Best Boomer Towns Columns

What’s Next Boomer Business Summit April 29, 2011 San Francisco

There are 78 Million Baby Boomers in the U.S. spending $2 Trillion annually and control 77% of the wealth, attend the summit to learn how to get your share of wallet.

Featured Speakers

Michelle Bauer, Founder and Chief Strategist, Common Language
Scott Bennett, National Vice President of Marketing, American Cancer Society
Elisa Camahort Page, Co-Founder & COO, BlogHer
Michael Carroll, Vice President, Marketing, United Healthcare Medicare Solutions
Andy Cohen, CEO and Co-Founder, Caring.com
R. Scott Collins, President & CEO, Senior Resources Alliance
Mara DelliPriscoli, President, Travel Learning Connections, Inc.
Marilyn Ditty, Executive Director, South County Senior Services, Inc.
Mary Furlong, CEO, Mary Fulrong & Associates
Jane Glenn Haas, Founder, WomanSage
Mark Graham, SVP, ivillage.com, an NBC Universal Company
Jeff Hasen, Chief Marketing Officer, Hipcricket
Lyn Jeffery, Cultural Anthropologist
Mollie Katzen, Best-Selling Author
Susy Korb, President, OMHU
David Lindeman, PhD, Director, Center for Aging and Technology
John Lukrich, COO, Dummies Licensing Partners
John McKinley, Founder, OurParents.com
Laura Mitchell, Director of Business Relations, GrandCare Systems
Gary Moulton, Product Manager, Trustworthy Computing Group, Microsoft
Coby Neuenschwander, Founder and CEO, Readeo
Miles Orkin, National Director of E-Revenue and Mobile innovation, American Cancer Society
Casey Pittock, President & CEO, Wellcore Corporation
Peter Radsliff, CEO, Presto Services
Francine Russo, Best-Selling Author
Gail Sheehy, Best-Selling Author
Nancy Shonka Padberg, CEO, Navigate Boomer Media
Sandy Timmermann, Executive Director, MetLife Mature Market Institute
Tandy Trower, Hoaloa Robotics
Renee Werbin, Publisher & Co-Founder, Travelgirl Magazine


Date and Time: 
Friday, April 29, 2011
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel
San Francisco

What's Next Boomer Business Summit
www.boomersummit.com
 
Sponsors include 
United Health Care, Microsoft, South West Airlines, Continuum Crew, AARP, Navigate Boomer Media, Verizon, First Republic Bank, SRA, Linqto, Common Language, Met Life, AAA

Save 20% - Code wnnb11

Not Done Yet - Inspiring, Empowering, Optimism and Belief in Self

The website offers articles of interest, stories of reinvention and a cool on-line store. The Shop features beautiful and excellent quality American Made tees, tanks and thermals for women and men as well as fun gifty items like bling water bottles and mugs. In addition, ndy is very proud to donate a portion of every sale to Womens cancer research, Alzheimer's and grief support services.

Shop ndy for the Holidays! http://www.ndynotdoneyet.com/shop.html

 

Cartoons are about Real Life

I have a large file of cartoons. Here are three favorites:

A headstone bearing the name of the deceased, and below it "Member, Placebo Group."

Another headstone bearing the deceased's name and the inscription ‘Never sick a day in his life - and now this."

A father with his arms around his son's shoulder as they gaze out the window on a large factory. The caption reads "Someday, son, all this will belong to your wife!"

A recent New Yorker cover shows a cartoon with a bridal couple, in full wedding regalia, sitting in the back of the limo. She looks angry. He looks puzzled. The caption reads: "It didn't have to end like this."

Is this couple on the way to the altar, or leaving it? Did she just find out a secret he has that's a deal breaker for her? Did her ex show up at the wedding, claiming he still loves her, and she feeling the same about him? Maybe she's offended because her groom was trying to save some money by booking the deluxe honeymoon suite instead of the presidential one.

Perhaps her groom presented her with a prenuptial agreement at the last minute and expected her to sign it without her lawyer's help? Or horror of horrors, his mother was sulking again because she wasn't invited along for the honeymoon?

I believe some marriages are over shortly after they begin. It just takes some people longer to figure it out - or maybe longer to speak up. I think you can tell the difference between wedding jitters and deeply buried concerns about the person you're planning to marry. None of us marries in expectation of divorce. Except for the bride in the cartoon who says "I'm so excited about getting my first marriage out of the way."

Iowa Judges Go Too Far

The situation was similar to what voters said to Congressional Senators and Representatives last week around the country. You're just not listening to us. We're tired of your arrogance... get out. Americans have spoken with their votes previously on several issues only to have state and federal judges reverse the decisions on a whim. So many of these reversals do not have Constitutional backing.

