Blog Posts

Thriving on Two Fronts: Balancing Career Aspirations with Parental Support

Schlepping kids to soccer practice. Getting your parents to doctor appointments. Dealing with pressure at your office – when explaining why you need to arrive late or leave early. If this scenario rings familiar, congrats. You are officially a member of the sandwich generation. Not a good kind of sandwich, with plenty of cheese and mayo. The kind of sandwich where you are tightly squeezed between the demands of your little ones and your older parents. Everywhere you look, somebody needs your time and attention. Though you want to step up as both parent and child, the responsibility can overwhelm financially, spiritually, physically and emotionally. How do you answer the call with love and enthusiasm - without depleting your own resources? Check out these tips for navigating this rewarding but challenging chapter of life. Get Organized Creating a daily, weekly or monthly to-do calendar will help all parties involved understand priorities and time commitments. If your parents know you are obligated to be with your children at a certain day and time, they will be able to plan accordingly and avoid double booking. Sharing is Caring Now that you know where your responsibilities lie, it’s time to share the wealth. If you have siblings, get them involved. This is not a burden you need to bear alone. Monthly family meetings will keep everybody up to date on your parents’ status and you can delegate tasks. If your kids are a little older, they can help by spending time with their grandparents and helping them with tasks around the house or apartment. Said kids can also be enlisted to pick up some of the slack at home. Research has yet to prove unloading the dishwasher can cause irreparable harm to a teenager. Look Ahead Encourage your parents to assess their finances and begin estate planning. If they don’t want you directly involved, find a qualified financial consultant. The more you can help develop a realistic retirement budget, the less you may need to dip into your own savings to subsidize them. Eliminating surprises helps eliminate stress. Don’t Forget Your Own Oxygen Mask It’s standard procedure for the airlines to advise you to place your own oxygen mask over your nose and mouth before attempting to assist others. When expending energy in so many directions, it’s easy to ignore your own needs. But nobody can drink from an empty cup. If you are completely drained and exhausted, it’s impossible to be of service to anyone. A foul mood will make you snappy and impatient. It’s a lose/lose for you and your loved ones. Self-care does not have to mean a week at a fancy spa. It does mean taking time out to engage in activities that nourish and refresh you. Whether that means putting aside time to go for a run, grab a coffee with a friend, watch a favorite old movie or curl up with a good book for an hour, make sure you put that on the calendar too. The world will continue to spin without you for a few moments and the break can make all the difference to the quality of your life and your relationships with the people who depend on you. It's the Right Time to Rightsize If the root of family financial headaches is the money pit that used to be the family home, it’s time to consider letting go of the old and embarking on the new. Overture senior living apartments are the gold standard for retirement life. With resort worthy amenities, upscale apartments designed specially for senior comfort and safety, and endless activities and social opportunities, Overture is exactly what the sandwich generation ordered. Your parents, happily ensconced in a welcoming community of like-minded peers, will surely be less demanding of your time, giving you some much needed breathing space and peace of mind. Book a tour at the Overture community of your parents’ choice today. Once they’ve settled in, don’t be surprised if they are so busy and engaged, they have to, um… sandwich you in between fitness class and happy hour. Try not to be too offended.

