You might have noticed there wasn’t a Wednesday post this week.  It didn’t get written because I had a travel day from **** Tuesday traveling to Florida for business.

But so you don’t have to wait another day, my Yakezie member introduction is published today.  Check it out and see you back here tomorrow!

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.

Eucerin is a brand my family has been using for 24 years so I was happy to see them as an BlogHer exhibitor last month.  My pediatrician first recommended their products to me in 1986 when my newborn had unusually dry skin.  Years later, my dermatologist recomended their Redness Relief line of products to battle the effects of rosacea.

I took the Eucerin Skin First quiz  and after pledging to take care of my skinwas given the gift bag above containing Eucerin Daily Skin Balance Body Lotion, Daily Skin Balance Hand Crème as well as the Everyday Protection Face Lotion and a Eucerin Health & Wellness Journal.  I was thrilled to hear from Eucerin later with the opportunity to give away twogift bags to Bucksome Boomer readers.

Everyone will be a winner though because you can get a free sample by visiting the Eucerin facebook page and taking the pledge.

Eucerin Gift Bag Giveaway

There are four ways to enter the giveaway. For each entry, complete the form (click refresh to get it back).  Comments left on the post will not be entered.

1. COMMENT: Enter a tip on how to take care of your skin. (MANDATORY)

2. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to Buck$ome Boomer and leave a comment saying if it i via RSS or email.

3. TWITTER: Tweet the giveaway and leave a comment letting me know.

4. BLOG: Include the giveaway in a post on your blog linking to this article and leave a comment.

The Rules

This giveaway is open to those 18 or older and U.S. residents only.  Entries close on September 15th at noon Pacific Time and the winner will be selected via random.org.  If there is not a response within 48 hours to request for mailing address another winner will be selected. Remember to leave an email address that you’ll be checking.

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.

Just a quick post to celebrate the winners of the past two giveaways here at Bucksome Boomer.  Danielle G. won the Spinbrush Cosmetics Bag and Jessie C. is the winner of the Avery Back to School Gift Basket. Congratulations to you both.

Using the Google Docs form made it a lot easier for me to pick the winner but I didn’t get as many entries as usual so this week’s giveaway will use the standard comments methodology to see if that helps.

If you didn’t win please continue to stop by and enter the latest giveaway. This week I’m giving away two skin care gift bags courtesy of Eucerin.  Entries start tomorrow. 

To be sure not to miss any Bucksome Boomer’s Journey to Retirement updates subscribe via RSS reader or by Email.

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.

One of the topics covered by Daily Worth last week was a website named Divorce Candy.  What caught my eye was that they host divorce registries.  You can schedule a Divorce party and register for gifts.  It’s like a bridal registry in reverse.

Divorce Party

If you don’t know how to get started this website has several articles on how to throw the perfect party, checklists and etiquette.  Call me old-fashioned but it seems that ettiquette went out the window just by just throwing this tpe of party.

One of the pointers is not to go over to the dark side (like this cake) but rather support the person and celebrate a new beginning.  The checklist includes ordering a cake, party favors and registry which is eerily similar to the celebration pre-marriage.

Divorce Registry

Part of the divorce process is splitting up household possessions which usually leaves both people needing items whether it be a major piece of furniture or kitchen utensils.  It would never have occurred to me after my divorce to ask friends and family to give me gifts.  Instead, I was wondering if I should give back the wedding presents even though we were married a decade.

I’m all for helping people out but I want it to be self-motivated, not because I felt obligated due to my friend having a divorce registry.  The checklist includes such non-essentials as a pizza stone and fondue pot.  I don’t even own these things after 15 years of marriage.

—–$$$$$——

I’m sure this website has helpful information on other topics such as dating and solo travel.  I’m just not there with the divorce party and registry.  Is it just me?  I want to hear your thoughts on this topic.

photo credit: Roberto Rizzato ?pix jockey? Facebook resident

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.

Last night we had a date night done frugal style.  We started the evening out at a new (to us)restaurant using a $25 restaurant.com certificate I bought for $1 during a 90% off sale.  We had good food, a fun atmosphere and great service for $26 including a 19% tip on the whole amount.

Then we used Groupons for the Starlight Theatre performance of Hello Dolly.  It was a wonderful performance and we had gotten seats in the first section for only $20 apiece (regularly $45).  The theatre is located in Balboa Park which is one of the best city parks in the U.S. (if not the world).

That’s the first day of the holiday weekend.  I don’t think we can top it!

Time to get to my reading picks for the week.

Editor’s Picks

Darwin’s Finances asks if the McMansion is dead? Although that would be good news, I think it’s just on a back burner until the economy improves.

Do you make these 5 expensive grocery store mistakes from Not Made of Money?

Financial Samurai’s post on how to get girls if you live at home resonated with me because I now have two adult sons in the household.  I really don’t care if they have a love life; just want them to be able to fly on their own.

There are good tips on how not to drown in a sea of financial stress from Financially Poor.

The Millionaire Nurse Blog talks about divorce in this new economic reality. No matter what it is a finance-altering experience.

What is your motivation for getting out of bed each morning? Live Real, Now talks about how it can shape your life.

