Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Why 50somethings live like 20somethings
Rosemary Bennett
The Times
May 1, 2007

Overview: Bennett reports, “As teenagers they fought for their right to grow their hair, wear what they wanted and explore the possibilities of the contraceptive pill. Now a new study that compares the lifestyle of the over-50s today with that of half a century ago has found that baby-boomers are doing battle with age with equal vigour.” Bennett goes on to say, “Britain's consumer bug has also bitten the older generation, who are energetic shoppers. They also spend twice as much time shopping as their counterparts in the 1950s. Those over retirement age actually spend more time shopping than 16 to 24-year-olds today, at an average of three hours 40 minutes a week compared with one hour 48 minutes.”

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article1728924.ece

Steve Kerch: Demand for vacation homes should continue as Boomers retire
MarketWatch
April 30, 2007

Overview: “Despite the housing slowdown, Baby Boomers continue to snap up second homes, making getaway homes exceedingly popular. And that explains why, according to the National Association of Realtors, vacation home sales rose almost five-percent last year. So says MarketWatch real estate editor Steve Kerch. He tells John Wordock this demand for vacation homes should continue for another five to eight years as Boomers prepare to retire.”

http://www.marketwatch.com/tvradio/player.asp?guid=%7B0479D8D6-1A52-4BF0-8C3C-03E952263C0A%7D

Baby boomers living large in recreational property markets across Canada; Upper-end set to soar in 2007, says RE/MAX
Canada NewsWire
May 1, 2007

Overview: Press release announcing, “Luxury recreational property sales are set to soar in coming months as affluent baby boomers drive demand for upscale product from coast-to-coast, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.” Moreover, “The 2007 RE/MAX Recreational Property Report found the top-end of the market stands to gain most from the aging baby boom demographic, as many prepare for their retirement years.”

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2007/01/c3039.html

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

A kick in the pants for boomers; Not Your Daughter's Jeans supposedly trim tummies and give a lift to curvy women
Leslie Earnest
Los Angeles Times
May 2, 2007

Overview: Earnest reports on the popularity of Not Your Daughter's Jeans, a jeans maker targeted towards women. She writes, “By riveting attention on baby boomers who consider hipness a birthright, the company has struck a nerve that others have hammered at and missed. And his family's once-small business is popping out of its seams.” Earnest goes on to write, “It's not easy to please baby boomers, a massive group of consumers who are both picky and quick to spend. San Francisco-based Gap Inc. recently gave up on its boomer concept Forth & Towne. Still, many companies are dueling for them, including department stores and specialty chains such as J. Crew, Chico's and J. Jill.”

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-jeans2may02,1,5068124.story?coll=la-headlines-business

Baby-boomers richest ever generation
MyFinances.co.uk
May 2, 2007

Overview: This article discusses the wealth of Brittan’s over-50 population. Specifically, the article shares, “Figures from Abbey Savings reveal the UK's older residents have more money than the gross domestic product (GDP) of every country on the planet outside America. In fact, even if you combine the GDP of Germany, France and the UK, British over-50s are still better off as they benefit from ‘an unprecedented level of personal wealth’, Abbey calculates.” Moreover, “Abbey calculates, if current trends continue, the GDP of Britain's over-50s will overtake that of the USA soon and by 2012 be six times as high as the US' figure.”

http://www.myfinances.co.uk/news/household/cost-living-general-issues/baby-boomers-richest-ever-generation-$472694.htm

Baby boomers are snapping up vacation-home units in county and elsewhere
Roger Showley
The San Diego Union-Tribune
May 1, 2007

Overview: Showley focuses on vacation-home buying and condo hotel trends among baby boomers. He writes, “Real estate analysts noted the difference between forces motivating buyers seeking homes as investment properties and those wanting a vacation home. For vacation-home buyers, the decision to buy is based more on lifestyle choices and advancing age than on the potential for a quick profit. ‘It has to do with the baby boom generation,’ the 78 million Americans born from 1946 to 1964, said David Cabot, president of the San Diego Association of Realtors. ‘They are looking for vacation homes. It's a huge group of people.’” He also shares thoughts from Brendan Mann about condo hotels including, “‘The baby boomers don't have one second home, they have two or three, that's the thing,’ Mann said. ‘A condo hotel gives people the ability to have two or three of these places and scoot around and have fun going to different places.’”

