Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"
Baby boomers are the fastest-growing demographic
Heidi Dawley
Media Life Magazine
April 10, 2007
Overview: Dawley writes about the increasing trend of boomers participating in online dating. She shares, “The young do very much dominate online dating. Yet increasingly dating sites report a surge in older people, what they call silver singles, folks in the 50-plus set. Indeed, they say it’s now their fastest-growing demographic. And no surprise, it’s also the most lucrative. Dating sites report that plus-50s are willing to spend more money in their search for love.”
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_11302.asp
Second career: boomers decided to run for office
SeniorScopie.com
April 11, 2007
Overview: This piece focuses on the article, “Baby boomers ready for the stump,” by the Daily Yomiuri (March 21, 2007), that discusses Japanese boomers running for office. “Boomers want to keep on being useful in society after they retire by running for local elections. Baby boomers have been criticized for promoting the bubble economy, and receiving pensions that impose an unfair burden on younger generations, they want to show their commitment.”
http://www.seniorscopie.com/actu/article.asp?id=070411121239&rub=swi
Boomers make leap to fulfill their passions in the arts world
Susan Felt
The Arizona Republic
April 11, 2007
Overview: Felt reports, “Universities, community colleges, art schools and studios report that older adults are signing up for classes in creative writing, playwriting, dance, art, music and acting. People want classes where they create something, says Kate Cross, coordinator of the creative writing program at Phoenix College. She says an increasing number of baby boomers are attending classes that range from drafting a novel to writing a memoir. Boomers have spent much of their lives on families and careers; now they are working on themselves.”
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0411voices0411.html
Boomers crazy about digital cameras
SeniorScopie.com
April 11, 2007
Overview: This article contributes information from “Poised To Extend To Spending, Driven By Baby Boomers,” by the Nikkei Report originally published on March 27, 2007. The articles shares, “An electronics retailer noticed that half of all shoppers buying digital cameras on weekends are boomers, which represents a 70% growth compared to 2006. Average spending by households led by people aged 55-59 increased, marking the first rise in seven months. Other shops attract boomers by offering them 10% discount coupons for each business suit to buy casual menswear.”
http://www.seniorscopie.com/actu/article.asp?id=070411121305&rub=swi
Baby boomers’ children going to inherit windfall; Average amount will be $283,000, survey finds
Julian Beltrame
The Chronicle Herald
April 11, 2007
Overview: Beltrame reports, “Forget the lottery. Many young Canadians will hit the jackpot some day because they are lucky enough to have financially successful, frugal parents.” Moreover, “For the 54 per cent who are expecting an inheritance in the future, Decima says they believe they will realize a windfall about five times the amount of past inheritances, or $283,000 on average, half in cash and the rest in real estate and other valuables. That may not square with the image of baby boomers squandering their wealth on vacations, parties and sports cars, but Decima head Bruce Anderson points out that while many have been living la dolce vita, they’ve also accumulated substantial wealth.”