Archive for April, 2008

Getting Older Makes You Happier!

And that's great news for us baby boomers! According to my sources at the University of Chicago (actually John Faherty of the Arizona Republic newspaper) the older you are the happier you may be. It happens to be true in my case but really, what choice do I have? Pouting or stressing about getting older will give you a headache anyway. And guess what? – nobody gets out of this alive!

Proven by one of those mysterious "studies" that keep cropping up everywhere – you know, the ones that completely reverse what we have believed all our lives? This study isn't quite that dramatic, and if you are over the age of 50 you probably know the crux of it already. The theory behind that? We are supposed to have already figured things out by then – and it's too much work to sweat the small stuff.

Without too many of us being aware of it, this study has been going on for the last thirty years and the 28,000 participants who were interviewed agree that the common denominator of the group was the cumulative effect that aging seems to have on happiness. They found that the odds of being happy increased 5 percent with every 10 years of your life. (more…)

A Gently Used Fifth-Wheel Travel Trailer!

Well, it has taken almost two years of research, lots of shoe leather and some frustrated RV salespeople – but we have done it! Purchased our very first RV. And it's a beauty! It's a 2005, 28-foot 5th wheel Durango by KZ. Very gently used and maintained in absolutely pristine condition. It's not too big but it is roomy and very comfortable for our 1st RV. We couldn't be happier!

We struggled mightily about buying new versus pre-owned for our first RV, I was in favor of new and my wife was leaning toward used. I wasn't too impressed by the used RV's I saw until I got lucky with this one. I could go on and on about our quest to find the perfect RV, the RV shows attended, the RV lots walked, the RV sales driven miles to see but it all came together at Star Valley RV, just down the road from Payson, Arizona and where we found our new home on wheels.

I read an article in the March issue of Newsweek written by Daniel McGinn and Temma Ehrenfeld that addresses a baby boomer issue facing those of us who may have thought retirement was just around the corner only to discover that it may have to be put off a bit.  Retirement Postponed  tells the story of some unlucky baby boomers who had expected to quit work by now but discovered they couldn't afford it. Based on current economic conditions it seems as though some boomers are electing to stay on the job. The housing bust, tumbling stock portfolio's and the weakening economy are being blamed for this crisis now facing us baby boomers on the brink of retirement. 

They say that timing is everything and it's so true. I invested in a can't miss real estate deal in 2006 that has turned my retirement dreams upside down along with my home's value. To say this didn't work out as planned is a mild understatement. Similar situations has baby boomers concerned (panicked) about just when they can pull the plug. The Newsweek article sites several examples of boomers who were counting the days till retirement, people who worked decades and saved diligently only to discover their dream of selling the house and downsizing to that sun-belt condo has to be put on hold.

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