Why Women Need Life Insurance By Pamela J. Sams, CRPC NABBW’s Retirement Planning for Women Expert Today, women have more financial responsibilities than ever before. How will your family or loved ones manage financially if you die? Whether you are single, married, employed, or a stay-at-home mom, you probably need life insurance. At the very least, life insurance can help pay for the costs of funeral and burial services, estate administration, outstanding debts, estate taxes, and the uninsured expenses of a final illness. Who needs life insurance? Working women Increasingly, families... Read More

Don’t Sleep on It By Leigh Anne Jasheway NABBW’s Boomer Humor Expert Driving back home from a trip to Portland, Oregon, I saw a full-size travel trailer painted flame red with the black silhouettes of three obviously young naked women on the side. In fact, they appeared to be naked and living on a planet with little or no gravity. I immediately thought that strip clubs had gone mobile. Yes, it would probably be difficult to stay on the pole as the trailer careens around curves or comes to an abrupt stop, but I’m sure men would pay extra to watch that. If you think talking on cell phones... Read More

Saying Goodbye to Your College Bound Kids By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert In our parent group, I suggested each share what they will miss and what they look forward to when they aren\’t parents every day. I suggested they remember to allow different parts of them to speak, the confident one, the brave one, the sad one, the freedom one, etc. We forget we have so many parts within us when sadness grips. Tears are a great thing even though I have never met one person who likes to cry unless they are alone. Even alone, the beginning of tears feels the worst because you... Read More

Harnessing the Power of Place By Mary J. Yerkes NABBW’s Living with Chronic Illness Expert Not long ago, during a time when stress and fatigue had taken their toll on my body, I booked a weekend away at a local bed and breakfast. Nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, I watched breathtaking mountain sunsets, delighted in deer frolicking in the woods, and sat for hours in a red Adirondack chair, soaking in the beauty around me. It was healing. But most of the time, the converse is true. I spend time in stressful places — doctor’s offices and hospitals, crowded shopping malls... Read More

Three Timely Tips for Caregiver Grandparents By Chloe JonPaul New census data reveals that 4.9 million children under the age of 18 live in grandparent-headed households. If you are one of those grandparents, you may want to consider these tips as part of your action plan to promote good behavior and cooperation with your grandchild. Communication Strategies When a child/teen-ager misbehaves, try saying: “I\’m not angry ` a bit disappointed, maybe because your behavior right now just isn\’t matching the good person inside you. I know that good person is in there and I want... Read More

You Want Me to Do What? Journaling for Caregivers Author: B. Lynn Goodwin Website: http://www.writeradvice.com/ywmtdw.htm Reviewed By: Anne Holmes for the NABBW This is a fantastic little book for caregivers who are looking for a way to relieve their stress. Journaling is a perfect stress-buster, and author B. Lynn Goodwin has personal experience to her credit. This book is small enough to fit into your pocket, so that you can journal whenever a free moment hits – or make a free moment by taking it into the bathroom with you! Author Goodwin says, “Think of it this way: Remember how... Read More

Can You See The Bigger Picture? By Natalie Caine, M.A. NABBW’s Empty Nest Expert Parents are on the countdown to goodbyes. When you are going through a transition, it helps to focus on the grander image of why you are choosing what you are choosing. 1. Do you need more energy?2. Is it time to explore a change of behaviors or people in your life?3. Whether chosen or given, change happens, so what is possible now for you?4. Who can help you?5. How do you make decisions, quickly or over time?6. What are your gifts and your limitations?7. How do you comfort yourself?8. What fears pop up about... Read More

Marriage Can Be Murder: Every Wife Has a Story Author: Susan Santangelo Website: http://www.babyboomermysteries.com/ Reviewed By: Anne Holmes for the NABBW Carol and Jim Andrews are back again in this third installment of author Santangelo\’s “Every Wife Has a Story” Carol and Jim Andrews Baby Boomer Mystery series. This time we learn that Carol is thrilled when daughter Jenny announces her engagement to Mark. After all, like almost every Boomer mother, she\’s been dreaming of being the MOB (mother of the bride) at Jenny\’s wedding since Jenny was born. And both... Read More

7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing Author: Mary Anne Benedetto Website: http://www.awriterspresence.com/Home_Page.html Reviewed By: Anne Holmes for the NABBW If you have a desire to write your life story but don\’t know where to begin, this book provides you with all the guidance you will need. Mary Anne Benedetto knows each of us has at least one story stuck inside of us, and she provides dozens of memory-jogging suggestions to help us bring them forward so we can record them for future generations to read and enjoy. Doubtless, you already know a few of these techniques. For example, listening... Read More

Never Say Perfect Author: Mary Anne Benedetto Website: http://www.awriterspresence.com/Home_Page.html Reviewed By: Anne Holmes for the NABBW Laina and Dan Strickland, whom you may remember from Mary Anne Benedetto\’s first novel, Eyelash, return in this second book in a series. Or at least, Laina is back. We only see Dan in the first chapter. It seems that things have been going well at Paradise View, the Strickland\’s Cape May bed and breakfast since last we spent time with them, four years ago. Life has been really hectic for both of them, what with running the B&B and some... Read More