Baby Boomers Wake-Up Call


Get ready America, we're on our way. Baby boomers are on the verge of retirement. There are approximately 78.2 million of us in the United States. Baby boomers are born between 1946 and 1964. We are also called boomers and boomies. We make up the lion's share of the political, cultural, industrial and academic leadership class in America.

In year 2011, the first of America's baby boomers will reach the age of 65....primed for their golden retirement years. However, 8 out of 10 people surveyed plan on working after retirement. Speak to a baby boomer and they'll tell you what retirement in their golden years is going to be like. And, they're being shocked by a wake-up call.

"I jumped the gun at age 52 to retire" one baby boomer said, "I was on top of the world. No more 9 to 5. No more scheduled meetings. No more political correctness. No more towing the line. Utter utopia. Better still, absolute utopia. Yahoo!!! I had done it."

Hold on, time for a reality check.

It's a well known fact baby boomers are living beyond their financial means. That alone should serve as a wake-up call....for baby boomers are not saving adequately for their retirement years. It cost money to live. It ain't free. The bills still come in. And, the bills increase at a rate faster than returns on assets.

Baby boomers need to step up to the plate and heed this wake-up call. Especially if they want their standard of living to remain intact. Heaven forbid should their standard of living decline.

Maturity arrives quickly. Baby boomers must view the big picture before retirement. Will their accumulated assets satisfy their retirement lifestyle. Will they be healthy enough to enjoy retirement? How can baby boomers retain their current life style? These are just a few questions baby boomers should begin to ask themselves before it's too late and those golden years are upon us.

Midlife Crisis - Lets See It For What It Really Is!


Every few years a new trend comes upon us in fashion and in physical appearances. We went through the skinny years with twiggy and yet the trend now is to have a size F breasts, a 24-inch waist and 34-inch hips (slight exaggeration). Our stomachs have to be flat and taunt, our skin tan and tight, our teeth dazzling white and flawless, our hair soft and silky, our eye color can change with contacts and our nose can be altered surgically to be small and cute.In retaliation for the dental, facial, surgical procedures we go through to become the goddess of love for our men - we expect they in turn hit the repair shop themselves.

Our men are expected to be trim and tight, buns that are cute and round, a six-pack stomach, and nice muscular tan legs. We expect hair full and styled, their teeth must be perfect and white, and they must remove hair from their back, ears and noses. The men that get the perfect woman must become the perfect men.Although I live in Florida, I have yet to see a fountain restore youth. Whenever we reach a certain age, fat begins to bulge in certain places, hair grows where it never did before and we start to have pain in areas that never hurt.

The men as well as the women lose their waists, their skins sags and eyesight fails. Most women look like they have lain out during a hailstorm as the dents and dings of cellulite starts make its debut. Men begin to have "boobs".In the haste to create the perfect body to attract the perfect mate, we have by passed the most important feature needed to live a happy and fulfilling life. The spirit has been neglected. The body is just a vessel for our spirit to live in within this plane.

Whenever we give credence to the search for a physical perfection in our mate and in ourselves, we can shortchange the entire reason for our being. We are spiritual energies on this plane and at this time to accomplish different task of self as well as earthly improvements.I do not insinuate a perfect body does not house a good spirit. I am stating that if you turn away spirits because of the body that housed them is less than perfect - then you have indeed shortchanged someone and yourself. I can personally guarantee you that this was not the intention of the Great Spirit. I have always tried to stay on the good side of that energy.

Reading about the locust was enough to make me realize that punishment is not just for children.So many people go through mid life crisis because they have begun to show their age or begin to feel worthless because they have a few extra pounds. This breaks my heart. People that are critical of others bodies are being shallow and should look at their selves in the mirror. I myself stay on a constant diet trying to look nice and feel better. There is a line with me whenever I feel better as well as look neater. However, at times I need to practice what spirit teaches instead of just preaching it.

There is nothing wrong with improving your physical looks as long as you remember the greatest quest is one of spirit. I told a friend of mine, who passed over many spiritually good women to find the perfect physique "look for the person inside, then if she is interested in the great make over - BONUS! However, remember that this is her choice and your money. She may definitely want a tune up on you as well!"The spirit within is the true beauty of a person, the physical vehicle that carries it is like the car you drive. A man looking for a woman with a great body is like a woman looking for a man with a great car.

Six of one equals a half dozen of the other. Both take a lot of money.In the closing of this chapter, I would remind you of the Venus flytrap that attracts its prey with beauty. The point is, not all that is beautiful and attractive on the outside is sweet and loving on the inside. It is truly, what is on the inside that counts.


Beware so long as you live, of judging people by appearances.La Fontaine
Do not judge men by mere appearances; for the light laughter that bubbles on the lip often mantles over the depths of sadness, and the serious look may be the sober veil that covers a divine peace and joy.E. H. Chapin

Why 'Baby Boomer' Women Can't Afford to Retire And Tips To Bounce Back


A shocking report in the Los Angeles Times showed that single women are at the greatest risk of living in poverty. Why? This is due because of lower wages, more spending and only bringing in a single paycheck. Many of us Baby Boomer women have to dramatically downsize our lives as we grow older. Instead of basking in retirement, many of us cannot even mutter the word ‘retirement’ let alone think of it. Instead, many of us have to work three jobs to stay afloat. But why?

Boomers Spend, Baby, Spend
‘The American Dream’ portrays the idea that having more is equated with being more. The bigger the house, the bigger the car and the bigger the shoe collection is correlated with being higher on the socio-economic ladder. Susan Sterne of the Economic Analysis Association notes that, “The consumer spree arose because consumers between 35 and 44 spend about 20% more than average consumers. Those between 45 and 54 spend about 30% more. Put these two age groups together and you have 40% of US households. This same group is responsible for half of the nation’s spending”.

Breadwinning Women?
In the past, many ‘Baby Boomer’ women in their relationships had no direct control of their finances. I know that I fell victim to indirectly to this same feat. It was not that we did not care; we were just not educated in managing and budgeting our capitol. Many of us feel and act uncomfortable around the topic of money. We (and I find myself guilty of this) wish that there was a man to come to the rescue and save the day.

What Rainy Day?
Hmmmm. What to do? Do you buy a new pair of Cheetah print Sling-backs or put an extra $100 in savings? (My closet has the tell tale signs of my shoe addiction.) Instead of saving for retirement, Boomers have spent their lives ‘living in the now’. Unfortunately, many of us have not saved enough to support our lifestyle leaving us in debt.

A recent Los Angeles Times article reported that, “Ellen Tucker Emerson cut short her nursing career to help raise her children, but money was never a worry. "He bought me furs and jewelry. We stayed at the best hotels.” Once her marriage was over, her financial life looked very different. Instead of taking glamorous trips, she sweats bullets to pay her bills. At age 51, Ellen wonders how she will get by in retirement

Bounce Back and Bounce Better
Regardless of your age or situation, the time to take action is today! It’s NEVER too late. It has been gratifying to see that even if you have had a rocky financial road, you can make a change anytime you decide. Trust me, I know. I had $88,000 of corporate credit card debt as the result of losing my marriage and business the same year. In four years I paid off my debt and moved from a pool house to a lovely home.

As a life coach, it has been extremely rewarding to me to see women in their 60’s make successful career changes. You are never too old to take control of your life!

Tips:

• Get Real
If your financial goals and needs are fuzzy, you will never be able to get ahead. Take a month and track all of your expenses and your income. If credit cards have been a problem, take a month and just use cash for your expenses. It is astonishing how cash will wake you up. When it’s gone it’s gone. I have found it helpful to put cash in separate envelopes. Groceries, gas, entertainment, medical, etc.

• Write Down Your Goals
Seeing is believing. When you write down your goals, you are first acknowledging the situation, the first step to a turnaround. By putting your goals on paper, you are creating your plan of action and that you will achieve.

• Do Not Let Fear or Shame Stop You
Many women feel ashamed of being in tight financial situations. Remember there is strength in numbers, so take refuge with a friend. Many times, money problems are more strenuous and difficult to talk about than relationship problems. Step up and get out, seek the help you need. Just speaking to another woman can help you get back to enjoying your life.

• Get Help
Seeking Financial Assistance will help to alleviate the problem. By speaking to experts who are trained in this field of expertise, they will be able to give you hands on information and support to steer you in the right direction. The NABBW has many superb resources. You will learn there are other ‘Boomers’ just like you dealing with the same issues.

Can The Generation That Invented The "Youth Culture," Ever Give It Up?


Hey fellow ‘Baby Boomers’ have you taken a look at the calendar lately and then a quick glance in the mirror at … you? I did the other day and I don’t recommend it. All I could think of was, “Who is that old guy with the grey hair and who looks like he swallowed a basketball?” I could go on, but I won’t. Way too painful.

Tell me, where was it written back in 1967 when my hair was long and curly and … brown, and my stomach was as flat as the concert field where I went to see the Rolling Stones, that this gig that I had signed on for that we call life, also included a hidden catch that we were going to get … older.

Was there some sinister metaphysical deal or ‘Faustian’ contract that I unwittingly signed all those decades ago? That fine print that I obviously blew by in my rush to plunge headfirst into all the best that inexhaustible youth had to offer. Don’t you think that I have a great case for one of those lawyers you see advertising on TV? You know, the ones who say, “if you’ve been injured in an accident …” Well I have! Run over. Smacked flatter than a pancake by that run-away 18-wheeler Semi called – aging.

I mean I don’t want to sound like sour grapes after having cashed in many years carefree romps with my younger self, but haven’t I, me – you, we – all been a victim of the cruelest kind of ‘bait and switch’? Assuming as we did for all these years that just because we acted like teenagers, we’d look like one – forever! Well come-on, it seems to have worked for the Rolling Stones. And come to think of it Mick Jagger doesn’t look too bad for a sexagenarian. Nor does Keith Richards for someone who was embalmed three or four decades ago. Oh all right – yes the ‘sour grapes’ are kicking in again. But I mean really … Yes, I drank way too much and Yes, I partied way too hard, but really – put next to the Stones – I was a ‘freaking’ choir boy! So how come they look OK (well outside of Keith Richards internment and subsequent mummification back in the 70’s) and I look like 40 miles of bad road?

All right. This time I promise – no more self-flagellating, aging ungracefully, self-pity. Even if I am pouting and mentally giving the ‘bird’ to every attractive, youth oozing twenty-something I see.

For all of my fellow Boomers who haven’t yet achieved that dubious distinction - crossing over the Sixty mark is about as much fun as the first time you ever went to a chug-a-lug contest and awoke the next morning to a hangover and asking yourself the age old question… “Did I really do that?”

No – I take that back. At least with the youthful hangover, you knew that by the time the sun went down you’d be ready to party again. With aging, you’re not gonna be ready for anything by nightfall except for maybe a little Jay Leno and falling asleep in the Lazy Boy.

Arrrrrugh !!! OK ….. That’s it – no more feeling sorry for myself !

I have read that 60 is the new 40. And 40 is the new 20. And … (hey, if this keeps up I’m gonna have to start buying Clearasil again). But recent unpleasant birthday angst aside, I am beginning to see a trend as the generation that indelibly stamped youth onto not only our, but the collective consciousness of the world, approaches their fifties and sixties. From where I sit (poised on the edge of my ‘Lazy Boy’) it does not appear that we have any intention of going ‘gently into that good night.’ In fact I’m willing to make a bet here and now that the Boomers are going to make history yet again by becoming the first generation ever to ‘flip off’ the Grim Reaper and make a serious stab at staying young … Forever !

Don’t laugh – I think we just may do it. Come on, wouldn’t you like to show all those teachers and parents and every well meaning adult who ever warned us, “just wait until you turn sixty – or fifty – forty. Then you’ll be sorry that you … (you can fill in your own blank here).

But are we? Sorry I mean. - that we burned that candle at both ends. And maybe got our fingers singed along the way? Yeah, there might be a few things you’d change, but all in all would you really want to trade in all those fun, wild times for a fully functioning liver and a good set of eardrums that haven’t been blasted out by too much music played way too loud (just like mama warned). Would you? Nah. I didn’t think so. Me neither.

And buck up guys. I was watching good old Jay Leno the other night between popping my pills for high blood pressure and a bad back. (yeah, too many cheese dogs and nights spent sleeping in a VW Microbus) and he had on two great icons from our generation, Dianne Keaton and Sally Fields. Wow – Woody Allen’s sweet, cute, ditzy chick (no pun intended for the Dixie Chicks) and the girl who played both Gidget and the Flying Nun! I mean how cool is that! And you know what? They both looked damn good!

And hey – what with all that we know about nutritious diets, exercise, tossing away the smokes, cutting out the booze and ‘other substances’ (well at least cutting down on them) and our generations answering to sagging libidos – Viagra – well who knows; we just might make it…. Forever!

Ric Wasley has spent almost forty years wandering through corporate board rooms and honky-tonk bars. He now divides his time between writing mystery novels – Shadow or Innocence - http://www.kunati.com/shadow-of-innocence-hip-myster/– A McCarthy Family Mystery – Published by kunati, and observing the really ‘juicy parts’ of the human condition

Baby Boomers Road to Health


Current trends indicate baby boomers are going to be living longer than our ancestors. And, with living longer, the baby boomers road to health becomes an important issue.

We all want all want to maintain the benefits a healthy life has to offer. Baby boomers are no different. However, as we age our immune system becomes more and more depleted of it's ability to protect ourselves against viruses and bacteria. Preventative measures may very well be our wake-up call to maintain overall health.

Baby boomers should know one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world is the Acai berry. The Acai berry has been used for centuries by the people of the Amazon rain forest to increase strength and stamina. It's beneficial effects are well documented and merits considerable consideration by baby boomers who want to continue along a healthy pathway to their road of health.

Dr. Barnett Meltzer who has shared Acai with his patients views the Acai berry as a super-food. He states, "I've shared Acai with my patients and I see them improving their attitude, their mood and their health. When people start taking it, they not only feel better, their attitude improves, their brain chemistry improves, and their mood improves. So I see it as a kind of super-food because of physical effects on the immune system, and it's mental effects in improving attitude and mood."

Baby boomers road to health needs that extra edge. We need that boost for health purposes. "We not only want to lead a healthier life, we want to feel better during our golden years, "said one baby boomer. "Perhaps this is the natural medical breakthrough I've been searching for."

Baby boomers want to retire happy. To retire happy we need to have a healthy existence. Our health effects the way our everyday life is lived, the way we feel, the way we think, the way we are. Without our health we begin to have challenges upon challenges.

Baby boomers road to health is becoming an increasingly everyday regime throughout the world.

For further information about Baby Boomers Road to Health contact....

Hearing Loss, That's A Boomer!


Recent studies have shown that people belonging to the Baby boomer generation are more exposed to hearing loss than members of former generations. Baby boomers are generally considered to be people who were born after World War II, which is the period directly after 1945. Due to many soldiers coming back from the war to see their wives again, there was a baby boom. All the people born during that era are now in their 50's or 60's, and many of them are starting to suffer from hearing loss. People do start to wear out as they get older, and it's not uncommon to suffer from hearing loss, however studies have shown that baby boomer generation is very quickly losing their ability to hear.

Many people may not know that Bill Clinton, who is himself a boomer actually used to wear a hearing aid. This could be because he is the generation that is a product of rock and roll. Research done in this area has shown that currently almost 38 million boomers are suffering from one or another type of hearing loss. They are usually unaware of the fact that they are watching television with increased volume, enough to disturb other people who are trying to concentrate on something else. In fact maybe the person will be completely unaware of their lack of hearing until a neighbor complains about their TV! Due to the fact that many people don't suspect they have hearing problems very few boomers are seeking medical help.

So why exactly are baby boomers more vulnerable to hearing loss than other generations? One possible reason is noise pollution. The previous generations lived in a much quieter environment than today. Nowadays everything is loud, pretty much everything makes a sound, from planes soaring above our heads, to machinery digging up the road. Workers become accustomed to the noise when they have to deal with it in their everyday life and therefore they can actually end up losing their hearing.

Hearing loss occurs gradually and so many boomers are still unaware that they might need a hearing aid in order to improve their hearing ability. Some people just blame other people, they claim that other people speak too quietly! They should be made aware that the sooner they accept that it's their hearing that's the problem, the sooner they can do something about it, and the sooner it can be resolved. Hearing loss is not only frustrating and troublesome for the patients, it can also be frustrating for the rest of the family. Hearing loss can also affect the persons earning potential and even their ability to work. Studies have also shown that men are more likely to experience hearing loss in their 50's and 60's than women of the same age.

The first step in preventing hearing loss is to avoid very noisy areas. If you have to work in a noisy environment, then make sure that you wear ear-plugs or ear defenders to protect your precious ears. Headphones should only be used when absolutely necessary, for example when you have to hear each and every word of a conversation. When someone is wearing a headset, quite often they are perfectly unaware of the volume unless someone else points out that they can also hear what they are listening to.

Baby boomers are advised to have thorough check-ups done by an audiologist to discover if they are suffering from any hearing loss. Early signs of a decreased ability to hear are unable to hear on a telephone, especially on a cell phone. Quite often people learn to lip read without being aware of it, this may be why you cannot understand anyone when they turn away from you. This might sound trivial, but the sooner the problem is discovered, the better the chances are of finding a solution. If you're at all concerned about your hearing go and talk to your doctor.