Baby Boomer News

Welcome to this weeks edition of the Baby Boomer News:

Show notes.

Baby Boomer Finance

Social security benefits

• Plan when is best for you to start
• Waiting gives you higher monthly income
• Those who delay pull out ahead in total lifetime benefits if they live past 80
• Waiting yields higher benefits for survivors – spouse
• Healthy could wait but sick should do soonest

Starting a business in retirement

• In Canada – 54% of self employed are boomers
• Reasons:
  • Money
  • Desire to fill in spare time
  • Mental stimulation
  • Satisfy a curiosity
  • Build a skill set
• Need to have a passion about it

Baby Boomer Resume – don't let it date you

• Up date areas so not outdated
• Technology skills
  • Get the skill you need to compete
• Industry or occupational terminology
  • Be sure to use the latest terminology
• Resume trends
  • Cover your history that is relevant
  • Not limited to one page
  • Vary resume to audience
  • Don't end with references upon request – assumed
• (1) word document and (2) text version for Internet

Baby Boomer Family

Caregivers

• Now or later
• Become one or need one
• Biggest problem is burnout
• New resource is AGIS.com for free online information at every stage of care giving

Protect your family and home in case of wild fire – recently a big problem in California

Some suggested ideas:

• Create 32 feet of defensible space around your home
• Store gasoline, etc in approved safety containers and away from occupied building
• LPG tanks should be far away from building so valves to be shut off in case of fire
• Clean roof surfaces and gutters regularly
• Maintain non-flammable screen over the flue
• Distance between house and any nearby tree should be greater the height of the tree or at least 10 feet
• Remove portions of any branches extending over roof
• Have fire tools handy such as ladder, shovel, rake and water bucket
• Have an evacuation plan
• Your address should be clearly posted at the street or curb
• All roads and driveways should be at lest 15 feet in width
• Remove all leaves and flammable vegetation from around house
• Every home have at least 2 entrances and exits
• Garden hose should be connected to outlet or spigot
• Dispose of fireplace ashes or charcoal in fire safe container
• Combustibles should be moved away from house
• Wider fuel breaks are needed around buildings on steep slopes
• Trim trees and shrubs of diseased or dead limbs

In case of wild fire

• Call 911
• Evacuate pets and family members who cannot help defend house
• Wear protective clothing – natural fibers
• Remove combustibles from defensible area
• Close/protect openings
• Shut off gas
• Fill containers with water to fight fire
• If you have gas pump for water be sure has fuel
• Place ladder on side of house in clear view
• Back car out to driveway and roll up windows
• Close garage doors but be sure can be opened by hand
• Valuables inside car ready for your quick evacuation if necessary

Prepare to leave

• Lights on
• Don't lock up

Good resources

• National Weather Service
• FEMA
• At home in the woods: lessons learned in the wildland/urban interface

RV travel

• Typical owner is 45 – 65 years
• Sales up 22 % in last 3 years
• Wants the works
• 73% owners say they are closer to their spouses because of RV trips

Aging in Place in America survey

• Seniors fear moving to a nursing home and losing their independence more than death
• Children of seniors also fear for their parents with concern about emotional and physical well-being in nursing home
• Vast majority of seniors want to age in place – not move
• Baby boomers fear their parents will be mistreated in nursing home
• 63% boomers are providing some kind of help or support
• About half seniors comfortable with technology and open to new technology that enable independence

Top cruise secrets

• Maximum flexibility can save money – move departure date for less cost
• Ask if guarantees are available – understand first
• Upgrade programs – understand first
• Special fare eligibility – be sure you really qualify
• Loyalty club
• Group rates
• On board re-booking
• Value added benefits
• Arrange your own flights
• Travel insurance

Live aboard your own cruise ship

• Like factional ownership of plane
• Can be more economical than you would expect
• Ever been on a cruise – good life style – why not all the time

Baby Boomer Technology

Would you like to make money blogging?

• Start your own blog – free or hosted
• Topic you like or have a lot of interest in
• Advertisers – payperpost.com, bloggingads.com, blogitive.com
• Submit to directories, commit on others posts, forums, signature files
• Join community – blogfeast.com, bloggerparty.com, blogcharm.com
• Join a blog network – weblogs.inc, creative weblogging, b5media, 451press.com

Baby Boomer Health

Alzheimer

• Have you heard of early-onset
• 5% of those with Alzheimer are early onset – 50's
• Treat aggressively
• Signs
  • Memory loss
  • Difficulty performing familiar tasks
  • Problems with language
  • Disorientation to time and place
  • Decreased judgment
  • Problems with abstract thinking
  • Misplacing things
  • Changes in mood or behavior
  • Changes in personality
  • Loss of initiative

To learn more listen to the podcast: