Part 1 in a 2-part series   New Year’s resolutions tend to come (and mostly go) because we don’t stick with them. However, rather than a resolution, think more about how you really want to live your life next year. Are you retired and getting bored? Are you still working but feeling unfulfilled? Or are you simply ready for something new? Why not take that motivation and turn it into something lasting for the New Year? Why not start a business?   We hear you! it’s definitely not going to be easy but as the saying goes, “if it was easy, everyone would do it”. However, Boomers in particular have an advantage over younger entrepreneurs. Boomers have had life and work experience. They have gone [...]

It’s the same every year. You stress about what to get family and friends. What do they need? What do they actually want? Will they like it? And then you think about the gifts that you have received over the years and how many have gone unused or end up being donated. Why not make sure this year that the gifts that you give will keep on giving? As we mentioned in a previous blog , there are plenty of companies and organizations that donate a portion of their proceeds to causes and charities. FirstLantic has some great ideas that will allow you to make a positive social impact and help you feel great about gifting!   Support artisans around the world Branch Out Market [...]

As the saying goes, ‘tis the season to be jolly. For many of us, that means bringing out the decorations, sipping some eggnog and singing carols around the fire. However, for others, the holidays can be stressful or lonely or simply a reminder of the things that they lack. For those of you that have the good fortune of feeling that holiday joy, why not spread it around and make the season a little brighter for someone else? Fortunately, there are no shortage of ways that you can make a difference and FirstLantic has some suggestions to help you get started!   Sponsor a family What if you did not have the money to buy even the most modest of gifts for your loved ones? [...]

Studies show that older people that are involved in doing good for others also tend to be happier and more positive. In fact, a recent research report conducted by Stanford University, found that 34 million older American adults, or nearly a third, exhibit purpose beyond the self – that is, they actively pursue goals that are both personally meaningful and contribute to the greater good. Download the report here >   And with estimates that 140 million Americans will be over 50 by 2035, there is a lot of talent that non-profits and social enterprises can tap into. Two of those organizations, Encore.org and Senior Corps are determined to do just that. They are both focused on matching seniors with groups that can utilize their [...]

For most of us, the Internet has become a regular part of our daily lives. Whether we are using it for information gathering, entertainment or social interaction, it’s hard to imagine what we did before we had all of this information at our fingertips!   However, it can be daunting to find sites that are specifically targeted towards a senior demographic, so FirstLantic has put together a comprehensive list for you. And to make it easier to find your area of interest, we have categorized them in themes such as travel, technology, humor, dating, careers, etc. If you simply want to download the full list to keep as a handy guide, click here.   Travel   It’s time to hit the road and there is [...]

Fraud affects up to 25 million people per year in the United States alone and seniors are especially vulnerable. If you are age 60 or older—you are at an increased risk of being a target of con artists who sell fake products and services by email or telephone. And with mid-terms right around the corner, electoral fraud is another potential threat. Posing as political volunteers, they try to lure voters into donating money by asking for cash or a credit card number. They may even offer to register you over the phone if you provide your social security number (which is not a legal method of registration in any state).   So what are some other common fraudulent schemes to watch out for and how [...]

Part 2 in a 2 part series. In our FirstLantic blog last week, we provided some inspiring examples of baby boomers who have embarked on new career paths. This week we want to help you get started on planning your own “encore” career with helpful resources. One of the most intimidating parts of the process can be figuring out where to even begin. And then the old self-doubt starts to creep in. “Am I too old to start something new?” ‘Will I be able to keep up with my younger peers when it comes to technology?” “What new skills will I need?” Fortunately, there are organizations that were started with the express intention of making it easier for boomers to start fresh whether that be [...]

Part 1 in a 2 part series Have you ever contemplated what it would be like to have an “encore” career? It wasn’t that long ago that an idea like that would have been considered impossible. But like many outdated notions, that’s no longer the case. Many baby boomers aren’t satisfied with simply settling for golf and bridge games in retirement but instead are embarking on completely new careers. Boomers have always valued hard work and were willing to pay their dues to get ahead. That’s why many boomers are not afraid to start a new chapter. They have acquired valuable skills in their work life and they see an opportunity to parlay those skills into a second act. In fact, 74 percent of workers [...]