Buy Like Buffett shares how your grandparents (or parents for those in my age group) made more money than you in the 1970′s.

Blogging Picks

These articles are blogging related versus personal finance. I thought they would be useful to my readers that are also bloggers.

Why Twitter is Helpful when Preparing for Blog Conferences @ Blog Conference Newbie

How I Keep Track of Blog Income and Expenses and Why It’s Important @ Bible Money Matters

How to Blog Successfully: 10 Blog Pitfalls you Should Avoid @ The Secret is in The Sauce

Carnivals and Link Love

30 Personal Finance Bloggers to Follow on Twitter @ Own the Dollar

Carnival of Money Stories: Summer Vacation Edition @ Squirrelers

Yakezie Carnival: The Next Challenge Edition @ Cool to Be Frugal

Baby Boomers Blog Carnival 55th Edition @ Baby Boomers U.S. (The Blog)

Back to School Carnival of Debt Reduction @ Bad Credit Relief Center

Yakezie Challenge Blog Carnival @ Aspiring Millionaire

Black Coffee: The Best Personal Finance Book I’ve Ever Read @ Len Penzo

photo credit: eggrole

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.

When taking a look at my numbers for August, it came to my attention that I never did a wrap-up for July so this one will cover two months in terms of stats.

Can you believe this is the last weekend of what we refer to as summer?  I know the official end is later in the month but culturally this is it. What I did on my summer vacation was attend my first (and second) blogging conference.

They were both extremely different experiences and very valuable.  The best part is that I did adjust my budget in advance to pay for both trips so we’re good in terms of finances.  However, I plan to work hard at sponsors for the next one.

Blog News

I’ve recently added a couponing tab on the navigation bar which will be a quick reference to all coupon related posts.  It also will have different ads on the sidebars related to coupons and deals.  You can also find the latest giveaway being hosted here under the new Giveaway tab.

Visits and page views were both up 25% in August compared to June.  I think a lot of that growth is from exposure to other bloggers via conferences and participation on the Yakezie and Inexpensively teams.  I don’t expect this much of an increase every 2 months, but it sure is nice!

Of course visitors make it to bucksomeboomer.com from other blogs and here are the top ten referrers during July-August:

1. Wise Bread
2. GraceFUL Retirement
3. Girl With the Red Balloon
4. Invest it Wisely
5. Funny About Money
6. The Frugal Girl
7. Grocery Coupon Guide
8. Frugal Hacks
9. Credit Card Chaser
10. No More Spending

I’ve enjoyed reading how some of my peers spent their summer via blog posts and want to hear from you. What was the highlight of your summer?

photo credit: wvs

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010.  All Rights Reserved.

My 1-year-old grandson has been taking infant swimming classes like the kids of Steve @Brip Blap. He thought maybe some Americans don’t know how to swim because they live in city. I don’t think that’s the reason.  It is more likely because of their socioeconomic background.

Just like my grandson, my siblings and I took swimming lessons; just at an older age.  I didn’t know anyone that could not swim.  That changed when I joined the Navy at the advanced age of 19.

Navy Swimming Challenge

One of the essential tasks in boot camp was to be able to swim across an Olympic size pool after jumping off a high diving board.

The purpose is to see if you could survive, at least a while, in the case of falling off or abandoning a ship at sea.  Some girls never could make it across the pool and were literally booted out of the Navy because of it.  Most of these were African Americans from poorer backgrounds.  They didn’t have the benefit of childhood swimming lessons and trips to the ocean.

In case you think it is because of  race alone let me tell you about my grandmother.  She never learned to swim until she was 40 years old.   Grandma never did become a great swimmer but she was able to enjoy the pool and beach the next 40 years of her life.

Doing Something About It

Cullen Jones, Olympic Gold Medalist, is African American and addressing the disparity.  He traveled the country this summer with his Make a Splash initiative promoting low cost and free swimming lessons.

His goal is to give all kids swimming skills regardless of their ethnic or economic situations.  His personal story of near drowning as a child showcases the importance of kids being water safe.

——$$$$$——

Although all Americans are rich compared to many countries, it doesn’t seem that way when you learn there are so many people that don’t know how to swim or kids that have never been to the local zoo (let alone an amusement park).

Are there other life skills poor children don’t learn?

photo credit: spilltojill

One of the sponsors I met during BlogHer ’10 was Avery Dennison at the Social Luxe Lounge event. They contacted me recently about hosting a back to school giveaway featuring a gift basket (similar to the picture below) filled with Avery Dennison supplies such as NoteTabs, hi-liters, glue sticks, binders, and more.

Avery Celebrates Teachers

As you know, with school cutbacks many teachers are forced to either spend their own money on supplies or go without.   In fact, studies by the non-profit organization World Vision show that teachers spend an average of $500 of their own money each school year on supplies.

Avery Dennison is helping out with their “Avery Celebrates Teachers” sweepstakes.  Encourage teachers (including homeschooling parents) to apply  soon as the sweepstakes closes on September 15, 2010.  Read the complete rules for more information on requirements.

Prize packages include:

• One (1) grand prize package, which includes: a goodie bag of Avery products valued at $500; a SpaFinder gift card valued at $350; and a Starbucks gift card valued at $150
• Three (3) second prize packages valued at $200 each
• Five (5) third prize packages valued at $80 each

Encourage teachers (including homeschooling parents) to apply soon as the sweepstakes closes on September 15, 2010. Read the complete rules for more information on requirements.

Box Tops for Education

You can also support schools through Box Tops for Education. Avery is the only school and office supply manufacturer that participates in this program. When you purchase select Avery school supplies for the new academic year you also receive Box Tops coupons to clip and return to participating schools to be redeemed for cash. Each school then uses the cash at their discretion to purchase new supplies, fund programs, or buy much-needed equipment, computers, etc. To learn more, visit www.avery.com/btfe.

Back to School Giveaway

There are four ways to enter the giveaway. For each entry, complete the form (click refresh to get it back).  Comments left on the post will not be entered.

1. COMMENT: Enter your favorite way to save money on back to school in the form (MANDATORY)

2. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to Buck$ome Boomer and complete the entry form saying you subscribe.

3. TWITTER: Tweet the giveaway and complete the entry form (no more than once a day).

4. BLOG: Include the giveaway in a post on your blog linking to this article and complete the entry form.

The Rules

This giveaway is open to those 18 or older and U.S. residents only.  Entries close on September 6th at noon Pacific Time and the winner will be selected via random.org.  If there is not a response within 48 hours to request for mailing address another winner will be selected. Remember to leave an email address that you’ll be checking.

NOTE: I didn’t receive any compensation for this post other than the opportunity to give the gift basket to one reader.

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.

It’s important when creating your budget to understand what is a need versus a want. If you need to cut back then the wants are the first to go. However a recent survey of my generation revealed the needs are not really only the basics for survival (shelter, clothing and food).

Instead, 66% in this survey by Mainstay Investments indicated that shopping for birthdays and other special occasions is a need. If that seems outrageous, other surprising baby boomer needs include an annual vacation (50%) and professional hair color/cut (43%).

Wanting it All

As part of the first generation to think they could (and should) have it all we’re starting to seriously think about retirement if not already there.  And it’s time to pay the piper.  This has motivated me to focus on paying off debt so I can start seriously beefing up my retirement accounts.

David Stewart, financial psychologist, indicates that boomers in general never shifted from spenders to savers when hitting middle age.  I can see why if we think dining out (38%) and weekend getaways (46%) are needs.

Catching Up

Thank goodness I am near the end of this generation so I have more time to prepare.  Fortunately I’m not the only one making changes in their retirement strategies.  Some might work longer while others might try phased retirement.

Another strategy is to retire to a smaller home or cheaper area and add the remaining equity to your retirement fund.  Others are seeking the advice of financial advisers for advice on when to retire and how to live as comfortably as possible.

—–$$$$$——

I think we’ll be okay but I am with the majority of boomers who think internet (66%) and pet care (51%) are needs.  What is a need in your budget that isn’t directly related to food, clothing and shelter?

photo credit: Roger Smith

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.

A couple of weeks ago I received an email inviting me to attend a Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt tasting at the Westfield North County Mall in Escondido.  Well since this is brand I normally buy, the $25 gift certificate offered was a bonus.

I attended yesterday but you can still go today for your free sample, coupons and a fun game with prizes.  There’s a booth that blows up paper yogurts and other pictures.  If you can grab 5 of the yogurt pictures before the time is up you get a free reusable bag with 4-packs of yogurt.  There are prizes even if you don’t get that magic number.

E-Book and Yakezie News

My friend, Craig Ford, from Money Help for Christians, released his budgeting e-book this week to great acclaim. Through tomorrow, you can buy The Secret to a Successful Budget for 30% off. I am not an affiliate but know it’s a good source if you need help in this area.

This week at Yakezie.com the first five member profiles were published. Check it out to learn more about this week’s featured bloggers.

Editor Picks

Almost Frugal shares 17 ways to save money in the shower. That’s definitely not one place I focused on.

Do you know how to replace vital documents? Get Rich Slowly tells us how to replace six of them.

My Journey to Millions asks if Generation Yers are different? I would say yes, but that’s not a bad thing.

It may seem obvious, but Bargaineering reminds us to treat everyone at work with respect.

No Credit Needed shares a strategy for saving for future purchases. It’s a great way to avoid debt.

Retirement brings decisions about where to live including possible overseas. Canadian Finance Blog shares information about retirement visas.

Free is My Life shares links to live blogs of BlogHer 2010 sessions. You can learn without having to have been there.

Learn how to make a homemade tomato sauce from the Frugal Zeitgeist. It includes a video and it’s fun to hear and see fellow bloggers.

Not Made of Money shares easy ways to save money when redecorating your bathroom. I would love to replace my outdated light fixtures and add frames to the mirrors at our house.

Carnivals

Carnival of Money Stories – Back to School Editions @ Intelligent Speculator

Weekly Roundup – Forced Volunteering Edition @ KNS Financial

Carnival of Financial Planning 8-27-10 @ Intelligent Speculator

Content © Bucksomeboomer  2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.