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  • 🩴Best beaches | Travel report | Beware falls

🩴Best beaches | Travel report | Beware falls

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Author

Ronnie Mac James
November 4th, 2024

First time reading? Get your free subscription here. This newsletter’s goal is the extinction of information overload for folks like me who are aged 55 & up. Easily unsubscribe below if you got here by some freak interwebs mishap.
 
Good morning 55&UpSiders,

Here’s what I’m covering for you today in a flash…
  • A quick visual breakdown about beaches you should check out
  • Curated topics that are affecting us & Good News stories
  • Feature Story: Bite-sized report on travel for people 55 & over
  • Today’s poll
  • Face The Facts (& do something about ’em)
  • Alternative solutions for our 55+ Crowd
 
 

Beaches so good they’ve racked up lots of “trophies.”

 

Check ’em out below. (One left off the list is here).

 
 

Curated Countdown

 
🕙 Tune Up Your Social Life With Singing

🕘 Chart: A Decade Of Real Estate Bubbles

🕗 15 States You Can Kick Back On Under $65k Per Year?

🕖 Need More Grit? Ms. Duckworth Has Buckets Full

🕕 Which State Was Just Voted Most Dangerous?

🕔 Cheapest Way To Sell A Home

🕓 Snowless Ski Trips Are Hot Right Now

🕒 9 Ways To Add Jingle To Your Pocket In Retirement

🕑 Too Many Fundraiser Requests? (Your Escape Hatch)

🕐 2024’s Eye-Popping Money Stats

(👇Win “spelling error” contest at end of email 👇)
 
 

Feature Story

 

Traveling After You Hit 55+

 
What’s this about? Applying first principle thinking (aka common sense) to making travel affordable after age 55.
 

The problem is...

  • Many 55+ folks struggle to afford travel on fixed incomes
  • Traditional travel can be expensive, especially for longer trips
  • Lack of awareness about money-saving strategies for travelers our age
 

Why solving this problem's so dang tough

  • Travel industry often focuses on luxury experiences
  • Fixed costs like airfare & accommodations are difficult to reduce
  • Health & mobility concerns may limit cheaper travel options
 
 

Roadblocks

  • Share money-saving travel tips with the 55+ crowd or speak at local clubs
  • Organize group trips to grab bulk discounts
  • Volunteer with travel organizations that cater to people in our age range
 

How you can get involved to help others

  • Need technological savvy for online booking & research
  • Physical limitations that may require costlier accommodations
  • Fear of the unknown or unfamiliar destinations
 

Upsides & ways to beat roadblocks

  • Affordable travel allows for more frequent trips
  • Exploring new places keeps the mind active & engaged
  • Consider alternative accommodations like home exchanges
  • Meeting new people & cultures enhances life experiences
  • Creating lasting memories with loved ones
  • Improved mental & physical health through active travel
 

5 takeaways

  • Travel off-season for big savings
  • Utilize senior discounts & loyalty programs
  • Pack light to avoid baggage fees
  • Use public transportation at your destination
  • Rushed planning can make you miss cost savings
 

Personal story

 
This is from a friend of a friend—Vicky. Her 61-year-old dad had never been on an airplane. Ever. But he decided he just had to go to Italy. So Vicky stepped up to help her dad plan his overseas trip. Turns out, they had a ball just doing the planning!

Best part? His Italian getaway went so well that Vicky & her husband are going with her dad back to Italy in 2025. Only problem? Vicky’s poodle needs a dog-sitter since her dad won’t be available this time🙂.
 
 

What's your preferred way to stay active?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

 

Face The Facts (then punch ’em in the nose)

Know the facts so you can overcome or take advantage of them.

 
5) Number of Americans over 65 expected to grow from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050

4) People are happiest in their youth & then again in their 70s & early 80s

3) About 8,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day in the U.S.

2) Fall-related hospitalizations are 5 times higher than other injury causes

1) 24% of men & 15% of women over 65 are still in the workforce

👊Let’s punch falls in the nose.

No way around it. Our balance gets shoddy after a certain age. I witnessed it with my aunt & mama.

So… avoid falls at all costs. Ways that help are below:
  • Install handrails on both sides of stairs
  • Remove or secure loose rugs
  • Keep walkways clear of clutter
  • Ensure proper lighting throughout your home
  • Add grab bars in bathrooms
 
 

Alternative Solutions You May’ve Never Heard Of

 
Is the USA the best county on this galactic rock? Yep. That doesn’t mean older folks across the world can’t teach us something about how to age better & “get a little further down the road.”
 

How 55+ folks stay active in these 3 countries:

 

Thailand

  • Local communities organize regular morning exercise groups in public parks where older adults practice Tai Chi & traditional dance together.
  • Intergenerational activities are common, with older adults teaching crafts & cooking to younger people.
  • Many participate in temple activities that combine spiritual practice with social engagement & light physical movement.

Japan

  • "Villages" programs connect older adults to affordable local services & social/recreational events in their neighborhoods.
  • Senior co-housing arrangements allow independent living while offering daily social interaction & mutual support
  • Community centers offer special programs mixing age groups through activities like shared meals, education, & entertainment.
 

Netherlands

  • "Living at home for longer" community programs pair older adults with neighbors who help them maintain independence through social visits & shared activities.
  • Innovative housing arrangements allow older people to live independently while having easy access to community spaces for social interaction.
  • Local transportation services specifically designed for seniors enable them to stay mobile & socially connected without having to drive.
 
 
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🆓Contest: Find the typo to today’s newsletter. Reply to this email with the error. I’ll randomly select a winner from the replies. Prize is a free Dunkin Donuts gift code.☕🍩

The upside’s always worth looking for,

Ronnie Mac James - Writer of 55 & UpSides
 
Ronnie Mac James

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