Should You Buy a Boat During Retirement? Pros and Cons of Boat Ownership

After years of fitting your hobbies around work and other responsibilities, retirement can finally create more room for interests that you once put on the back burner. If afternoons on the water have always appealed to you, owning a boat may sound like a natural addition to the years ahead. Deciding whether to buy a boat during retirement, however, involves more than picturing how you would spend a sunny afternoon.

Before turning that idea into a purchase, it is worth considering how well boat ownership fits the life you actually plan to live. Looking beyond the excitement of having your own vessel can reveal whether the expense and responsibility will add to your retirement or compete with other priorities.

Considering boat ownership after retirement means weighing your lifestyle, budget, and plans before making a purchase that affects your future.

Think About How Much You Would Use a Boat

Before you begin comparing boats, consider how frequently you expect to get on the water once the initial excitement of ownership wears off. Someone who lives near a lake and wants to boat every week has a stronger reason to own one, compared to someone who imagines taking a few outings each summer. Your current interests can provide some clues about which activities will continue to matter after you retire.

Even with fewer demands from work, your retirement calendar can fill more quickly than you expect. Travel or family visits may take you away from home for weeks at a time, while other hobbies can compete for your attention. If boating consistently ranks among the activities you most want to pursue, ownership becomes easier to justify.

Look Beyond the Purchase Price

Although the advertised price may determine which boats initially catch your attention, the ongoing expenses will have a greater effect on your retirement budget. Owners need to account for costs such as insurance and registration in addition to fuel. Storage and marina fees can push the annual total higher before maintenance even enters the picture.

As a boat gets older, routine upkeep and unexpected repairs can add expenses that are difficult to predict when you first buy it. Setting aside some money for those costs can keep a mechanical problem from competing with other retirement priorities.

Humorist Kin Hubbard once said, "A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money." That is something to consider when you are considering the cost of boat ownership.

When you calculate what ownership could cost for a full year, compare that amount with the retirement income you expect to have available for recreation. Financing adds another expense if you do not plan to pay cash, and a large monthly payment can reduce your flexibility after regular paychecks stop. The right budget should leave enough room for boating without forcing you to give up other experiences you value. 

Consider Where You Will Go Boating

Where you live and where you hope to travel can make a major difference in how practical boat ownership becomes. Living within a short drive of a marina or public launch makes spontaneous outings realistic, whereas a long trip to suitable water can turn boating into an occasional event. Retirees who want to travel with a boat should also consider how far they feel comfortable towing it.

For retirees who picture boating as part of future vacations, the variety of waterways available at a destination can affect how much use a boat receives. The range of Michigan lakes for boating enthusiasts shows how a single region can provide different options for days on the water. Thinking about the places you genuinely expect to visit can guide your choice of vessel while revealing whether ownership suits the trips you want to take.

When our daughters were teenagers, we owned a boat that we kept on a Texas lake, about an hour drive from our Dallas home.  After the first few years, our daughters lost interest in spending their weekends on the lake.  If you plan to enjoy your boat with your adult children and grandchildren, make sure this is something that will truly interest them, or you may be disappointed. 

Be Realistic About the Work Involved

Once you look beyond the hours spent cruising or fishing, boat ownership includes work that can change how easily the hobby fits into retirement. Depending on where you keep your vessel, an outing might require towing and launching before you ever leave the dock. Cleaning the boat and putting equipment away can extend the day after you return.

As you picture a typical boating day, think about whether those responsibilities feel like an enjoyable part of the hobby or work you might eventually avoid. Keeping a smaller boat at a nearby marina could simplify your routine, while professional maintenance could reduce the amount you handle yourself. Both choices affect the cost and convenience of ownership, so they belong in the decision before you buy.

Compare Ownership With Renting

For retirees who like spending time on the water but are unsure about owning a vessel, renting can provide many of the same enjoyable experiences with fewer ongoing obligations. Occasional rentals may work particularly well if you expect to go out only a handful of times each year. In fact, this might be a very smart decision, if you do not actually live near a lake and you do not want the responsibility of ownership.

Renting can become especially useful during your first months of retirement, when you are still learning how you naturally spend your extra time. You may discover that you want to boat every week, or you may find that a few outings each summer satisfy your interest.

