“Boomers say Internet, travel and pets are retirement `needs' - Bradenton Herald” plus 2 more |
- Boomers say Internet, travel and pets are retirement `needs' - Bradenton Herald
- Residents encouraged to spay and neuter pets - Tifton Gazette
- Stetson University opens its first pet dorm - Citizen
| Boomers say Internet, travel and pets are retirement `needs' - Bradenton Herald Posted: 14 Aug 2010 11:06 PM PDT Do you need or just want your Internet connection and an annual family vacation? What about your pet? For many baby boomers, those are all basic needs, not luxuries, according to a new survey. Eighty-four percent of those surveyed said having an Internet connection is a basic need, and 66 percent said shopping for birthdays and special occasions is a need as well. Fifty-one percent said pet care is a basic need, and 50 percent said taking a family vacation once a year is a need, not a luxury, according to a recent survey by MainStay Investments of 1,049 consumers aged 45 to 65. As baby boomers reach retirement age, they are redefining what constitutes a luxury item and what defines a basic need, but being able to afford those basic needs may affect the way some boomers prepare for retirement. ``We've seen that boomers really want to have it all,'' said Matt Leung, director and head of practice management programs at MainStay Investments. Traditionally, basic needs extended to three categories -- food, clothing and shelter. But that's changing. Here's more information on the portion of boomers surveyed who find the following items to be basic needs: • Weekend getaways -- 46 percent. • Professional hair color/cut -- 43 percent. • Children's, grandchildren's education -- 42 percent. • Dining out -- 38 percent. • Domestic travel -- 35 percent. • Ordering takeout -- 34 percent. • Movies -- 30 percent. Many boomers said they're willing to alter the way they save for retirement -- or even work a few more years -- in order to maintain their pre-retirement lifestyle, the study found. About three in four respondents said they would rather spend less now so they can invest in a more comfortable retirement. And 47 percent said they would downsize their home in retirement to be able to afford their lifestyle expenses. But what survey participants say on a survey may differ from what they end up doing, said Dr. David Stewart, a financial psychologist who focuses on consumer behavior, and dean of the school of business administration at the University of California at Riverside. ``The socially desirable response, the seemingly responsible response, is `Yes, I do need to save for retirement more,' but the reality is the baby boomer generation as a whole . . . has not adequately saved for retirement,'' Stewart said. Retired lawyer Steve Lawton, 67, said he didn't consider planning for retirement until later in life. As an attorney in the Washington area, he made mortgage payments and put two daughters through private schools and college, not giving much thought to his retirement fund. ``The money issue was real simple: A whole lot came in and a whole lot came out, and retirement was kind of secondary,'' Lawton said. ``It's really easy when you're raising a family, particularly in a big city -- boy, it's easy to spend a lot of money.'' This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Residents encouraged to spay and neuter pets - Tifton Gazette Posted: 13 Aug 2010 10:17 PM PDT August 14, 2010 Residents encouraged to spay and neuter petsOfficials want to control stray pet populationTIFTON — Several people who care about animals and are concerned with the overpopulation of strays met at the Tifton-Tift County Animal Shelter Thursday to talk about the importance of spaying and neutering and to announce programs that help people with the expenses associated with the procedures. "We are trying to offer the program so we don't have to euthanize so many animals," said Regenia Wells, the Tifton-Tift County Animal Shelter's director. "It's horrible." In the 12 months ending June 30, 2,110 cats and 1,321 dogs were euthanized by local veterinarians. "We do our best to make their last moments as painless as possible," said Dr. Larry Branch of Quailwood Animal Hospital. Since legislation was passed that outlaws the use of gas chambers to euthanize unwanted animals, they are sent to local veterinarians' offices to be put to sleep. Branch was so disturbed with the number of homeless stray animals coming through the shelter and to him that he hopes to get the point across of the importance of spaying and neutering through a video he produced and put on You Tube. In the video, "Autobarkography of a Homeless Dog," Branch narrates the story of a homeless dog from the dog's point of view and takes the viewer through the dog's life until it is ultimately put to sleep. "Feral dogs and cats aren't good for the community," Wells said. "They haven't had their rabies shots or other vaccinations they need to be healthy." Wells urges anyone considering getting a pet to remember that animals are a responsibility. "Puppies are cute, but they don't stay puppies," she said. Anyone interested in a new pet can see the animals that are available at the animal shelter at 278 Highway 125 S. or by visiting www.petfinder.com and search by area code or specific breed of interest. The shelter received 2,298 cats and 1,860 dogs over the 12-month period. Approximately 21 of the cats were claimed by their owners and 71 were adopted by others. Of the 1,860 dogs taken in by the shelter over the same period, 199 were claimed by their owners and 300 were adopted. The Spay-Neuter Georgia program and funding by the local Save Our Pets Foundation assists people who want to have their pets spayed or neutered but can't afford it. There are 10 slots available each month through the Spay-Neuter Georgia program, which facilitates the spaying or neutering of one pet per household. The service is available to Tift County residents only. Pets have to be current on their vaccinations to receive the service. Applications for the programs are available at the Tifton-Tift County Animal Shelter. Dave Hetzel serves as the current president of the Save Our Pets Foundation. The foundation, established last year, raises funds through private donations, grants and other means to benefit and promote the Tifton-Tift County Animal Control services through the development of a spay and neuter program; the development of programs to educate the general public about the benefits of owning and caring for animals; and to increase the number of adoptions through the disbursement of literature and other programs. To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Stetson University opens its first pet dorm - Citizen Posted: 14 Aug 2010 12:19 AM PDT DELAND, Fla. (AP) — Talk about Animal House. Stetson University in Deland has opened its first pet-friendly dorm. By the time everyone moves in this week, Nemec Hall will house 31 students and 20 pets. That's eight cats, seven dogs, two rats, two guinea pigs and a fish. The idea for a pet dorm came from Stetson President Wendy Libby, who arrived at the school in March. She previously had started a pet-friendly hall at Stephens College in Missouri. The Stetson policy allows fish, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats, mice, cats and dogs under 30 pounds. Pit bulls, rottweilers, chows, akita and wolf breeds are prohibited. ___ Information from: Daytona Beach News-Journal, http://www.news-journalonline.com This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Pets - Bing News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment