Bucket List Trip #1 Completed!

I have a list of places to see on my Bucket List. One place has held the #1 spot for a long time and that is Egypt. I had always wanted to see the pyramids and The Valley of the Kings. Last Fall my wife and I had one big beautiful trip with a visit to Egypt among other stops. We left out of Port Canaveral on a Carnival cruise ship and went across the Atlantic to Barcelona, Spain. The cruise included stops in the Bahamas, Canary Islands and Spain. We got off the ship and spent a few days seeing the sights in Barcelona including the Familia Sagrada. It was impressive. Then off to Egypt! We flew to Cairo and visited the pyramids and the new Egyptian Museum. Then flew to Luxor to board a Nile river boat for four nights. During this portion we did a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Nile, the desert and Valley of the Kings. The next stop was one of my favorites, Valley of the Kings. I toured six tombs. All were impressive! We visited many other Ancient Egyptian temples and sites. After our Nile cruise we said goodbye to Egypt and flew to Rome. I toured the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. We did a food tour and saw the Trevi Fountain. We also toured Pompeii, my #2 on my bucket list! We had a very short stay in Rome before flying back to Barcelona to take the cruise ship back to the U.S. The trip was long but was awesome!  

I still have items on my travel bucket list. Here are a few: Great Wall of China, Macchu Picchu, Yosemite Park, Australia and some U.S. cities to include Boston and Philadelphia. We may get to the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Soldiers this fall when we take a cruise to Japan and then hop over to China. 

What bucket list trips have you taken in the past few years? Have you done your #1? Have you marked off many trips or have you yet to begin the journey?

What about bucket list activities? My list does not include skydiving or bungie jumping but yours may. I can't think of any grand activity that would be on my list. My list is mostly places to see and experience. Do you have an bucket list of things to do? Whatever you see or do, be safe out there!

 

Awards, Plaques and Memorabilia From the Working Life

I've been retired now almost 6 years. When I left the office I boxed up my things and took it all home. I took family photos, memorabilia related to the industry, awards and plaques and other items. Most went into a box and into the closet. I recently saw the box and thought "What am I keeping this stuff for?". I pulled the box down and went through it for the first time since retirement. A lot of it was things I will still keep, but there were a couple of plaques that I wonder what to do with. Keep? Throw in the trash? Not sure.

Once you retired, what did you do with your old awards, plaques and memorabilia from your working years? I can't imagine that my kids will want any of this. It would mean nothing to them other than being a little history of their father. The further I get away from those working years, the more this stuff was just a stage of life that I know longer have as much interest in. I have one framed box on the wall of my study that was given to me at retirement that notates the years, holds my law enforcement credentials marked "retired" and two badges. I will probably keep this hanging forever as it looks really nice and marks a special time in my life.

Other plaques note my time in one capacity or another during the career, but don't hold a lot of sentimental meaning to me. Do you have one or two items that you kept? Or an item or two that you display in your home? It is funny how when you are neck deep in your career it becomes a big part of your identity. Then, after retirement you shed that identity and take on a whole new identity as "retired". The life of trying to have a better work year than last and trying to beat ever increasing goals is over. Now my goals are simple. Today is to get internet fiber installed and take our two old iPhones to UPS to return. Those are the simple goals of a retired man. What a life!

Have you had a similar experience of separating from work life? Or do you still yearn for those working days? Has you life filled more with retired activities and goals? What are those goals today? Do you have goals such as get fiber internet, become a pickleball champ, win yard of the month, restore a car or any other worthwhile goals that you have?

Senior Discounts

I love getting a good deal and now that I'm eligible for a few Senior Discounts, life is good! Different places offer discounts based on age and that age can range from 55 to 65. I turned 60 last fall and now qualify for those discounts that start at 55 and 60 but still have to wait a few years for the age of most discounts.

My wife and I like to shop at thrift stores to see what treasures we can find. One thrift store gives a Senior Discount of 25% on Mondays. That is a great discount! One of our favorite Mexican restaurant just began offering a Senior menu for 60 and older. It includes one enchilada, rice and beans for $7.99. It is a great discount because the normal price for that dish is $11.99. 

I get my haircut at Great Clips. They offer an $18 cut for seniors that usually costs $20. Their age is 65, but I don't argue when they ring up the discount for me. I have also used my AARP membership to snag discounts at a few restaurants and hotels. I searched Google for senior discounts in Oklahoma and the list below is what came up. I'm sure this is a very small portion of places that offer a discount to the mature population. 

I need to get better at asking for discount when I am out and about. I just don't think of it every time. Where are some of your favorite places that offer a good deal for Seniors? Do you routinely ask about Senior discounts or just know where the great deals are?

I recently saw a push to end property taxes for those over 65. Now that would be one awesome discount? I could afford to pay that extra $2 for a haircut if they cut my taxes! During my discount research I also saw a list on Good Housekeeping.  It had a list of 25 places. I couldn't figure out an easy way to copy the link so try to search it and check it out. But here is a great list also:      https://www.theseniorlist.com/senior-discounts/

Let me know of any great discounts that you have found! I'm always in the mood for a great deal

Dining & Groceries

Bonefish Grill & Outback Steakhouse: 10% off for AARP members..

• Dairy Queen & KFC: Participating locations offer up to 10% off or free drinks.
• Chili's:
   10% off (55+)
  .
Golden Corral: Senior pricing available. 

Retail & Shopping

• Kohl's: 15% off on specific days (60+).
• Michaels: 10% off for Rewards members.
• Rite Aid: Savings for Wellness65+ members.
• Ross Dress for Less: 10% off on Tuesdays (55+).
• Goodwill: Discounts vary by location (55-62+). 

Service & Entertainment

• AMC Theatres: Special pricing for guests 60+.
• Oklahoma Area Agencies on Aging: Offers assistance, meals, and services for those 60+.
• Choice Hotels: 10-30% off (60+).