Blog for Boomers, Men and Women over 50 - 50somethinginfo Blog

Holiday Gifts For All Ages: Finding The Perfect Gift

2009-11-14T01:47:00.000-08:00

Car-Man and I cherish our throws. We curl up on the sofa at night under them and watch some of our favorite programs.

Then Debbie Burak, founder of VeteranAid.org, introduced me to a custom woven throw made from a digital or print image.

This not only makes the ideal gift, it comforts:

Those who have lost a loved one

Children who have a parent deployed

Those in hospitals, rehabs, nursing homes or assisted living facilities

Those separated by distance

Those remembering their favorite pets

Those reminiscing about happier times.

Ms. Burak is extending a 10% discount to my readers if you enter coupon code TENOFF at the checkout.

Create a family heirloom by following the simple ordering instructions. Your gift will be the best gift. I promise.

Other gifts which are sure to please:

An Apple a Day Keeps Colon Cancer At Bay: What To Eat For Colon Health

2009-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

What you eat is important for colon health, according to Real Age. The fiber found in apples (pectin) appears to protect your colon from cancer-causing compounds. Choose cloudy over translucent juices because they contain more disease-fighting antioxidants.

Head for Red Delicious bin at your supermarket. Wash them well and don't forget to eat the nutrient-enriched skins.

Other key factors to colon health are:

Get screened for polyps

Load up on whole grains

Drink milk and stay away from sugary drinks

Add sliced onions to your salads

For more on colon cancer, visit 50somethinginfo.com. And read my cousin's real-life situation conquering colon cancer.

Special Times To Save Money (Consumer Reports): When You Should Buy

2009-11-09T01:29:00.000-08:00

Consumer Reports suggests you adjust your alarm clock to get the best deals.

Find the least expensive airline seats on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Buy your seat after 3 p.m. (Eastern time), Tuesday - Thursday.

Bowl before 9 or 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

Shop farmers markets near closing time for the best buys.

Discounted movie tickets may be available in the morning or early afternoon.

The cost of live theater tickets may be greatly reduced within a couple hours of curtain time--but be prepared to pay in cash.

Check your utility company to see if rates are lowered during off-peak times.

Dating For Boomers and Seniors: How to Find YOur Soulmate

2009-11-07T00:11:00.000-08:00

When you're in the dating pool, you're thinking about where to go, what to wear and what to say.

AARP has something to say about making the whole process easier:

Try group activities such as wine tasting, cooking classes or seminars.

Join groups that focus on your hobbies.

Put on your dancing shoes.

Pack a picnic or better yet, shop together for the picnic fare and find the perfect spot.

Go to a gallery or a museum.

Try boating--canoe, row boat or dinner cruise.

Join a book group or meet at an author's lecture.

Pull out your golf clubs or tennis racket.

Visit a nursery.

And most of all, have fun!!!

Financial Planning For Boomers and Seniors: How to Hire the Right Personal Financial Advisor

2009-11-04T01:41:00.000-08:00

Two of the most abused words in the English language are “financial planner.” Be warned that a number of professionals wear that title even though they shouldn’t--like insurance agents and stockbrokers.

When looking for a personal financial advisor, find one who accepts no commissions from product sales. Pay by the hour, a flat fee, an annual retainer, or a percentage of your assets.

Interview the person (this appointment should be free) to see if it is a right fit.

Consult as many sources as you can including those that can be found online.

However, if you find yourself unable to pay your bills, don’t hesitate to confer with a nonprofit credit-counseling agency for free or low-cost. Consider applying for public programs, also, to get over the hump.

For more, check out 50somethinginfo.com.

Medicare Part D Prescription Plan: Getting the Best One For You

2009-11-01T03:53:00.000-08:00

Take Dale Carter's word for it. She provides step-by-step instructions on how to select the right plan for you or your parent.

Each year she reviews her mother's current plan to decide if that is the proper route to take for the subsequent year.

