The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Top 10 Fourth of July celebrations

After enjoying a barbecue with family and friends, a picnic in the park, boating, or hiking, it’s fun to watch a spectacular fireworks display.

What are the best July Fourth celebrations in the United States?

I reviewed several dozen lists of top Fourth of July events. Here are the cities that came up most often as the best in the country:

1. Washington, D.C.
2. Boston
3. New York City
4. New Orleans
5. Chicago, San Diego, Philadelphia
6. Mount Rushmore
7. Philadelphia
8. Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard
9. San Juan Islands, St. Louis, Mo., Lake Tahoe, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando
10. Queen Mary 2, U.S. Virgin Islands, Seattle, Williamsburg, Miami, Austin

See these Web sites for descriptions of the Independence Day celebrations in various cities:

“Top Places to Celebrate July Fourth” – Yahoo! News

“Top 10 Places to Celebrate July 4” – msnbc

“Top 10 Places to Celebrate July 4th” – toptenz

“Fourth of July Travel: Best Places to See Fireworks” – Cheapflights.com

“Top 10 Places to Celebrate Independence Day 4th of July” – Ezine Articles

“Best Places to Watch July 4th Fireworks” – LowFares.com

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Which airlines are the safest?

Baby boomers enjoy traveling, so it's important for boomers to consider airline safety.

The airline industry contends flying on a large commercial aircraft is one of the safest forms of transportation.

Consumer groups argue more needs to be done to make air travel safer.

There were 0.2 fatal accidents per 1 million departures in the United States in 2008, compared to 1.4 per 1 million departures in 1989, reports LiveScience.com. A review of the statistics between these years shows an improving trend overall.

The following list shows the five safest airlines in America based on number of accidents per 1 million takeoffs, according to data gathered from the Federal Aviation Administration, MTSM, and the U.S. Department of Transportation and reported on Injury.com.

These numbers are the yearly average from Jan. 1, 2002 to Jan. 1, 2007:

1. US Airways (.89 accidents)

2. Southwest Airlines (2.59 accidents)

3. America West Airlines (2.96 accidents)

4. Continental Airlines (3.17 accidents)

5. Alaska Airlines (3.32 accidents)

Methods vary for comparing air travel to other forms of transportation. Some show cars are safer than airplanes. Others show the opposite.

For information on airline accidents, see the “10 Worst Accidents in North America” on Aviation Safety Network.com.

The Federal Aviation Administration provides a list of countries whose air carriers can’t initiate new service and are restricted to current levels of any existing service to the United States while corrective actions are underway.

The European Union maintains a list of airlines that are banned from serving countries in Europe.

Here are more resources to help you evaluate airline safety:

“Accident and Incident Data” – Federal Aviation Administration

“Aviation Accidents From the Past 10 Years” – Federal Aviation Administration

“Aviation Accidents From More Than 10 Years Ago” -- Federal Aviation Administration

“Safest Airlines and Planes” – Frommer’s

“The Worst Airlines in the World” – HotelClub Travel Blog

“How Safe Are America’s Airlines?” – msnbc.com

“Airlines Record Safest Two Years” – eTN

My next post will be on "Safe and Dangerous Airports."

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Journalist

Comparing Airline Performance

As a boomer consumer, what’s your favorite airline? Why do you like it? Is it usually on time? Does it always handle your luggage correctly? Is the staff friendly?

Here is information from “Air Travel Consumer Report February 2009” comparing the performance of different airlines for January to December 2008.

Nineteen airlines are required to report information to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a part of U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

The department’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings compiles reports from this information. The comparisons below are from this data:

Flight delays – Percentage of on-time arrivals

Three highest

1. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES – 90%
2. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES – 80.5%
3. US AIRWAYS – 80.1%

Three lowest

17. UNITED AIRLINES – 71.6%
18. COMAIR – 69.9%
19. AMERICAN AIRLINES – 69.8%

Mishandled baggage – Reports per 1,000

Lowest rates of mishandled baggage

1. AIRTRAN AIRWAYS – 2.87
2. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES – 2.97
3. JETBLUE AIRWAYS – 3.47 

Highest rates of mishandled baggage

17. COMAIR – 8.32 
18. ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES – 9.82 
19. AMERICAN EAGLE AIRLINES – 9.89

Oversales – Involuntary denied boardings per 10,000 passengers

Fewest denied boardings

1. JETBLUE AIRWAYS – 0.01 
2. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES – 0.07
3. AIRTRAN AIRWAYS – 0.34

Most denied boardings

16. AMERICAN EAGLE AIRLINES – 2.44
17. COMAIR – 3.41
18. ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES – 3.89

Consumer Complaints – Complaints per 100,000 enplanements

Fewest complaints

1. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES – 0.25
2. EXPRESSJET AIRLINES – 0.42
3. ALASKA AIRLINES – 0.45

Most complaints

17. DELTA AIR LINES – 1.80
18. UNITED AIRLINES – 1.85
19. US AIRWAYS – 2.01

How did your favorite airline rank in these listings? If you didn’t see it, check the report for details.

In October, the bureau began gathering data on tarmac delays. I didn’t include information on this because statistics for 2008 aren’t available.

For information on tarmac delays for February 2009, see this news release from the bureau.

FlyersRights.org, an air passengers' rights group, doesn’t think the bureau statistics on tarmac delays are accurate. 

In a report, the “2008 Real Air Travel Consumer Report Card,” the group said there were more than 1,200 tarmac strandings – in which passengers are locked in planes on the runways – in 2008.

The report card is based on government statistics, press reports, airline website data, FlyersRights hotline reports, and eye witness accounts provided by the group’s coalition members for the period from January 2008 through December 2008. (Click on 2008 Report Card on the left side of the Web page under “Events” to find the pdf report.)

In the FlyersRights’s report, Delta, JetBlue, American, US Airways, and Comair received the grade of "F" for tarmac delays of four-plus hours.

United Airlines and Atlantic Southeast got a "C." Alaska, Northwest, Frontier, Hawaiian, and Southwest received an "A."

My next posts will be on “Which Airlines Are the Safest?” and “Safe and Dangerous Airports.”

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Are discounts for airline tickets a myth?

This fall, I’ll be visiting my daughter in Miami.

It’s time to sign up for an airline ticket, so I thought I’d spend some time on the Web to see if I could find a way to get a cheap ticket.

I know you need to be a wise consumer and start early to get a good price. The longer you wait the more the price goes up.

I called American Airlines and the cheapest ticket they had for dates and times I wanted to travel was $300. My goal was to beat that price.

I began by checking Expedia.com, Cheapflights.com, Orbitz.com, Cheapoair.com, Cheaptickets.com, and Travelocity.com.

The flights on American were consistently $20 less, which is the $20 booking fee that American charges if you call to make a reservation.

If I’d been willing to take a “red eye,” I could have purchased a ticket for about $30 less.

Next I tried coupons. I started out with coupon sites I’d listed in my post “Opportunities Abound for Baby Boomers to Cut Costs With Internet Coupons” because I knew they were reputable sites.

I tried RetailMeNot.com and Coupons.com. I was hopeful when I saw a 10 percent off coupon for American Airlines on RetailMeNot.com. A reviewer said he’d obtained the discount 18 days ago.

But alas. The promotional code didn’t work when I tried to buy a ticket.

Then I found a note on RetailMeNot.com and another coupon Web site that stated American Airlines and another airlines had requested all coupons for the companies be removed.

Next I did a search for an airline coupon on any site. Some sites merely take you to the Promotions section of airline Web sites.

I didn’t find a coupon and even ran across several coupon sites that were considered “dangerous.”

