GUEST WRITER, HAZEL BRIDGES

Note from drb:
A special shout out to Guest Author, Hazel Bridges.
She chose an issue I don’t have experience with,
and would not have thought to cover.

It’s spring. Love is in the air all around us. Seniors are not immune to spring-fever and many adults find themselves in later-year romances. Some of those Relationships progress onward to house-mates or marriages.

Marrying later in life opens a new chapter filled with unique joys and challenges. Senior couples bring a wealth of experience to their union, yet they face specific considerations in blending their lives harmoniously. This post touches on critical aspects such as selecting a home, entrepreneurial ventures, financial management, and more, aiming for a seamless transition into this enriching phase. Discover how to illuminate these golden years with shared purpose and joy in the following article shared by Aging with Pizzazz.

Choosing a Home

Selecting a home that accommodates both partners’ needs is paramount, whether in a new marriage or a committed live-in romance. Opt for a residence that not only aligns with your current Lifestyle but also anticipates future needs, focusing on accessibility, location, and community engagement (since you both need to maintain individual as well as shared lives). This proactive approach ensures a living space that supports both comfort and convenience, fostering a foundation for your life together.

Embarking on a Joint Business Venture

Starting a business together opens a rewarding pathway to deepen your connection. It presents an opportunity to engage in a shared passion while contributing to your financial well-being. You may draw on previous professional proficiencies or a new adventure for both of you. Businesses like consulting, pet care, tutoring, or writing can be ideal for retirees. Identifying mutual interests and expertise lays the groundwork for a venture that enriches both your relationship and your bank account.

One Small Step Toward Your Joint Business Venture

Launching a business as a couple not only symbolizes a joint venture in life but also in your professional aspirations. A DYI project of creating business cards can be a crucial step in establishing your brand’s identity, and a nudge toward committing yourselves to the adventure. These small pieces of card stock serve as a tangible reminder of your services, encapsulating your brand’s essence and facilitating networking opportunities. (Networking may be something you thought was behind you, but now can function for social connections as well.) Utilizing the Adobe Express business card template free tool offers a cost-effective solution, allowing you to customize your business cards with ease. You can add your own text, choose fonts, select colors, and incorporate images, ensuring your business cards are as unique as your partnership. You’ve probably done this before, but perhaps not with your new partner.

Picking a New Hobby Together

Everyone likes to introduce a friend to an activity or hobby they’ve enjoyed before. But starting something new together might be exciting too. You both start off on the same foot. Maybe an activity like snowshoeing, amateur photography from your phone, dancing, or just playing a new card game like cribbage. New fun for a new relationship.

Enhancing Your Home

Investing in home improvements not only elevates your living experience but also increases your property’s market value if you ever decide to sell. Consider modernizing the kitchen (the one update that most experts recommend), beautifying outdoor spaces, or integrating smart home technologies. These enhancements contribute to a more enjoyable and efficient home environment, adding both aesthetic appeal and functional value.

Managing Finances Together

The merger of lives in marriage also means merging finances, which requires transparent conversations about your financial situation, aspirations, and the methods to attain those goals. Consulting with a financial advisor can shed light on these intricate matters, offering both partners clear guidance and ensuring alignment in their fiscal path.

This collaborative approach to managing your finances is crucial for navigating the financial landscape together, aiming for a future that fulfills both partners’ shared and individual dreams. Consider taking a community class or exploring the article “Top 5 Financial Considerations for Later Marriages” from Investopedia over a cup of coffee one weekend.

Navigating Healthcare and Medicare

Grasping the nuances of your healthcare coverage, especially Medicare, and optimizing it to suit your needs is paramount. It is vital for both partners to fully leverage their healthcare benefits and assess the need for supplemental insurance, highlighting the significance of proactive health management. (Just comparing Medigap and Advantage plans available in your area can feel daunting.) Such diligence in navigating your healthcare options is fundamental to sustaining wellness and fostering a sense of Security about your medical care, ensuring that both of you can enjoy your golden years with fewer health-related concerns.

Adjusting Tax and Social Security Details

The dynamics of marriage extend into the realms of tax filing and Social Security reporting. It means necessitating a thorough understanding of these changes to ensure both compliance and the maximization of benefits. Effectively managing these administrative responsibilities is crucial in avoiding complications and enhancing your financial synergy as a married couple, ultimately securing a more stable and prosperous financial future together. If you are not already in a later-year marriage, this might be a step you consider BEFORE deciding on the ‘big leap’ versus the situation of live-in partners.

Exploring the World Together

According to VisitorsCoverage, exploring new destinations through Travel is an unparalleled opportunity to enrich your life with unforgettable experiences and cherished memories. By engaging in both short local excursions and extended international journeys, you not only fortify the bonds of your relationship but also introduce vibrant dimensions to your Retirement years, creating adventures that reflect your shared curiosity and love for discovery. Who knows? Your combined finances might now allow you to explore those life-long dream trips you have always contemplated.

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Marrying in your later years is a celebration of enduring love and companionship. With careful planning and mutual support, senior couples can navigate the intricacies of merging their lives, ensuring a journey filled with love, adventure, and stability. This period offers a remarkable opportunity to build a fulfilling life together, cherishing each moment of this significant union.

Embrace your golden years with flair and confidence! Visit Aging with Pizzazz today to discover inspiring tips that will transform your approach to Aging.

Guest Writer Bio:

Hazel Bridges lives in Florida and writes the blog AgingWellness.org, concentrating on health and wellness resources. After overcoming breast Cancer at age 60, Ms. Bridges vowed to never waste another second. Every day, she challenges herself to live life to the fullest, and she aims to inspire others to do so as well.

Title picture credit: Image by Freepik

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The post Golden Years, Golden Choices: Navigating Marriage Later in Life appeared first on Aging with Pizzazz.

Originally Published on https://www.agingwithpizzazz.com/

Barbara Klein Blogger

I hit the Second 50 mark a while back, but have my sights on a different goal –much longer, quality living.

While I may have a ‘dr’ in front of my name, the credentials for this blog are the same as yours – I am on a journey to Age with Pizzazz, whether that is body, mind, spirit or just fun and learning.  It is important to me to share related information with others as well.

I currently live in Southern Oregon with my husband, Michael.  I have had the good fortune (well, usually good fortune) to have called several states my home: Vermont, New York (family home with various locations along the way), Massachusetts (a short stint), Georgia, West Virginia, Connecticut, Arizona and most recently (2014) Oregon.

I grew up in upstate New York to a financially-modest family and did most of my schooling there.  My undergraduate work was in education (music and special education).  I did post graduate work in music therapy (and became an RMT – Registered Music Therapist).  My master’s degree from The New School in New York was in Hospital and Health Care Administration – and also convinced me that along with wonderful advancements, much is wrong with our traditional American medical and health care system (at least at that point).  There was a year more of pre-med courses in the southeast and then a doctorate degree in chiropractic (an industry that also has its many up and down sides).

I often joke that I have had as many professions or jobs as I do fingers.  To live up to that claim, I will name some: waitress, low-level banker, music and special Ed teacher, music therapist, mental health professional, gig performer, real estate agent (for which I had a shot at being the worst ever), probation officer, chiropractor, author and consultant.