OK, I’ll admit that I watch the Evening News on a regular basis. I’ll even admit that I use the TV remote to mute every commercial during the news. And why not? I get the benefit of fast-paced snippets of U.S., World, and local news. Sure, most of the news focuses upon negative stuff – but sometimes the news reports good stuff too.

So why do I mute the commercials? Well…I really can’t stand hearing all the drug advertising. Maybe I’m not the right audience, but I really don’t think it helps to let me know how sick I can be as I age. See, it’s not important to me – yet one could argue – that I need drugs like Xifaxan for irritable bowel syndrome. Nor do I need to be reminded that I should be using ever-present ED drug ads for Viagra or Cialis (please let’s not go there (smile). And, fortunately, I don’t have a need for Engerix-B® to treat my Hepatitis B.

What’s There To Like About the Commercials?

Well, you tell me. You are getting ready to celebrate the remaining third of your life after you leave work and – wham – someone reminds you that your bladder is overacting so try … Well, that may apply to some, but not me – yet. But it gets you thinking doesn’t it.

Retirement Options?

And what about that retirement plan anyway? I went to a trade show this past weekend. Lots of seniors were asking the local banker “how are your interest rates?” The young banker looked quizzically, until I explained that these seniors really do remember when interest rates on savings and checking accounts were above 4% and CD’s (not the ones you play) were above 5%.

Retirement saving plans are necessary, and they do require the assistance of a trained professional – and since I’m not that I would suggest you ask for certified financial planners in your area.

A Sound Retirement Plan?

But what about those retirement options? Seems most folks think first about what they want to do immediately (measured in the first year) after retirement. See, there’s a bucket list of things to accomplish –

• Travel: visit the Grand Canyon, travel Europe on a train, take a cruise to Alaska
  
• Recreation: golf, tennis, biking
  
• Entertainment: see the Red Sox win the World Series again (just seeing if any NY Yankee fans are reading this post).
  

Year 1 Is Done – What Now?

Precisely, what now? Your bucket list is empty, or almost, and it’s only 1 year past. Perhaps you are beginning to watch too many commercials – do you have recurring back and neck pain?

Perhaps this is not for you, but I know I like to plan things. After all, I planned to go to college for my career, and then planned my career. Did you do something similar – I mean planning your career and then implementing the plan?

Well, what’s so different about developing a plan for the last third of your life? I don’t mean this to sound ominous or threatening – it’s just a fact that anytime I see someone with a plan I have a greater confidence in seeing them implement it.

Now that you are home again, what are you really going to do the Monday morning after – you retire and your bucket list is empty? Perhaps a Personal Transition Plan is in order?