Tips for Your Boomer Years

Who is John Galt? Get Your T Shirt & Bumper Sticker Today

Who is John Galt? This is the opening line of Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged and throughout the book, this question is asked and that question is being asked again today when we could use a  John Galt. I read Atlas Shrugged many years ago and over those years, it has popped into my head hundreds of times. What’s funny is that I’ve begun seeing “Who is John Galt?” bumper stickers and t shirts popping up too.

Written in 1957, Atlas Shrugged asks the question “What if all the creative minds went on strike?” As socialism and socialistic ideas destroyed people and society, it stole people’s will to take care of themselves and turned them into users, always demanding more from those providing it. The individual capitalist, the businessman is used to support the rotten system but reviled and hated at the same time.  John Galt steps in and persuades the thinkers, the businessmen and the doers to just leave and let the system fall so they can step back in and rebuild it.

Ayn Rand grew up in Russia during the Revolution and saw the rise of Communism there. Her books, like Atlas Shrugged, the Fountainhead and We the Living, all grew out of her experiences and her belief in Capitolism. If you haven’t read Atlas Shrugged, I’d highly recommend it. See if you can find parallels to our life today.

The first time I saw a “Who is John Galt” bumper sticker, I couldn’t help thinking how relevant that question is today. My next thought was “I want a John Galt bumper sticker AND a John Galt t shirt.” Strangely enough, a good friend of mine sent me a link to the John Galt Gift Store.

This website offers John Galt t shirts, John Galt bumper stickers and anything John Galt, as well as memorabilia for other Ayn Rand books such as the Fountainhead and We the Living. You can get a Reardon Steel t shirt or a Howard Roark t shirt.

Reading all the quotes on the t shirts and bumper stickers, brought back memories of what I liked about Ayn Rand’s books. My daughter is an architect so she’s getting a Howard Roark t shirt that says, “The question is not who is going to let me, but who is going to stop me.”

If you remember John Galt, check out the John Galt Gift Store.

Over Age 55 Discounts for Valentine’s Day or any Special Day

Those over 55 can get great Valentine’s Discounts on flowers, candy, Valentine cards and more.Check out some of these great age 55 discounts, not just for Valentine’s Day, but every day of the year.

Factory Card & Party Outlets Those over 55 enjoy discounts of 10% off most party items purchased in the store. Planning a retirement party or anniversary party for someone over age 55? Check with individual stores to find those who participate in the senior discount program.

Many Hallmark Hallmark stores offer senior discounts and you can buy all your cards here at a 10% discount. Plus Hallmark also offers lots of gift items. Check with each individual Hallmark store near you to see what sort of senior discount, if any, that they offer.

Rite Aid is a large drugstore chain with stores in almost every state. Ask about their free Living More program. As a senior, you can enroll for senior discounts such as 20% off your entire purchase on the first Tuesday of each month and 10% off Rite Aid brand products any other day.

Need a Discount on Flowers this Valentines Day? Check with local flower stores and florists and ask about senior discounts.

1800FLOWERS offers a 15% senior discount to those over age 50 by putting in the word SENIOR into the promo code spot when ordering, either online or by phone. When ordering by telephone, mention the word SENIOR to the operator.

Check with your favorite florist to see if they offer a senior discount.

Many stores offering gift baskets also offer over 55 discounts. Most Mrs. Fields Cookies stores offer 10% senior discounts to those over age . You can get gift baskets here, as well as other sweets and gifts.Check your local Mrs. Fields for age requirements.

Would you like to take your sweetie out to dinner for Valentines? Here’s a listing of restaurants offering senior discounts on About.com. One other money saving tip for eating out - sign up for the membership offer on your favorite restaurant’s website. You usually get discount email coupons for $5 off an entree, a free appetizer or a free dinner on your birthday.

You can also go to a website like RetailMeNot.com and do a search for your favorite restaurant coupons. That way, if they don’t have a senior discount, per se, you can still get a deal on dinner.

Try this great book, available on Amazon.com for more senior discount info and ideas:

Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures that You Absolutely Can’t Get Unless You’re Over 50, 2009-2010

Many department stores, like Kohls, offers senior discounts, so check with them for age requirements and the specific days for shopping. The Kohl’s in my area offers a senior discount to over age 60.

Some jewelry stores, like Zales, offer online coupons if you’re in the mood to get your Valentine some jewelry for the holiday. Check with other coupon sites as well. These aren’t strictly for over age 55 but you can still get a good deal.

If you’ve checked into the cost of stylish eyeglasses lately, you might think finding quality frames and lenses for a

great price is difficult to do. If so, check out the eyeglasses at Zenni Optical, your online optical store where you can get fashionable frames with quality workmanship, plus your prescription lenses, for under $25 in most cases.

You want your eyeglasses to be stylish and the choice of the perfect frames is a very personal fashion statement. Zenni Optical offers all styles from rimless, half rimmed and full rimmed frames, to stainless steel, titanium and aluminum.

Do you need bi-focals or progressive lenses at a discount price? Zenni Optical offers bifocals starting at $25 and progressive lenses starting at $37. Where else could you find fashionable, quality frames and lenses for that price?

Need sunglasses? Zenni Optical offers 7 different tints, starting at just $4.95, offered as an upgrade to the already low prices.

Finding well made, stylish glasses at a discount price does not have to be difficult. Check out the terrific frames at Zenni Optical and you’ll soon be ordering all your eyeglasses from them.

Read a review of Zenni Optical’s eyeglasses for more information.

I’m always looking for more money saving coupons, especially at Christmas time when everybody is more budget conscious. Here are some of the latest coupons to save you money this holiday season.

Coupon for $5 off Enfagrow Premium Vanilla - use at your favorite supermarket

Save at least 75 cents on any Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal at your favorite grocery store

Save your feet this holiday - Save $2 on any Dr. Scholl’s For Her Insole or Dr. Scholl’s For Her Smooth my Sole micro file at your favorite pharmacy

Lose weight this holiday season - Save $3 Off any ten Weight Watchers Smart Ones products at your favorite grocery store

Get a coupon for $10 off your next purchase at your local Comp USA or Tiger Direct store

Get up to 50 FREE prints from CVS Photo Center! Sign up today!

Save 40% on Oh Boy! Oberto products sold by Amazon.com

Save $1.50 on any package of Hormel Refrigerated Entree at your Favorite Supermarket

Buy One Get One Free on next order at Lane Bryant - Denim Jackets, Cardigan Sweaters, Jeans, Danskin Activewear and more

Make everyone smile with award-winning photo gifts in minutes with 30 free 4×6 prints and free shipping from Shutterfly

Join the largest online diabetic community and see if you qualify to receive a glucose meter at no charge

Get an extra $10 off Magazine prices - as low as $4.69 - Parents, Good Housekeeping, Oprah, Ladies Home Journey + more

check out more great money saving coupons at Coupon Surfer.com

My mother has had a beautiful grandfather clock in her entry way ever since I was a child. There’s

something nostalgic about the chimes of a grandfather clock marking the hour. I’ve always been interested in the history of clocks. One famous clock maker, Dent and Company, has been producing beautiful clocks for three centuries in Great Britain. Started in 1814 by the first Edward J Dent, Dent and Company made the famous Tower Clock in London’s House of Parliament, known as Big Ben.

You can find more great information about clocks on clocks blog which carries not only Quality grandfather clocks, but grandmother clocks.

The perfect wall clock can be a basic ingredient of the interior decor in any room in your home. Start with an elegant clock and then create your room around it. ClocksBlog can help you out by offering dozens of clock styles like Howard Miller wall and mantle clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle grandfather clocks and even atomic clocks.

Are you looking for quality clocks at discount prices? ClocksBlog can help with that too. Check out the Grandfather Clock Discounts for the holiday season and the zero financing on any clock priced over $1,000.

You probably have a special someone on your gift list this year who would cherish one of these amazing clocks.

The elegant clocks offered on ClocksBlog also come with free shipping on orders over $100.

Teddy Bears aren’t just for children anymore. Christmas is coming and if you need a gift idea for someone on your list, think about Personalized gifts. Each miniature bear from Teddy Delivery carries your personalized message in a cute red gift box.

My sister would love Ms Rhonda, which was designed especially for Teddy Delivery.

There are many teddy bear styles to choose from.

Shipping is free to all 50 states and orders are shipped the same day they are received if you order before 5pm. Teddy bears aren’t recommended for children under 3.

Check out the cute personalized gift teddy bears from Teddy Delivery. Someone on your gift list is sure to love one for a special occasion.

This post was sponsored by Teddy Direct.

The holidays are quickly approaching - do you need gift ideas for those on your list? Do you need something

special for your husband or wife, son or daughter? Elegant, brand name watches make a terrific gift for anyone on your list, and you can give a watch for any occasion, not just Christmas.

These days, when everybody has a budget for holiday shopping, BlueDial.com offers watches from the beautiful to the practical at bargain prices. Look for brand name watches such as the Casio casio g shock, or Bulova, Citizen, Cartier and many, many more famous brand watches - at up to 70% discount off store prices.

Besides holiday shopping, a time piece is a wonderful gift for a graduation from high school or college, a birthday, retirement or other special occasion. Every time that special person looks at the time, they will think of you.

Another budget-friendly feature of BlueDial.com is that they offer free, 2 day shipping in the continental US and orders placed before 2pm PST are shipped the same day. Bluedial.com has over 300,000 satisfied customers and accepts major credit cards, as well as pay pal.

If you’re looking for a special gift idea for a special occasion, a lovely and practical time piece will be treasured for many years to come.

