Christmas has come and gone. The presents have long been stored away in a closet or taken back to the store and returned. The last of the Christmas cookies and candy have disappeared and the decorations are safe in their boxes for another year. While it is already well into January as I write this, …more

When meeting with clients and preparing financial plans, long-term care, or “facing incapacity,” is by far the most difficult subject to bring up. Clients seem to have little difficulty facing their own mortality and preparing to provide for survivors after they are gone. Bring up long-term care, including the possibility of needing help with daily …more

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I have been asked to speak to a group of aspiring authors about lessons I have learned since I began my writing journey over a decade ago. The mistakes made and a few successes while researching, writing, publishing, and marketing five books, four nonfiction and one novel, have taught me a lot. And I have …more

When you work in the agri-business field, people just naturally expect you to be a walking Wikipedia when it comes to farm related matters. I receive at least a dozen calls a day from people asking for advice on topics ranging from growing peanuts to how many bones are in a chicken’s neck. Another thing …more

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Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel, then having it become a best seller and maybe even a blockbuster movie? Well, that was my husband Ned’s expectation since I spent my career as a writer and editor for popular newsstand magazines. When you retire, you could have more time, and you may want to …more

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At this time of year, it’s almost impossible to have a conversation without hearing about someone’s New Year’s resolutions. “New Year, New You!” articles and seminars abound, and if you’re not making commitments to change at least one bad habit or unhealthy behavior, you may feel as if the entire world is going to get …more

Growing up in a small town in Nebraska, there were only two things to do on the weekends: play baseball and go to the movies. I enjoyed both, so I kept busy each weekend. When baseball season was over the movies were available from 1 p.m. to late at night. It was not unusual to …more

Are you already a volunteer? Perhaps you help out with a church group or at a school canteen? If you are not being paid, you are indeed a volunteer, even if you haven’t been given that specific title. Maybe you’re already officially one of the 23% of people aged over 65 who volunteer in the …more

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