How to Make Flying Easier: Tips for Baby Boomers

Are you a baby boomer who does not fly very often?  If so,  every experience at the airport and on the airplane can seem  like the first time. Here are some tips that might help ease your way. Most of them are just common sense but it pays to be reminded of them.

One of the first recommendations I have is that you put all your travel papers in a folder that you take with you to the airport. For just a few dollars, you can buy a cardboard folder at Office Max or Office Depot.  If you prefer, you can also get one in leather or vinyl depending upon your style and budget. I prefer the ones that are self-closing.

As you are getting ready for your trip, put all of the papers you will need for the trip in the folder.  This will include your boarding pass, itinerary, hotel and rental car confirmations and if you are leaving the country, your passport and any othere papers you may need during your trip.  By the way, you need to remember that you now need a passport to enter into Canada. Having all these papers in one place will save a lot of aggravation and time at the airport and on your trip.

The day of your trip, you may also want to add to the folder your driver's license or other picture ID that you will need to go through security at the airport. One important point about the travel folder: keep the folder with you at all times.  It does you no good if it is in your checked baggage or in your carry on bag if you have to surrender it at the door of the plane if it is too large or there is no room in the overhead bins.

I also recommend you take as little additional clothing on the plane with you.  Overcoats, hats, scarves, etc, either become lost or crushed by someone's luggage in the overhead bin.  I always try to put those items either in my checked bag or carry-on. Speaking of carryons I happen to think the Delsey carryons are the most useful.  They fit a lot of clothing, but are lightweight and easy to put in the overhead.

I find it useful to wear slip-on shoes when traveling by plane. Not only is it easy to take them off on the plane, which is particularly important on long flights where you want to get comfortable, you will spend less time at the security gate since you will not have to unlace and lace up tie shoes.When you are seated, I recommend doing some basic stretches, particularly on long flights.  Just raising your arms in the air or leaning forward in your seat and touching the floor with your hands can do wonders for your circulation.  Compression stockings also may make sense on long flights. These cost about $10 and you can get them at Dick's Sporting Goods stores.

As the title of this post states, these little tips can make your flight just a little easier.

For information on some cool destinations, please take a look at my earlier posts and those yet to come.

Pittsburgh on $100 a Day

Hey Pittsburgh, you have just been named one of the "10 Best Places to Live on $100 A Day"  by AARP Magazine.  That works out to $36,500 a year.  The survey was based on the purchase price for a median priced home, the climate, the availability of cultural opportunities and, not surprisingly, access to topnotch medical facilities and services. Another factor that was considered was the local economy.  Pittsburgh, while hit by the recession like everywhere else, has not seen the foreclosure rate seen elsewhere.

Interestingly enough, Morgantown, West Virginia, which is located about 90 miles South of Pittsburgh also made the list.

If you are thinking about a move in retirement, consider Pittsburgh!

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

Myron Cope  was the well-known, high-pitched radio commentator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Known for creating the "Terrible Towel," the black and gold towel seen being waved at every Steeler game, whether home or away, Cope was also one of the foundesr of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Estatblished in 1983 as a fund raiser for the Allegheny Valley School and later the Autism Society of Pittsburgh, it is now one of the most popular races of its kind. Nearby are two great universities, Carnegie-Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh.Pictured above is the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning.

Each year, generally during the third weekend of July, drivers of vintage race cars and fans of sports cars gather in the Oakland section of Pittsurgh in Scheleny Park to watch the only vintage car race run on city streets.. The course is 2.33 miles  long and has over 20 turns. About 250,000 people attend the time trials, the international car shows and the races.

Each year, one car is selected as the marque for the car show.  This year it was the MG and the spotlight car was the Lotus. In addition, German cars were highlighted. Porches, Audis, BMWs and Volkswagens filled the Bob O'Connor golf course where the car shows were held on this past Saturday. I even saw a Beetle that resembled my old 1970 Bug. Because of the German theme, there was even a Biergarten, where your favorite German brew was available under a large tent.

While the car shows are going on, so too are the qualifying races. The Crown Royal Featured Races took place on Sunday. The racers include classics such as Bugatti, Aston-Martin and Alfa-Romeo.

Be sure to mark your calendar for next year's event.

Alternatives to Immediate Annuities:in Retirement 101

As we come closer to retirement, we all start thinking about how we can supplement our social security and other sources of income such as pensions or IRAs.  One of the investment vehicles being touted today is the immediate single premium annuity The immediate annuity works like this in its simplest form:. You take a lump sum of money, say $100,000, and give it to the insurance company when you reach age 65. Except in very limited circumstances, you no longer have access to the principal. In return, you will receive a monthly payment until you die. If you are lucky enough to have a long life, you will undoubtedly receive back your investment and more. On the other hand, if you were to die shortly after purchasing the annuity, your estate will lose the entire amount.  There is some variation of the immediate annuity that allows your spouse to continue receiving a reduced payment until his or her death. The question is: are there other investments that may produce  income without risking losing the entire amount and without those restrictions on access to your money?

Although none of these investments are guaranteed or without risk, I think that there are several alternatives which together may provide a reliable source of income.  As always, the key is to maintain diversity, i.e., spreading your investment money around several different classes of assets..  In that regard mutual funds are probably the better choices for most people rather than individual stocks and bonds. One type of fund to consider is the municipal bond fund. These generate tax-free income and if they contain municipal bonds from your state, the income(or some portion of it) may be free of state as well as Federal income tax.  A second type of fund to consider is the dividend growth fund.. These generally invest in high quality stocks that have paid dividends for many years and are regularly increasing the amount.The third leg of the stool is an investment grade corporate bond fund. These are designed to generate the highest levels of income consistent with the preservation of principal..  Of course ,unlike the immediate annuity, none of these mutual funds produce a guaranteed income and you could also lose your principal.  However, with any of these  alternatives, you do have access to your money and it may still be there for your heirs.

All of the major mutual fund companies offer these types of investments, Vanguard (www.vanguard.com), Fidelity (www.fidelity.com), T. Rowe Price (www.troweprice.com), etc. So which you choose is really a matter of personal preference.

DISCLOSURE:  The author has investments with each of the mutual fund families referred to in this post. The opinions expressed in this post are informational only and are not intended to provide investment advice.  You should consult with a professional advisor before investing your money.

The Atlantis Found on Paradise Island

In mythology, Atlantis is the "Lost Continent" somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In reality, it is a fabulous resort in the Caribbean.

Paradise Island is located near Nassau in the Bahamas It is connected by two bridges over Nassau Harbor to the Bahamian island of New Providence, where Nassau is located . Originally developed by the A&P supermarket heir, Huntington Hartford, the island was formerly called Hog Island. Little wonder why he changed the name

The island has been the location of a number of motion pictures including the 2006 remake of  the James Bond flick, Casino Royale. Although there are several resorts and hotels on the island, the most well-known and most popular is the Atlantis Resort and Spa.

In the 1980s, Donald Trump acquired the Atlantis. Subsequently, it was bought by the late singer and television host., Merv Griffin, who was also known for squiring the Hungarian beauty, Eva Gabor, of the famous Gabor sisters,  Ms Gabor was perhaps best known as the society matron turned farmer in the television series, "Green Acres." The Atlantis is currently owned by South African, Sol Kerzner, who has significantly expanded the resort beyond its two original towers joined by a bridge.Michael Jackson is said to have once stayed in the bridge.

The Atlantis has over 2000 luxuriously appointed rooms.  We stayed in the Coral Tower and were very pleased with our room.  As part of our package, we also received breakfast in the Sea Grapes restaurant just off the magnificent lobby. The breakfast was buffet style and those lucky enough to have a table near the window could see sea turtles playing in the shallow pools outside the window. One of the hallmarks of the Atlantis is the water bodies which seem to be everywhere. There are 11 swimming pools scattered throughout the grounds.  The grounds themselves are immaculately kept. One of the highlights of the swimming experience is the Mayan Temple water slide (if you dare!) There is also a dolphin cove where children and I suppose adults can play with the dolphins.  Those less adventurous can watch from across  the cay.

The water theme is carried inside as well as there is a large aquarium that is below ground and contains numerous fish and other sea animals.

The Atlantis has a number of fine restaurants in addition to casual dining spots outside.  Our favorite is Bobbby Flay's Mesa Grill.  It serves the same menu as his New York restaurant and is definitely worth the splurge.

The casino in the Atlantis is the largest in the Caribbean.  On the ceiling are these fabulous glass sculptures by the artist Dale Chihuly. They are not to be missed even if you do not gamble. For those who do gamble, you won't be disappointed as all your favorite table games and slot machines are available. Good luck!

The Atlantis can be pricey but it frequently offers extra days for free and even free airfare.  Check their website if you are interested in going. www.atlantis.com

For another take on Atlantis, see our post, The Boomer's Guide to Travel Sites in Santorini Greece.

What's Going on In Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

Located about 20 miles South of Pittsburgh is the small borough of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Despite its relatively small size, it is the home of several important singers. One of the most prominent of these is the late crooner, Perry Como. Originally a barber in Canonsburg, he went on to become one of the most popular singers of the 1950s and early 1960s, known for his smooth and easy style. He was a major television star with the Kraft Music Hall where his theme song was "Dream Along with Me," one of Como's best known songs. Como was also noted for a soul-inspiring version of the "Ave Maria." Not surprisingly, Canonsburg has honored this native son, who died in 2001, with a statute in the middle of town. On the base of the statute is one of his favorite phrases, "To This Place God Has Brought Me."

Bobby Vinton, one of the best-selling singers of the 1960s and 1970s also grew up in Canonsburg. Best known for his songs, "Blue Velvet" and "Lonely," Crooner Bobby Vinton was a top male vocalist from 1962 to 1972, with more number one songs in that period than Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. His hit songs were mellow; most were romantic. It was only the Beatles who displaced him from that high perch Canonsburg has also honored this native son, who now lives in Florida, with two streets, Bobby Vinton Blvd and Bobby Vinton Drive.

One place that is a "must see" in Canonsburg is the Sarris Chocolate Factory & Ice Cream Parlour. Located on a side street near the exit to Interstate 79, it is a mecca for those who love chocolate. There is plentiful parking across the stree from the brightly decorated building. The only time that is not the case is for the holidays, particularly Valentine's Day and Easter. Then it is every man and woman for themselves both inside and outside the store. (Actually at those times, there is usually a police officer outside the store to avoid parking confrontations!). Sarris also provides corporate gift and fund-raising opportunities.

Sarris has every kind of candy imaginable.  One of their specialities is their chocolate-covered pretzels, which are available in both milk and dark chocolate. Many of the candies are made onsite. Each year at Easter, large five foot bunnies dominate the store.  And throughout the year, at least one large chocolate exhibit is displayed.

Believe it or not, the entire castle is made of chocolate!

In addition to the candy store, the building also houses an old-fashioned ice cream parlour, with a player piano that for a dollar plays some old-time songs. But it is the ice cream that you will go there for. And as with the chocolate and other candies, you will not be disappointed. From cones to sundaes and old-fashioned ice cream sodas (my favorite is the cherry--yum, yum), it is an ice cream-lover's delight.

Sarris located at 511 Adams Avenue, Canonsburg, PA  15317.  The phone number is 1-800-Sarris-1.  They can also be reached through their website, www.sarris-candies.com.

So, if you are in the area of Canonsburg to pay homage to Perry Como or Bobby Vinton, make sure you stop in at Sarris.  You will not be disappointed.

What to See in Lisbon

Recently, reporter, Frank Bruni, of The New York Times, wrote a column about his trip to Lisbon, Portugal. He lamented that, after an all night flight from New York to Lisbon, his hotel room was not ready and the only option available was to sleep in the lobby.  Instead he opted to wander around the city, exploring new places. This all struck a chord with me as my wife and I had a similar experience on our honeymoon. We flew into Lisbon after our first honeymoon stop----where else----Niagara Falls.

One of the highlights of our trip to Lisbon was the Gulbenkian Museum. The museum houses the eclectic collections of art and other antiquities assembled by Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian.Gulbenkian, an Armenian businessman and philanthropist was largely responsible for making Middle Eastern oil available to the Western Hemisphere. Gulbenkian, had once lived in Constantinople (now Istanbul) but traveled the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Babylonia.  Over 6000 pieces he found are now in the collection.The permanent collection at the museum displays many of those items. Alxo on display are many of the paintings he collected.  These include paintings by Rembrandt, Degas, Manet, Monet and Gainsborough. We lingered most of a day at the Gulbenkian.  It is well worth the visit if you are in Lisbon.Avenida de Berna 45A 1067-001 Lisbon, Portugal
217 823 000
Located in the Belem District of Lisbon is an impressive statute of Columbus.

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