The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Happy Halloween

Just a few hours now until ghosts, goblins, and witches come knocking on your door.

Will you be one of 76 percent or less of Americans spending $50 or less on Halloween this year? One of 32 percent throwing or attending a party? One of 44 percent carving a pumpkin? One of 49 percent decorating their home? One of 47 percent dressing in a costume?

Americans will spent $3.2 billion on costumes this Halloween. Princess, superhero, and witch are the most popular costumes for children, while its witch and vampire for adults. For pets, its pumpkin, hot dog, superhero, and bumble bee.

For more details on today’s fun day, see “Facts and Figures for Halloween 2019.”

Whatever your plans, I hope you have good time. And, make sure those little ones are safe as they make their rounds. Happy Halloween.

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Facts and figures for Halloween 2019

Source: WalletHub

 

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

What to look for in Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales

Before Black Friday, Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day sales are occurring, and some of them are worth shopping.

However, the last couple of years, DealNews, a comparison shopping website, has seen a downturn in Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales. In 2018, it listed only 22 Columbus-Indigenous-branded sales between October 1 and October 13. However, within that same time frame, DealNews listed 161 sales total. Aside from the Columbus-Indigenous branding, it saw many clearance, friends and family, fall, and harvest events, and even a "Rediscover America" sale.

These alternate names could be due to the controversy surrounding Columbus Day, according to DealNews. However, it's also possible that many retailers don't want to add another sale to their lineup so close to Black Friday.

DealNews offers these tips for Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales:

Happy Labor Day

It’s estimated that 25 percent of Americans plan to get out of town for the Labor Day weekend, and that 86 percent of them plan to travel by car. If you’re one of these, be sure to drive carefully. Another estimate is that about 400 people will die in traffic accidents during the holiday weekend, and 45,300 will sustain serious injuries.

The top travel destinations are New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, and Chicago.

I wish I’d be at a cookout like the 40.6 percent of Americans who plan to barbecue over Labor Day.

A lot of people will probably be working on the holiday weekend because the largest category in the workforce is retail with 4,450,000 salespeople and second is food preparation and service workers with 3,680,000. Third is cashiers with 3,640,000 workers.

What to look for in Labor Day 2019 sales

With summer coming to an end and the back-to-school shopping keeping people busy, it’s helpful to have information about Labor Day sales so you can get the best deals possible. During the Labor Day sales, you'll find lots of bargains. Look for reduced prices on clothing, appliances, computers, phones, electronics, and furniture.

WalletHub, a personal-finance website, has analyzed the Labor Day sales this year and offers information on the top deals:

Best labor day deals and sales

Dishwashers are the best items to buy in September, compared to the rest of the year.
 

2019’s 10 best Labor Day deals

1. Invicta Women's Watch – 50 percent off	6. Sealy Queen Mattress – 63.09 percent off
2. Kenmore Washer – 46.15 percent off	7. HP OfficeJet Printer – 33.34 percent off
3. Abbyson Giorgio Sofa Set – 50 percent off	8. Samsung Refrigerator – 33.34 percent off
4. Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera - 41.22 percent off	9. NordicTrack Elite Elliptical – 59.38 percent off
5. Women's Laguna Bike – 33.33 percent off	10. Samsung 65" Smart TV – 31.25 percent off

See WalletHub's report the “Best Labor Day Deals & Sales” for more information. The report has a listing of the amount of discounts dozens of stores are offering on clothing, appliances, computers and phones, electronics, packaged goods, furniture, toys, and other categories.

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Woodstock, a three-day event, began 50 years ago today

Woodstock, Aug. 15-18, 1969, the famous music festival drawing more than 500,000 people, was billed as an Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace and Music. It was held on a 600-acre dairy farm in Bethel, New York, 43 miles southwest of Woodstock.

Thirty-two acts performed outdoors even though it rained and the fields became muddy. Among the performers were Joan Baez, Janice Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Arlo Guthrie, Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

I remember the era well, although I didn’t attend Woodstock. It’s often called the Counterculture Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. To me it was an exciting time of change with gains in civil rights, women’s rights, consumer rights, and environmental protection; innovations in food, clothing, and music; alternative lifestyles; and opposition to the Vietnam War.

Baby boomers keep writing despite the devastation of mass killings

Rebecca Olkowski of Baby Boomster says she’s been paralyzed by the horrifying things that have been happening with four mass shootings in the United States in one week – Brooklyn, Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton.

Myself, I find the inaction on responsible gun laws appalling. I just can’t understand why Congress won’t do something. I applaud states and local government who have taken action in recent years.

But, it’s not enough. In Washington where I live, the Washington State Legislature passed open carry laws. It’s terrible. One day I went to the state capitol to take photos, and a gun group was having a rally. Guns were everywhere. I asked men at the edge of the group what they were doing. They said they were “protecting the perimeter.” Appalling, just appalling. And Washington is supposed to be a progressive state.

I took photos because I’m a photojournalist and I have a right to take photos in public places. Above is one of the photos I took at the rally. Fortunately, no one shot me.

Baby boomer bloggers are keeping at it, despite upsets, and are writing about:

• The gift of being there for our friends.
• Whether you should tell your age.
• The characteristics of your favorite restaurant.
• How the fear of flying abates for the wonders of Scotland.
• Information on what to do about the Equifax data breach payment for consumers.
• Medicare updates.
• Ethical fashion brands.

This is the Best of Boomer Blogs #608. Click here to get the links to the articles. And be sure to leave comments. It’s fun to hear from our readers.

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Facts and figures for Father’s Day 2019

It’s that time of year again. When the flowers bloom and the trees leaf out, it’s time to recognize those important guys in our families – our dads.

Spending

Americans are expected to spend a record amount on gifts for Father’s Day this year, according a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. Total spending for the holiday is estimated to reach $16 billion, up from last year’s $15.3 billion.

Father’s Day spending has grown 70 percent, about $6.6 billion, since 2009. The biggest drivers of Father’s Day spending are growth in spending by consumers ages 35 to 44, and spending on clothing, special outings, and gift cards. This year, 75.9 percent of people plan to celebrate and are expected to spend a record $138.97, up from last year’s $132.82, and up from $91 in 2009.

Tips for shopping on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is one of the best holidays for shopping.

What’s for sale

Most retailers are offering Memorial Day savings. You’re likely to find bargains on patio furniture, clothing, shoes, mattresses, travel, home items, baby items, auto parts, furniture, and musical instruments, according to Dealnews.com.

Best places to shop

The best stores for Memorial Day sales are Home Depot, Best Buy, Macy’s, Amazon, Lowe’s, Purple, Wayfair, and Casper’s, according to Finder.com.

Most sunscreens contain possible harmful ingredients or don’t protect well from the sun, consumer group analysis shows

Researchers from the Environmental Working Group found that two-thirds of sunscreen products it analyzed offer inferior sun protection or contain worrisome ingredients, such as oxybenzone.

On Wednesday, the EWG released its 13th Annual Guide to Sunscreens, which rates the safety and effectiveness of more than 1,300 SPF products, including sunscreens, daily moisturizers, and lip balms with SPF values. SPF means sun protection factor.

In February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a proposal for updated sunscreen regulations. It’s a big step toward cleaning up a poorly regulated industry, with much-needed reforms that would better protect public health, said Nneka Leiba, director of the EWG’s Healthy Living Science program. Only 40 percent of the products on the EWG’s list contain active ingredients that the FDA has proposed are safe and effective, based on the agency’s new draft rules, according to the EWG’s assessment.