SUNSET DAZE

Twenty-something adults had all the fun with reality shows like the Real World, American Idol, The Apprentice and the Bachelorette. We Boomers had nothing, so I wrote to ABC and asked them to create a show called "Baby Boomer Bachelorette". I volunteered to be the first "Baby Boomer Bachelorette". But, I never heard anything back from them!

Finally, we have our own show - "Sunset Daze", which follows a group of fun-loving boomers who are living in Sun City in Arizona.

Think "Real World" with wrinkles, grey hair and Viagra! I just watched an episode and it's a riot with the Boomers acting like Spring Breakers on a perpetual break. They're boozing it up at happy hour, talking about sex, trying to find a date and lounging by the pool.

Check it out on WE tv. http://www.wetv.com/

Low-Tax Retirement Locations

Our parent's worked hard their entire lives and dreamt of retiring to MECCA -- which for them meant either Arizona or Florida.

Today, Boomers are considering more than just warm weather and a beach when exploring retirement cities. A primary consideration nowadays is low taxes. Frankly, I'd love it if our pensions were tax-free, but that'll never happen. Wouldn't you agree that by the time we've reached 60 we've paid enough in Federal Income Taxes?

While you can't control what you have to pay in Federal Taxes, you certainly can reduce your cost of living by moving to a State where there are no income taxes --Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.

You also can reduce your tax burden by moving to a state with low sales taxes and reduced property taxes because you're living in a community without schools.

An excellent article can be found at: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/10-great-low-tax-places-to-retire.html

After all, if you can find a way to reduce your tax burden, it's the same as giving yourself a pay raise!!

The Brown Palace

Retirees are always looking for a fun afternoon outing, so after our book club discussion of the “Murder at the Brown Palace”, we decided to take a tour of the historic Hotel located in Downtown Denver. The Hotel is an impressive site, triangular in shape and the exterior is a deep red hue from the Colorado granite and Arizona sandstone. The Brown Palace was built by Henry Cordes Brown. He was quite the entrepreneur, purchasing several acres of land and then donating a part of it for the state capitol building. With the Country’s first 8 story atrium, the Hotel was considered an architectural feat for that era.

While the Brown Palace is known world-wide for treating their guests like royalty, it’s a hit with local Denverites for their afternoon High Teas, with tasty scones, delicious pastries and delicate tea sandwiches.

A highlight of the tour was to see the area where the “Murder” took place, but the famous “Marble Bar” is no longer there, having been removed during a remodel.

We ended our tour with a visit to one of their executive suites that was so huge it looked bigger than my home. I was thrilled to see it because at $1650 a night that’s the only way I ever would!