The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

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For several months now, I’ve been writing a weekly newsletter called “Helpful Money Tips for You.” If offers the latest information on how you can get what you want for your money.

This week, I came across a most helpful tip. It's to check your rewards cards, especially those related to travel since you might not be traveling now, and see what your balances are and what you can do about rewards.

I checked with one credit card, the one I usually use for airline tickets and travel. I only have about 1,700 points. The credit union redemption center said I’d need 2,500 points to get a $25 gift card. I’ll start using that card for groceries and other purchases to get the cash back. The points don’t expire until March 2022.

On my other card, I have about 36,000 points. That’s the one I’ve been charging my groceries and Amazon purchases on, a lot of Amazon shopping going on during Stay Home, Stay Healthy. It doesn’t have a cash back option. I can get three Visa gift cards for $100, costing 11,000 points each. Or, I can get gift cards for a specific store or Amazon, $350 for 36,000 points.

That’s exciting news. I’ll give some thought on what to spend $300 to $350 on because I’m not traveling to Spain (like in the photo above) and my daughter and her family won’t be coming this time of year to visit from Spain. And we won’t be going to Sacramento to visit my daughter and her family there in July, like we usually do.

So, this is the kind of helpful financial information you can get from my newsletter. Sign up by clicking on this link: eepurl.com/gkZ6JH. Or, fill out the form on the upper right of this page. Thanks. I look forward to getting your feedback.

Copyright 2020, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Happy Father's Day

It's a different kind of Father's Day this year. Not only am I missing my dad, Minor H. Slingsby, center left in the photo above at my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, but I'm missing my daughters, sisters, and nieces, too. 

I've been staying home since early March, and I'm going to stay home as much as possible into the foreseeable future. I'm in the high risk group, and in Washington state, it's recommended that those people stay home until Phase 4 is announced. However, with covid-19 cases and deaths rising I'm wondering how long I'll need to stay home.

On average, consumers plan to spend $149 on gifts for dad, about $10 more than they spent in 2019. Total spending for Father’s Day is expected to reach $17 billion.

In a survey, 58 percent of those interviewed said they’re likely to celebrate Father's Day virtually this year, compared with the two-thirds who said they’d do it for Mother's Day. That's good. Everyone should avoid exposure to covid-19.

Tips for Father’s Day 2020

My dad was really good at guessing what was in his presents. One time, to fool him, I bought him a magazine subscription and I put it in a toy jack-in-the-box. When he turned the handle, boom. The clown delivered a note about the present. He was really surprised.

This year, in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, a lot of the activities we’d usually do with our dads, wouldn’t be a good choice for this year. For example, getting on an airplane to visit your dad is risky. Also, going to a restaurant with a large group of people isn’t advisable. Nor or hugs, unless you’ve been staying at home together.

But, you can order a present and make plans for a get together later.

Some gift ideas include:

• Tech gadgets. Apple iPad, Kindle or Nook, digital camera.
• Tools. Drills, rakes, hoes.
• Clothing. Shirts, ties, t-shirts, jackets. (For some dads, but not others.)
• Sporting goods. Book on sports, sports paraphernalia, new gear.
• Books. Check AARP’s list of summer reads.
• Music. Smart speaker, Apple AirPods.
• Photos. Favorite family photos, digital photo frame, photo book.
• Gift basket. Golf, fishing, grilling, baseball, brewing, coffee, beer, wine.
• Gift card. O.K. if you’re out of ideas.
• Limited funds. Small pocket knife, coffee mug with your photo, framed photo of you and your dad.

Happy Mother's Day 2020

I hope your Mother's Day is going well. For about the last 10 years, I've spent the month of May in Madrid with my daughter Lisa and her family. This year is very different. Although I bought a ticket in early March, it soon became apparent as the pandemic unfolded that I wouldn't be able to go this year. I'm tempted to head to Sacramento to visit my daughter Mona. However, that wouldn't be wise.

Also sad, Lisa and the kids won't be able to visit us this year in the United States in July, and, in addition, I won't be able to visit Spain for the holidays either.

For Mother's Day, Mona sent me flowers and chocolates, shown above, which were delivered Saturday. The delivery was a big surprise because the flowers were scheduled to come Monday. I opened the garage door to take a letter out to the mailbox. Right there, in my driveway was a white van with a guy was getting out of it. It was shocking because it's so long since I've had company or visited anyone.

Mother's Day facts and figures for 2020: What mom's want on Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is Sunday and with so many people staying home, it will be a different kind of celebration for most Americans. I won’t be in Madrid visiting my daughter and her family like I’ve done for about 10 years, nor will I be able to go to Sacramento and visit my daughter and her family there, although it’s tempting.

US Foods recently surveyed more than 2,000 moms across America to find out what they want from their families this Mother’s Day and how their plans to celebrate with their families are being impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.

A majority of moms want to spend time with family on Mother’s Day. Mom’s also enjoy sleeping in when given the opportunity. An ideal Mother’s Day would include time for mom, time with the family, and some together time watching TV and movies as well as a special dinner.

If you are looking for gifts, a majority of Mom’s said they would enjoy a gift card for an experience they can enjoy after the covid-19 pandemic has passed.

Here are more on the findings from the survey:

You can also find more infographics at Visualistan

Top Mother’s Day tips in the coronavirus pandemic era

In the past, I’ve written dozens of articles on how to celebrate Mother’s Day. However, this year is so different.

Instead of being in Madrid celebrating with my daughter and her family, I’m at home by myself, picking up groceries once a week as my only outing.

