Posts by Rick Atkinson
Death of a Friend – Working Through Grief
Last Saturday, I attended the funeral of Rodney, who was a friend. Just prior to his passing, I, and two others who knew Rodney, visited him in the palliative care unit of a hospital. We had a wonderful conversation about shared experiences, common relationships, and memories. I didn’t expect our friend to die less than…
Read MoreRetiring Right!
Retiring right requires a sound strategy. And if you didn’t get started early in your retirement planning, the second best time to start is now. Hear my insights and advice on how best to plan for life after work. Listen to my podcast which is part of the series created by The Retirement Wisdom. Here…
Read MoreLiving Alone Without Feeling Lonely
Today’s retiree understands that retirement is about much more than money, and that planning for non-monetary needs is important, including the prospect of living alone. Statistics:– 4.4 million Canadians live alone– 68% of seniors living alone are women– 20% of Canadians 65+ report lack of companionship as a major concern– 33% are at risk of…
Read MoreWays to Reduce Your Chances of Fraud
Unfortunately, in today’s world there are many scams and frauds taking place – from charity misrepresentations and accounting frauds to computer scams, just to name a few. Extreme caution is to be exercised! If you are approached in person, by phone or e-mail to invest, send money, donate, or learn you have won a trip…
Read MoreRetirement’s Go-Go / Slow-Go / No-Go Years
Most of us retiring today will live another fifteen, twenty, thirty, or more years. Retirement could be the second longest period of your life. Considering this fact, I have a question for you: Will you create the best retirement you can, or will you let your retirement years just happen to you? One of the…
Read MoreHelping Clients/Employees Deal with Retirement Fears
Retirement is a time of change – the adoption of a new life style, being more self-reliant, and taking on new and different responsibilities. With such change comes a change for fear to grow. Have you ever heard a client/employee say: “Will I lose my physical or mental health as I age?”; “Will I have…
Read MoreHow Do You Want to be Remembered? A Gift to Family
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Perilles How many times have you wondered about your distant past? Where did your family originate? Who was your great grandfather or great grandmother? Are you related to royalty, a famous explorer or revolutionary…
Read MoreMen in Retirement: From Honcho to Shadow!
At retirement, one relationship that often changes is with your spouse or partner. In the early and middle years of a marriage, couples normally don’t spend a lot of time together. As partners, they are busy making a living, raising a family, and fixing up a home. In a recent survey, it was found the…
Read MoreAward – FDFS (Fellow of Distinguished Financial Services)
Many thanks to the Knowledge Bureau for awarding me a Certificate of Distinction and granting permission to use the esteemed certification mark FDFS (Fellow of Distinguished Financial Services). I am honoured. As part of my practice, I’ve worked with representatives of Nesbitt Burns, Faith Life Financial, Sun Life, Assante Wealth Management, BMO, and others. I’ve…
Read MoreHelping Boomers Retire – Why Bother?
Many times I’m asked “Rick, why have you spent so much time helping boomers retire successfully?” “You write books and articles on the subject, you facilitate workshops, you make presentations, but to what end?” My answer to these inquiring people is somewhat complex but to me, straight forward. It all started over 12 years ago…
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