Depending on the options available near you, joining a boat club could offer another middle ground between occasional rentals and ownership. Members typically gain access to vessels while the club handles much of the ownership responsibility, although costs and rules vary. In addition, joining a boat club also gives you the opportunity to meet other people who share your interest. Comparing these options with a realistic annual ownership budget can show which choice fits the amount of boating you expect to enjoy.

Give Yourself Time Before Making the Purchase

Because retirement marks such a major lifestyle change, purchases postponed during your working years can become especially tempting once your schedule opens up. Waiting until you settle into a new routine gives you a chance to see where your time naturally goes and what your household budget looks like without regular employment income. Boating may become a major part of your week, or another interest could end up claiming more attention.

During that waiting period, renting different types of boats can turn uncertainty into useful experience before you make a larger commitment. Trying different sizes and features may change your idea of what you want, while conversations with local owners can reveal what their normal boating routines involve. A little experience can make it easier to choose based on your actual retirement life.

Choose a Boat That Fits the Retirement You Live

After gaining more control over your schedule, you may value activities that give your free time a sense of purpose and enjoyment. Boat ownership can provide years of memorable days on the water when you use the vessel enough to justify its costs and feel comfortable with the work involved.

Ultimately, buying a boat during retirement makes the most sense when boating already fits naturally into the way you want to spend your time. If you still feel uncertain about how frequently you would use one, renting can keep you on the water while leaving more of your retirement budget and schedule flexible. The goal is not simply to own something you always wanted, but to choose a hobby that makes the retirement you are actually living more enjoyable.

Post and Photo credit: Logical Positions

Support this blog by checking out Deborah Dian's video reviews of Amazon products (Ad) in her Amazon storefront.  You'll find hundreds of recommended items for your home, health and cosmetic products, children's toys, clothing items, books, jewelry, groceries and gifts.  Check out these personal product video reviews, watch the ones that interest you, and safely buy the items you like directly through Amazon! 

Below is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/shop/deborahdian-favoriteproductsvideosandblogs

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive two to three monthly emails containing the most current post.  I do NOT send out advertising emails, and I do NOT sell your email address.  

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from a relevant Google or Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It simply helps me keep this retirement blog operating.

If you are interested in learning more about common issues as we age, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com 

Is a Lower Cost of Living Always a Better Deal?

Moving somewhere less expensive can sound like an easy way to make retirement savings stretch further. When housing costs drop and everyday purchases appear cheaper, the financial case for relocating may look convincing before you even start packing.

Yet deciding whether a lower cost of living is really a better deal requires looking beyond the number on a cost-of-living comparison. Retirement changes which expenses matter most, and a move that saves money in one area can create new costs somewhere else. Looking at your actual lifestyle can give you a clearer idea of what you would gain.

A lower cost of living may stretch retirement savings, but knowing what you could gain or give up can reveal whether moving is truly worth the price.

Start With the Expenses That Matter to You

Cost-of-living figures usually compare broad categories, but your personal spending may look very different from the average household. Someone who rarely drives will care less about gas prices than a retiree who expects to make frequent road trips. Property taxes may matter greatly to a homeowner while having less direct importance to a renter.

Start with several months of your own spending and compare those expenses with what they might look like in the place you are considering. Include both recurring monthly bills along with expenses that arrive only a few times each year. Your current budget gives you a more useful starting point than a general ranking of inexpensive retirement destinations.

Look Beyond the Price of the House

Housing can create some of the biggest savings when moving to a lower-cost area, but the purchase price tells only part of the story. Property taxes and insurance can vary widely by location, while utilities, association fees, and maintenance can change what an affordable home costs each month.

Keeping the purchase price manageable may also lead you to consider housing options you previously overlooked. Manufactured homes can offer another possibility, especially as mobile homes could help ease the housing shortage by expanding the range of lower-cost homes available to buyers. For a retiree, the more personal question is how the total cost of each option fits both your budget and the way you want to live.

Consider What Daily Life Will Cost

A smaller housing payment can lose some of its appeal when ordinary errands require more driving. Before deciding an area is affordable, consider how far you would need to travel for groceries and other parts of your normal routine. Living farther from the places you regularly visit could increase your transportation spending even if other expenses fall.

