If the lifestyle gurus are to be believed, starting a side-hustle is one of the surest paths to wealth at any age. But, on the whole, it is Millennials who have truly embraced the “Four Hour Workweek” and similar books.

Rejecting yesterday’s conventional wisdom – “Do well in school, go to college, get a good job, work hard for 45 years and retire” – younger workers are embracing freelancing, following their passions and planning their next job during the orientation for their current one.

I’ll leave the discussion of whether Millennials should just settle down and be a little more boring for another article. Instead, I want to try to persuade our older readers that starting a side hustle could be the difference between a luxurious retirement and decades of financial worry.

Here are 3 reasons that your 50s or 60s are the perfect time to start a side hustle.

Starting a Side Hustle is Like Strapping a Rocket to Your Retirement Plan

Let’s be honest. Saving for retirement is tough. In fact, it is so tough that the great majority of us are at risk of having a miserable time in our 70s and 80s. And, if Social Security stumbles, our struggles may go from “tough” to “life-threatening” in no time at all.

According to a March, 2016 study by GoBankingRates, 78% of 50-year-olds and 74% of 60-year-olds are behind on saving for retirement. And, with fewer years ahead of us, we have less time to let compound interest work for us. So, only dramatic changes to our lifestyle or earning potential can get us back on track.

Will our current jobs save us? Probably not! Despite the roaring economy of the last few years, wages have remained relatively flat. And, there is plenty of research to show that our careers, on average, slow down in our 50s and 60s.

Starting a side hustle – freelancing, consulting, writing, event planning or any other similar opportunity – has the potential to change the game. Since we are already accustomed to a certain quality-of-life, we can allocate the majority of any additional money we make to paying off debt or saving for retirement.

To take a simple example, if you had 15 years to retirement and, through your side hustle, were able to earn an additional $1,000 per month, you could end up with $200,000 – $300,000 more in your retirement account! Imagine the peace of mind (not to mention the practical benefits) that this money could give you!

Staring a Side Hustle Now Can Give You Productive (and Enjoyable) Work in Retirement

For our entire lives, we have been taught to think of retirement as a destination. Maybe this was the case for our parents’ generation, but, for most Boomers, retirement is a journey.

The sad truth is that the “retirement is a destination” mindset leaves many of us without viable work options in retirement. When we retire (or are forced out of our jobs) we lose our primary source of income. And, because we haven’t trained ourselves to think as independent consultants or business owners, we find ourselves working in jobs that are far below our skill level.

Don’t get me wrong; it is never too late to start a business or to make money as a consultant, writer, freelancer, real estate agent or tour guide. I’m simply saying that starting a side hustle in your 50s or 60s makes the process SO much easier.

The bottom line is that starting a side hustle now will prepare you for the reality of retirement tomorrow. At a time when other seniors are panicking and spending what little money they have on coaches and self-help books, you will be established in your business.

Your Side Hustle May Make You an Entrepreneur

Most people would argue that starting a side hustle is not the same as starting a business and, for the most part, they would be correct. After all, a side-hustle typically involves working for someone else and businesses ask you to work for yourself.

But, if side hustles and startups aren’t twins, they are at least cousins. They may not focus on the same activities, but, they require a similar mindset.

Think about it for a second. By this point in our careers, most of us have plenty of skills and work experience to draw on. Many of us have even thought about starting our own company. But, we don’t.

Why don’t more of us make the leap to entrepreneurship in our 50s and 60s? Some of us are afraid of rocking the boat or taking a financial risk. Others don’t have the confidence to start something ourselves. Still others have convinced ourselves that we need the permission of some gatekeeper – a venture capitalist fund, bank manager or partner – to get started.

Starting a side hustle eases our way into the entrepreneurial mindset. It allows us to keep our day jobs while earning a side income. And, since many of us will choose a side hustle that involves freelancing or consulting, it teaches us to work for ourselves.

I know dozens of people who started out as freelancers who have gone on to start their own successful businesses. To a person, they have told me that they would have never started a business without first starting a side hustle.

You *Finally* Have the Time to Take on Extra Work

I don’t know if I could have started a side-hustle in my 30s or 40s. Like many of you, I was too busy surviving as a mom, wife and career-woman to start something new.

Boy, do I kick myself for not starting a side-hustle in my 50s! After my kids left the house, I finally had the time to start something new. But, like so many people, I was comfortable in my corporate job and, perhaps somewhat foolishly, I still felt like I could climb the corporate ladder. So, I kept working 10-hour days and never looked for outside projects.

If you are in your 50s or 60s now, you probably have more free time than you have had in decades. Now is not the time to take your foot off the gas. It is the time to accelerate towards your future.

So, embrace the unknown, start your side hustle and get ready for the best years of your life ahead!

Have you started a side hustle after 50? What kind of side job most interests you? Writing? Consulting? Event management? Something else? Let’s have a chat!

You’ve probably heard celebrities, beauty editors like us or your favorite influencers praise Augustinus Bader. He’s a world-leading expert in regenerative medicine and his brand includes face and body cream that’s deeply hydrating and skin-plumping. But innovation doesn’t come cheap. Whether self-isolation has you counting your pennies or it’s just not in your budget, there are some great Augustinus Bader The Cream dupes. It’s his most iconic product, after all.

While looking for an alternative product, you want to search for similar ingredients that promise similar outcomes. Nothing is ever going to be exactly like the original and if you want to buy Augustinus Bader The Cream ($170 for 30mL at Violet Grey), chances are, you’ll love it. You can have more than one love, though, and these alternatives are seriously great. Just like The Cream, these picks deeply hydrate, calm redness, plump skin and even strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

These rich creams are best for those with normal or dry skin types, though oily and combination skin can absolutely use sparingly with an oil-free cleanser. Apply them to clean, dry skin morning or night, though at night is when you’ll get the best cell turnover. It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. The best rule of thumb is to apply your skincare from the lightest (thinness) to the heaviest (thickest). That means most of the time, these rich creams will go on last. Feel free to also apply them where you need hydration the most. I like to pat a heavier cream in the middle of my face last because I get flaky around my nose. These are a game-changer.

Image: Bioderma.

Bioderma Sensibio Rich Cream

This sensitive-skin friendly lotion is a favorite for the way it calms redness and rosacea with vitamin E and canola oils.

Image: Weleda.

Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

Those with dry skin love the way Skin Food hydrates and plumps the face with essential fatty acids, vitamin E and organic pansy.

Image: Embryolisse.

Embryolisse Artist Secret Intense Smooth Radiant Complexion

We’re big fans of the way this cream uses hyaluronic acid and natural polysaccharides to plump and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Image: Sunday Riley.

Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream

This ceramide moisturizer works to strengthen the natural skin barrier with vitamin F and coconut.

Image: Youth to the People.

Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask

Though it’s called a mask, you can leave this rich cream on overnight and let the Maqui, vitamin C and squalane plump skin.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Have you seen the thousands of women who have decided to let
their hair go grey naturally? In addition to women announcing their beautiful
maturity by letting their grey hair show, many other women have chosen to stop
coloring their hair and let it all “hang out.”

Margaret Manning speaks to celebrity stylist and stylist to
the Royal Family in the UK, Denise
McAdam, about what we can do that will allow our grey hair to be it’s most
beautiful.

“Your hair is affected by everything that happens in your
body,” Denise says,” And what previously used to work might not work for you
now.”

In the same way that the face cream you might have started
using in your thirties just isn’t cutting it in your sixties, your styling
products and even your hairbrush might not be working for you and your gorgeous
grey hair.

The Best Advice for All Hair Types and Colors

Staying healthy in general is the best way to keep your hair
beautiful as well. The blood supply to the scalp is super important, which
means exercise. Think of exercise as a workout for your hair!

If you have your doubts about exercise and hair, Denise
suggests that you look at the very back of someone’s head, near the bottom of
the neckline. This hair is always dark, shiny, and the last hair anyone loses.
Why? Because of our continual “exercise” when we move our neck and head, that
portion of the hair always gets a good supply of blood.

Massaging your scalp is one of the best ways to improve your
hair, Denise says.

Anytime you are sitting and watching television or listening
to an audio book, or anytime your hands are free, Denise suggests that you
massage your scalp. You don’t have to scrub, just gently rub your fingers on
your scalp and get the blood flowing to improve your hair.

Women get facials and massages for their bodies, why not
give your hair a massage as well? The benefits are enormous.

What
is in Denise’s Shower

Margaret asks Denise what hair products are in her shower. Joico
is one of the brands that was highly recommended, especially the blonde
shampoos since they bring out the highlights in grey or white hair.

Denise also recommends not using any product that is too
heavy, which is why she uses sulphate free shampoos. “They feel strange, as if
you didn’t wash your hair, but you did.” Denise says.

Dry shampoos are also terrific for all hair types and
colors. Your hair doesn’t need a lot of cleansing, so dry shampoos will get you
the cleaning you need and the effortless styling you want.

Another suggestion is to comb your conditioner through your
hair before you rinse it. If you want to avoid the heavy, limp locks that
conditioner sometimes causes, she suggests rinsing your hair for an extra
minute or two.

Grey
Hair That Yellows

If you have grey or white hair that tends to turn yellow,
Denise suggests that this because mature hair picks up smoke and other contaminants
in the air, which causes it to turn yellow or pick up strange odors.

This is why Denise recommends shampoos designed for blonde
hair. These are designed to open up the shaft a bit and remove the dirt, dust,
odors, and contaminants that can ruin your beautiful mane.

Final
Thoughts on Gorgeous Grey Hair

Both Margaret and Denise recommend other brands and styling products in this interview, including those blue or purple colored shampoos. You should definitely watch this interview since these ladies talk about everything from jewel toned clothing to makeup and everything in between!

What are your reasons for letting your hair go grey? What products do you use on your grey hair to keep it beautiful? What is stopping you from letting your hair go naturally grey? We want to hear your thoughts! Let’s have a conversation!

Amanda Batula’s Toga Outfit at Kyle’s Birthday Party

Season 4 Episode 9 Summer House Fashion

On tonight’s episode of Summer House the crew has some sort of toga, petting zoo, frat-themed party for Kyle’s 21st 37th birthday. And lucky for us, we were able to get the deets on where to buy Amanda Batula’s totally wearable IRL costume consisting of a white cutout swimsuit and coverup skirt straight from the horse’s mouth (Amanda’s, not the actual horse duh).

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Swimsuit in Many Colours

Click Here to Shop Her Cover Up Skirt in White or Black

Photo & Info: @AmandaBatula

Originally posted at: Amanda Batula’s Toga Outfit

While spending more time at home
doesn’t seem very exciting at the moment given our pandemic, aging in place is
still a popular goal.

So much so that according to AARP, 87% of adults over the age of 65 want to stay in the comfort of their current home as they age.

Unfortunately, that’s not always what happens. According to CDC, in the US alone, there are 1.3 million people living in nursing homes.

What’s more, nearly 10,000 baby boomers are retiring daily, which means droves of residents are anticipated to enter nursing home facilities as their overall health takes a toll.

And what that means is we’re poised to face a senior housing crisis (among
other reasons to avoid the
nursing home).

Don’t worry, though. It’s never too
early (or too late) to make improvements to your home to accommodate your
changing needs as you age. And what better time than now to address the
modifications you will need further down the line?

While you’re homebound and waiting for
something exciting to happen in your life, you can take the time to consider
which areas in your home will definitely need to be remodeled for your future
self. Get a pen and paper and write down what you’d like changed.

To help you out, I’ve gleaned through
the modifications offered by the home remodeling industry and put together a
few of the more popular ideas for you to consider tackling while practicing
social distancing.

Modify Your Bathroom

The first way to modify your home for
aging in place is to remodel parts of your bathroom. First and foremost, you
want to make sure showers and tubs are easy to access.

What’s the best way to avoid a
slippery tripping (or worse, falling) hazard?

Consider removing your tub altogether
and adding a shower without a curb. Curbless showers can look modern and
fashionable, so no need to stress about a stale design.

You can also install bars and grips to
help with moments of imbalance. And yes, there are sleek-looking options
available for those, too. Remodeling your bathroom for your future self doesn’t
mean it has to follow suit of the format you see in hospital restrooms.

The gist of it is to modify your
bathroom as best you can so it’s slip- and fall-proof.

Modify Your Entrance Ways and
Stairways

Another popular section of your house
to remodel is any entrance way or stairway.

The goal is to make your doors wide
enough for wheelchairs to come through. No, you don’t need to bank on being
wheelchair-bound if you aren’t currently using one, but widening your pathways
gives you flexibility.

Plus, you might have visitors who
would appreciate the accommodation (not to mention, moving furniture will be
less of a stunting puzzle).

Another option is to remove thresholds
and floor borders that could be a tripping hazard in your doorways.

Finally, consider installing sturdy
handrails that run alongside your stairway to give you extra balance and support.

Similar to the reason for modifying
your bathroom, the main takeaway here is to remove any tripping hazards and
prevent any bad falls. Which is an occurrence that happens all too often among
older adults.

In fact, one in four people aged 65+ falls every year,
and every 11 seconds an older adult heads to the emergency room for a fall. Not
to mention, an older adult sadly dies from a bad fall every 19 minutes.

How’s that for frequency?

The next popular home modification is
less about falling, but still a safety precaution.

Modify Your Kitchen

Another popular place to consider
remodeling in your house is the kitchen. The focus here is more open space with
lots of light flowing through.

Why? So you can have better visibility
as your sight declines. It’s worth aligning your long walkways, both indoors
and outdoors, with lights for nighttime hours, too.

Another helpful way to modify your
kitchen for aging in place is to design different countertop heights that
accommodate various mobility levels, which will help you access various spaces
for different needs (and ages).

You can also install pull-out shelves
for easy access to your kitchenware and items in your cupboards and drawers.
Because your kitchen is used on a daily basis, you’ll want to work in the
convenience factor.

Speaking of daily use, consider
modifying any place in your home that
you frequent the most – today’s final tip.

Modify the Most-Frequented Place on
Your Property (Including Outdoors)

A quick personal example from my
family to share…

My aunt and uncle have an impressive
jungle-like backyard with a long wooden (homemade, I might add) staircase that
leads to their second tier. Which is wonderful because it’s a great place where
they both enjoy spending time and landscaping.

But – I was taken aback when I heard
that my aunt, who’s in her late 60s, fell upstairs in their backyard. (She also
has occasional bouts of sciatica pain and had a previous back surgery, so I was
a bit concerned.)

Since the second tier of their
backyard is quite a ways from the house itself, naturally, my aunt couldn’t
yell for help loud enough for my uncle to hear her downstairs when she fell.
Luckily, she was able to conjure up enough inertia to eventually pull herself
up, but it was a scare nonetheless.

So, aside from carrying a cell phone on
her whenever she’s by herself in her luscious backyard, they need to do a
property-wide safety check and set up sturdy handrails in not-so-sturdy parts
of their house – indoors and out.

The moral is to scour your property for
awkward steps and prepare for any potential future slips. A simple home
modification can work wonders.

Modifications Are Worth
Considering

The good news is you don’t have to go
all-in at once and remodel your entire house to make it a comfortable place of
residence for your 90-year-old self.

As you continue to maintain and
upgrade parts of your home and invest in home improvement projects, consider
these three home modifications, which are mainly future safety checks.

A big benefit is you’ll be less overwhelmed
down the road because you’re being proactive and taking care of it now.

Modifying your home to accommodate
your future is just one simple way to work your way toward successful aging and
aging in place.

If you want to learn more important ways to age in place, watch this free workshop on How to Live a Purposeful Retirement Life. Purpose works wonders for successful aging and ups your chances of aging in place.

Which home modifications will you
consider in your next remodel? How will you accommodate your future self so you
can age in place? Please share with our community!