Many pre-retirees sensibly devote a good deal of attention to forecasting how much they'll spend in retirement, thinking through their basic living expenses as well as how much they'll spend on extras like dining out and travel. They anticipate when they'll need to replace their roofs, when it will be time for a new car, and how their medical expenses are likely to trend up as they age.

But it's simply not possible to forecast each and every expense with precision. In a recent Investing During Retirement Discuss forum thread on Morningstar.com, I asked our retired readers to share which retirement expenses had caught them off guard. Health-care-related expenditures topped many retired readers' lists, with dental work most frequently cited as an unpleasant source of additional costs. Other readers noted that happy aspects of retirement--new grandchildren, travel, and hobbies--had bumped up their in-retirement expenses. To read the complete thread or share your own expense surprise during retirement, click here.

'An Unanticipated Dental Event'One of the most striking aspects of the discussion was just how many posters mentioned dental expenses as a cost they had underrated prior to retirement. Although many employed people are covered under their companies' plans, retirees can't typically purchase insurance, and costs for significant dental work can be exorbitant.

LFremont summed it up as follows: "The one cost area that is uncontrollable and hard to anticipate is dental. I don't think there is any decent insurance to protect you, and the cost can be really substantial."

And in contrast with other expenses, such as home and car maintenance, dental costs can be lumpy, making budgeting difficult. Orygunduck wrote, "Dental expenses are tough to predict, as a couple of crowns can run up costs, quickly! I liken it to having to have major work done on your car's engine and transmission at least once a year."

Posters Jkimel44 advised that the best defense against rising dental costs is to set aside a fund to defray them as they occur. "Put a little extra money aside each year to cover an unanticipated dental event."

'Health Insurance Is Also a Growing Burden'Although dental care received a large number of mentions, many readers cited health-care insurance premiums, as well as additional medical expenses not covered by Medicare, as a source of unanticipated costs during retirement.

Health-care insurance is a particularly large and unwelcome expense for retired people who aren't yet eligible to obtain coverage under Medicare. Gizmo25 shared, "Health-care insurance was expected to be expensive, but the actual amount was a shock. I retired at 57, my wife at 53. Over one third of our living expense is for health care, and Medicare is still a couple of years away."

Reddog is facing down a similar situation. "My wife is pre-Medicare, and insurance is a whopping $4,000 a year, even with my company's plan. Yikes, pretty outrageous."

The rapidity with which health-care premiums have risen caught Gyer12 off guard. "Health-care insurance premiums went up 100% after the first year of retirement and 30% last year."

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What Unexpected Expenses Crop Up in Retirement?

Is business success built mainly on personal savvy, taking risks, and seizing opportunities? Does achievement run like an Olympic sprinter who beats competitors?

Or is business success dependent on doing one's best with personal abilities, but admitting that If it's meant to be, it's up to me is a faulty slogan. A family loan, good education, counsel from a relative help achieve marketplace success.

Don't we also win the Gold in business running like a relay runner? Each is dependent on team members to pass the baton and sprint toward the finish line.

At the London Olympics, each starting block has a speaker installed in it. No longer will the runner in the lane closest to the starter have a millisecond advantage of hearing the gun go off. Now each runner gets help from speakers in starting blocks.

Isn't this upgrade for sprinters symbolic of what happens when businesses succeed? Success hinges on both personal striving and communal support.

Comedian Jon Stewart asks, Why are some suspicious of businesses which get government help and apply for tax incentives, labeling this 'grade school Marxism'? Our elementary school teachers taught us to share. Isn't this the key to success?

At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Mitt Romney gave a pep talk to athletes, reminding them to be grateful and humble. They don't earn gold medals strictly by their own skill, Romney stressed. Winners don't have exclusive claim on records they establish. Each receives lots of help along the way.

Success is a combination of running like a sprinter and participating in a relay race.

You Olympians, however, know you didn't get here solely on your own, declared Romney prior to the opening ceremonies of the Salt Lake City Olympics. For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers, encouraged your hopes, coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We've already cheered the Olympians. Let's also cheer the parents, coaches and communities.

If the relay race teaches us how to achieve in sports, why don't the same dynamics apply to business, as President Obama has said?

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Vail Daily columnist Jack Van Ens: Is business success a sprint or a relay?

By Eric Fox - August 4, 2012 | Tickers: BBG, XEC, DNR, MRO | 0 Comments

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

Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO) is cutting back on its oil and gas development program in the onshore United States as the company reacts to lower cash flow from falling commodity prices while drilling and completion costs continue to stay at stubbornly high levels.

Eagle Ford Shale

Marathon Oil's largest onshore operation in the United States is in South Texas, where the company is developing the Eagle Ford Shale. The company is operating 20 rigs here and plans to drop two rigs as a result of lower prices for crude oil and natural gas liquids. Marathon Oil still believes that it can still maintain its original development program of 230 to 240 wells as the company has become more efficient in its drilling operations here.

Marathon Oil even announced that it would drill 11 additional Eagle Ford Shale wells on properties recently acquired from Paloma Partners II LLC. The company is buying 17,131 net acres for approximately $750 million.

Woodford Shale

The largest reduction in activity for Marathon Oil will be in its operations in the Mid Continent, where the company is developing the Woodford Shale in the Anadarko Basin. The company plans to operate two rigs here, down from the previous level of six rigs. Despite the cut, Marathon Oil is maintaining its 2012 exit rate production guidance of 10,000 BOE per day from here and believes that a two rig program will be able to convert the companys leases from term to held by production.

Cimarex Energy (NYSE: XEC) has a much larger operation in the Woodford Shale and is active mostly in the Cana portion of the play due to the high level of natural gas liquids present in the production stream. The company spent approximately 44% of its capital budget in the Woodford Shale and drilled 25 net wells in the Cana play in the first half of 2012.

Cimarex Energy is dealing with lower commodity prices by shifting development toward plays that produce mostly crude oil. The company is targeting the Bone Spring in Texas and New Mexico where oil ranges from 79% to 87% of total production.

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Marathon Oil Dials Back in the Onshore United States

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04-08-2012 07:58 More A recent TED talk by Daphne Koller suggests that we have much to learn from online courses, but it might not just be the knowledge that they convey.

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Daphne Koller What We Are Learning From Online Eduction - Video

Positive soccer coaches teach players to respect the game. When players respect the game, the game pays them back with great experiences. The Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) encourages players to follow the R.O.O.T.S. principle. In other words, coaches should teach players to respect the rules, opponents, officials, teammates and self. Here are some ways to do that.

Respect the Rules

Rules define the game of soccer. In fact, FIFA documents these rules as an international standard. Following the rules means fair play. Cheating is one way to disrespect the rules. I encourage my players to respect the rules with a popular saying: cheaters never win and winners never cheat.

Respect Opponents

It is always important to respect opponents, no matter how strong or weak they are. A better team can teach you. A worse team can learn from you. My youth soccer team has been the better and worse team many times. They know what it feels like to win big and lose badly. They also know that a respectful opponent can make any game a positive experience.

Respect Officials

Officials are there to enforce the rules. They try to maintain a fair competition from start to finish. But the officials are human beings; they make mistakes. Frequently complaining about bad calls just distracts you from the game. Players should respect the officials and concentrate on the game itself. At our practices, I play the role of a bad referee. I purposely make bad calls to see how the players react. They quickly learn that complaining just takes them out of the game.

Respect the Team

It is important for players to respect their teammates. Otherwise, teammates will not respect them. Since soccer is a team sport, all players must support each other. When players respect each other, the team plays better. And it becomes a positive and effective soccer environment.

Respect Self

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Positive Soccer Coaching: Five Ways to Respect the Game

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob0lkCdYvwk

02-08-2012 18:53 Answering you top health and fitness questions Watch My Weekly Fitness Tip: CHECK OUT VOLI SPIRITS "ASK THE TRAINER" In this exclusive session with Anja Garcia, you're going to learn: * FITNESS TIPS *Answers to your burning health and fitness questions [SUBSCRIBE TO THIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL ---------------------------------------- --------------------- And don't forget to check out my *NEW* Blog at -- Anja Garcia Fitness Trainer ADD US ON: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Twitter: @anjagarcia Facebook:

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weekly voli health and fitness questions - Video

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03-08-2012 13:43 In our interview with Vanessa Hudgens, she talks about what she does to stay in great shape and why she loves watching the 2012 Olympics - especially the gymnastics! - Subscribe Now! - Like Us! - Follow Us! Vanessa Hudgens stepped out at the Active Drinks' Get Activated Pop-Up Shop on Thursday alongside 90210 starlet Shenae Grimes! The Spring Breakers actress sipped on a variety of the healthy drinks, danced around and opened up about her health and fitness regime... take a look at what she had to say: (CLIP) Vanessa, kept is chic and casual in skinny jeans, a sheer black top, and adorable tribal-inspired accessories. Just like the rest of us who are OBSESSED with watching Olympics, she said she was glued to the TV... and even revealed her favorite sport. Here's what she had to share: (CLIP) I'm betting Vanessa is just as proud as we are of Gabby Douglas, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and the rest of Team USA! Let me know what you think of Vanessa -- and if, just like her... you're majorly into women's gymnastics! You can do so by commenting below and then before you click out, click that subscribe button for tons more interviews with all of your favorite celebs. In Hollywood, I'm your host Katie Krause... have a great weekend and thanks for tuning in!

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Vanessa Hudgens Talks Health, Fitness and Gymnastics! - Video

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04-08-2012 10:22 you need any help with that email me or call 1 (607) 483-8445 please do notforget to eat raw organic fruit (focusing on the fruit) vegetables (especially dark leafy greens) nuts and seeds and exercise two hours or two miles (walking) a day everyday huge hugs remember you are loved huge hugs dedicating all my videos to my mom who passed on to Heaven April 24, 2012 She will be enormously missed.

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June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health playing with cookie and dance video - Video

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04-08-2012 09:55 Subscribe Now: Watch More: Leg stretches for lower back pain sometimes require a few very specific pieces of equipment. Learn about equipment for leg stretches for lower back pain with help from a health and fitness expert with fifteen years of experience in this free video clip. Expert: Jeremy Shore Bio: Jeremy Shore is a health and fitness expert with 15 years experience in the fitness industry. Filmmaker: Jeremy Shore Series Description: Staying fit and being healthy is all about what exercises you're doing and how you're doing them. Learn about the basics of fitness and put together a routine that works for you with help from a health and fitness expert with fifteen years of experience in this free video series.

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Equipment for Leg Stretches for Lower Back Pain : LIVESTRONG - Exercising with Jeremy Shore - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZSH5FKtfDo

04-08-2012 06:49 please add my friend Hello ! how are you? I am on here to try to help everyone eat better and exercise If you need any help with that email me or call 1 (607) 483-8445 please do notforget to eat raw organic fruit (focusing on the fruit) vegetables (especially dark leafy greens) nuts and seeds and exercise two hours or two miles (walking) a day everyday huge hugs remember you are loved huge hugs dedicating all my videos to my mom who passed on to Heaven April 24, 2012 She will be enormously missed.

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June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health shout-out for youtubes IngridGott 001.MP4 - Video