The Bay Area's Resource For Active, Healthy Living After 50
Issue 117 December 2024
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Check Out Featured
Stories In This Issue
Senior Discounts: Your Gift
For Saving Money In 2025
Besides asking for senior discounts at the usual suspects (restaurants, lodging, etc) ask every business you deal with, including those whom you "think" won't offer them.
Ask Larry:
Forget Dental Insurance. Pay Cash!
Dental insurance is a joke and hardly covers anything. Maybe you should forget dental insurance and pay cash. Some dentists will give you up to a 25% discount on dental work, especially teeth cleaning.
Discovering Mysterious Bhutan:
"The Land Of The Thunder Dragon"
--Keith Clarke
For us, Bhutan wasn’t just a vacation spot—it was a chance to step into a world that prioritizes happiness, culture and environmental preservation.
'Tis The Season And All That Money Stuff
--Evelyn Preston, Money Lady
Resolve to revisit your money mindset along with year-end investments. Then decide to change or stay the course that will see you through to many Happy New Years ahead.
Looking For Financial Freedom In Retirement?
For generating extra income in retirement, your biggest gift may be the equity in your home. Call Marilyn Brown Ross to see if a reverse mortgage is right for you. 408.722.0010.
Get Up And Go!
Trek on nature trails, learn about different cultures, explore historic sites, experience new culinary flavors, connect to people with shared interests and stay healthy with Bay Area Older Adults.
Exceptional Independent Senior Living
Senior living doesn't get any better than living at Chateau-Cupertino whether you're in retirement or just ready for the next
great phase of your life. Call Marie Louise Cates 408.446.4300.
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Thank You For 20 Years Of Support
As I reflect on ActiveOver50’s 20th anniversary, I’m filled with gratitude for your unwavering support. Each day is a gift and I’m honored to share it with you through our publication.
Be Kind To Each Other
ActiveOver50 is the Bay Area's Resource For Active, Healthy Living After 50, reaching over 100,000 boomers and seniors. Share it with friends and family—it’s completely free!
For more stories and news about boomers and seniors, visit ActiveOver50.com.
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A Heartfelt Thank You For 20 Years
Of Support
By Larry Hayes,
Publisher of ActiveOver50 Media
Dear Friends,
As I reflect on ActiveOver50’s 20th anniversary, I’m filled with gratitude for your unwavering support. Each day is a gift and I’m honored to share it with you through our publication.
Your readership, along with the support of our advertisers, has made it possible for us to connect with boomers and seniors across the Bay Area and beyond, inspiring active lifestyles and fostering a vibrant community. It’s a privilege to be part of such a dynamic group, especially as an 85-year-old active USTA tennis player myself.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of staying active, engaged and inspired!
With heartfelt thanks and wishing you and yours a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!--Larry
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Senior Discounts: Your Gift For Saving Money In 2025
Publisher's Note: While shopping for new furniture at Macy's, I asked the salesperson for a senior discount, although I felt that
getting one was a long shot at best. Surprise! It was granted!
Besides asking for discounts at restaurants and other places that typically grant them, ask every business you deal with, including those whom you "think" wouldn't offer them such as your dentist, doctor, contractor, handyman plus the big ones--Macy's, AT&T,
PG&E, cable/streaming networks, etc.
Never underestimate the power of asking! Many businesses, from restaurants to hotels to car rentals, offer senior discounts up to 10%
or more. So, don't be shy, ask away in person. Online. Or call.
Popular Senior Discounts--Partial List
National Parks Senior Lifetime Pass 62+
Amazon 50% off Prime membership. Must be a recipient of SSI, SNAP or other government assistance.
Denny's & Chili's 10% 55+.
Home Depot 10%. Must be an active duty or retired military member with honorable status or spouse of either.
Kohl's 15% 60+ Wednesday.
American & Southwest 10% 65+.
Lowe's 10%. Must be an active duty or retired military member or their spouse.
Ross Dress for Less 10% 55+ Tuesdays.
Michael's 10% 55+.
Best Western 10% 55+.
TJ Maxx 10% 55+. Not available at all locations.
KFC 10% 55+.
READ MORE for discounts you may not be aware of.
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‘Tis the Season And All That Money Stuff
By Evelyn Preston, Money Lady
It was James Thurber, the famous New Yorker humor writer, who wrote, “Spare me those people, usually women, who jump up in the middle of the night with an idea and say, ‘Oh, I must get that down on paper!"
Well, here I am, it’s late, and I started thinking about how far we’ve come from simple basics—money made, spent and saved—to the weightier financial concerns of trusts, investments, annuities and so much more.
Whether dealing in dollars, euros, rials or yen, money makes the world go ‘round and impacts every aspect of our lives.
Just consider how “money talk” is colorfully woven through our language. Market jitters caused a Black Monday in ’87 but we’d rather be in-the-black with money spent on Black Fridays vs. being in-the-red and owing others.
Most seniors prefer staying lean and green. Of course, almost everything gold is good, especially if it’s for our own golden years.
READ MORE
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Ask Marilyn
"Is a Reverse Mortgage Right
For You?"
With over 15 years experience right here in Silicon Valley, I can help answer your questions about reverse mortgages.
Q: Will the bank own my home?
The bank does not take ownership of your home; they simply extend
a loan to you. You continue to own and live in your home and are responsible for payment of property taxes, required insurance and if applicable, HOA fees.
Q: Do my children/family members lose their inheritance?
No, a borrower may designate an heir of their choosing.The heir(s) will inherit the home after the last surviving borrower passes away and may then choose to keep (by paying off the amount of reverse mortgage balance) or sell the home. Should they choose to sell, any remaining equity after paying off the loan (minus interest and fees) would be theirs.
Q: What is the lending limit of the HECM reverse mortgage?
As of January 1, 2023, it increased to $1,089,300. Which means
it's very likely you can qualify for more money.
To learn more about reverse mortgages, call me today 408.722.0010. Email: gmross2404@comcast.net.
Marilyn Brown Ross reverse mortgage professional
NMLS #453436/1221981
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Discovering Mysterious Bhutan: "The Land Of The Thunder Dragon"
By Keith Clarke
When my wife and I began planning our next big trip, we wanted a destination that was adventurous, beautiful and meaningful. Having heard interesting things about its cultural preservation efforts, pride in Buddhist heritage, and emphasis on communal happiness, we landed on Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom known as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.”
For us, Bhutan wasn’t just a vacation spot—it was a chance to step into a world that prioritizes happiness, culture and environmental preservation.
Our trip lasted 12 unforgettable days in early November, a time when Bhutan’s landscapes are a breathtaking mix of lush, forested greenery and golden harvest fields. The weather was perfect: cool, crisp mornings that gave way to sunny afternoons.
From the moment we arrived in Paro, it felt like we had been transported to another time. The entire country seemed to move at a gentler pace, and everyone we met was friendly, welcoming and spoke English.
READ MORE
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ASK LARRY
Letter To Publisher
"Forget Dental Insurance. Pay Cash Instead!"
--MB, San Francisco
"The fact is you should forget dental insurance and pay cash. You can make a deal with the dentist for a 10-25% discount on dental work, especially teeth cleaning.
The amount you spend annually on insurance that most dentists don't want to take can cover two or three teeth cleanings per year. It makes no sense to have insurance that good dentists will not take.
If you don't care about quality, you probably get what you pay for using HMOs or cheap dental insurance. Good dental hygiene on your part will cut down dental visits for cleaning and eating properly will also help. No smoking, of course.
If you had a dentist prior to your starting using HMOs or inexpensive dental insurance, you should talk to the dentist and see if he will give you a discount for cash (or CC). He is saving all the problems with administrative hassles and gets paid right away. They appreciate it."
Got a question or comment? Ask me anything. If I don't know
the answer, I'll find someone who does. Ask Larry is written by Larry Hayes, ActiveOver50 publisher. Email: Larry@activeover50.com. Visit: ActiveOver50.com.
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Discover Chateau-Cupertino
Senior Independent Living Community With a Flair
Senior living doesn't get any better than living at
Chateau-Cupertino whether you're in retirement or just ready for the next great phase of your life. Enjoy a home-life environment in your own senior apartment with three fresh served home-style meals daily.
Housekeeping and laundry services, all basic utilities, great activity programs, game rooms and transportation--all included starting at $3,400 per month.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Cupertino is one of the best places to live in the San Francisco Bay Area--home to world famous Apple.
Come and see for yourself. Chateau-Cupertino.
Call 408.446.4300. Or email: MarieLouise@chateau-cupertino.com.
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To Add A Chuckle To Your Day, Check Out John Donaghue's Latest Comics.
Under Cardiac Arrest is a comic series starring a quirky couple loosely based on John Donaghue's parents. Besides thousands of followers online, UCA has been translated into greeting cards, shirts, mugs and a book.
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