Savings Bonds as Gifts

Have you checked out Savings Bonds recently? My goodness, I felt SO ignorant when I went to their site! I didn't realize that you can keep bonds electronically, plus keep track of their maturity and other information online. Well, I'm getting ahead of myself here...

I have long felt that Savings Bonds are a good idea for gifts, especially baby and children gifts. If you think about it...do babies REALLY need more toys at Birthdays and Christmas? Usually, unless it is a needy family, the answer is no. A gift that can provide for them in the future, and can be added to in the future would be a much more thoughtful gift in the long run.

If you consider, even if you buy the child a gift, also buy them a $10 or $20 (or whatever amount you wish) Savings Bond. If this is done for each occasion, the amount can really add up. Now, that is something the child will LOVE getting when they become adults! **Chances are, they are not even going to remember the toys you got them when they were little, but they will love that you got them Savings Bonds! Figure setting a goal of a $10 for Birthday, Christmas, and one other occasion a year. That is $30 in savings bonds each year. In ten years, that is $300, but there will also be interest accrued, so they will be worth more than that. It is like saving for their future.

Don't forget about grown children! Buy them a Bond for special occasions, and you are, in effect, adding or initiating their inheritance. I would urge you to just have a look at the site on Giving Savings Bonds as gifts, and give it some thought. I can't imagine you would be sorry you did!
 

Free Enterance into National Parks!

It is National Park Week! From April 16-24, Enterance into National Parks is FREE! This is one of only a few times a year that this offer is available. Here is a list for this year:

January 15-17




(Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday weekend)


April 16-24

(National Park Week)


June 21

(First day of summer)


September 24

(Public Lands Day)


November 11-13

(Veterans Day weekend
 
 I, for one, LOVE visiting the National Parks. They are all wonderful in their own way, and it is a good opportunity to take the kids/grandkids for a fun-filled mini holiday! (Tour fees are also waived)
 
This year, many of the National Park Concessioners are joining in the celebration. So far, the list is unimpressive on what they are offering, but if you care to look, see the infor HERE
 
Need to find a park, and start planning your holiday? Just check HERE
 
I truly hope many of you take advantage of this. Spring has sprung in many parts of the Nation, so it is a beautiful time of year to take a break and experience the beauty and nature of National Parks. I heard from a little birdie (My friend, Yellow Bird Woman, AKA Susan) that the bluebirds are back in the Black Hills and spring is making an appearance!
 
Pick a nearby park...or pick on a few hours away...and ENJOY!

17 Free Easter Recipes (Ebook)

Easter is almost upon us, and you know what that means...A feast! While we older women usually have our menu set, some of us like to do a little chance up once in a while and add or substitute somethng new. Younger women may like to add some of these to their traditional Easter dinners as a regular dish. There are some good ones;

• Orange Tangerine Mimosas
• Easter Ham with Peach Glaze
• Asparagus Casserole
• Blue Peep Pie
• Many, many more!

You can get this free eBook by clicking HERE

Be sure to let me know if you try any of these great recipes!

Half of All Senior Women Over 75 Live Alone

Even considering that many of these women may be relatively healthy, there are many concerns facing women who live alone at that age. Health and safety would top the list. Sadly, many of these women simply do not qualify for help, and many just do not want it.

There are several things which can be done to ease the pressure and worry not only for the woman living alone, but her family. You may not always be able to be there, but supplying a few necessities may be a huge help, financially, mentally and physically.

Beginning Monday, April 4, 2011, I will be providing some resources that may help those who live alone. Many of those women may very well be independent, but they are also vulnerable. There are services and programs which may help them to stay safe while living alone.

Where Seniors Spend their Money

On average, Seniors spend about the same as other individuals on electronics, food, cars and other everyday expenses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the senior household spends about $2416 on health care (compared to $1758 by the average household). Seniors spend $467 on drugs, whereas the average consumer spends $266.

The cost of even general health needs not covered by insurance , such as heat wraps for aches and pains, get to be quite costly for those over the age of 50. It's a natural part of aging, and yet, like so many issues concerning the older generation, it goes ignored by insurance companies.

People over the age of 50 comprise 37% of the adult  population. It is estimated that by 2015, 45% of the adult population will be over 50. Standards that applied with our parent's generation no longer apply. Business and government are going to have to wake up and smell the Ben Gay.

Those over 50 Spend a lot of Money

Hopefully, marketers will take heed! Last year, boomers spent $2.9 trillion as opposed to $3.3 trillion spent by those under 50. That is darn near an equal share, wouldn't you say? According to USA Today, there are 116 million Americans over the age of 50, and 182 million under that age.

No Fear Here! It was also pointed out that boomers spend just as much, if not more on tech products than the younger set. We may be slowing down, but we ain't finished! Next time you see a lil ole grandma sitting on the porch, watch her pound out on that iPad! Listen up, Marketers.

Been Learining a Lot about Blogs

This was my first real blog, but for a while, I concentrated more on another one. My mistake. It irks me to no end that there are thousands of blogs that concentrate on "mommy" bloggers. Well, what gives? Who do they think raised those mommies? lol. We did, that's who! Baby boomers make up the majority of people in the world right now, and our opinion counts. We spend the most amount of money on purchases, that includes purchases for our grandkids. Yet, we have a special set of needs that go along with aging, so there is information that applies to us more than the younger generation.

So....I'm baaaaaaaak. I've been learning a few things about marketing, and how to best set up a blog, and I am going to make this blog bigger and better than ever. There will be giveaways and contests, as well as helpful and fun information all geared towards Grandmas. Stay tuned, more soon!