Boomer News

Welcome to this weeks edition of the Boomer News.

Show notes:

Boomer Finance:

•  Why do people start their own business.  A recent survey showed that there are a few basic reasons:
  • I want to love what I do
  • I'm the Boss of Me
  • I'm inspired by ???
• Is your credit card safe in the store's computers?  One example where it was not involved TJ Max and Marshalls.  Late in 2006 a breach of security was discovered.  It happened through the wireless network and then on to the main servers.  94 million accounts were compromised.  Court is still out on the final findings.
• Living paycheck to paycheck is much more difficult recently with the price of everything going up.  It is affecting the middle class now not just the poor.  It affects the retail stores and their prices and stock.  Things are getting very difficult out there.

Boomer Family:

• Vegetarian diet can save CO2 output and global warming.  Maybe not save it but could have a positive affect on it.  A vegetarian diet that includes milk and eggs saves 1.5 metric tons of CO2 each year over a non-vegetarian diet.  So eat those vegetables and save the planet.
• 10 terribly rude behaviors according to a John Hopkins University survey are:
  • Discrimination in an employment situation
  • Erratic/aggressive driving that endangers others
  • Taking credit for someone else's work
  • Treating service providers as inferiors
  • Jokes or remarks that mock another's race/gender/age/disability/sexual preference or religion
  • Children who behave aggressively or who bully others
  • Littering (including trash, spitting, pet waste)
  • Misuse of handicapped privileges
  • Smoking in non-smoking places or smoking in front of non-smokers without asking
  • Using cell phones or text messaging in mid-conversation or during an appointment or meeting
• Geneva Conventions and medical students.  Seems that at least 33% of medical students did not know threatening prisoners or depriving them of food and water was prohibited.  What about in practice, will they defend your needs to the insurance carrier?  Seems more education is needed.
• To a point the taller you are the better you perceive your health to be according to a study done in England.  The cut off is below 5'4" for males and 4'11" for females.  Being taller increases your feeling of good health
• What do you want to do during your retirement?  A study by Sun Life Financial showed that
  •             85%    Domestic travel
  •             83%    Hobbies
  •             82%    International travel
  •             81%    Begin a new career
  •             78%    Spend more time with children, etc
  •             76%    Start a business
  •             73%    Volunteering
  •             72%    Take classes or get a degree
  •             61%    Purchase a second home
  •             56%    Relocate to a new location
  •             54%    Assist charitable organizations

Boomer Technology:

•  Satellite Internet is an option for Boomers in rural areas where DSL and Cable is unavailable.  Bill Drew discussed his experience when he found that his satellite dish company offered satelite Internet.  First it was not overly expensive and it only took 4 hours for the technician to set up both the satelite TV and Internet.  It has been very reliable and fast.  He had only dial up before that was slow and unreliable.
• VOIP (voice over Internet provider) is a way to make phone calls using the Internet and not your land line phone.  The technology and quality have really increased in the last few years.  More people are using it because it can save up to 60% over land line calls.  Have you tried it?  I use Skype for both regular audio calls and video calls.  I love it.
• Craigslist is a bulletin board on the Internet.  It is free and you can find out all kinds of information and buy or sell almost anything.  Check out where the closest Craigslist is to where you live.

Boomer Health:

• The World Health Organization did a study of obesity by country.  The results range between the U.S. at 30.6%, then England at 23.0% to Japan at 3.2%.  This is definitely a major health problem around most of the world.  Remember to watch your diet and exercise.  Walking is a great exercise and we all should be doing it daily.  Does your city encourage walking by providing sidewalks?  If not, you should let your government know that they are not helping your health and well being.
• Ohio State University did a study of Boomers and found that 70% of us use alternative health products and services.  The primary one is chiropractic at 43% of us.  We also use massage therapy, breathing exercises, herbal medicine and meditation.  Be sure you understand the interactions of your herbal preparations and your over the counter and prescription drugs.  Also share what herbal preparations you're are taking with your doctor.
• Did you know that the treatment of impotence can lead to sudden hearing loss?  It appears that a small percentage of users of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra will experience sudden hearing loss.  As with all drugs, be sure all benefits out weigh the potential side effects.
• MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus) is becoming more of a problem even outside the hospital.  This is a bacteria created through the abuse of antibiotics.  It is found on the skin and in the noses of 30% of the population without causing harm.  So it is everywhere.  If it gets into your skin through a cut or scrape, you can get an infection.  It first looks like a pimple or boil and rapidly grows into an abscess and will not heal.  If you suspect you are infected see your doctor right away.  MRSA killed over 19,000 people in 2005.  Remember to wash your hands frequently, clothes and bedding regularly and do not share personal items such as combs etc.
• Sleep.  I love it.  Did you know that pain and illness can reduce your sleep?  Less sleep leads to more ailments.  Did you know that more sleep reduces your sensitiveity to pain?  A vicious cycle can develop.  If you need help breaking this cycle, see your doctor.

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