The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

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.

Facts and figures for Mother’s Day 2019

While the number of people celebrating Mother’s Day is about the same as the 86 percent celebrating last year, those celebrating are expected to spend more at an average $196 compared with $180 in 2018. Consumers ages 35-44 are likely to spend the most at an average $248, up from $224, and men are likely to spend more than women at $237 compared with $158.

Newer models of gift-giving including special outings and gift cards are growing, in addition to more traditional gifts including flowers, greeting cards, and jewelry. Increased spending on jewelry represents 31 percent of the expected increase over last year.

Many of those celebrating cited finding something unique, 44 percent, as the most important factor when picking out a Mother’s Day gift, followed by one that creates a special memory, 39 percent.

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Personal Finance Writer

Facts and figures for Easter 2019

Source: WalletHub

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Personal Finance Writer

Happy Valentine’s Day

It’s the big day for sweethearts.

Fewer people are celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, 50 percent which is down from 55 percent last year.

Of those celebrating, 18 percent are giving the gift of jewelry; 34 percent, an evening out; 18 percent, clothing; 35 percent, flowers; 52 percent, candy; 15 percent, gift cards; 44 percent, greeting cards; and 25 percent, a gift of experience, such as an event or a trip to a spa.

What are the best chocolates to buy for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day?

Like most people, I love chocolate – any kind of chocolate. A box of chocolate from the supermarket or drug store are fine with me. However, I really enjoy Belgium chocolate when I visit my daughter in Madrid.

So, since I’m not a chocolate connoisseur, I read a dozen articles that recommended the best chocolates.

Most often rated highly in the articles are Godiva Chocolatier, Jacques Torres Chocolate, L.A. Burdick Chocolates, La Maison du Chocolat, Lindt, Michel Cluizel, Recchiuti Confections, and Vosges Haut-Chocolat.

As Valentine’s Day approaches and throughout the year, watch out for romance scams

Romance scams are different from other scams. Fraudsters prey on lonely people looking to connect with someone, and the scam can often take months to develop to the point where money changes hands. The emotional harm to the victim can be even more painful than the money lost. 

The use of online dating sites and apps has made romance fraud easier. Victims in the United States and Canada report losing nearly $1 billion over the last three years, and the Better Business Bureau estimates there may be more than a million victims in the U.S. Because most people don’t file complaints about romance scams with the BBB or law enforcement, this may a small number of those affected.

The BBB’s study, “Online Romance Scams: How Scammers Use Impersonation, Blackmail, and Trickery to Steal from Unsuspecting Daters,” looks at how romance scams work, who the scammers are, and what’s being done to combat them.

Facts and figures for Valentine's Day 2019

Source: WalletHub

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Baby boomers working on getting in gear for the New Year

It’s a new year and time to think about fresh starts, new goals, and another year under our belts. 

No matter life’s ups and downs, the baby boomer bloggers in our group keep writing articles and booming along.

This week they’re writing about travel, names for grandchildren, holiday spending, menopause bellies, work stress, and visioning.

Jennifer Koshak of Unfold and Begin writes about these articles in the Best of Boomer Blogs #579. 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 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Did you overspend for the holidays?

About 93 million Americans, or 37 percent, overspent over the holidays, and 46 million people, or 18 percent if Americans, regret at least one holiday purchase, according to WalletHub’s 2019 Post-Holiday Shopping Season Survey.

“Buyer’s remorse is especially common when a purchase is made on impulse,” said Paul Rose, interim dean of the School of Education, Health, and Human Behavior at Southern Illinois University. “Many people procrastinate when purchasing gifts, and run out of time in December to carefully consider their purchasing options.”

There’s also a cultural connection between the holidays and shopping. Three in 10 people say that spending more makes the holidays happier, while two in 10 say that the holidays are worth accumulating credit card debt for.

How to return holiday gifts

About a third of American consumers returned holiday gifts last year. Hopefully, you kept your receipts and aren’t on a long vacation so you can take care of your returns efficiently and promptly.

The Better Business Bureau offers these tips for your holiday returns:

The seller’s return policy. If you don’t recall what the seller’s return policy is, check its website or the back of the receipt. If you have questions, call the store to ask about what you want to return. Retail stores may have different return policies than the company’s online website.