Fortunately, except for the people who have to work, you can still order things for Mother’s Day gifts. And, in some states, restaurants are opening. However, in Washington state where I live, we are still under Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders. I think it’s too early to go out to a restaurant, so I’m not putting that on my list.

Here are some suggestions:

• Set up a Zoom or Skype meeting with your mom. If she isn’t tech savvy, you may be able to help her get started by a phone call. If you live in the same city with your mom, you can continue your social distance visiting.
• Check local flower shops in your mom’s city to see which ones are delivering. Many are saying that wholesale supplies have been interrupted so selections may be limited. In addition, some are requesting that you order your flowers to be delivered on alternate date to support logistical constraints.
• Order pizza or a special dinner. Although most restaurants may be closed to dining, many are offering pickup and delivered meals. For example, in the Seattle area, you can order food from the Australian Pie Co., Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub, Frank’s Smokehouse, Vietnam Café and Sandwich, Sushi In Joy, Anthony’s Des Moines, Theo Chocolate, Dick’s Drive-In, Ivar’s Seafood Bars, Pagliacci, Red Robin, Tutta Bella, Canlis, Sunlight Café, and many other restaurants.
• Buy a gift card for your mom’s favorite restaurant, department store, or spa.
• Give her a themed gift basket with snacks and chocolates. Or, order a box of chocolates. The choices are endless.
• Make a spring wreath and hang it on your mom’s door when you drop off your gift and card.
• Get copies made of family photos you love and put them in an album.
• Give her the gift of an online cooking class.
• Schedule a virtual happy hour or play a game such as Scrabble over Zoom.
• Order several different wines so she can have a wine tasting and have them sent to her.
• Order her a kitchen herb garden kit.
• Buy her a new pair of pajamas or sweats and slippers, since that’s what we all seem to be wearing. Or, a new spa robe would be nice.
• Give her a “Best Mom” or “I Love You” mug.
• Get a diary for your mom so she can record how the 2020 coronavirus pandemic is unfolding.
• Give her a card with a letter setting up a date to for a special occasion such as a concert or trip to a museum.
• Order a book, if your mom is an avid reader.
• Look for jewelry that you think she might like, although the prices sometimes go up just before Mother’s Day.

Copyright 2020, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

What to buy and not buy in May

Depending on where you live, you may or may not be able to go out and shop during the month of May. However, even if you’re still staying at home you can shop from home.

While it’s important to continue to limit your shopping to essential items, because you don’t put a burden on employees who are still required to go to work to handle your order, there are important things going on in May, such as buying birthday presents for May birthdays and Mother’s Day. I mention that because my birthday is in May, and I’d like to get a present to cheer myself up.

Here are tips from DealNews for May shopping:

Star Wars items

Star Wars Day is May 4 — as in "May the Fourth Be With You" — and companies often celebrate by offering deals on different kinds of merchandise.

Even though May 4 is my birthday, I’m not longing for a Star Wars t-shirt.

Mother’s Day

Traditional gifts such as flowers and jewelry will likely jump in price right before Mother's Day, which is May 10 this year.

Staying home due to covid-19 is affecting Easter plans and spending, survey shows

About 68 percent of Americans who observe Easter say their Easter spending will be affected by the coronavirus this year, according to WalletHub’s “Coronavirus Easter Survey” released Monday.

Highlights of the report include:  

• Worshippers don’t want to stay home: 56 percent of Americans who went to church on Easter Sunday last year say they’ll go to church for Easter this year, if it’s open.
   
• Republicans are more likely to attend services: Republicans are almost three times more likely than Democrats to attend church on Easter this year, if it’s open.
   
• Pandemics make people appreciate family and health more: The coronavirus has made Americans most grateful for their family, 40 percent, followed by health, 29 percent, and freedom, 13 percent.
   
• Traditional Easter spending is down: Almost half of Easter-celebrating Americans are skipping candy, new outfits, and Easter foods this year, in contrast with prior years.
   
• Covid-19 itself is scarier than financial troubles: 68 percent of Americans are more worried about the coronavirus than the U.S. economy.
   
• Many Americans think lockdowns should last: About half of Americans believe that non-essential business, restaurants, and travel shouldn’t restart for at least three months.

More survey details from Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst:

Happy Valentine’s Day

Americans love to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The page views on my blogs have been climbing since the beginning of February. Today, they’re reaching record numbers.

Total holiday spending for the Valentine’s Day this year is expected to reach $27.4 billion. Men will spend more than women on the holiday. Husbands plan to spend an average of $358, 74 percent more than wives plan to spend on their husbands.

I hope you’re going to have a great celebration with your partner – a nice dinner, wine, a movie or play, and above all chocolate. Like many people, I love chocolate.

If you’re single and feeling lonely, plan a nice treat for yourself – an outing, wine, chocolate, or pie.

Copyright 2020, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Watch out for phony florists when you order flowers for Valentine’s Day

If you’re ordering flowers for Valentine’s Day, be careful you don’t fall for a scam as a last-minute shopper. 

The Better Business Bureau has received numerous reports from shoppers who turned to online florists for last-minute orders. They paid for a beautiful arrangement but ended up getting disappointing flowers – or nothing at all. 

How the scam works

Since you can’t get flowers locally, you try the internet. You enter your credit card information and delivery details.

From here, the scam can take a few different routes. Your flowers are delivered, but they don’t arrive on time, are damaged, or look nothing like the picture. Your attempts to get a full or partial refund go unanswered or are flatly refused. In other scams, your flowers are never delivered, and the online florist shop becomes unreachable. Other consumers have reported that after paying, they’re contacted by the florist shop and forced to upgrade their purchase, paying extra for something they don’t actually want to buy.