Baby Boomer ETF
Sep 25, 2009 General Nonsense |
I saw an article recently about states that have favorable taxation for retired people. I wonder if buying first-floor condos in those states would be a good investment, since demand will be rising.
And I wonder what other types of investments make sense as the baby boomers retire in numbers. Let's ignore the obvious ones, such as the companies who make rest homes, funeral homes, pharmaceuticals, canes, walkers, and Depend undergarments. I'm looking for the next level of cleverness. That's what I expect from my readers.
For example, I can imagine artificial grass becoming a boom business, both because of water shortages and because it takes mowing out of the equation. The fake grass these days looks convincing, and the prices are coming down. Replacing your lawn when you're about 60 might be a good investment, making it easier to retire in your current home.
Lately I have been hearing a lot of buzz about the game of bocce. The game has been around forever, but suddenly it's hot. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that you can do it at any age, and at any level of sobriety. And it's generally cheap. If there's a pure play in bocce, I'd take that bet. It's like catnip for the over-50 crowd. And the grandkids can play too.
Cruise lines seem like a good gamble. They make it easy to vacation on a budget, especially if you're not too active. And retirees are the ones who can most easily take a 3-week cruise.
Do you have any other non-obvious ways to make money from the boomer retirement bulge?
And I wonder what other types of investments make sense as the baby boomers retire in numbers. Let's ignore the obvious ones, such as the companies who make rest homes, funeral homes, pharmaceuticals, canes, walkers, and Depend undergarments. I'm looking for the next level of cleverness. That's what I expect from my readers.
For example, I can imagine artificial grass becoming a boom business, both because of water shortages and because it takes mowing out of the equation. The fake grass these days looks convincing, and the prices are coming down. Replacing your lawn when you're about 60 might be a good investment, making it easier to retire in your current home.
Lately I have been hearing a lot of buzz about the game of bocce. The game has been around forever, but suddenly it's hot. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that you can do it at any age, and at any level of sobriety. And it's generally cheap. If there's a pure play in bocce, I'd take that bet. It's like catnip for the over-50 crowd. And the grandkids can play too.
Cruise lines seem like a good gamble. They make it easy to vacation on a budget, especially if you're not too active. And retirees are the ones who can most easily take a 3-week cruise.
Do you have any other non-obvious ways to make money from the boomer retirement bulge?
Votes: +6
Comments
User Name: another
Oct 4, 2009
0
two things - invest in companies that make gardening easier
and
I feel used.
and
I feel used.
User Name: RavenBlack
Sep 28, 2009
+1
Manufacture unnecessary vaccines and persuade your government to present them as desperately important.
User Name: wkwillis
Sep 28, 2009
0
The dollar is overvalued so cheap imports are booming.
When the dollar drops, imports will drop as they get more expensive.
We'll have to make all that stuff ourselves, or make other stuff to sell to get money to buy imports.
This will cause pay for lower class people to go up.
Which means that upper class people will pay more for everything.
So they won't have as much discretionary money.
Buy companies that make stuff in America, because General Motors is about to be the most profitable company in American history when the dollar drops 90%.
When the dollar drops, imports will drop as they get more expensive.
We'll have to make all that stuff ourselves, or make other stuff to sell to get money to buy imports.
This will cause pay for lower class people to go up.
Which means that upper class people will pay more for everything.
So they won't have as much discretionary money.
Buy companies that make stuff in America, because General Motors is about to be the most profitable company in American history when the dollar drops 90%.
User Name: Jayne
Sep 27, 2009
+1
Jitterbug is the simplified cell phone for old people...
but, remember, when we retire, we will still want our technology!
Conveniently, my electric litter box just cleaned itself--products that make pet care easier will boom. All home-delivery services (and shippers), Merry Maids, and anything else that makes staying in home easier. Maybe an 'everyday" catering service? Meals on wheels for those who aren't destitute.
but, remember, when we retire, we will still want our technology!
Conveniently, my electric litter box just cleaned itself--products that make pet care easier will boom. All home-delivery services (and shippers), Merry Maids, and anything else that makes staying in home easier. Maybe an 'everyday" catering service? Meals on wheels for those who aren't destitute.
User Name: Leora
Sep 27, 2009
+1
Storage. Lately there's been a huge increase in the number and convenience of self-storage places. Most of us have way too much stuff but are too attached to get rid of it, so we end up stuffing it a storage facility and paying monthly, perhaps to alleviate the guilt of having accumulated so much.
My parents have the jump on this--every time the kids show up, they give us more stuff. 'Surely you want Grandma's cedar chest? She always said how much she wanted you to have it! And you'll just get it after we die anyway.' And because mothers and guilt are a natural fit, we get suckered into taking stuff we don't need either.
My parents have the jump on this--every time the kids show up, they give us more stuff. 'Surely you want Grandma's cedar chest? She always said how much she wanted you to have it! And you'll just get it after we die anyway.' And because mothers and guilt are a natural fit, we get suckered into taking stuff we don't need either.
User Name: Ham24
Sep 26, 2009
-1
Oh, on an unrelated topic:
Did any notice that "Google" is mis-spelled on its homepage today (Sep 27, 2009)?
Yep. It's now "G-O-O-G-L-L-E"
That could be a fresh complaint too: "My Google is mis-spelled!"
Did any notice that "Google" is mis-spelled on its homepage today (Sep 27, 2009)?
Yep. It's now "G-O-O-G-L-L-E"
That could be a fresh complaint too: "My Google is mis-spelled!"
User Name: Ham24
Sep 26, 2009
+3
How about a "Complaint-A-Day" service?
We all know how old geezers are always complaining about something. My old granny had lots of complaints, but, unfortunately, they were same ones over, and over, and over. Pretty soon, I was complaining about her old complaints.
My "Complaint-A-Day" service would deliver orginal, never-heard-by-the-family complaints just to keep things fresh. Examples include:
"Oh, hell! I ironed the clothes with oven cleaner!"
Or
"I am not crazy! I just wanted to be Chinese for the day!"
Or
"Oh, crap! I ate my suppository again!"
The complaints would be available by e-mail, or nude messenger service. (Except in cold climates for obvious reasons...)
We all know how old geezers are always complaining about something. My old granny had lots of complaints, but, unfortunately, they were same ones over, and over, and over. Pretty soon, I was complaining about her old complaints.
My "Complaint-A-Day" service would deliver orginal, never-heard-by-the-family complaints just to keep things fresh. Examples include:
"Oh, hell! I ironed the clothes with oven cleaner!"
Or
"I am not crazy! I just wanted to be Chinese for the day!"
Or
"Oh, crap! I ate my suppository again!"
The complaints would be available by e-mail, or nude messenger service. (Except in cold climates for obvious reasons...)
User Name: quantum_flux
Sep 26, 2009
+1
More against the "no free will" experiment:
http://machineslikeus.com/news/libet-was-wrong
http://machineslikeus.com/news/libet-was-wrong
User Name: hatchm
Sep 26, 2009
+2
I saw an advertisement for a phone that was just a phone...big easy to dial numbers and no fogey-baffling menus for pictures or videos or games or internet etc., just a phone...so crazy it just might work.
User Name: arbyisme
Sep 26, 2009
0
There seems to be a revitalization of the hobby industry partly driven by boomers. Retires like to revisit some of their childhood interests they lost track of while raising a family and working. Artwork, collecting, modeling miniature anything, stained glass, pottery, ceramics, woodworking, crafts, etc. Hobby stores seem to be coming back as boomers have more money and time to devote to these old favorites.
User Name: harvolson
Sep 26, 2009
-1
For the people saying "Viagra", I'll just note that Pfizer's stock price was skidding steadily downward for the last few years, even before last year's crash.
User Name: itegem
Sep 25, 2009
+1
Especially for Scott: disclaimer don't taken any investment advice from Dilbert blog readers/writers.
Other than that, how about dental implants ?
I just did a Google on that and many of the web pages that pop up come complete with a set a of grey haired people smiling at you. Or is this one too obvious?
Other than that, how about dental implants ?
I just did a Google on that and many of the web pages that pop up come complete with a set a of grey haired people smiling at you. Or is this one too obvious?
User Name: SydLivedinLuton
Sep 25, 2009
0
Try euthanasia pills as a new industry to invest in, the New health care we are all going to get, means lets bump of Granny, has any else noticed that the proposal for bump off Granny coincides with the baby boomers retiring, go Obamacare go. I'm Gen X and we can always change the law before it's our turn.
User Name: QwkDrw
Sep 25, 2009
-1
Pender wrote: "... I think we'll see many more land boats shortly."
Right there with you. Only, the 'land boats' will probably plug into a typical 110v electrical outlet and will be driven around for free -- except paying the electric bill.
GIVE ME A MOMENT a lifestyle
http://www.givemeamomentblog.blogspot.com/
..
Right there with you. Only, the 'land boats' will probably plug into a typical 110v electrical outlet and will be driven around for free -- except paying the electric bill.
GIVE ME A MOMENT a lifestyle
http://www.givemeamomentblog.blogspot.com/
..
User Name: MaidenSacrifice
Sep 25, 2009
+1
Useless decorative Knickknacks. Especially ones with cats on them. And those furry socks with rubber bottoms. Those'll be hot, excuse the pun.
User Name: JohnFx
Sep 25, 2009
+1
I'm betting on Snuggies. My grandparents would complain about it being too cold in Death Valley during July.
User Name: vernodey
Sep 25, 2009
0
I know this is a light-hearted blog but is money profit-making the only activity that motivates Americans?
See a group in need or soon to become so, and corner the market so prices will soar. The rich will indulge, you will become rich, while those near the poverty line will be forced to wallow ever deeper in despair.
Oh I keep forgetting, that IS the American way of life. Silly me.
See a group in need or soon to become so, and corner the market so prices will soar. The rich will indulge, you will become rich, while those near the poverty line will be forced to wallow ever deeper in despair.
Oh I keep forgetting, that IS the American way of life. Silly me.
User Name: Dildude
Sep 25, 2009
0
THE PUBLIC STORAGE INDUSTRY
As the baby boomers retire and completely loose daily connection with their kids, they won't want their junk lying around in the house they'll be spending the rest of their lives for. This goes for people who are moving out too and trying to sell the house, because it sure doesn't look good to buyers if there's a bunch of boxes lying around, even in the basement. At the same time, most of these people would feel that these objects have just enouph sentimental value not to be thrown away.
As the baby boomers retire and completely loose daily connection with their kids, they won't want their junk lying around in the house they'll be spending the rest of their lives for. This goes for people who are moving out too and trying to sell the house, because it sure doesn't look good to buyers if there's a bunch of boxes lying around, even in the basement. At the same time, most of these people would feel that these objects have just enouph sentimental value not to be thrown away.
User Name: dgmartin
Sep 25, 2009
+1
Hey, Dilgal, I thought of the ED meds like Viagra too, especially after Scott's last sentence - "boomer retirement bulge"... or the lack thereof.
