Happy, Healthy New Year

Today is my first day back to my retirement blog since the holiday season. My husband and I visited our adorable grandchildren and their families during the holidays. We enjoyed their company, the food and the festivities. Now we are back to reality.
Back to reality. I have to smile because our reality is still pretty good even as these crazy economic times have done damage to our retirement funds, reduced the value of our home and made us cut back on our Christmas spending. We still have good health with only a few minor, fixable health issues.
As usual, I wanted to make my annual “lose weight” resolution, but that hasn’t worked for very long in the past. Instead I am determined to be more active by continuing the dance class twice a week with my husband. We’ll add walking three times a week either at the mall, recreation center or in our quiet neighborhood. I also need to lift small weights to help build stronger bones. As a senior, osteoporosis (the bone weakening disease) is a big concern.
We’re planning to try new recipes with healthier ingredients. Presently we’re fairly healthy eaters, but we know we can do better. And our restaurant choices will have to change. Fried and creamed foods sound good, but too many dishes like that are waist expanders. I can’t take any more expanding.
Now it is time for a real effort toward a healthier, smaller happier me. Let me know what some of your “resolutions” are and how you'll try to keep them.
Happy, Healthy New Year.

Gift Cards

The gift giving season is here. Many people are giving gift certificates or gift cards to family, friends and service people. For some, this is the easiest gift for seniors to give because of the many crowded stores and tight budgets. If this is what you choose to do, be sure to tell the recipient of your generosity to please use the gift card as soon as possible.
Why? Some of the stores have an early expiration date on their cards or they charge a fee for the months when the card is not used. This could soon wipe out the value of the card. Also, don’t forget that some companies are having a difficult time financially and could go into bankruptcy leaving the card worthless.
If you receive gift cards, be sure to use them as soon as possible. And don't forget the thank you notes.
Happy Holidays. Be safe and enjoy the season with family and/or friends.

Holiday Tips

The holidays are fast approaching and our economic climate hasn’t improved except for the lower gas prices. I can’t believe that my husband purchased gas for $1.589 per gallon today when a couple of months ago the price was over $4.00 a gallon. We seniors are especially hit with the reality of increasing prices while on a fixed income.
We must be extremely creative with our limited financial resources while holiday shopping. This is where sale papers, manufacturers’ coupons, store coupons, and online coupons come in handy. Whether you are shopping for gifts, holiday decorations or food look for coupons. When buying gift cards, be aware that some cards have an expiration date. Earlier this year, some stores went out of business and many gift card recipients couldn’t redeem their cards. That was money down the drain.
Make a list of the people to whom you usually give gifts. Is there anyone you can eliminate without causing a problem? (Hint: Some of these friends and relatives may also wish to be removed from your list so that they may remove your name. Don’t hesitate to talk to them to get a feeling of what they think. You aren’t the only one suffering.)
For the adults in your family you could pull names. Each adult writes his or her name on a slip of paper with a wish list of three to five items under a set price (i.e.: $25). Then each person pulls a name and shops for that one adult rather than for everyone. OR everyone could make or purchase inexpensive gag gifts that suit the recipient’s personality.
Prepare the children honestly about economic hardships and your inability to buy every gift they request. A reality check done without the harsh anger you may feel will help youngsters deal with life better in the future. Begin early scaling back on so many toys and gadgets. Many young children are soon bored with new toys anyway and play with the boxes that the gifts come in. Encourage this creativity with washable markers and crayons. Let the children play with the wrapping paper and ribbon that you weren’t planning to reuse. (Of course, reusing wrapping and ribbon saves money.)
When wrapping gifts for children use the comic section of the newspaper. Wrap an adult’s gift in the sports section, the movie section, television guide or the kitchen section of the paper. Not every gift needs a ribbon.
In our family, Thanksgiving dinner is always potluck. As host and hostess this year, my husband and I are providing the turkey, dressing, a homemade cranberry relish (my husband’s specialty) and a dessert. My sister makes her delicious homemade rolls and several other side dishes. Mother always bakes her popular pound cake. Our niece and a cousin will also provide side dishes and/or desserts. Others are invited to bring whatever they wish to bring but they are not asked to do so. A host and hostess gift is not required.
This Thanksgiving we are expecting 18 dinner guests for plenty of food, fun and frivolity. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy.

Historical Time in the United States

On November 4, 2008, history was made in the United States of American. The majority of Americans voted for the first African-American president-elect, Senator Barack Obama, a Democrat. The vote was overwhelming in his favor over Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate.
The news of Obama’s win was cheered in countries around the world. England, Kenya and Indonesia were among the many countries where people were elated that Barack Obama won the election. Some Americans were surprised that our election was so closely watched by other countries. Our very troubled economy has affected more than just America and people want a change for the better.
In Chicago, Illinois, where Obama and his family reside, many people waited all day in Grant Park in the hopes that they would hear the announcement that Barack Obama won the election and would deliver an acceptance speech. They were not disappointed. Pictures showed thousands and thousands of people cheering, crying and hugging. The requests for tickets to Obama’s inauguration are starting to come in now. Reporters state that the number of requests to attend his inauguration is higher than for any other president-elect. History has been made. . . in my lifetime.

Don't forget to vote.

We have an historic election in a few days. Regardless of the outcome, our country will make history. The country will elect either an African American president or a female vice president. The politicians constantly talk about change which many voters want. However, what that change will be is anybody’s guess.
As seniors, one major concern we have is how the current economic crisis will affect our retirement funds. We are holding our breath until after the election to see what the next president’s policies will be. What will happen with taxes? What about our health care system? Will the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan end? Will the gas prices climb or return to a reasonable level? I will be glad when this contentious campaign is over. I have high hopes for a good future.
Meanwhile, I am working on saving money while enjoying retirement. Helpful hints will be coming in future blogs.

Keeping the Brain Active

I’ve finally purchased a laptop to write my blogs when I am away from home. The laptop computer is a little different – just enough to challenge my senior brain. I know that we’re never too old to learn something new. Thank goodness I have tried to keep my brain active by playing Scrabble, solving the Jumble puzzles in the daily newspaper, solving some Sudoku puzzles, as well as writing my short stories. I’ve also learned to do common everyday activities in a different way just to keep my brain active. For example, instead of always opening the door with my right hand, I sometimes use my left hand. Trying new recipes, going to different movies, reading books in an unfamiliar genre are other ways to wake up my brain. I try not to follow my same old tiresome routine every day.
I’ve recently read and believe that a person must also incorporate some type of physical activity into his or her daily routine to keep the brain active. For seniors who have limited mobility, chair exercises are a great option. While seated, and with or without music, seniors can move their arms, legs, hands, feet and shoulders as a form of exercise. A person must, of course, consult his or her physician before beginning any exercise program.
To me chair exercises are a good beginning. It is never too late to begin exercising. If you want to do this, get advice from your doctor about what is best for you. Go to a senior center, the YMCA or YWCA, or to your place of worship where you are likely to find others who also wish to do some form of exercise. And if there are no groups where you live, start one yourself. You are limited only by your imagination.
Begin slowly for short periods of time then increase and vary your activity. Some seniors are able to walk for a couple of miles and some can run in a marathon. But don’t feel that you must match someone else’s level of activity. Be true to yourself and your abilities. But above all, enjoy what you do. My husband and I enjoy country line dancing for singles and for couples even though I have some limitation in my mobility. I changed a few of the steps so that I may keep up; but I won’t quit. And I still love golf; but winter is coming. I will have to play virtual golf indoors. I think mall walking is also on my winter agenda. But whatever I do, I want to keep moving. This will help my brain stay active.

Our economy floundered.

The $700 billion (plus $100 billion) bailout bill has been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and signed by the President. What does it all mean? That depends on which expert you listen to. What it means to me is that we must find even more ways to economize because that bailout money has to come from the government. And we, the everyday citizen, are the government. The money will come from us.
I plan to organize my household goods so that I avoid purchasing duplicates and triplicates of certain items unnecessarily. I won’t purchase anything in large quantities that will spoil or not be used within a reasonable amount of time. When there is a good sale on non-perishable items such as facial tissue, I will purchase in bulk.
Sometimes it is difficult for me to plan meals ahead of time so that I purchase only what is needed before the next shopping trip. I often change my mind about what I am in the mood to eat. My husband is easier to feed. Whatever I cook, he will eat.
My husband and I sometimes prefer to eat out; however, we may have to do that less often in this crazy economy. Eating out while vacationing can be a problem because the cost of eating out has escalated. We try to have the heavier meal in the afternoon because it is cheaper and healthier. We may try ordering soup and salad and share one entrée which saves even more. And we rarely order drinks with meals. Water is free.
Budgeting is my focus. We are both retired and living on a fixed income like many retirees and things are getting tighter. But with good planning we will make it.