Last month, the Social Security Administration released a new fact sheet specifically for people with limited earnings. The new fact sheet covers how you and your family members may qualify for several benefits. Check it out online.

Native plants have evolved to our seasons and soil types, so they thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. Native flowers flourish in their natural habitat, even if the soil is depleted, if there’s not enough or too much rain, or if you see caterpillars and other insects on the plants. If your ornamentals are failing to thrive, plant to native flowers in your garden.

The thing that keeps many of us from “doing our best” when it comes to exercise, fitness, and even recreation, is our weather. It can be both a deterrent and a ready excuse to NOT get up and get moving. What motivates you? If it’s sunshine and warm weather, it’s right here right now. Whatever will get you up and out… do that!

The concept of the Encore Retirement Lifestyle is to continue the time associated with work activities we enjoyed pre-retirement and increase the time in the leisure activities we enjoy.  The goal is to merge these two lifestyle aspects to achieve maximum satisfaction and fulfillment in retirement. To do so, retirees must examine their past, explore and envision their future. 

A Roth IRA does not have to be used as just a retirement plan; it can also be a way to transfer assets, tax-free, to the next generation. If you don’t need the money for retirement, you can leave all of it in the IRA to grow tax-free and eventually pass on to your heirs. 

We're tearing apart flower beds, planting vegetables and descending upon local nurseries like ants on a Popsicle stick. While our reward is dirty kness, sore muscles and a bountiful harvest in a few months, researchers have quantified other benefits: it's good for our bones, too.