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Piacquadio from Pexels
The
safety of our travelers is always our #1 priority. We have updated our health
and safety protocols for our Small Group Adventures on land. In addition, all
travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before
departure, and all staff will be vaccinated as well. With these guidelines in
place, we will resume travel on more than 25 adventures in 2021—see them all here.
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| Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels |
Even before COVID-19 limited social contact with friends, family, and colleagues, many adults experienced loneliness and depression due to limited contact with others.
Now, a
year after the pandemic forced many people into even greater levels of
isolation, the issue of social isolation is especially prevalent in Americans
over the age of 50. Despite the physical implications of a global pandemic,
research shows the mental health stakes are high, too. A nationwide survey,
commissioned by Barclays, found that half of Americans over the age of 50 said
the isolation from their friends and family has been more challenging than
concerns over health risks they may face.
Social
isolation has provided plenty of time for Americans to reflect on their
priorities. The majority of Americans surveyed (90%) have re-evaluated their
post-age-50 goals and put spending more time with family at the top of their
lists. The most common first thing 50-plus Americans will do once COVID-19 is
over is to see and spend time with their families (41%).
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| Photo by Alex Green from Pexels |
For
example, AARP Foundation’s Connect2Affect platform equips older adults with the
tools they need to stay physically and mentally healthy and connected to their
communities.
The AARP
Essential Rewards MasterCard from Barclays is helping fund the foundation’s
work to increase social connection with donations based on new accounts and
eligible purchases, up to $1 million annually.
A little
creativity and a commitment to filling time productively can help reduce the
strain of being alone until it is safer to resume social activities.
Use
technology to connect with loved ones. Video chats and traditional phone calls
can help you feel connected even when you cannot be together in person. While a
drop-in call can be fun, consider arranging regular visits with kids and
grandkids. If you schedule calls throughout the week, you will have something
regular to look forward to and can benefit from a check-in that affirms
everyone is healthy and safe.
Make time for physical activity. Staying closer to home may mean you are not getting the exercise you once did, but your health needs to stay active. Regularly using your muscles helps keep your body strong, and even light physical activity a few times each week can help keep your cardiovascular system fit for better heart health. Regular exercise can also provide a range of positive mental health outcomes, including reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and improved memory.
Photo
by MART
PRODUCTION from Pexels
Volunteer
in your community or consider virtual volunteering. Helping others is a way to
release feel-good endorphins for you. While your limited social calendar may
afford you some extra time, inquire with local nonprofits about how you can
contribute to their causes. Especially as funding for charitable organizations
has dropped, volunteers are still essential to most nonprofit organizations,
whether the help comes in person or virtually. Even from a distance, you may be
able to help with tasks like making calls to donors, assisting with mailings,
or planning fundraising campaigns.
Learn a
new hobby or skill. Another way to fill your free time, and reap some positive
energy, is to explore a new hobby or skill. The personal satisfaction of
learning and focusing your mental energy on something that interests you can
help offset the disappointment of being away from those you love.
To find more resources that support older adults, go to connect2affect.org.
Jennifer Scott has done a lot of research that would be useful for the soon-to-be brides and grooms and newlyweds and talks about wedding planning *and* life after tying the knot.
To learn more, click on the links below:
How to Plan a Dream Wedding Without Going Broke
How To Reduce Your Wedding Day Debt
Home Advice for Newlyweds: Five Tips for Buying Your First Home
Down Payment Assistance Programs
Moving in Together: A Newlywed's Guide
There's Never A 'Right' Time For A Baby — But These Questions Can Help You Decide
Budgeting for a Child
More than 80,000 solo travelers have
traveled with O.A.T. in the last five years, and more than half of O.A.T.’s
travelers are women traveling alone. The company has 38,000 solo women
travelers who have reserved travel for 2021 and 2022. O.A.T. offers Free Single
Supplements on 92% of its 30,000 single spaces to support unaccompanied
travelers.
Element5 Digital from Pexels
In the spirit of women supporting women, O.A.T. issued the complimentary NEW 101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers. Edited by O.A.T. Vice Chairman Harriet Lewis, the booklet assembles advice primarily from O.A.T.'s most seasoned solo women travelers.
The NEW 101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers,
written specifically for the mature woman, shares tips on top solo-friendly
destinations, specific regions of the world, solo travel safety, money matters,
etiquette, dining, and culture. Anyone may request a complimentary copy of the
NEW 101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers (or view it) at http://www.oattravel.com/community/101-tips.
For many O.A.T. solo women travelers, the
best part of their adventures is the support through O.A.T. travel for Grand
Circle Foundation projects, many of which focus on women and girls. The
organization's community development, for example, establishes the means for
women and village leaders to create sustainable changes in their communities to
become economically self-sufficient. By 2022, 85% of O.A.T.’s travelers are
choosing to personalize their experiences in more than 80 countries.
O.A.T. is the only travel
company to offer the level of flexibility, so solo travelers can create a truly
personalized experience.
Established in 1978, Overseas Adventure
Travel (O.A.T.) is part of Boston-based - Grand Circle Corporation's family of
travel companies, which also include Grand Circle Cruise Line and Grand Circle
Travel. In 1992, owners Alan and Harriet Lewis established the nonprofit Grand
Circle Foundation to support communities in which
To learn more about O.A.T., please visit http://www.oattravel.com or call 1-800-955-1925.
Our Favorite married couple, Augustine and Stella Ajanaku will share some interesting tips on marriage. Enjoy this video. Moreover, please leave your comments and subscribe to their YouTube Channel.
Diabolical by Charlotte Marshall-Murray - A man confesses with evidence to killing five missing women but the police have doubts about his story.
Death Toll Recon by Terry Keys - A District Attorney is accused of murdering a judge.
Dead Man’s Detour (Abby Waither Series - Book 1) by Maxwell T. Blackmore - A museum curator works with a detective to value a piece of art found clenched in a dead man’s hand.
One
Dead Politician by Tanya R. Taylor - While visiting a
Nana by Brandon Massey - A stranger shows up at a funeral making an outlandish allegation.
Threat Nexus by Cortez Law III - An enemy who has a puzzling message, which will bring back painful memories and threats approaches a detective.
Agent Red: Fatal Memory (Teagan Stone Book 1) by Ava S. King - A secret organization kidnaps a retired operative who has lost her memory.
The Book of Jericho by J. D. Oliva - The son of a powerful and destined lobbyist is murdered.
The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan - A dead body is discovered on a site that is scheduled to be demolished.
Minus One (The Drew Smith Series) by Norwood Holland - A newly licensed lawyer comes to the defense of his best friend accused of murder.
****
Due to COVID-19
restrictions, micro-weddings are big right now but as weddings get smaller, so
have budgets.
With many people
suffering financial hardships, salary cuts, or job losses, many couples can no
longer afford to have the lavish wedding they had their hearts set on.
Over the past year,
some couples have had to postpone or cancel their weddings, missing deposits,
and venues they carefully picked.
For these reasons, weddings have become more personal, focusing more on the shared experience rather than over-the-top aesthetics.
Maureen “Nono”
Skosana, founder and chief executive of event planning company, Nono Events,
says, “Given our COVID-19 restrictions where events are limited to 50 guests,
micro-weddings are now massive. While the guest list and booze bill may have
dwindled or disappeared completely, the cost to create an intimate but
memorable experience has not.
“Some vendors are
increasing their fees to accommodate complex logistics, inflation, and to keep
their businesses afloat. Also, when you buy or order in bulk, you save. That’s
not the case anymore, which is putting pressure on the budget.”
Nono Events, with
the help of Budget Insurance, have put together a guide to budgeting for a
micro wedding.
Their tips include:
Commit to a wedding
budget - When you start planning your wedding, understand the state of
your finances, and then set an overall limit of how much you can spend and
stick to it.
Avoid debt - Do not go
into debt to pay for the day. Similarly, you do not want to dip into savings
you have for a specific purpose such as a new house.
Package deals - Select a
package deal from one supplier if possible instead of using different
suppliers. Be honest and discuss your budget with your preferred supplier. This
will enable them to work out an appropriate cost-saving package.
RSVPs - Make sure that you have proper RSVP processes in place. This will help manage catering costs amongst other costs.
Know what things cost - Make a very detailed list that includes the venue, food, décor, and drinks, down to nails and hair for the big day. Decide what you would like and find out how much these things cost. The more detail you put in, the better you can budget and plan, and see where you can save or cut.
Marriage is all
about compromise - Start early and draw up a list of what will make your
wedding memorable, and special; what can you do without, at a push.
Susan Steward from Budget Insurance, says, “At a time where budgets are already stretched to the limit, couples need to ensure that they have their dream day without breaking the bank. Remember, the wedding is not the end; it is the beginning. The marriage is what counts. The best way to start a marriage is in financial health and with a commitment to building a secure future together.”
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Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein is a deep thinker because as
‘Purpose Wines’ was launched in 2018. Eunice Chiweshe
Goldstein Winery opened its first tasting room in the small town of
Goldstein grew up splitting time between her home in the
Although she went to the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television and graduated with a degree in filmmaking, there was never any doubt in her mind that, someday, she would create something linked to wine. After all, she says, “Francis Ford Coppola, who is UCLA film school alum, had successfully pursued careers in both industries. If he could do it, she could, too.”
This unwavering belief in her is one of Goldstein’s defining uniqueness. However, it is her belief in humanity that sets her apart, both as a person and as a winery proprietor. She believes we can all do better and will do better, for each other as well as the earth. This hopefulness and the sense of responsibility that comes with it shines through with Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein Winery labels like Black Lives Matter Pinot Noir, marked by wisplike letters spelling “I can’t breathe” in the shape of a cross inspired by the murder of George Floyd. Goldstein says she incorporated the cross on the label to reflect the fact that George Floyd was a human being who did not deserve to lose his life.
Goldstein believes that one of the key lessons of being on this planet is that we have to take care of each other. We have to do better. She is a big fan of Paul Newman and all the charity work he did through his food brand. She would love to do something like that so she can continue to help people, because as she says, “At the end of the day, we cannot take it with us. The Egyptians tried it and it did not work.” For more information on her winery and wines, please, click here.
The
Coronavirus, COVID-19, has had a major impact worldwide. With a pandemic, comes
a proliferation of scammers. Therefore, it should not surprise you that there
has been a swell of individuals attempting to separate you from your
hard-earned cash.
Millions of people turn to online dating apps or social networking sites to meet someone. Instead of finding romance, many find swindlers trying to trick them into sending money. Read about the stories romance scammers makeup and learn the #1 tip for avoiding a romance swindle.
The Lies Romance Scammers
Tell
How to Avoid Losing Money to a
Romance Scammer
♥♥♥♥
If you have ever been a victim of a romance swindle, One World Singles Blog would like to hear from you. Send your experience to info@oneworldsinglesblog.net - And in the subject line write “my romance scam incident”. If we decide to post it, we will only post your initials and the country where you reside. You must state that you are over 18 years of age or of legal age in the country where you reside. Thank you.