Changes to your daily habits can affect the calculation as well, especially if you currently live somewhere that makes getting around easy. Moving from an area where you can walk to shops or use public transportation to one where you depend on a car could mean spending more on fuel and maintenance or replacing your vehicle sooner. Those added costs may not erase the savings, but they belong in the comparison.

Beyond the practical expenses of getting around, consider whether the area supports the retirement lifestyle you enjoy. Someone who likes dining out, attending local events, or taking classes may value having those opportunities close to home. A less expensive town could be a great fit if its location and amenities match how you want to spend your time.

Put Health Care Into the Calculation

Access to medical care can become more important as you move through retirement, even if you are healthy today. A town may offer appealing housing prices but require a long trip to reach specialists or a larger hospital. Frequent travel for appointments can add transportation expenses while making routine care harder to fit into everyday life.

Medicare coverage does not make every health-care experience identical from one location to another. Checking your own coverage and nearby providers can prevent an inexpensive destination from creating an unwelcome complication.

If you receive regular treatment such as dialysis or chemo, or if you rely on specialists, consider how easily you could continue that care. You simply want enough information to know whether the community can support the care that already matters to you.

Think About the People You Would Leave Behind

Financial comparisons cannot easily put a price on living near family and longtime friends. Moving several states away might lower your monthly expenses while increasing the cost of maintaining the relationships that matter to you. Flights and longer road trips can become part of the new budget, particularly if you expect to visit several times each year.

Living farther from people you rely on can change practical parts of everyday life as well. A nearby daughter who occasionally drives you to the airport or a friend who checks on your house while you travel provides value that a cost-of-living calculator cannot capture. Building a new community can be rewarding, but it takes time, so consider what you would be giving up alongside what the new location offers.

Test the Savings Before You Commit

A promising retirement destination can look very different during an ordinary Tuesday than it does during a vacation. Spending several weeks there can reveal details that online research misses. Try following the type of routine you would have as a resident so you can experience the area beyond its attractions.

Experiencing the area during a less appealing season can reveal another side of living there. A place with mild winters may have extremely hot summers, while a beautiful mountain town could bring winter expenses or driving conditions you did not anticipate. Seasonal differences can affect utility bills and how easily you get around. Call the local utility companies and ask what the average bills have been over the past year or two for the homes you are seriously considering.  You could be shocked by the cost of home heating oil in the winter, or the electricity to keep a house cool in the summer.

Staying long enough for the excitement of visiting to fade can provide an even more realistic picture of the area. Renting for several weeks may show you what everyday life costs and whether you enjoy your normal routine there. Although a temporary stay adds an expense, the experience may provide useful information before you make a much larger financial commitment.

Decide What You Want the Savings To Do

Reducing your expenses has the most value when the savings support something that matters to you. Perhaps spending less on housing would allow you to travel more or keep a larger emergency fund. You may simply want less pressure on your retirement income so ordinary spending decisions feel easier.

Paying somewhat more can make sense when your current community gives you easy access to family, medical care, favorite activities, and a home you can comfortably manage. The cheapest option does not automatically provide the strongest value. Retirement gives you more freedom to decide which expenses deserve room in your budget because they contribute to the life you want.

Find the Value Behind the Price

Relocating can be a practical way to reduce expenses, particularly when housing takes a large share of your retirement income. The decision becomes more useful when you compare the full experience of living somewhere with the savings that initially caught your attention.

Determining whether a lower cost of living is really a better deal comes down to what your money buys and what you might give up to spend less. When the numbers work alongside your health needs, relationships, interests, and plans for retirement, a less expensive location can support the life you want without making price the only measure of a good decision.

Post and Photo credit: Logical Positions

Support this blog by checking out Deborah Dian's video reviews of Amazon products (Ad) in her Amazon storefront.  You'll find hundreds of recommended items for your home, health and cosmetic products, children's toys, clothing items, books, jewelry, groceries and gifts.  Check out these personal product video reviews, watch the ones that interest you, and safely buy the items you like directly through Amazon! 

Below is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/shop/deborahdian-favoriteproductsvideosandblogs

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive two to three monthly emails containing the most current post.  I do NOT send out advertising emails, and I do NOT sell your email address.  

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from a relevant Google or Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It simply helps me keep this retirement blog operating.

If you are interested in learning more about common issues as we age, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com 

Questions to Ask a Retirement Community Before You Move In

You may be thinking about moving into a continuing care retirement community, an assisted living facility, independent living senior apartments, or something similar.  You probably have visited a few.  You might have taken a few tours, had lunch in their restaurant, and been given an enthusiastic sales pitch about the convenience and joy you'll find when you move in.  However, do you know what questions you need to ask to help you make the right decision?

Before you make a final decision, there are lots of things you need to know about the different types of facilities.  This is not a comprehensive list of everything you may want to know, but it is a good place to start.  The right place for you will depend on your current and future needs, so feel free to ask the staff at the community as many questions as pop into your mind.  

What type of Retirement Community is This?

While I was looking at various communities, I discovered there were many options.  For example, some places are just independent living senior apartments, with no assisted living or other services.  In some senior apartment buildings, they may provide meals and recreational events.  In other cases, you are completely independent, as if you are living in an apartment or condo anywhere.

Other retirement communities may be a CCRC, or a Continuing Care Retirement Community.  These should have a nurse and medical aides on staff to assist independent living residents in an emergency and to provide basic daily care to their assisted living residents.  A CCRC sometimes has a memory care unit, too, and/or their own skilled nursing home.  Depending on your health, you may want to ask about any health situations you expect to have in the future and ask how the community would help you handle your activities of daily living. If you are moving because you have specific health needs, be sure to ask how those would be handled in each community you visit.

On the other hand, you may be considering an RCFE, or a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly.  In these facilities, a registered nurse in not required, although they may have an LVN or CNA, and they will have aides who can help the assisted living residents with their medications, help them shower, and perform similar tasks. 

All these different types of facilities may look alike on the surface when you visit them, so it is important you know exactly what medical services to expect and have a full understanding of what they provide.

What Are ALL the Financial Costs You can Expect?

All the different types of facilities will have a basic monthly rental fee.  However, there are other costs which you may not expect.  Is there a "buy-in" (which can be hundreds of thousands of dollars), a deposit (which can range from $5000 to $60,000+) or other fees for new residents?

In addition to the basic monthly rent, are there other fees you can expect for special services, such as if you need help with medication management, transportation, showering, transferring to a wheelchair, etc.?  How much are these fees?

Are there additional charges for utilities, internet and TV?

Is their an additional annual fee for things such as staff tips? 

How often can the basic rent be raised, and by how much?

If you have long-term care insurance, can you use it to help cover your expenses while living in that community?

As you can see, the basic monthly fee they quote you when you sign your contract may not include all the expenses you can expect to pay.  Ask a lot of questions so you do not have an unpleasant surprise.

What Amenities and Types of Recreation Are Available?

What hobbies are you hoping to pursue during retirement? Do you want access to a swimming pool, golf course, a library, art classes, pottery, shopping, fishing, playing bridge or other activities?  It is important to ask these questions.  If the community you want to move into does not offer the activities you desire, are they available nearby at a senior center or in the community?

For example, the RCFE where I live does not have a swimming pool or golf course available on our property.  However, there are several nearby health clubs that offer swimming pools and there are public golf courses in the surrounding area.  

Fortunately, I am still able to drive, and so do most of the people in the Independent Living section of our building.  If I could not drive, Uber is also available in our community. It is important to consider these things before you move into a community.

What is the Food Like?

When you visit a retirement community, it is likely the sales person will have you join them for a delicious meal. However, carefully examine the menu and ask about how often it changes and how many different choices are typically available each week.  Check to see if some of the older weekly or monthly menus are available.  Ask yourself if you would be happy with this menu if these were all the choices you had during the course of a week or a month or even longer.

If you have dietary restrictions, the food issue could be even more important. Will the kitchen staff respect your allergies?  If you need to avoid soy, lactose, peanuts, shellfish, or certain fruits, will they notify you if their recipes contain those items? What if you need to be on a low sodium diet?  Will they provide desserts that diabetics can eat? 

Even if you do not have medical dietary restrictions, what if you have other food issues?  Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Do you have religious dietary restrictions?  You need to take all these issues into consideration if you are planning to live where other people are shopping and cooking for you. 

What Types of Outings Are Available?

Does this community offer the residents the opportunity to go on outings to local restaurants, museums, concerts and other places of interest?

I have found that it definitely brightens the week to be able to go on an outing to a local restaurant, especially ethnic restaurants such as Mexican, Chinese, Thai, French and similar choices.  Not everyone in my community chooses to go on these outings, but I enjoy them.  However, if you like to try a wider variety of foods than are available from your community's restaurant, you'll want to see if restaurant outings are available. Of course, these outings will not be part of your community food allowance.  You will have to pay for these meals out of your own pocket.

Other people in my community enjoy going to concerts, museums, and local special events.  If you enjoy these types of events, find out if transportation to these events is something your community will regularly offer.

You will find that you will get to know other residents better when you go as a group to a restaurant, museum, concert, casino, or similar location.

Is The Community Located Near Family, Medical Care, Transportation and Shopping?

Ask yourself if the retirement community will be a convenient place for you to live. Is it near anyone in your family?  Is there a hospital and other medical care nearby? Will you be able to conveniently get necessary medical treatments? For example, do you need to see medical specialists, get dialysis, or have regular infusions for cancer or other treatments?  Are these doctors and treatments available nearby, in the local community, or will you have to drive long distances to get the medical care you need? Do you have a family member living in the area who can drive you to appointments, or will you have to drive yourself or take an Uber?

Although online shopping now makes shopping much easier than it was in the past, you may still want to occasionally go shopping for clothing, gifts, snacks and other groceries to keep in your apartment.  Is there shopping nearby? Does the community offer a shopping shuttle for those residents who have to stop driving?

Can you easily get to an airport or other transportation hub in order to visit friends and family members who do not live nearby? 

Do You Think You Could Be Happy In Your New Community?

This is a question you will have to ask yourself.  Expect to have a period of sadness, loneliness and discomfort when you first move into a retirement community. This is normal.  Nearly everyone who moves into one of these communities has lost something or given up something in order to make the move.  They may be moving after they lost their spouse.  They might be suffering from a decline in health and they are discouraged by their slow recovery.  There is a good chance that they are moving out of a home that they loved, and they had to leave behind many items they enjoyed owning over the years. Most residents will be downsizing when they move to a retirement community apartment.  In many cases, new residents are moving away from a beloved neighborhood, their former place of worship, and people who formed a support system for them. Adjusting to your new retirement community will take time.

Even if you are outgoing, it may be months before your retirement community begins to feel like "home." It may take some time before you find a group you enjoy eating with, and enjoyable activities that become part of your daily routine. Once you do, you will know you are "home."

To speed up the time it will take to adjust, I highly recommend that you quickly begin to participate in as many activities as possible.  Everyone in your community has gone through the same thing you are, and they understand what you are experiencing.  Many of your new neighbors will be kind and will reach out to befriend and help you.

It took me a few months, but I now love the retirement community where I live.  I hope you will eventually love your new home, too.

Post credit: Deborah Dian 

Photo credit: Google images

Support this blog by checking out Deborah Dian's video reviews of Amazon products (Ad) in her Amazon storefront.  You'll find hundreds of recommended items for your home, health and cosmetic products, children's toys, clothing items, books, jewelry, groceries and gifts.  Check out these personal product video reviews, watch the ones that interest you, and safely buy the items you like directly through Amazon! 

Below is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/shop/deborahdian-favoriteproductsvideosandblogs

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive two to three monthly emails containing the most current post.  I do NOT send out advertising emails, and I do NOT sell your email address.  

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from a relevant Google or Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It simply helps me keep this retirement blog operating.

If you are interested in learning more about common issues as we age, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com 

Prepare Your Body for Travel During Retirement

Retirement can finally give you enough time to take trips that once had to fit around work schedules and limited vacation days. Yet a week of sightseeing may demand much more from your body than an ordinary week at home, especially when each day brings more walking and fewer chances to follow your normal routine.

You can prepare your body for retirement travel by following these practical suggestions to build stamina, move comfortably, and handle busy sightseeing days with more confidence.

Thinking about how to prepare your body for retirement travel can make those busy days easier to manage. You do not need an intense fitness plan before every vacation, but preparing for the physical demands of your itinerary can leave you with more energy to enjoy the reason you traveled in the first place.

Start With the Trip You Have Planned

Physical preparation should match the vacation you will actually take. A cruise with relaxed days at sea may feel very different from a city vacation where you expect to spend hours walking between attractions. Even trips that look easy on paper can include extended airport terminals, stairs in older hotels, or excursions that keep you standing longer than usual.

Review your itinerary several weeks before departure and picture what a typical day might involve. Check whether tours include considerable walking and whether attractions sit up on hills or uneven ground. If several demanding days appear back-to-back, being aware of that will give you time to prepare and may even encourage you to adjust the schedule before you leave.

Build Up Your Walking Gradually

Many vacations involve far more walking than people realize while making their plans. Airports can require long walks between gates, while museums and sightseeing districts may keep you moving for much of the day. Even a leisurely vacation can add considerable distance when you are exploring somewhere new.

If you do not currently walk as much as your trip may require, begin adding distance gradually in the weeks before departure. You might extend a familiar route or spend more time walking during errands. Someone heading to a hilly location can occasionally choose a walking route near their home with an steep incline, so that vacation terrain does not come as a complete surprise.

Notice Which Movements Feel Difficult

Walking distance tells only part of the story, because travel requires your body to move in ways that may not occur as frequently at home. You might step into a tour van, climb a narrow staircase, reach for a bag in an overhead compartment, or stand up repeatedly throughout a long sightseeing day.

These situations can reveal how joint mobility impacts everyday movement when your surroundings require more bending, reaching, or changes in position than your normal routine. Before your trip, notice whether any movements you expect to make regularly already feel difficult. You can then plan around those limitations and avoid learning about them for the first time in the middle of a busy excursion.

If pain or another physical concern could affect your ability to travel comfortably, talk with your health care provider about your plans. Advice that accounts for your health and destination will be more useful than trying to follow a general pre-travel exercise routine which may not suit you.

In some cases, seeing a physical therapist or working with a trainer in your local gym could help you maximize your current abilities, and help you be realistic about what types of activities you can handle on your trips.

As a last resort, do not forget that it is usually possible to alter your itinerary slightly so that you can take less strenuous trails, or rent on-location mobility devices.  For example, many zoos and amusement parks have little carts that are available for day rental.  They can help you avoid over exerting yourself and ruining your vacation. Be sure to reserve one in advance.

Practice With the Gear You Will Actually Use

Travel can feel different when you add the things you plan to carry. A comfortable neighborhood walk may become more demanding when you wear a small backpack or carry a day bag for several hours. Make sure you carry these items in your own neighborhood before you plan to carry them on vacation.

Your luggage deserves similar attention. Before departure, make sure you can comfortably move your suitcase through your home and lift it when necessary. Packing lighter may make the journey easier, particularly when your plans include trains or accommodations where you will handle your own luggage.

Test Your Travel Shoes Before Departure

Shoes that feel comfortable for an hour or two may become a problem after an entire afternoon on your feet. Waiting until the first sightseeing day to test new footwear can leave you dealing with discomfort for the rest of the vacation.  Be sure to wear them at home with the same socks you plan to use on vacation, too.

Consider the surfaces at your destination when choosing footwear, as well. Cobblestones and steep streets may call for different shoes than you would choose for a resort where most walking takes place on smooth paths.

Prepare for the Journey, Not Just the Destination

The hardest physical part of some vacations begins before you reach the hotel. Long flights and road trips can keep you seated for hours, while large transportation hubs may require considerable walking between periods of inactivity. Make sure you are prepared to handle your planned activities, and seek out help when it is too much for you.  For example, most airports offer wheelchair services or golf carts to get you to your gates.  

If you build up your stamina in advance, bring along the right shoes and other gear, and are realistic about what you can handle, your trip will be a lot more fun.

Post and Photo credit: Logical Positions

Support this blog by checking out Deborah Dian's video reviews of Amazon products (Ad) in her Amazon storefront.  You'll find hundreds of recommended items for your home, health and cosmetic products, children's toys, clothing items, books, jewelry, groceries and gifts.  Check out these personal product video reviews, watch the ones that interest you, and safely buy the items you like directly through Amazon! 

Below is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/shop/deborahdian-favoriteproductsvideosandblogs

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive two to three monthly emails containing the most current post.  I do NOT send out advertising emails, and I do NOT sell your email address.  

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from a relevant Google or Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It simply helps me keep this retirement blog operating.

If you are interested in learning more about common issues as we age, financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com 

Why Are Scammers Calling You? Are You an Easy Mark?

Be skeptical when a stranger calls.

Did you know that you may have unintentionally become an easy mark for scammers?  Most of us experience an overwhelming number of unwanted phone calls, whether they are from legitimate companies constantly trying to sell us something, or from "friendly" strangers who are trying to romance us.  There are so many scams out there, some of them have their own names:  The Tinder Swindler, the Grandparent Scam, dating scams, phishing, etc.  My own husband became so frustrated by the number of unwanted calls we were getting that he had our home phone disconnected.  At least the cell phone companies try to alert you to the fact that an incoming call might be a scam (although they don't always). 

It can be hard enough to know if someone is trustworthy when you meet them in person, but it is even harder to be sure whether or not you are talking to an honest person when you are on the phone.  It is even more confusing, because occasionally we actually are called by the fraud department of our bank or other financial institution.  However, we need to be extra careful and vigilant whenever we get a call from someone who is not a family member or friend.  

So, why do these scammers call you?  What is it about you that makes you especially vulnerable to being duped by dishonest people?  You may be surprised to know that the AARP Fraud Watch Network has done research on why certain people are targeted more easily and what personality traits they possess.  Once you understand your weaknesses and flaws, it will be easier for you to protect yourself.  Below are common issues, re-published from another article which I wrote five years ago, which make you more likely to become a fraud victim.

You May Respect Authority Figures Too Much

Some scammers try the approach of sending out official looking letters and emails, or they may call you and pretend to be officials with a government agency, such as the IRS, the police, Social Security or a court.  People should recognize that government agencies rarely call citizens, and almost never make a phone call as their first approach in dealing with a citizen.  They nearly always contact you first by mail.

In addition, if you are dealing with an agency such as the IRS, because of an issue such as unpaid taxes, they will never demand that you make an immediate payment.  Whenever you do make a payment, there are specific steps you must follow and only certain types of payments are allowed.  They NEVER accept  gift cards or similar methods of payment.  Let me repeat that.  If someone contacts you and says that you owe back taxes, a fee or a fine, no legitimate government agency will say that you must pay them immediately by using gift cards.  That should be your first red flag that something is very wrong.

If someone calls you and says they are from a government agency, tell them you only handle these transactions by mail and hang up.  When and if you do get an official looking letter, you should call the relevant agency using their official phone number listed on their website, NOT one which was given to you by a strange caller.  Be skeptical of any stranger who calls you unexpectedly, even if they say they are from a government agency.  If you have questions, call your local sheriff's department for guidance.

You Could be Too Trusting and a People Pleaser

There are many disadvantages of trying too hard to please other people, including the fact that it can simply be exhausting.  However, another disadvantage is that people pleasers tend to put their own judgement aside in order to follow the instructions of others.  For example, you may receive an email from someone pretending to be a friend or coworker.  They may give you unusual instructions, such as asking you to purchase gift cards, take photos of the front and back, and email the photos to them.  A more skeptical person might question why they would want you to do this.  However, believe it or not, people regularly fall for this scam.  By the time the victim realizes the person sending the email is not who they are pretending to be, the scammer has already used the photos you sent to purchase something with the gift cards.  Even when you think someone you know is asking you to photograph gift cards, don't do it.  There is a good chance it is a scam.

You May be Lonely and Seeking Friends Online

Scammers love lonely people.  The perfect mark is someone who willingly enters into a lengthy conversation over the phone with the scammer.  It doesn't take a lot of time to convince a lonely person that the stranger on the phone wants to be their friend.

An even more dangerous person could be someone you meet through social media or a dating website.  Thousands of lonely men and women have developed online relationships with strangers, "loaned" them money, "invested" in various schemes and otherwise been reeled in.  Some people have even lost thousands of dollars this way.  Below are some rules you should follow to protect yourself.

Never send money to someone you have met online, either through social media or a dating site.

Never invest in business deals with strangers, even if you have been conversing with them online for months.  Many of these scammers go for the "long game" and are willing to spend months emailing a large number of people until they find someone who will send them money.

Don't let loneliness cause you to become a victim.

You Could be Under Stress or Grieving and More Vulnerable

Be wary of phone calls from strangers, especially after a crisis, including a death in the family, a home fire, a flood or other disaster.  There are crooks who try to trick people into giving out their personal information during times of stress.  They may pretend to offer help, when they are really trying to steal any insurance or settlement money you could be receiving.  If you are feeling overwhelmed and get a phone call from someone who is offering to help, you may be tempted to lower your guard and tell them things such as your Social Security or bank account numbers, because you believe it is necessary in order to get federal aid or other assistance.  Be particularly suspicious whenever you are under stress.   Take your time, meet personally with the people from FEMA or the insurance company, do online research and gather information until you know exactly what you need to do.

You May Have Been a Scam Victim in the Past, Making You a "Mark"

Did you know that people who have been victimized once are even more likely to be victimized again?  Once scammers know your weaknesses, they will actually sell your name to other scammers who will try new and different approaches to get their hands on your money.  Once you have been a victim of fraud, be extra careful for the rest of your life. 

You Could Be Too Confident that You Will Not Be Scammed

After reading articles such as this one, you may be absolutely confident that you would never fall for any of these tricks.  Do not get over-confident.  Many of the people who fall victim to fraud are intelligent, confident, well-read people who believe they know "all the tricks in the book."  However, the people who conceive of these scams are also intelligent and they put all their energy into thinking of new, creative ways to trick people. They know how to come across in different ways, depending on the scam. They might appear to be professional and businesslike, or caring and helpful.  They are able to be whoever they need to be.  They consider this their profession, not a hobby.  Be skeptical of anyone who approaches you for money.

Learn How to Protect Yourself from Scams

Without getting over-confident, pay attention to new scams in your area and learn how to protect yourself.

If you receive a call from a telemarketer or a robocall, hang up immediately.  Never give out information over the phone.  Never call back.  You could be calling a number that will charge you when you place the call.

Block the phone numbers of telemarketers so they cannot keep calling you using the same number.

Even if you have to block dozens of numbers, do not give up.  Telemarketing companies have a variety of phone numbers they can use, but eventually they will run out if you keep blocking them.

Immediately end online conversations with people who ask for money, no matter how convincing they are.  This applies to people who contact you through email, Facebook, Twitter or dating sites.  If they ask for money, no matter how convincing their story, do not send it to them. If you do it once, they will probably keep asking.

If you believe the request could be from a legitimate company, such as a local charity, ask them to mail their request to you.  That will give you more time to check them out and think about your decision to make a donation.  If they begin to call repeatedly, hang up and block their number.

If you receive a call from a government agency, look up the number for that agency online and call them directly.  Ask that they put any questions or requests for information in writing and mail it to you.  Consult the police or an attorney if they harass you, especially if you are suspicious about why they have contacted you.

Do NOT cash unexpected checks or prize money you receive in the mail.  Check with your local sheriff's department, district attorney's office, or your bank to see if it is legitimate.  NEVER mail money back to the person or company that sent you the check. A common scam is to tell you that you have won money, then they send you a check for more than you supposedly won, and then they ask you to mail them back the difference.  By the time you discover that their phony check has bounced, you have already sent them your real check and they have cashed it.

Always read the fine print before entering into any business deal.  Consult an attorney to protect yourself as much as possible.

Be skeptical of any requests for money, no matter how sincere, even if it is put in the form of a "loan" or an "investment."  Discuss real investments with legitimate advisors such as your lawyer, tax accountant, or financial planner.  In addition, investigate possible investments online.  There is plenty of information about both legitimate and dishonest business deals online, if people are just willing to do the research.

Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Post and Photo credit: Deborah Dian / Pixabay

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