Wake up call

This day in May,08 was a significant turning point in my retirement planning sojourn.

Having reached the age of eligibility, in this country, for Medicare and Social Security; I thought I would make the pilgrimage to the U.S.government’s Social Security Administration office, to determine exactly how my senior funding benefits were shaping up. Remember I mentioned in my first post that Social Security would make up the largest portion of my base ‘retirement’ income (approx. 42% of my current take home pay}, after Sep,08; and that financial freedom thereafter would be up to my own ingenuity?

What an eye opener this timely visit proved to be; when I discovered the $1,300 maximum monthly earnings criteria for me to begin to recieve a benefit check in 2008  had already been exceeded. This essentially puts my 2008 Social Security income, from Sep, 08 to Dec,08 on hold.

On the other hand, come 01 Jan,2009, I will become eligible for full Social Security benefits; while being able to earn up to $9,000/mo thru Apr, 09 {a very likely figure by then, from my entrepreneural ventures}. Then, as of May,09, all income limitations will be forever lifted; and I can kick my senior income funding efforts into over drive.

What this means is there is no time like the present to begin to ‘count the cost’ when it comes to your retirement planning, to walk away from work.

Ironically, before I left the house to make my trek to the Social Security Administration office, I read an article on MSN Money entitled “7 Common retirement mistakes to avoid” {you might want to do a Search on MSN.com to check out the details for yourself} and the very first “mistake” mentioned caught my attention; and it was (1) “Exiting before deciding on an encore.” In other words ”leaping (into retirement) before you look (or decide on, and begin implementing an exit ‘ca$h flow’ strategy).”

The head of retirement-income strategies for ING (Sri Reddy) was quoted as saying: “the biggest challenge boomers will face is a challenge to their imagination.”  Imagine that!

Now let me ask you, What is your retirement-life plan? and Have you factored in the ever increasing “cost-of-living” index? in these volatile economic times in which we are living?

It is time to share and exchange creative ways and means of coping and overcoming all obstacles to accomplishing a viable, and lucrative, retirement lifestyle.

Are you on board?

Act II

…in the journal of the “sojourner retiree.”

As the countdown to September/08 continues; preparation for departure from the work-a-day world rumbles along; with this observation.

In the ebb and flow of the tides of life, inspiration and trepidation come and go. And, when it comes to the precipice of a 360 degree change in your cash flow source; it will take a difinitive, tried and proven strategy to make a sure and confident step thru employment’s doors into the rarified air of financial independence.

Everyones immediate concern is How will you survive? and How will your lifestyle be compromised, or enhanced? and Can you really realize your dream of financial freedom and virtual wealth?

Financial freedom and virtual wealth is breaking out all around us, in the midst of, and in spite of, economic upheaval.  Some of our nations most enduring financial legacies were forged during the “great depression;” and, in our time, since the advent of the world-wide-web;sometimes called the <dot.com> revolution; aka. the internet …a global marketplace, with a global economy.

As preparation moves forward, I am beginning to reign in and reorganize my budget; and fine tune the management of my existing resources, to allow for adequate investment funds to propel the cyber-business portfolio that I am assembling.

I am pursuaded that there is no better business model available; that can be marketed globally, with as little start-up cost, and operating cost, versus return-on-investment. No employees needed, no physical location necessary. Just a tremendously useful product, and the ability to deliver it electronically; along with the means to put your product before the eyes of the masses.

 Does anyone have “a better idea?”