Although I was compensated for this review, the next time I purchase a men’s watch for my husband, I will think BlueDial first.

How do you know if you need a digestive enzyme supplement? Your body needs digestive enzymes to help you absorb and assimilate all the nutrients you take in, either from eating healthy food or taking nutritional supplements. Our body products digestive enzymes but as we age, we produce less and less, meaning if we want to keep our weight, energy and digestion in good working order, we probably need a digestive enzyme supplement.

Do you find you can’t enjoy foods you once ate all the time, like lettuce and beans? If you suffer from

indigestion and heartburn frequently, have IBS or other digestive problems, and especially if you are over age 50 (there’s a reason older people have more digestive problems), you probably need digestive enzymes.

Do you also suffer from lack of energy or inflammation? Inflammation in the body can cause many health issues, from asthma to joint pain. Your body may be lacking in important enzymes which help break down the food you eat so that you get the most nutrients possible. When your body stops producing these important digestive enzymes, even if you eat a healthy diet, you won’t be absorbing the benefits, which only adds to your health problems.

Did you know that your immune system may also be suffering because it is expending it’s resources to complete the digestive process of the food in your blood stream? These days, with illnesses like H1N1 around, digestive enzymes are extremely important for building a healthy immune system.

I’ve been taking digestive enzyme supplements for about 3 months and the all too frequent heartburn and indigestion I was suffering from are now a thing of the past.

I’ve even been giving digestive enzymes to my 9 year old Labrador retriever. She’s been slowing down and lacking energy and the digestive enzyme supplement is helping her to break down her food and receive more nutrition. I break up an enzyme capsule and sprinkle it on her food and she’s been enjoying her daily walk so much more!

Since our bodies slow down on producing digestive enzymes, a good supplement can help digestive problems. Health guru Dr. Andrew Weil recommends digestive enzymes to aid cases of severe indigestion as does Dr. Mercola.

How do you find the best digestive enzyme supplement? The digestive enzyme supplement I use is sold by Dr. Mercola. Dr. Mercola supplements are high quality and priced to fit your budget. You can even save 10% by putting your supplements on auto-ship, which you can cancel anytime.

Giving your body the best digestive enzymes will increase quality of life by improving energy and digestion, building a better immune system and even increasing longevity.

More about digestive enzymes.

This past year, we’ve been remodeling our kitchen but we are still looking for a new kitchen sink to complete it. I recently found

stainless steel kitchen sinks on a website called Mr. Direct, which offers many sinks for under $100. When we’ve already spent several thousand dollars on a kitchen remodel, we welcome the chance to save some money as we finish up.

Besides 81 different stainless steel sinks, Mr. Direct also offers bathroom sinks and fixtures, shower and tub faucets and other accessories, all with same day shipping and great prices. If you love those new glass bathroom sinks, he has those too in various styles.

So whatever your remodeling needs might be, check out Mr. Direct and save yourself some money on your kitchen remodel or just to spruce up the look of your kitchen with a new sink.

This year on Black Friday, I plan to be home searching for deals on the Internet, rather than out fighting the traffic and hordes of people. Along with most of America, I’d love to see lots of people out shopping - since unfortunately our economy is pretty much built on people buying lots of things they probably don’t even need. Still, it’s almost our patriotic duty these days to shop!

Here are some strategies for finding the best sales on Black Friday:

1.  Starting today, it’s possible to scour Black Friday ads at websites like bfads.com and blackfriday.info, as well as going to your favorite retailers to see previews of their Black Friday ads. Many retailers have had their ads up for a few days.

2.  Make a list of which gifts or other items you’re looking for and when you find a great deal on it, make a note of the price and where you found it so you can compare.

3.  After you get your list, check out comparative pricing websites like PriceGrabber.com or YahooShopping.com to see if you can find better prices anywhere.

4.  Check online on Thanksgiving to see if you can get these Black Friday deals online. Sometimes you can even find online only deals with free shipping, etc. If there is a certain store where you like to shop, sign up for their email ads. Most will offer free shipping and other incentives to shop with them. I love shopping at Joann’s for yarn and knitting supplies. They’ve been emailing me great deals which can be used both online and in the store.

5.  If you’re going to go out shopping for sales on Black Friday, make a list of the stores you want to go to and map out a direct route. Check opening times. Many stores will even open at midnight Thanksgiving night for door buster sales. Be warned that this year, stores probably won’t be stocking many of these door busters, so either plan to be there extra early or make another plan to get the item.

If you plan to shop online, check out the stores at GoodShop.com where a portion of your purchase will be donated to the charity of your choice. Dozens of popular stores are available through GoodShop, just as the aforementioned Joanns, along with Best Buy, Kohls, JC Penny, and many many more. When a portion of my purchase goes to charity, I can feel even better about spending money.