I checked the rewards program for my credit card, but I haven't accumulated enough points to receive a reduction on my ticket. The Safeway rewards program was closed on the weekend, so I couldn't check my point total.

I tried Priceline.com, Yahoo! Travel, AOL Travel, and a consolidator. Same $280 price.

After several hours on the computer, I decided to give up. I put a ticket on hold for $280 through the American Airlines Web site.

The next day, when I went buy the ticket, I discovered that I’d made a mistake. I’d signed up to go on a Tuesday when Wednesday was the day I wanted.

I had to start over.

I decided to get the ticket through Priceline.com. Although I had to leave an hour earlier, I was still able to get the $280 price.

After I completed the details for buying the ticket, a window popped asking if I’d like a 10 percent discount. I laughed and clicked on it.

Priceline said it would upgrade me to a 15 percent discount if I’d join their Great Fun club. I agreed. Membership is free for the first month and $12 a month after that unless I cancel.

I’m to receive a Cash-Back Claim Form that will be e-mailed to me within 72 hours.

We’ll see how that works, whether the form is sent and the check received.

Have you been able to find discount coupons for airline tickets? If so, let me and my readers know where to locate them.

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

Top 10 list of the top 10 beaches in the world

Baby boomers love the beach and the exercise opportunities beach activities provide.

Going to the beach is relaxing. The beautiful water, sandy beaches, blue sky, and the soothing action of the waves draw millions of people a year.

What are the best beaches in the world?

I read dozens of Web sites and blogs and selected what I thought were the best lists of the top 10 beaches.

For my top 10 list, I picked the beaches mentioned most often on these lists. They are:

1. Ipanema Beach, Rio de Jariero, Brazil
2. Clifton Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
3. Pink Sands Beach, Harbor Island, Bahamas
4. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii, U.S.A.
5. Paradise Beach, Mykonos, Greece
6. South Beach, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
7. Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
8. Maroma Beach, Yucatan, Mexico
9. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania
10. Whitehaven, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia

Here are the 10 lists that I selected these 10 beaches from:

“Top 10 Beaches of the World” – Guardian.co.uk

“Top 10 Beaches” – Maps of the World

“Top 10 Beaches in the World” – Uptake Beaches Blog

 “Top 10 Beaches We Love” – msnbc

“Top 10 Best Beaches in the World” – Trifter

“Top 10 Beaches” – lovetoknow.com

“10 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World” – Listphobia

“Top Best Beaches in the World” – TravelUnderCost

“Top Best City Beaches in the World” – Travel + Leisure

“Top 10 Exotic Beach List” – Hotels by City.net

Let me know your thoughts on the beaches you enjoy most.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What are your favorite beaches?

With the rain tapping on my roof, I’m thinking about summer and sunny beaches.

What are the beaches that you think are the greatest? The beaches that draw you and your family and friends back again and again?

Here’s a list of the top 10 beaches that my family and I have enjoyed:

• Cannon Beach, Oregon – Giant rock monoliths and nine miles of sandy beaches.

• Florida – Favorites include Miami Beach beaches, Bahia Honda State Park, the Florida Keys, Sanibel Island, and Southwest Florida Coast beaches.

• Mazarron, Spain. Picturesque beaches with great swimming and water sports, with 315 days of sunshine a year.

• Playa de los Genoveses near San Jose, Spain. A kilometer long with shallow waters and rocky headlands at each end.

• Playa de las Catedrales Beach, Galicia, Spain. A magnificent beach with rock formations like the arches in a cathedral.

• Paradise Island, Bahamas. Beautiful beaches and warm water.

• Dubrovnik, Croatia. A variety of nice beaches for swimming and sunbathing.

• Santa Cruz, California. A series of sandy beaches great for swimming and surfing.

• Sydney, Australia. Favorites include Bondi Beach and Manly Beach.

• Ocean Shores and Westport, Washington. Great beaches for a brisk walk in the fresh ocean air.

