The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

A Veterans Day 2009 look at what veterans need

America has 23.2 million veterans. About 9.5 million of them are baby boomers.

On this day that we stop to remember the contributions of our service men and women, what’s being said about veterans and their needs on Veterans Day?

President Barack Obama said that there have been times in the past when America didn’t stand by its veterans. Obama pledged that this wouldn’t happen again:

That is my message to all veterans today. That is my message to all who serve in harm's way. To the husbands and wives back home doing the parenting of two. To the parents who watch their sons and daughters go off to war, and the children who wonder when mom and dad is coming home. To all our wounded warriors, and to the families who laid a loved one to rest. America will not let you down. We will take care of our own.

And to those who are serving in far-flung places today, when your tour ends, when you see our flag, when you touch our soil, you will be home in an America that is forever here for you just as you've been there for us. That is my promise – our nation's promise – to you.

Veterans for Common Sense, a veterans’ advocacy organization, said that today’s observance offers the opportunity to raise awareness about the mental health needs of service members, veterans, and families:

Of the two million U.S. service members deployed to the two war zones since 2001, researchers at Stanford University estimated 500,000 or more Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are likely to return home with mental health conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder…

As more and more service members deploy to war and redeploy home, the scope of the health care crisis among our veterans continues to worsen…

Our list of concerns included the need for more military mental health care providers, the need for universal, mandatory medical exams before and after going to war, and the need for a stronger anti-stigma message to encourage our soldiers and veterans to seek care.

An article in the Christian Science Monitor, “Veterans Day Highlights New Efforts to Help Homeless Vets,” said veterans have a high rate of homelessness:

An estimated 131,000 former members of the armed services are homeless – with vets twice as likely as non-vets to be out on the streets. With high unemployment a nationwide problem, vets face higher-than-average jobless rates as well.

New initiatives by President Obama, by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and by members of Congress focus on improving living standards for veterans.

On Veterans Day and throughout the year, we need to think through and take action on ways the federal government, local and state governments, veterans groups, community groups, foundations, religious organizations, educational institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and Americans citizens can improve the lives veterans who have served their country.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist 

Cities where you’re most and least likely to find a job

 

Are you having difficulty finding a job in your city?

Indeed, a job search Web site, offers this ranking of cities based on the number of unemployed persons per job posting for the 50 most populous metropolitan areas in the United States. They are:

1. Washington, D.C. – 1 to 1
2. Baltimore – 1 to 1
3. Salt Lake City – 1 to 2
4. San Jose – 1 to 2
5. New York – 1 to 2
6. Oklahoma City – 1 to 2
7. Boston – 1 to 2
8. Hartford, Conn. – 1 to 2
9. Seattle – 1 to 3
10. Austin – 1 to 3
11. San Francisco – 1 to 3
12. Denver – 1 to 3
13. San Antonio – 1 to 3
14. New Orleans – 1 to 3
15. Virginia Beach, Va. – 1 to 4
16. Richmond, Va. – 1 to 4
17. Pittsburg – 1 to 4
18. Milwaukee – 1 to 4
19. Dallas – 1 to 4
20. Cleveland – 1 to 4
21. Columbus – 1 to 4
22. Houston – 1 to 4
23. Indianapolis – 1 to 4
24. Atlanta – 1 to 4
25. Charlotte, N.C. – 1 to 4
26. Philadelphia – 1 to 4
27. Phoenix – 1 to 5
28. St. Paul – 1 to 5
29. Kansas City, Mo. – 1 to 5
30. Cincinnati – 1 to 5
31. Providence, R.I. – 1 to 5
32. Chicago – 1 to 5
33. Nashville – 1 to 5
34. San Diego – 1 to 5
35. Birmingham, Ala. – 1 to 5
36. Louisville, Ky. – 1 to 6
37. Tampa – 1 to 6
38. Jacksonville, Fla. – 1 to 6
39. Buffalo – 1 to 6
40. Memphis – 1 to 6
41. Orlando – 1 to 6
42. St. Louis, Mo. – 1 to 6
43. Portland, Ore. – 1 to 7
44. Las Vegas – 1 to 7
45. Rochester, N.Y. – 1 to 7
46. Los Angeles – 1 to 7
47. Sacramento – 1 to 7
48. Riverside, Calif. – 1 to 9
49. Miami – 1 to 11
50. Detroit – 1 to 17

For details, see "Job Market Competition: Unemployed per Job Posting."

