youngest boomers turning 55 in 2019, will see inheritances to fuel big-ticket items, cars, homes, home improvement, travel, and more. Most may keep working because they want to continue to contribute to society and find meaning in their own lives – work does that for them.
As you consider should I go or should I stay, finances will also be something to be aware of.
For example, if you still owe on the mortgage and would like to retire soon, focus on paying off the mortgage, which will free up more income. Wait to take Social Security at full retirement age, save more, work a little longer to get where you want to be.
Make a list of why you want to move, pros and cons. For example, move to be near family–that would be a pro. Would it more expensive to move to another state or city or 55-plus community? That, of course, would be a con. Will you sell one of your cars? Will you need two cars and a truck? Make a list of all your expenses you have with your home: Mortgage, taxes/insurance, utilities, food, yard care, home maintenance, miscellaneous.
If you decide that you want to stay in your current home, consider what will be involved to age in place to keep your independence: Hand rails in showers, door handles instead of knobs, wider hallways, get rid of the rugs to avoid tripping. Safety is important, as well. Is the neighborhood safe, is the neighborhood looking good and bringing good values if you sell, or is it starting to look worn and uncared for? Making improvements for staying in your home will be costly. Make sure you look at all your options.
As the public and the government realize that the population 65 and older is expected to grow from 48 million to 79 million, housing is being built by developers for 55 and older. Some are independent, some communities have independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Full-time nutritionists, nursing staff, fitness coordinators, restaurants, bowling alleys, bars and many activities. These communities may not be affordable to the majority of hard-working individuals that have worked for 40 years at their jobs. As the demand for housing increases, so will the prices of 55-plus communities.
Debbie Ruvo, who wrote this article, has been a licensed Realtor since 1994 in Washington and is the managing broker/owner of 55+ Real Estate Services.