My next post will be on the opinions of others on the best beaches in the world.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How to wash your hands

We’ve heard it dozens of times in the last two weeks on the news: To help prevent Swine Flu, wash your hands.

But what we haven’t heard are directions for hand washing.

When you wash your hands, use soap and warm water and wash them for 15 to 20 seconds, the Centers for Disease Control recommends in its Q&A “H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You.”

That’s the length of singing “Happy Birthday” twice. Be sure to scrub between the fingers and around the nails and cuticles. Also wash the backs of the hands and wrists. Then rinse and dry.

When soap and water aren’t available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

When should you wash your hands?

• Before you start and when you finish preparing meals and snacks.

• Before you eat.

• After using the restroom.

• After touching animals.

• When your hands are dirty.

• After you’ve had contact with infants and small children, especially if you’ve wiped their noses or changed their diapers.

• If you’ve had contact with children or adults who have respiratory illnesses.

• After you’ve had contact with respiratory secretions, such as blowing your nose.

When you cough or sneeze, the CDC suggests doing it into a tissue then throwing the tissue away.

However, other health agencies recommend coughing into your sleeve, your elbow, or shoulder. If you cough into your hand, then shake hands with someone, it could spread germs.

To prevent spreading germs, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.

In public, germs can linger up to two hours on places such as doorknobs. When exiting public restrooms, use your shoulder to push open the door or use a paper towel on the handle or doorknob.

If you’ve used a cash machine, wash your hands before you eat.

Phones, TV remotes, and the laundry also are places germs accumulate.

What other suggestions does the CDC have for avoiding Swine Flu?

• Try to stay in good general health.

• Get plenty of sleep.

• Be physically active.

• Manage your stress.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Eat nutritious food.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Hopefully, the Swine Flu outbreak won’t be as bad as first feared.

Today’s headlines, such as “Swine Flu Fears Ease – For Now at Least,” are encouraging.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 baby boomer challenges

What are the top 10 difficulties baby boomers face today?

With the recession continuing, many boomers are stressed about money, jobs, and housing.

Here’s my take on the top 10 things worrying boomer consumers these days:

1. Setting a retirement date

With investment returns and housing prices down, many boomers are postponing retirement.

2. Keeping a job

Older workers are often the first to be laid off, so boomers have concerns about being able to remain in the workforce. Or, they’re unemployed and looking for work.

3. Declining health

As boomers get older, the chances of becoming ill – including developing a serious illness or having a heart attack – increase. 

4. Rising health care costs

Health care spending has risen about 2.4 percent faster than GDP since 1970. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services project that by 2018 health care spending will be more than $4.3 trillion or $13,100 per resident and account for 20.3 percent of GDP. Meanwhile, the quality of health care diminishes, including an increased risk of getting an infection when you go to the hospital.

5. Dwindling home values

In 2008, home sales prices fell an average of 9.5 percent, the largest annual decrease in 39 years.

6. Handling family relationships

Tough economic times make it more difficult to visit with adult children and their families who are spread across the country. Or, adult children may need to move back home due to job losses and financial setbacks. 

7. Increasing costs and the inability to pay off debts

Costs are continuing to rise while raises and promotions disappear, making it more difficult to pay off credit card debt.

8. Decreasing leisure activities

With money tight, the opportunity for vacations and health club memberships are reduced. 

9. Increasing stress levels

More demands at work, less time to spend with family and friends, and the intrigues of social networking make it difficult to find a time to relax.

10. Increasing declines in environmental quality

Although the Obama Administration has plans to turn around the environmental destruction of recent years, the sweeping changes needed aren’t yet in place.

Let me what’s of concern to you as a baby boomer. 

Tomorrow’s post will discuss “Top 10 Reasons for Baby Boomers to Be Optimistic.”

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

100 ways baby boomers can improve their lives in 2009

It’s often difficult to remain cheerful in these turbulent economic times. News of more job layoffs. Banks and other financial institutions continuing to have problems. Businesses closing.