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Labor Day adventures

Today, to celebrated Labor Day, I headed to Sylvester Park in Olympia, Wash., for the annual Thurston County Labor Day celebration. When I arrived, the park was empty.

Surprised, I headed to the Brotherhood Tavern, thinking the staff there might know where this year's event was happening. No luck.

I went next door to the Thurston County Labor Temple.

A sign on the door said the Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council picnic was being held in Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis, a community a half an hour away, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. I was out of luck. It was 4 p.m.

So I began taking photos of Labor Day in Olympia.

A furniture store was offering a big sale.

A bank was closed.

The City of Olympia put up flags for the holiday.

Another city flag.

This is the fountain on the Capital Grounds by Capitol Way with the Washington State Legislative Building in the background.

Flags fly in the breeze in front of the Legislative Building.

A home in the South Capital Neighborhood decorates for Labor Day.

Another home flies the flag.

I hope you had a great Labor Day today, whether you had to work or were able to celebrate with friends or do something fun. Maybe you were luckier than I was and were able to attend your community's Labor Day event.

See my article "Top 10 Labor Day Quotes" for some thoughts on Labor Day.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What are the best and worst jobs you’ve had?

Monday is Labor Day so it’s a good time to recall the greatest and most terrible jobs you’ve had.

The job I liked best was being the consumer action columnist for The Anchorage Times. I answered consumer questions from readers. It was terrific. My dream job.

The job I disliked the most was working at the cookhouse at the Wenatchee-Beebe Orchard Co. when I was a teenager. I had to get up early, walk a half a mile, set things out, help do the dishes and wash the trays, help get lunch ready, help do the dishes again, walk home for a rest, walk back for dinner, and help with the dishes again.

What’s the best job you ever had? What made it great? Was the work interesting and worthwhile? Did a great boss make the job terrific?

What made your worst job so terrible? Was it dull? Was your boss abusive? Were you overlooked for promotion although you performed well?

Here’s a list of the 10 best jobs you can get today from JobsRated:

1. Mathematician
2. Actuary
3. Statistician
4. Biologist
5. Software engineer
6. Computer systems analyst
7. Historian
8. Sociologist
9. Industrial designer
10. Accountant

This list is the 10 worst jobs you can get today, also from JobsRated:

1. Lumberjack
2. Dairy farmer
3. Taxi driver
4. Sailor
5. Emergency medical technician
6. Roofer
7. Garbage collector
8. Welder
9. Roustabout
10. Ironworker

U.S. Department of Labor poster

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Mistakes baby boomers make when job hunting

It’s not a good idea to use “To whom it may concern” when answering an ad with the contact’s name in it.

This is one of the errors Barbara Frankel of DiversityInc discusses in her article “’To Whom It My Concern’: Boomer Job-Search Blunders.”

Frankel says boomers may need to brush up on their job-hunting skills after years out of the market.

Her tips include:

1. Avoid the mass-market approach.
2. Look beyond the usual qualifications.
3. Don’t pretend to be Web savvy if you aren’t.
4. Be flexible about salary.

See the article for details.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

10 top places for baby boomers to launch businesses in retirement

Contrary to the stereotype of 20-somethings starting Web-based businesses in their basements, it's actually baby boomers who best exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit.

During the last decade, the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity was among people ages 55 to 64, reports a study by the Kauffman Foundation.

Dane Stangler, a senior analyst at the Kauffman Foundation and author of the study, thinks that the number of baby boomers starting businesses during the traditional retirement years is likely to soon increase substantially.

Many people age 50 and older may be particularly well suited to entrepreneurship.

Boomers have experience, money, and ideas. And they want to build wealth and be their own bosses.

The article “10 Best Places for Baby Boomers to Start Businesses…” on Daily News lists these cities as great cities for boomer business men and women:

• Arlington, Va.

