Start A New Career After Age 50

Do You Need To Make A Career Change After Age Fifty?

In my opinion, it is a lot easier for younger people to make career changes. Younger adults may be more flexible, have fewer current obligations, and find it easier to get hired. However, there are still some good careers that middle aged people can consider. These jobs offer reasonable salaries, on the job training, and a chance to start over after age 50!

Many older job seekers cannot afford to go back to school for a long time. That is why I tried to find suggestions that would offer on the job training so employees can begin to earn money while they learn their new jobs. I also choose jobs that offered reasonable salaries for people who already have some financial obligations and are hoping to save money for retirement.

Finally, I wanted to select jobs that were actually available. These are all real jobs that my online visitors or friends have gotten when they needed to change careers in mind-life. Hopefully, these suggestions will help you make a good career transition. You may use one of these ideas, or you may become inspired to come up with your own.

Sales Jobs

Lots of people say they would be horrible at sales, and yet they may actually have very good sales skills. Every sales person does not have to engage in cold calling or high pressure tactics. It genuinely does help if you like your job and believe in your products. Some sales jobs also lead to promotions, which could put you in a management position if that is your desire.

Retail Furniture Stores

Consider furniture stores. If you become employed at the right location, you have an opportunity to begin earning a good income quickly. If you have the skills, you may also be promoted to management, either in a store or in the corporate office. Have known several older workers, from teachers to bank managers, who ended up enjoying their second career in furniture sales. And yes, they have moved into various types of management. Better yet, they all started working at a furniture store when they were over 50 years old.

Finance And Insurance

Insurance and finance is another industry that has room for older professionals. If you are interested in these topics, and like people, you may be able to begin a flexible and profitable new career. Many states only require a test to license insurance agents, and most people can pass this test after taking a course that only lasts a few hours. The key to success is finding a good brokerage or insurance company that will train you.

3 Tips For Dressing Up Your Baby During Winters

In most cases, babies are not that adaptive and resistant to cold as adults are and you need to be extra careful if you want to keep your baby safe and healthy. The winter might be quite dangerous to your baby's health and some safety precautions must be undertaken. However, don't think that you have to overdress him. Here's more information for you to soak up, especially if you are a parent for a short time and you are interested in keeping your baby as healthy and comfortable as possible.

1. Extremities. It is vital to keep your baby's head, feet and hands protected. Usually, those are the most exposed and vulnerable parts, even for adults. Therefore, make sure that you buy a hat that completely covers your infant's ears. A scarf would also be very helpful. Secondly, make sure that you keep your feet warm by purchasing adequate shoes. Also, the hands must be protected with gloves as well. Make sure that your kid is feeling comfortable as well. Try to opt for shoes that are not that heavy and they have fur. In some cases, you can use the scarf to cover his nose as well, if the day is too cold.

2. Extra blanket just in case. It is a good idea to take with you an extra blanket as well. Whether if you travel with car or you just go for a walk with your little one, keep in mind that you can't possible know if your baby is warm and comfortable enough. If you hear him crying or screaming a little bit then it perhaps means that he is cold. That extra blanket might be very helpful in those moments. You can touch his hands and cheeks in order to find out how comfortable and warm the child is.

3. Keep it simple. Remember that you don't need to be overprotective and overdress your infant. You don't need to let it tremble because of coldness either but if he it is too warm, it can be quite uncomfortable. Just make sure that you dress him as you dress. For any eventuality, try to have another jacket or coat with you all the time, if it makes you feel safer. As another tip, try to avoid going out with your kid in very cold winter days because it can damage his health.

It is highly recommended to get your kid out in winters because it is beneficial to his health. If you dress him correctly and he is feeling warm and comfortable, it can be quite an exciting for both you and your kid. Additionally, you can speak with your pediatrician and ask him for more information regarding this subject. He will be able to tell you more details regarding what your kid should wear and when.

9

My Embarrassing Love Affair

It was love at first sight. I knew I shouldn't indulge my desires. I'm usually very practical, but I couldn't help myself. In the past I secretly snickered at people who were drawn to these wanton wishes. What was happening to me? Was it lack of excitement in my life? Literally and figuratively I knew it WOULD add spice to my life, but really, it boiled down to the fact that now that I was in my 50s I no longer cared what other people thought.

So I did it.

I whipped out my Visa card, marched over to the register and with only a hint of embarrassment I purchased two adorable, brightly-colored salt and pepper shakers in the shape of a cow. Now the cute little bovine pair is grazing on the occasional oregano and parsley flakes that litter my kitchen counter top.

