Have Funds But Less Travel for Baby Boomers

Did you know baby boomers (born between 1946-1964) spend nearly 160 billion dollars a year on travel?  Yes, I guess you could call us the cash crop of the industry.  If you break it down it means approximately 73 million of us spend around $6600 for every trip we take during the year---which is normally more than two.   

BUT--beginning January 26, some major changes by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are being made as a result of COVID, which could seriously alter our travel plans.  If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel to or from the United States.  If you tested positive, you must show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or public health official stating that you were cleared to travel.  

The CDC also recommends that you get tested 3-5 days AFTER your international trip and then quarantine at home for at least 7 days even if you test negative.  If you refuse to get tested, it's recommended that you stay at home for at least 10 days after travel and isolate yourself from others for at least 14 days.  If course, we know that will be a challenge for those of you who believe COVID is a hoax or not all that serious. 

Will CDC provide information about international testing locations?

CDC is unable to provide information about locations and availability of testing in other countries. Check COVID-19 Country Specific Informationexternal icon for information on how and where to get tested in the country from which you are traveling or contact local authorities in that country.

Does an at home test qualify?

The Order requires a lab report to be presented to the airline or to public health officials upon request. A home specimen collection kit that is tested in a laboratory should meet the requirements, if such methods have been approved by the country’s national health authorities.

What is a verifiable test result?

A verifiable test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy) of a laboratory test result. Testing must be performed using a viral test (NAAT or antigen), and negative results must be presented to the airline prior to boarding. The test result documentation must include information that identifies the person, a specimen collection date and the type of test. A negative test result must show test was done within the 3 days before the flight. A positive test result must show the test was done within the 3 months before the flight.

Who is checking to make sure that people have a negative test or documentation of recovery before they board a plane to the US?

The airline will confirm a COVID-19 negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding.

So 2021 may be an excellent time to use our vacation funds for investments or just saving for a lavish trip in 2022.  What do you think?

Flying the Not So Friendly Skies

For those of you who have been following the weather, you know that North Carolina has been in a serious drought. I don’t think we’ve received a decent amount of rain in over a year. That was until Wednesday, October 24---the same day I was scheduled to fly out of Raleigh-Durham International and into Kansas City for the Hallmark Bloggers Conference.

It had rained on and off all day. Now don’t get me wrong….having the rain was truly a blessing because I think we were down to about a month’s supply. BUT I was just hoping it could’ve held off just a little longer until after my trip was over. No such luck. It rained so hard that our flight was delayed by nearly an hour. That meant I wouldn’t get into Kansas City until around 9:30EST, which was 8:30 their time.

To make matters worse, I flew out on a little 50-seater plane on an airline known as ExpressJet. OK---maybe I don’t fly much but I have never, ever heard of ExpressJet. JetBlue—yes---ExpressJet---NO! My legs and back were so cramped during the two-and-a-half hour trip, I don’t even know how I was able to make it off the plane without falling over in complete agony.

On the company's website it says, "ExpressJet Airlines seeks to provide the most efficient and reliable regional jet service in all of its markets." I saw no mention of comfort so maybe that means they just haven't figured out yet that baby boomers like to travel in comfort.

OK---I know someone reading this is wondering why I’m complaining when this was an all-expenses paid trip compliments of Hallmark. I just want you to know that sometimes FREE isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I think if I have to fly on one of those little ExpressJet planes again, I’ll pass and just try to hitch hike my way. After all, walking is good exercise when you’re a middle-aged menopausal woman.

Oh and wait until you hear about the return trip home!

Where will you retire, baby boomer?

AARP, The Magazine recently announced its top five retirement communities. Since I’m a baby boomer who will eventually retire some day, I was eager to see the cities named. After reviewing the list, I wondered how they came up with those particular cities. Editor Steve Sloan says they looked at a variety of things including: "mass-transit systems so residents can drive less, expanded sidewalks to encourage walking, better health care, and a wide range of mixed use housing."

See for yourself:

Top Five Cities to Live in for 2007:

Atlanta, GA: A sophisticated metropolis with southern charm, Atlanta offers abundant volunteer and cultural opportunities. Retirees also appreciate the wide range of housing options.

My thoughts: Atlanta is, indeed, a metropolis---way too busy for me with traffic that would make you want to commit road rage or have a heart attack.

Beacon Hill in Boston, MA: This historically genteel part of Boston is full of culture and great restaurants. The Beacon Hill Village provides concierge style access to a network of support services for aging residents including transportation, healthcare and entertainment.

My thoughts: I’ve lived in Boston and know exactly where Beacon Hill is. It was EXPENSIVE to live there back then and I can’t imagine that its changed much. I certainly don’t want to use up all of my retirement money just trying to keep a roof over my head.

Chandler, AZ: Gracious desert living combined with an activist twist that encourages residents to get involved with the spirit of the town. A city climate and plenty of parks and open space provide ample recreation opportunities.

My thoughts: Never been there but the word “desert” doesn’t sit well for me with “hot flashes.”

Milwaukee, WI: An example of urban renewal at its best, Milwaukee features picturesque river walks and affordable water-front living.

My thoughts: Beer is brewed there, isn’t it?

Portland, OR: European charm meets environmental nirvana in this environmentally progressive city. 50-plus residents love the miles of safe bike lanes and the revitalized Pearl District.

My thoughts: I can’t see myself riding for miles on a bicycle; besides, I haven’t been on one in years.

OK…so here are my Top Five Places to Retire---in no particular order:

Asheville, NC
New Bern, NC
Merrimack, NH
St. Lucia (in the Caribbean)
Sedona, Arizona

What are YOUR Top 5?

My Anniversary Trip

Quaint" "friendly" and "artsy" are a few words I would use to describe Asheville, NC. That's where we decided to spend our first year wedding anniversary. Asheville is one of the best kept secrets for tourism in a state known for tobacco and basketball.

I was hoping to go back to St. Lucia where we spent our honeymoon but being a Best Selling Author doesn't equate to being a millionaire (yet) so I chose a place I thought would be secluded and peaceful with a beautiful ambience. It also had to fit our budget and I didn't want to go too far away from my teenage daughter and my brand new car.

Anyway, Asheville is nestled in the mountains of Western NC. We stayed in downtown Asheville at a hotel called the Renaissance. Our room was on the 9th floor overlooking a scenic view.

The one thing that impressed us the most about Asheville was the fact that we just blended in. No one treated us like tourists. Every place we went we felt welcome and easily struck up conversations with many of the locals. It was really difficult to tell who the tourists were. Another observation was the fact that people who appeared to be homeless weren't walking around begging for food or money. They just "blended in" and no one seemed bothered by them.

During our stay, we toured the Biltmore House, along with several hundred other folks. The tour goes on for hours because there are 250 rooms and each one has an interesting story behind it. The gardens were absolutely exquisite! We also toured their Winery where they had a wine tasting.

Our first night, there was a beautiful fireworks display we could see from our hotel room window and that set the mood for the rest of the trip!

It's wonderful to be a baby boomer in love!