Although the news can be discouraging, it’s important to think through what’s positive in your life and how to get more joy and satisfaction.

Here are 50 ways to improve your life this year:

 

Health

• Read novels to reduce stress.

• Walk, walk, walk.

• Use less toxic products, especially for cleaning your home and on your body.

• Eat more vegetarian meals.

• Plant fruit trees.

• Buy organic food.

• Talk honestly to your doctor about your health needs.

• Try yoga.

Community

• Talk to your neighbors.

• Find a rewarding volunteer activity.

• Move to a walkable neighborhood.

• Contribute to your city or county government.

• Take a walk in a park once a week.

Finances

• Compare prices before you buy.

• Pay off your credit cards.

• Complain when something you buy or a service isn’t right.

• Figure out ways to simplify your life.

• Read Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan: Keeping Your Money Safe and Sound.”

 

Joy

• Read “Finding Joy: 101 Ways to Free Your Spirit and Dance With Life” by Charlotte Davis Kasl.

• Sign up for the lessons you’ve always wanted to take.

• Say “I love you” to someone you love every day.

• Have coffee or lunch with a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

• Relax by soaking in the bathtub.

• Laugh out loud.

• Sleep in once a week.

• Hold a baby.

• Remember to get as much joy as you can from the present, rather than worrying about the past or future.

• Visit a farm.

• Watch movies that are fun.

• Stop being a perfectionist.

• Visualize daily what you’d like your life to be like.

• Surround yourself with people who are positive.

• Spend a realistic amount of time using the computer.

• Don’t think about work when you leave for the day.

• Pursue your dreams.

• Enjoy the wonders of nature.

• Give up nagging.

• Figure out ways to enjoy your children more.

• Reduce the amount of television you watch.

• Take care of yourself.

• Don’t dwell on your mistakes.

• Pace yourself.

• Be open to new ideas and activities.

• Let go of disappointments and negative people from the past.

Home

• Turn on your favorite music when you clean house.

• Organize one spot or cupboard in your house weekly.

• Use lights and plants to make your home more enjoyable.

• Remodel a room.

• Buy a pretty new bedspread.

• Organize your photos.

• Recycle.

Here are additional suggestions from the article “50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2009” in U.S. News and Reports:

Money

• Recycle old gadgets for cash.

• Choose “Obama” stocks.

• Advance your career online.

• Put your cash in safe accounts.

• Start your own nonprofit.

• Drink screw-topped wines.

• Lose the ‘microwave’ mentality.

• Make friends at work.

• Watch television free online.

• Try that home before buying.

Health

• Bike to work.

• Use glass to store food.

• Take an afternoon nap.

• Get paid for good health.

• Walk the cravings away.

• Get a new toothbrush.

• Move to Vermont.

• Get your eyes checked.

• Add obstacles to your jog.

• Get fit as you get older.

The brain

• Read Edgar Allan Poe

• Publish your book yourself.
  

• Go back to school for new skills.

• Study philosophy.

• Save that November 5 newspaper.

• Silence noise pollution.

• Finish a crossword puzzle.

• Start using Twitter.

• Learn Russian

• Keep a “clothes hanger” journal.

The world around you

• Learn about Abraham Lincoln.

• Plant a square-foot garden.

• Hypermile when you drive.

• Help those hit by the recession.

• Switch to a push mower.

• Air dry your laundry.

• Practice spreading tolerance.

• Ditch the phone while driving.

• Get your news online.

• Buy laptops for kids.

 

Play

• Learn to play bridge.

•  Visit Alaska.

• Celebrate the life of Miles Davis.

• Take a “staycation.”

• “Geotag” your digital photos.

• Watch the Beatles “Let It Be.”

• Teach your kids to cook.

• Play a fake musical instrument.

• Read the book before you see the movie.

• Try your hand at pottery.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist