The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

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.

Facts and figures for Labor Day 2019

Source: WalletHub

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

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

Baby boomers are thinking about vacationing, shopping, surviving earthquakes, and finding contentment

Last week was the Fourth of July, and so it shouldn't surprise anyone that boomers had their minds on vacations. But, then, finding joy was among their writings, too.

Topics include:

• Saving money on meals during a vacation.
• Dealing with summer safety issues, including fireworks.
• Buying a new car.
• Surviving the Southern California earthquakes.
• Finding that magical place that sustains, restores, and comforts us.
• Taking a vacation from constantly comparing our life to other people's ... because no matter what their Facebook page says, they’re facing challenges as well.
• Seeing that true contentment is really a deep-seated sense and appreciation self. 

This is the Best of Boomer Blogs #604 as reported by Tom Sightings of Sightings Over Sixty. Click here to get the links to the articles. As you peruse them, be sure to let the boomer bloggers know your opinions. We enjoy hearing from our readers.

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

Let’s celebrate our democracy on July Fourth

Happy Fourth of July.

It’s a good day to celebrate our democracy and remember that it needs to be cherished and protected.

In America, we’re free to take part in government and make our voices heard, or not. We can write letters, join organizations that lobby, and protest, or not. We also can run for office, or not. We can vote, or not.

Although it often seems like things have changed in Washington, D.C., recently for the worse, we the people are the government. It’s ours. Rather than railing against it, as the right-wing media advocates, citizens need to participate and help to make government as strong and productive as possible.

Decide today on what action you can take to help make our democracy work well for everyone.

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

Top places to travel for July Fourth 2019

For a list of unique places to celebrate the Fourth of July, see Trip Advisor’s “10 Ideal July 4^th Destinations to Celebrate (With or Without Crowds).”

1. New Orleans
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
4. Boston
5. Philadelphia
6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
7. Sonoma, California
8. Newport, Rhode Island
9. Camden, Maine
10. Brian Head, Utah

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Personal Finance Writer

July Fourth facts and figures for 2019

Source: WalletHub

Celebrate July Fourth with these safety and health tips

Do you want to have a Fourth of July that’s fun yet safe? Check out these tips from the Environmental Working Group.

Holiday barbecue

Before you head to the grocery store, check out the EWG’s resources on the healthiest foods, the cleanest produce, and the safest and most humanely produced meat and dairy. While you’re shopping, check out the hot dogs. To avoid nitrates and nitrites, which can cause cancer, choose natural hot dogs, or select a different protein. You can also make safe, healthy menu planning easier with EWG’s Healthy Living App, which lets you check in the store how well a product rates.

In addition, make sure you avoid charring meat to decrease your risk of cancer, and use a food thermometer to make sure it’s fully cooked so you can avoid food-borne illnesses such as E. coli.

Happy Father’s Day

This year, about 80 percent of Americans will be celebrating Father’s Day.

I hope you’ll be able to share an activity with your dad, if you live close enough to get together. If your dad lives far away, maybe you’ll be able to talk to him through Skype or Facetime.

I’m missing my dad, Minor H. Slingsby, today. He was an important figure in my life. Carefully watching every penny, my dad taught me to be an informed, alert consumer. I’m a personal finance writer because of him.

Here’s a tribute I wrote to my dad.

So happy Father’s Day to the dads of American and their kids. About 60 percent of men aged 15 and older are fathers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Personal Finance Writer

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.