Is Financial Health a Factor in Your Overall Health?
Data from a newly released Harris Poll of more than 1,000 U.S. workers suggests that a majority of pre-retirees might answer “yes” to that question.
Sixty-six percent of respondents to the poll identified their financial health as a component of their overall well-being. In fact, financial health ranked up near physical health (74%) and mental health (70%). Fifty-seven percent of those polled saw a relationship between all three factors, holding the opinion that their money, their lifestyle, and their health were integrated holistically, with each factor impacting another.
Interestingly, 75% of those polled reported that their financial goals and strategies had changed within the last five years. Three-quarters of the respondents also said that they were striving for “financial independence” as well as retirement.
Eighty-two percent of the 1,007 respondents said they believed there is no “single path” or cookie-cutter strategy toward retirement, and 88% believed that retirement looks different for everyone. Eighty percent felt that the traditional idea of a work-free retirement has become obsolete, and 56% felt that their financial future would differ from their parents and their children.[1,2]
Better Your Odds of Finding a Job After 50
For job seekers older than 50, the hunt for satisfying work can be tough—but with such strong demand for skilled workers this year, your search might lead you to a job you love. In a new book titled The Job Closer (recently the subject of a Next Avenue article), Duke University business professor and career coach Steve Dalton helps older (and younger) job seekers out with some tips for 2021.
To start, think about your best skill—the skill or ability you have (and excel at) that less than 1% of the people in the world have. You want your next job to take full advantage of it. Next, take a few minutes and write down every job you think you could do with your current skill set.
After that, look at your resume. Bullet-point it per job so that it presents your “greatest hits”—accomplishments per job, keyed to stories you can tell in an interview. Ageism is real, so exclude dates of employment and graduation—and perhaps your earliest work experiences altogether.
“It’s completely optional to like networking,” Dalton states, “but it’s not optional to do networking.” On the popular networking websites, keep the per-job copy minimal and readable; if you are currently unemployed, don’t disclose that.
In interviews, ask plenty of questions about where the company is going, its challenges, and what the company is proud of achieving. Tell a story about yourself, a “hero story,” for “the way to overcome ageism is to give people a story that makes sense about why you want to work there.” Let them know what motivates you, and you could motivate them into hiring you.[3]
On the Bright Side
Just 21% of baby boomers responding to a recent Nationwide Retirement Institute survey said the pandemic had complicated their personal finances, compared to 62% of millennials.[4]
Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. a Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Lighthouse Financial, LLC and Cambridge are not affiliated.
This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty.
Citations
1 – BenefitsPRO, June 15, 2021
2 – Franklin Templeton, June 14, 2021
3 – Next Avenue, May 20, 2021
4 – Christian Science Monitor, June 1, 2021