Special Guest Post by: Kate Forgach, Baby Boomer consumer specialist for Kinoli Inc.
Have your children all flown the coop with nary a look backwards? For some, Thanksgiving is pretty lonely when your own flesh and blood can't make it home for even a brief visit. On the other hand, you might delight in your freedom from turkey tyranny. Either way, if you're a Baby Boomers lacking nestlings for the first time, you'll likely need to adjust holiday plans to better suit your new lifestyle.
After experiencing Thanksgiving without family several years, I came up with several ways to celebrate the holiday without feeling abandoned. Read on for six new Turkey Day traditions that might suit your needs. And Happy Thanksgiving!
1. Host an Orphan's Dinner
It really helps to remember you're not alone in this boat. There are plenty of people who'd greatly appreciate an invitation to socialize while enjoying a touch of turkey. I threw such a party last year and asked everyone to bring a dish to pass. The only thing I had to buy and prepare was the turkey, which made it even easier than being a parental unit in this scenario.
2. Retire to a Restaurant
Celebrate kicking the turkey habit by dining out at one of the many eateries that do all the work for you. You'll enjoy the football games much more if you don't have to leap up every 15 minutes to baste a bird. And, you can take advantage of cheap gift cards at such sites as GiftCardGranny to reduce your bill up to 30 percent.
3. Shop!
Black Friday has lately seceeded space to Grey Thursday. According to an article on FOXBusiness.com, more stores are offering doorbuster sales on Thanksgiving, so you could get some shopping done without facing the mass stampede to follow. Or you might hit the Internet and do some early cyber shopping. You can run price comparisons with a few mouse clicks and have gifts delivered directly to those ungrateful wretches to whom you gave life.
4. Spend the Day at a Shelter
One of my favorite Thanksgiving activities is cooking dinner at our local homeless shelter. Actually, I don't cook the turkey dinner itself, as there are plenty of people willing to do that. Instead, I use the leftovers to create future meals for the shelter. It just seems a huge waste to throw away all those bird bones when the makings for broth and casseroles are readily available. Visit HomelessShelterDirectory.org for a list of volunteer opportunities.
5. Brighten Someone Else's Day
The homeless aren't the only ones who could use your volunteer services. Many nursing homes and hospitals would greatly appreciate a visitor who will bring some friendship into what they may otherwise find a very lonely day. It's a win/win situation and you just might make some new friends. Check out this excellent blog post for some do's and don'ts when visiting hospitals and nursing homes during the holidays.
6. Get Out of Town
A childless couple I know make a point of leaving home for the holidays; usually preferring to spend the long weekend scuba diving. While part of the reason they skip town is to avoid miserable family gatherings, they also miss bad weather and crowds of shoppers. Not all of us can afford a sunny beach vacation, but you might team up with another singleton or couple and rent a cabin, or simply go for a long drive.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, November 07, 2011
Baby Boomers and Obesity
Nearly one out of every three people ages 50-59 is now considered obese, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control, compared to less than one in every five for people age 18 to 29. In addition, baby boomers are significantly fatter than their parents' generation, according to a study by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Boomers are struggling to exercise enough to combat their expanding waistlines. But only one in four gets the amount of exercise experts recommend for staying healthy, according to a 2011 poll of nearly 1,500 adults by the Associated Press and LifeGoesStrong.com.
Obesity can lead to serious health problems including diabetes and heart disease and that takes a huge toll on healthcare expenses. For example, a 65-year-old who has been obese since age 45 personally incurs roughly $50,000 more in uninsured Medicare costs than a normal weight 65-year old does, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Medicare and Medicaid end up paying for roughly half of the cost of obesity, which was an estimated $147 billion in 2008, according to a study published in Health Affairs.
So the question is how much will you cost Medicare and Medicaid and what are you doing to stay in shape?
Obesity can lead to serious health problems including diabetes and heart disease and that takes a huge toll on healthcare expenses. For example, a 65-year-old who has been obese since age 45 personally incurs roughly $50,000 more in uninsured Medicare costs than a normal weight 65-year old does, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Medicare and Medicaid end up paying for roughly half of the cost of obesity, which was an estimated $147 billion in 2008, according to a study published in Health Affairs.
