Featured Article

When Exactly Is Middle Age?

By Susan B. Geffen

With my fifty second birthday (excuse me for a minute, I am choking on my coffee) approaching, I have started to wonder if it is true that 70 is the new 50? Is 50 the new 30? And is this thinking productive?

Although I found statistics very challenging in grad school, I rely upon them heavily in my writing. I am not comfortable making stuff up. So, here is a statistic from a real study: 70% of adults ages 40 and older feel younger than they are; the typical 40 year old feels about 32, and the 70 year olds feel about 56. (Psychonomic Bulletin and Review).

As for me... I am listening to good mix of 70's tunes at this very moment!

When I am not with clients or at a meeting, you will find me in a t-shirt, clogs and jeans with my hair up in an ill fastened pony tail. I feel 35.

Still, I find myself thinking about the average life span of a dog and wonder at my age how many more will I be able to love. Similarly, although I have driven the same care for the past 5 years (hey, don't judge, it is a depreciating asset!), sometimes I think about how many new cars I might experience.

But mostly, I think about my beautiful family and how long I will be able to hike and swim and run around with them.....

Then, I snap out of it because that makes me feel more sentimental than my fragile psyche can bear.

And as you will read, and please do, mental health is the absolute key to aging successfully.

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Is A Reverse Mortgage Right For You?

By Howard Kirschner and Jay Kaplan

If you are at least 62 years old and money has gotten tight, this information takes just 4 minutes to read. It may be the SAFEST LOAN you've ever heard of, a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).

Because seniors have a great need for funds to pay for care, prescriptions, home modifications, and supplement income, the Federal Government made it available only to those 62 and older. Thus far, hundreds of thousands have taken advantage of the program.

Ten thousand people turn 62 every day in America. This will continues for the next 14 years until the boomers have all reached "seniority". Further, with recent troubles in home values and 401K values losses, a greater portion of seniors are financially stressed.

A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage is Guaranteed & Insured by the U.S.A. As a result, your funds will always be available. Even if home values drop your loan stays in place with no changes.

Loan fees, how the loan works, and loan choices are all controlled by the government, which offers assurance that you are not being taken advantage of.

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Can We Talk?

The CHAT ROOM is now ready for you to share your challenges and support others who need it. It is very simple. After you log-in with your name and email, you will be able to use the CHAT ROOM.

Go to my website, www.susanbgeffen.com and then click on the CHAT ROOM link to register (or log-in once you have already registered as a member).

This is totally anonymous as your identity is whatever user name you choose. Your email is not revealed. This is a free service.

Simply type into the box that is provided. When others see your comments or questions, they can respond with their own comments or questions.

Give it a shot! It's easy. Click her for Chat Room
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Staying Active In Cold Weather

Tips Provided by CapTel Captioned Telephones

If you're struggling for ways to stay active in the cold weather, here's a few suggestions to consider to stay healthy and stimulated during the winter season:

Home exercise equipment

If the thought of going outside in the cold to head to the gym seems daunting, why not bring the gym to your house? Having home exercise equipment available can provide you with the necessary means to get a great workout in during the winter, and
doesn't leave you with any excuses not to stay active.

You should invest in types of workout machines that cater to your favorite activities, such as a stationary bike for those who love cycling or a treadmill that's ideal for solid cardio exercise. You can also increase any at-home workout by including the usage of dumbbells, which should be a staple accessory to any home gym.

Join an activity

While the weather may not be ideal for going on a jog around the neighborhood or taking your usual bike trek, one way to stay motivated and active during the winter is to sign up for a gym or enroll in local classes. Once you've gone through the process of signing up and paying for a membership, you'll feel more incentive to utilize this service, channeling the motivation to get out of the house and get the exercise you need during the winter.

Enrolling in various workout classes or sessions is also a great way to meet new people, and with more friends comes added pressure to stay true to your winter workout routine.

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