Yes, the age of online shopping is here to stay. When a Boomer buys a major appliance online, it’s a big deal. We were raised by the Builder Generation: the people who wanted to see it, touch it, smell the new paint, and test it…because they basically didn’t trust it.

Our parents were classically loyal to brand names; we Boomers revel in choice and take a chance on new products. Dad bought only Fords. At age 84, his last car was a Crown Victoria. Mom raised us on Del Monte canned vegetables because her Mother raised her on them. It wasn’t because variety wasn’t available; it was brand trust and brand loyalty.

This is not news to Boomer marketers. The research is stunningly accurate on what Boomers want because of who we are: spontaneous, confident risk-takers, willing to work hard for things, ideas and values we cherish and admire. Even in our youth, the amount of money Boomers controlled enabled us to open new markets (designer jeans), inflate existing markets (bottled water), and deflate others (non-disposable diapers).

Boomers are a huge audience in an ever-growing online marketplace.

On April 29th, I will again be a media participant for the Boomer Business Summit: What’s Next 2011: a one-day gathering of premiere Aging businesses which meets at the annual joint conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging (ASA/NCOA). This year in San Francisco, What’s Next promises to be loaded with online entrepreneurs and sessions highlighting what to sell and how to market to Boomers.

This conference is self-described as “an annual event that brings together the country’s top businesses and organizations that are thought leaders in the baby boomer marketplace. It is where deals get done. No other conference brings together a dedicated group of professionals focused on the boomer and senior populations. Together this group of thought leaders from the non-profit sector, senior advocacy organizations, and Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups will share their knowledge and passion for this important customer demographic.”

I like the “thought leaders” concept, and have to admit that’s exactly why I return year-after-year. As promised, What’s Next Boomer Business Summit draws companies that showcase products and services that are good for seniors and their Boomer kids. My own brand, Success In Aging®, is all about thinking ahead, and I support those companies that encourage aging people to make a plan and work the plan for their own success in aging.

Okay, I admit it: I bought the machine from Sears, a GenBuilder hang-out. Kenmore, their own brand, has proven reliable over the years, and I have owned many a Kenmore. But this time, I knew I wanted a Whirlpool Gold: quiet, energy efficient and parts are readily available. I knew search-engine marketing would not let me down either.

So this Boomer-ette was confident in her quest. Within the span of the DVR-ed movie Husband had settled on for the evening, I had chosen, ordered, scheduled and paid for the machine that will soon grace our kitchen and relieve us of our sadly quiet, kaput Kenmore.

Fortunately, I also had the good sense to call Sears when their website kept spitting at me when I tried to modify one simple (I thought) area of the order. Moral of the story: shop to your heart’s content, but before you enter credit card info on that big ticket item, call a human on the other end of that screen, just in case.

I might be a spontaneous, confident risk-taker, but I really don’t want to hand-wash that many more dinner dishes. I want to see that new dishwasher…and touch it, smell the new paint, and test it…because I basically want to trust that I made the right online choice.

© 2011 Diane Alexander Patterson, MSG, CPG “If good real estate is about location, location, location, then ‘success in aging’ is about attitude, attitude, attitude!” www.SeasonofLife.net

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Di Patterson:
I’m so glad to hear that you’re being proactive about this, because that’s the best way to fortify your credit and ensure you’ll be able to withstand difficult economic conditions. There are a few things you can do right now to protect your credit.

1. Check your own FICO score with the “Big 3″ credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
   If there are blemishes, contact the company in writing and tell them you’d like to resolve the matter (if possible). Be sure to make a copy of the letter you send and send it directly to the credit reporting bureaus.
2. If there are extenuating circumstances that affected your credit — such as a medical situation — write a description of the circumstance and send it to the credit reporting bureas.
3. Protect yourself against identity theft. There are a few services that can proactively stop ID theft before it happens, such as LifeLock

…here are a few other great resources:

The Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Credit Protection information: http://www.ftc.gov/index.shtml

Hope Alliance
A federally-funded Housing Information Service (Counsel at No Charge!)
888-305-2262

… and the “Big 3″ credit bureaus are:

	Equifax P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374 (800)-685-1111 Web site: www.equifax.com
	Experian PO Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013 (888) 397-3742 Web site: www.experian.com
	TransUnion LLC P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022 (800) 888-4213 Web site: www.transunion.com

Don’t forget to read my Financial Resource Guide

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• How can I save my house from foreclosure?
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Question:
Di, I’m getting calls from the bank and creditors, and things are very tight because of the economy right now. How can I save my house from foreclosure?

Di Patterson:
This may be a very real situation for you… with the bank or creditors calling, or even a looming foreclosure date. Have hope! I’ve researched companies with proven programs to help you keep your home, and have even stopped a foreclosure the day before! For more details please see my Financial Resource Guide, but if you are in need of immediate help, please call one of the following now and protect your most precious asset… your home.

UPDATE: CeCe just contacted me with exciting news! They have had such a positive response that they are able to offer you a 100% refund if you don’t feel you get the right loan! They are 100% confident you will, and have even been able to stop a bank from foreclosing on a house just days prior to losing it. She said they’re busy helping people save their homes, but would be happy to answer your questions.