So the question is how much will you cost Medicare and Medicaid and what are you doing to stay in shape?
Friday, November 04, 2011
Family is Good for Your Health
A new survey of 1500 older adults indicates health and well-being may actually depend, in part, on how much time they spend with their extended families.
The survey, commissioned by the National Council on Aging and Humana Inc suggests that family reunions and relationships inspire older adults to stay active and pursue their own well-being. It found that nearly 90 percent of those surveyed say they feel revitalized when they spend time with family and 70 percent say they wish they saw their families more throughout the year.
In addition, one-third of those polled say they see themselves as the "connector" in the family---meaning they believe their role is to encourage communication among other family members and help coordinate family gatherings and reunions.
For more information about this survey, visit www.Humana.com/family
The survey, commissioned by the National Council on Aging and Humana Inc suggests that family reunions and relationships inspire older adults to stay active and pursue their own well-being. It found that nearly 90 percent of those surveyed say they feel revitalized when they spend time with family and 70 percent say they wish they saw their families more throughout the year.
In addition, one-third of those polled say they see themselves as the "connector" in the family---meaning they believe their role is to encourage communication among other family members and help coordinate family gatherings and reunions.
For more information about this survey, visit www.Humana.com/family
Friday, October 28, 2011
Baby Boomer Criminals on the Rise
Of course when I saw that headline online, I had to read on. Much to my surprise, the story wasn't about American criminals. This story generated out of Sweden, where it appears baby boomer men over there are causing the crime rate to skyrocket.
In 2001, the number of suspects in criminal investigations over the age of 50 was about 11,000. By last year, the number had increased to 21,000.
Law enforcement officials blame the lawlessness on the fact that the older generation is more active because they're traveling more and getting married later in life. They also grew up during a time of large scale social upheaval with more drugs about and less social control
And check this out: Fishing offenses are at the top of the list of crimes committed by the more mature Swedish criminal at 42 percent.
Meanwhile, 33 percent are suspected of indecent exposure offenses and another 33 percent of drunk driving.
In addition, 28 percent have purchased sex and 19 percent are under suspicion for other various sexual offenses.
Only 1.5 percent of the mature suspects are involved in aggravated robbery and one percent are under suspicion of mugging or burglary.
Only two Swedes over 50 have been caught actively defacing public property.
Well, the Swedish boomers have nothing on the boomers over here. Did you know America's Top CEO's (all boomers) earned $5.4 billion in 2009 as a result of corporate greed?
Here are the Top Ten Highest Pad CEO's according to Forbes magazine:
Richard Fairbank, age 55, Capital One Financial, earned $249 million
Terry Semel, age 63, Yahoo, earned $230.5 million
Henry Silverman, age 65, Cendant, earned $139.9 million
Bruce Karatz, age 60, KB Homes, earned $135.5 million
Richard S Fuld, Jr., age 60, Lehman Bros. Holdings, earned $122.6 million
Ryan R. Irani, age 71, Occidental Petroleum, earned $80.7 million
Lawrence J. Ellison, age 61, Oracle, earned $75.3 million
John W. Thompson, age 57, Symantec, earned $71.8 million
Edwin M. Crawford, age 57, Caremark Rx, earned $69.6 million
Angelo R. Mozilo, age 67, Countrywide Financial, earned $68.85 million
Is there really any comparison?
In 2001, the number of suspects in criminal investigations over the age of 50 was about 11,000. By last year, the number had increased to 21,000.
Law enforcement officials blame the lawlessness on the fact that the older generation is more active because they're traveling more and getting married later in life. They also grew up during a time of large scale social upheaval with more drugs about and less social control
And check this out: Fishing offenses are at the top of the list of crimes committed by the more mature Swedish criminal at 42 percent.
Meanwhile, 33 percent are suspected of indecent exposure offenses and another 33 percent of drunk driving.
In addition, 28 percent have purchased sex and 19 percent are under suspicion for other various sexual offenses.
Only 1.5 percent of the mature suspects are involved in aggravated robbery and one percent are under suspicion of mugging or burglary.
Only two Swedes over 50 have been caught actively defacing public property.
Well, the Swedish boomers have nothing on the boomers over here. Did you know America's Top CEO's (all boomers) earned $5.4 billion in 2009 as a result of corporate greed?
Here are the Top Ten Highest Pad CEO's according to Forbes magazine:
Richard Fairbank, age 55, Capital One Financial, earned $249 million
Terry Semel, age 63, Yahoo, earned $230.5 million
Henry Silverman, age 65, Cendant, earned $139.9 million
Bruce Karatz, age 60, KB Homes, earned $135.5 million
Richard S Fuld, Jr., age 60, Lehman Bros. Holdings, earned $122.6 million
Ryan R. Irani, age 71, Occidental Petroleum, earned $80.7 million
Lawrence J. Ellison, age 61, Oracle, earned $75.3 million
John W. Thompson, age 57, Symantec, earned $71.8 million
Edwin M. Crawford, age 57, Caremark Rx, earned $69.6 million
Angelo R. Mozilo, age 67, Countrywide Financial, earned $68.85 million
Is there really any comparison?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Boomer Humor
A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation in Jerusalem . While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, "You can have her buried here in the Holy Land for $150 or we can have her shipped back home for $5,000. The husband thought about it and told the undertaker he would have her shipped back home. The undertaker asked him, "why would you spend $5,000 to have her shipped home when you could have a beautiful burial here, and it would only cost $150????" The husband replied, "Long ago, a man died here, was buried here, and three days later, rose from the dead. I just can’t take that chance!"
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Baby Boomers Take The Money and Run
In a survey of millionaire baby boomers (of which I was NOT included), more than 50 percent said they had no plans to leave an inheritance to their children. One woman was quoted as saying she had made a lot of sacrifices for her children over the years, including paying her daughter's medical tuition.
Yes, we boomers have made sacrifices for our children over the years. I have gone without a new outfit on many occasions in order to make sure my daughter had clothes on her back and food on the table. I have passed up on exotic vacations so I could keep a roof over our heads. I spent my life working jobs I hated, often at the expense of my health or personal relationships.
It's funny---all of MY hard work, didn't make me a millionaire baby boomer.
According to the survey conducted by investment firm, U.S. Trust, some wealthy boomers worry that their kids will squander inheritance money or develop a sense of entitlement.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but many of the children of baby boomers that I've seen grew up believing that had a sense of entitlement because that's what their parents demonstrated. They were spoiled little rich kids who became intolerable young adults.
Perhaps this is a topic I'm not qualified to speak on because I don't fall into the "wealthy boomer" category and I do plan to leave my daughter whatever I have. Yes, I'm the minority--AGAIN.
To read the entire article, click here: No Baby Boomer Inheritance
Yes, we boomers have made sacrifices for our children over the years. I have gone without a new outfit on many occasions in order to make sure my daughter had clothes on her back and food on the table. I have passed up on exotic vacations so I could keep a roof over our heads. I spent my life working jobs I hated, often at the expense of my health or personal relationships.
It's funny---all of MY hard work, didn't make me a millionaire baby boomer.
According to the survey conducted by investment firm, U.S. Trust, some wealthy boomers worry that their kids will squander inheritance money or develop a sense of entitlement.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but many of the children of baby boomers that I've seen grew up believing that had a sense of entitlement because that's what their parents demonstrated. They were spoiled little rich kids who became intolerable young adults.
Perhaps this is a topic I'm not qualified to speak on because I don't fall into the "wealthy boomer" category and I do plan to leave my daughter whatever I have. Yes, I'm the minority--AGAIN.
To read the entire article, click here: No Baby Boomer Inheritance
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Birthday Party Boomer Style
Thinking about what to get for your half-century-old spouse or friend. Why not throw them a birthday party? Baby boomers like to party just like the generations after them. It doesn't have to be anything lavish, according to consumer and money saving expert Andrea Woroch. With the help of Facebook, Andrea says you can throw a back-to-basics bash.
Here are her tips:
1. Discount Decorations
Dollar stores are your go-to place for party decorations. You'll save up to 70-percent off party store prices and the selection is equally nice. Dollar stores also are a great place to finding inexpensive wrapping paper and reusable gift bags.
2. E-invitations
Facebook is one of the best ways to create a simple invitation using the "Event" function, but not everyone uses the social network. Several websites, including evite.com and SmileBox.com, offer free electronic invitations that do the trick while providing RSVP feedback.
3. Serve Finger Food
A four-course meal takes a lot of time, skill and money. Instead, keep guests happy with simple hors' doeuvres created in your kitchen. You'll want to avoid the pre-packaged appetizers from your grocery or specialty store as they'll cost you 40 percent to 60 percent more than homemade.
4. Borrow Your Finery
Stepping out in a new outfit or dress shirt will surely impress your guests, but it'll do little for your budget. Borrow something to wear from a friend for that special birthday-outfit feeling. If that's not possible, check out second-hand stores for a bit of frugal frippery.
5. Booze as Gifts
Instead of bringing gifts to the event, ask guests to contribute booze for the celebration. Alcohol is the most expensive element of any adult party, especially if you've invited a rowdy crowd.
6. Skip the Cake
Store-bought cakes are often expensive and don't always taste the best. Instead, serve simple cupcakes, baked goods, ice cream or -- horrors -- make your own cake from a box mix.
7. Select a Strategic Time Slot
Plan the event for directly after lunch or dinner, when guests will already have eaten and won't expect much in the way of food.
8. Register with CardAvenue.com
Take the burden off friends by having the birthday gal or guy register for gift cards at CardAvenue.com. They can buy discount gift cards for the recipients favorite stores or restaurants and they'll never know the cards were purchased at less than face value.
9. Don't Stress Out
You're less likely to buy extras at the last minute if you don't sweat the small stuff. Your role is to be a good hostess and you can't do that with frayed nerves.
You can party like it's 1979!
Here are her tips:
1. Discount Decorations
Dollar stores are your go-to place for party decorations. You'll save up to 70-percent off party store prices and the selection is equally nice. Dollar stores also are a great place to finding inexpensive wrapping paper and reusable gift bags.
2. E-invitations
Facebook is one of the best ways to create a simple invitation using the "Event" function, but not everyone uses the social network. Several websites, including evite.com and SmileBox.com, offer free electronic invitations that do the trick while providing RSVP feedback.
3. Serve Finger Food
A four-course meal takes a lot of time, skill and money. Instead, keep guests happy with simple hors' doeuvres created in your kitchen. You'll want to avoid the pre-packaged appetizers from your grocery or specialty store as they'll cost you 40 percent to 60 percent more than homemade.
4. Borrow Your Finery
Stepping out in a new outfit or dress shirt will surely impress your guests, but it'll do little for your budget. Borrow something to wear from a friend for that special birthday-outfit feeling. If that's not possible, check out second-hand stores for a bit of frugal frippery.
5. Booze as Gifts
Instead of bringing gifts to the event, ask guests to contribute booze for the celebration. Alcohol is the most expensive element of any adult party, especially if you've invited a rowdy crowd.
6. Skip the Cake
Store-bought cakes are often expensive and don't always taste the best. Instead, serve simple cupcakes, baked goods, ice cream or -- horrors -- make your own cake from a box mix.
7. Select a Strategic Time Slot
Plan the event for directly after lunch or dinner, when guests will already have eaten and won't expect much in the way of food.
8. Register with CardAvenue.com
Take the burden off friends by having the birthday gal or guy register for gift cards at CardAvenue.com. They can buy discount gift cards for the recipients favorite stores or restaurants and they'll never know the cards were purchased at less than face value.
9. Don't Stress Out
You're less likely to buy extras at the last minute if you don't sweat the small stuff. Your role is to be a good hostess and you can't do that with frayed nerves.
You can party like it's 1979!
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