All Posts in "The Senior Scene"

Inflation has consumers focusing on priorities

There’s a lot of wallet-watching these days.

As Americans continue to navigate inflation, 76 percent report cutting back on spending, up from 67 percent in 2024, according to the second annual Wells Fargo Money Study.

The majority of Americans also say they are making tough financial choices to navigate their lives, including delaying plans with hefty price tags such as travel, homeownership, education, marriage and retirement.

“There is a clear social narrative surrounding the question: ‘Do I, and will I, have enough?’ The fact that these questions are being asked is positive because we know the earlier people focus on their money behaviors, the more time they have to course-correct to achieve their goals,” said Michael Liersch, head of advice and planning at Wells Fargo.

An overwhelming 90 percent of those surveyed responded that they feel “sticker shock” in one or more areas of common spending, including eating out, attending a concert, buying a bottle of water, or downloading a video game. And they say actual costs are between 55 percent and 200 percent higher than what they expect.

“Spending is one of the most important factors to staying on track,” said Liersch. “I would encourage people to align their spending with what matters most to them.”

Nearly all Americans (94 percent) acknowledge they want to do just that: Align money choices with their values. And 86% want to be more intentional and thoughtful about spending.

According to Liersch, people “aren’t just winging it. They’re being extraordinarily introspective as they navigate their financial priorities.”

Trying not to be judged over money

Money can be an emotional topic, inciting envy, anxiety, and secretiveness. While 87 percent of the survey participants say it makes no difference to them how much money another person has, 56 percent keep how much they have secret, and 32 percent of them say it’s because they’re trying to avoid people judging them.

Americans also spend time thinking about how much money other people have – and wishing they could have more themselves. Forty-seven percent responded they often feel envious of how much money other people have, 37 percent admit to obsessing about getting rich, 34 percent admire social-media millionaires, and 23 percent admit to sometimes overspending just to keep up with people around them.

People “appear comfortable with other people being authentic about their financial situation, which is encouraging,” Liersch said. “So now it’s time to overcome self-judgment and reset the frame of reference from others to one’s own personal benchmark.”

Eighty-six percent of respondents say they have a clear picture of what they want their money to do for them. And the vast majority are optimistic about how to do it—87 percent say now is a good time to save, and 65 percent say now is a good time to invest. Yet 61 percent say they need a mental reset and are being held back by such factors as difficulty changing habits, lack of financial knowledge, and other financial responsibilities.

To overcome these challenges, consumers are seeking more financial advice year over year. Last year, 24 percent said they were seeking more advice from others; this year it’s 36 percent. Looking across generations, the desire for more advice is higher among teens (54 percent), gen Z adults (61 percent), and millennials (46 percent).

At a time when many are feeling cash-strapped, learning new ways to think about and manage money can help you take control of your financial future, Liersch noted.

The full Wells Fargo report is at sites.wf.com/wfmoneystudy-2025

Source: StatePoint Media

The Senior Scene by — April 24, 2025 in Personal Finance/Consumers

By Theresa Power-Drutis

The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress (2024 Point-in-Time, or PIT, report) indicates the highest recorded levels of homelessness in the U.S., with 771,480 individuals nationally experiencing homelessness on a single night. Contributing factors include an affordable-housing crisis, inflation, systemic racism, and the cessation of COVID-era support programs. Key findings include:

  • Homelessness in families with children rose by 39 percent from 2023, with nearly 150,000 children affected.
  • Over 152,000 individuals reported chronic patterns of homelessness, a 27 percent increase since 2007, with 65 percent living in unsheltered locations. ·
  • Military veterans are the only group showing a decline, with an 8 percent reduction since 2023 and a 55 percent drop since 2009 due to sustained funding.
  • One in five people experiencing homelessness was 55 or older; nearly half were living in unsheltered conditions.
  • People who identify as Black, African American, or African accounted for 32 percent of homelessness, despite being 12 percent of the population.
  • Emergency shelter beds increased by 18 percent, while transitional housing declined. Permanent-housing programs expanded modestly, reflecting targeted investments but not fully meeting demand.

The report underscores systemic challenges and limited success in addressing homelessness on a national level. County-level reports reflect similar challenges. (Editor’s note: The Pierce County 2025 homeless Point-in-Time count was conducted on Jan. 30-31. The results hadn’t been announced as of March 11. For the county’s 2024 count, results included a 23 percent increase in overall homelessness and a slight decrease in the number of people using specialized services for the homeless, according to the county’s Human Services Department.

“The annual PIT counts often mobilize large numbers of volunteers and serve to educate communities about homelessness. However, despite all the community effort and goodwill that goes into them, and due to no fault of the professionals and volunteers who carry them out, the counts are severely flawed,” said officials of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. Despite the flaws detailed in the National Law Center report, “Don’t Count On It,” the PIT is a critical requirement for each county’s federal funding to address homelessness. To learn more, view Pierce County’s PIT results from previous years or sign up to volunteer at piercecountywa.gov.

Theresa Power-Drutts is a director of League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County. She wrote this article for the organization’s January newsletter.

The Senior Scene by — April 24, 2025 in News
Love at any age

(Pictured: For older adults, the dating scene has opportunities and challenges.)

By Christina Healy

A record 25.9 million seniors are single and ready to mingle in America, up almost 6 million from a decade ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Some prefer to stay single, but enough seek companionship that marriage rates for seniors last year hit a 10-year high at 56 percent.

All these indicators, along with more seniors trying dating apps, suggest that cupid will be very busy in 2025.

While the dating scene for seniors offers opportunities, it’s not without challenges, especially for people who have been out of the game for decades.

Dating in the digital age is a good way to meet people but also potentially costly. Americans lost a record $1 billion to romance scams in 2023. Seniors were by far the most targeted age group in such fraud and should never send money to anyone they meet online.

The bedroom has gotten riskier, too, with sexually transmitted infections (STI) more than doubling among seniors between 2000 and 2022.

The cost of a date night has also increased.

With so many variables, Seniorly conducted a study analyzing 12 metrics of data across three main categories in all 50 states and D.C.: Health and well-being (overall health, mental health, life expectancy, and STI rates), family life (marital status, whether seniors live alone or with family, ratio of older women to men, and how engaged they are socially), and financial health (average date-night costs, availability of restaurants, the likelihood of falling prey to romance scams, and spending on memberships and clubs), .

Here’s some of what the study found out: 

  • Number of single seniors and marriage rate soar. The 25.9 million single seniors in America are the most ever – and the marriage rate of 56.3 percent is the highest in 10 years.
  • South Dakota is the No. 1 state for finding love, due to its exceptionally low rate of mental distress among seniors (5 percent), high percentage of older adults in good health (82 percent), and a balanced gender ratio among older adults of 111 women for every 100 men. The rest of the top five states are, in order, Minnesota, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Hampshire.

Washington ranked 29th, supported by a strong life expectancy (11th-best), solid health outcomes (18th-best), and a decent restaurant scene (19th-best) that enhances social opportunities. The state also has a fairly balanced gender ratio and above-average recreational spending. However, the Evergreen State has high STI rates, a high frequency of romance scam victims, and expensive date nights.

  • West Virginia ranked last due to its low life expectancy and poor health outcomes, among other shortcomings.
  • More fish in the sea isn’t always better. The country’s four most populous states ranked in the bottom half overall: No. 30 New York, No. 34 California, No. 40 Florida, and No. 43 Texas. Pennsylvania, the fifth-largest state, ranked 23rd. This suggests that a larger population doesn’t always translate to a better dating pool.
  • States with fewer single seniors tended to score better overall. The ironic twist may reflect stronger long-term relationship stability, better social support networks, and healthier folks – all factors that contribute to a higher quality of life and more favorable rankings.
  • Marriage isn’t just great for romance, but also a key ingredient to a longer and happier life. Married seniors can expect to live longer than their unmarried counterparts, are less likely to be lonely, and tend to be in better health.

While some seniors have sworn off dating, the Census data shows love is in the air. And online. Dating apps aren’t just for the young and restless – older Americans are swiping right, too. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 13 percent of adults 65 and older are in on the digital action, and with more than 1,000 online dating platforms out there, seniors looking for love have an overwhelming number of options.

Source: seniorly.com, an online researcher of senior lifestyle trends and information on selecting senior living communities.

NOTE: this can be a sidebar, along with the Social listings from TTD

10 ways to find love

Online dating.

Swipe, chat, spark! Senior-friendly dating apps like eHarmony, OurTime, and SilverSingles can make it easy to jump back into the dating game. Start with a flirty chat, try a video call, and when you’re ready, meet up for that perfect coffee date.

Social Media and online hangouts.

Facebook groups, hobby forums, and virtual book clubs can lead to real-life romance.

Local fun and community events.

Bingo nights, dance classes, and senior socials? Yes, please! Travel groups and cruise adventures can also be full of heartwarming surprises.

Fitness and active lifestyles.

Love might await at yoga classes, walking groups, and pickleball courts. Parks and gyms are the new senior singles scene.

Giving back and volunteering.

Do good, meet good people. Volunteering at charities, hospitals, and community events naturally brings like-minded hearts together.

Senior living and retirement villages.

Home is where the heart is—literally! 55-plus communities offer activities (and chances for romance).

Travel and senior dating cruises.

Adventure + companionship = the perfect match! Cruises, road trips, and group tours set the stage for connections.

Faith and fellowship.

Church groups, Bible studies, and faith-based retreats bring singles together in soulful ways. Bonus: Dating sites such as ChristianMingle and JDate make it even easier.

Second careers and workplace love.

Encore careers and part-time gigs aren’t just for income—they’re for meeting new people, too. Co-working spaces and networking events can spark unexpected romance.

Speed dating and matchmaking.
Senior speed dating? Yes, it’s a thing. Quick chats, big laughs, and maybe even love. For a more curated match, professional services have your back.

Source: seniorly.com

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Spotlight
Expert helps mushroom lovers get their fungi on

(Pictured: Button mushrooms are among the wild or market-bought mushrooms extolled by Chad Hyatt, a chef with an abundance of recipes for fungi cookery.)

Whether you’re a dedicated mushroom forager or you rely on the store or farmer’s market for your fungi fill, Chad Hyatt wants to help you can make the most of your mushroom haul with his upcoming book.

In “The Mushroom Hunter’s Kitchen,” which is scheduled for a July release by The Experiment Publishing, Hyatt, a professional chef and self-described mushroom foraging expert shares his favorite ‘shroom recipes, plus tips and techniques for cooking mushrooms safely and maximizing their flavor.

Hyatt hopes his guide to creating incredible meals (as well as snacks, preserves, and even desserts) helps foodies get the most out of the humble and ubiquitous button mushroom, the revered morel, the common oyster mushroom, the elusive huitlacoche, and everything in between.

Among his recipes and their categories are:

  • Preserves and condiments: Salted Mushrooms, Candy Cap Whole-Grain Mustard, Chanterelle Lemon Marmalade.
  • Breakfast: Matsutake Congee, Rosemary Buttermilk Biscuits with Mixed Mushroom Gravy.
  • Salads and Appetizers: Roasted Eggplant and Cauliflower Salad with Black Trumpet Vinaigrette, Spanish Tortilla with Potatoes and Mushrooms.
  • Soups and Stews: Porcini Chestnut Soup, Saffron–Milk Cap Stew with Pork Belly and Potatoes.
  • Hearty Entrées: Chicken Breast with Almondy Agaricus Pan Sauce, Blue Knight Ravioli.
  • Desserts: Matsutake, Pear, and Chestnut Strudel; Turkey Tail Sorbet.

Cooking with mushrooms doesn’t have to be intimidating, Hyatt says. Have pounds and pounds of shrooms to use up after a recent foraging excursion? Turn them into preserves using the techniques in the first chapter. Intrigued by a recipe, but prefer to stick to the varieties you can find at your local farmers’ market? No problem. His recipes offer substitutions for uncommon mushrooms, so they’re all within reach regardless of season or foraging experience.

In short, Hyatt is out to delight seasoned mushroom foragers, amateur fungi afficionados, and adventurous foodies alike.

As a classically trained chef, Hyatt has made a name for himself in northern California and beyond by sharing his spin on wild-mushroom cookery. He has cooked in a variety of restaurants and private clubs around the San Francisco Bay area, where he can also often be found hunting for mushrooms, putting on wild-mushroom-themed dinners, teaching mushroom-related classes, and attending mushroom festivals. He said he is passionate about cooking approachable comfort food based on local, seasonal ingredients, and, of course, wild mushrooms.

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Food, People