Tips to Protecting Your Investments During a Market Downturn

If you’re old enough to remember Lucy and Ricky sleeping in separate beds, chances are you’ve seen your share of market ups and downs. You’ve experienced enough volatile market conditions to know the only constant is the state of flux. The part of the financial equation that has changed over the years is, well… you. When you were decades away from retirement, an occasional downturn was no cause for alarm. There was always time to recover. Now, the math is different. With less time to rebound and the absence of a regular salary, plummeting stocks can take a huge toll financially and emotionally. The good news is a strong, long-term financial plan, built for good times and bad, should keep the retirement margaritas flowing without interruption. As you consider creating a viable retirement plan, here are a few ideas for minimizing the impact of a down market on your retirement portfolio. Study the Numbers The key to continued solvency is knowing exactly how much money you can withdraw from your portfolio annually and still have enough in place to sustain a long, happy retirement. According to online experts, a common practice is to withdraw 4% from your portfolio in the first year and then adjust that amount for inflation every year after that. Of course, that is only a general rule. You can calculate a more precise figure by taking advantage of online tools or creating a plan with a financial consultant. Both can estimate the likelihood of your portfolio withstanding the test of time. Certainly, market changes will affect those predictions. If it is ascertained your savings have an 80% or higher chance of covering your retirement, it may be that all you need to survive a downturn are small adjustments. If that number falls below 75%, you may have to sit down and rework the plan. Strike a New Balance If market turbulence has left your portfolio out of whack with your long-term goals, consider raising cash by rebalancing. Simply put, according to the experts, that involves selling assets that have risen in value and may now be overrepresented and buying those that have decreased in value. The idea is to return your allocation ratio to its original balance. It may also be a good time to unload some assets that no longer match your profile. Understand Tax Breaks Consult your financial expert to be aware of any tax breaks you may be entitled to. For example, if you have any assets in taxable non-retirement accounts that have fallen in value, you may be able to take advantage of a process called tax-loss harvesting whereby you can use those losses to help reduce your taxes by up to $3000. It’s All About Needs, Wants and Wishes You know what they say: If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches. As you sit down to outline a viable budget plan, it may be helpful to prioritize expenses – with those wishes on the expendable list. Sigh. First on the list are your essentials – like food, housing, health care, insurance and taxes. Then itemize wants like dining out, entertainment, and travel. Last, but not least, it’s okay to write down your wishes, knowing that, if things get tight, they may be unfulfilled. Creating a budget under any circumstances is about as much fun as a migraine, and even less so as you slash those wants and wishes. But consider this: The key to life - and budgets - is low expectation. If you are realistic, you will not be disappointed. But when and if things pick up, you may just be pleasantly surprised every now and then. Rightsize into an Overture Community You can’t control the health of the economy, but you can experience the ultimate retirement lifestyle at one of Overture’s premier senior living apartment communities. Call it the one stop shop for your retirement wants, needs and wishes. Book a tour today and become part of an active enthusiastic community of kindred spirits who get you and understand exactly where you are coming from financially, socially and emotionally. Talk about bang for your retirement buck. The content provided is for informational purposes only. The information provided should not be considered as professional financial advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities or financial instruments. Readers should consult with a licensed financial advisor before trading stocks and/or making any investment decisions.

Exploring Old Town Scottsdale: A Guide for Seniors

If an annual average of 330 days of crystal-clear skies, and a backdrop of knock-your-socks-off scenery is not enough to lure you to Overture’s premier senior apartments in Scottsdale, Arizona , consider the jewel in its crown: Old Town – or downtown – Scottsdale. Merging the historic with the dynamic, and just the right amount of chic, Old Town’s nine districts create the beating heart of the city. Whether you are looking for entertainment, art, shopping, eclectic dining, or just want to whet your whistle and watch the world go by, Old Town is where the action is. The Historic Fun and funky with an authentic Old West flair, Historic Old Town boasts Western wear boutiques as well as Native American jewelry stores surrounded by actual historic sites. It’s also the home of the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers’ Market which is open every Saturday and features the produce of local growers. The Artistic Old Town is all about the arts. Two museums, Western Spirit, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, and Scottsdale Museum of contemporary art, showcase western art of yesterday and today. The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a lively and diverse season of dance, music, theater, comedy and films. The center presents more than 1000 annual events. Wonderspaces provides a unique 80-minute art experience that highlights the works of a revolving roster of world-renowned artists. Beginning in 1975, The Scottsdale ArtWalk is an Old Town mainstay. Every Thursday night, the galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way draw crowds of art lovers and browsers alike. You don’t have to go to a museum or gallery to enjoy the art of Old Town. There are over 40 public art pieces and installations to enjoy as you meander around. To make sure you don’t miss any, try one of the self-guided public art walking tours. The Retail Therapeutic Shoppers will want to focus on these Old Town districts. The Fifth Avenue Shopping District offers dozens of unique shops as well as restaurants and the famous Bob Parks Horse Fountain. As the largest shopping destination in the Southwest, Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall is home to more than 200 upscale retailers, a luxury theater, and a host of top tier restaurants Scottsdale Waterfront and Southbridge Districts, on the banks of the Arizona Canal are both popular shopping and dining locales. The Gastronomic There are tons of awesome dining choices for seniors in Old Town. To name a few: Seniors flock to the Old Town Tavern for its relaxed ambiance, live music and cool cocktails. Its claim to fame: Every hour is happy hour thanks to ongoing drink specials. They have an outdoor patio, upper deck and are wheelchair accessible. Tucked inside Old Town’s historic Craftsman Court, FnB was awarded “Best New Restaurant" by numerous Phoenix magazines when it burst on the scene in 2009.Since then, it has been called the “epicenter of creative Arizona cuisine.” Its chef, Charleen Badman is known for her locally sourced artistic vegetable creations. With co-owner Pavle Milic’s wine expertise, a meal at FnB promises to be an unforgettable culinary experience. Fans of Latin cuisine will love The Mission’s modern interpretation of favorites like tableside guacamole, duck confit empanadas with orange habanero glaze, and steaks cooked over pecan mesquite wood. Old Town Scottsdale never gets, well…old. Imagine living at Overture North or Overture Arcadia ,Overture’s premier senior apartment communities in the Scottsdale area and having easy access to this vibrant, energetic city center. Book a tour today. And don’t forget your good sunglasses. Retirement in Scottsdale will be bright - literally and figuratively.