• Columbia, Md.

• Fargo, N.D.

• Fayetteville, Ark.

• Fort Collins, Colo.

• Knoxville, Tenn.

• Lincoln, Neb.

• Madison, Wis.

• Round Rock, Texas

• West Des Moines, Iowa

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Valuable handbook offers latest tips for consumers

 

Today I receive a great treat. A copy of the “2009 Consumer Action Handbook” arrived in the mail.

This 169-page handbook, published annually by the Federal Citizen Information Center, provides the latest information that you need to be a savvy baby boomer consumer.

You’ll find information to help you manage and stretch your money such as preventing identify theft and filing consumer complaints.

Topics of special interest to baby boomers include:

Buyer beware

• Before you buy

• Identifying and stopping fraud

Banking

• ATM/Debit cards

• Prepaid cards

• Unsolicited checks and credit offers

Cars

• Leasing a car

• Repairs

Credit

• Credit reports and scores

• Dealing with debt

Employment

• Employment agencies

• Work-at-home companies

Food and Nutrition

• Healthy food choices

• Food safety

Health care

• Choosing a doctor

• Prescription drugs

Housing

• Avoiding foreclosure

• Home improvement and repairs

Internet

• Prevent online fraud

• Spam

Investing

• Online trading

• Financial brokers and advisors

Phones

• Slamming and cramming

• Cell phones

Privacy protection and identity theft

• Reporting identity theft

• Online privacy

Travel

• Resolving air travel problems

• Passports

Wills and Funerals

Information is included on how and where to file consumer complaints. You’ll also find public resources and contact information as well as a consumer assistance directory with contact information for corporate offices, consumer organizations, trade groups, and government agencies.

Get your copy of the handbook today to help you increase your consumer power. You can order it online.

Or a searchable version of the handbook is available at www.ConsumerAction.gov and in Spanish at www.Consumidor.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

High-income earners moving their businesses to resort towns

It’s appealing to many baby boomers these days.

Move your business to Florida, Colorado, Nevada, or Wyoming, resort towns and ski areas that once were seen as places to vacation or build your second home.

The Internet, wireless technology, and the availability of airline flights are making it possible for high-income earners to move from city centers to fabulous vacation spots.

Personal income data released in April by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows tourist towns are becoming more wealthy, the Associated Press reports.

Here are the top 20 high-income counties in the United States, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis:

1. Teton County, Wyo. – $132,728
2. New York – $120,790
3. Loving County, Texas – $99,593
4. Pitkin County, Colo. – $93,465
5. Marin County, Calif. – $91,483
6. Fairfield County, Conn. – $81,576
7. Westchester County, N.Y. – $74,878
8. San Mateo County, Calif. – $71,753
9. Morris County, N.J. – $71,713
10. San Francisco, Calif. – $71,342
11. Somerset County, N.J. – $70,949
12. Alexandria, Va. – $70,632
13. Arlington County, Va. – $68,270
14. Fairfax County, Va. (includes Fairfax City and Falls Church) – $67,909
15. Montgomery County, Md. – $67,525
16. Bergen County, N.J. – $67,125
17. Hunterdon County, N.J. – $66,449
18. Sully County, S.D. – $64,352
19. Blaine, Idaho – $64,207
20. Collier County, Fla. – $63,276

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Getting the retirement you want in these tough economic times

These difficult economic times are changing retirement plans for many baby boomers.

Some boomers are delaying retirement. Others are looking at options for retirement that they hadn’t considered before, such as moving to a lower cost community or working part time.

Regardless of your situation, it’s more important than ever to set retirement goals, study options, visualize scenarios, and come up with the best workable plan that you can devise.

Here are ideas to help you with retirement planning:

Where to live

“Best Places for Baby Boomers to Thrive in U.S.” – A list of 20 towns based on criteria such as health care, dining out, low crime, cultural activities, weather, active lifestyle, average cost of living, and a range of home sizes and prices.

“How to Pick the Best Place to Retire” – Items to consider to select the best community for your retirement.

“15 Great Places to Reinvent Your Life” – A list of 15 appealing places selected by AARP for you choose from, then look for a way to earn a living there.

“The Dream of Retiring Where It’s Warm in the U.S.” – Basic steps for determining if you can afford to retire where the weather is better.

“The Dream of Retiring Where It’s Warm Abroad” – Things to consider if you want to retire overseas.

Employment

“AARP’s List of Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Offers Helpful Information for Baby Boomers” – A list of firms that may hire retired boomers.

“Boomers Looking for Jobs With Meaning in Retirement Years” – Encore jobs combine income and an opportunity to make a difference.

“Baby Boomer Women Looking for Options in Retirement” – How boomer women can have periods of work and leisure in retirement.

“Five Things Baby Boomers Need to Do Before Starting an Internet Business” – Tips to think about before you take the plunge and become an Internet entrepreneur.

“Boomers Head for Exotic Locations to Work Instead of Retire” – A job overseas offers a way to travel and earn money.

“Job Hunting Tips for Boomers” – A list of articles and Web sites to help boomers find jobs.

Housing

“What Are the Housing Needs of Baby Boomers as They Grow Older” – Different types of housing that will help boomers age in place.

“Plan to Age in Place, But Consider Backup Options, Too” – The benefits of being able to stay in your own home as you grow older and the importance of thinking through other options.

Retirement planning

“10 Top Retirement Tips for Boomers” – Important items to think through in preparing for retirement.

“Familiar Retirement Planning Techniques Fit This Financial Crisis, Analyst Says” – Steps to take to help prepare for retirement.

“New Retirement Ideas Shake Old Beliefs” – A new way look at retirement because people are living longer and are healthier and more vigorous in old age.

“Baby Boomers Putting Their Retirement at Risk by Helping Adult Children” – Why it’s important to take a look how much you’re helping your family financially.

“Life Coaches Are Helping Baby Boomers Create Better Lives” – How a life coach can help you figure out what you want to do in retirement or improve your retirement living.

Health

“How’s Your Health? Study Says Boomer Health Worse Than Previous Generation at Same Age” – Why taking care of your health is important to the quality of your retirement.

“Optimizing Your Retirement: Health, Financial Tips for Boomers” – What boomers can to do about their health and finances to have a better retirement.

These are the retirement topics I’ve been writing about since January 2008. Are your boomer consumer retirement challenges covered here?

If not, let me know what retirement information you’d find helpful.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Say ‘no’ to your TV, computer for Turnoff Week

For years, I’ve been concerned about the amount of time people spend watching television.

There’s so much that can be accomplished, including community-enhancing projects, but instead Americans are glued to their TV sets.

Now with the emergence of the Internet and video games, the American obsession with the screen continues.

On average, people watch four hours of TV daily and then spend another four-plus hours with computers, games, video, iPods, and cell phones. 

The average World of Warcraft gamer plays for 892 minutes per week, reports a Nielsen poll.  The company that owns Second Life – a virtual world – claims that its users spent over one million hours on line. 

Children six and under spend an average of two hours a day using screen media, about the same amount of time they spend playing outside, and well over the amount they spend reading or being read to – 39 minutes.

Screen time cuts into family time and is a leading cause of obesity in both adults and children, reports the Center for Screen-Time Awareness. Excessive use of screens for recreational purposes leads to a more sedentary and solitary lifestyle, which is unhealthy mentally and physically.

In the U.S. and other industrialized nations around the world, screen time use continues to increase every year. The average daily usage for all screens, in some countries, has reached nine hours per day. This is for recreational use of screens and doesn’t include work time. 

Turnoff Week, formerly called TV Turnoff Week, is April 20 to 26. People are encouraged to not watch TV, use their computers, or use other screens during the week, or at least cut down on usage of screens.

Millions of people around the world participate in Turnoff Week, with many taking part through schools, churches, or community groups, as families or individuals, or at work.

When they turn off their screens, people have time to relax, think, read, create something, or catch up on things they haven’t had time to do. Opportunities to spend time with families and take part in community activities also emerge.

Turnoff Week is supported by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Education Association, and President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist