Tuesday, October 14, 2008

LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER 15 October 2008



25% EXPECT TO RETIRE AFTER 70

The recent study released by Mercer Wealth Management Consultants reports that nearly one in four people aged over 50 surveyed expect to retire after age 70.

However most expect to scale back their hours.

The survey is done annually, and has seen a leap in recognition that superannuation will not be adequate. Only 17% recognised this in 2005; now it’s 31%.

And almost three quarters in the 2008 survey agreed that they have not adequately prepared for retirement.

Don’t let that happen to you!

While you’re still working, you still have time to develop sustainable income for your retirement.

Ask me how! (Just hit the return button on this email)


PENSION ENTITLEMENT AGE WILL RISE

With politicians openly acknowledging that they could not afford to live on the single pension, the debate about all pensions is now on the table.

At the heart of the matter is that the government can no longer to afford to pay us all the pension, as to do so would cripple the Budget.

The original pension age of 65 was linked to life expectancy, which was eleven years a century ago for a male. Now it’s closer to eighteen years and of course women live a few years longer than men.

And there is a demographic bulge underway as baby boomers increase the proportion of the population aged over 65.

To alleviate the drain on their Treasuries, countries including the United States, the UK and Germany have already moved to increase the pension entitlement age. And others, including Greece, Italy and South Korea are making noises about doing the same.

So don’t be at all surprised when they announce that the pension entitlement age in Australia is to be increased.

Which of course is another good reason to develop your own investment portfolio to avoid any reliance on government welfare.

Feel free to contact me – Bernard Kelly - anytime on
admin@retirelaughing.com I’ll be able to help you explore your options.


38% RETIRE WITH MORTGAGE ABOVE $100,000

The recent Senate enquiry “A good house is hard to find: Housing affordability in Australia” found that 38% of households now retire with household mortgages in excess of $100,000.

Most find that they have to draw down on their super to eliminate this debt.

If you want to avoid this disaster, contact me – Bernard Kelly – anytime. Just hit the return button on this email.


PROFITABLE HOBBY – AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Here’s a novel idea.

I read about a man whose hobby is Radio Controlled Aircraft.

Now in his fifties, he used his skills as an RC pilot to create a hobby business in aerial photography. He specialises in charity golf tournaments, taking photos and selling them to the golfers.

His equipment costs were in the $2500 range and in one year he was able to recover that cost and put some money towards more advanced equipment.

If you need a website for your hobby business, go to www.valuewebsites.info


PROFITABLE HOBBY – PLUM PUDDINGS

Plum puddings in a calico bag is a traditional Christmas gift, but now they can be given at any time of the year –either as corporate gifts or as wedding keepsakes.

The production is quite simple, and you can build up an inventory in advance, however the packaging may need some thought. But start with the basic traditional calico bags and work up from there.

Pricing might be tricky – but one thought is to sell at four times the cost of the ingredients. The rationale is one quarter for overheads, one quarter for waste, and one quarter for profit.

If customers baulk at your price, just say “unless I make a profit, I can’t provide the service”.

To find clients, take a stand at garden shows or bridal exhibitions.

If you need a website for your business, go to
www.valuewebsites.info


MOST SUCCESSFUL HOBBY-BASED BUSINESSES

Mon Sep 1, 2008

LONDON (Reuters) - More than two million Britons who are in permanent employment are at the same time trying to turn their favourite hobby into a business, according to a new survey.

Commissioned by the insurance company Direct Line for Business, the poll also found that for 23 percent of Britons it would be a dream come true to start up their own business based on an outside interest.

The survey listed the most successful hobby-based businesses as fashion design, eBay selling, buy-to-let property development and web design.

Most of those surveyed indicated that a profitable hobby would be “fun” while a sizeable proportion suggested that such a part-time business would give them more long term security.

The online poll of 2,234 Britons was carried out between July 4 and 8.


Regards

Bernard Kelly
www.retirelaughing.com admin@retirelaughing.com


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