New Seniors

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A number of major food marketers have re-introduced packages from the “good old days” in an effort to stand out from other products on supermarket shelves. And, it appears as if consumers are responding favorably by loading these items into their shopping carts. Is old-time packaging just a fad or a trend beginning to take hold?

A significant majority of all age groups believe that exercise is very or somewhat important, according to a recent Rasmussen poll. Younger people are less likely to agree with this statement. This age group, therefore, has nearly twice the number of non-exercisers than any other group. Is it because younger Americans are generally healthier, too busy or don’t care?

If you’re like most Americans, the value of you home has already dropped significantly. And, home prices have continued to decline so far this year. There’s no real recovery in sight as attested by a recent poll showing just 15% of homeowners believing their house will be worth more next year. A look inside the numbers indicates the future is troubling.

If you are 65+, you know what it means to be a New Senior. And if you know someone who is 65+, you can see that New Seniors are not like the seniors of old. The concept of being a New Senior started with the Pre-boomers (those born between 1930 and 1945). We are more than 30 million strong, and all of us are 65 or older.

Most people 65+ remember WWII or heard firsthand about what happened on the home front during those frightful years. While our troops are currently engaged in wars and unrest away from home, there is a battle going on right here in the United States. The battle to get the national debt under control affects not only us it impacts the future of our children, their children and beyond.

During the first half of the past century, having extended family members living in the same house was part of way life for many Americans. For a variety of reasons, this made emotional and economic sense. After WWII this way of life faded, but the extended family is making a comeback. And, the concept may have many built-in advantages for all involved.

From the ‘60s through the millennium, I flew about once a week. Many were short hops, lots were coast-to-coast and there were international trips as well. For the first decade or so I loved it. Then I endured it. And, finally, before retiring in 2003 I despised it. Was my attitude a result of getting older or has air travel sunk so low?

Over the past few weeks, I talked with several acquaintances that were retired or qualified for it. I asked each one how they enjoyed their new status and what they do with their time. The answers are surprising as well as disappointing.

Why? Because food prices climbed 3.9% in a single month, due in part to vegetable costs jumping by 50% along with higher distribution costs resulting from soaring gasoline prices. Petroleum price hikes are also responsible for higher prices for many products purchased by those 65+ as well as anyone on fixed incomes.