Category: Hair care

As you envision living out your retirement years, what comes to mind? Probably, like most people, you imagine being busy doing things like traveling, engaging in your hobbies, learning new skills, spending time with family and friends, etc. In fact, your vision for this chapter of your life isn’t a passing daydream, but something you’ve likely worked very hard for many years to achieve.

As you envision living out your retirement years, you probably don’t spend much time imagining scenes of being ill, disabled, or suffering from cognitive degeneration. While these topics aren’t necessarily pleasant to discuss, they are important to address – for both yourself, and your loved ones. Why so?

In this article, we’ll briefly discuss:

1. How long-term care expenses could significantly impact for the worse your retirement assets, retirement goals, and money you’d like to pass on to your loved ones.
2. Why women are especially vulnerable.
3. A financial strategy that is designed to safeguard your assets from this potential harm.

Long-Term Care – Expecting the Expected

Most retirees have spent many years saving and making life changes in order to set themselves up for the expectation of being able to stop working in their later years. In fact, it may be the life event that we spend the greatest amount of time planning for. For many, part of this planning involves saving up enough or ensuring enough life insurance coverage in case of the unexpected, such as the passing of a spouse.

But what about planning for the expected? Why do we consider long-term care as falling into that category? Consider this statistic of the U.S Dept. of Health and Human Services: Americans age 65+ will eventually require some form of long-term care at a rate of nearly 70%. Yes, 7/10 chances qualify for “the expected.”

If you eventually become one of the 7/10, what could be the effect on your retirement savings?

The Potential Drain on Your Retirement Savings

Long-term care (LTC) is generally defined according to the level of assistance one needs with the “ADLs”, or activities of daily living over an extended period. It could include assistance with cooking, dressing, taking medications, and supervision to ensure one’s safety, etc., or any combination thereof.

These needs could be due to a variety of different factors relating to both physical or mental illnesses or disabilities. These needs could be cared for at home, in assisted living facilities, or in full or partial-service nursing homes.

In a situation where someone needs such help, what are the associated costs? According to a survey conducted by Genworth, the national median annual costs in 2023 for long-term care are as follows:

1. Home health aide or homemaker services: $68,600-$75,500
2. Assisted living facility: $64,200
3. Nursing home; semi-private room: $104,000
4. Nursing home; private room: $116,800

And these costs are expected to continue to increase each year.

Even if the long-term care needs aren’t permanent, with the above costs in mind, it’s clear how even a relatively brief stint of needing assistance with the activities of daily living can create a significant dent in the assets you worked hard to save for retirement.

How Women Are Especially Vulnerable

The above statistics are sobering in and of themselves. However, women can be more susceptible to having to confront these significant expenses. Why so? A few factors play into this, but the primary culprit is life expectancy. It’s no secret that women tend to live longer than men.

Not only does this more often lead to women being the ones who are left to confront the emotional effects of losing their mate, it also means they are more often than not the ones who have to confront the financial effects. If a situation arises where they themselves require some form of LTC, they may be especially vulnerable because:

1. Even if they’re able to see an increase in their Social Security income through the Social Security Survivor Benefit program, they’ll still see an overall decrease in income.
2. Even though the loss of a spouse means lowered expenses, it still may not be proportionate to their overall expenses.
3. In a situation where long-term care needs arise for one spouse and both spouses are still alive, the one spouse can act as a “helper,” defraying some or even all of what would otherwise be a consequential LTC expense. In a similar situation, where only one spouse remains alive, this means that spouse is even less likely to have a “helper” and pay those expenses. Since men are more likely to pass first and, among comparable countries, men in the United States are the most likely to die an “avoidable death”, this means that women are disproportionately more likely to have to confront this negative potentiality.

Working in the financial industry primarily with retirees and those soon to retire, we sadly see these situations happen all too frequently. On average of about one instance per year, a situation occurs where one of our clients passes away far earlier than “expected,” sometimes within just a couple of years of retirement. More often than not, it’s the passing of a husband leaving his wife in the situation described above.

Single women can be especially vulnerable when taking these factors into consideration, not having that “helper” and not having an additional earner’s lifetime savings in the event of an LTC need.

Long-Term Care Insurance Can Safeguard Your Assets

Since many who’ve saved an appreciable nest egg for their later years won’t qualify for Medicaid’s LTC assistance, is there a way to safeguard that nest egg from being drained by the expenses detailed above? Many larger insurance companies across the nation offer a special type of life insurance designed to accomplish just that, called Long-Term Care Insurance.

Rather than having to dip into your savings and investments, LTC Insurance will cover a specified amount of those expenses. Some insurance companies also offer “hybrid” life insurance policies which combine the standard death benefit (payout amount) of a traditional life insurance policy with the ability to use some or all of that future payout amount to cover qualifying LTC and insurance needs.

Who Long-Term Care Insurance Suits Best

As with any type of life insurance, the costs rise with age and past health issues. Additionally, LTC insurance is more costly than standard life insurance. Therefore, it’s not for everyone.

