The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Best wishes on St. Patrick’s Day

By Rita R. Robison

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and the celebration of everything Irish.

I partied at O’Blarney’s Irish Pub this afternoon. It was packed.

The menu featured Bangers and Mash and other Irish treats.

I enjoyed a green Marguerita…

and corn beef and cabbage.

A daughter and her dad wore blinking green lights.

Two waitresses posed.

I looked great in the jacket and skirt I bought on my niece’s fashion website shopatdiva.com. Although I’m one-quarter Irish, I usually don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day because I don’t have anything green to wear. This year, I planned ahead.

Have a great St. Patrick’s Day. Enjoy your celebration and be sure to designate a driver if your going pubing with friends.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What are the best sunrises and sunset you’ve ever seen?

By Rita R. Robison

The most memorable sunsets I can recall were in Tacoma, Wash., Sacramento, and Florida. The one above is in Tacoma.

Sunrises? I’m an evening person, so I don’t have many photos of the sun coming up.

AARP, The Magazine, gives its opinion on the topic in the article “America’s Best Sunrises and Sunsets.” Its picks are:

• First sunrise: Cadillac Mountain, Maine

• Most secret sunset: Key West, Fla.

• Best city sunrise: Salt Lake City, Utah

• Reddest sunset: Grand Canyon, Ariz.

• Last sunset: Mauna Kea, Hawaii

• Sneakiest sunset: Yosemite Valley, Calif.

One of the best tips I have for taking photos of sunsets is to take lots of photos. The light keeps changing, and it’s hard to tell in the small digital camera window what the colors actually are.

For other suggestions, see the Digital Photography School’s “12 Tips for Photographing Stunning Sunsets.”

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Great photos provide a good consumer experience this week, while a big furnace bill disappoints

By Rita R. Robison

I’m getting joy this week in working on a photo project with a friend. However, I’m grumpy about paying a big furnace bill because the power outage wrecked a part in my furnace.

My best experience: Making a photo book for a friend

I noticed Kits Camera is having a sale on 12-inch by 12-inch photo books.

For years, I’ve wanted to make one for a friend who designs exhibits. We’re working on the book together. It’s fun and brings back a lot of great memories.

My worst experience: A big furnace repair bill

Several days after a power outage due to a huge winter storm, I came home and smelled something like electrical wires burning. A while later, my smoke alarm came on and off twice.

I called the fire department, but the firemen couldn’t find a fire. However, we figured out that when the furnace came on, the smell occurred.

Fortunately, a repairman was able to come that evening. I paid an extra $75 for an overtime cost.

The entire bill was $610. The power outage burned out a part in the furnace.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Merry Christmas to you all

By Rita R. Robison

The sun is shining today, and I’m spending time with my family. It’s a happy Christmas for me.

I hope whatever your holiday traditions are that you’ll be able to have a joyous day.

Remember to take photos to record your holiday memories. Here’s a photo of me opening one of my Christmas presents.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones today on this day of magnificence and celebration.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What were your best and worst consumer experiences this week?

By Rita R. Robison

Which consumer happenings cheered you this week and which ones made you want to scream or weep? 

Here are my best and worst consumer experiences this week:

My best: 8 x 10 inch prints at Ritz Camera

Last Sunday, Ritz Camera offered a free 8 x 10 print if you went to one of its stores and placed an order. I copied one of my favorite photos on a disk and headed over to the store.

When I was there, the manager of the store pointed out that Ritz was having a sale the next day: 8 x 10 inch prints for a $1 each. There was no limit on the number of prints.

I was excited. I’ve been waiting for months for this sale. I put 45 of my best photos on a disk.

When I arrived at the store, the manager told me that Ritz had pulled the sale that morning. They offered a larger size instead, he said, because they had just had the one 8 x 10 deal for free and wanted to offer a different size. However, the manager said he’d honor the $1 price for me because he had pointed out the sale to me.

The photos are wonderful. I’ve already given some of them for Christmas gifts.

My worse: Renting a medical device gone awry

At the recommendation of my physical therapist, I rented a medical device. It didn’t do the job it was supposed to do. I followed the directions for sending it back.

The company charged my first insurance company $695 for the device I’d returned. I complained loudly.

Now the company has charged my second insurance company $695. The amount of this that I’m supposed to pay is $231. I’m incensed. This is fraud, in my opinion.

I’ve spent so much time trying to get this straightened out. I hope I can get this second outrageous charge canceled, too.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 gift ideas for baby boomer dads

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

With the economy improving, many kids will be spending more on their dad this Father’s Day.

Your dad is a baby boomer if he was born between 1946 and 1964.

What would be the ideal gift for the baby boomer dad?

Here are my top 10 suggestions:

1. Tech gadgets

Baby boomers love technology. They were there when the tech boom was born, and they’ve been big users of computers, social media, cell phones, iPads, and all the other gadgets from the beginning. Remember, Steve Jobs is a boomer. Your boomer dad will probably love an Apple iPad, a Kindle or a Nook, or a digital camera. For ideas, go to the Amazon.com ad to the right and click on it. Select "Electronics" from the list, then type in Father’s Day.

Americans will be spending about $1.3 billion on electronics for Father’s Day 2011, reports the National Federation of Retailers.

2. A special outing

Plan an event that will bring you dad joy. It could be at a nice restaurant, or if you like to cook and entertain, a fabulous lunch or dinner at your home. Does your dad golf? Tee off with him.

About $2.1 billion will be spent this Father’s Day on activities such as golfing, eating out, or going to the movies.

3. Tools

June is a great month to get a good deal on tools, according to dealnews.com. Take a peek in your dad’s garage or tool shed and see what might need replacing, such as rakes and hoes. Or, see "Top 10 Power Tools" and "Gift Ideas for the Handy Dad" for ideas.

Americans are expected to spend $1.4 billion on home improvement, gardening tools, and appliances this year, the federation predicts.

4. Clothing

Some boomer dads would like to get clothes for Father’s Day, but some wouldn’t. Ask your dad before you buy. See "Father’s Day Gifts" for the pros and cons of buying your dad clothing for Father’s Day. If you do buy your dad clothing, be sure you know the size and select an item that is nice looking and fits with his style.

Despite the objections many men may have to getting clothing for a present, Americans will be spending $1.4 billion on clothing for dad this Father’s Day.

5. Sporting goods

For the dad who’s a sports fan, watching a game or attending one with him would be fun. Or, your dad might like a book about his favorite sport or a magazine subscription. Other ideas are sports paraphernalia from his favorite team or new gear, if he plays sports. See "Sports Loving Dads Make Gift Buying Easy" for ideas.

Americans will be spending $653 million on sporting goods for dads on their special day this year.

6. Books and CDs

If you dad is a reader but you don’t know what he likes in books, ask your mom or peruse his bookshelves. Then see AARP and Publishers Weekly’s spring list of Books for Grownups. Among the recommendations are: "The Nomination" by William G. Tapply and "Started Early, Took My Dog" by Kate Atkinson.   

For CDs, to get ideas, click on the Amazon.com ad to the right, select "Music" then type in baby boomers.

Americans will be spending $598 million on books and CDs for Father’s Day2011.

7. Photos

Make a book of your favorite photos of your dad. Many photo shops have templates you can use to insert your photos and write captions. Your captions can tell your dad how much you care.

8. A gift basket

Gift baskets work for dads if they’re filled with things for his favorite hobbies or activities: golf, fishing, grilling, baseball, brewing, collecting something, video games, coffee, beer, wine, or other foodie themes.

9. A gift card

A gift card isn’t the most personal gift, but it’s better than not remembering your dad.

10. A hug, a small gift, and a card you made

If your budget is limited this year, a small pocket knife, a coffee mug with your photo, or a photo of you and your dad in an attractive frame would be a nice gift.

In total, Americans will spend an average of $106 on dad, up from $94 last year and the most in the survey’s eight-year history, according to the federation. Total Father’s Day spending is expected to reach $11.1 billion for 2011.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How do Americans celebrate Memorial Day?

Americans across the country are celebrating Memorial Day with remembrance events, barbecues, trips, personal reflection, and shopping.

President Barack Obama took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

AAA estimates that about 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home on Memorial Day, a slight increase of 0.2 percent – or 100,000 travelers – from the 34.8 million people who traveled one year ago.

Shopping is the third most popular activity over Memorial Day weekend, with 43 percent of Americans hitting stores and outlets, according to a recent AAA/IHS Global Insights study. The study found dining was first on the list, 59 percent, with visiting friends and relatives second, 52 percent.

I’m spending Memorial Day visiting with my daughter and her family. We made potato salad, and now we’re eating watermelon.

I’ll also be working on my photos and remembering the past and loved one who are now gone – my parents and most of my aunts and uncles. I’ll also be remembering my uncle Frank Gilliam who died in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones on Memorial Day. 

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What was your best and worst consumer experience this week?

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Which consumer happenings cheered you this week and which ones made you want to scream or weep?

Here are my best and worst consumer experiences this week:

My best: Getting help with tree trimming

In my backyard, I have a mulberry tree that’s too close to my house. I tried to keep it pruned back so I could enjoy the mulberries. However, I couldn’t keep up with it. If I didn’t prune the tree twice a year or more, it would grow so big it was difficult for me to saw down the big, thick branches.

In addition, last year the tree didn’t have many berries.

I asked a friend who’s handy with a chain saw to cut it down. He also trimmed some evergreen branches that were hanging over my roof in the front yard.

My worst: Receiving a cut on a plastic package

Several years ago, my daughter gave me a great present – a label maker. It will come in handy to put labels on my 50 notebooks of photos – plus the additional 50 or more I’ll be making.

Since I’m converting my photo room into a guest room, I have stacks of notebooks on my dining room table and several chairs. I got out my label maker to label the notebooks before I put them back on the shelves.

I started to get the device out of the heavy plastic package I’d cut open on three sides. Unfortunately, I cut myself.

I understand manufacturers want to display their products by hanging them on pegs. However, it’s so frustrating that the plastic packages are so hard to open. This one even caused an injury.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 April Fools’ Day posts

By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Looking for inspiration for April Fools’ Day? Try these gems of wisdom.

1. “The Top 100 April Fools’ Day Hoaxes of All Time” – Museum of Hoaxes

2. “Google April Fools' Day Gags from 2000 to 2010: a History” – eWeek.com

3. “10 Office Pranks Perfect for April Fools’ Day” – Mashable

4. “April Fools’ Day Pranks: The Biggest and Best (Pictures)" – The Huffington Post

5. “April Fools’ Day Mystery: How Did It Originate?” – National Geographic

6. “April Fools’ Day Dinner” – allrecipes.com

7. “April Fools’ Day” – Chicago Tribune

8. “15 April Fools’ Day Pranks” – Parenting

9. “Deceiving April Fools’ Day Foods” – CBS News.com

10. “April Fools’ Day Fun to Prank the Entire Family in 2011” – examiner.com

Have fun with your jokes, but remember, the idea is to laugh and have a good time, not to unduly embarrass someone or hurt them.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Did you see the big moon last night?

When I arrived home after doing errands last night about 8 p.m., I looked for the "perigee moon," the biggest in almost 20 years. Because it was cloudy, I couldn’t see it.

Full moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the moon's orbit. It’s an ellipse with one side – perigee – about 50,000 km closer to earth than the other – apogee, according to NASA’s Science News. Perigee moons are about 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than lesser moons that occur on the apogee side of the moon's orbit.

Before I went to bed at midnight, I went out to take another look. There it was. I dashed for my camera.

See The Huffington Post’s “'Supermoon' Visible This Weekend” for great photos of the big moon.

I plan to brush up on my night photography skills and see if I can get some good photos of the perigee moon tonight. It would be fun to get a nice photo of the supermoon with the Capitol building.

Copyright 2011, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist