Exit Strategy
The theme for yesterday’s Evening Cafe (Facing Age-Related Changes) was “exit strategy”. It was a great starting place for our small gathering to delve into the areas we are looking at as options going forward.
Harriet has already made a commitment to her new business, which incorporates a lot of what she already knew from her experience in grant writing, fund raising and working with non-profits. Jean is on the brink of taking a new direction in her life. She has a passion for color, color analysis and therapy and has even obtained a certificate in it. Her challenge is how to make money building a business around something she loves. And Irene has a million great ideas and needs to sort them out according to what will motivate her long term and where she’ll be able to make money most easily.
Exit strategy for all of us means finding a way to continue to thrive despite the challenges we face at this age.
Several resources which can be helpful for us, and others our age, were mentioned. Here’s the ones I made note of.
Coming of Age, http://comingofage.org
The Transition Network, http://thetransitionnetwork.org
PESID, People Empowering Seniors Independence & Dignity, http://www.meetup.com/PESID-people-empowering-seniors-independence-dignity/.
It seemed like there was some very good possible synergy that came out of our discussion. I do hope you will follow-up with each other. You just never know what might develop.
In September our Morning Café will take place on Monday, September 12th from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Our theme for this meeting will be “relationships”. The web page can be viewed at http://www.primestrategies.com/age-related_changes.htm. And the next Evening Café will be Thursday, September 22nd, 7 – 8:30 p.m. The planned theme for this one will be “love and sex”. Make note of these on your calendar and plan to attend if you can.
Freedom from Debt
In talking with a colleague today our conversation came to some of the changes that are going on in our lives. One of the most important things that has happened to her in the past year is paying off a huge financial debt. She said she paid it off over a four year period, which seems quite short for a big amount. When I asked her how she managed to pay off such a big debt so quickly she said she had to make major lifestyle changes. She moved from one apartment to another, saving $500/mo. in rent. She held off buying anything she didn’t need and became aware of the cost of everything.
What also happened is she started being more true to herself in the kinds of clients she was working with. As a result she has been able to attract more of the right clients, many of whom are well-to-do and can pay her fees.
She said she’s been debt free since March and the feeling of “freedom” has really allowed her to flourish.
If you’ve had a freedom from debt experience I invite you to share it here.