Today’s Vol.3 No.2 Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B - Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace! Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace! Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace! Reap the Fruits of Your Labor in Your Retirement Boomer Boomer Healthy Eating Healthy Eating Corned Beef Corned Beef Corned Beef : : : New England New England New England Style Style Style Social Security: Prep is Key for Your Retirement Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 years of greatness and are still years of greatness and are still years of greatness and are still going strong! going strong! going strong! 106th Chicago Auto Show: 106th Chicago Auto Show: 106th Chicago Auto Show: A Boom for Boomers A Boom for Boomers A Boom for Boomers Boomer Travel Boomer Travel Tracing Irish Tracing Irish Roots Roots Fabulous @ 50! Fabulous @ 50! Fabulous @ 50! Tax Time Tips: Keeping Your Taxes Due Down
This issue is to take time and relax during this time of year that invites a lull between the start of a new year, and before the warm weather of summer invites another shift of busy schedules to take place. We provided tax time tips to help you get your taxes done in a more efficient way and included information about care in your retirement and how to prepare so you can enjoy not only the benefits but most importantly, the time. With business aside, we took time to enjoy the beauty of fifty, with the Mustang celebrating 50 years at the Chicago Auto Show, and a glance at Hollywood celebrities who are fabulous at and past turning the big 5-0. And it can't be spring without a great trip in mind, so we offer a tour of Ireland and complimentary cooking in our boomer healthy eating to take some time to appreciate the sights, smells and with a little Irish luck, wonderful tastes to savor. We thank you for your time with us and encourage you to slow down, and make each moment count.
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Today’s BoomeR
Today’s
Vol.3 No.2
Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B ---Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!
Reap the Fruits of Your Labor in Your Retirement
Boomer Boomer Healthy Eating Healthy Eating Corned BeefCorned BeefCorned Beef : : : New England New England New England Style Style Style
Social Security: Prep is Key for Your Retirement
Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 years of greatness and are still years of greatness and are still years of greatness and are still
going strong!going strong!going strong! 106th Chicago Auto Show: 106th Chicago Auto Show: 106th Chicago Auto Show:
A Boom for Boomers A Boom for Boomers A Boom for Boomers
“With 50 million Irish in America,” declares our guide, “we should be the 51st state.” Plus, 23 U.S. presidents claimed Irish blood. And that doesn’t include O’Bama.
The story of Ireland is a story of migration. Galway was a prime departure point. Columbus stopped here to study a map of an earlier crossing, on view in St. Nicholas Church.
Dan O’Hara made the journey, too. His cottage is preserved at Connemara Heritage and History Centre, a tribute to the farmer evicted during the potato fam-ine of the 1840s—the Holocaust of Ireland—forced to migrate on those notorious coffin ships.. Dan’s wife and children died en-route.
Overseer Martin lends his tenor to “The Ballad of Dan” aside the cottage’s turf fire, then pours a drop of the gut-blazing moonshine called potsheen. He shoulders a spade to demonstrate how Ireland’s peat is cut into turf logs for fuel.
Today’s BoomeR 7
A turf fire welcomes us to Renvyle House, once site of a powerful Celtic chieftan, and host to more modern potentates—politician Churchill, poet Yeats, writer Joyce—aside the pewter-colored sea. Borrow a bike, golf club or kayak before heading on.
We pass Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain where Patrick, its patron saint, spent 40 days fasting and praying. But no fasting in Westport, our destination. Winner of Ireland’s Tidy Town award, the streets glisten with newly-painted storefronts, including the rimson of Matt Molloys. Matt, of Chieftans fame, frequently plays here while bartenders pour the best Guinness to be had.
We don our Wellies at Ballycroy National Park to tramp the panoramic blanket bog. “How’re youse?” inquires Denis at the Visitors Centre where Winnie, via video, explains her childhood’s cookery—churning butter, butchering pigs. Then Denis takes us walking the bog itself—like slogging on a soggy trampoline.
Then on to the wild moors and majestic cliffs of Achill Island, also victim to the infamous famine. In abandoned village of Slievemore, we scramble among tumbling stone cottages, burnt by absentee landlords to evict tenants unable to meet rent. Then on to Addergoule and its new Titanic Memorial.
Why here? Because, in the famine’s aftermath, there were no jobs. So 14 of its sparse populace booked steerage on the
Titanic in search of a better life. Eleven perished. But this is more than just another Titanic story. As guide Alex Nolan explains the tragedy, men without jobs, couldn’t marry. Girls faced spinsterhood. Today the church’s stained glass win-dows depict the disaster and its bell tolls every April 15. The new park hosts bronze figures of those emigrants.
Foxford Woolen Mills is more than just a gorgeous shopping op; it’s also a symbol of a turnaround in Ireland’s fortunes. Here a nun, sent to teach those in misery, put first things first: jobs for the hungry. She envisioned harnessing the river to power a woolen mill to employ townfolk, and strong-armed even wary Protestants into making it happen. Today, the mill offers an interactive history tour as well as delights for home and body.
Foxford’s blankets grace Mount Falcon, a gorgeous estate-turned-hotel that’s Eden for outdoors types: clay pigeon shooting, golf, water sports, and my tamer choice, fly fishing. Afterward, relax in the spa.
Then off to Dublin to trace Ireland’s history at Glasnevin Cemetery, where 1.5 million lie buried—everyone from the heroes of The Rebellion to New York’s Mayor LaGuardia. To salute them, we retire across the street to Gravediggers’ Pub, where it’s “Howya? How ya keepin’?” as we lift a final pint.
For information check www.discoverireland.com Photo credits: Courtesy of Tourism Ireland
8 Today’s BoomeR
Tax deductions and credits can save you money at tax time, but
many taxpayers miss them because they don't realize things
they do in their everyday life can give them more money back.
One thing you
should know is tax
deductions and
credits help your tax
situation in two
different ways: Tax
deductions can save
you money by lowering your taxable income. Tax credits direct-
ly reduce the taxes you owe, and if you qualify, you can claim a
credit whether you itemize your deductions are not.
Here are seven of the most-missed tax deductions and credits
you don't want to overlook:
1. Charitable contributions
Our lives are busy, and taxpayers may forget what donations
they gave last year may get them a bigger refund. If you
cleaned out your bulging closet and dropped off clothing or
household goods at your favorite charity, don't forget this may
be deductible on your tax return.
2. Tuition and fees deduction
Taxpayers taking a full course load and working toward a de-
gree can receive education benefits through the American Op-
portunity Tax Credit for college expenses, but those who took
even just one class to further their career may be able to take
the tuition and fees deduction. With this credit, you can deduct
up to $4,000 for tuition and fees, books and educational sup-
plies for you, your spouse or dependents. This tax deduction is
especially important to remember if you qualify because the
offer expires after tax year 2013.
3. State and sales tax deduction
Taxpayers can deduct state income taxes, but what about peo-
ple who live in states that don't have a state income tax? The
state and local sales tax deduction is useful for those who
don't pay state income tax because they can deduct sales tax
paid on purchases. Even people who live in states that pay
state income tax can benefit if they paid more sales tax due to
large purchases. This is another tax that is going away after the
2013 tax year, so don't miss out on this one.
4. Earned income tax credit
The earned income tax credit is a refundable tax credit given to
filers who earn low- to moderate- income from their jobs. The
credit can be worth up to $6,044, depending on income and
how many dependents you have, but one in five tax filers over-
look this opportunity, according to the Internal Revenue Ser-
vice. You have to file your taxes in order to get it, so even if
you make less than $10,000 (the IRS' minimum income filing
requirement) you should still file your taxes.
5. Job searching
If you were looking for a job last year, you may be able to de-
duct costs related to your job search – even if you didn't secure
a new one. Job search expenses such as preparing and sending
resumes, fees to placement agencies and even travel related to
searching for a new job can be included.
6. Retirement saver's credit
This credit is often overlooked and
seldom talked about, but if you
have an income up to $29,500
($59,000 for married filing jointly)
you can save for retirement and
get an tax credit worth up to
$1,000 for individuals and $2,000
for couples if you contributed to a
qualifying retirement plan such as
an individual retirement account
or 401(k). The retirement savers
tax credit is a win-win situation since contributions to your IRA
may also be a deduction from income.
7. Gambling losses
Taxpayers who weren't so lucky gambling last year should
know that their losses can be deducted if they itemize their
deductions. However, your amount of losses cannot surpass
your winnings, which must be reported as taxable income. For
example, if you have $2,000 in winnings and $4,000 in losses,
your deduction is limited to $2,000. Make sure you have docu-
mentation such as receipts, tickets and other records to sup-
port your losses.
By Lisa Greene-Lewis
7 Most Missed Tax Deductions and Credits 7 Most Missed Tax Deductions and Credits
From job search expenses to gambling losses, don’t From job search expenses to gambling losses, don’t
overlook these ways to reduce your tax billoverlook these ways to reduce your tax bill
Reap the Fruits of Your Labor in Your Retirement Reap the Fruits of Your Labor in Your Retirement What you need to know to prepare for your longWhat you need to know to prepare for your long--term careterm care
Members of the Boomer generation are just beginning to reap the
fruits of a lifetime of hard work by beginning their second lives -
retirement. Since most can expect to live into their eighties, they now
face a new challenge - the possibility of needing long term nursing
care as they advance in age.
Planning for long term care is not merely a luxury, but a necessity.
Even those who do not find themselves in skilled nursing care (also
known as nursing home care) may have significant medical needs which may not be covered
by Medicare. The only way to be prepared if and when the time comes is to be educated about
the planning options available and the risks of failing to utilize them.
Will You Need Care? The Numbers You Need To Know
It’s difficult to see the future, but statistics can offer a window into the probability of facing a long term care
need, as 70% of people that reach the age of 65 can expect to need some form of long term care during their
remaining years. This means that a married couple reaching age 65 together has about a 90% chance of facing
a long term care need.
These statistics suggest that such care will play a significant role in lives of a vast majority of the population.
With that in mind, any retirement or estate planning should address the issue of long term care costs.
How Much Will I Pay For Care?
A number of factors determine cost of care, and each individual has unique care needs. Some aging individu-
als need only a few hours of assistance per day in the home; others require full-time supervision in a skilled
nursing facility. Memory care facilities are an option for those with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.
In-home nursing care averages around $20 per hour nationally, and full-time nursing care typically costs an
individual over $200 per day. Even assisted living averages nearly $40,000 per year, so advance planning is
important, as is knowing local options.
How Will I Pay For My Care?
As the cost of long term care becomes clear, so does the need to plan for payment. By carefully considering
cost scenarios in advance, Boomers can put themselves in position to receive the care they need without los-
ing the ability to create a legacy with their estates.
Savings may be enough to cover the care Boomers need if they’ve been fortunate enough to build up a safety
net. The ability to pay with cash provides access to a wider range of options. This is called “private pay”, and
while it does not guarantee that an individual can have everything he or she desires, it does provide opportu-
By John A. Vardallas, Founder/CEO, TheAmericanBoomeR.com
The February Chicago Auto Show ended on a hot note despite being held during one
of the coldest winters on record. This year s show showcased plenty of muscle keep-
ing in theme with the 2014 Chinese Year of the Horse with plenty of High Tech/Eco
Friendly accessories to accompany those power rides. Even though this boomer was
impressed by a variety of new foreign kool hot rides (BMW/Jaguar/Audi), American
Auto Makers celebrated the return of the muscle car era in style.
106th Chicago Auto 106th Chicago Auto 106th Chicago Auto Show: Show: Show:
A Boom for BoomersA Boom for BoomersA Boom for Boomers
Today’s BoomeR 13
Horsepower was
the focus for
Ford who cele-
brated 50 years
of American
Muscle with the
introduction of
the sixth genera-
tion of Mustang.
The new
smoother style of
this pony car will
impress boomers
who have been
Mustangs fans
since the model
was introduced
in 1964. While
retaining the
long hood, short
deck roomier
styling, the new
generation Mus-
tang is lower
with a wider
stance that im-
proves traction
and handling as
well as gives you room for more coolers in the
trunk. The 300-horsepower, 3.7 liter V-6 and
the 420-horsepower, 5 liter v8 will be joined by
the new 305 horsepower, 2.3 liter twin turbo
EcoBoost four cylinder. Boomers will be lining
up this fall when the Mustang goes on sale
this fall just like we did after we got our first
drivers license.
General Motors muscle was also present in a
big way in Chicago. The new Chevy Corvette
ZO6 with a 6.2 liter, 625 horsepower super-
charged V-8 is teamed with a seven-speed
manual or new eight-speed automatic will give you
plenty of hold your breath acceleration moments. The
new Vette features a wider tires and a wider stance
for optimum performance handling and more lateral
support during aggressive motoring.
Cadillac showcased its luxury again with great new
model ATS and CTS coupes and sedans. They fea-
tured high performance V sports versions with a
choice of front or all wheel drive. The new Cadillac
Elmiraj was Best of Show Concept Car.
The new car colors also reflected a retro theme wit-
nessed by all of the Mellow Yellow, Candy Apple Red,
14 Today’s BoomeR
Bright Orange and Green as well as Purple Passion
dominating most exhibits.
Here Come the Muscle Trucks!
If you are a fan of trucks, all manufacturers featured a
variety of tricked out trucks for mainstream drivers.
This boomer was totally impressed with the new Ford
F-150. Redesigned and re-engineered, the best-selling
vehicle in the industry the past 32 years went on an
aluminum diet to shed 700 pounds in order to boost
mileage. All body panels are now aluminum which cost
more than steel. No word yet on pricing. All trucks will
feature EcoBoost engines and 360 degree exterior
cameras to help navigate off road trails.
High Tech also compli-
mented new car models in
abundance. Boomers will
have to get more tech sav-
vy when looking for a new
ride. Automakers have
embraced technology by
offering a variety of high
tech accessories to com-
pliment driver motoring.
In addition to GMs OnStar
and Chryslers uConnect,
more dashboard consoles
will feature 4 G connec-
tions and music apps like
Slacker and iHeartRadio
capability.
Today’s BoomeR 15
Cars at the show featured a variety of new tech
driving accessories:
Text Buddies featuring voice to text capability as
well as readers for incoming messages
Self Park: For those who hate to parallel park.
WiFi Hot spots (pioneered by Audi and now more
wide spread applications in American automakers)
will allow your passengers to work online or for
your kids to watch a movie on an I-pad
Nav 2 Go App: Free map updates application on
some of the new Chevrolets models
Second and Third sets of Eyes: Back up Cameras
featured on Hondas, Ford and Jeep offer SUV
Systems to see in those blind spots.
Remote Interaction: Apps to start your car, unlock
your doors and check when your car needs its
next service.
The Chicago Auto Show wrapped up with the Best of Show Awards. Winners in each individual category are sure to make this car buying season for boomers exciting
and full of retro fun!
Best All New Production:
Ford Mustang
Best Concept:
Cadillac Elmiraj
Best Green Car:
Cadillac ELR
Best Exhibit:
Chevrolet
Car I would most like in my driveway:
Bugatti Veyron
16 Today’s BoomeR
Fabulous
After 50! As award season in
Hollywood has come and
gone we wanted to pause to
see our winners of
celebrities who are fabulous
after 50 years!
Today’s BoomeR 17
BOOMER HEALTHY EATING:
Well, the why bother part is because what you make at home will always, with a bit of practice and patience, be far superior to anything store bought. As for the cheaper part, I seriously doubt it, given that you can use very inexpensive cuts of meat, and the processing cost comes from your hands, not your pocket. House made provides you the luxury of not only choosing the cut and origin of meat to use, but customizing your spice/pickling/corning blend. This means that, within reason, you can control not only the amount but the kind of salt used, and furthermore avoid any other extraneous preservatives and junk that comes so often in processed meats. Just as we all have favorites for BBQ rubs, you'll develop a similar hankering for your own special spice
blends for corning. It’s also a lean and relatively healthy cut of meat, so you can eat guilt free, too. We hear a lot of questions regarding the term 'corned'; it came into common use in the 16th Century and stems from the Anglo-Saxon word for grain or granule, referring to the salt used to cure
or pickle. It's a bit of a stretch, I know, but suffice it to say that 'corn' was a catch-all term
for any local grain, and in a pinch, salt would qualify, (Sorry, couldn't resist...) The next most common question we hear is 'What's the difference between corned beef and Pastrami?' The answer is, not as much as you might think. It has to do with the most common cuts used and the curing process. While either variety can be made with brisket or round, pastrami is sometimes made from the plate cut as well. As for process, either can be made by wet brining, though pastrami is fairly often done with a dry rub in the first stage of curing, then pepper crusted and lightly smoked. These are generalizations, of course; the end product varies as widely as the fancy of the makers.
As I mentioned, I grew up in Massachusetts, so I am very fond of New England Boiled Dinner, that ethereal combination of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots, daubed liberally with fresh horseradish. If you've never tried it, you should. I also absolutely adore the Reuben sandwich, which, as blasphemous as it may sound, I make with either corned beef or pastrami. If you get interested in the art of meat curing, AKA charcuterie, you'll find a myriad of resources online and if you'd like a great reference volume to add to your cookbook library, http://www.amazon.com/Charcuterie-Craft-Salting-Smoking-Curing/.
So, all fact checking and history aside, how do you make this stuff? We'll focus on corned beef this time and save pastrami for another day.
Recipes and Photos from
Chef Eben Atwater
www.urbanmonique.com
Being from New England, I love house made corned beef and pastrami, fine examples of easy to make and highly satisfying home charcuterie. I was somewhat dumbfounded when a reader noted "Why bother? It's cheap to buy at the store?"
Put the meat into a pan just big enough to hold the cut. Cover with water to about 2" above the meat. Add another tablespoon of your pickling spices to the pot, bring the heat up to high until you reach a rolling boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until fork tender, about 2 to 3 hours. Remove the meat from the pot, set on a cutting board and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Your finished product will last a good 5 to 7 days in the fridge, (As if it'll survive that long...) Time to enjoy that New England Boiled Dinner! This version is mostly steamed, which keeps a bit more of the good stuff intact and provides better flavor all around. For two, you’ll need: 1 pound Corned Beef 1 small head Cabbage, outside leaves removed 4 Carrots, peeled 4 small red or white Potatoes 1 sweet Onion Take potatoes, carrots and cabbage and zap ‘em for three minutes in your microwave. Add a couple of inches of clean water to the bottom of a large stock or soup pot. Toss in a couple bay leaves, a few pepper berries, a couple of juniper berries, an inch or so of fresh Rosemary, (Dried is fine, ¼ teaspoon), and a splash of extra virgin olive oil. Place everything in the pot with a steamer basket or other spacer such that you’ve got a good three inches between the goods and the bottom of your pot. Sprinkle a pinch of good sea salt and a few twists of pepper over the goodies. Steam over medium-high heat until the cabbage and veggies are fork tender. Transfer to plates, serve with horseradish, fresh lemon wedges, good salt and pepper, some fresh bread and a nice dry white wine.
You'll need a brine solution and a spice blend. If any or all of this seems overwhelming, go the easy route and grab a pre-blended pickling spice from one of the suppliers listed in our links; down the line, for all things pickling, you can and should do a bit of study and build your own signature blend.
The recipes here will work for a 2 to 3 pound corned beef; you can scale up or down as you like, but this is a very manageable starter size.
For the Brine: 1/2 Gallon nice, clean water 1 Cup Sea Salt, (Do not use iodized!) 1/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar 3 teaspoons Curing Salt (AKA Pink Salt, or sodium nitrite) 2 Tablespoons Pickling Spice Set water in a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Toss in salt, sugar, curing salt and spices and boil until all granules are dissolved. Remove from heat, transfer to a mixing bowl and set over an ice bath for a rapid cool. Once the brine has cooled to room temperature, place your meat in a glass container big enough to have it covered by at least an inch or two of brine. If you just don't have a suitable container, you can use a doubled large zip lock bag. Cover the meat with brine as noted above, at least an inch or two above the meat. If your cut tries to float, you'll need to weigh it down so it remains completely submerged. If you go the Ziplock route, squish all the air out and put the bags in a pan in case of a blowout. Put your bounty into the fridge where it will live for the next 6 or 7 days. Make a note to self to flip the meat daily, to make sure eve-rything gets a nice, even brine soaking. On the appointed day, pull your corned meat out of the fridge, and rinse it gently in very cold water.
Eben Atwater is a Chef and writer who began cooking professionally in the 1970’s in Washington State and Idaho. In addition
to a food blog he publishes with his wife and partner-in-crime Monica, Eben is an accomplished musician and instrument
maker. He lives in western Washington State where he manages a bakery-café. Visit www.urbanmonique.com
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