For coffee lovers, there is nothing better than the smell of freshly ground beans in preparation for a satisfying cup of java. A fragrant aroma fills the room as the brew trickles through the filter, requiring real self control to not tip the pot just a bit to steal a cup before the process is complete. But that patience pays off when you nestle in your hands that steamy, rich mug of dark wonderfulness and savor the first sip. Preparation along with the proper ingredients, patience, and a commitment to the end result can make baristas of us all. That same strategy of preparing and planning using the right equipment and ingredients can apply to living a fulfilling retirement:

Good coffee takes effort. Living a meaningful retirement also requires considerable foresight. Few of us are born with an innate ability to make the perfect cup of coffee right off the bat. We need to find just the right beans for our personal taste, decide if we prefer drip or espresso, determine the ideal grind, and learn the right amount of milk to add. It takes practice, a bit of trial and error, and we need to stick with it to get it just right. If we dont plan ahead, we may end up with a passable brew, but not the best cup possible.

Just as we sample different coffee beans to find out what we like best, we should experiment with and pursue different passions in retirement. Possibilities that intrigued us at a time in our life when we could not chase them are now ready to be explored. If one retirement goal does not work out as we would have liked, we can try another. And just as our tastes in coffee can change over time, we should also be prepared to shift gears in retired life to pursue new passions that excite and inspire us.

We look forward each day to a fresh cup of perfect coffee. There is nothing better than the first cup of coffee in the morning. Our anticipation helps get us out of bed, and once we are sipping our beverage, we feel ready to undertake the day. Living a fulfilling retirement is similarly empowering when we have things to do that we are passionate about. We cannot wait to get out of bed and start the day knowing that we love what we will be doing. With this inspiration waiting, we can look forward to each day and all that it has to offer.

The right coffee beans and equipment are key. Fresh, good-quality beans, crystal clear water, and the right grind for the cup you desire help you realize the best results. Retirees also need the right ingredients to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Good mental and physical health are essential. A positive outlook and optimism about the future will also considerably improve your retirement years. Stir in your passions to inspire your retirement years. All of the right ingredients can combine to give you the perfect retirement environment that is both relaxing and meaningful.

If the cup gets a bit cold, you need to heat things up. Getting the most out of retired life requires us to sometimes step outside of our comfort zone to stir things up a bit. We may be happy with the status quo for the moment, but boredom can also creep into your retirement years. Adding some variety can help boost the excitement level. Who wants to drink a cold cup of coffee or live a boring predictable retirement? To heat up your retired life, be creative and take a chance at something you have never done before.

Dave Bernard is the author of Are You Just Existing and Calling it a Life?, which offers guidelines to discover your personal passion and live a life of purpose. Not yet retired, Dave has begun his due diligence to plan for a fulfilling retirement. With a focus on the non-financial aspects of retiring, he shares his discoveries and insights on his blog RetirementOnly the Beginning.

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The Perfect Brew for a Fulfilling Retirement

The state of Americans retirement accounts is dismal is how ConvergEx's Nick Colas begins his critically important-to-read note on the reality that millions face. According to an early 2012 study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, Colas notes only 58% of us are currently saving money for retirement and 60% of those that are have less than $25,000. Thirty percent have less than $1,000. Needless to say, its a far cry from the 8x-10x final earnings suggested by most retirement planners. So why are we so far behind? Americans arent exactly known for impressive savings habits, but that alone does not explain our poor preparation for retirement. Rather, a general lack of financial literacy, including basic understandings of savings growth and retirement income needs, superseding financial obligations, and basic behavioral finance biases keep us from putting cash away. But if we keep up at this pace, you can expect the ongoing political debate about Social Security to take on new and more strident tones.

Via Nick Colas (and Sarah Miller) of ConvergEx: Hope I Die Before I Get Old

Note From Nick: I dont remember anything about being 23. Or 24. Or, well, you get the idea. But understanding the financial decision making of this cohort is a useful exercise, especially when it comes to investing for retirement. Happily, Sarah is in the thick of these decisions and is, in fact, 23. It is pretty easy to see the long shadow of an important social problem from her narrative. If you think the debate over Social Security is raging now, just wait a few years. And now, over to Sarah

Ive been at ConvergEx for just over a year now, and Im happy to say Ive survived 12 months at my first job in the real world after college. Id like to think Im a bit smarter than I was when I walked in here last year. When I was given the employee handbook with all the options for healthcare, restaurant discounts, and pre-tax transportation contributions, I admit I had no idea what to choose. So I did what any 22-year-old Millennial child would have done: I called my parents. I figured my mother, who works in healthcare, and my father, the finance professional, would be the best advisors for these kinds of decisions.

After deciding on my options for healthcare and transportation, we finally came to the 401k something I had certainly heard of, but never really confronted. At 22, retirement savings was nowhere near the top of my priority list; and having just moved into New York City, I was not keen to tuck away part of my paycheck that could have been redirected towards some other expense. After all, wouldnt that money serve me so much better as a new pair of boots than it would in some account? Part of me is still inclined to say YES!. But knowing my parents probably knew more about this than I did, I followed their advice and put a whopping 1% of my paycheck towards the 401k.

Little did I know that only one year into my employment, at the age of 23, I would be farther ahead in my retirement savings plan than millions of American workers. According to a March 2012 survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute for retirement confidence, the majority of Americans are vastly underprepared for retirement, with very few savings or even none at all. A few key takeaways from the report, which can be found here:

But why the lack of preparation? Several complementary reasons might reveal the answer:

1. Lack of financial literacy. Americans on the whole are not versed in the ways of financial planning. A study by Lusardi and Mitchell in 2005 found that less than half of a sample of US adults 50 and older was able to answer simple questions about inflation and compounding interest. Another study, by McKensie and Liersch in 2011, showed that a majority of adults misunderstood savings growth: they expected it grew linearly rather than exponentially, therefore underestimating the potential return a small investment could have over several years. When exponential growth of savings was demonstrated, real employees chose to save more for retirement (see the study here). To top it all off, 34% of those surveyed by the EBRI estimated they needed less than $250,000 to retire.

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Retirement: The Scary Numbers Behind The Soothing Lies

When it comes to retirement readiness, most of us dont feel adequately prepared.

The number of Americans who report making financial preparations for retirement dropped to 70% in 2012, the lowest level in three years, according to Ameriprise Financial's 2012 City Pulse Index. While 63% of respondents report having set money aside for retirement, only 37% feel on track for retirement.

The study, which examined consumer retirement planning in the 30 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, highlights why would-be retirees are staying in the labor market longer to help shore up their nest eggs.

People are going to need to make more provisions to take care of themselves, not less. The whole issue is having adequate cash inflows during retirement to live the lifestyle that an individual wants, says Mark Lee, a certified public accountant with Business Legacy Consulting in Massachusetts.

The survey found that the country's most prepared and retirement-confident residents reside in Hartford-New Haven, Conn.; San Diego; and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The least prepared cities are Indianapolis, Charlotte and Washington, D.C.

The findings come at a time when rising costs of health care, Social Security, taxes and Medicare are pinnacle issues on the presidential campaign trail. In fact, all these topics were discussed at length in the first presidential debate.

More than half of survey responders indicated that President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney's positions on these topics were very likely to influence their vote. More than one- quarter said Social Security and health care changes would jeopardize their retirement plans.

With only 20% of the workforce feeling financially secure enough to retire before 65, according to the survey, the labor market and economy will continue to struggle as boomers continue to save more, spend less and remain in the workforce.

To ensure being financially prepared to retire, experts advise constantly evaluating spending and saving habits, establish and invest in an a savings vehicle and keeping up to date on new investing tools and regulations. Here are six of their best tips:

Write a detailed retirement Plan. Calculate how much money youll need to cover your essentials over the course of a 30-year retirement and then add discretionary expenses inflation and health care into your projections, says Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies at Ameriprise Financial.

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How to Spend and Save Confidently for Retirement

One of the best things you can do for your retirement is to max out your retirement plan contributions. Two of the factors that can have a big impact on how much money you end up with during retirement are when you start saving (it's best to start as early as you can), and how much you actually contribute.

For most of us, contributing $100 a month just isn't going to cut it in retirement. Instead, consider maxing out your retirement plan contributions. At the very least, try to max out an IRA each year. Here are some strategies you can employ to help you max out the contributions you make to at least one of your retirement plans:

Take advantage of the employer match. If you have an employer match, you should be taking advantage of it. Find out what you need to contribute in order to receive the maximum matching contribution, and then add that money to your account each month. If your employer is offering a match, that is free money that you can use to boost your retirement account contributions. Remember, the more you put in now, the better compound interest can work on your behalf to build wealth for later.

Slowly increase your contributions. Gradually increase your retirement account contributions. You don't have to suddenly go from contributing $100 a month to contributing $500 or $1,000 a month. Instead, step up your contributions slowly. Look for an extra amount of money to regularly apply to your retirement contributions.

If you think that you can find $50 more a month to save for retirement, add that to your contributions. This should be a regular contribution that permanently raises the amount of your deposits. After a few months, when you are comfortable, look for another $50 or $100 a month that you can contribute to your retirement account. Step up your contributions regularly until you reach your goal of maxing out your retirement account each month.

Add windfalls to your retirement account. If you receive an unexpected windfall, add it to your retirement account. Whether this is a one-time bonus, lottery winnings, or a raise, consider adding money to your retirement account. This will help you move toward maxing out your retirement account--at least this year.

If you end up with a raise, immediately appropriate a good portion of that raise to your retirement account contributions. Do this as quickly as possible in order to avoid the problems that can come with lifestyle inflation. Instead of getting used to spending more on things you don't actually need, spend part of it on shoring up your retirement nest egg.

You don't need to put the whole of a raise or a windfall toward your retirement plan contribution amount, but you should put some of it toward that goal. This is extra money that can help you hit your retirement contribution target for the year, and help you ensure that your retirement is successful.

Start now. Do what you can right now to start increasing your retirement plan contributions. Even if you don't feel as though you can increase your contributions by a huge amount, just adding a little more to your retirement account on a consistent basis can be a huge help in the end.

If you are conscientious about increasing your retirement account contributions, and make it a goal to eventually max out one of your retirement plans, you will be able to watch your nest egg grow. You will also have fewer worries about how you will pay for your retirement years.

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How to Max Out Your Retirement Plan Contributions

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Fatty Esters markets. The global market for Fatty Esters is forecast to reach US$2.2 billion by 2018, driven primarily by the growing demand from personal care and cosmetics sectors. Increasing use in industrial applications, backed by its environment-friendliness, and rise in popularity of specialty esters and natural esters, constitute the other factors propelling the Fatty Esters market.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) October 12, 2012

The US represents the largest regional market for fatty esters worldwide, as stated by the new market research report on Fatty Esters. Europe trails the US in terms of the sales of fatty esters. Growth-wise, Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing regional market registering a CAGR of about 3.6% over the analysis period. In terms of different types of fatty esters, Glyceryl Monostearate represents the single largest segment. However, fastest growth is likely to emanate from the Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil segment. Food sector represents the largest end-user of fatty esters. Personal care and cosmetics application is forecast to be the fastest growing end-use application registering a CAGR of 3.6% over the analysis period.

Fatty esters market is witnessing a new wave of formulation and application, primed to tide over the impact caused by commoditization and dumping of cheaper overseas products on a global scale. High-end applications are the current favorites of the market. Specialty esters capable of performing multiple tasks, thereby, greatly enhancing the performance and texture of the end use product, are witnessing the most development activity. The fatty esters market is also witnessing increasing demand for fatty esters derived from natural vegetable-based sources. Natural fatty esters find usage in a wide range of applications. Simple esters derived from lower chain alcohols are used as emollients in lubricants and cosmetics, while complex esters find use in metal working fluids, paper manufacture, food, water treatment, and rolling oils.

Fatty esters, being non-greasy and non-ionic derivatives of oleochemicals, are banking on their eco-friendly characteristics with low toxicity as well as low emissions of VOCs to edge out other industrial raw materials in highly environment conscious US and European markets. Expansive base of natural feedstocks is further buoying the growth of fatty esters as environmentally safer functional and/or process additives. Furthermore, manufacturers of fatty esters are developing various ester compositions to improve the performance and texture of end use products. Niche and new applications of esters, such as thickening, solvency, and many others are gradually entering the mainstream owing to the end user innovation.

Major producers of fatty esters profiled in the report include ABITEC Corporation, Acidchem International Sdn Bhd, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Akzo Nobel N.V, BASF SE, Croda International Plc, Dupont, Faci Asia Pacific, Felda IFFCO LLC, Fine Organics, Gattefoss, Lonza Custom Manufacturing, PMC Biogenix Inc., Sasol Limited, Stearinerie Dubois, Stepan Company, Subhash Chemical Industries, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., and UNDESA Group, among others.

The research report titled Fatty Esters: A Global Strategic Business Report announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of the fatty esters market, current market trends, key growth drivers, overview of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (Biodiesel) market; recent product introductions and corporate initiatives in the fatty esters market; and profiles of major/niche global as well as regional market participants. The report provides annual sales estimates and projections for fatty esters market in value (US$) for the years 2010 through 2018 for the following geographic markets The US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. Key segments analyzed include Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS), Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil (MCT Oil), Isopropyl Palmitate and Isopropyl Myristate (IPP & IPM), and Other Fatty Esters. Major end-use sectors analyzed include Food, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Functional Fluids, and Other Applications. Also, a six-year (2004-2009) historic analysis is provided for additional perspective.

For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit

http://www.strategyr.com/Fatty_Esters_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Excerpt from:
Rising Demand from Personal Care and Cosmetics Sectors Drives the Global Fatty Esters Market, According to New Report ...

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/q4msg5/industry_dynamics) has announced the addition of the "Industry Dynamics and Competitive Landscape in the South Korean Personal Accident and Health Insurance Industry to 2016: Market Profile" report to their offering.

The South Korean personal accident and health insurance market grew at a healthy rate during the review period (2007-2011). This growth was generated by the country's high traffic accident ratio, ageing population, increased penetration of health insurance products, rising disposable income and improved awareness of the benefits of health insurance. Over the forecast period, the growth in the insurance segment will be driven by the increased participation of private health insurers, as the government implements measures to contain the country's rising public healthcare expenditure.

Scope

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the personal accident and health insurance market in South Korea:

- It provides historical values for South Korea's personal accident and health insurance market for the report's 2007-2011 review period and forecast figures for the 2012-2016 forecast period

- It offers a detailed analysis of the South Korea's personal accident and health insurance market, along with market forecasts until 2016

- Using Porter's industry-standard Five Forces analysis, it details the competitive landscape in South Korea for the personal accident and health insurance business

- It profiles the top personal accident and health insurance companies in South Korea, and outlines the key regulations affecting them

Reasons To Buy

Go here to read the rest:
Research and Markets: Industry Dynamics and Competitive Landscape in the South Korean Personal Accident and Health ...

The St. Josephs Villa Family Council is hosting its second Interactive Forum focused on Personal Support Workers A Cornerstone to Long Term Care Success, on Thursday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Josephs Villa Long Term Care Facility in Dundas.

The forum will be of special interest to family members who have loved ones in long-term care facilities, health professionals, long-term care workers and educators, and the public at large.

The forum will deal with the role, training and expectations of personal support workers in long-term care facilities. Knowledgeable speakers from education, health care and labour will present various points of view concerning consistency in standards, training and the certification and registry of front-line workers. Audience questions will also be addressed.

Peter Gnish, chair of the St. Josephs Villa Family Council, stressed the urgency for all sectors to work together to make long-term care in Ontario the best it can be.

Since 2008, the provincial government has provided funding for only 2.8 paid hours of care per resident per day in long-term care, he said.

They promised to increase that to four hours by 2012. This still has not been done and creates great strains on the PSWs and the care they can offer. We believe that the only way the current problems in our long-term care facilities can be improved is if the government keeps its promise, as well as working to establish a licensing body, such as a college, to develop a process of registration, accreditation and certification for all personal support workers.

To register as a participant in the forum contact Gnish at 905-547-1628 or pgnish@cogeco.ca.

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Family Council advocates for positive change

By Rita Chattaraj - October 12, 2012 | Tickers: AMZN, AAPL, GOOG | 0 Comments

Rita is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

The first thought which comes to my mind when I hear the phrase Good things come in small packages is the iPad Mini. Just like every other fan, Im eagerly waiting for Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) to launch the younger sibling of the superbly designed iPad. The web is flooded with leaked photos of the Mini and even the rumor mill has started rolling. According to the latest rumors, the device can be expected to hit the streets sometime in late October, just ahead of the biggest holiday season of the year.

Though many analysts are suggesting that iPad Mini will not face much success and will be a pointless device, I beg to differ. I believe the iPad Mini will be a huge hit and will repeat the success story of the iPad. The following are some of the reasons that explain why I feel the Mini will be good for Apple.

A brilliant growth strategy

The iPad is not a new-to-the-market product anymore. Tablets have gained huge acceptance worldwide and needless to say, the iPad is the undisputed champion in the space. So, how can Apple carry on with expanding the iPad user base? The answer lies in the Ansoffs Matrix, a hugely popular tool among corporate strategists. Igor Ansoff, also known as the Father of Strategic Management, presented this matrix to present alternative corporate growth strategies by establishing links between products and markets. The following is the image of the matrix.

(Image Source: taydeaburto.com)

According to the matrix, if the product is an existing one and even the market is an existing one, corporations must aim at market penetration as that would be the best strategy to expand. Apple is doing exactly what Igor suggested. By introducing a smaller iPad, Apple is attempting to target a different stratum of the consumer market and thus increase its overall market share. Initially, under the leadership of Steve Jobs, Apple was hesitant about the need of smaller tablets. However, after the recent success of 7-inch tablets from peers such as Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Apple has realized that there is a market for the smaller device and now aims to harness the benefits of the same.

Huge market waiting for the Mini

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Good Things Come in Small Packages

''I think the best is yet to come'' ... John O'Neill. Photo: Getty Images

AS JOHN O'NEILL announced a farewell to the Australian Rugby Union yesterday, much was made of his ability to leave the sport in better shape than when he took over.

Where he will leave Australian rugby is not where he had hoped, but it is not far away either. As he admitted: ''Not where we'd like to be, but I think the best is yet to come.''

Whether that future includes Wallabies coach Robbie Deans remains to be seen. The ARU will not only lose one of Australian sport's most recognised and formidable administrators, when O'Neill leaves later this month, but also one of Deans's staunchest allies.

With O'Neill due to retire as chief executive and managing director, after two stints and a total of 14 years, Deans's future will be further clouded. O'Neill was instrumental in Deans re-signing last year.

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In typical style, O'Neill defended that decision yesterday, as he was asked whether it had been a mistake.

''He was given a two-year extension, and as with every employee, is subject to regular reviews,'' he said. ''The board conducts that review. The board's pretty well-equipped to do that, with four former Wallabies, including the chairman, John Eales, Brett Robinson and George Gregan.''

ARU chairman Michael Hawker was quick to back Deans too.

''We're very comfortable with Robbie Deans,'' Hawker said. ''I'd just like to put Robbie Deans's performance in context as well.

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ARU chief exits confident of future success

Adventure WV is a program that provides students with experiential education, leadership experience and personal development through travel programs.

For Adventure WV Program Manager Marcedes Minana, the program provides college students with something priceless.

"We foster belongingness, and that is huge," she said. "We really are a family."

Originally a freshman orientation program, Adventure WV since expanded and now offers everything from week-long local trips to month-long study-abroad programs.

Incoming freshmen have the opportunity to take an orientation trip: a week-long camping excursion throughout West Virginia. The trip is linked with a course, and major-specific trips are offered for students in the School of Journalism and the College of Business and Economics.

But according to Minana, these trips arent just about traveling they help students grow.

"Its about learning about the University, learning about this state, because this is your home," she said. "This is your back yard."

Minana said sometimes, incoming freshmen have no friends or mentors at WVU.

"For most incoming students, one of the biggest concerns coming into college is am I going to make friends? Am I going to fit in?" she said.

The Orientation Trips bring these students together and help them connect, Minana said.

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Adventure WV fosters inclusiveness