Older Ladies
Enjoy!
PS: Thank you Donnalou Stevens and Group
Are You An Early Adopter?
Technology keeps changing and evolving, no doubt about it. And it keeps changing faster and faster all the time.
Are you keeping up or running way behind?
There are those who keep up with changes in technology and often are the first to try out new products and services. Traditionally this is the smallest segment of the population, falling into one of two categories: Innovator or Early Adopter.
You know who they are…
They are the brave souls camping outside the Apple store in the middle of winter! All of that just to be the first to get their hands on the latest i-device.
My hat is off to you “Innovators and Early Adopters”!
You won’t find me camped outside an Apple or other store for anything, ever! But then again, I am not an early adopter.
5 categories of adopters:
In general, consumers are grouped into different categories sharing similar behaviors with respect to adopting new products and services.
Briefly, these categories are:
- Innovators – 2 to 3% of population, very first to adopt new products
- Early Adopters – 13% of market eager for new products, influence others
- Early Majority – 34% of market, adopt products when semi established
- Late Majority – 34% of market adopts product once established
- Laggards – adopt when there is no other way… old product goes away
Innovators and early adopters are the two smallest groups, roughly equal to the number of laggards. The early and late majority of adopters comprise the two biggest groups.
In other words, fewer individuals are eager to buy technology until it’s established, at least to a certain degree.
How does the older generation factor into this equation?
Historically, seniors have been late adopters when compared to the younger generation. However, this trend seems to be changing.
Research conducted by the Pew Research Center outlines some interesting findings with respect to seniors and technology. In this study, seniors were defined as individuals age 65+.
“Two different groups of older Americans emerge.
The first group (which leans toward younger, more highly educated, or more affluent seniors) has relatively substantial technology assets, and also has a positive view toward the benefits of online platforms.
The other (which tends to be older and less affluent, often with significant challenges with health or disability) is largely disconnected from the world of digital tools and services, both physically and psychologically.
As the internet plays an increasingly central role in connecting Americans of all ages to news and information, government services, health resources, and opportunities for social support, these divisions are noteworthy—particularly for the many organizations and individual caregivers who serve the older adult population.
In April 2012 the Pew Research Center found for the first time that more than half of older adults (65+) were internet users.
Today, 59% of seniors report they go online—a six-percentage point increase in the course of a year—and 47% say they have a high-speed broadband connection at home. In addition, 77% of older adults have a cell phone, up from 69% in April 2012.
But despite these gains, seniors continue to lag behind younger Americans when it comes to tech adoption. And many seniors remain largely unattached from online and mobile life—41% do not use the internet at all, 53% do not have broadband access at home, and 23% do not use cell phones.
Younger, higher-income, and more highly educated seniors use the internet and broadband at rates approaching—or even exceeding—the general population; internet use and broadband adoption each drop off dramatically around age 75.
Seniors, like any other demographic group, are not monolithic, and there are important distinctions in their tech adoption patterns, beginning with age itself.
Internet use and broadband adoption among seniors each fall off notably starting at approximately age 75. Some 68% of Americans in their early 70s go online, and 55% have broadband at home.
By contrast, internet adoption falls to 47% and broadband adoption falls to 34% among 75-79 year olds.
In addition, affluent and well-educated seniors adopt the internet and broadband at substantially higher rates than those with lower levels of income and educational attainment:
Among seniors with an annual household income of $75,000 or more, 90% go online and 82% have broadband at home.
For seniors earning less than $30,000 annually, 39% go online and 25% have broadband at home.
Fully 87% of seniors with a college degree go online, and 76% are broadband adopters.
Among seniors, who have not attended college, 40% go online and just 27% have broadband at home.”
If you’d like to read a bit more detail about the research conducted by the PewResearch Internet Project, go to http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-use/
As you can see, when it comes to technology and internet, there seems to be a clear delineation along economics and age.
However, as the internet becomes more and more entrenched in our daily lives and prices for high speed internet connection and data services are decreasing, I would not be surprised to see these numbers change dramatically.
I suspect that over time we will see broad use of online “everything” for all income and age groups.
This is good news as pretty soon “online” and “internet” will have replaced most, if not all that I grew up with… land line phone, walk in bank, writing checks, walk in bookstore, writing a letter… and the list goes on.
But regardless of how the future will unfold, sooner than later the laggards will run out of time.
When Did You Become A Senior?
A few years ago, when I moved from a regular phone to a smart phone, I had the first indication that I had been advanced to the “senior” category.
While comparing different smart phones I asked the sales person, a male in his early 30s, for more information about certain phone features. After numerous questions and answers were resolved, I needed specific pricing information and that’s when it came!
He looked at me, paused and then said: “Depending on your age, we do have discounts for seniors available”. And I don’t believe I heard anything else after that!
I remember thinking: “Ya, right I’ll buy a phone from you buddy! What is he thinking! I’m only 55 and he’s referring to me as a senior? I don’t believe this…!
Had a similar experience?
I didn’t think of myself as a senior then and I don’t think of myself as a senior now, four month shy of 60.
The last time I was carded for alcohol I was 41. What happened?
The term senior brings up many different images for me, not all of them are positive. Some of my own stuff, probably. But some from a society that values youth and most of what goes along with it.
This brings up the question what does the term “senior” actually mean? And after just a little digging, here is what I found.
First the dictionary: many dictionaries and many definitions. Without going into too much detail, most definitions define a senior as:
An elderly person, who is retired or whose principal source of support is a pension or Social Security benefits.
I don’t know about you, however, I am not retired and my principle sources of support are neither pension nor social security benefits.
Next Wikipedia, which tells us that “The age which qualifies for senior citizen status varies widely. In governmental contexts it is usually associated with an age at which pensions or medical benefits for the elderly become available. In commercial contexts, where it may serve as a marketing device to attract customers, the age is often significantly lower.
In the United States, the standard retirement age is currently 65 (gradually increasing to 67). In Canada, the OASP (Old Age Security Pension) is available at 65 (gradually increasing to 67, starting in the period 2023-2029),[9] and the CPP (Canada Pension Plan) as early as age 60.
The AARP allows couples in which one spouse has reached the age of 50 to join, regardless of the age of the other spouse.”
There you have it!
The term senior is applied across an array of situations. And if you’re past the age of 50 you may be considered a senior no matter if you feel like a senior or you’re ready for it.
As for me, I think it’s time to redefine the term “senior” for myself, free from societal stereotypes and limitations. And I came across a video from CNN-IBN (Indian Broadcasting Network) that helped me do just that.
The video features a Senior Citizen Awards ceremony: “Live begins at 60: Retired but not Tired”.
The 12 individuals honored are truly inspiring! Enjoy…
What Is The Best Time For Travel?
Today, people travel at all times throughout the year. However, depending on your destination, there are seasonal differences which may not only give you more value for your dollar but also result in reduced crowds.
The two key areas that have a major impact on the cost of your vacation are your destination and the time of year you choose to travel. In fact, the single biggest saver is likely to be when you choose to travel and not how successfully you negotiate for that last minute hotel bargain!
Don’t overlook the importance of considering these two factors together. Some destinations will be extremely cheap at one time of year yet finding a bargain four months later may be impossible. Traveling to a popular destination at a peak time will never be cheap. For example staying at a luxury hotel in a party city on New Year’s Eve is not likely to be a budget holiday; however, traveling to a traditional summer resort over New Year’s may be a very different story.
One thing that is very important to realize is that low seasons are low for a reason. A classic example of this is hurricane season in the Caribbean and Florida. Other low seasons to be wary of are the extremely hot areas such as Egypt during the summer months, when the heat can be so oppressive that it makes the holiday less enjoyable. Summer resorts are often so quiet during low season that there is quite literally nowhere open. This can be great for a retreat, but when it comes to a raging nightlife you may be sadly disappointed!