Those who would benefit most from considering adding this type of insurance into their overall retirement plan are women who’ve saved up a nest egg for retirement and wouldn’t qualify for Medicaid assistance.

Plan For the Expected

In conclusion, when planning for the unexpected, don’t forget to plan for the expected. By doing so, you can gain peace of mind through safeguarding your quality of life in retirement, retirement savings, and assets you wish to pass on to your loved ones.

If you’d like to find out how LTC insurance would fit into your retirement plan or would simply like an LTC Insurance quote, CLICK HERE to schedule a complimentary consultation. A quick assessment will allow us to give you a professional opinion on whether or not LTC insurance is both feasible and recommended in the light of your age, goals, and financial position.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you planned for both the unexpected and the expected needs you will have in your later years? Do you think you have neglected the expected needs?

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As the years and decades fly by, too often we think of ourselves as “over the hill,” done with the fun and exciting things that life has to offer. By the time we get to 60 and then some, it seems there’s nothing much to look forward to, other than quiet times on the couch surfing TV channels.

What Brings You Joy?

There’s still a big bright beautiful world out there, and it’s not just for the younger generations. On the contrary, there’s plenty for all of us, at any age, to enjoy. But going forward, in any direction, inevitably involves change, and that’s where we stop ourselves.

Yes, I said stop ourselves, because the greatest push-back comes from what we say to ourselves, as in “I couldn’t learn that now,” “I’m too old,” “I wouldn’t know where to start.” Whereupon we sigh, sit back down on the couch, and resign ourselves to letting other people (as in younger people) engage in life.

What a waste. Frankly, we literally cut years off our lives by such self-talk. It’s been long known that optimists, those characterized by their hopeful and confident attitude about the future, thrive. Optimists not only do better at work, school and sports, they recover from setbacks more quickly and are less likely to become depressed. They are happier, calmer and generally at peace with themselves and life. Significantly, the research shows that optimists tend to be healthier, live longer, and age well.

A Different Way of Looking at Things

Recent research that tracked the lifespan of nearly 160,000 women aged between 50 to 79 for a period of 26 years, found that not only did those who scored highest on the optimist scales live longer, but that optimists were more likely to live into their 90s, which is considered “exceptional longevity.”

Betty Brussel is a wonderful example of a “exceptional long-liver” who refused to let the years in her life prevent her from engaging fully in life. At 100, Betty celebrated three world records she broke in the swimming pool: the 400-metre freestyle, the 50-metre breaststroke, and the 50-metre backstroke.

Quite a coup for a woman who only began competing at 68 after raising her family. Betty, originally from Holland, began swimming in the canals around Amsterdam, and once she moved to Canada, swam when she could find the time. But it’s only in her senior years that Betty was able to fully commit to swimming, which led to her winning medal after medal.

How do you get there? How do you develop an optimistic mindset that would get you off the couch and happily back into life? No, you don’t have to be born an optimist, you don’t even have to have been one for most of your life, you just have to be willing to adopt a different way of looking at things, right from where you are.

All it takes is asking yourself “What if?” in a positive and hopeful direction. For example, let’s say you’ve always wanted to square dance; it looks like such fun. But then you say to yourself, “Who am I kidding? Me, dance? I hardly know my left foot from my right.” So much for that idea. Back you go to the couch for more mindless, unfulfilling channel surfing.

Yet if you went in the direction of a positive “What if?” one more motivated by curiosity than by self-criticism, you might say, “Maybe there’s a class somewhere, where I could learn how to square dance. I mean, everybody’s got to start somewhere. Not all square dancers are born that way, dosie-dosie-ing from birth. Maybe I’ll try to find one.” You’re off and running. You used your “What if?” to get going along an optimistic path, instead of letting it drag you down a rabbit hole of dreary unfulfillment.

After all, if Betty had said to herself, “Competitive swimming? At my age? Who am I kidding?” she would have missed out on the fun and all those medals.

A simple “What if?” asked with positive curiosity, rather than negative dream-killing is all it takes to begin to develop an optimistic mindset, a hopeful and confident way of looking at the world, your world, which in turn will bring you greater health and happiness.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What new thing have you thought about doing but haven’t? Did you start something new and fun recently? If so, what?

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Let’s talk about legacy and our second half, and why safeguarding it through thoughtful planning is the most significant gift we can give ourselves and the people we love.

Legacies are long-lasting but delicate self-representations. Everyone gets one and, in most cases, everyone gets to influence the design of one through the special relationships, experiences and engagements we share with others during our lives.

Time for Legacy-Making

The most critical time for legacy-shaping, however, is during our Golden Years (65+ years) approach – the path 61 million people will be on by 2030, according to the National Institutes of Health. If a positive appraisal is important to you, then now is the time to consider how your financial, medical, legal and caregiving decisions will affect those in your inner circle – the people who ultimately decide how you will be remembered.

Negative experiences and refusals to plan for the future can reframe, mar or even wreck the legacy you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.