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070501-9999-1b1vachome.html

Last fall, the AARP-fueled Focalyst study of 42,000 boomers showed that virtually every boomer—regardless of their income bracket—felt ill-prepared to maintain their current level of lifestyle into the retirement years. This isn’t just an issue of the lower and middle class.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

TripWiser Unveils Beta Site, Bringing New Meaning to Family Travel in America
PRWeb
May 3, 2007

Overview: Press release announcing, “TripWiser launches the official Public Beta website (www.tripwiser.com) that addresses unfulfilled needs of baby boomers planning family trips to or within the United States.” More specifically, “TripWiser is focusing on the trip planning requirements of a consumer segment with the highest purchasing power. The baby boomer generation represents about 40% of US households and half of its spending. Having increasingly more free time on their hands and eager to keep up with the younger generations, technology-savvy consumers are embracing the online social collaboration with remarkable speed.”

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/5/prweb523771.htm

Building homes with aging Baby Boomers in mind
Janet Miller
Michigan Business Review
May 3, 2007

Overview: Miller discusses how contractors are building new homes or modifying current homes to target baby boomers, referred to as “aging-in-place.”

http://blog.mlive.com/ann_arbor_business_review/2007/05/building_homes_with_aging_baby.html

The Future of Healthcare: Many doctors greeting baby boomers with closed doors
Gabe Semenza
Victoria Advocate
May 3, 2007

Overview: Semenza reflects on the future of healthcare and shares individual stories to support the growing healthcare concerns once boomers retire. Specifically he writes, “Welton is just one of the more than 70 million baby boomers poised to be 65 or older -- an age at which patients often get dropped by private insurers or can no longer afford to pay the premiums. He will be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, but many doctors say they can't afford to treat these patients. So they don't. And when they don't, doctors who do are overburdened.”

http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/428/story/50044.html

Urge to clear mortgage falls after 55
Eric Beauchesne
The Ottawa Citizen
May 3, 2007

Overview: Beauchesne reports, “Many older boomers are in no rush to pay off their mortgages before they retire, and quite willing to risk going with a variable rate despite their experiences with the double-digit interest rates of the 1980s, survey findings suggest.” Moreover, “While two-thirds of all Canadians think it's very important to have their mortgages entirely paid off by the time they retire, this sentiment decreases with age, dropping to 59 per cent among those aged 55 and over -- the lowest percentage among all age groups.”

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/business/story.html?id=d9e9aee4-6b2a-4aa8-adbe-b32c11ea1b4e

You’ve got to love the double-truck, full-color Fidelity Investments ad that ran in USA Today on Thursday, April 26. They obviously did their research about who is the real decision-maker in the family—regardless of who is wearing the pants. (In this case, both the attractive middle-aged woman and the bald-headed husband at her side are wearing pants, by the way.)

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Boomers get their homes ready for old age; Room for walkers and wheelchairs. No crazy stairs. Architects say that's what the future of design holds
Les Christie
CNNMoney.com
May 3, 2007

Overview: Christie reports, “According to a survey released Thursday by the American Institute of Architects, boomers are driving a trend in design that calls for greater accessibility in their homes, presumably so they can navigate them in walkers and wheelchairs.” Christie goes on to write, “Here's what homes will have as a result: wider hallways and doorways; bed, bath and kitchen facilities all on one level; and few, if any, steps to the front entryway. The AIA found that 74 percent of its members reported their clients had increased their interest in those types of home features this year.”

http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/01/real_estate/Boomers_design_picks/index.htm?section=money_email_alerts

Baby boomers putting new spin on funerals
Angela Cara Pancrazio
The Arizona Republic
May 4, 2007

Overview: Pancrazio discusses the latest trends in funeral services. She reports, “Technology is part of the shift. But many funeral directors say the baby boomer generation is driving the evolution.”

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0504death0504.html

I am 60 going on 80; For aging male baby-boomers, it's time for a reality check
David Martin
The Globe and Mail
May 4, 2007

Overview: Martin reflects on male baby boomers and aging. He shares, “They say 60 is the new 40 for men. I wish I knew who ‘they’ were because as I rapidly approach the new 40, it feels an awful lot like the old 60 to me. Not that I'm complaining. For the most part, I have my health, including the majority of my mental faculties. But to pretend that I have the vim and vigour of a man 20 years my junior is at best laughable and at worst delusional.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070504.FACTS04/TPStory/?query=David+Martin+

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Let's Get Physical
They started the running craze and aerobics; now they're finding new ways to keep their bodies young
Mary Carmichael
Newsweek
May 14, 2007

Overview: Carmichael reports on how baby boomers are continuing to shape fitness trends. She shares, “On the flip side, some boomers have made so much time for their new exercise habits that they've spawned a new industry: healthcentric adventure travel. Boomers seek out yoga camps in Thailand, martial arts in Japan, hiking anywhere there's an incline and an inclination."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18507634/site/newsweek/

TV’s Silver Age
Lorne Manly
New York Times Magazine
May 6, 2007

Overview: This article discusses what TV Land is doing to cater to the boomer generation. Manly reports, “TV Land’s viewers, by contrast, have a median age of 55. Even though the network has nearly a million of them during prime time — fewer than Nick at Nite but more than MTV or CNN — they are the group advertisers care least about reaching. So Larry Jones and his team are trying to change the way a generation is perceived. Their viewers, they argue, are not a sedentary group of skinflints stuck in their ways; they are profligate boomers, and marketers ignore them at their own peril. TV Land is trying to redefine itself not merely as a channel with old shows but as one that speaks to the lifestyle and life stages of its viewers.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/magazine/06tvland-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Boomers' Good Life Tied To Better Life for Immigrants
Miriam Jordan
The Wall Street Journal
May 7, 2007

*Please note: This article requires a subscription to access.

Overview: Jordan discusses the impact of Hispanic immigrants on the aging population. Specifically, Jordan writes, “The quality of life for some 80 million graying baby boomers in the U.S. may depend in large part on the fortunes of another high-profile demographic group: millions of mostly Hispanic immigrants and their children. With a major part of the nation's population entering its retirement years and birth rates falling domestically, the shortfall in the work force will be filled by immigrants and their offspring, experts say. How that group fares economically in the years ahead could have a big impact on everything from the kind of medical services baby boomers receive to the prices they can get for their homes.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117849490282093942.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

'Age friendly' workplaces on the rise
Marilyn Gardner
The Christian Science Monitor
May 7, 2007

Overview: This piece focuses on aging and the workplace. Gardner reports, “Most baby boomers say they plan to stay in the workforce longer, and employment experts emphasize a need to create an environment free from age bias.” Moreover, “With an estimated 70 percent of baby boomers saying they want or need to stay in the workforce longer, employment experts are emphasizing the need to create an ‘age friendly’ workplace, free from age bias and welcoming to mature workers. Even if many baby boomers ultimately retire earlier than they currently plan to, enough will stay on – or reenter – to swell the ranks of graying workers.”

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0507/p13s02-wmgn.html

Boomers embrace retirement; Society's felt the impact since they filled newborn nurseries; boomers won't just fade away
Cliff Peale
Cincinnati Enquirer
May, 6, 2007

Overview: Peale talks about the impact of baby boomer retirement. Specifically, “Fueled by a lifetime spent mostly in economic good times, boomers enjoy a freedom of expression, mobility, communication and diversity unlike any previous generation. Sometime after 2010, baby boomers will start to retire, a movement economists predict will send shock waves through the economy and the society it supports. They will require more health care and social services. Their sheer numbers will dictate that companies target them with new products to treat signs of aging from skin spots to osteoporosis.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070506/BIZ01/705060337/-1/CINCI

Not all boomers are downsizing
James McNair
Cincinnati Enquirer
May 6, 2007

Overview: This article focuses on boomers who are upsizing instead of downsizing. McNair writes, “When their children grow up and move out, conventional wisdom holds that baby boomers: Move into a smaller home in town. Buy a recreational vehicle. Buy a houseboat. Travel. Move at least two states south. It's true that baby boomers do all of those. They also crash at their kids' homes, move to tropical nations and take in large numbers of pets. But one slice of home-owning baby boomers doesn't settle for less space or Spartan conditions. They upsize.”

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070506/BIZ01/705060332/1076/BIZ

Some work force futurists stare into their crystal balls and report seeing the baby boomers and Gen Xers engaged in heated generational warfare, in which the Gen Xers will experience great difficulty ascending the career ladder because they are perpetually overshadowed by those 42+, who love their careers so much they will work well beyond their late 60s.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Reinventing Middle Age
Daphne Merkin
New York Times Magazine
May 6, 2007

Overview: Markin reflects on the boomer generation and reinventing middle age. She shares, “Hold on, now. Being young was never as great as it’s made out to be and being middle-aged is not as bad as all that. Take a deep breath.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/magazine/06WWLN-Lede-t.html?ref=magazine

Childless Baby Boomer Women Fare as Well Psychologically as Do Mothers
Senior Journal
May 7, 2007

Overview: This article shares, “University of Florida study finds women of the baby boomer generation think motherhood is less critical than other factors that shape a woman’s life.”

http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Boomers/2007/7-05-07-Childless.htm

Booming into adventure
Bonnie Jenko
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
May 7, 2007

Overview: Jenko reflects on the boomer generation and retirement trends. She writes, “So get ready for us, world. We embrace adventure: rock climbing, skydiving or kayaking. We give of ourselves: volunteering in schools, assisting the elderly or building houses for the needy.”

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=601991

Wow! Grab your (red) hat and join in on the fun! Eileen and I just got back from the annual gathering of The Red Hat Society, this year at Nashville’s Opryland Hotel, and I must admit, that I’m suddenly a believer!

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Baby Boomers to Challenge and Change Tomorrow's Health Care System
PRNewswire
May 8, 2007

Overview: Press release announcing, “The first Boomers will turn 65 in 2011 and, according to today's report, more than 37 million of them -- six out of 10 -- will be managing more than one chronic condition by 2030.”

http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20070508/AQTU11408052007-1.html

Obama presidency would spell end of baby boomer leadership
Ruben Navarrette Jr
Asbury Park Press
May 9, 2007

Overview: Navarette shares his view that, “Boomers must realize that if Obama is elected, it could make it less likely that one of them will ever again be elected president.”

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/OPINION/705090349/1030

Each generation can teach others new ways to work
Michael Grady
East Valley Tribune
May 8, 2007

Overview: Grady reports on the generational gap in the workplace. He writes, “It’s a gap we need to bridge to be more effective as workers, and more understanding as people. And it isn’t a race or gender gap. It’s age.”

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/89262

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Today is the tomorrow boomers didn't worry about yesterday
Ted Van Dyk
Seattle Post Intelligencer
May 10, 2007

Overview: Dyk reflects on the boomer generation and their impact. He writes, “Boomers, by contrast, have been notorious for their sense of entitlement, for wanting to ‘have it all’ and for leveraging themselves to the hilt -- as if there were no tomorrow. Here is news: Tomorrow has arrived.”

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/315009_vandyk10.html

Bike stores eye boomers
Record Searchlight
May 9, 2007

Overview: “As many baby boomers look to improve their health and stay active in retirement, bicycle-store owners hope to attract more of them with models suited for the recreational rider.”

http://www.redding.com/news/2007/may/09/bike-stores-eye-boomers/

Age-Friendly’ Workplaces Are on the Rise
Carol Demirdjia
Christian Science Monitor via Brooklyn Eagle
May 9, 2007

Overview: This article focuses on boomers in the workplace. Demirdjia reports, “With an estimated 70 percent of baby boomers saying they want or need to stay in the workforce longer, employment experts are emphasizing the need to create an ‘age friendly’ workplace, free from age bias and welcoming to mature workers.”

