Be Brave - Lose the Beige - Finding Your Sass After Sixty - A Book Review

From Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JK00RQ (Ad)

As a retirement blogger, I am often asked to review more retirement books than I can possibly read.  However, when I was asked to review the new book, "Be Brave. Lose the Beige! Finding Your Sass After Sixty,"  I was immediately charmed by the title. 

Most of us, after a certain age, feel pulled between "acting our age" and wanting to still feel free to kick up our heels and enjoy the remaining decades of our life.  How often have we been told that older women should not wear short skirts, low cut blouses, colorful clothing, big earrings, or anything that brings attention to us?  I was curious to read what the author of this book, Liz Kitchens, had to say about brightening our lives instead of muting ourselves as we age.

In the opening pages, I loved how she refers to our generation of women as "Lady Boomers."  What a great description!  This book "began as a blog and evolved into stories that chronicle how creative thinking helped this baby boomer cope with Empty Nest Syndrome, navigate sex over sixty, and transition from being "outtasight" to being literally out of sight."

Doesn't that description already make you want to order a copy of "Be Brave - Lose the Beige"? (Ad)

Chapter Titles Sure to Pique Your Interest:

The Creativity Evangelist

The 'Tweener Generation

Brother Time and Sister Space: Navigating Life's Transitions

Your Rx for Aging

Gummies, Pets and Ex-husbands

The Power of the Purse

The Reluctant Angel

Great Grand Parenting (One of my favorite chapters)

Caregivers Living in Color

What's Next, Boomer?

Each chapter ends with a special "Exercise Your Creativity" idea to help you apply the message in that chapter to your own life.  

The book is full of practical suggestions for managing your relationship with your recently retired spouse, your adult children, and your grandchildren, while maintaining your own identity and enjoying your life.  It also talks about being more selective in your friendships, so there is better balance in your relationships.  In other words, you can learn how to help others, while maintaining boundaries and not allowing yourself to be consumed by the needs of other people in your life.  It is not easy, but this book will help get you started in the right direction.

The BBLB Manual of Maxims

The book ends with a list of maxims which the author suggests for Lady Boomers.  She also recommends that you add a few of your own.  After all, you are trying to learn to think and live more creatively, not just follow someone else's set of rules!

She has written 35 Maxims.  Here are five maxims I particularly liked, but you will probably have your own favorites:

Breaking little rules is empowering

Don't let kid demands derail the pursuit of your passions

Seek out the silver linings

Avoid becoming someone's oxygen tank

Take calculated risks

If you liked these five maxims, you are sure to like the rest of the list.

Set Aside Time to be Charmed

I was delighted by reading "Be Brave - Lose the Beige."(Ad)  Many of the retirement books I am asked to review are very dry manuscripts about financial planning, rescuing your finances, and taking care of your health.  There is nothing wrong with these books.  Those are important topics for retirees.  However, this book is a delight to read, talks about your relationship with others, and will change your relationship with yourself!  Enjoy it! 

From the Amazon Reviews:

"Be Brave. Lose the Beige! started as a blog and morphed into a movement. This movement gently pokes fun at ageist rules and expectations. It says “yes” when the rest of the world keeps saying “no.” 

"The stories and creative techniques outlined in this book are guaranteed to introduce color, sass, and a lightness of spirit into your later years. Are you ready to start coloring outside the lines, even if a few pesky rules get trampled in the process?"

About the Author:

Liz Kitchens conducts workshops and seminars on creativity, is the founder of "What’s Next Boomer?" and of the website, "Be Brave. Lose the Beige," which focuses on issues facing women of the baby boomer generation. She is also a contributing writer for the online magazine, "Sixty and Me," for the over-60 crowd.  She is an insightful and interesting writer. 

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Buy at DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com

One of the ways that I have personally exercised my creativity as a Lady Boomer has been to start an Etsy store.  I love designing the different products or personalized cards inside the jewelry gift boxes, and then having everything professionally made and delivered to my Etsy buyers.

The background card inside the gift boxes for some of my jewelry (like the friendship bracelet in this photo) can be personalized with the name of the person you are giving it to, or you can send me a special message you would like included.  Just message me on Etsy at DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. You will receive a weekly email with the most current post.

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

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Etsy or Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission to support this blog, at no extra cost to you.

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Can Social Security Be Saved? Yes, With a Few Changes

 Nearly every retiree, and many younger adults, have heard the alarming news that the Social Security Trust Fund will run out of money in another ten years or so, although the exact date changes regularly.  Some people believe this means that Social Security payments will completely end at that time.  That is NOT true.  However, if the government does not take steps to strengthen Social Security, it is true that benefits could be automatically cut by 20% once the trust fund is fully depleted.  That would be devastating to many people, but not quite as bad as eliminating Social Security completely.  The sad fact is that this problem could be entirely avoided, if Congress takes a few steps now to assure that the Social Security Trust fund has enough money to continue to operate well into the future.

According to official reports in mid-2022, below are the current estimates on how long full benefits can be paid out, even if nothing is done is improve the financial strength of these important programs:

"The Social Security trust fund most Americans rely on for their retirement will be able to continue to pay out full benefits on a timely basis until 2034, one year later than the Treasury Department estimated last year, according to an updated report published by the government.

The improved analysis, signed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, projects that the government’s disability insurance program will be able to pay full benefits over the next 75 years, the first time Social Security officials have issued such a rosy outlook since their 1983 report.  Last year’s report estimated the Disability Insurance Trust Fund would be depleted in 2057. 

Medicare Part A will remain fully financed through 2028, two years later than previously projected, the government said."  

(Source:  https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/02/social-security-trust-fund-will-be-able-to-pay-benefits-longer-than-expected.html)

What Steps Could Save Social Security Even Longer?

According to AARP, there are a number of actions which Congress could take in order to prevent senior citizens from being forced to take a 20% cut in their Social Security benefits in another few years.  This is a looming problem which can be prevented.  Although there are many possible solutions, below are some which have been suggested by AARP and other advocates for senior citizens.  

Raise the Cap on the amount of wages subject to Social Security withholding - Currently, someone who has a salary of $1,000,000 pays the same Social Security withholding as someone with an income of $160,200 (the current 2023 cap).  Increasing this cap to an even higher level would increase the amount of money going into the Social Security Fund.

Keep the Cap, create a "donut hole," and resume withholding at a higher income threshold - For example, keep the current $160,200 cap, but resume withholding on higher earners, such as those earning over $400,000 - $500,000 a year in wages, or some other number to be determined by Congress.

Increase the payroll tax rates - The current Social Security withholding tax is 12.4 percent.  It could be raised to 14.4 percent, but this would affect the lowest wage earners the most.  Another choice would be to raise the payroll tax rates on incomes over $100,000 or some other designated amount.

Increase the number of people paying into the Social Security system - Many state and local employees are not covered by Social Security.  They are only covered by public pensions.  In fact, in about half of the states in the U.S., people receiving a public pension are either denied their Social Security benefits, or they are forced to accept substantially lower Social Security payments, even on income they earned in addition to their public service job.  The rules that deny them their benefits are the WEP and the GPO.  These rules could be eliminated by Congress.  Millions of workers would benefit by being included in both the Social Security system as well as their private pension, and this would mean more people paying into the program.  Of course, this would also mean more people receiving the benefits they earned in the future.

Broaden the definition of income - Some types of income are not covered by Social Security payroll taxes.  This includes investment income.  As a result, many people do not pay withholding on their income, even if they are high earners.  If everyone was expected to pay into the Social Security Trust Fund, regardless of the source of their income, this would help protect the integrity of the program.

Congress could add money to the Social Security trust fund from other sources - Because making significant cuts to Social Security would throw millions of Americans into poverty and cost the government even more money by forcing it to provide other types of aid, it would make sense for the government to supplement the Social Security Trust Fund with money from the general fund or other sources of extra income.  It actually hurts the government more when fewer people are paying into the Social Security Trust Fund, and then many of them end up collecting other types of benefits such as SNAP (food stamps), housing assistance, and SSI (Supplemental Assistance Income).  It would be much better if Congress fixes Social Security so that millions of people are able to survive on their earned benefits, without these other types of assistance.

Reduce Social Security benefits for people who also have a high income or a lot of assets - This would allow the people with the lowest income and fewest assets to continue to get their full benefits, and only those who are financially secure with other sources of retirement income would have their benefits cut.

Cut the projected benefits for new beneficiaries by 3 to 5 percent -  This would mean that current beneficiaries could continue to receive their promised benefits and new beneficiaries would only receive slightly less when they reach retirement age. This would also allow younger adults time to save more money towards retirement, to make up for the deficit.

Change the way benefits are calculated so new beneficiaries receive a lower payout - This is similar to the above suggestion. Currently the Social Security Administration calculates your benefits based on your 35 highest years of salary.  If they changed that to the 40 highest years of salary, the average income base would be lower, which would result in lower benefits for most people.

Reduce the size of the annual Social Security COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) - This would help the program in the short-term, but receiving a COLA that is less than the rate of inflation would compound over time, until eventually more beneficiaries would fall into poverty and need other types of government assistance.  Many retirees already feel that the current COLA does not keep up with inflation, so this could make the problem even worse. 

Gradually increase the age when people can collect their benefits - Instead of age 62 as the lowest age to collect, and age 67 to receive full benefits, those ages could be increased a month at a time.  As of this writing, the Republican Study Committee and House of Representative leaders have proposed that Social Security's full retirement age gradually be increased by three years so that people born in 1978 or later would have a full retirement age of 70 instead of 67.  They would also like to increase the age for early retirement from age 62 to a later age.  However, this proposal is likely to hurt people the most who have spent their lives working in low-income, physically demanding jobs, because people in those positions often have to retire sooner than they expected. 

Combination of Above Suggestions

The most likely solution will be some combination of several of the above ideas, so that no single suggestion affects a specific group of people too much.  The important thing to recognize from this information is that there are solutions that would fix Social Security, and if done properly, the changes would only cause minor inconveniences to most people.

What You Can Do

Whether you like one or more of these ideas, or you have other suggestions of your own, WRITE  YOUR  CONGRESSMAN  AND  YOUR  SENATOR and insist that they take Social Security off the back burner and address the problem.  There are solutions.  There is no reason why anyone should have to fear losing all or a significant portion of their Social Security benefits in the future, but Congress needs to take action to protect the millions of people who depend on this program during retirement and who paid into it for decades. 

Readers are also encouraged to update their private retirement planning, by making sure that they are putting as much money as possible into a 401(k) or IRA.  They may also want to investigate ways they could turn a hobby into a side income during their retirement years, so they are not totally dependent on Social Security.

Order from: DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com 

As many of the readers of this blog know, I have set up an Etsy store to help supplement my retirement income. It contains hundreds of jewelry and clothing items for yourself, your friends, and your family. You can check it out at: DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com

Some of the items in my Etsy store, and all of the gift box messages can be personalized with a favorite quote or the name of a specific person.  Contact me by messaging me on Etsy about personalizing an item.  There is no extra charge.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. You will receive a weekly email with the most current post.

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

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission to support this blog, at no extra cost to you.

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

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Dementia - Are You Increasing Your Risk?

 Many aging seniors fear getting dementia, even more than they fear dying. In fact, Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia are two of the most popular health searches on Google. Although we all want to avoid slowly losing our memories and our connection to our loved ones, many people are not aware of what activities actually increase their dementia risk, and what changes they could make in their lives to lower their risk.  Fortunately, there are steps we can all take which will make us more likely to retain our mental capacity for years longer.  The first step is knowing some of the common causes of dementia, and how you can avoid them.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for all types of memory loss and cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's Disease, vascular disease, Lewy Body dementia, Parkinson's dementia, and other illnesses. Because there are so many different types of dementia, there are also a wide variety of activities which can speed up the process.  On the other hand, if we avoid certain behaviors and activities, we may be able to slow down the process enough that we retain our cognitive function for all of our life.

After reading the suggestions below, if you want more details on how to avoid dementia, you might try reading the book: "The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline." (Ad)

Dementia Causes We Cannot Avoid

Of course, there are some things which contribute to dementia which we cannot avoid.  The older we are, the more likely we are to have some cognitive decline. In fact, about one-third of people over the age of 85 have signs of Alzheimer's Disease, and the percentage increases as they get older. In addition, certain conditions tend to be genetic and we cannot change the genes we have inherited from our ancestors.

Even though we cannot change our genes or avoid getting older, it is still possible to change our behavior so these factors have less of an effect on our brains.  It is possible for many of us to reach extreme old age without serious cognitive decline, but the sooner we start, the more likely we will be able to save our brains from damage.

Risk Factors for Dementia

According to WebMD, there are a number of behaviors and health conditions which increase our dementia risk.  The more we do to improve our general health, the more we are also doing to reduce our dementia risk.  Here are some specific issues they emphasized:

Heart Disease and Strokes - Anything which increases our risk of heart disease, such as using tobacco, developing diabetes, or allowing high blood pressure and cholesterol to go untreated, will also increase our dementia risk.  A stroke, in particular, can cause serious damage to our brain.  It is important to follow our doctor's recommendations to avoid having a stroke and, if you have already had one, it is important to be even more aggressive in preventing another one.  Anything which is good for the heart is good for the brain. Anything which damages the heart, also damages the brain.