Receiving Someone’s Legacy

A few years ago, I was named the “person” for an older South Florida couple with no family in the picture. Unbeknownst to me, they decided I would make a trustworthy Power of Attorney and estate trustee should they run into any trouble during their sunset stroll. And boy, did they run into some of that.

I started getting cryptic calls and worrisome messages from their housekeeper about unpaid bills and unsafe living conditions – and worse. They needed help in nearly every area of their life – from bill-paying to liquidating homes to difficult and expensive 24-7 care. Two thumbs down and a million red-faced angry emojis don’t even begin to describe the experience.

Though woefully unprepared, I quickly learned how to fax POA documents and manage home healthcare, hospice support, home-selling, and – of course, how to find a home for all the stuff. Four years later, I’m still feeling PTSD from it.

This experience tainted and redefined my remembrance of the couple, especially the woman who had been my second mother for many years. She’s part of my earliest memories. An OG working mom, she had high standards and gave generously of herself to create opportunities for others. After the nightmare caregiving experience, those memories were reduced to angry reflections.

Now all I remember is all the multi-residence piles of stuff, the unfinished business, the refusals to think rationally and the wild stress that the entire last chapter of their life fire-hosed into mine. When I think of her now, all I feel is rage.

That is no way to leave a legacy.

What Kind of Legacy Do You Wish to Leave?

In Michael Hebb’s book, Let’s Talk about Death (over Dinner): An Invitation and Guide to Life’s Most Important Conversation, one of the conversation prompts is “What kind of legacy do you wish to leave?” This is such a critical thought! It is different for everyone, but who wants to pursue a legacy that is negatively charged, deplorable or so headshakingly painful no one wants to remember it?

A friend of mine was managing care and end-of-life care for his godmother, who passed away recently. As her power of attorney and “person” for all things essential during the past several years, he managed everything from her finances and caregiving to her medical and legal needs. Later, he was promoted to Stuff Director, which, as we all know, is one of the most challenging jobs out there when the client is a lifelong “collector.” He spent countless hours dedicated to this work.

Yet, when the end came, he was able to remember his godmother with fondness, penning a beautiful obituary that cemented a positive, most radiant rendering of her legacy. If I had to write an obituary after my experience, it would have been a big black Sharpie hash and 10 billion stab marks in the middle of ripped construction paper.

Reflecting Back to on Positive Times

I asked my friend if there was some relief in her passing. He said there was. He explained how he could now start reflecting on when she was great and at her prime. “There was a lot of good stuff overshadowed by lack of preparation and her overall decline. It’s good to get back to that.” That is grace.

I would love to have the same kind of reckoning one of these days, but I’m not there yet. Terrible, right? I’ll answer: yes, it IS terrible – terribly NORMAL. I’ve heard enough people with the same story to know this truth. Our relationships and situations are complex and different and emotionally unresolved.

Sure, there are bright spots, and yes, caregiving/management is usually based on a foundation of love and moral imperative. But it’s never easy. And sometimes it is steeped in so much muck, the best thing a person can do is to just walk around it or look away.

Legacy Is How We Live Our Lives

My friend’s godmother’s situation reminds me there’s one common denominator: how we live our lives – the good, the bad, the ugly – becomes our legacy whether we like it or not. Luckily, we have control over how we are remembered if we can dedicate ourselves to realistic planning, healthy communication and acceptance of our mortality as we approach our senior years.

We must protect the legacies we’ve worked our entire lives to build and refuse to let obstinance, poor preparation and ego reduce us to a pitiful portrayal of how NOT to be during our second half.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How are you making sure your legacy is fondly remembered? What steps are you taking now to plan for this outcome?

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When staying in a hotel/motel, when did we transition from having an actual person call your room in the morning as your courtesy wake-up call to now having a computerized message on the other end of the line?

Of course, with our over-the-top bells and whistles now available on our cell phones, many of us don’t even think about a wake-up call when traveling at all since we can set that up on our phones. But that’s not really the wake-up call I am thinking about right now in October, which is National Estate Planning Awareness Month (NEPAM).

Emotional Triggers

I’m thinking more about that wake-up call, or triggering event that happens in your life, that finally motivates you to take action on your estate planning. For some of us, it’s a tragic and unexpected event that happens to a family member or friend. For others, it’s hearing about others’ sad stories or unhappy endings of incapacity or death.

An example of that I will never forget is when I was attending a fundraiser luncheon, and I was reaching for another tissue from the box in the middle of the table. I was so tempted at that moment to raise my hand and say “Please stop! No more sad stories, I can’t take it anymore! How much do you want me to write the donation check for?” Emotions can be a great wake-up call and motivator.

For still others, it takes a gentle nudge, a phrase that hits home, or a moment of being in just the right mindset to decide to take action. Whatever your wake-up call is as it relates to estate planning, I hope this is the month that you take action.

It may be to review your current documents (trust, will, Powers of Attorney), organize your records so they are findable and helpful, revisit your current beneficiary designations and account titles, or finally get your estate planning documents drafted and signed.

Actionable Tools

There are many FREE or inexpensive resources available to walk you through the process of whatever you need or even provide the tools to help you get this done. For example, if you are looking for topical financial education (estate planning included), you may find Laura Adam’s newsletter or podcasts helpful at Money Girl. Or if you prefer a step-by-step guide to your overall financial wellness, Tony Steuer has a Get Ready Money Club with weekly action items on his website. (P.S. It’s FREE).

And if you’re like me and are focused on getting your financial house in order, you can find topical, life event-specific, or bundles of checklists at Mind, Money, Motion. And in October and April each year, I offer a FREE virtual workshop: Get Your Docs in a Row. Together we complete a net worth worksheet that also doubles as your estate planning checklist.

The Calm Before the Storm

I don’t know about you, but I prefer to think things through in the calm, not during the storm. My brain works better and I think more clearly when I am not stressed. So, thinking about and making decisions before anything traumatic happens is a gift not only to myself but also to my family. And with the increased prevalence of dementia, as we get older, that fact adds another “what are you waiting for?” dimension. Do it now, before you potentially can’t.

Dementia Facts

Estimates suggest that about 29% of adults 65 and older are already having difficulty making sound financial decisions. And like many diseases, the likelihood of dementia increases with age. So by age 82, there is a 50% chance that a person has dementia. And by the time they reach age 90, there is a better than 80% chance they have it. Indeed, what are we waiting for?

Choose Action

Like everything in life, we have a choice. Write a date on the calendar (or various dates) to set yourself some deadlines. If you need to have your documents reviewed, call the estate planning attorney’s office this week to set a review appointment.

Tell someone else about your plans. If you write it down and/or tell others about a goal, it is SO much more likely to happen. And my last nudge is to plan a trip on the calendar. Your mind goes to “What if something happens while I’m traveling!?!” and you magically get estate planning motivation. That’s the reason June is the most popular month for signing estate planning documents (before everyone goes on summer vacation!). I’ve even written an article about it, Before You Go… Ask Yourself if You Are REALLY Ready.

You can choose NOT to wait for a wake-up call on the important tasks of getting your financial house in order, including documenting your wishes in estate planning documents.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you experienced or witnessed an estate planning wake-up call? What sad stories or happy endings can you share for us to learn from? How can we help each other with this important and inevitable aspect of life?

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Ancient myths, far from being relics of the past, offer invaluable insights into the human condition. These perennial narratives distill complex experiences, providing guidance to navigate life’s choices, struggles, and triumphs. We may find striking parallels between our own lives as we age and the epic tale of Achilles in The Iliad.

Achilles’ Choice and Its Implications

Presented with a choice between a long, peaceful life and a short, glorious one marked by hardship, Achilles selects the second, realizing the inevitable denouement of an early death. His decision underscores the value of living fully, even in the face of foreseeable loss, and brings us to the brink of life’s boundaries, urging us to think about how best to spend our remaining years.

In our own lives, we also grapple with choices – whether in pursuing speculative career paths, dedicating ourselves to a passion, or making personal sacrifices. Do we prefer the comfort of security and relative predictability or, as we follow our star, the self-assurance that comes from directly addressing the challenges of venturing into the unknown? The latter certainly involves risk but offers a deeper sense of meaning and accomplishment.

Mortality and Acceptance

Achilles’ choice likewise underscores the ancient understanding of mortality: death is not something to dread but an intrinsic aspect of life to accept. With age we viscerally feel life’s fragility and limits. While we may not fight in literal battles like Achilles, we all come up against situations that call us to live with courage.

Acceptance of mortality, however, does not necessitate a passive attitude. Instead, it can catalyze a sense of purpose and resolve. Recognizing our finite time on planet Earth can inspire us to break free from complacency, develop our innate talents, and cultivate deeper connections with those we love.

Society’s Denial of Mortality

Our culture is inundated with media messages that glorify youth and beauty, creating a pervasive expectation that we should remain forever young and vibrant. These pressures can obscure our understanding of natural aging and its impact on ambition, leading us to neglect what fulfills us.

A prime example of this tendency is the prevalence of euphemisms for death, such as “passing away” or “resting in eternal sleep,” which distance us from the stark reality of mortality, making it seem less final and more abstract.

Furthermore, life-extension technologies often treat mortality as a problem to be solved, rather than a part of the human experience. This perspective can lead us to view aging as an obstacle to overcome, rather than a valuable chapter of life.

Though many seek to maintain their youth, the real issue is not in preserving vitality but in allowing ourselves the freedom to shape aging according to our own criteria. Ultimately, wisdom lies in recognizing our limits while honoring who we’ve become.

Empathy

As the story goes, Achilles, the legendary warrior from Greek mythology, shared a strong bond with his beloved companion Patroclus during the Trojan War. When Hector, prince of Troy, killed Patroclus in battle, Achilles was consumed by grief and rage, driving him to seek vengeance by killing Hector. Yet, after his wrath subsided, Achilles’ vulnerability emerged. King Priam, Hector’s father, begged Achilles to return his son’s body, and in a profound act of mercy, Achilles complied, revealing that even in his (and our) darkest moments, he – and we – are capable of empathy.

In other words, we can actively shape our responses and relationships rather than reactively allowing anger or sorrow to dictate our behavior. Achilles shows us that our imperfections can foster compassion, especially when we recognize similar flaws in others. This concept becomes evident as we age, when forgiveness transforms into a powerful force for reconciliation.

Living Authentically

For women over 60, living authentically takes on new depth. As our bodies change and time feels more precious, the desire to acknowledge life’s limits grows stronger. We cannot deny the constraints of aging, but we can learn to adapt to them. This choice emphasizes quality over quantity, not resignation.

In my 50s, after my children were grown and had left home, I decided to devote more time to writing, something I’d always enjoyed but had never prioritized. This shift led me to publish a children’s book, write short stories, and share ideas in hundreds of articles and photographs on my blog – all rewarding new pursuits.

As we grow older, ambition changes. Instead of chasing every goal, we find gratification in avocations that bring us joy. But remember: they do no simply appear; we must seek them out and explore the possibilities and hints life leaves us unexpectedly!

Conclusion

Achilles’ story offers us timeless truths that invite us to contemplate how we approach life and death. His choice reminds us that acknowledging our mortality sharpens our focus on what matters, appealing to us to live with intention rather than in fear.

Understanding our limitations doesn’t diminish who we are; it allows us to grow beyond superficial goals, revealing what truly defines us. And while safety and routine have their place, the real adventure begins when we step into uncertainty with an open heart. Achilles teaches us that a life shaped by courage, empathy, and authenticity offers its own form of heroic greatness.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you accept aging as a natural process or are you still in denial? Have you considered your own mortality? Would you rather you fade away or live fully to the very end? What does Achilles’ story teach you, personally?

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If you told my 40- year-old self that I’d be doing some of the things that have changed my life for the better after 50 and beyond, I would have said “No way.” So today I’ll share 7 unexpected tips that truly changed my life after 50.

It’s interesting how just one change can lead to other changes that keep helping you feel better. Take, for instance, author Barbara Hannah Grufferman. At the age of 50, her first step toward a better life was going for a walk. The next day she did the same thing and continued to walk each day – and she eventually started jogging. Choosing to adopt that one simple habit of running three times a week – rain or shine all year long – became a foundation for her whole new life.

My Story

My story is similar to Barbara’s. For all of my adult life up until my 50s, I was 10 to 30 pounds overweight and was a couch potato. My husband was a jogger and suggested I might want to give it a try. I looked at him in total disbelief. Me? Jog?

Well, the first day I tried jogging, I went exactly one block down the street and then put my hands on my knees as I gasped for breath. Two days later I made it slightly farther. After two months, I was jogging to the end of a trail near our house and two months after that I was regularly jogging two miles and continued jogging until my mid-60s. Now my exercise of choice is a good 60-90 minute walk every other day.

Ann’s Story

Ann Martin’s story is also my own and it’s tip number two. Ann is 69 and is now doing something that reduces her risk of premature death by 20% and her risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease by 30%. And these are whooping numbers in the field of health research!

According to a recent study of 40,000 people cited by Dr. Martha Gulati – who’s a preventive cardiologist at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles – the key to living longer is 2-3 days a week of strength training which is also called resistance training.

The beauty of strength training is that we can do it at home with no need for expensive equipment or workout clothes. Literally, all we need to get started is two soup cans and just a few simple exercises. In addition to reducing our mortality rate by that whooping 20%, it also protects our joints, helps burn more calories by building muscle mass, protects us against injuries and falls and helps control blood sugar and prevent Type 2 Diabetes.

And there’s one very important benefit I experience from strength training that I never noticed with jogging. That benefit is a major mood boost. Research has shown that strength training not only boosts our mood, but it can also reduce anxiety and tamp down symptoms of depression.  

We’ve All Experienced This

Tip number three can definitely change how we feel. And we all know it, because we’ve all experienced it. Although this may seem superficial, our hair and our self-confidence are more closely intertwined than we might like to think.

Several years ago Yale University actually decided to study the psychology of bad hair days and found that our self-esteem is highly affected by them. And we all know that our hair has definitely changed after age 50.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

So, what can we do with our hair to look our best so we can feel our best? Most hair stylists and experts agree that since our skin gets paler as we get older, we don’t want to go either too light or too dark with our hair color. We want to have some contrast between our hair color and our skin color but not too much.

And forget that dictum that we should not have long hair after 50. Many stylists feel that longer layers can actually be far more flattering than a chop that is too short, straight across or severe. In fact, most experts also seem to agree that going either too short or too long can age us.

But there is one thing all experts agree on: the condition of our hair can age us far more than any color or style. So if your hair is too dry or your split ends are in dire need of a trim, it’s time to show your strands some TLC ASAP. I’ve discovered a wonderful hair oil I’ve been using that’s done wonders to condition my hair.

We Can Directly Impact Our Genes

Have you ever heard that you can’t do anything about your genes? Well, it’s actually not true. Our genes do influence our health and longevity, and tip #4 is that we can directly impact our genes by what we eat. And there’s even a scientific term for this: nutrigenomics.

It’s a fascinating new field dedicated to understanding how food impacts gene expression. Gene expression is like a dimmer switch that can turn the activity of our genes up or down. We can literally turn on genes that promote health and longevity and turn down genes that contribute to disease.

Getting away from processed food and sugar and eating more nutrient dense food can help the most, but it isn’t easy. I was pretty much a sugar addict most of my life, but my diet change started by focusing on changing what I ate at just one meal: breakfast.

A breakfast that includes protein such as eggs, nuts, seeds, chicken or fish; healthy fat such as coconut oil, nut butter, flaxseeds, avocado; fiber such as berries, avocado, chia or flaxseeds and low glycemic carbohydrates like berries – can set our metabolism into high gear. There’s no other activity that we can do on a daily basis that has more power to change our biology than what we eat.

The Power of Nature

A few days ago, I woke up feeling tense and a little crabby. But the minute I stepped out under the canopy of trees on the beautiful walking trail I love, I literally felt the tension drain from my body. So, immersing ourselves in nature is the fifth tip for feeling fabulous after 50.

A recent Mayo Clinic newsletter pointed to one study which showed that exposure to nature can regulate the sympathetic nervous system in as little as five minutes. And stepping outside on a regular basis may prevent cumulative effects from stress that translates to lower risk for chronic disease, illness and mortality and can help us manage emotions like loneliness and irritability.

But what if you don’t have easy access to nature? Just taking a walk around the block and looking at the trees, listening to the birds and wind and hearing the crackling of leaves under our feet can make a difference. And although it’s not a replacement for a fully immersive outdoor green space, watching a video of a nature scene can also positively impact our health.

Why Are McDonald’s Red and Yellow?

Have you ever wondered why McDonald’s used the colors red and yellow on their fast-food restaurants? Well McDonald’s is one of thousands of corporations that spends millions of dollars on color research. It just so happens that the color red makes people eat more and the color yellow helps them eat faster. So tip number six is to wear colors we love since color definitely impacts how we feel and influences how we think and act.

And a site where you can find colors year around that are perfect for the undertone of your skin is Kettlewell Colours. I had the pleasure of interviewing the founder of this company – Melissa Nicholson – a couple of years ago, so if you’d like to learn more about her company, be sure to check out this video.

The Power of Makeup

And tip number seven relates to my profession as a makeup artist. Over and over again, I’ve seen the smile that crosses a woman’s face when she looks in the mirror after we’ve concluded a makeup consultation.

There are four things we can do with makeup that make the biggest difference in how we look and feel. Since more facial contrast means that we look more attractive to others, filling in our brows and adding blush and lipstick make a huge difference. And what makes the biggest difference of all is covering up discoloration and evening out our skin tone with a tinted moisturizer, concealer or foundation.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What changes have you made that positively impacted your life? Is there a change you’d like to make now? If so, what is it?

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There probably has never been a better time to become a published author. Just 15 years ago, your best chance of getting published meant submitting to traditional publishers and keeping your fingers crossed while you wait months for them to respond with whether they’re interested.

Nowadays, there’s another option: self-publishing. Instead of waiting around for gatekeepers to approve your story, you can take control of your writing career and publish the book of your heart yourself.

But before you plot your story or write your first sentence, there are basic questions that you must answer as an aspiring author. We’ll explore these questions so that you’re prepared before you dive into publishing.

Self-Publishing or Traditional Publishing?

The first decision you must make is whether you want to start with self-publishing or go the traditional route. Authors who do both are called hybrid authors, but you have to start somewhere, and the following should help you evaluate which path you want to go down first.

Publish Traditionally

Traditional publishing means the possibility of reaching a wider audience through greater distribution, such as having your novel in bookstores and libraries. There are no upfront costs, and many traditional publishers offer an advance against future royalties.

Publish on Your Own

Self-publishing means more creative control because you make all the final decisions. Your book will be published much faster, instead of having to wait a year or two in the traditional queue. Royalties are higher, and you retain all rights to your work, which means you can explore film, audiobook, and foreign language opportunities.

Who Are You Writing For?

Trying to write for everyone is a recipe for disaster. Before you start, you should decide who you’re writing for, and you do this by defining your audience. For example, will your readers be male or female? What age range do they fall into – middle grade, 20s, 40s, 60s? Understanding who your audience is will help you determine the plot, themes, and language to use in your stories.

What Genre Will You Write In?

Understanding the genre you plan to write in is crucial to success. Genre determines the type of story that you’ll tell and establishes expectations for your readers.

If you write romance like I do, you know that readers want a story that ends happily with the main couple together, no matter what conflicts arise during the story. If you plan to write thrillers, know that readers expect fast-paced stories, high stakes, and a satisfying ending where the good guy wins and the catastrophe is averted.

Can You Afford to Publish Your Book?

The financial investment of self-publishing cannot be denied. Publishing your book on your own can be expensive, which is why you should plan ahead, to ensure it looks professional and your launch is successful.

Traditional publishers cover the expenses of editing, cover design, and formatting and therefore take a larger cut of the revenue while giving you a smaller split. That’s fair, since they’re assuming the risks.

However, when self-publishing, you’re responsible for those costs. As a result, you’ll receive the majority of the revenue, typically 70 percent of ebook sales from the online retailers.

Here’s how your costs break down, based on a 50,000-word book.

First, Professional Editing Is a Must

Even if you’re an engaging storyteller, a good editor will polish your manuscript and ensure there are as few errors as possible. There are several types of editing. A developmental editor looks at the structure of your story, a line editor checks grammar, typos, and word choice, and proofreaders check for typos and grammar. You might not need all three, but it’s important to know what each offers to determine which editor(s) you should hire. Cost: $250-$1250.

Second, Make Sure You Have a Knock-Out Cover

The cover design should be visually appealing and align with the genre you’re writing in. If you’re good at design, this is an area where you can save some money. If not, hire a professional who’ll create a cover that captures potential buyers’ attention.

Contrary to popular belief, readers do judge a book by its cover. An unattractive exterior means getting skipped for the next book. Further, if the cover doesn’t match the genre, that will also cause it to be overlooked. Cost: $100-$500. (Note: Illustrated covers can cost significantly more.)

Third, Set Your Budget for Marketing and Promotions

Unless you’re a big name, traditional publishers typically don’t have a marketing budget for your book.

Of course, as a self-published author, you’re responsible for your own marketing and promotion. That could mean paid ads, virtual book tours, in-person tours, setting up your author website, and establishing a presence on social media. Cost: varies.

Finally, Plan to Format Your Book

You have to convert your Word or Google Docs document into an epub file that can be read by e-readers such as the Kindle and Nook. Print books files need to be converted to PDF.

There are contractors who will format your manuscript for you, but if you’re planning to publish multiple books, my advice is to invest in converting software. You can use a free program like Calibre, but software such as Vellum and Atticus pay for themselves after you’ve formatted two or three books, and their robust features make them quickly indispensable. Cost: $0-$250.

Conclusion

Becoming a published author does not have to be daunting. Through careful planning, it can be enjoyable – a way to generate additional income or fulfill your dream of writing the book of your heart.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What’s your experience with book publishing? Have you tried a traditional publisher? Have you gone the self-publishing route?

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The direction was clear. But I was unmistakably confused.

I glanced quizzically at the director. He nodded at me, not so much picking up on my confusion but more to let me know it was time for me to ‘be more feeble’.

This direction occurred when I was on set for a national commercial highlighting a new offer from a leading telecommunications brand. The scene called for me to be a 65-year-old grandmother driving my young grandson to a well-known mobile store to get three new smart phones with a discounted family plan.

Following the director’s suggestion to ‘be more feeble’, I proceeded to quickly interpret what this meant in the context of the scene itself.

An actor’s talent is in their choices. In this instance, the choice was simple. Embody a feeble old woman driving her grandson to a mobile store. Even though this was not in the original script, this is precisely what I did.

What did being ‘more feeble’ have to do with the commercial or phones?

Absolutely nothing.

What does this have to do with how women over 60 perceive themselves?

Everything.

This article and accompanying video are part of a new series titled The Invisible Customer with All the Money®.In this series, we will focus on how we, as women over 60, can begin telling ourselves a new and better story about what we can be, do, and experience through self-love.

They Are Calling the Shots

After the scene, the casting director enthusiastically came up to me. We have a longstanding relationship, as she has helped me get booked for other commercials over the years.

She said, “Joanie, you really are a magician at improvisation. Great job on adjusting to changes in the script.”

I thanked her and asked if she had any insights on how being ‘more feeble’ became the focus of the commercial, since it was not part of the original audition.

She took a moment to consider her answer and then bluntly said, “The ad agency changed it at the last minute. They’ve got the money and are calling the shots.”

10 Steps to Change Your Narrative

It’s true the ad agency and their client were paying for this, which gives them some control over the narrative. But what about the consumer with all the money? Don’t we have a say in any of this?

Let us look at 10 steps on how we, the women over 60, can reclaim our narrative of self-empowerment from decades of false storytelling in the media.

Self-Reflection

Recognize and appreciate the value of your experiences. Every challenge is a lesson learned, which contributes to the rich tapestry of your life.

Journal Milestones

Maintain a journal or a scrapbook where you write down life’s milestones, achievements, and experiences, celebrating every step.

Community Engagement

Connect with like-minded people who share similar views on aging gracefully and are openly supportive of self-love.

Engage in Digital Storytelling

Blogs, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook groups are ideal places to share inspirational personal stories about dispelling ageism myths and setting new narratives about life after 60.

Education & Workshops

Attend workshops or enroll in online classes that help you learn new skills and empower you to share stories of personal growth.

Inspiring Content

Engage with content that challenges societal norms about aging, self-love, and health after 60. Consider penning down your own articles, memoir or essays that reflect your unique perspectives on life, love, and aging.

Engage in Public Speaking

Offer to speak at community centers, schools, or do online videos to share your experiences and insights of life after 60. Also, start your own YouTube channel and share your insights and wisdom to inspire others.

Challenge Stereotypes

When you encounter negative stories or false stereotypes in the media about life after 60 don’t just accept it as fact. Question their authenticity. Engage in discussions that promote a more positive and realistic view of aging and love after 60.

Physical Wellness

Engaging in physical activities promotes health and helps relieve you of stress and anxiety. It also serves as a testament to the vitality and vibrancy of life beyond 60.

Travel

Travel as much as your circumstances allow. When you do, be sure to share travel stories on social media and with friends offline.

Inner Empowerment

Each of us have a wealth of experiences, timely insights, and timeless lessons that deserve to be shared and celebrated.

By taking proactive steps to narrate your personal tales, you positively shift your own mindset not to mention help change the societal narrative.

The key to all of this is to remember changing your narrative is an inside-job. Overwriting negative stories in the media is about your inner-empowerment. This means you no longer give away your power to any outside influence.

When you tell a new story about yourself, you’re reshaping your legacy and inspiring others to do the same. For you are not just positively changing your own life, you are also empowering women of all generations.

I invite you to join me in the video at the top of the article where I will share five additional steps to rewrite the narrative of life after 60.

Please Join the Conversation:

How are you rewriting the media’s narrative of life after 60? Have you been told to be “more feeble”? How have you responded to such situations?

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I grew up in Alaska, where salmon was a staple. I ate so much of it that I stopped appreciating all kinds of fish by the age of seven or so. But my dad kept catching it and cooking it, and I kept eating it – at least until I moved away from home.

Decades later, my brother convinced me to try it again. He still lives in Alaska and has spent a lifetime perfecting the first of the recipes below. It’s simply delicious and so easy. He inspired me to come up with a few more reliable recipes so as not to grow weary of this healthy opportunity yet again.

As you probably know, salmon is packed with essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and various vitamins and minerals. My physician recommends eating salmon or cod twice a week, in addition to a variety of other healthy eating habits.

Whole foods are recommended over supplements because they provide a range of vitamins, nutrients, and, in this case, protein. Including this superfood in your diet can contribute to heart health, brain function, and overall well-being.

However, the way you prepare salmon can significantly impact its nutritional value and taste. Deep-frying and charring are advised against, as they introduce unhealthy components to your meal.

Here are three healthy and tasty ways to cook salmon for your next supper.

Baked Lemon Herb Salmon

Baking salmon is a simple yet effective way to retain its moisture and flavor while keeping it healthy.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 2 lemons, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix olive oil, melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped dill in a small bowl.
3. Place each salmon fillet on a foil square big enough to wrap around it.
4. Squeeze some lemon juice over it.
5. Brush the olive oil mixture over the salmon.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then top each fillet with lemon slices.
7. Wrap salmon in the foil to close completely.
8. Bake for 17 minutes.

Note: Wrapping it helps keep it moist and cooks it evenly. I serve this with a green salad and garlic vinaigrette dressing.

Salmon Chowder

It’s a healthy, hearty soup that’s easy to make. What more can you ask for when the weather starts to turn?

Ingredients

• 2 cans of flaked salmon
• ½ red onion, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 2 florets broccoli, diced
• 1 cup corn
• 32 ounces low sodium vegetable broth
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 Tbsp white Miso paste
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp dill
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Add boiling water to 1 cup cashews and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
2. Sauté onion, celery, and carrots in oil over medium heat.
3. Add vegetable broth, salmon, broccoli, corn, Miso paste, garlic, dill, salt and pepper.
4. Rinse salt from cashews, add 1 cup water, and blend in a food processor until smooth. Add to soup mixture.
5. Bring just to a boil and allow to simmer for 20 minutes before serving.

The cashew paste adds complexity in flavor and a creamy texture for a soup that warms you from the inside out.

Salmon Patties with Tahini Sauce

These salmon patties are delicious on their own, but the Tahini sauce makes them irresistible.

Ingredients

• 14.75 ounces of canned salmon
• ½ cup dry breadcrumbs, plain
• ¼ cup diced onion
• 2 large eggs
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic

For Tahini Sauce

• ½ cup tahini
• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1/3 cut apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Mix well with salmon, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, and eggs.
2. Shape into patties. This recipe makes 6-8 patties, depending on size.
3. Heat oil on medium heat. Cook for 4 minutes on each side.

For Tahini Sauce

1. Combine all tahini sauce ingredients and mix well. You can add a bit of water if you like it thinner.

I serve these with steamed asparagus and a green salad, which never fails to satisfy.

By incorporating these recipes into your dinner rotation, you’ll enjoy salmon’s numerous benefits while keeping your meals exciting and tasty.

Remember, the key to a healthy diet is not just what you eat, but also how you prepare it.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What’s your favorite way to prepare salmon? Do you have a go-to recipe you’d like to share? How often do you include fish in your diet?

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