WesPac Solutions
Ask for CeCe St. Julien at 888-305-2262
or email CeCe at cjulien@wespacsolutions.com

You may also try…

Best Price Lending
Ask for David Alexander at 888-473-8323 extension #3

RPM Mortgage
Ask for Chris Rivera at 310-303-3418 (his direct line)

…and tell them Di Patterson sent you for preferred service!

Be sure to read my Financial Resource Guide

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• How can I protect my credit?
• Financial Resource Guide
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So much has been in the news lately to scare even the heartiest of souls: major job losses, the housing slump, mortgage foreclosures, retirement account depletion and all sorts of horror stories about the losses we are experiencing in our national and global economy. But there is hope and help out there for homeowners who need some solutions that will help get the financial feet back on solid ground. In looking at the present state of economic woes for Boomers and beyond, I have discovered some companies that have worthy options for struggling—or at the very least—worried, maturing homeowners.

I interviewed David Alexander, a Mortgage Specialist with Loan Processing Center (David’s direct line is 888-473-8323 extension 3).  David and his associate, Chelsea Price, are very efficient and knowledgeable about loans.  They have a very full-service website, with many helpful areas: downloadable forms, free pre-approval, tools and calculations, free credit reports and a glossary of terms.  Spending time with the calculators and glossary is like taking an on-line class!  Loan Processing Center teams with a credit union which lends in all 50 states.  They often get their clients same day approval, with an average closing of 7-10 business days, which is usually three times faster than many companies. David can get loans if your credit score is 580 and above, with a significant improvement at 600 or higher. David says that the Veterans Administration is making great loans to veterans right now.  He is proficient with FHA, VA, reverse mortgages, commercial loans, jumbo loans, and investments property loans in all 50 States, and the Virgin Islands.

Loan Processing Center
David Alexander
888-473-8323 extension 3
www.bestpricelending.com
1353 Old Temescal Rd
Corona, CA 92881

Next is Chris Rivera, Mortgage Specialist with RPM Mortgage (Chris’s direct is 310-303-3418 and email is crivera@rpm-mtg.com). Chris is the branch manager of the Manhattan Beach, CA, RPM office.  Chris has over 20 years in the Mortgage business specializing in FHA loans and refinances.  He is confident he can help anyone who has even a little equity in their home to wrap into a new, good loan, especially if the credit score is 620 or above.  Chris describes FHA (Federal Housing Act) as a generous government program which accepts little or no down payments, with lenient credit standards, and is not the same agency as Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. Chris says he looks at all angles; even using retirement accounts (before their value drops even lower) to pay off the home to later use as the retirement fund in a reverse mortgage or sale when transitioning to retirement living.

Chris’s three important thoughts on mortgages today:

1. Please do something BEFORE you get to the point of no return.
2. There are now truly historic interest rates available at 5% or below, so there is “no time like the present” to refinance to a very good loan.
3. Inflation is a beast, and is set to rear its ugly head in the next 2-4 years.  Getting into a good, low rate and locking it in now will help avoid the hardships that inflation brings.

RPM Mortgage
Chris Rivera
310-303-3418
www.rpm-mtg.com
Manhattan Beach, CA

Another strategy in the mature homeowner’s toolkit for solving financial problems might be Consumer Law Firm: attorneys and mortgage specialists working together on loan modifications.  I talked with CeCe St. Julien, a mortgage specialist (her direct line is 888-305-2262 and email is cjulien@wespacsolutions.com) and she described the process. Attorneys work with the original lenders to reduce interest rates, and all negotiations are done by attorneys. They have the credentials to stop foreclosures and sales of property. The mortgage specials at Consumer Law Firm’s mortgage division, WesPac Solutions, also offer debt consolidation loans which are separate from the loan modification. CeCe explained that the total cost is $3,500 up front (plus $500 for a second mortgage). She said that if client doesn’t get the loan they feel entitled to a refund is available up to 50%. UPDATE: CeCe just contacted me with exciting news! They have had such a positive response that they are able to offer you a 100% refund if you don’t feel you get the right loan! They are 100% confident you will. This may not last so make sure to call about this offer ASAP if it fits your situation.

Consumer Law Firm
CeCe St. Julien
888-305-2262
www.consumerlawfirm.com
23022 La Cadena Ste.205
Lake Forest, CA 92619

…and tell them Di Patterson sent you for preferred service!

New York City sale! Fly roundtrip from $101+ – Expires 3/5/09

Here is a short list of some federal, state, and local resources:

Hope Alliance
A federally-funded Housing Information Service
888-305-2262 (Counsel at No Charge!)

Your Local US Congressperson
www.house.gov

Your U.S. Senator
www.senate.gov

Your local state representatives
www.assembly.ca.gov
(i.e.: CA Assemblyperson)

Your local state CA Senator
www.sen.ca.gov
(i.e.: CA State Senator)

For example: U.S.Congressman Ed Royce (R-Fullerton, La Palma, Buena Park, Westminster, GG, Anaheim) invites his constituents needing help to contact his office liaison, Mike Ahern, in WA, DC: 202-225-4111

The Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Credit Protection information
www.ftc.gov/index.shtml

...you may also be interested in:

• How can I protect my credit?
• How can I save my house from foreclosure?
• Any suggestions for a mini vacation?