2010 SEP-IRA Contributions Nearly Due

Didn't think the IRS was flexible? Turns out that you have until October 15, 2010 to make a SEP-IRA contribution. A SEP-IRA is one of several self-employment retirement plans.? With relatively high contribution limits and flexible contribution requirements, it's one of the best options for the self-employed showing income. Don't procrastinate too much longer, however, as you now have less than a month to go!

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Can you take a Roth IRA withdrawal before you retire?

One can always take money out of his Roth IRA.? In fact, it's the only retirement plan an individual can tap prior to retirement without facing any penalties or taxes. (You typically can't get your entire balance with no payments due - only your contributions to date.)

Still, any significant distribution from a Roth IRA prior to retirement introduces some complexity. Fortunately, issues like the five year rule, qualified Roth IRA distributions, and the tax treatment of non-qualified distributions are all simplified for you. Want to learn more? ?A great place to start is Can I withdraw money from my Roth IRA before I retire?

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Golden Girls

by Jorja
(San Jose, Ca)

I think the funniest thing I heard on the Golden Girls was when blanche said she looked in her rear-view mirror and there was an old lady staring back at her...so true!

I just turned 60 in July and can't believe how hard it's been.

I'm healthy, in a good marriage, OK job, love my sisters, crazy about my kids and grandkids... but still having tons of thoughts of life... what I've missed, what I still want, etc.

I tell my kids to enjoy their youth, beauty, kids etc because life goes by way to quickly. I have a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer so I have nothing to complain about compared what she is going through and try to keep it in perspective... yet, the past keeps coming back flooded with emotions....

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Had to retire due to health, but sure didn't want to

by EJ
(Phoenix, AZ USA)

I was often asked when I was going to retire and my stock answer was "I'm going to work until they plant me".

I don't play golf, I have no hobbies and I loved my job working with homeless veterans. Now because of serious hearing problems I was put in a position of retiring at the ripe old age of 68. I had hoped to work into my 70's but it wasn't to be.

To make matters worst, my wife is still working f/t and has 4 more years before retirement.

I'm in such a state of depression even though there are things that I should do and things that need to be done but I just don't feel like doing them nor do I have the energy. I have been on Celexa for several years and it has helped but with this new round of depression the doctor increase my dosage from 20mg to 40mg but the problem intensified since I suffered some serious side effects.

I am in such a funk I don't do anything but lay around all day. I sure could use some help.

Dear EJ: I would LOVE some help with Veterans on this website. I wonder if you'd write about different services they can use.. help them via the internet! If you are interested, Please write to me via the Contact Wendy (to the left).

Will keep you in my prayers! You need to volunteer your Veteran experience somewhere.. in your community, or online (in a personal "veteran" blog or here on my website!)

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Retired and Moved from NY City to Key West, FL

by Gary
(KeyWest, FL)

Born in Manhattan, and having a career in retailing in New York City kept me in life?s fast lane.

I never would have imagined spending my retirement years living in Key West, Florida, the laid-back Southernmost City in the Continental United States.

Friends with a second home here invited me to visit them for a week in January, a welcome relief from the Northeast?s brutal winter. Sitting by their pool, under the shade of a bougainvillea bush aflame with fuchsia blossoms, I was hooked.

The thought of returning to the winter was so upsetting that I rented a cottage nearby and stayed for several more weeks.

I had no responsibilities at home, being divorced, no children, so before the next winter came, I arranged to rent a small apartment in Key West for two winter months.

The next year I rented a condo for three winter months. By the end of the third visit, I knew I loved the funky little island city where it was easy to make new friends, safe to walk the streets, with an amazing arts community, breathtaking flora and fauna and lovely weather.

Okay, so it?s in the storm path for half the year, but the hardy locals are willing and able to help newcomers with advice and labor. With proper preparation, and a little luck, I put that negative on the bottom of my list of why not to move.

But first I wanted to spend a tropical summer, so I did. It was humid, sure, and hot, but the famous trade winds always blew a soft breeze around, which made it bearable.

I sold my Northern home and bought a duplex in Key West that I could afford, not easy in an expensive tourist town, but the rental apartment helps pay the mortgage.

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Retired: Arizona Snowbirds

by Tony P
(Scottsdale Arizona)

Currently we live in Scottsdale, Az in the winters, spending our summers in Point Roberts, WA where we are originally from.

We have been doing this since 2008 when the cold winters and storms near our place became too much for us.

As Point Roberts is very isolated, we were nervous spending all winter there as if we needed help and it wasn?t nearby.

We originally rented a place in Prescott, AZ for the first year as we had friend of our living there, however we decided that it wasn?t the place for us. It was very out of the way and hard to get to, as well as I felt it was too small for our liking.

While it was nice to get away to a small place we missed to city and city activities. We have since bought a condo in Scottsdale and enjoy it very much there.

We choose Scottsdale because we wanted a more big city feel.

We enjoy the arts and culture and Scottsdale has a variety of museums and cultural festivals that we can enjoy.

It is also a nice place for our family to visit us in the winter as there are plenty of activities for the grandchildren to enjoy.

We decided on Az as our winter place because we have many friends who have a place there and recommended it highly.

We felt Florida was too overrated and didn?t want to live in a retirement community, but simply have a place to stay in the winter.

Arizona has a wonderful climate and a great church community and we felt very welcomed there.

I recommend Scottsdale to anyone looking for a winter place!

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Does SBI include e-newsletters?

by Fern
(Creston, BC, Canada)

I'd like to learn more about creating e-newsletters and I want to build up networking skills. Does SBI include building and distributing e-newsletters?

Wendy: SBI does it all... and I know darn well I'll sound like an SBI cheerleader here, but I can't help it.

The Action Guide (manual) teaches you all about websites... step by step, finding the right keywords, writing pages, getting readers, networking with other sites and your visitors, doing your e-newsletter.. and a whole lot more, including building an income.

Really -- this IS an e-business. I earn an income... so it's work after retirement, but it's also FUN FUN FUN (to me) and it's my extra retirement income too!

If you have any questions, just ask, or write to me personally using the "Contact Me" button to the left!

p.s. I started a new website today -- FUN FUN!

www.merry-christmas-guide.com

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