This was not an easy round up. I had to halt my own negativity for wanting something I didn't need, cart the little bovine pair from where I purchased them in Arizona, carefully wrap them in bubble wrap, cushion them in a sweater, pack them in my carry on luggage and schlep my little herd back to Port Angeles, Washington.

Part of my dilemma is I have very simple tastes. For example my favorite color is beige. How boring is that? I don't even like patterned fabric. With the exception of striped surfer shirts I wore as a child (one blue, one red) almost all my clothing and most of my furnishing consisted of solid colors. Well maybe I did like the occasional hint of color in my wardrobe, but I limited it to my socks and underwear. Yet here I was yearning for a pair of salt and pepper shakers with festive designs on their little cow bodies and heads.

I noticed similar behavior when I attended my high school's 40th reunion. I hit the dance floor (no longer waiting to be asked) and watched a couple of my friends, Jan and Patsy. The pair had always been fun, but when it came to moving to the beat, they had been like the rest of us, restrained and reserved. Now they were hooping it up, throwing their arms in the air and sporting two of the biggest grins I had ever seen.

"You didn't dance like that in high school," I said with admiration.

"We're old enough we don't care anymore," they both replied in unison.

They exemplified William Purkey's quote, "Dance like no one is watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like no one is listening and live like it's heaven on earth.

It made me think of those wasted years I spent concerned about what other people thought and said about me and others. Not only did I refrain from sporting splashy colors, I limited my thoughts and behavior to what I deemed "acceptable" and "appropriate." What a waste of fun and creativity.

Peer pressure is a strong force. It did not shackle my thoughts, but I let it govern my choice of clothing and behavior. Of course I was resentful. When I was younger I blamed nearly all the negative things in my life on someone else. Later I learned I had better results when I no longer tried to put my focus on fixing others and try my hand at taking control of my own life. If you have thoughts that smell like manure, here are a few tips.

Negativity is not limited to the behaviors of others, it is rooted in how you perceive yourself. You've heard it a million times, but it really is true. You need to learn to love yourself. You may think you do, but look at your words and actions. How do you treat yourself? Do you say negative things about how you look, act and think?

It is essential that you stop all critical self talk. Self negativity puts a grinding halt to success and happiness. Every time you say a disparaging remark about yourself your subconscious soaks it up like a sponge. Your brain cannot distinguish between self ridicule and an offhand "I was just kidding" remark. Whatever you say or think, the brain just takes it in. It's a big "yes" machine. If you say, "I'm stupid," it writes the "Yes, I'm stupid, program." If you declare, "I will never be happy," the message becomes fact and you will never be happy. The irony is that it isn't your enemies who fling the majority of these toxic statements about. You do it to yourself.

Your wishes, good, bad or indifferent, become your brain's programming. So why not try for something that will bring you joy? That does not mean that everything wonderful you wish for will instantly become reality. But if you surround yourself with positive thoughts and begin a course of action to achieve the things you want in life, you will move your life in a happier direction.

As they used to say on the old television shows, "meanwhile, back at the ranch... "

Here is how things shook out for me and my ceramic cows.

There is no practical reason for those "move along little doggies" to live in my kitchen. My motivation is simply this - I think they are cute and they make me laugh. And that is no small thing.

Why not spice up your own life a little? Take some advice from me and the rest of the optimistic herd. Forget what others think. Dance, love and laugh with abandon. It will be a truly "mooving" experience indeed.

Re-Thinking Retirement

Most baby boomers that I know tried to do a good job of saving money for the future. However, the last few years have been rough on a lot of well meaning older workers. The well laid plans, that many baby boomers had for retirement, seemed to stutter or fail.

What Are Some Financial Problems That Baby Boomers Have Today?

The economy bled jobs, and unemployment was particularly hard on older workers who planned to keep their current position until they retirement. This meant that many older folks had to dig into their retirement accounts to pay bills, and they certainly were not adding any more money to their accounts.

Homes lost value. Many middle class people consider their house to be their largest asset. This disrupted plans to leverage a home's value for retirement income.

Market accounts also lost value, so the value of many retirement accounts have declined. Regular savings accounts and bank CDs are not paying a lot of interest. In fact, the interest that many of these traditional savings products offer will not keep up with inflation. It is hard for many baby boomers to figure out where they should put their money.

The cost of health care kept rising. Recent studies have demonstrated that this increase is mostly due to rising prices too. Baby boomers are very concerned about securing affordable access to good health care during their retirement years.

Solutions To Today's Retirement Woes

Many clever people from the baby boomer generation have begun to sort out their problems and look for answers. Many of these people had to drop their old visions of life after full time work. Some people replaced these old, and out dated ideas, with new goals and plans for the future. It is much easier to make effective retirement plans when you start early. But a lot of boomers are finding out that it is not too late to re-think their retirement plans.

There is good news. Today's older workers can expect to live longer and more productive lives than past generations. This may give them more time to act.

Some may just count on working a few more years in order to make up the gaps. Others still plan to retire from their current job, on time, but pursue some sort of semi-retirement. In fact, a lot of older folks look forward to starting a new chapter in their lives by entering a new field or starting a business.

Preparing to Sell? De-Clutter to Make the Best Impression

Getting ready to sell your home? Before putting a 'For Sale' sign on the lawn, imagine the impression your home will make on potential buyers. They will be viewing many homes before making a decision and yours must be the one that makes the best impression.

Real Estate Agents and professional organizers will vouch for the importance of getting rid of clutter as one of the best things you can do for the appearance of your home. Clearing away clutter will maximize the space in your home and allow potential buyers to envision their furniture in each of the rooms. If it's tough to see your home objectively, ask a friend for advice on what items to remove and how to rearrange your furniture so that each room is as spacious and inviting as possible.

Start de-cluttering in the kitchen and bathroom
The best place to start de-cluttering is in the kitchen; it's also the toughest room to look at completely objectively. The items on your kitchen cabinets are the things you use daily but people viewing your home want to know that there's enough room for their things; that means neatly organizing not only countertops but drawers and shelves as well.

Preparing for your move is the perfect opportunity to downsize and get rid of items you haven't used in awhile. Start by labeling storage containers or boxes with 'sell', 'donate', and 'keep'. Next, make a list of things you'll need at your new place; the things you're keeping for the new place but don't need until after the move, can be boxed to make room in the cupboards for the things that have been cluttering the countertops. Sanitize the kitchen from top to bottom with attention to the area under the sink, making sure there are no leaks in the plumbing or water stains. Then apply a fresh coat of paint to give the kitchen a clean new look and feel.

Keep the countertops free of small appliances and clutter until the move by storing items you use daily in the space you've recently acquired as you filled the 'sell' and 'donate' boxes. This will also make the tidying-up process quick and easy when your real estate agent calls to schedule a viewing.

The bathroom is right up there with the kitchen in rooms that make a big first impression. Clean it so it shines; and like the kitchen, a fresh coat of paint will not be wasted in the bathroom. Put out a set of luxurious towels reserved for when people are viewing your home, and clear out drawers plus medicine chests as much as possible keeping personal toiletries in a shaving kit and cosmetic bag.

Relocating to a seniors' community
In deciding what you'll eventually do with your furniture, note the pieces that you'll be taking with you and the items you'll be selling or donating. If you are relocating to a seniors' community you may have met with an advisor and have an idea of the furnishings provided at your new place. Many apartments in retirement homes have room for your preferred furnishings and personal décor.

Consider renting a storage unit for large pieces of furniture; this will free up space in the home you're selling and will give you a place to store the things you'll be taking to your new home. It will also allow you to take the time you may need to decide which pieces you want to sell or donate.

Your goal is to convert a browsing customer into a buyer and the first few minutes they will spend in your home are the minutes that count the most. Making a good first impression means allowing them to visualize their family living in the home that you are selling and you'll know that your investment in energy and time to make it inviting, was well worth it when your home is sold.

Senior Friendly Day-Trips

Exotic and tropical destinations don't always top the list of get-away ideas; in fact the buzz around town this season is about local attractions, weekend and day trips. Does this sound familiar? Guests visiting from out of town are thrilled about the attractions in your community; you reply in agreement while silently wondering why it's been years since you planned a day-trip close to home yourself?

It could be the economy, possibly family responsibilities are keeping us near home this year or maybe we're just noticing the possibilities (and excellent photo ops) in our own back yards!

Attractions near Alberta Retirement Communities

Lethbridge: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
If you're visiting Lethbridge or considering retirement in southern Alberta, a beautiful attraction is the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. You may be surprised to find this oasis of tranquility only a fifteen-minute drive from Columbia Retirement Community (785 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, Alberta).

The Japanese Garden was established in 1967 Canada's Centennial, to recognize Japanese citizens and their culture. The contribution of Japanese citizens to the multi-cultural community of southern Alberta was the foundation for this symbol of friendship between Canada and Japan.

The Nikka Yuko Gardens are a gathering place where Japanese and Canadian cultures meet in the form of events and activities on weekends, traditional tea ceremonies and art exhibits. Respected garden designer and landscape architect Tadeshi Kubo of Osaka Prefecture University designed the gardens with authenticity and in writing about the gardens I cannot do justice to their tranquil beauty. On a day when you need time to meditate and experiencing the Zen quality of the gardens, pack a book and an extra camera battery and enjoy the Nikka Yuko Gardens.

Edmonton: Devonian Gardens
Still in Alberta and just 35 minutes from Ironwood Estates (40 Ironwood Point, St. Albert, Alberta) is the Devonian Botanic Garden. The Devonian Gardens - part of the University of Alberta offer nearly 200 acres of display gardens and natural ecological preserves to explore. The greenhouses, indoor butterfly gardens, plus the Kurimoto Japanese Garden give nature lovers and plant enthusiasts a lot to discover. Plan to spend more than a few hours in the idyllic gardens and again, don't forget the camera.

Churchill Manor (5815 34th Avenue Edmonton) is about 35 Km from the Devonian Gardens and if you haven't already planned a day trip to the gardens, I can offer personal assurance of an enjoyable day.

Calgary: Heritage Park
Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary) is an authentic representation of Canada's old West. The rides in the antique midway, the town's buildings, the train cars and the contents and artifacts are an incredible collection brought together to give visitors an experience of days gone by. Walk through the homes furnished as they were 100 years ago, pick up fresh baked cookies at the general store and ride the paddle wheeler on Glenmore Reservoir. This summer, jump in on the scavenger hunt while exploring the corners of the park in a 100 Years of History celebration. Pick up a Guide to the Past at the admission gate and experience the day.

Canyon Meadows, a Holiday Retirement Community (12 Deerview Terrace SE, Calgary) is twenty minutes from Heritage Park. An outing to the historic village is most enjoyably spent with friends or family, and next time visitors are in from out of town, memories of this outing will be worthy of their own photo album.

The Sandwich Generation: 4 Ways To Prepare Yourself Now

2011 was the year the term "sandwich generation" really hit home for the first time. It was the year I turned 51 and my son turned 5. It was the year my father-in-law entered the hospital and never came home, while my mother marked her two year anniversary as a widow. Her ex-husband (my father) would soon need round the clock nursing care.

Now more than ever, it was clear that my little boy wasn't going to be the only family member who needed me in years to come.

I was now firmly wedged between a child who would need nurturing and financial support for the next 20-odd years and a set of aging parents and in-laws requiring care and support as well; a perfect example of what defines the sandwich generation.

For anyone finding themselves in this position, or if you're pregant over 40 or considering pregnancy or adoption after age 40, here are some things you might consider in coping with your sandwich generation status:

1. You are going to need to rally support from sources other than your parents.

Even if you have parents or in-laws who are healthy and willing to help out, there's a good chance that situation could change, and sooner rather than later. So make sure you have some reliable baby sitters you can call on and look for support groups.

Ideally, find a group for older moms. But at least make connections in the community so you don't find yourself alone and at the end of your rope with no one who can lend a hand or a sympathetic ear!

2. You will need to plan your finances carefully.

There are going to be three major buckets to fill: retirement, college funding, and elder care. If you've planned well, this may not concern you. But if you aren't prepared then it's time to take stock of your financial situation.

Some compromises may be in order. Or a reality check. For me that means I'm not going to retire at 65! And my son might have to settle for a vocation or be prepared to qualify for scholarships; should we encourage him to be a star athlete or honors student? Time will tell.

3. You'll need to take care of yourself better than ever before!

When they say that having kids late in life "keeps you young", think of it the other way around. You MUST stay as young and fit as possible in order to keep up! Remember, you have lots of people counting on you. As you age, little transgressions like ignoring diet and exercise will take a much bigger toll.

For example, you might find that while younger parents stay up late after their kids go to bed, your bed time more or less matches your kid's. If that's what it takes in order to get enough rest, so be it! Be kind to your body and it will return the favor.

4. You will probably not be able to provide round-the-clock care for anyone other than your infant.

Had my son already reached college age (as would be the case for a typical 50-something parent) I would have been a lot more able to help out when my father became sick. But there was no way I could care for both my little one and my parent at the same time; and most likely neither can you.

So start thinking now about how you will handle it if one or more of your parents needs care. There are lots of options these days other than nursing homes. And if you have siblings, make sure they understand how being an older parent affects the role you'll play in the family dynamic.

My husband and I have been talking lately about finishing the attic or basement to provide additional living space should one or both of our mothers need to move in. That is, of course, if they're relatively independent. Because when the time comes, heaven help me, I'll probably be dealing with a rebellious teenager as I move into decade number six.