Seniors Site

If you Google the words “email safety”, notice that there are two age groups often warned about it: kids and seniors. It is because the risk of these groups getting abused over emails is quite rampant. Kids are usually curious beings and almost always curiosity clouds better judgment while seniors are usually trusting and, well, curious beings too so the fate they share is pretty much the same as always.
Anyway, I would to share my rule of thumb when using the internet, particularly emails. Number one is, never be too trusting, not even if it’s your friends sending you messages. Why? It is because you can never know for sure if it is really them or if malicious intent is there. You just have to be careful ALL THE TIME. No excuses.
· Never ever share your online information, personal and otherwise. Not even to your husband. Or your kids. My partner and I, we love to share bank info etc with each other. This is because we often forget our own info while we found out that we are each other’s excellent info keeper however, I don’t think that is wise when it comes to online information as it can be passed without you and your partner knowing. Anyway, you can always hit that “forgot my password” link to sort effects of baby memory.
· Online information is always passable, no matter how careful you are. Emails get forwarded, so does your signatures and whatnot. Your nasty email about your neighbor can even find its way to your – horrors – neighbor’s inbox, say 2 months from now so as much as possible, provided only little information about yourself.
· Never open an email from someone you don’t know or wasn’t expecting. Email spammers are talented beings, they know what to write and how best to lure you into opening their emails. Some of the things they wrote there sound true enough to call action so as a good precautionary measure, just don’t open them.
· ..and don’t open attachments as well, or click links on emails. Okay, you accidentally opened a spam mail and there’s this very enticing attachment that comes with it and there’s also this link which is supposed to “redirect” you to a website that will fulfill your wishes. To open or not to open? Of course the answer is DON’T. It is because these are the first steps to getting yourself in trouble. Downloading a malicious attachment or even opening up an affected website are sure fire ways to infect your computer with virus.
· Make it a habit to report. Anything you encounter that got you suspicious should be reported at once. Don’t be shy about it since big, legitimate companies will definitely appreciate it and most of all, you are going to help other people by doing so.

You would be amazed how seniors are now getting into online selling. Just consider the number of successful online stores out there that are operated and managed by seniors, particularly those who have just retired and enjoying the perks of retirement.

It is a no-brainer actually, online selling indeed fits seniors to a tee. Why not? Online selling allow seniors to be able to control their working hours, work from home, and most especially earn some while doing so.

However, some senior online sellers think that the only way to sell online is through a fully functional ecommerce website. This thought alone may discourage a senior from getting into the bandwagon considering the technical skills needed to run an ecommerce website not to mention the amount of money it needs in order to be up and running. Senior sellers need not be afraid as there are many ways other than an ecommerce website to sell your stuff – some don’t even cost a dime to start!

* Auction sites. Surely you have heard of one, perhaps even participated in one. If not, then think “Ebay” and you’re on the right track. There are still many out there and most of them don’t require registration fee to join. If you are just testing the waters then opt to go for a simple text ad which usually won’t cost you anything other than basic fees, if applies.
* Online marketplaces. If Ebay is synonymous to online auction site, then Amazon gets this one. Again, there are many out there however, Amazon is the most recommended especially for newbies since they have millions of members – who are potentially buyers – and they provide awesome support to new sellers.
* Targeted marketplaces. I firmly believe that the pioneer for targeted marketplaces is Etsy. For those of you who are not familiar with the website, Etsy is a place for artists to buy and sell their products. Etsy supports handmade products like jewelries, clothing and keepsakes.
* Online classified ads. To date, the most popular is Craiglist. Walmart has their own classified ads too and I believe they offer this service for free. Online classified ads are like traditional newspaper-classified ads only they can be found online and much easier to scan.
* Social Networking Sites. Most social networking sites do not encourage businesses from using their sites to sell their stuff but let’s face it, it is the easiest way to get attention and they have the best and widest audiences. You just have to find a way to get attention while following the site’s rules and regulations regarding selling stuff.

I won’t even dare say that seniors are computer illiterate and wouldn’t know the difference between a computer mouse and a house rat because that will definitely contradict the study that shows boomers to be the fastest growing group in terms of new Facebook users. Interesting right? Well, I am not surprised as I have 3 fellow bloggers well on their 60s and about 50% of my class in middle school are my Facebook friends, about half of that number is actively engaged in Twitter and some can even be found dabbling on other online activities. My ancient neighbor-friend even plays online games against his grandchildren! That alone will tell you that seniors are indeed catching up, if not one step ahead.
True, most of these seniors require help getting their way around online but you have to give it to them too; contrary to popular notion, they are not resistant to learning. For “still-hesitant seniors”, do take note that you are not doing it just because it’s the “in” thing to do but you have to learn it in order for you to stay connected—and staying connected is quite important. Quite frankly, this is how the world works now, you just have to go with the flow.
Here are some of the easiest ways to connect online:
•    Facebook. Why not? Everybody knows Facebook—even the dog next door has one and if you add them today you’ll probably be lucky enough to know when he’s pooping or where he’s heading to poop. If the dog can feed you information about their personal life through Facebook—even those you don’t really want to know—then why can’t you?
•    Twitter. The beauty of Twitter is its simplicity which suits older people to a T. Aside from that, it has a very wide audience which will help seniors find their friends easier than any other social networking sites. I would like to think of Twitter as a “mini press release” site since you can find the freshest news from your favorite celebrity down to your favorite news station.
•    Emails. I’m a big fan of letters. I can still remember back when I was a kid, I used to sit on the porch waiting for the mailman to arrive and deliver my grandma’s letter for me. I would know the days when to expect it and my grandma never failed, not even once. When emails came, I was a tad disappointed but overtime I have learned to like them—although I still prefer the handwritten-in-paper kind.
•    Skype. Skype became popular because of its ability to combine two major communication means into one place, along with 101 fun things to do with Skype at a lesser price, some none at all! You can now throw away your home phone, along with that video phone because Skype can do these things for you without the cost. Chat with your friends anytime you want, talk with your kids all you want, call an emergency conference with your business associates anywhere you want (since you can install Skype on your smartphones too) –possibilities are limitless.

Debunking myths about senior workers is quite hard since it comes with a little bit of discrimination on the side. You can’t really blame a 30-year old hiring manager to be doubtful of their senior applicants as it is already forged in their minds since childhood that older people should be treated delicately and they really couldn’t do what younger people can do which leaves many seniors jobless and unfortunately penniless.

While there are ways to squirm your way out of this situation like building a network before hand and aiming for a consultant work even before you reach your retirement, sad thing is, many seniors were hit by the financial crisis unprepared. Add to that the persistent notion that seniors aren’t capable of handling hard labor anymore—a notion that even we, seniors, sometimes believe.

To give you a morale boost, here are some myths—busted—for senior workers or those looking for work:

MYTH 1:  Older people do not stay long with the company. Unless you look like as if you have gone to a chemo therapy session and back (sick and all), there’s no reason for companies to not hire you just because of this myth. In reality, older people tend to stay put since they usually have strong sense of loyalty for the company they work for.

MYTH 2:  Clients prefer to work with younger people. Contrary to this notion, clients do prefer to work with older people as much as possible since clients tend to trust older people than working with younger employees.

MYTH 3:  Senior workers take more days off than younger ones. Older workers seldom take days off unless it is a real illness. They never miss work for personal reasons.

MYTH 4:  Senior workers do not use technology to lighten up work load. Who says older people don’t know how to use the computer? Unless we’re really really old, say a hundred, then I’m proud to say that we seniors do know how to use techie stuff as efficiently as younger workers do.

MYTH 5:  Seniors are productivity-impaired. Yes, it may not be possible for us to be doing yoga while closing a deal but with years-experience, working already became a second nature to us, eliminating mistakes younger workers tend to commit.

MYTH 6:  Our brains are resistant to learning. With the right amount of training, senior workers are adaptable to changes and they do learn quickly. With the technology of today, when everything is done with a single click of a button, our ability to move faster becomes unimportant.

Let’s face it, not all retirement plans end in a successful fruition. Some seniors I know, or those nearing retirement are quick to admit, it really takes a lot more than careful planning. Worse, if luck is not on your side, market shares drop unexpectedly, leaving you with last minute, frantic calculations of your liquid assets and those unattended extra something you can quickly turn into cash, i.e assets you failed to notice then when you were living comfortably.

Sadly, I have heard stories from friends—and I am sure, you have heard them too—seniors delaying retirement for 5 or so more years just to make sure they won’t experience a “dry spell”—something that is far from amusing when you are well into your retirement age..

Lucky are those who were granted to work some more years but how about those who already went on with their retirement only to realize they needed to go back to work? Here are some tips for landing a better retirement job because for me, going back to work while retired need not be a pain at all!

•    Start local. There are jobs you can find without going too far from your own home—you just have to look for them and in some instances, be creative enough to spot opportunities. You can even inquire with your last place of work for job openings or part time jobs. If you did good during your working years, there is a big chance they will hire you again.
•    Aim for part-time jobs, if possible. You still need to somehow enjoy your retirement years, which means a work should not occupy 100% of your time anymore. You just don’t have the energy for that anymore and you are wasting valuable time if you do. Having part-time jobs is enough to tide you over, along with other monetary aid you’re supposed to be receiving.
•    Look for temporary jobs. Companies are now hiring for projects on a temporary basis. Jobs like this are usually not critical of age and would hire base on expertise. Aside from that, temporary jobs pay as much as regular jobs, sometimes even higher.
•    Join community programs. Government indeed takes care of their people. You just have to get out there and join. While you can volunteer for programs, paying jobs are also available.
•    Expand your horizons. All you need is a little background on something and you’re off to something big—on your free time! Join free seminars and watch online instructional videos for free. Learning something new will help you land a job that is both enjoyable and fulfilling.

Seems like working at home is on the rise as I have been receiving questions from my senior friends regarding this. There are many whats, hows and ifs, however, if you are quite familiar on how computers and the internet work, you are most likely to find your niche—or your own place—in no time!

For business-minded seniors who have limited startup budget or perhaps looking for a more flexible way of operating a store, that is without physically being there all the time, then an online store is for you. You’ll be quite amazed to see how online stores have evolved these days and store-owner support is stronger than ever—some don’t even require an uber-techie person to have one up and running!

Have services to offer? You can actually offer services of any kind to anybody over the internet. And when I say, anything, I do mean anything! But for the wholesomeness of it all, I will just talk about those clerical and office skills you may have or were able to hone over the years working 9-5. This includes bookkeeping, typing, transcriptions, data entry and coding. These are very much in demand nowadays and there are marketplaces in the internet wherein you can join and be found by potential employers.

However, working from home doesn’t mean you are free from paying taxes and other insurance issues. They still exist, mind you. If you are thinking of opening your home to make way for a small business you have in mind, be sure to ask your broker of your insurance coverage and have them arrange what is needed for your small business. They may have to adjust your coverage or have you get another one for the business.

When it comes to taxes, make sure your accountant is well-informed of your decision as you still need to pay municipal and corporate taxes unless you qualify for an exemption. Also, take advantage of other deductions involved when working from home. Just make sure you qualify for one before you actually make a claim.

Make sure you also check your local zoning laws since it can make or break your small business. Zoning laws restrict certain kinds of establishment so it is best to check them out and see if your business is allowed before actually putting it up. Saves you a lot of headaches in the long run.

Don’t forget your license. Businesses, no matter how big or small, require licenses and permits, if you want to operate legally. Check with your local authorities for requirements.

The problem with job seeking seniors is, most of the time, they had been out of the playing field far too long that they don’t know how to play the game anymore! Similar to dating, times have changed. Those which worked before such as pickup lines and dining out may no longer be applicable today and may even cost you your chance of getting the job you want.
Before you go on fierce job hunting, it is important to remember that a proper mindset is a must. Nowadays, companies know what they want from an employee long before they announce their need for one—and unfortunately, they don’t look back in firing an employee if he falls short of what’s expected of him since they know applicants are most likely be lining out their doors as soon as you leave the office premises! Sad but true.
So this blog post is to update job seeking seniors who would like to still be in the corporate world despite its very demanding nature. I believe that there are people who were born to be in the corporate world, then there are those who prefer otherwise. The same can be said for seniors or older adults in the workforce.
TECHNIQUE 1:  Get connections—top honchos to back you up. Gone are the days when you get a job just because a dear friend helped you squirm your way into the company office. In fact, most companies avoid getting tangled to such mess since they are not getting the most out of their employees—and it is bad for the company rep too.
TECHNIQUE 2:  Generalized or pre-made resume—include everything you know, even those vaguely connected to the job you are applying to. While it is good to let the hiring manager know that you are indeed an all-around guy or gal, it can backfire. Be more specific. Keep your resume as short and simple as possible—and right on target. What’s important is that your hiring manager will know that you are suitable for the job.
TECHNIQUE 3:  Come strong—and confident. Yes, it is good to be confident—confident that you can do the job right, that is. The company doesn’t need someone who is too strong since it is a sure sign that you are not flexible enough to accept changes when they happen. They just need you to be honest so they will know if they are choosing the right one for the job—never take it personally.
TECHNIQUE 4:  Brandishing your degrees to get the top position. Unfortunately, everyone needs to start from bottom and work their way up, unless your years-experience will be credited. When applying for a job, take it at face value and never expect something more or else, you’ll end up disappointed.

Seniors need to be wise about spending their retirement money. It doesn’t mean that upon retirement, you are entitled to spend everything your nest egg holds—that might have worked years ago but certainly not now and not in the near future either. It seems that the best thing to do now is to find ways to “supplement” your retirement fund so you can live comfortably by it. Here are some simple tips on how to grow your retirement money or make some extra bucks while retired:
•    Downgrade and sell stuff. Now that your kids have flown away from the nest you so fondly call “home”, you no longer need a 5-bedroom house—besides, you may notice how managing such big house becomes a pain. Sell everything you no longer need and earn some extra cash in the process.
•    Find a part time job. Just make sure that it is something you truly enjoy and won’t tire you much. Ideally, get a part time job that you can do on your spare time so you can still enjoy your retirement without work interfering with it.
•    Review your investment options. But please proceed with caution as there are many risky investment schemes offered as well. Contact your broker and ask about the best—but safe—options for your retirement money. The same goes for banking. Shop around for higher interest rate.
•    Take advantage of rewards and rebates your credit card offers. Nowadays, most credit cards offer rewards or rebates programs wherein points are automatically credited to your credit card upon usage.
•    Rent parts of your house. If it’s impossible for you to sell your big house, opt to rent some portions of it instead. It can be a room off the back of the house or your garage if you are disposing one of your cars or even your storage room for those who need an extra space.
•    Sell your produce. Organic produce are ever so popular nowadays, and they cost extra expensive as well! If you do well in gardening, why not try selling your produce too? It will definitely be a hit among your neighborhood and you earn an extra which is the most important part of all.
•    Bake and sell. Like baking? Or even cooking? You can sell them especially during special occasions like wedding, simple get-togethers and whatnot. For this, you can advertise over local newspapers or put up your own online store.
•    Use senior discounts whenever possible. You’ll be amazed on how much you’ll be able to save if you avail these discounts. You just have to ask.

Let’s face it, sometimes it gets really frustrating at work especially if your career has already become a routine for you. Or perhaps you lost interest and would rather do something else. However, we all know that is not easy to just drop everything, pack your bags and leave since most of us are bound by 101 financial reasons.
Nonetheless, not having enough motivation at work does not always mean you do not like your work anymore. Maybe you just need a quick break or you have been knee deep all along and it’s already stressing you out. Here are some tips on how to maintain a healthy career motivation for us, older adults, who are still in the workforce:
•    Try something new. There should be no such thing as monotonous career. If indeed you feel like you are having one, then it’s time to introduce challenge to your work. Try something new, just to help you get engaged again. Aside from that, you’ll be able to get your career to a whole new level.
•    Find new opportunities. New opportunities represent challenge and work. There’s no better way to get yourself motivated than finding new opportunities and ultimately be successful in making them work to your advantage.
•    Avoid complex situations. Sometimes, having too much complication at work will frustrate you enough to shut your whole brain down, affecting your work flow. To avoid this, try a more targeted approach and focus on the things that matters most. Trivial things can wait.
•    Step back and assess your problem. Is you career weighing you down or it lacks the “kick”? Knowing for certain what you want and how you want it done will help you get your motivation back.
•    Perhaps a change in scenery? As we age, it is only understandable that our body, mind and soul will crave change as well. Perhaps a change in pace or starting anew. While seniors may find it impossible to stop working altogether, you can always find ways to lessen the burden or make it more enjoyable for you to accomplish.
•    Set up goals. Having a definite purpose career-wise will help you stay motivated. It’s like walking toward one goal in which your path is well lit.
•    Remember where motivation comes from. It comes from within you, by the way. You can push yourself ‘til kingdom come but if motivation does not manifest by itself, then maybe it’s time for you to move on.

Don’t you just love being the guy who knows everyone by first name? Or if somebody just needs to talk to someone, you’ll be the first one they will ever contact to get this someone’s attention?.. Well, I say, that’s one of the perks that comes with living in this world for such a long time! Seniors who have been in the work force for so many years are indeed well-known in their chosen field. Even those stay-at-home wives must have filled at least 2 personal phone books when asked.
In line with this, let me just introduce to you a new word:  networking. You must have heard this word once or twice—many times if you are active in the “web” scene. Social networking for one is probably the most used term as of the moment but just to be fair, I won’t jump into conclusion that we all are aware of that. Networking, by definition, is the act of meeting new people and making new connections. For seniors, like I stated earlier, connections are never a problem since they already existed, unless of course if you are planning to make new connections in yet another field. Problem is, most of these connections just go to waste, instead of making the most out of them. Let me rephrase that, it’s not about using people you know but taking your business to the next level just by merely knowing these people.
In today’s world, knowing as many people as you can will definitely be an advantage for you. Take for example your resume. You name people there as your referral, and somehow it has to be someone who can vouch for you and at the same time, prove to the company that his or her words can be depended on. Just imagine if you wrote down a name of a president or CEO of a well-known company? Just imagine that! That’s networking at work!
I would like to think that everyday is an opportunity to make new connections. It was said that no man is an island, and I firmly believe that. There are billions of people out there and millions of ways to make connections, there is no good reason why you should not explore the possibilities of networking. Making yourself ready and presentable all the time are the next best things to do, to attract people. To make networking work to your advantage, you should know the golden rule:  that is offering your help whenever needed. This way, you are already paving the way to a good relationship which you can reap benefits from in the future. Also, word of honor is very important so always deliver your promises.
Networking is all about relationships—as much as possible, personal ones. It should be cherished and nurtured overtime to make it work.