​You may be looking forward to retirement, but retirement isn't generally very enjoyable for those who don't have enough money saved up to live comfortably. If you're struggling to put enough money aside to do everything you want to do during retirement, it's time to get creative.
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The following are a few suggestions on securing a little extra for retirement. You might be able to work some of these options into your plan so that you enjoy a secure retirement and don't have to worry so much:

Even if you have a lot of money saved up and think you're going to be secure, surprise expenses can sometimes come up that can wipe out large portions of your savings. Events like car accidents or illnesses cost consumers a great deal and can sometimes quickly convert a consumer's financial savings situation from being ready for retirement to being set back a decade. If an injury threatens to wipe out your savings, a personal injury lawyer like Mike Pines in the San Diego area can be a great help in replenishing your hard earned money. If you’re not in San Diego there are great attorneys nearby.
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Properly insuring yourself to protect your finances is one thing you can do to cope with these surprise expenses. Also, investing in good lawyers who can protect you when you're facing a liability issue is important.

You've probably heard before that you don't want to put all your eggs in one basket. It's good to put your money into diverse account types so that at least a few of your investments end up generating good returns.
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Diversify your stock portfolio and try to build up a 401(k) in addition to your pension or IRA if possible. The more fund sources you have to draw from during your retirement, the more comfortable and secure your retirement is likely to be.

​Taking on a second job while you're young and energetic can be a great way to quickly boost your retirement savings. It can even permit you to retire early. If there is some side business venture you have the opportunity to get into that could be lucrative, you might not want to let the opportunity pass you by.

It's always best to wait until you qualify as being at full retirement age before you start drawing from your social security.
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Full retirement age is considered to be either 66 or 67 depending on what year an individual was born in. When you wait until you've reached full retirement age before collecting, you get 100 percent of the benefit that you're entitled to. However, this number can push even higher if you don't start collecting until you've reached age 70.

You'll be eligible to start collecting your benefits once you turn 62. Those who fall into the temptation and start filing at 62 will pay for it down the road because they're only going to get a reduced amount back for everything they've put into the system through the years. 
If you can continue working until you've reached 66 or 67, you will be able to rely more on social security and less on your own savings during retirement.

The more effort you put into planning things out and anticipating surprise expenses, the less likely you'll be to have your savings wiped out all at once. It's best to save not just enough to cover your retirement, but more than enough so that you can afford some unpleasant surprises along the way.

We’ve all been there. The coffee that spilled on the only dress we had clean for work, the run in your last pair of nylons. There are many fashion mistakes and mishaps that working women have to deal with every day. Whether you've been on the job for years or out looking for a new one, fashion for the workplace can be a challenge. Whether you are a corporate manager or grade school teacher, read on below for a few of the top tips out there to help you be comfortable and stylish.

Look online and you will find sites like Perfectly Priscilla, where they know that the busy woman doesn’t always have time to iron, dry clean and wash constantly. That’s why they offer many comfortable and classy clothes for those who are always on the go but want to look their best. As a busy lady, comfortable but classy and easy to take care of is the only way to go.

The last thing you want are uncomfortable bras or panties that ride up and are uncomfortable when you’re working or out on the town. When searching for undergarments, do a little research and choose the ones that are no muss, no fuss, and comfortable at the same time. You can even go a little unconventional and look at briefs. They aren't just for men anymore!

One of the easiest ways to ensure you are fashionable and ready to hit the ground running for work is to lay everything you are going to wear to work out the night before. Accessorize, coordinate and have it ready to slip into the next morning. The last thing you need is to find the pair of shoes you picked have a scuff mark or a broken heel right before you walk out the door for work. If you lay everything out the night before, you’ll know for sure that you are ready to go!

Likewise, packing a lunch the night before can get you a few extra minutes for yourself. Hit the snooze button one more time, luxuriate under the warm spray of the shower, or have that second cup of coffee.

Keeping the cosmetics simple is another way to look fashionable without a lot of rigmarole to go with it. Keep it simple with powder, a little blush, mascara, and some lip gloss, to ensure you are ready to go in no time at all, but still look like a million bucks. Being a working woman isn’t always easy but keeping the makeup simple will help and make you feel good about yourself at the same time.

These are just a few tips to help you be fashionable and comfortable at work. Following these suggestions will have you dressed for success and out the door feeling great in no time at all.

One of the more popular items on many retirement to-do lists is to take a trip to wine country. If this is a goal of yours, and if you live in the United States or plan on visiting in the near future, it’s safe to say California is where you’re headed. After all, the Golden State produces 90% of the wine made in the U.S., meaning there is no shortage of visitor-friendly vineyards to choose from.
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Here are some basic tips for those preparing for a first-time trip to California wine country:

California Wine Country specifically refers to a relatively small region near San Francisco, but winemaking is a tradition which stretches across the entire state. With this in mind, consider heading down to the Central Coast and Southern California in search of lesser-known vineyards hundreds of miles away from the fabled valleys of the north. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the gems you uncover by going on one or two San Diego wine tours available to visitors of America’s Finest City. The same can be said for those in Orange County.

It’s considered in poor taste to become intoxicated by trying wines on a wine tour. With that said, the chances of visiting one of the greatest winemaking regions of the world and leaving without having too much to drink at some point sound pretty low. Play it safe by coming prepared. Have the two major rideshare apps - Uber and Lyft - ready to use on your phone as well as the phones of anyone you’re traveling with. Pack a hangover prevention pill bottle to keep from spending a day of your trip sick in bed. It’s also important to remember to drink plenty of water whenever possible to stay properly hydrated.

California is a very big place. Not only does roughly 10 percent of the American population reside there, but the Golden State would rank as having the fifth largest economy in the world if counted as its own country independent from the U.S. Throw in the fact that California is also home to so many national treasures including the Redwood forests, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Hollywood, Disneyland, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and Yosemite National Park, it’s a no-brainer that California has a lot more to offer older vacationers than its impressive array of vineyards. In other words, it’s highly recommended for California wine tourists to take advantage of being relatively so close to so many wonderful things.

A series of historically destructive wildfires have swept through several parts of California in recent weeks as well as over the last several years. While the sheer size of the state means there will always be vineyards left, each fire tends to claim many great wineries before it's put out. Given this unfortunate reality, it’s a good idea to do your research on specific regions prior to planning your trip. It’s also a good idea to have a basic plan in mind in the event you’re caught in the middle of developing fire during your visit.

Many people yearn to visit the wine regions of California at some point in their lives, with most waiting until they’re in retirement to make the trip. If this is your situation, it’s important to properly prepare for your first visit, in order to be as safe as possible as well as have a great time.

​Everyday, millions of Americans suffer from back pain and other spinal conditions. These conditions prevent people from leading normal, active, and productive lives. It’s against this backdrop that people are beginning to realize the importance of treating back health.

There are numerous methods that can help you deal with a serious back condition. There’s, of course, spinal surgery and there are also treatments that involve prescription medicine. But a chiropractor should also be considered when you feel like you’re active all the time or  you’re prone to experiencing high levels of stress.

Chiropractors are people who specialize in treating back conditions through spinal adjustments. They help you treat the symptoms that are common in people who suffer from frequent back pain.

When it comes to finding a professional to help you out, though, you will need to find the right chiropractor. After all, you wouldn’t want to risk getting one that will make your back condition worse. Not sure how to find a good one? Here are a few tips you may want to consider.

​For sure, there’s a community chiropractor just a few blocks away from where you live.  Come to think of it, there are chiropractic clinics everywhere in the United States. Want to find a local NYC chiropractor? You can bet your bottom dollar that there’s one just around the corner. It’s only a matter of doing a quick online search or browsing the local directories for names and numbers you can contact for your chiropractic needs. Once you have a good list of possible clinics nearest to your location, you will then have to select the best one.

​Chiropractors, just like any health specialist, have areas that they are good at. For instance, if you want to know if you have any underlying conditions aside from a painful back, a therapeutic chiropractor is the best choice for you. On the other hand, there are chiropractors that provide straightforward services in treating various spinal conditions such as vertebral subluxations, which are known to affect motor-neuron functions in older people. By knowing your specific needs, it will be easier for you to find a chiropractor who can make sure you get the best possible results.

​Don’t just rely on the fancy taglines that chiropractic clinics provide. Instead, you can go online to look for positive reviews about a clinic. The best thing about tools such as social media is that it’s easier to know if a service is worth it without trying it out for yourself. Reviews can help you weigh your decisions properly and determine a clinic’s quality. But other than online reviews, you can also get information from people you know who have been clients to the clinic of your choice.

​Finally, the best pieces of evidence to help you vouch for a clinic’s legitimacy are the certifications and licenses that they are able to provide. After all, it’s part of federal law for chiropractic professionals to have a documented license of their practice. But what if these are fake? Well, you can investigate further by running a simple search with the right authorities such as the American Chiropractic Association.

After decades of working, you're finally able to hang up your work boots and take the hard-earned time off you deserve. Now is the ideal time to pamper yourself and buy those large-ticket items that you've had your eye on.

If you're not retiring, but a loved one is, finding the perfect gift can be challenging. You don't want to buy something that they won't or can't use, but you still want to be thoughtful. Fortunately, there are a few unique items that are sure to satisfy.

One of the best gifts you can give to yourself when you retire is the gift of a home remodel. Perhaps you're getting older and not as mobile as you used to be, or maybe you now have the time and money to make the changes you've desired throughout the years. Consider what you're looking for such as an updated kitchen or maybe even in the addition of a beneficial infrared sauna to help promote your physical health and wellness.

Because there are many people out there who prey on seniors, make sure you thoroughly do your research before you hire a professional to come in and start working. Have a lawyer look over any contracts before you sign anything and always have a contract before you hand over any money for legal recourse should you need it, which hopefully you won't.

What's better than traveling when you have no time restraints and no job to get to? Absolutely nothing! Retirement is the perfect time to visit the places on your bucket list such as Maui, if you want to stay in the United States, or London, for example, if you're looking to travel abroad.

If you're gifting a trip, make sure it's somewhere your parents or grandparents want to go. Try not to book a trip that comes with a rigid itinerary as that takes out the spontaneity and freedom for the recipient to explore on their own. It's okay to include a few gift cards for a popular restaurant or destination attraction, but leave the daily scheduling up to them. Another great thing to include with the tickets is a travel journal, so they can record all of their destinations and experiences.

Now, this definitely may seem like stepping outside the box, but chances are the retiree has been limited to a specific wardrobe for work purposes. A new wardrobe is one way to celebrate retirement. Donate the career wear to local charities and build up your new arsenal that shows off the new you. Whether it's polo shirts and khakis for the golf courses or one of those colorful plus-size dresses for women that's perfect for afternoon tea, the point is to have fun and let loose and stop letting people dictate your dress code.

Retiring is fun, but with it comes a lot of free time and this is where thoughtful gifts really make the difference. Step outside of the box and really make it count whether you're buying it for yourself or your loved one.

​With the holidays just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about gift ideas for everyone on your list. Although some people are a breeze to shop for, other loved ones on your list may require more thought. As many older parents know, shopping for your children when they were younger was a lot easier than finding gifts now that they are adults.

If your grown-up son or daughter happens to be married, one easy way to tackle that problem is to focus on the shared interests of your married children and build their gifts around a theme. For example, if your son and his wife have shown an affinity for collecting antiques, a good idea would be to buy them matching antique porcelain collectibles. If the gift idea goes over well, this could be something that you make into a tradition and carry through for many holidays to come.

If your daughter and her husband are outdoor enthusiasts, you can focus on gifts that they will find both practical and entertaining. This is also an easy way to work in a theme of matching gifts for your married children. For example, if they love being on the water, you could do a his-and-her gift set of brand-new paddle board paddles for him and a premium beach umbrella for her. Although they will both get their own individual gift to enjoy on their own time, they can also use the gifts together as a couple.

Even a mini vacation to an outdoor destination will delight those family members who truly love connecting with Mother Nature. The possibilities are endless if you think outside of the box and focus on the things that bring the people on your list the most joy in life.

For those pop culture fans in your life, a good his-and-her gift idea would be a movie night gift box. This is easy to put together and will bring the entire family enjoyment long after the holidays are over. You can appeal to both of their tastes by choosing one chick flick and one more masculine film. Finish off the gift basket with specialty popcorn and candy and you will have a gift that they both will love.

Food is also a good pick for his-and-her themed gifts. The key is to pick a culinary theme that appeals to both people. For example, if they both love Italian cuisine, then you can stock a gift basket with different types of pasta, gourmet sauces, a few bottles of wine, and all of the fixings. Top it all off with a cookbook detailing a variety of Italian recipes to get the budding chefs started. Not only is this a practical gift, but it will also bring the couple enjoyment as they prepare the food and spend quality time in the kitchen together.

With a little creativity and careful examination of the interests of your loved ones, you can be sure that all of your gifts will be a hit this holiday season. It will be obvious to the recipient that you put a lot of thought and love into choosing the best gifts for all of their shared interests.