Crafting Comfort: Luxury Amenities in your Overture Community

If you really stop and think about the time and energy invested in building a career, well…you’d just have to lie down. Immediately. It was both exhilarating and exhausting. But guess what? You’ve paid those dues and earned the right to focus your attention on that person in the mirror. That person who is now footloose and fancy free and ready to rock retirement. Lest there be any confusion, that person is you. Numero uno. At this stage of the game, it’s all about you; your choices, your needs, your fun. This is your adventure, and you are entitled to spend it living your way. Notice how many times the words “you and your” show up in that sentence? Are you getting the picture? Overture certainly gets it. With the goal of pampering and motivating active seniors, Overture designed luxury senior living apartments to set the gold standard for the ultimate luxury retirement lifestyle. Any senior lucky enough to call an exclusive Overture property home will surely say, mission accomplished. Overture is All About Aspiration One door closes. Another is flung wide open, letting in the fresh breezes of new beginnings. Overture is purposefully conceived to support whatever new direction retirement inspires. This is a reality created to enhance the achievement of your physical, intellectual, emotional and social goals. Opportunities for growth and enrichment abound. Upscale Apartments Rightsizing into an Overture apartment means enjoying the benefits of turnkey, stress free living in an environment that caters to senior comfort and safety. No longer bound to the overwhelming maintenance costs of a home that has outlived its purpose, you can now enjoy the best of all worlds: A state- of-the-art living space in which to entertain loved ones that allows you the freedom to come and go on a whim. Five Star Recreation Though it’s easy to close your Overture apartment and head off to a bucket list destination, you don’t have to get on a plane to experience resort worthy amenities. Overture senior apartment complexes offer up to 12,000 square feet of pristine designated spaces in which to stay fit, host loved ones, and enjoy interacting with neighbors. Sign Up! Each Overture community offers its own daily roster of activities to keep you busy and engaged as much or as little as you prefer. Sign up for fitness classes, enrichment courses on a favorite or new subject, or take a cooking class to sharpen your skills. Communities offer long lists of social opportunities like happy hours, movie nights, cooking classes and wine tastings. You will wish for more hours in the day. Overture is a Place of Your Own Each Overture senior living community offers a range of a la carte services. For an additional fee, you can customize your lifestyle with upgrades like personal training, field trips and handyman, pet care, housekeeping and transportation services. Community. Camaraderie. Connection. Though a huge part of Overture’s appeal is its physical plant, amenities, and activities, at its core Overture is about community. When you sign on the dotted line, you will be welcomed into an enthusiastic, inclusive, community of like-minded peers who get you. Whether you’re looking for buddies to hang out with or are hoping to kindle the fires of romance, the opportunities to create meaningful new relationships are endless. Overture offers a chance to re-ignite dreams that have been simmering on the back burner. Book a tour at the Overture community of your choice today. It’s time to turn up the heat and make this time the time of your life.

Top Stock Trading Platforms for Seniors

The good news: You can go online and trade stocks on your own. The bad news: You can go online and trade stocks on your own. While it’s super fun to sit down at the computer and play the stock market, it’s also easy to forget you are risking real money. Your money. Your hard-earned retirement money. So, the first rule of amateur dabbling in online trading is, well…don’t. But if you plan to join the ranks of retirees who choose to ignore rule number one, be sure to follow rule number two: Take the time to educate yourself by consulting one of the many online stock trading classes and calculate just how much money you can afford to lose - with the understanding that it could go either way. According to Investopedia, the classes below offer comprehensive education for beginners and advanced beginners. Investors Underground Udemy Bullish Bears Skillshare Bear Bull Traders Bulls on Wall Street Financial Edge Investing? Or Trading? Where the goal of investing is to hold long term assets to gradually build wealth, trading is about maximizing returns on a short-term basis, such as daily or monthly. So, if you are trading online, you will have to monitor the situation constantly and carefully to know when to make your moves. Zero Commission Most popular online trading sites offer zero-commission online trades for stocks, exchange traded funds, and options. Be aware this doesn’t eliminate trading costs completely. And remember, these companies have done their math homework. They know the lure of a “free trade” will entice you to risk more – and lose more. Now What? If and when you decide to enter the wild and crazy world of online stock trading, you will need a trading platform. Here are a few choices to help you get started. Fidelity According to financial experts, Fidelity is a great option for beginners since it provides a wealth of educational tools to help new investors get started. It is known for its low costs with a fee schedule that is described as compelling and transparent. On the downside, there is a minimum balance for some index trading and only two digital coins are available to trade. Charles Schwab Known for its vast library of evergreen learning materials, coaching programs, and regularly scheduled live training events, Charles Schwab is also popular with beginner investors. Its user-friendly, easy to navigate platforms are a definite plus. On the list of cons, you’ll find relatively high margin rates and no direct investments in cryptocurrencies. Interactive Designed for more experienced traders, Interactive is known for its international trading capabilities as well as its capacity for generating stock trading ideas. On the downside, the tiered pricing can be confusing. E*TRADE As a pioneer in both mobile and online trading, E*TRADE is a leader in developing a user-friendly mobile experience that features portfolio and risk management capabilities, deep research, and trading tools that serve investors and traders of all levels. Negatives include the lack of direct crypto investing and international trading. Why sit alone playing the market when you can join a welcoming community of like-minded peers and share stock trading tips over cocktails at Happy Hour. Book a tour at the Overture senior apartment community of your choice today. The future members of your Stocks for Seniors club are waiting for your input. Time to start packing. Those stocks won’t trade themselves. The content provided is for informational purposes only. The information provided should not be considered as professional financial advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities or financial instruments. Readers should consult with a licensed financial advisor before trading stocks and/or making any investment decisions.

Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Patio Garden

If you’re looking for a way to positively impact the environment, look no further than your balcony or patio. There is a world of glorious opportunities for biodiversity right outside your apartment door. Rightsizing into a premier Overture senior apartment community means you are done worrying about - and paying for - costly yard maintenance. But, you can still connect with nature and help protect the planet. The very definition of a win/win. No matter how small your space, it’s easy to create a welcoming habitat for wildlife. Fill a few well-conceived window boxes and pots, and voila! Butterflies and hummingbirds will find their way to you. And they will tell their loved ones. Follow these simple patio gardening tips to create wildlife friendly gardens. Then pull up a chair and enjoy! Know Your Space Before you begin designing your container garden, there are three important considerations: Light How much sun or shade will your garden receive? This will determine which plants will thrive there. Wind The amount of wind exposure typical for your patio or balcony will also affect plant choice. Freezing If you live in a colder climate, you will need to decide if your garden will be seasonal or year-round. If your goal is year-round, you will need to choose plants that can withstand freezing temperatures. Choose Your Containers The choices for plant pots and containers are vast and varied. Evaluate your space and select the largest pots it can handle. Try to work with pots that are at least 13 inches. Make sure you have adequate drainage, so plant roots won’t rot from sitting in too much water. Make sure pots are both durable and deep enough for plenty of potting soil and nice sized plants. Pick Your Plants The specific species of plants you select will depend upon where you live. Plants with naturally shallow root structures are the best choices. If you are unsure of which varieties are native to your area, wander over to the nearest plant nursery and consult an expert. Explain that you want a mixture of plants that will flower at different times to ensure a continuous food supply for visiting pollinators. Entice your little visitors with a variety of heights, textures, greenery, colors and, of course, aromas. For the Birds There are lots of nectar producing plants that will thrive in container pots and attract those delightful hummingbirds. Colorful plants, especially red ones, will get their attention. Large planters filled with seed producing plants will bring sparrows and other seed loving birds in the fall. Consider hanging a feeder above a container or putting it on a stake in the center of a container. Sunflowers, poppies, and cosmos provide beauty in the summer and plenty of seeds in the fall. Again, you will make choices according to your space and neck of the woods. For the Butterflies Those nectar producing plants will also invite butterflies to your mini wildlife habitat. You will want to include some large, flat rocks if the space can accommodate, a water source and some shrub plants. For Your Loved Ones The best part about container gardening is sharing it with loved ones. Maybe once you connect with your neighbors at the Overture senior apartment community of your choice, you can coordinate your efforts and transform your balcony into a wildlife sanctuary extraordinaire. Book a tour today. A warm welcome awaits you – as well for your little pollinators. If you build it, they will come!