Unless Congress intervenes, those receiving Social Security won’t see a cost of living increase in 2010. 
In all likelihood, there will be an increase in your Medicare and perscription deductions from your gross Social Security payment?  Supposedly, because of the recession, cost of living in the U.S. didn’t increase in 2009.
Will this affect many boomers?  Yes, those who are eligible for Social Security payments.  
However, is there anything that says we must have an increase each year?  Do all pensions have an increase built into them?  Is what we’re receiving more than what many paid into the system over the years? 
If the …read more

More and more boomers use cell phones, iphones or similar, for personal use and business. 
Sometimes the cell phone is their only phone, as they discontinue using a “land” phone.  So…as cell phones become more sophisticated, you may find yourself putting sensitive information on it regarding your business and personal life.
Is your information safe?  Can others access your data for unsavory purposes?  Will people obtain information you don’t want made public?
I came across an interesting article in New Scientist, The pocket spy: Will your smartphone rat you out?    It seems almost too “James Bondish,” but modern technology can spy on us almost anywhere!
You might want …read more

When I wrote the post, Draw Upon Your Talents for Your Boomer Business, Laurie Neumann, of Christian Home  Business Connection,  commented: 
I think it is important to think about your interests and what kind of business could be started from there. It’s also important to research and see if there is a market out there looking for what you want to offer and willing to pay for it.
It can be great fun (and challenging!) to start your own home based business. By choosing something that really fits you, you can have a great business for years to come.
Laurie is correct.  In …read more

Almost everyone, when they begin a small business, want instant success.  This would be the ideal situation…having your business take off profitably from the start with no challenges nor setbacks.  However, the ideal doesn’t usually work out in life, although there are some exceptions.
For some people, success comes sooner because:

They’ve given more thought to planning their business before starting
They have more investment capital of their own
They have business knowledge
They have a product or service that appeals in today’s market (often because of their previous research)
They are willing to put in hours and hours of work themselves
They get advice and try …read more

Effective signs are important, if you have a walk-in business.  They let your customers and potential customers know where you are and what you are no matter how small or large your “small” business might be.  Des Walsh, at Thinking Small Business, blogs about this in a series, called Sunday Markets.
This got me thinking about signs I’ve used, ones I’ve seen, and those other businesses have found effective.  At Home Biz Notes, I wrote about this topic, Effective Signs for Your Home Business.  You might find something of interest here you can use for developing your signs…or at least set you …read more

Many small businesses consist of some type of handcraft and those on Etsy.com all have a connection with crafts.  Here’s a place for small and home businesses, as well as the hobbyist, to promote and sell their wares.
Some may start out here and, like Keara Sexton, develop a small business, OAK,  on Newbury Street in Boston.  Although Keara isn’t a boomer, you can learn from her.  Her mom, Karen, a small business owner, in Nashua, NH, helped Keara start her business, and now is learning from her daughter about social media and marketing in a techie world.
To learn more about Keara and Karen’s …read more

To remain in business, boomers must be very knowledgeable about their customers’ needs and learn (if they haven’t already) how to deal with customers and being diplomatic.  I’ve written two posts at Home Biz Notes that would apply to small businesses of most any type, in addition to home businesses.
Concentrate on Customers, Not Yourself
Remembering the Needs of Your Customers
Do you have any thoughts about postive and effective customer service?

In the course of developing a small or home business, many opportunities may come about.  They’re not necessarily all at the same time. 

Some business ideas grow out of a hobby.
Some may be a venture you explore with a partner
Some may be a new idea with low initial expenditure
Others may develop over the years as your circumstances change

Do you think an entrepreneur should follow one path of business regardless of circumstances, pursue it and hope you’ll experience success?
Do you think an entrepreneur should be aware of changing times and circumstances and be willing to change as necessary?
(Image: sxc.hu)

I shall be blogging here at Small Business Boomers and helping you with business tips.  Jean Murray has done a fantastic job with  the Small Business Boomers blog.  I hope I can provide you with the same degree of helpful information.
I also blog at b5’s Home Biz Notes, My Organized Biz and write at Blisstree’s Parenting and Arts/Crafts sections. I’ve been involved in family businesses and home businesses all of my life.  Currently my husband and I work from home.  In addition I do substitute teaching during the school year.
Also, I invite you to share your boomer business experiences with us here …read more