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=27&id=12783

I get acid reflux when I hear that 60 is the new 40. The new 60 is the new 60 because no one’s ever lived it the way we are now. One of my yenta friends and I were of course speaking about another friend and commenting about her take on this aging of ours. According to her, she’d had her turn. Turn at what? Sure, we had our turn at adolescence, teenaging, marriage and motherhood. But now it’s our turn at olderhood and we’re exploring with the same tenacity as when we took our first steps.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Boomer ‘Pivot Spenders’ Help Out Parents, Adult Kids
Kathy Gurchiek
HR Magazine
May 11, 2007

Overview: This piece focuses on boomer “pivot spenders” who are supporting both their parents and adult children.

http://www.shrm.org/hrnews_published/articles/CMS_021531.asp

Whatever your age, you can keep cool; Style consultant's book designed to keep the over-50 crowd looking smart
Michelle Crouch
Charlotte Observer
May 11, 2007

Overview: This article shares a Q&A with stylist Sherrie Mathieson, giving style to over 50 men and women.

http://www.charlotte.com/454/story/117755.html

Home sweet road: Despite high gas prices, baby boomers are taking to road in comfort and style
Susan Wood
Nevada Appeal
May 11, 2007

Overview: Wood reports, “It's popularity has been growing despite the high price of gas. Like gas prices, there's no sign of the recreation vehicle boom letting up, thanks to baby boomers heading into retirement with plenty of expendable income and the desire to hit the wide open roads.”

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/TD/20070511/NEWS/105110077

What comes to mind when you think of boomers being in denial about health and retirement issues? And more importantly, as a marketer, would it be interesting for you to know that somebody—in fact an entire industry—is making millions of dollars off this generational foot dragging?

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Grandma, what a big schedule you have
Heidi Stevens
Chicago Tribune
May 13, 2007

Overview: Stevens reports, “About 78 million Americans are grandparents, and roughly 39 million of them are Baby Boomers -- a group not known for sitting idle as life marches by. As a whole, grandparents today are healthier, wealthier and more active than in any previous generation. They date. They volunteer. They run corporations -- and marathons.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/living/chi-0705090782may13,1,5476301.story?page=2&coll=chi-living-hed

Media Buyers: Why 40-59 Year Olds Still Should Matter
KennedyCS
Joint Communications Blog
May 12, 2007

Overview: Blogger discusses how marketers still consider boomers as secondary targets.

http://jointcommunications.blogspot.com/2007/05/media-buyers-why-40-59-year-olds-still.html

‘Naked’: A Film By Rachel Dretzin
New York Times Feedroom
May 6, 2007

Overview: “Ten women and men discuss what sex is like when you're old enough to know better.”

http://nytimesshorts.feedroom.com/

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Baby boomers ditch package holidays for 'learn-a-skill-in-the-sun' breaks
The Daily Mail
May 15, 2007

Overview: According to this article, “The baby boomer generation is spearheading a move away from traditional beach holidays in favour of breaks where they can learn a skill, a report has revealed.”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=455063&in_page_id=1770

Less Than Half of Boomers Are Brand Loyal According to Research from Focalyst; Service companies most likely to retain customers
Business Wire
May 15, 2007

Overview: Press release announcing study results from Focalyst about boomers and brand loyalty. Specifically, the release says, “… Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) were found to frequently switch brands across a wide variety of product and service categories including apparel, cars, prepared foods, airlines, and more.”

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070515005470&newsLang=en

Number of drug-addicted seniors to surge as boomers retire
Elizabeth St. Philip and Patrick White
Globe and Mail
May 14, 2007

Overview: Philip and White report, “As the baby-boom generation limps into old age, they're bringing hippie-era drug habits with them.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070514.wxlseniors14/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

There are very few retail outfits that enable a busy consumer to meticulously pick out an engagement ring, pull a shredder off the shelf, toss fresh king crab legs into the shopping cart, load up on orchids, and buy a flat screen TV—housed all under one roof (oh, and did I mention wash the spending spree down with a slice of pizza and a coke at the end?) This place, in case you’ve never been, is what I consider to be a small Mecca: Costco.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Boat Sales Skyrocket as Baby Boomers Increase Leisure Activity
PR-Inside.com
May 15, 2007

Overview: Press release announcing, “The number of baby boomers nearing retirement has increased, and as they are spending more time on leisure pursuits, the number of boat sales has skyrocketed, resulting in a significant and positive impact on the boating industry.”

http://www.pr-inside.com/boat-sales-skyrocket-as-baby-boomers-r125544.htm

B.C. attracting retiring baby boomers
Investment Executive
May 15, 2007

Overview: “British Columbia’s climate, lifestyle and recreation properties are attracting increasing numbers of baby boomers. …”

http://investmentexecutive.com/client/en/News/DetailNews.asp?Id=39281&cat=3&IdSection=3&PageMem=&nbNews=&IdPub=

Gap in generalisations, not generations
Leon Gettler
The Age
May 16, 2007

Overview: Gettler shares his view on the generation gap.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/gap-in-generalisations-not-generations/2007/05/15/1178995155895.html

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

New Demographic Racial Gap Emerges
Sam Roberts
The New York Times
May 17, 2007

Overview: Roberts reports on the demographic racial gap and writes, “According to the latest figures, 80 percent of Americans over age 60 are non-Hispanic whites, compared with only 60 percent among those in their 20s and 30s, and 58 percent among people younger than 20.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/17/us/17census.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Boomers changing travel
Yayonda Smalls
South Bend Tribune
May 17, 2007

Overview: This piece focuses on boomers and the travel industry. “For baby boomers in particular, it's all about value. Smalls reports, “Boomers are willing to pay higher room rates, but they expect their hotel room to be where the action is, have high-speed Internet access, a fitness center and a great mattress, Lacy said.”

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070517/Biz/705170459/-1/BIZ/CAT=Biz

There's only one option
Caille Millner
San Francisco Chronicle
May 17, 2007

Overview: Millner shares her views on the baby boomer generation and social security.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/05/17/EDG23PQUCT1.DTL

Two weeks ago at the annual New York Food Bank gala, yours truly anticipated another painfully philanthropic evening of dry speeches and drier chicken. Instead, my entire table – consisting mostly of fellow Boomers –swooned like teenagers at the room’s celebrity wattage. And not just any celebrities – these stars were our age: iconic figures from the ‘70s and ‘80s who’ve stayed innovative, relevant and still oh-so-cool right up to today.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Baby Boomers Influence Tech, Too, It's not all about the Generation X. All kinds of tech companies are targeting the boomer set.
Tim Bajarin
PCMag.com
May 18, 2007

Overview: Bajarin reports, “Baby boomers are truly emerging as a powerful purchasing market for technology, and vendors should take note. If the current crop of research is correct, however, they won't be spending their money on PCs or even CE devices. Their dollars will likely be spent on technology that helps them live healthier, longer lives.”

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2132506,00.asp

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Golden age of boomers?
Tony Castro
LA Daily News
May 19, 2007

Overview: “Baby boomers are changing the politics of aging in Los Angeles and nationwide, transforming public policy, social mores and lifestyles in fundamental ways - just as they did in their youth.”

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_5939394

Generation gap? About $200,000
Dennis Cauchon
USA Today
May 21, 2007

Overview: Cauchon reports on the generation gap. He writes, “Tungare is part of the wealthiest generation in American history — a group of 67 million people 55 and older who are so affluent that the gap between them and younger people increasingly is making the USA a nation of haves and haves-much-less.”

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-05-20-cover-generation-wealth_N.htm

Rules, benefits reflect look of work force
Aaron Nathan
The News Journal
May 21, 2007

Overview: Nathan discusses the aging workforce and gives suggestions in how to retain older workers.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070521/BUSINESS/705210309/1003

For many women, last Sunday was Happy Mother’s Day. But for many more of us, the circle on the calendar actually denotes another lesser celebrated holiday: Happy POGO Day. What’s that? You ask.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Women hitting stride at 50
Mark Miller
Chicago Sun Times
May 21, 2007

Overview: Miller reports on 50-plus American women and shares thoughts from Marti Barletta, author of PrimeTime Women: How to Win the Hearts, Minds and Business of Boomer Big Spenders (Kaplan, 294 pages).

