Starting a business later in life

With continued volatility in the stock market and uncertainties about job and retirement security, many baby boomers are finding that starting a business later in life is a rewarding way to generate income and stay active. In fact, a survey sponsored by Yahoo Small Business in 2005 found that 56 percent of prospective retirees wanted to own their own business—more than four times as many who reported not wanting to do anything at all!

Starting a business makes a lot of sense regardless of your previous background. In your earlier career, you've learned a lot about what it takes to run a business — you've seen what works, what doesn't  and have a pretty good idea of how you’d do things differently if you were in charge. Well, here’s your chance. Learn from your previous employers’ mistakes, and run your business like it ought to be.

Starting your own business is also a great way retire without really having to retire. Owning your own business not only has the potential to generate valuable income to bolster your post-retirement lifestyle, it also keeps you busy and engaged. Starting your own business also has other perks like the ability to set your own work schedule, which allows you to better balance your work and personal life. Think of your business venture as a hobby with a financial incentive.

A common misconception people have about starting a business is that it costs a lot of money. However, with the advances in technology today starting your own business doesn't have to be overly expensive. All you need to run a successful business today is a computer with an Internet connection, depending on the type of business you’re in. Additionally, you can run your business out of a home office to reduce overhead. Having a home office also allows you to write certain expenses associated with your business on your taxes, another financial benefit of being your own boss.

Keep in mind, however, that starting a business isn't for everyone. You'll need to assess your own financial situation and risk profile before deciding whether starting your own business is suitable for you.

If you’re looking for a new home to retire to, and perhaps start your own business, Tribute Homes has a number of affordable housing options geared towards active adults. With several communities throughout South Carolina, you’re sure to find a community to match your lifestyle and budget. For more information, visit us online at www.tributehomesusa.com or contact us directly by phone at 800-381-2984.

Nature's Nurture - Calming Effects of the Great Outdoors

Tribute Homes is one of the largest homebuilders in South Carolina. Specializing in retirement communities for active adults, we understand how important it is to get outside and enjoy nature.

Being outside on a nice day while soaking up the sunshine and breathing fresh air is a great way to reduce stress. As Americans, we often wear stress as a badge of honor, but it’s not healthy and you don’t have to live that way. The effects of stress can cause problems with your sleep, headaches, irritability, depression, and more; all of which can be avoided with a little more time spent outside.

Studies have shown that being outdoors is associated with a number of health benefits. Apart from any cardiovascular benefits of exercising outdoors, simply “being” outside is better for you than you think.

The main benefit of being outside has to do with your body’s exposure to natural sunlight. Sunlight contains important UV rays and does wonders for your psychological and physiological health. Natural light stimulates your body to produce serotonin, Vitamin D, and has even been shown to increase cognitive abilities. Try it for yourself: make an effort to spend more time outside and see how your mood improves. Chances are you’ll be surprised how good you feel with a regular dose of the great outdoors. Be careful though, too much exposure to UV light can cause problems later on, like skin cancer — so you should be careful to soak up all those wonderful UV rays in moderation.

Being outside also gives you a sense of connectedness and harmony with the earth. We often spend our lives living separate from nature, but this is only a recent trend. Balancing your life and experiencing more nature helps you focus more on what matters in life: living.

Activities like playing golf, going on nature walks, gardening, or relaxing by the lake are all great ways to enjoy nature with your family and friends, and living in a golf community or lakeside retirement community makes enjoying nature even easier. Tribute Homes offers a number of affordable housing options in its retirement communities throughout South Carolina. A number of our communities have amenities like golf courses and boating facilities to accommodate your active lifestyle.

For more information, visit us online at www.tributehomesusa.com or call us directly at 800-381-2984.

The Boomerang Effect - When Your College Kids Return Home

Now, more than ever, college students are moving back in with their parents after graduation in a phenomenon known as the Boomerang Effect. According to CBS News, over 6 million young adults currently live at home, largely due to a lack of jobs, student debt, and high costs of living.

While having your children return to live at home after college is a relatively new phenomenon in the United States, multigenerational households are much more prevalent in other societies throughout the world.

It can be enjoyable to spend time with your children after college; however, you should set some ground rules from the outset to make sure the arrangement goes as smoothly as possible.

Set Ground Rules Early When Your College Kid Returns Home
Shortly after your child returns home, you should sit down and discuss some ground rules. These ground rules can include things like whether you expect your child to pay rent, how long they can stay with you while they get on their feet, and “hours of operation” to make sure they don’t invite their friends “back to their place” late at night. You might even consider drafting a written contract that details your expectations from your child, so there is less confusion if problems arise later on.

Since a primary reason prompting your child to move back in with you is financial, it may be hard to expect rent money from your child right away. To help overcome this you can offer to let you child work off their rent by performing household chores and duties. This can be an excellent opportunity for you to get some much needed yard work complete, or simply have more time for yourself to relax.

Additionally, you should let them know that you expect them to look for a job and that the arrangement isn’t permanent; rather, it's an opportunity to let your child get off their feet. Requiring your child to look for a job is both good for you and your kid, as they need to work on becoming more independent.

While there is no single formula that works for every family, the best advice is to be supportive of your child — especially in the beginning. It probably isn’t an ideal arrangement for either of you, but with a little time your child will be able to find their respective place in the world and hopefully remember your generosity later on.

Finally, if you’re considering a new home once your child leaves, you should be mindful of the possibility of your child returning to live with you. Planning ahead and purchasing a home with an extra bedroom or two, depending on your needs, can help make the arrangement comfortable for both of you.

Tribute Homes has a number of floor plans available throughout its retirement communities in North Carolina that can accommodate you and your child. If you’d like to learn more about homes currently available in our communities, visit us online at www.tributehomesusa.com or contact us by phone at 800-381-2984.

Living the "Retired" Life in Charlotte

North Carolina ranks among the top states to retire in. In fact, North Carolina is expected to surpass Florida as the number one retirement destination in the coming years, according the National Active Retirement Association. If you’re looking to move somewhere different for your retirement, Charlotte, North Carolina should be at the top of your list. To help you understand just why living the retired life in Charlotte can be so great, we’ve put together list of reasons that should put Charlotte at the top of your list.

Entertainment
Charlotte has a little bit of everything to offer its residents in the way of entertainment. Whether you chose to spend a day at the Biltmore Estate, catch a NASCAR race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, or simply unwind and relax on one of Charlottes many golf courses and lakes, Charlotte is sure to fill your days with fun-filled activities for years to come.

Affordability
In addition to a plethora of entertainment options, Charlotte consistently ranks as one of the most affordable cities in the United States. According to a recent survey conducted by Forbes, Charlotte ranked 6th overall in the nation, and other surveys have Charlotte ranked even higher. Low property taxes, combined with affordable home prices means more money in your pocket to enjoy your retirement!

Climate
Charlotte has a humid subtropical climate, and offers four distinct seasons throughout the year. Winters aren’t as harsh as they are up north, and are generally pretty short. More importantly, the summers don’t get very hot in Charlotte and average a pleasant 80 degrees—perfect weather for golfing and boating! With such a pleasant climate, you’ll be able to enjoy outdoor activities throughout much of the year.

Location
One of the main draws to Charlotte is its proximity. Situated almost smack dab in the middle of the east coast, Charlotte makes it easy to visit friends and families in both the north and the south. Additionally, Charlotte is close to large international airports that make traveling a breeze.

Economy
Did you know that Charlotte is the second largest financial center in the United States, second only to New York? Notably, Bank of America chose Charlotte for its headquarters. Companies like Lowe’s, Family Dollar Stores, and Nucor are also headquartered in Charlotte. While work is probably the last thing you’re thinking of going into retirement, the vibrant economy in Charlotte helps keep the city maintained and stabilizes housing prices — making Charlotte an ideal place to invest in for the future.

There are many more reasons why so many people enjoy living the retired life in Charlotte, and we welcome you to come visit and find out for yourself. As the largest homebuilder in Charlotte, Tribute Homes offers a number of retirement communities throughout North Carolina. Whether you want to live in a golfing community or have a house on the lake, Tribute Homes has something for everyone.

To learn more, visit our website at www.tributehomesusa.com or contact us directly by phone at 800-381-2984.