Archive for April, 2008

Older means happier

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. There has actually been a study going on over the last three decades where 28,000 people were interviewed and it was found that the odds of being happy increased 5 percent with every 10 years of your life.

Being content with who you are 

This research indicates that it is time to throw out the notion that older people are lonely and unhappy. People learn to be content with who they are as they grow older. And, speaking strictly for myself, I can tell you that this must be true because at this moment in my life I am happier than I have ever been. Being a baby boomer of retirement age I am enjoying new freedoms. The kids are grown and happy with kids of their own. Work is conducted at my pace with no one looking over my shoulder or second guessing each decision. I come and go as I please and I am blessed (so far) with reasonably good health. Ask me again how happy I am when I am 85 and you might get a different answer.

Staying socially active key to maintaining happiness 

A persons social circle can shrink over the years for many reasons, among them divorce, death, moves, etc. So it is important to maintain a socially active lifestyle if you want to maintain your positive attitude and happiness. One way to do this is to be a joiner. Get out and meet people who's interests mirror yours. Hiking, cooking, travel, crafting, volunteering are only a few ways you can meet others with mutual interests and make new friends.  

Pre-owned but perfect!

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.

RV tips, problem solving and opinion from an industry insider

In the very near future you are going to hear much about this little country RV dealer because I have accepted part-time work there and will be writing about RV's and the RV lifestyle from an insiders perspective. Between RVing ourselves and actually working in the industry I hope to be able to bring you much good information, unbiased, behind-the-scenes, straight dope. I am expecting those less-than-perfect situations to crop up on the road from time to time, actually anticipating them, so that I can bring our readers relevant and useful information about how these issues get resolved. You may encounter a similar situation someday and find this information useful. I am not being paid to endorse this dealership,  I mention them only because my negotiation and purchase experience was pleasant and compared to others, very easy. I don't have any affiliation with a particular product, brand or manufacturer and will write about my own experiences, good and bad, both on the road and things I can pass on from what I learn from my colleagues in the industry. (more…)

Blame the Meltdown

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. 

Timing is Everything

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.

(more…)