Diabetes - Diabetes can damage our blood vessels, and that can reduce the blood flow to our brains.  The reduced blood flow can lead to vascular dementia. It is very important to keep your diabetes under control with a healthy diet, exercise and medications.  

High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol - Letting these conditions go untreated makes you more likely to develop either vascular dementia or Alzheimer's Disease.  It is important to follow the instructions of your doctor so these conditions do not damage your blood vessels.  Get annual checks of your cholesterol levels, and monitor your blood pressure regularly at home. Contact your doctor if it gets too high.  If you are given medication, be sure to take it regularly.

Depression - Researchers have not determined whether depression causes dementia or if dementia is an early symptom of certain types of dementia, such as Parkinson's Disease or Huntington Disease. If you are depressed, talk to your doctor and see a therapist, if recommended.  In addition, taking medication for your depression may help.  Unfortunately, sinking into depression makes it less likely that you will take care of your general health, so depression definitely increases your dementia risk. 

Head Trauma - Not all head trauma can be avoided. For example, if you are in an automobile accident or a weather disaster, you may not be able to avoid injuring your head.  However, if you have played in a rough, physical sport or engaged in high impact activities which caused your head trauma, you could have up to four times the dementia risk later in life.  No matter your age, it is important to seek medical attention immediately for a serious head injury, especially if you pass out or experience blurry vision, dizziness, confusion or nausea.  An untreated concussion as a teenager could result in an increased dementia risk later in life.

Obesity - Few people realize that there could be a correlation between being overweight in middle age and having dementia later in life.  Talk to your doctor or join a healthy weight loss program in order to get your weight under control.  In addition to reducing your dementia risk, losing weight could also lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.

Poor Sleep - Do you brag about being able to get by with very little sleep?  Unfortunately, this could increase your dementia risk later in life.  If you do not sleep well, try to avoid alcohol, caffeine and the use of electronic devices in the evening.  If this does not help, speak with your doctor before using sleep aides.  You may need to be treated for sleep apnea, which also increases your heart attack risk and your risk of dementia.

Tobacco Use - Smoking and other tobacco use can increase your risk of a stroke and vascular dementia.  It can make it harder to think or remember past events.  The sooner you stop the tobacco use, the more your brain will benefit. 

Poor Diet - If your favorite meal is a big steak or giant hamburger, you might want to reconsider.  Instead, check out the MIND Diet for Beginners, (Ad) which is very similar to the heart-healthy Mediterranean Diet. This book will get you started on a healthier lifestyle which could significantly help you postpone many types of dementia. Eating more whole grains, fruits, nuts, avocados and olive oil can significantly reduce your dementia risk.

Sedentary Lifestyle - If you want to avoid dementia, it is important that you keep moving as much as possible throughout your life.  Whether you like brisk walking, dancing, gardening, or just doing housework, the more you move, the lower your dementia risk.  You should try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. 

Lack of Brain Stimulation - The more you learned as a child and young adult, the lower your dementia risk later in life.  However, it is not necessary to have a formal education in order to stimulate your brain.  Become a lifelong learner. Read books.  Learn new skills. Play games which require some thought.  Do crosswords and other puzzles. The more your stimulate your brain, the lower your dementia risk.  Want a book to start with?  Try reading "The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline." (Ad)  It could help you avoid dementia in even more ways! 

Are you contributing to your dementia risk?  The good news is that it probably is not too late to turn things around. Take action now!

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Order from deborahdiangifts.etsy.com 

Looking for a gift for yourself or a fellow retiree?  Perhaps you have an adult child or grandchild kand would like to celebrate a special event in their life. Give them this lovely pendant.  The card in the gift box can even be personalized with your own special message.  Just send me a message in my Etsy shop, DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com and I will work with you to make a lovely gift for them!

You can find gifts for retirees and others at my Etsy Store, DeborahDianGifts: 

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive one weekly email containing the most current post. 

If you are interested in learning more about 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.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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

Photo credits: Google Images Alzheimer's Association, deborahdiangifts.etsy.com

Volunteering on Vacation or in Retirement - Improve Your Life and the Lives of Others

You can help others when you go on vacation!

This month we have a delightful guest post from freelance writer Jenn Walker. Have you ever wondered how you could use your vacation time or retirement years to have a fabulous experience you will remember the rest of your life, while helping to improve the world at the same time?  There are organizations to help you plan the best trip of a lifetime for you.

In addition to the programs listed below, you can also check with your religious organization or national charities and public service organization to learn more ways you can volunteer to help others during your next vacation.  You can make a difference! 

Using Vacation to Volunteer During Retirement

by Jenn Walker

Volunteering on vacation can be a rewarding and fulfilling way to spend your retirement years. Not only does it allow you to give back to your community and make a positive impact on the world, but it can also be a great way to learn new skills, meet new people, and experience different cultures. There are many organizations which offer volunteer opportunities for people who are retired and looking to make a difference while on vacation. Plan your next break from your senior living campus, and check out some great examples below.

GoEco

GoEco is a well-respected ecotourism company that was founded by experienced volunteers in 2006. The organization has a strong commitment to safety and quality and has been recommended by reputable sources such as the Boston Globe and USA Today. GoEco has placed over 15,000 volunteers in programs around the world in their first 15 years of operation and has more than 150 initiatives to choose from. They offer a range of volunteer abroad opportunities that are suitable for senior citizen volunteers and retirees, including projects specifically designed for mature volunteers.

One exciting opportunity they offer is a chance to volunteer at a Bali Sea Turtle Rescue. This program allows you to work closely with sea turtles and contribute to conservation efforts. Daily tasks include cleaning and feeding the turtles at the center, as well as helping with public outreach and collecting turtle eggs that have been saved by fishermen.

Located just next to Bali, Nusa Penida is known for its beautiful beaches and stunning natural surroundings. You'll have the opportunity to stay in a volunteer house that is conveniently located near all the action. During your free time, you can take advantage of the island's many attractions and enjoy the local culture. This program starts at $980 for two weeks and is a great way to make a positive impact while also experiencing a new and exciting destination.

Volunteering Solutions (VolSol)

VolSol is a top-rated organization that offers volunteer opportunities for seniors overseas. Established in 2007, VolSol has provided meaningful placements for over 17,000 volunteers on over 150 projects in 25+ countries worldwide. The organization has affordable pricing, with projects starting at $200, and also offers travel insurance for just $12 per week. If you are a senior looking for a fulfilling and impactful volunteer experience abroad, Volunteering Solutions is definitely worth considering.

One example of their amazing programs is a chance to teach English at a nursery, primary, or secondary school in Zanzibar. Schools in this region often face challenges such as a lack of resources and a lack of development in their curricula, making it an area where volunteers can make a significant difference.

If you have a background in education, you can use your skills to teach basic subjects like English and math to students. As a volunteer, you will be responsible for tasks such as preparing lesson plans, assisting teachers with lessons, helping with administrative tasks like reception and translation, creating tests, and introducing new teaching methods. In addition to volunteering, you will have time to explore the local culture and try Tanzanian cuisine.

Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad is a well-respected volunteer travel organization that has been operating for over 25 years and offers programs in a variety of locations, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the South Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Each year, the organization sends more than 10,000 volunteers to high-quality programs in areas such as archaeology, teaching, child care, medical assistance, and more. If you are 50 or older and looking for a meaningful and impactful way to spend your retirement or career break, Projects Abroad Grown-up Specials may be a perfect fit for you.

Grown-up Specials are designed specifically for older volunteers who want to make a difference globally. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, you can share your skills with communities around the world through activities such as teaching English, protecting the environment, and renovating schools. These trips are a great opportunity to make new friends and connections while experiencing a new culture. The itineraries for these trips are carefully designed to provide a balance between altruistic, cultural, and leisure activities, giving you a well-rounded experience of the country you visit. Projects Abroad will help you every step of the way to ensure that you have a smooth and rewarding experience.

About this Week's Guest Author:

Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beach goer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

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The owner of this blog has personally followed important retirement advice, encouraging my readers to have a "side-gig," by starting my own Etsy store, DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com, and I frequently advertise some of my products on this blog as well as other places. Learning the technological skills to keep this business going has been great for me mentally.  I hope you will visit my shop when you have a chance.  I now have hundreds of gifts listed there.  Among the items you will find there are fun retirement gifts and travel souvenirs, especially for Southern California, like the tranquil, fully lined, elegant beach tote back with "Easy Does It" written in the sky.  The photo was taken in Laguna Beach, California, but it could be almost any tropical scene!

 

Buy tote at DeborahDianGifts.etsy.com

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

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, or other type of ad, I'll make a small commission to support this blog, at no extra cost to you.

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

Photo credits:  Jenn Walker, deborahdiangifts.etsy.com, DeborahDian's personal photo library