State judges are just not voted out very often which probably gives them a sense of tenure. It also apparently gives them a boldness that makes them feel they can interpret the law however they want. Iowa voters do not want the definition of marriage changed to accommodate gay demands. The three judges overturned that vote. Bad idea.

I would think that this will send a message to voters (and judges) in other states that deal with the same frustrations. "We the people" are in charge here. We saw the message get delivered loud and clear on November 2nd. This same message can be sent again on any state or federal election when the folks suddenly realize they hold the keys to the car.

The people have spoken... office holders beware.

 

Get Enlightened… Learn More About Your Computer

While you're asking yourself these questions, adrenalin is coursing through your system, making your body feel different. From sweating to squirminess, the physical manifestation of angst is very uncomfortable and makes it
difficult to concentrate. Even if the problem is solved quickly, after going into a momentary panic, it will take you anywhere from an hour to a day to get back to your normal level of functioning. And being in a panic is not great for your general well-being.

This is where the old saying that "knowledge is power" can be very helpful. Knowing how your computer works and having the ability to dance around a program and make it do what you want it to can make you feel creative and
intelligent. Having the ability to get done what you need to do and not encounter any problems allows for greater access to the inner resources and inspiration that we all have.

The pride that comes from mastering or, if you're a techno-spazz like me, just getting the basics of a computer can be very empowering. In addition, learning something new builds brain cells and staves off Alzheimer's. You actually stimulate the growth centers of your mind and create a greater ability to figure out what you need to do next. The confidence of knowing
that you can solve a problem, even before you actually encounter it, is very freeing and allows you to push yourself without feeling pushed.

You can fly though projects like a stunt pilot, doing barrel rolls around your Excel spreadsheet, while your knowledge of Photoshop will make Ansel Adams green with envy. In addition, every time you accomplish a new task,
it gives you the opportunity to feel better about yourself.

If you invest an hour or two a week in a class, many of which are available online, you will master your program/computer of choice in short order. With that ability, you can then create and share your gifts with the
world.

Just the social networking alone can link you up with what's going on in many different places. By Twittering here or Facebooking there, you can find old friends and make new ones. By creating a blog you can touch the
lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands (and maybe even get a book deal). Quite simply, it's an opportunity to connect with the rest of humanity.

So go get that new laptop or use your kid's old desktop, it's time to learn how to keep up with the rest of the human race.

 

Media expert Nancy Shonka Padberg Turns Spotlight on Top Boomer Issues

What images spring to mind at the mention of "baby boomers?" Executives? Yoga teachers? Botox? All of the above?

Media expert Nancy Shonka Padberg turns the spotlight on top issues facing the baby boomer generation.

By Emily DiFrisco

The multifaceted baby boomer group comprises 78 million people living in the United States today. They fall between the "Silent Generation" (the children of the Great Depression) and Generation X. Born between 1946 and 1964, baby boomers are the healthiest, wealthiest, most educated, and prosperous generation thus far, plucked right from the pages of American history.

Boomers saw the U.S. change from a manufacturing economy to a knowledge economy. They saw the formation of the Interstate Highway System, enabling their families to "pack up the station wagon" and travel like never before. They were able to leave their hometowns and go to college. They embraced technology, as they saw the number of television sets grow from 4 to 50 million from 1950 to 1960.

"In the industrial age, it was all about product, price, place, and promotion," says Nancy Shonka Padberg (MBA '03), founder of Best Boomer Towns, Inc., and Navigate Boomer Media, LLC. "The manufacturers pushed the product to the customer. You could get your Ford in black or black. In the knowledge age, it is all about consumers, cost, convenience, and communication. The consumer is in charge. And I would argue that the boomer consumer is in charge."

Even as they age, baby boomers still control 70 percent of the total net worth in the U.S. They spend an average of $3 trillion dollars per year and an additional $7 billion online. They purchase 41 percent of new cars and shell out for 80 percent of luxury travel.

Padberg, a former Fortune 500 executive, first discovered the baby boomer market as vice president at The Phelps Group, where she worked on campaigns for Fairmont Hotels, PETCO, and Whole Foods Market. "All these companies have research on their clientele," she explains, "and the research was astounding. Specifically, with PETCO, we found that baby boomers and empty-nesters spent the most on their pets."

As part of the team developing TV, print, and radio campaigns, Padberg strove to help advertisers understand and reach the boomer audience. She asked her clients, "How do we connect with boomers emotionally? It was easy with animals. We really had some terrific commercials for PETCO."

Seeking to start her own marketing firm and realizing that with knowledge comes opportunity, Padberg went back to school, earning her MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management of Pepperdine University, where she "saw all the pieces come together." In marketing class, she again studied the demographics of boomers. She also learned the two biggest takeaways for a startup: have a clear point of differentiation and develop a healthy culture.

Parlaying her knowledge from school and her career, the Iowa native developed a business plan for Best Boomer Towns, Inc., which launched in 2005. The Web site serves as a destination for boomers to find and exchange information on the best 21 locations in the U.S. to relocate or retire.

Recognizing additional needs in the marketplace, Padberg brought together nine media colleagues, including Pepperdine alumnus Kyle Murphy (BSM '04, MBA '05), and launched Navigate Boomer Media, LLC in Fall 2009. Navigate allows time-starved media buyers and marketers to buy display advertising on 10, 15, or 20 Web sites at a time. Launched in 2009 with 50 sites, the company now represents 119 sites with over 112 million unique visitors per month.

"Boomers spend an average of 15 hours per week online," says Padberg of her decision to create online businesses. "Print and radio can't say they have their audience for 15 hours per week. The largest segment of the population is coming through and embracing new technology like never before. In fact, the fastest growing segment on Facebook in the last year has been women 50-plus."

Not even one year later, Navigate Boomer Media has emerged as the No. 1 online boomer ad network in the U.S. They represent boomer-focused Web sites such as vibrantnation.com, grandparents.com, and silverplanet.com, and publish original content for Web sites, blogs, social networking communities, and streaming radio. The business is now expanding into Canada and Southeast Asia.

While the young company continues to grow, Padberg observes, "We're not a Fortune 500 company, we're not corporate. We wear quite a few hats. We're nimble and can make quick decisions. We know that we have the right media with the right target audience, at the right time."
Summer 2010

Pepperdine Magazine Article August 31, 2010

 

Features That Excite The Baby Boomer Home Buyer

5 Home Features That Excite Baby Boomer Buyers

1. Hardwood Floors:
Hardwood floors are sought after by home buyers across all property types and architectural styles. Hardwood flooring has a timeless style and is more durable than other types of flooring. Synthetic wood floors are an option for owners who can't afford hardwood - just know that most potential buyers will know the difference right away.

2. Stainless Steel Appliances:
Many buyers like the sleek, powerful appearance of stainless steel kitchen appliances. Part of the attraction may be that a home kitchen with stainless steel appliances suggests the professionalism of a commercial kitchen. The modern look of the appliances themselves can be incorporated into almost any kitchen design (from modern interiors to more traditional styles). A stainless steel finish is not for everyone, however, so keep in mind that the appeal of these contemporary gadgets will not be universal.

3. Quality Fixtures:
Upgrading the smallest details can often go a long ways to improving your home's appeal to buyers. Replacing outdated or lower-quality doorknobs, faucets, light switch/outlet covers, and drawer pulls can be a relatively inexpensive way to make over a bathroom or kitchen. You can also greatly enhance your home's appeal by updating lighting fixtures throughout your house, but keep in mind that higher-end lighting fixtures can get expensive fast. Whenever replacing fixtures, make sure the replacements coordinate with both any remaining fixtures and the interior aesthetic of your home.

4. Area for Big Screen TV
The popularity of larger flat panel and projection screen televisions in recent years has in turn generated greater interest in advanced home audio that compliments near cinema-quality picture. Building a surround sound system into your living/media room can entice potential buyers who may be excited by the idea of a new dimension of home entertainment but disinclined to go through the process of installation and setup.

5. Slab Kitchen Countertops:
Granite countertops get a lot of attention as a must-have finish for any contemporarily designed kitchen, but in reality a number of other slab materials can be used to achieve a similar look at a lower cost. One of the major selling points of granite countertops is how easy they are to care for: the hard, nonporous surface is much easier to clean than a tile counter top with grout lines. Solid Synthetic surfaces (such as Corian), composite stone (such as Silestone), limestone, soapstone, marble, quartz and butcher-block slab counters all come with easy care and a more attractive appearance than laminate or tile countertops.

Upgrades to the home itself are features (such as hardwood flooring or high end appliances) that you pay extra for to improve the home based on your tastes. Builders can make a lot of money on upgrades, because they get the parts and labor at favorable rates and generally tack on a large markup.

Make sure you know the base feature list of the model you are purchasing by heart. When the builder offers upgrades, make sure you understand exactly what is being offered by asking questions and taking notes.

Do your own research to compare the cost of the feature plus installation as offered by the builder with what it would cost to have the work done independently after move in. If the builder's version is far and away more expensive, bidding the work out to independent contractors after you move in is probably the smart move. If the costs are similar, however, it may be less stress to have the work completed by the builder in advance.

