Financial Aging

The financial calculator was interesting. I didn't find it very helpful because it was hard for me to estimate what I'll be making in the future. The main reason is because I have yet to really decide what I want to do. It also depends a lot upon what schooling I decide to go through with (grad school, vet school, etc.). There is only so much saving I can do at this point in my life, what with school loans and other life necessities. I will hopefully be able to retire at 65 or sometime before 70. Who knows though, the economy is always changing. It is too hard to predict.

Centenarian Study

The Georgia Centenarian Study has many interesting concepts. I found it almost mind-boggling to see that this group of people lived to these ages by eating a typical "southern" diet. Nowadays, nutritionists and media tell us to eat "healthy". Fruits, vegetables, all portion sized. I don't think someone would believe you if you told them they could survive, or in their case live a healthy life, off of bacon and fried chicken. Another interesting point I saw in the study was that centenarians are very, very positive. They are happy-go-lucky people without a care in the world! I heard many question, "Why worry?". If it was that easy to go through life with so much positivity, everyone would live to over 100, well maybe.

I had a great-aunt who lived to be 102 years old. After watching this study, I can see now that some of the characteristics she had were very much like those of the participants in the Georgia Centenarian Study.  She always surrounded herself with family and loved ones. She kept a very positive outlook on life, even when things were bleak. I feel there is still so much to be learned from centenarians.