How Am I Going To Retire?
There is a popular ad on TV recently showing people carrying around a big orange number - apparently to represent the amount of money that particular person has to have saved in order to retire with the same kind of lifestyle that they lead currently. I found myself getting angrier and angrier every time I saw that ad, and I really didn’t know why.
Then I figured it out. It wasn’t exactly anger that I was feeling, it was more of a feeling of stress or despair. And I guess that’s probably the whole idea. My wife told me that that’s how that’s the most effective type of advertising: they make you feel desperate. Well it sure worked with me. However, I don’t think the solution they offered gave me any hope, personally.
This financial company wants you to become a client of theirs and they will advise you on how to save and invest so that you can reach your orange number. While I’m sure they are very good at what they do, I think this ad is more geared toward those in their twenties and thirties. What about those of us in our fifties? My savings are minimal, and I just don’t see the possibility for me to increase them to one million dollars plus in the next 15 years, even I had Warren Buffet as a financial advisor!
What are people my age supposed to do? I’ve decided that I’m going to generate multiple streams of income coming into my bank account every month for the rest of my life. Furthermore, I think this is a great solution for most baby boomers. How do we really know what that number is, anyway, with the rising cost of gas and the decreasing value of real estate. These are uncertain times. So how do we generate those multiple streams? Here are a few ideas.
1. You can refinance your house with a reverse mortgage. If you have a bunch of equity in your primary residence, you can take out a loan and not have to make payments. You can then get a monthly payment, a lump sum, or just have it available to use if necessary.
2. Get a part-time job. If you have a pension and social security, maybe just a little extra will enable you to make ends meet. This might be accomplished by working part-time.
3. You can purchase a franchise. There are all kinds of businesses out there if you’re willing to put up the capital to get started. Some are very expensive, and some aren’t. Do some research, this might be a great option.
4. Start a home-based traditional business. If you’ve got hidden talents, this could be a great option for you. Maybe you know how to work with wood, and you can build birdhouses, or furniture, or guitars. Then, you can sell them on Ebay.
5. You could start your own home-based internet business. Affiliate marketing is a hot topic right now, and you can make a some good residual income by setting up websites that promote other peoples products. All you have to do is send the customer to that merchant’s site, and you’ll earn a commission. Once you get the sites set up, they are self-sustaining and can generate income month after month.
6. Network Marketing. Probably my favorite choice for one reason - it offers residual and leveraged income. Residual because once you get customers they continue to buy month after month. Leveraged, because when you sign up distributors underneath you, you earn money off of their efforts in addition to your own.
These are a few ideas. Everyone is different: you’ll have to discover what works for you. But do something, it’s never too late!