Hire an Independent Home Inspector

Many people who purchase new construction fall into the trap of thinking that because the home is newly built, the important step of getting a detailed home inspection is unnecessary. Simply put, new construction does not guarantee sound construction, and skipping a professional inspection can leave you open to future problems that might crop op as a result of building flaws or cut corners. Even homes built by the most scrupulous contractors can have defects that are not obvious to the untrained eye.

 

The Unpretentious Warren Buffet

I admire Warren Buffett, not because of his wealth, but because of his lack of pretention. He doesn't believe that giving money to his kids equates with giving them love. He wanted them to carve out their own path and believed that 'setting them up with unlimited wealth is harmful and an anti-social act.'

His decision to donate nearly $37 billion to the Gates Foundation may have shocked the world, but it came as no surprise to his three children, whom he'd consulted first.

A few years ago, his children, Susan, Howard and Peter said they supported their father's decision not to leave all his money to them. http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=2133209

"The truth is it would be insane to leave us that much money," said Susan Buffett. "It just would be."
Buffett gave $1 billion to his children's three charitable foundations: the Susan A. Buffett Foundation, which focuses on early education for children of low-income families; the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which has helped 42 countries; and the Novo Foundation, Peter Buffett's organization for democracy. They each draw a salary from their work.

Keep in mind that the Buffett kids grew up in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house in Omaha Nebraska. They attended local elementary and high schools . Their friends were neighborhood kids who actually played without needing play dates or being chauffered from house to house. The Buffett kids grew up without pretension; money wasn't the way they measured their parents' love.

Each Buffett sibling recently received a letter from their father in which he wrote: "I consider myself lucky to have three children who want to spend much of their time and energy working on projects that will benefit others. I am proud of what you are doing and your mother would be proud as well. Love, Dad."

I like this man, in spite of his wealth.

 

California Personal Income Tax Information

Personal income tax

* California collects income tax from its residents at the following rates.

For single and married filing separately taxpayers:

1.25 percent on the first $7,060 of taxable income

2.25 percent on taxable income between $7,061 and $16,739

4.25 percent on taxable income between $16,740 and $26,419

6.25 percent on taxable income between $26,420 and $36,675

8.25 percent on taxable income between $36,676 and $46,349

9.55 percent on taxable income of $46,350 and above

* A 1 percent surcharge, the Mental Health Services Tax, is collected on taxable incomes of $1 million or more, making California's highest marginal rate 10.55 percent.

* For married persons filing joint returns and heads of households, the rates remain the same but the income brackets are doubled.

* Residents must complete returns on Form 540EZ, Form 540A (short form), Form 540 (long form) or Form 540-ADS by April 15. When that date falls on a weekend or holiday, filers get until the next business day to submit their state returns.

* You might be able to file your California return electronically at no cost using CalFile if you meet the program's eligibility requirements.

* With Ready Return, eligible California taxpayers can view a pre-filled state tax return, update it if needed and e-file it directly with the state, all at no cost.

 

Baby Boomers Emotional Support

In order to get your emotional needs met, you must be proactive and ask for what you need. This may mean asking for a hug or your hand to be held when you are feeling a bit shaky. Getting comfortable with sharing your needs is the first step.

By stating your needs, you will you have a greater chance of having them answered. If you expect someone to read your mind, most likely you won't get the support you need.

Those who are unable to ask or expect others to just know what they need are more likely to become less stable as their hearts remain unhealed and they stay stressed out. This can cause people to be introverted or even irritable because they don't feel good about themselves.

It would be great if we could all be totally self-contained and not need the emotional support of others. But if life were supposed to be that way, we wouldn't feel the need to want and give love.

These days getting a pat on the back or loving words from someone can be as easy as opening up your Facebook page or sending a text. "Just touching base" is a good opening line if you want to reconnect with someone via e-mail or social networking. By the way, I don't think it's a good idea to make electronic contact your only source for emotional support; there's a big world out there with lots of other people who need and want to feel connected.

Being in close proximity to another human being is really the best way to feel emotional support. A phone call can work (for a while), but face-to-face contact is really the best way to go. This is not about romance. It's about having a person (or people) who will listen to what is going on in your heart. Just talking about your pain will help diminish it, and you will create a stronger bond with the person who is listening. This is basically how therapy works.

If you really can't find a person or just aren't feeling strong enough to reach out, even to a family member, having an animal can make a big difference. A pet may not be able to help you think your way through a problem, but having one can make you calmer, and the unconditional love of an animal is always uplifting.

If you are wondering why you need emotional support in the first place, the answer is simple: you're human. Very few people can do life all by themselves, and those who choose to are missing out on one of the best parts of being alive.

- Dr. Barton Goldsmith, marriage and family therapist, can be reached at 818-879-9996 or via e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). He has lived and practiced in Westlake Village for more than a decade. Hear him live on KCLU Radio, 88.3 FM, from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays.