Tips for Preparing for Retirement

Retirement

4th in a series of 5 posts


Managing our own financial affairs now while we are young with agile minds and bodies is truly important and should begin as early in life as possible. It's ideal to begin actually saving for retirement when you are still in your 20s and just starting out in your career. By the time we approach middle age it's time to start seriously thinking about how you will make retire happen. Since women still have a longer life expectancy rate than men do this is particularly critical if you are female. But men certainly also need to be concerned about how they will manage financially later in life.

Nobody knows for sure what lies ahead

MBE partnered with Genworth for this post

Broaching the subject of retirement can be overwhelming and downright difficult because really no one wants to get old. I know that's how I feel now -- I'm a Baby Boomer and am now in my 50s and my oldest child just graduated from high school. I honestly don't want to have to think about all that old-age stuff.

 The reality is, though, that none of us can stop the passage of time. So we may as well look for opportunities in our future and leverage them for the better by educating ourselves about what's most important right now.


Me at my son's high school graduation


To start, there are some vital questions to go over with your financial advisor when it comes to discussing retirement readiness.
  • Does my current mix of portfolio asset holdings provide long-term growth potential as well as liquid cash that I can spend as I need it?
  • Will my income at retirement keep up with inflation?
  • What if I outlive my financial resources?
  • How about if I'm struck with catastrophic illness that drains my bank account?

Speaking of retirement, if you're lucky enough to be taking that big step this year, definitely do your research online to find timely and practical advice in this article to help you decide whether or not to remain in the workforce in your lifelong profession or to start a "second career." As a reminder make sure you sign up for Medicare on time so you will receive the maximum benefits as soon as you're eligible.
I'll drink to that! MommyBlogExpert.com

Seriously. The main point is whether you're set to retire this year or in twenty years, there's plenty that each of us can be doing now to get ready.



Knowledge really is power. It's time to leverage it.


About Genworth
Genworth, headquartered in Richmond, VA, offers a range of services to client living in all 50 U.S. states. Among the products available are retirement income, life and long term care insurance and mortgage insurance. For more information visit Genworth.com and their Twitter and Facebook pages.

FTC Disclosure: Information for this post is sourced from Genworth Financial in partnership with the SheHeard Influencer Network, however all opinions are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Tapsbook iPad Photobook App Makes Sharing Scrapbook Style Albums Easy for Busy Families


Technology

This is a compensated post

 I'm a busy mom that stores way too many photos (we're talking thousands of images) on each of my various Apple mobile devices including my iPhone 5, iPad 2 and iPad Mini as well as my Mac Mini desktop. If that sounds like you, too, then it's great to have company and you are going to want to check out a new free iOS 5.0-6.1 app for iPad called Tapsbook that I just discovered.
iPad Mini and iPad 2, MommyBlogExpert.com
Tapsbook allows you and I to easily collect and gather photos from all the places where they're hiding out: on mobile devices and cameras as well as on Facebook, Google+, Picasa, DropBox and in your local libraries. But Tapsbook doesn't just help you organize all these images in one compact and accessible place, it's also a secure cloud-based visual storytelling platform that makes it a breeze to sort, edit and build beautiful heirloom quality photobooks and other creative keepsakes that you can then share digitally with family and friends.
  
Screenshot, Image from Tapsbook
I had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at this app and try it out before it was just released and wanted to tell you about some of the reasons why I think this is a great resource for families to share photos among each other. Tapsbook is aptly named because all you have to do is tap your screen a few times to create and share your precious photo collections with those you care most about. 

 I know I can't wait to turn the images you see below that I shot last summer at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France into a photobook all about our family vacation to Europe that I'll be able to share with friends.
MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
Setting up Tapsbook is simple. Once you've downloaded the app to your iPad, it will take just a few minutes to sign up by entering your email address, name and unique password. The next step with the click of a button is to link all the places where you have photos stored so that they'll be automatically imported into the app whenever new pictures are taken. That way your photos will always be up to date. 

 The scrapbooking fun then begins as you choose photos you'd like to include in a particular photobook simply by swiping, dragging and dropping them where you want them. The last part, of course, is the best--sharing what you've created with loved ones to enjoy anytime, anywhere.

 Watch this video to see for yourself how easy and fun this is to work with...


What sets Tapsbook apart from other photo sharing apps
  • Provides automatic discovery and building of stories
  • Generates beautiful, personalized story pages
  • Offers instant sharing and automatic updates
  • Paves the way for an innovative, fast and fun experience
Remember to protect all the photobooks you make by choosing your own cloud based storage provider to keep them safe.


 TapsBook is available now and it's free, so why not download it right now from the iTunes Store?

 FTC Disclosure: I was compensated for my time and effort to test the app and write this review. However, thoughts here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 
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Coca-Cola Steps to Wellness Challenge - Mommy Blog Expert Wins First Place at BlogHer 13


Fitness

During BlogHer 2013 Chicago last week there was a new activity that I really was excited to join in called the Steps to Wellness Challenge, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company. Luckily I'm not extremely overweight, but blogging is a sedentary profession and I can definitely afford to lose a few pounds and get in better shape. So I was thrilled that the oldest soft drink company in America was integrating a fitness element into our annual conference for the first time.

The view from my room at Sheraton Chicago, MommyBlogExpert.com
First Lady Michelle Obama talks about motivating kids to "Get Moving" to fight unhealthy lifestyles. I'd take it one step further: To combat the obesity epidemic in this country, all moms need to model good diet and fitness habits for our children. And there's no better place to start than at BlogHer where influential bloggers who have the power to change public opinion flock each year.
Me at the Hasbro Party at Hard Rock Cafe Chicago
For this challenge Coke offered everyone registered for BlogHer (more than 4,000 mostly women bloggers, according to the official organizers) a cute red heart-shaped pedometer to wear throughout the conference. Stakes were high: the Grand Prize, valued at up to $3,500, was the winner's choice of either a personal trainer or nutritionist for a year. There were also several smaller prizes that would be awarded to runner ups.
Incognito, during a rare minute sitting down, MommyBlogExpert.com
Last Thursday night, Coke started issuing pedometers to attendees at the Night at the Expo opening event. However, I wasn't able to pick up mine until first thing the next morning, so there were definitely others ahead of me before I even took my first step. I love competitions, though, and I also really enjoy walking, especially to see a great city like Chicago on foot. So it didn't take any convincing to get me to jump into the game. 

 Keep in mind, I'm the mother of four kids born in a year (a son, followed by girl, girl, boy triplets) and I'm in my mid 50s now. I've never run a marathon, either, and I don't work out at the gym regularly, but I do love to snow ski, bicycle ride, and play tennis as well as walk 2-3 miles per day, 7 days a week at home.

Here I am running in this Samsung Galaxy 4S booth shot
This is my third BlogHer, so I knew that I'd be doing a lot of walking (and some running to save time) anyway over the long weekend, between official BlogHer events and the Expo Hall and to and from the more than a dozen off-site private parties I was invited to. So -- as a personal challenge to myself -- I decided just for the fun of it to push myself as much as I possibly could over the two day competition.
My Coca-Cola Pedometer, MommyBlogExpert.com
Early in the contest I stopped by the Coke Wellness Station in the Expo Hall and was truly surprised to find out that I was in first place. Not long after, though, I discovered I had slipped to second or third place. Knowing I'd lost my lead position motivated me to work twice as hard to get even more steps in. The more I walked, jogged and ran, the more steps my pedometer recorded and the better I felt. In fact, just seeing these ever increasing digital numbers encouraged me to push myself far past what I had thought possible. Talk about an endorphin high that I hadn't felt in years.
I received this cute workout towel at the Coca-Cola exhibit

 Shortly after the contest ended, to my surprise, a friend told me Coke had tweeted out that I'd won the Steps to Wellness challenge ...

 Thanks to Coca-Cola and all the steps I took in Chicago during BlogHer 13, I'll soon be doing something that's been on my bucket list for way too long. Over the next year, I'll be working with a personal trainer to finally realize my dream of being in the best physical condition of my life. Guess what else? My teen children are actually proud of this great physical accomplishment. 

 Stay tuned for more posts as I document my progress!
Chicago skyline at dusk, MommyBlogExpert.com
Find out more about what Coca-Cola is doing to fight obesity HERE

 FTC Disclosure: I've attended multiple BlogHer conferences and have also been a speaker at this event. I paid for my own 2013 full conference ticket. As disclosed above, I did win the Steps to Wellness Challenge grand prize from Coca-Cola. However, this post is purely voluntary and I did not receive any compensation for writing it. Thoughts here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 
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New Tred Service Delivers Cars for Test Drives + Amazon Giftcard Giveaway, Ends 9/4/13


Automotive 
Giveaway details below

This is a compensated post

 Here's a new service I just discovered that makes shopping for a new car a whole lot easier for harried parents who have young children. Announced this summer and already available in the Greater Seattle/Bellevue, Washington area, Tred offers the first delivery service of its type ever to bring new cars directly to where you are most comfortable trying them out, either at home or at the office. The company, which offers this unique service for just $19 per car delivered, will be expanding into other metro areas over the coming months.
My 4 kids buckled into car seats, MommyBlogExpert.com
Since my hubbie and I had to shop for a new car when I had triplets born just a year after my older child, I know exactly how stressful it can be to have to focus on both car and family at the same time -- especially when you've got four kids running and yelling their way through a car dealership's showroom. Too bad this wasn't available when my own children were small because this would have definitely been a sanity saver for me.

 Still, I'm glad that those of you who have little ones now finally have a resource to help eliminate the anxiety of having to think about your kids while also test driving and making major purchasing decisions about a new car for your family. Besides, this service isn't just for parents with babies and toddlers, it's for anyone married or single, with kids or without, that wants a more convenient and pleasant automotive shopping experience. I know the next time I'm shopping for a new car -- if this service is available in my area -- I will definitely try it out.


Tred: How it works. from Tred.com on Vimeo.

 Key Tred Benefits
  • Eliminates the need to visit any car dealership, saving stress, time and money
  • Cuts out the axiety-provoking experience of showroom sale price negotiations
  • Makes it possible to test drive a vehicle on your home turf at a time that is most convenient to you, not the showroom
  • Gives you the opportunity to see if a car fits your lifestyle and your garage
MommyBlogExpert.com

 There's more good news. Thanks to Tred, I'm hosting an Amazon giftcard giveaway. Read on to enter daily until the contest ends.
$25 Amazon Giftcard 
Giveaway
Ends 9/4/13
MommyBlogExpert's Amazon Giftcard Giveaway ends September 4, 2013 at 12 am PT and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon giftcard courtesy of Tred. Winner of this MBE contest will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


More Family-Friendly
Mommy Blog Expert Giveaways

ENTER Them All HERE

Thanks to Online-Sweepstakes.com for including this contest in their directory of current giveaways.

 About Tred
Tred offers a first-of-its-kind service for busy families and professionals that makes the auto buying experience faster and easier. Only Tred offers the convenience of test driving and evluating new cards from the comfort of the buyer's home or office while offering big savings on many of the most popular makes and models. For more information and to stay up on the latest news as the company rolls out the service in more cities, visit Tred.com or visit them on Facebook and Twitter.

 FTC Disclosure: I received compensation for this post and Tred is providing the prize for this giveaway. However thoughts are my own. See complete FTC Discloosure information that appears at the bottom on MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual page, including this one.
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Teenage Counselor Summer Camp Tour - Teen Tuesday Post by Rebecca Elspas


Teen Tuesday
by Rebecca Elspas, Teen Blogger




 Hey everyone. How's your summer going? How many of you are working as a counselor at a camp like I am this year?
Welcome to my summer camp! MommyBlogExpert.com
View from my camp, MommyBlogExpert.com
Me with the largest rock in camp, MommyBlogExpert.com
For this week's Teen Tuesday column I thought it would be fun to tell you more about camp and my job here. My sister and I (we are triplets) actually don't work with the campers. 

 Our responsibility, instead, is to take care of the adult staff's babies and toddlers while their parents are work or go away on overnight trips with the campers. As you might imagine playing with these cute kids is fun, but it is also a lot of work changing diapers, feeding and keeping them happy and watching the little ones every second.
My sister and I with one of the babies we care for, MommyBlogExpert.com
I made this sign for the Kiddie Camp, MommyBlogExpert.com
Now, let me take you on a whirlwind tour so can you see the camp I've been working at in the mountains near San Diego for six weeks. As you can see, it looks very much like a typical sleepaway camp, except we don't have any green grass like in the camp brochure, LOL!

 This is my cabin, from the outside...
MommyBlogExpert.com
And from the inside...
MommyBlogExpert.com
Here are some other areas around camp including the dining hall, pool and art room...
MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
MommyBlogExpert.com
Today mom and my darling little Dexter came to visit me and my sister since she was at BlogHer 2013 last week and had to miss the official Parent's Visitor's Day. We brought along a picnic lunch, drove into town, went on a shopping spree and had an overall fun day together.
Some of my fashion finds today, MommyBlogExpert.com
Shoutout to all other teens working at summer camps this summer!

Comment & Connect
Have a question for me about my camp experience? Even better, I hope you'll leave a comment on this post or Tweet me @RebElspas and tell me what you're up to this summer. I'd be especially interested to hear from other teen camp counselors. If you're not already, I invite you to follow me on Twitter and on Pinterest.

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was exchanged in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
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