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• Up date areas so not outdated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:

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.

For more information listen to this podcast:

Welcome to this weeks addition of the Boomer News.

 Boomer Finance:

• Retirement survey indicates that 15% of those who own their own business will continue to work in their business until they die.  22% of men and 14% of women who are currently over the retirement age are self employed.  If you are in your 50's or older consider starting your entrepreneurial stage of life.  If you are so inclined, start while you are still employed and don't borrow if you can help it – keep the debts down.  Continue to work until you have one years expenses saved and are earning more that you are currently earning with your job.
• Protect your identity by locking your credit reporting agencies.

Boomer Family:

• Characteristics of Baby Boomers according to a Survey by the American Consumer:
  • 55% vote
  • 10.8% undertook home remodeling
  • 41% play the lottery
  • 35.6% live in household with 3 or more vehicles
  • 39.1% believe they will be better off financially in a year
  • 23.3%  have no personal medical, hospital or accident insurance
  • 42.4% exercise at least twice a week
  • 40.7% feel it is important to preserve the environment
  • 21.7% signed a petition in the last 12 months
  • 14% own a giant TV – greater than 42"
• Motorcycle ownership has increased between 1990 and 2003 by 44% among Baby Boomers compared to 6% among all other groups
• Single females are joining together to share expenses and emotional support.  Not many males are doing the same.
• Costa Rica had $26million dollar debt to the U.S. forgiven.  They must spend the same amount on purchasing more rain forest and placing it into their National Reserve System

 Boomer Technology:

• Wellness Mobile Phone is just a prototype at this time.  However it can count calories and total them for the day.  It knows when you are walking, running, climbing stairs and resting.  It can take you pulse and measure your body fat.  What will they think of next?
• Blogging is very popular today.  Are Baby Boomers blogging?  According to one survey, 18% of bloggers are Boomers and 3% are over 70 years old.  Consider becoming a blogger.

Boomer Health:

• Europeans are healthier then Americans basically because of our rates of obesity and smoking.  They are healthier and spend about half of what we spend on health.  We need to lose weight, give up smoking and exercise.
• Fish is good for you according to Harvard.  Eating a modest amount of fish consistently per week is associate with a 36% reduction of death from coronary artery disease and total mortality reduction of 17%.
• Vitamin K is important not only for blood clotting but also for binding calcium to bone.  Take your multiple vitamins every day.
• Cheap nursing home care in Mexico.  One gentleman for example was spending $550 per month for room, 3 meals a day and 24 hour nursing care.  For an additional $140 a year he got complete health insurance including drugs.  Be sure to investigate before you buy.
• Particularly for parents of overweight children it is recommended that they:
  • Have frequent healthy family meals
  • Encourage positive atmosphere during meals
  • Promote physical activity
  • Build self esteem in their children

For more information listen to the podcast.

Welcome to this weeks Boomer News.

Boomer Finance:

With the loss of mortgage revenue many banks are lowering the standards for credit cards, increasing the limits and marketing them heavily.  Today we owe over $500 billion in credit card debt.  What will be the results of this activity?  It is predicted that there will be increased defaults, bankruptcies and asset write-offs in 2009.  What is the health of your credit card debt?

Tour director jobs are a great job for boomers.  Over 50% of them are 50+ years old.  Get certified and then enjoy being paid to travel.

Boomer Family:

Are your children picky eaters?  Are you a picky eater?  Did you teach your children by example to be picky eaters?  A new study indicates that being a picky eater is based upon 78% genetics and 22% environmental.  Blame it on your genes.

Many boomers will look to adult communities for their retirement.  Do some research before you buy.  

• Choose a location
• List your wants and needs
• Budget
• Visit
• Observe closely during your visit
• Does it offer transportation for residents?
• How far for shopping
• Is there security

Look before you leap.  This is a long term decision and there can be waiting lists.

Boomer Technology:

Shopping carts that read the bar code and then explain about the product.  Also can keep track of what you have placed in the cart.  Can alarm that you have purchased too much junk food.  Sound unreal?  Well be prepared as companies are almost ready to produce them.  I just will not scan my junk food.  I don't want the alarm to go off.

Social media sites for Boomers:

• Facebook
• Eons
• BOOMJ
• LavalifePrime
• SisterWoman
• CafeMom
• MothersClick

There are many others but this is a list of some of the sites Boomers are using today.

Microsoft Health Vault has opened.  You may place your private health information on the site and share it or parts of it with who ever you allow.  Is it secure?  Yes says Microsoft.  Who enters the information – You do.  Will you trust your information to Microsoft?  Will the doctors trust the information on the site?  Who will be first to try this?  All good questions with no answers yet.  I know I will not be one of the first.

Video Chats are fun, cheap and easy.  More and more Boomers are using them to talk with family and friends.  I am looking forward to my daughter getting a web-cam so I can see my granddaughter.  What do you need?

• Computer with Internet connection
• Preferably a high speed Internet connection
• Web-cam for under $40.00.  I go mine on sale for $10.00.
• Microphone.  Many web-cams have a microphone built in.
• Software to conference with.  I use Skype.  It is free to contact other Skype users.

Install the software and web-cam.  Add your friends and relatives addresses to your software.  Call them.  It is easy and fun.

Boomer Health:

HIPPA is a federal law designed to protect your private health information from being shared with anyone you don't want to share it with.  Recently George Clooney had a motorcycle accident and went to the hospital.  Now 40 hospital employees are being investigated for accessing his private health information.  27 individuals have been suspended for accessing his information and sharing it with the press.  I for one am glad these people have been found and punished.

Over the counter and prescription drug long term effects.  We are all getting older and living longer.  What we don't know is the long term effect of the drugs we are taking today.  This was not a real problem until we started to live longer.  There are not many studies long enough to help us understand the potential effects.  So don't take that pill unless you really need to.  Ask your doctor why you need each prescription and ask if you would do OK without it.  But remember if you need it take it.

For more information listen to this podcast:

Welcome to the Boomer News.

Show Notes:

Finance:

• Medicare premium rate increase is only 3.1%
• 50% Boomers not ready for retirement
• Better jobs hard to find if over 55 and unemployed
• Finance new venture with retirement nest egg – good idea?
• Effect of Boomer retirement on the economy
• Identity Theft – top 10 locations

Family:

• Paper Critters – www.papercritters.com
• How to find your next vacation
• Peace Corps
• Mind my house – www.mindmyhouse.com

Technology:

• How to video blog for $40 or less
• Steps to your first blog
• Hybrid cars – new danger to the blind

Health:

• Depression in the work place
• emWave – www.emwave.com

Welcome to the Boomer News.

Show Notes:

 Finance:

• DNR, Healthcare Proxy, Living Will
• Will
• Healthcare Premiums for 2008
• Retirement funding

Family:

• Eating health at home
• Violent Death risk
• Family car bills
• No family car
• Divorced parents and help from children in old age
• Costa Rica for retirement
• WWW.USNEWS.COM/DIRECTORIES/RETIERMENT

Technology:

•  Blogging for your health
• Business attitudes
• Eon
• 411 calls – 1-800-goog-411
• Mobile technology

Health:

• Alzheimer's
• Healthcare abroad
• Moderate exercise and your blood vessels
• Diabetes and fracture hip
• Smoking and alzheimer's
• Stress

Welcome to this weeks Boomer News

Show Notes:

Finance:

• Coffee and Starbucks Tip
• Challenges of multiple generations in the same work environment
• Protecting seniors from predatory practices

Family:

• Disaster Preparation
• Whats important to workers over 50 years of age

Technology:

• As many Internet users over 55 as between 18 and 34
• Older people are sticky
• Two types of Boomers

Health:

• Flu Shots – get yours soon

Welcome to this weeks Boomer News

Episode Notes:

Finances:

• Your debt
• Debit cards
• Conquering your debt
• Health insurance cost
• Costly medical care – 0% loans
• Mortgages
• Avoiding foreclosure

Family:

• Baby Boomer Travel
• Vowel sounds and consumer buying
• TV time and attention problems
• Family Hour on TV
• Eating together as a family
• Just for fun – Mosquito facts

Technology:

• RSS readers
• Wireless networking at home

Health:

• Dieting
• Hurricane Katrina and PTS
• Depression

This weeks Boomer News.

Show Notes:

Financial

• Young adults need to learn how to manage their finances
• Wal Mart and the Subprime crisis

Family Life

• Family pets
• Geneology
• TV vs. Internet
• Define Family
• Deer hunting
• Family vacations
• Legal documents to keep control

Health

• Dementia
• NIH Senior Health publication
• Osteoporosis once a year dosage

Technology

• Drive on hydrogen
• Cashless, cardless payment system
• Technology chain you to your desk or set you free

Here's the Boomer News.

Show Notes:

Financial
     *  Subprime Market/Foreclosure

               Foreclosures up from 440,000 to 760,000 in 2007 to 935,000 in 2008

               7% of 32 million households studies owed more than their house is worth and another 4% had less than 5% equity

         
     *  Identity Theft

          September 1 new laws – check your state

         
     *  Reverse Mortgages
    
Family Life
     *  Senior Sex – Something to look forward to
    
     *  Short or long vacations

              Research in England indicates that for families:
              40% who took mini holidays found them more stressful than longer family holidays

    *  Travel Insurance

Health
     *  Weight loss with the Internet
    
     *  Medication Tip – short term Rx
    
     *  Loneliness and Health

              Lonely people have more chronic stress

     *  Antioxidants can reduce risk of age related macular degeneration

              Fruits and vegetables in your diet can help to keep your vision

         
Technology
     *  Women more likely to search for health information
    
     * Spying on your parents
    
     *  Google Health