So You'Re The Police But Are You in Control of Your Financial Future

Recently I wrote an article entitled "Problem Solving 101;" after some review on my part, I realized that I had actually used my career as a focal point for most of the positions that I presented regarding leadership. So with that realization in mind, I thought that I would share some information with you as to who I am, what I've done in my past, and what I'm currently doing to improve myself as well as others.

Okay so here goes, my name is Kirk Dunham and I am retired. I hope that some of you are reading this information because you are Pre-planning, for your retirement; being Pro-active. On the other hand, if you are like me and have already put in your time, already retired, that's okay too, because as I have found after almost (3) years of retirement, there is still time for taking meaningful action for your financial future.

Okay let me tell you a little bit about myself, who I am and why I feel as passionate as I do about this subject. More than (30) years ago I literally stumbled upon a career in law-enforcement. Looking back on that chance opportunity, I can honestly say that as far as JOBs go, mine turned into a career, and I don't regret for a second the decision.

As a result of that choice, I had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many people here in my community, the residents needing the support and services of our department. Within the department itself, I had the pleasure of assisting a number of aspiring young officers to enter the law enforcement field by assisting them with their preparation for the hiring process. I was able to further assist some of those same officers, after actually were hired onto the department, and realized that they had aspirations to move up in rank, to make those aspirations a reality. I, along with other supervisors, taught Assessment Center preparation classes, thereby increasing their success potential. I am very happy to share with you that a number of those initial students, of that process, have gone on to do some amazing within the organizational structure of the department. They are now looked upon as the Master Instructors.

Okay so let's fast forward. During my (30) years of working for the department, I actively worked at building a separate supplemental retirement fund, for approximately (25) years. Bottom line, in that time frame, I personally accumulated $489,000.00, almost one-half million dollars. Not bad for a kid from the south-side of Chicago. I thought when I retired that I was set for life. You see in addition to my savings, I would have a pension amounting to 62% of my retirement salary, which was approximately 80,000/year. But guess what? Subsequently, (2) years after my retirement, about of my life savings were gone. Even when I write this fact now, here on paper; it still amazes me. Now you need to know here that only about 25% of those funds went towards extravagances, why work if you aren't going to have something to show for it, Right? The rest of the money was the result of "life happening" to me. The kinds of situations like financially helping family members, who really could not help themselves. Or my paying off the note on the one and only home that mother and father had ever owned, after their death because a family member, living in the house, allowed it to go into foreclosure. I really don't want to dwell on it; I'm just pointing out that "life happens!"

This takes me to one year ago, when I realized that life had happened to me, in my retirement, and that I needed to take some action for myself and my family's financial security. So especially to you my brothers and sisters in the law enforcement, because that is what I truly know and understand, and to the men and women in all of the various branches of military service, especially the Marine Corps, because my only son is there; you protect our communities and our country; you have my deepest respect and my thanks. But this is all about preparing for retirement, so for all you civilians, who also have jobs, I want to leave you all with some free advice:

• Diversify your retirement planning strategies
• For those of you in law-enforcement, again this is what I know, but for anyone working extra, off-duty, extra details or just flat having a second job, do it to enhance your retirement portfolio; don't do it to get by day 2 day, have reasonable expectations and live within your means
• Take an active role in maintaining all aspects of your health; physical, mental, and spiritual, it will truly pay-off, in life and certainly in retirement
• Lastly, and this is huge, help others whenever and wherever you can. Helping others not only has the potential to change their lives, but it can change yours as well.

Kirk Dunham is a Global Expansion Leader and is currently working as an Independent Marketing Representative for an Inc. 500 company. He is convinced that much like himself, many of us are looking for a strong "Plan B," to help ensure our financial security, because quite simply, our "Plan A," just has not worked. For more free information about how you can take charge of your financial future, as well as get to know Kirk better, take a look at his site http://www.starshipwdenterprise2.com/blog. Thanks for your time, follow-up on your part will make your time spent worthwhile. See you at the top!