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season is the perfect time to travel for those who want to find a happy medium between low and peak seasons. Identifying where is in shoulder season when you want to travel or when your favorite destination is in shoulder season can save you literally hundreds of dollars.
Take a look at the guide books. Whilst they will not tell you when the shoulder season is, they will tell you when peak and low seasons are. The time in between, is, by definition, the shoulder season.
With almost every resort there is a period where the prices become low, not because the location is now poor but because all of the hotels and flights are still servicing the area but the demand is simply not there. Examples of shoulder seasons are Europe in the fall and the Caribbean during late spring.
Winter
Winter is an interesting time of year to travel. Before Christmas, most individuals are trying to make last minute shopping trips. After Christmas, people are dealing with their credit card bills. As such, holidays on far off beaches are often incredibly cheap during the winter period.
A wonderful destination for the winter months is Asia. Weather is variable in Asia during the winter which could mean that you are surrounded by cold one minute and then basking in glorious sunshine. This lack of dependability is something that puts a lot of visitors off and can mean that there are some excellent bargains for those prepared to take the risk!
Spring
If you are looking to travel to Europe, this is the time to do it! Flights are a lot cheaper during the spring months when temperatures are still relatively low.
Mexican beaches and the Caribbean islands start to see their prices drop from mid April as the weather becomes hotter. However, during the spring months, the water and air temperatures are still pleasant and the resorts less crowded.
During later spring, for example May, the traditionally hot and dry countries are not in their peak seasons but have not yet become intolerably hot. So if you want to visit Morocco, Jordan or Egypt, plan a spring vacation.
Summer
Finding a bargain in summer is tricky. Americans, Japanese and Europeans are all on the move and this is also the time of year that most weddings take place, so honeymoon destinations are in a great deal of demand.
During the early part of summer, through June and July, Caribbean destinations are still good to get a deal, provided you try to book before the Europeans start to flood in during their school holidays at the end of July.
Safari holidays are a good option between June and September. High season ends in May, but the weather is still relatively dry.
Flights and hotels are still quite reasonable in Southeast Asia during the summer months, but temperatures can be quite hot, so if you can’t stand the heat, avoid this destination during the summer months.
Fall
Once again, this is the time to head to Europe. Flights to most major European destinations will be cheaper from October onwards, mainly because the schools are no longer on holiday and families are not traveling as much. Temperatures are normally perfectly pleasant until mid November, so grab yourself a fall bargain in Europe.
While you may choose to travel at any time, some destinations will be more reasonably priced to fit your travel budget during certain times of the year. Also, keep in mind that not all attractions will be available throughout the entire year.
Recently I looked into traveling to Alaska during late October. One of the things we like to do is visit national parks and wildlife reserves. But come to find out, many of the Alaskan wild life areas close for the winter starting around late September. Needless to say we adjusted our travel plans.
Wherever your travels may take you, be safe and enjoy yourself!
Happy Halloween!
Once again, the end of October is here. In a few more days young witches, ghosts and goblins will fill the evening streets to go from door to door asking for treats. Many of the older, more mature Halloween crowd will celebrate the evening attending or hosting a party.
Halloween is celebrated in many countries around the globe, not only in the United States.
But perhaps we, in the US, really know how to celebrate the occasion.
According to the National Retail Federation:
- 158 million of us will participate in some form of Halloween celebration.
- Consumers are expected to spend $6.9 Billion (yes, that’s B as in billion!) on Halloween this year.
- Halloween spending is up by almost $30 per consumer from just 2005.
- 70% of Americans plan to purchased Halloween decorations.
- Consumers will spend on average $28 per on costumes.
To get more details and see for yourself what Americans are doing when it comes to Halloween go to: National Retail Federation Retails’s Big Blog
So how will you celebrate? Party or not, enjoy your Halloween!
Happy Halloween From All Of Us!
Esmeralda & OlderWiserWomen®