Following her advice takes into account changes in congressional or state legislation, changes in prescription plans and changes in a person's medical and financial situation.

You can check the estimated annual costs for comparisons and make the most prudent decisions.

Now there's no need to reinvent the wheel. Thanks to Dale Carter, a daunting task is made easy.

Smoking: It's Never Too Late to Stop

2009-10-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

Even if you've smoked two packs a day for 40 years, you are likely to add years to your life, breathe more easily and have more energy...if you quit. You'll also have more extra money and your food will taste better.

Your clothes and hair will smell better.

You'll be setting a healthy example for your kids and grandkids.

Your chance of heart attack, stroke and other circulatory diseases diminishes within the first year.

And much more.

The bad news is that the first few weeks are very hard. You may become grumpy, hungry or tired. Headaches, depression, sleeping habits and concentration may plague you.

BUT the good news is that there is a lot of help out there. You can join a support group, get counseling or use nicotine replacement therapy. Find the organizations, doctors and clinics offering stop-smoking programs by opening your phone book or check out this site to find out more than you ever wanted to know (!) about smoking.

When You Can't Sell Your Home

2009-10-27T01:30:00.000-07:00

If you’re unable to unload your home at a fair price, renting it out may be a wise option. This way you will have help paying the monthly mortgage while waiting for the value of your home to increase, according to AARP.

Owner-turned-landlord, you are warned to:

Check comparable rentals in the area and price it right.

Screen your tenants carefully and check out their ability to handle the monthly rental payment.

Keep good records and consult your accountant about tax consequences.

Make sure you follow landlord tenant law.

Make certain that all parties are properly insured.

Use a handyman (or do it yourself) when repairs are imminent.

Factor in provision for lease/option to buy.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: A Chance to Land the Job You Want

2009-10-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

New jobs and career opportunities are being created throughout the U.S. because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Lear how to position yourself to take advantage of the opportunities by studying job searcher Monster's Stimulus Jobs Guide.

Stay informed, advance in your career and find local jobs. Research the industries that are most impacted by the stimulus.

For more on jobs, volunteering and career changes, visit 50somethinginfo.com.

Computers Combat Depression for Boomers and Seniors

2009-10-20T01:40:00.000-07:00

Miranda Hitti of WebMD Health News reported to Fox News that adults over 65 who use computers are less likely to experience depression than the non-computer savvy friends.

Probably, she asserts, this is because this group of people are more likely to connect with other people via email, chat rooms and because they are exercising their brains more (learning!).

What else did this study group reveal?

Most had higher annual household incomes and greater ease with daily tasks.

For more on improving your mental health and combating depression, visit 50somethinginfo.com.

Save Money on Gas

2009-10-17T01:55:00.000-07:00

Smart Money gives advice on saving money at the pump.

If you want to feel less pain filling up your car, follow these inexpensive and easy steps:

1. Compare prices at stations near your home or work. Tap into websites such as GasBuddy.com and BillShrink.com.

2. Pay in cash if there's a discount.

3. Take advantage of discounted gas at warehouse clubs.

4. Keep your car in good shape in increase fuel efficiency. Tire should be properly inflated. Maintain air filters and stick to the car's recommended motor oil.

5. Watch acceleration, hard braking and speeding.

6. Lighten the load--remove excess articles from the trunk. Pack items inside the car rather than using roof-racks which increase drag.

7. Limit air conditioning usage.

Cancer Treatment: Mini-robots to the Rescue

2009-10-14T01:15:00.000-07:00

According to Discover Magazine, sometime in our future (6 years?) tiny robots will be able to travel through body fluids, find a tumor and zap it with drugs (chemotherapy).

Propelled by an electromagnetic field, the miniature (small enough to balance on a grain of salt) crawling robot can snake its way through the body with its tiny arms gripping vessel walls and burrow itself into disease tissue.

Hallelujah.

For more on cancer treatments, check out 50somethinginfo.com.

Photography Tricks and Tools For Amateurs and Pros

2009-10-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry, folks. I don't know why these photography tools never made it to my September 21 blog.

I'm trying again.

***Sue's alert: If anyone who like to submit photos for my blog, I'd welcome them and will give you credit!

Electronics guru Kim Komando shared some of her favorite "special effects" photography sites.

1. Although some features require paid membership Picnik provides photography tools that mimic certain types of film or paper. You can even insert text bubbles--like in cartoons.

2. BigHugeLabs offers dozens of photo tools to do mozaics, posters and puzzles.

3. MorphThing can combine 2 faces into one--very cool.

4. Put someone into a movie scene or onto a poster or billboard by using FunPhotoBox and get instant celebrity.

5. Class up your photo with ornate frames. Or cut your photos into various shapes. Put your face onto the body of a weightlifter or model with LoonaPix.

6. Mozaiq does just that==make a mozaic of your favorite photos.

7. Photovisi provides various layouts for a photo collage.

8. You don't need extra lenses (or an SLR camera) to be able to focus on your subject and blur the background. Try TiltShiftMaker.

Thanks, Kim. And for more on photography, including digital camera reviews, visit 50somethinginfo.com.

Boomer and Senior Jobseekers

2009-10-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

Combined with age discrimination the recession has made finding a new job a daunting task for older workers many of whom have been laid off or are driven back into the job market.

The assumption by many employers is that older workers either would not accept less than their customary salary or would be unhappy for doing so. And often the human resource staff feels that boomers are less familiar with the latest technology and social networking skills than their younger counterparts.

In response boomers have taken to deleting dates on a resume in order to land a job. They ignore ads that suggest that the position would be perfect for a recent college graduate. And they are taking steps to appear younger—even using cosmetic treatments such as botox.

Boomers are bracing and preparing themselves for the frequent question, “Aren’t you overqualified?” and are encouraged by experts to emphasize skills and achievements over the number of years of experience.

According to Associated Press Christopher Rugaber, jobseekers should be enthusiastic about the job without sounding desperate. They should also brush up on their skills and not give anyone sufficient reason to discriminate against them in any way.

Boomer and Seniors Get Tattoos

2009-10-09T00:56:00.000-07:00

I don't know why they're getting tattoos at our age (and would love to hear why you think they do!)...but they are. But the fact is that more and more baby boomers are adding to birds, flowers and family reminders to body parts mostly unseen in public.

Like our younger counterparts, boomers and seniors should go only to reputable shops displaying licenses from city, county or state agencies. Even so, make sure the artist not only uses new disposable needles which are discarded after use but also explains the entire process.

The tattoo artist should disinfect chairs, tables, counters and workspaces, wear gloves and wash hands before and after each customer.

Think before you ink, warns the FDA. Be on alert for allergic reaction. And note that you may be at risk for other ailments.

No Pretty Shoes For Me

2009-10-08T02:10:00.000-07:00

I linger longingly at the stylish pointed heels but head toward the sensible comfort shoes, trying to come to terms with my unsightly, sometimes painful, bunions.

I shouldn’t be surprised that I have them. Mom does. And it’s likely my daughter will develop them too.

Why?

Because the malady responsible for angling my big toes toward my second ones is more likely to discomfort women (50% of women have bunions) and is hereditary.

Here’s how we can cope:

1. Purchase a shoe with a wider toe box.

2. Avoid heels and pointy toes

3. See a podiatrist to get specially-designed orthotics.

4. Use bunion-relief gel pads that fit over the toe.

5. Speak to a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon about the best bunion-removal surgical procedure for you. But, buyer beware. Bunions can recur.

Best Recession Bargains

2009-10-05T01:17:00.000-07:00

Consumer Reports Money Adviser provides the best recession bargains in its June, 2009, issue.

For big ticket items, you can compare prices and in some cases, get alerts when prices have dropped. Try BizRate, PriceGrabber, Shopping.com, Yahoo Shopping and Nextag.

Pass on extended warranties if your research shows low repair rates.

Get as many of these as you can when you purchase a car: low interest rates, cash back, and special lease deals. (Sue's suggestion: Consider insurance costs in your decision--different models might have different rates).

Select cruises that don't involve expensive airline tickets to get to the port. And Early Saver programs can cut the cost as much as 30%.

Look for hotel bargains in cities that formerly served as convention sites.

Don't buy more than you need. For instance, a 6-megapixel camera is great for most photos. You don't need to spend more on more pixels.

Maintain a stellar credit score if you plan to purchase real estate (and take advantage of house bargains galore).

When purchasing washers, dryers, ovens and ranges, and refrigerators, consider only energy-efficient ones to save on your utility bills.

Secondhand stores are my personal favorites for clothes.

Finally, for greater discounts at many stores, ask the salesperson if he/she can "work" with you. Negotiate also on shipping, delivery and installation. Paying in cash can save the merchant for a credit-card transaction--so see if the store will pass along the savings to you.

Find more about discount shopping at 50somethinginfo.com.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Therapy: Voo Doo or Voo Don't

2009-10-02T01:17:00.000-07:00

This is for you, Kim P., Diane S., Barbara, and Pam.

Every since Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center (Milwaukee) neurologist Bhupendra Khatri used his plasma exchange machine 30 years ago, most of his MS patients have noticed significant improvement.

One went from a wheelchair to a cane or walker. Another claimed that she couldn't have finished college and grad school without the exchange of artificial plasma for her blood plasma.

And of the 271 patients in a 25-year study presented in May, 2009, a total of 217 showed improvement.

Journalist John Fauber (McClatchy News Service) reported that even though Dr. Khatri is earning increasing credibility in the science community, many question his test data. They assert that the FDA would have required better-designed and more random clinical trials.

Pharmaceutical companies are paying little attention to the blood-filtering system. But maybe that's because it wouldn't generate a big enough profit for them.

Still, Medicare and Medicaid have initiated payment for the costly ($4, - 5,000) treatments even though most private insurance companies deny it.

Kudos to Dr. Khatri for continuing his uphill climb to relieve the millions afflicted with MS. May all the videos he is now taking to document his patients' improvements turn the skeptics into believers. We'll see.

Heal Thyself

2009-09-29T01:21:00.000-07:00

You don't have to be Superman to heal thyself, according to Julie K. Silver, M.D.

Ms. Silver is a practicing physiatrist, a doctor who combines physical medicine with rehabilitation. She treat people with a variety of serious illnesses and injuries.

She advises that in order to speed up your recovery, avoid infection and help recuperate, you need to focus on diet, sleep and movement.

1. DIET

Get certain vitamins and adequate protein. Eat nuts, seeds and legumes, at least 5 portions of fruits and veggies and a 100% RDA (Recommended Daily Requirement) multi-vitamin.

2. SLEEP

Because some healing processes require sleep to work effectively, get at least 7 - 8 hours (or more!) each night.

3. EXERCISE

Movement gets the blood working. Exercise heals muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments better and faster. After an illness or injury, slowly increase your activity (with your doctor's permission, of course).

YOU have the power to heal. Go for it.

Oats, A Healthy Food Source

2009-09-26T01:06:00.000-07:00

Animals ate it. Now we do--to keep healthy.

Oats keep bad cholesterol at bay.

Oat fiber controls blood sugar.

Oats may help reduce heart disease.

It doesn't matter whether it's old-fashioned, instant, or even steel-cut, oats are similarly nutritious.

For more on diet and nutrition, visit 50somethinginfo.com.

Brain Health: What You Can Do

2009-09-23T00:49:00.000-07:00

The University of California, Berkeley, puts out a great Wellness Letter.

Lately it featured an article on brain health. This is what I learned to promote good brain health:

1. What helps your cardiovascular system also benefits your brain and protects it from disease.

2. Exercise is a key factor to preserving brain function. Aerobic exercise, in particular, can improve brain activity and produce new brain cells and the connections between them.

3. Anything that exercises your brain is promoting good mental health.

4. Control your blood pressure.

5. Prevent or control your diabetes.

6. Control your weight--especially that bulge around your middle.

7. Lower your cholesterol naturally or with drugs.

8. Increase your good cholesterol.

9. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Alcohol in moderation has been linked to better cognitive functioning.

10. Large doses of vitamin B12 (under a doctor's supervision) may help with memory loss.

1. Treat depression as it may cause severe memory problems.

Putting "Fun" Back Into Photography

2009-09-20T01:10:00.000-07:00

Electronics guru Kim Komando shared some of her favorite "special effects" photography sites.

1. Although some features require paid membership Picnik provides tools that mimic certain types of film or paper. You can even insert text bubbles

2. BigHugeLabs offers dozens of tools to do mozaics, posters and puzzles.

3. MorphThing combines 2 faces into one.

4. Put someone into a movie scene or onto a poster or billboard by using FunPhotoBox.

5. Class up your photo with ornate frames. Or cut your photos into various shapes. Put your face onto the body of a weightlifter or model with LoonaPix.

6. Mozaiq does just that--make a mozaic of your photos.

7. Photovisi provides various layouts for a photo collage.

8. You don't need extra lenses (or an SLR camera) to be able to focus on your subject and blur the background. Try TiltShiftMaker.

Thanks, Kim! And for digital camera reviews, visit 50somethinginfo.com.

Job Tips For Anyone Over 50

2009-09-17T01:51:00.000-07:00

AARP provides excellent information for the boomer and senior looking for a job--in the United States or elsewhere.

Follow their instructions, for instance, on how to:

Prepare a resume and cover letter that demands attention

Win at interviewing

Apply their job strategies by:

Finding out who hires older workers

Determining the best job search sites and staffing firms

Learning how to network with success

Assess your skills and talents by:

Preparing a short speech that briefly explains your particular expertise

Get help:

From a career coach

From financial tools

By taking classes to update skills

Consider going out on your own:

As a consultant

With your own website

With your own business

Know:

That you're not alone

For more on jobs, career changes, entrepreneurship and volunteering, visit 50somethinginfo.com.

Home Swapping Vacations

2009-09-14T01:08:00.000-07:00

Whether or not you have the money for a vacation, you can still take one!

There are a host of websites such as HomeExchange.com and HomeForExchange.com that provide members with a means to swap their own home or condo for another one in a desired location.

This is how it works:

You'd purchase a membership and upload a description with photos of your home and neighborhood.

Then you indicate the places you'd like to visit.

Finally, you wait to be contacted by other interested members.

You can discuss the swap by phone or by mail.

So clean your house, stow your valuables, prepare guides to your area, share house rules and take off for a dream vacation!

Go with peace of mind. Swappers have found that co-members are much more likely to treat the home as if it were their own--than outside agencies.

For more on travel, check out 50somethinginfo.com.

10 Ways to Keep Busy Between Jobs

2009-09-11T02:55:00.000-07:00

Allan Hoffman, Job Expert and Monster Tech, wrote an article, “Ten Ways to Keep Busy Between Jobs.”

Why? Because employers want to know how applicants spent their time while they were out of work—they want to see that you were productive with your off-time. Besides bypassing depression, discouragement and hopelessness, job seekers can influence potential bosses by demonstrating continued career involvement.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Volunteer. You give back to a cause and organization while networking with people who may be able to guide you in the right direction.

2. Join a professional organization and take a leadership position.

3. Update your skills by taking classes.

4. Take an internship particularly if you are changing careers.

5. Teach a class.

6. Be an independent consultant. Get business cards and set up a web site.

7. Join a job seekers group to exchange contacts and give support.

8. Build social networks online and offline.

9. Consider opening your own business.

10. Have fun and keep your sense of humor.

For more on employment, visit 50somethinginfo.com.