The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Will you be going into debt for holiday spending?

The 2018 holiday shopping season, like many before it, will be paid for largely by credit card debt.

After spending more than $1 trillion from November 2017 to January 2018, U.S. consumers began the new year owing more than $1 trillion to credit card companies for the first time. And even though credit card debt levels are going down a little each year, this holiday shopping season could change that.

What are consumers saying about their holiday shopping plans?  Thirty-five percent of people plan to spend more than $500 this year, according to WalletHub’s “2018 Holiday Shopping Survey.” In 2017, 33 percent said they spent that much.

Happy Labor Day

It’s difficult to figure out what to say on Labor Day 2018. With President Trump slashing consumer protections and workers’ rights almost daily, one could get depressed.

But the good thing I’m thinking about today is the years I’ve worked and what good career opportunities I’ve had. Ten years as a consumer journalist working as a free-lance writer and for four newspapers in the West. Nearly 20 years working for state government as a writer and planner. And my latest job, as a consumer journalist writing for two blogs for 10 years.

As a state worker, my union helped me when I had problems with supervisors. That help enabled me to work long enough to get a pension, which is important now to my quality of life.

Facts and figures for Labor Day 2018

Summer's ending, with Labor Day weekend coming up soon. WalletHub, a personal finance website, offers these facts and figures on Labor Day 2018:

Source: WalletHub

Copyright 2018, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

29 attorneys general file comments with FTC on role of states in consumer protection

Twenty-nine  attorneys general filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission on the significant role state attorneys general play in consumer protection, and asked the FTC to include states in the discussion as the agency holds public hearings on “Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21^st Century.”

In June, the FTC announced it would offer public hearings “on whether broad-based changes in the economy, evolving business practices, new technologies, or international developments might require adjustments to competition and consumer protection enforcement law, enforcement priorities, and policy.” The FTC asked comments by August 20.

“State Attorneys General are a critical line of defense, protecting consumers against the kinds of unfair and deceptive practices that are far too prevalent,” said  New York Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood. “At a time when consumers’ privacy, data, and security are often treated as commodities rather than sensitive information, this role is more vital than ever.”

Trump administration proposal to merge labor and education departments will harm children and workers

President Donald Trump’s administration recommended Thursday merging the U.S. departments of Education and Labor. The change would require congressional approval.

“The Trump administration’s DOA proposal to combine – and shrink – the departments of Education and Labor reveals its contempt for both the children and workers of America,” said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization. “While it is true that the Trump Department of Education gets a failing grade, America’s kids do need a robust department – to advance pre-K education, to ensure all children attain a quality education, to enforce civil rights and disability rights laws, to prevent rip-offs by predatory for-profit colleges and much more.”

In addition, the proposed department reorganization is also meant to further undermine crucial protections for workers, not enhance them, Weissman said.

Baby boomers offer tips on grief, retirement, survival tools, and gratitude

Getting ready to retire? Recently retired and facing challenges? Sorting travel options?

This week, our boomer blogging group offer articles on addressing suicide, creating a vision board, continuing to work rather than retiring, deciding where to live in retirement, adopting survival tools for the coming decades, and walking with gratitude.

Rebecca Olkowski blogging at Baby Boomster writes about these articles in the Best of Boomer Blogs #551. Click here to get the links to the articles. And, be sure to join in the conversations. Boomer bloggers love to hear from readers.

Copyright 2018, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 11 occupations held by American’s 65 and older

Baby boomers are retiring in record numbers and with higher life expectancy and better healthcare. But, a record number of people 65 and older are continuing to work

Higher education teachers 65 and older make up 11.3 percent of the workforce, and despite universities trying to buy out older professors, retirement offers are being declined, and 15 percent plan to keep teaching until they’re 80.

The top 11 occupations held by American’s 65 and over, according to SeniorLiving.org, are:

Best wishes on Memorial Day

On the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day, it's a good day to remember the men and women who have served our country.

Some possible activities include:

• Visit a cemetery and place a flag or flowers on veterans’ graves.
• Visit war memorials.
• Fly the U.S. flag.
• Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. to pause and think about the meaning of Memorial Day and listen to the taps being played.
• Volunteer with a local veterans’ group or organization or attend an event.
• Donate to a charity that helps veterans.

Which cities have the most and least student loan debt?

Since it’s the time of year when graduates march and families are proud, it’s a good time to reflect on student debt. Student loans make up the second highest form of household debt after mortgages, totaling $1.38 trillion at the end of 2017, according to WalletHub, a personal-finance website.

How much of a burden are student loans? The share of students graduating with $50,000 or more in student loan debt has more than tripled since 2000. High balances along with a payoff timeline that can extend into middle age force many graduates to delay or give up on other financial goals such as saving for retirement or buying a home.

Many student-loan borrowers can’t keep up with their payments, according to a study based on data from the U.S. Department of Education. Two in five student loan borrowers have a high chance of defaulting in the next five years. Students with smaller debts are more likely to default than those with larger ones.

Baby boomers ponder everyday problems and look to the future

Celebrating my birthday was really fun this year. First, I was able to celebrate with my daughter and her family when I visited Madrid in April. That’s me with my grandchildren in the photo.

Then, my birthday happened to fall on First Friday Lunch day, the day my friends get together for lunch every month. More celebrating and a friend brought me some cake.

Then, Saturday, I had lunch with two friends at a bakery that makes marvelous desserts so more cake was in order.

Three celebrations. What fun. However, now it’s time to get back to the business of blogging.

Our baby boomer blogging group has been busy this past week. Topics they’ve been writing about include how to: learn to ride the waves of change, find a new career, find a good food book to read this spring, protect yourself from inflation in retirement, serve on a jury, survive loneliness, and improve mental health.

Sue Loncaric of Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond reports on these articles in the Best of Boomer Blogs #545. Click here to find the links to these articles. And, be sure to join in the conversations. Boomer bloggers love to hear from readers.

Copyright 2018, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist