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For Active Travelers, Summer Beckons
Tweet Share on Facebook June 9, 2009 CommentIt's not too late to take advantage of incredible summer travel bargains. The major travel sites have dropped their reservation fees and discounts abound. So, if you've not been grounded by the economy, here are three memorable ideas, courtesy of Canadian travel writer Alison Gardner. She specializes in active senior travel and her Travel with a Challenge online magazine focuses on unusual trips. As Gardner notes, older travelers "are not remotely interested in paying for rest and relaxation that they can do in their own home; instead they are looking for much more meaningful, proactive, educational experiences for their holidays such as nature-based vacations, educational, cultural/historical and volunteer vacations."
[See also Need a Personal Stimulus Program? Travel!] -
Four Questions to Test Retirement Readiness
Tweet Share on Facebook June 8, 2009 Comment (6)The Boomerater™ Report, our weekly collaboration with online baby boomer resource Boomerater, this week explores four questions you need to ask yourself to determine if you are financially ready for retirement. These four questions are part of a 10-question checklist written by registered investment advisor Michael Miller, featured in Boomerater’s financial advisor directory.
[See also Four Signs You're in Retirement Denial.] -
Social Security Stimulus Payments Sent
Tweet Share on Facebook June 4, 2009 Comment (19)By today (June 4) at the latest, more than 52 million stimulus payments of $250 each should have been received by eligible Social Security and Supplement Security Income (SSI) recipients, the agency says. That's more than $13 billion and certainly is a contender for the quickest stimulus boost in the government's program.
[See also Do You Know Social Security Earnings Rules?] -
It's Time to Update Personal Disaster Plan
Tweet Share on Facebook June 3, 2009 CommentHurricane season is upon us, so it's time for what should be at least an annual preparedness drill for you and your possessions. While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a normal storm season, there is nothing normal about a hurricane or other disaster. Here's a checklist of steps to take.
Emergency food, water and supplies. Set aside enough food and water for at least a week, and put extra lights, batteries and the like in waterproof containers. I went online last year at my friendly warehouse membership site and ordered a complete disaster preparedness kit that came packed in a waterproof plastic bin. It will keep me fed, hydrated and relatively secure against extended power and service outages. Too bad it didn't help against economic disasters! A friend of mine regularly fills multiple 5-gallon jugs of water and also stores water in her bathtub every time a serious storm is forecast. I'd probably save the bathtub for my own use if a bad storm hit, but then, she's a lot cleaner than I am. -
Four Signs You're in Retirement Denial
Tweet Share on Facebook June 2, 2009 Comment (30)Optimism is good; denial isn't. When it comes to retirement plans, the evidence is overwhelming: the recession will delay retirements for millions and reduce the standard of living of even more people who are, or were, getting near retirement. A recent Pew Research Center survey, for example, says most middle-aged Americans are thinking about delaying their retirements and altering plans in other ways. Yet despite the short-term adjustments that consumers are making -- looking for bargains, saving more -- many continue to hold expectations about retirement that experts say are simply no longer realistic. Here are four signs that you may be in denial about how the Wall Street and housing meltdowns have changed your retirement prospects.
[See also How to Get Your Finances Back on Track in 6 Steps.] -
4 Tips To Help You Find Good Medical Care
Tweet Share on Facebook June 1, 2009 Comment (23)The Boomerater™ Report, our weekly collaboration with online baby boomer resource Boomerater, this week gives you tips on questions to ask and websites to visit before choosing a new doctor.
Question: I am looking for a good website that rates doctors and dentists. I have recently changed insurance providers and the new company does not include some of my doctors. It is upsetting in that I really like and trust my current doctors and am worried about making a bad decision.