http://www.suntimes.com/business/394196,CST-FIN-women21.article

Retaining mature workers a solid strategy; replacing experienced staff can prove costly to employers
Sharon Adams
Business Edge
May 3, 2007

Overview: Adams discusses the importance of retaining older workers in Canada. She writes, “Skilled workers are becoming an international commodity - other industrialized nations are also struggling with skewed labour-force demographics caused by Baby Boomers moving into retirement.”

http://www.businessedge.ca/article.cfm/newsID/15294.cfm

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Dick Stroud: “the UK’s 50-plus have a collective wealth totaling five trillion pounds”
TheMatureMarket.com
May 23, 2007

Overview: Dick Stroud discusses the 50-plus market in the UK and the trends in marketing to this demographic.

http://www.thematuremarket.com/SeniorStrategic/-8743---5.html

Marketers Missing the Boat on Mature Singles
Karlene Lukovitz
Mediapost.com
May 23, 2007

Overview: Lukoviz reports on marketing to boomer singles. She writes, “Single Boomers are particularly interested in experience-oriented travel, luxurious personal care products and spas, and mind-body services, as well as products for their grandchildren.”

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=60803

We’ve been doing a lot of traveling lately and I just have to comment on the becoming of invisible me. Maybe it’s the traveling or maybe it’s the places we’ve been but my biggest take away is Kathy Bates line in Fried Green Tomatoes … “I may be older but I have better insurance.” And while it may not have been two young things in tight jeans and belly shirts who took my parking spot, these people tried to take my dignity.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Older workers may be future for Georgia
Tammy Joyner
The Atlanta Journal Constitution
May 24, 2007

Overview: Joyner reports on Georgia’s labor force and the need to hire older workers. She writes, “The number of American workers 55 and older is expected to grow four times faster than the rest of the work force during the next decade. That trend holds true in Georgia, where the proportion of workers 65 and older is growing substantially while the pool of younger workers is shrinking.”

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2007/05/24/0524bizolder.html

Generations change but big issues stay the same
Bernard Salt
The Australian
May 24, 2007

Overview: Salt shares his definitions of today’s generations, and explains their similarities and differences.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21783302-643,00.html

Clash of the Ages
Canada NewsWire
May 24, 2007

Overview: Press release announcing, “About nine out of 10 Canadian workplaces today employ up to four generations of workers and nearly half of the Canadians who work in a multi-generation environment admit to experiencing a clash with older or younger workers, according to a new poll by Monster Canada.”

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2007/24/c4368.html

The other night I was reading a poem by Mary Oliver and stumbled upon the following line, which seemed not only lush, but appropriate as we move into sweet, sweltering June. She writes,"Yes, in summer we all live in the dreamy palace." The 'dreamy palace' is surely a fickle place, as distinct and countless as the readers who conjure it.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog

Top News From Today's "Boomiverse"

Boomers: In control and not winning friends; Gen-Xers find older workers a pain to work with: survey
Virginia Galt
The Globe and Mail
May 25, 2007

Overview: Galt reports, “Aging baby boomers dominate the work force. They believe rules should be obeyed – unless the rules are contrary to what they want. And they tend to equate hard work with long hours at the office, according to a report released yesterday.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070525.CABOOMER25/TPStory/Business

Retirees want to work
Carla Danaher
Herald-Sun
May 25, 2007

Overview: “Forty per cent of baby boomers aged 60 and over are looking after a child, grandchild or another member of their family. A study by Diversity Council Australia has also found a third of out-of-work boomers -- those born in the generation after World War II -- want to go back to work and more than half would consider doing further study.”

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21789192-662,00.html

A Whole Bunch of Books for Baby Boomers
Rhea
The Boomer Chronicles

Overview: This blog shares the latest books written for boomers.

http://www.thegeminiweb.com/babyboomer/?p=729

There’s this old story about the first woman elected president. At her swearing in her mother is congratulated about her daughter’s success. The mother’s response was to point to her son several rows back and brag about him being a doctor.

For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog