Month: September 2023

We’ve all seen the jokes about social media and mobile phones. For so many people these days, it seems an impossible task to put their phones in their pocket or purse.

Have you ever wondered how on earth we managed to get through our lives without them? We had no Facebook, no Twitter (now X), no Instagram, no nothing!

I am writing this because I suddenly seem to be bombarded with messages and articles about Social Media Etiquette. They purportedly apply to mobile phones because I posted a quote on my Aging Disgracefully Facebook page which really touched a nerve. It said…

I’m having people over to stare at their phones later if you want to come by.

Which brings me to the point of this blog. It may be redundant, because I’m almost positive that most women in our age group can in fact get through a coffee, walk down the road, or have dinner with family or friends without looking at their phone! So, perhaps you can share this article on Social Media Etiquette with your younger family or friends.

This is my personal “old fashioned” take on social media etiquette. Specifically, how to stop constantly looking at your mobile phone.

Do Not Use Your Phone When in Motion

In other words, sit down to send a text. Sit down to make or receive a call. Do not under any circumstances, use your phone walking down the street!

In China, Bangkok, and Washington DC, there are now dedicated phone lanes. Just like dedicated bike lanes, there are even arrows to show the direction of travel. In Italy, phone lanes should be de riguer. I’m amazed there aren’t more collisions between phone users.

Do Not Use Your Phone While Having Breakfast, Tea, Lunch, or Dinner

When you are in a social mode with friends, family or even business colleagues, do not keep checking your phone. It’s so rude to be more interested in your phone than the person or people you’re with. This has happened to me on so many occasions. Which brings me to my personal style.

Remember, this is totally subjective, and I’m sure most of you wouldn’t do this. But if whoever I am with uses their phone more than twice while we are eating, I just leave!

This is one of those things that seriously annoy me. I could rabbit on for another couple of pages, but I shall spare you the pain. It just comes down to how you feel about friends, colleagues, and family. I’m not sure how it applies to phones, but I think that it may!

Put Your Phone Away When You Are Having a Drink with Your Girlfriends

Unless somebody you love is seriously ill in hospital, there is absolutely nothing that is so important you cannot put your phone in your bag or in a pocket. And leave it there! Remember, we’re the generation who survived for years and years and years without mobile phones.

I was with some people the other day, quietly drinking coffee and having a discussion about my travel for solo women over 50 program.

The women I was with (all over 50 I might add!), had their phones glued to their hands. Trying to cope with the Italian language and compete with the very loud conversations they were having on their phones had me to a screaming point!

When you are out with people, all mobile phones should be placed, face down, in a pile in the centre of the table. The first person to retrieve their phone during the course of the lunch, dinner, coffee, whatever, pays the bill for everybody. That works!!!

Do Not Use Your Phone While Driving… Please!

In Australia, I was once stopped by the police for having my mobile phone on my lap. I received a $460 fine. I wasn’t using it to make a call or send a text, and I was in a traffic jam that was going nowhere. Upset doesn’t begin to cover the way I felt.

On the other hand, in Italy, I was on a bus when the bus driver took a call on his phone. He had one hand clutching the phone while the other was wildly gesticulating (Italians talk with their hands). All the time he was navigating the narrow, winding roads into Florence.

I lost count of the number of cars we missed, but we did miss them. Mobiles are part of the driving ethos here. I even saw a policeman, driving leisurely down the road, using one.

But, you will know not to drive while using your phone because you all have a brain in your head. It’s very, very dangerous. The worrying factor is the number of young people who slide into this pattern of doing things that are frankly dumb because nobody stops them. In one way, I am grateful that the police in Australia are so keen on stopping the use of mobile phones in cars.

Reply to Text Messages

Just not when you’re with others! And please, sit down to do it. Be sure you are not blocking the flow of traffic.

Do Not Go Through the Phones of Others

I suppose it’s acceptable to go through a child’s phone, as a matter of safety. But a partner’s or a friend’s phone? I think not. It’s akin to opening somebody else’s mail and at our age, we know that’s unacceptable. Unless it’s a bill that they will pay for us. This is like speaking ill of the dead and the rule of thumb is… don’t.

Do Not Use Your Phone in a Cinema or Theatre

To see the light glowing from a phone in your line of sight to the screen is so incredibly irritating. So much so, I believe phones should be taken off people before they enter. And yes, this applies to people our age. The last time I was at the theatre, there was an elderly couple in front of me who were sharing text messages on their phone and chatting. It was disturbing everyone in the vicinity and after 5 mins I asked them to please turn it off. They looked at me as though I were mad and were very rude. I went and found an usher. Honestly, what is wrong with people?!

Switch your phone off. It’s OK, it will still work when you switch back on again.

Just in case you’re feeling insulted that I have written this blog for people of our age. Please remember, being over 60 doesn’t entitle any of us to ignore the rules of common sense and acceptable social behaviour. I would love to hear if these things that drive me nuts, have the same effect on you!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

When did you get your first mobile phone? Mine was the size of a house brick. Do you find yourself doing any of the things mentioned in this article? Do you sleep with your mobile phone on your bedside table?

Whether caravanning across the outback or floating along in a houseboat, Baby Boomers are finding new and innovative ways to live out their better years. When it comes to senior housing options, the current ‘one size fits all’ model is far from satisfactory for this diverse and active group of Boomers.

But what are the best ways to sort through all of the new trends to find the housing option that best suits your lifestyle? Since we all can’t caravan, here are five senior living alternatives to suit any unique style!

For the Bookworm

For those who enjoy curling up with a good book and love the intimacy of small groups, a Greenhouse may be just right. Developed by Dr. Bill Thomas, the Green House Project was designed to put the home back into senior care and have since redefined the way we think about where we live as we age.

Currently, only based in the United States, the Green House project or the small house model has flipped our understanding of what a nursing home is on its head. Instead of hundreds of residents to a facility, this model maintains homes with no more than 10 residents.

With core values of a meaningful life, empowered staff, and a real-home setting and atmosphere, these homes have cultivated a new way to provide care. This time the residents are at the center of their model.

Next Avenue writer Gary Drevitch explains how his understanding of senior living was changed by the Green House Model in his article Not Your Father’s Nursing Home.

For the Socialite

For the socialites who enjoy being out and about and meeting new people, a Continuing Care Retirement Communities or CCRCs will be a great fit for you! On each campus, you will find sports and activities, banks, beauty shops, and even organized trips. All at your fingertips.

Sometimes the upkeep of a house can take time away from the other more important things in our lives. The CCRC, as the name suggests, is a continuum of care, which truly delivers the aging in place model, so many of us are talking about nowadays, without the hassle of maintaining a big house.

With apartments in Independent, Assisted, and Skilled Living, this option guarantees that you will have a place to live, no matter how your needs change. The best part is it’s all in one place!

For a closer look at what CCRCs look like read our blogger, Sheila Grinell’s articles on Sixty and Me.

For the Golden Girls

For the faithful and forever friends, there is nothing more empowering and reaffirming then a group of women bonded together through life and experiences. Do you have a few empty rooms in your home you don’t know what to do with?

Then inviting women that you know and trust to move in might be the perfect way to use the space. Not only will you always have a girlfriend to talk to, it will save you some money, too. This can be spent instead on a fun night out on the town!

For more on co-housing read SHARED HOUSING FOR SENIORS – SOLUTIONS FOR INCOME AND COMPANIONSHIP.

For the Hipsters

The tiny house sensation has swept us by storm taking millennial and boomers with them! If you enjoy living on your own but the big house is just too much, a tiny home may be a great fit for you.

Since tiny homes are easy to clean and relatively inexpensive, you will have plenty of time and money to do other things. And let’s face it, we probably all need to downsize in some way or another. Moving into a tiny house is the perfect excuse to start getting rid of all that stuff we’ve accumulated over the years. If for no other reason than it just won’t fit!

To learn more, check out the Tiny House Movement: Why Downsizing Your Home May Be a Great Decision.

For the Sentimental Soul

Arguably, we can spend a lifetime in our homes. And often expect to. Our homes provide solitude, security, and comfort. They are spaces that hold memories and sentiment and provide us with a sense of self. For the sentimental souls who couldn’t bear to leave all of those memories behind, staying in your own home may be the best choice for you!

In order to make this a sustainable option, consider a few remodeling projects. Most homes are not designed for the changing body, so even the most luxurious tub won’t be worth it if we can’t get in or out of it!

In fact, re-modeling homes into more age-friendly environments has become a booming business in recent years. Many businesses have begun incorporating universal designs in almost all of their projects.

A few quick tips to make your home age-friendly:

• Moving your bedroom to the first floor
• A no-step in shower with a sturdy stool and railing
• Lowering kitchen cabinets or moving pantry items onto lower shelves
• Switching out all round door knobs for lever-type hardware
• Improve and add lighting to all areas of the home
• Incorporating more seating areas around the home

For years we have been told exactly where and how we should spend our later years. Well, times have changed. No matter your style, you can bet there is a home out there that’s destined to suit you!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Where did you start the search for your forever home? Have you found the right place for you? Please join in on the conversation!

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter searching for something new or a newbie looking to explore an artistic outlet, punch needle offers an enchanting experience that keeps you hooked. This ancient embroidery technique has resurfaced in the modern crafting scene, charming beginners and experts alike with its simplicity and stunning results.

In this beginner’s guide, I’ll walk you through every step of the punch needle process, from gathering essential materials to exploring project ideas and mastering the technique. So, if you’re ready to unleash your inner artist and create beautiful, textured masterpieces, let’s get started!

What You Need

Before we dive in, gather up all the necessary materials. Fortunately, punch needle doesn’t require a lengthy shopping list, making it a budget-friendly hobby. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Punch Needle Tool: This is the star of the show! Invest in a good-quality punch needle tool, also known as a punch needle pen. Choose one that is comfortable in your hand and easy to use.
• Embroidery Hoop: You also need an embroidery hoop, ideally one that’s slightly larger than your desired finished project. The hoop will keep your fabric taut, making it easier to work on your design.
• Monk’s Cloth or Linen Fabric: Select a sturdy, plain-weave fabric like monk’s cloth or linen to stretch across the embroidery hoop. The material should be tight enough to support the tension of the yarn but not so tight that it distorts the weave.
• Yarn: Opt for rug or bulky craft yarn suitable for punch needle projects. Experiment with textures and colors to create varying effects in your designs. Acrylic, wool, and cotton yarns are popular choices.
• Scissors: A pair of sharp scissors is a must for trimming yarn and finishing your project.
• Transfer Pen or Pencil: This is to sketch your design on the fabric before you start punching. You can use washable transfer pens or a regular pencil for a temporary sketch.
• Needle Threader (Optional): If your punch needle tool has a small eye, a needle threader can come in handy for threading the yarn without any fuss.

Beginner-Friendly Project Ideas

Once you have your materials ready, it’s time to let your creativity flow! Here are some popular and versatile project ideas to spark your imagination:

• Wall Art: Create stunning wall art that adds a personal touch to your living space. Whether it features abstract patterns, nature-inspired motifs, or uplifting quotes, your punch needle art will showcase your creativity.
• Pillows and Cushions: Enhance your home decor with punch needle-embroidered pillows and cushion covers. They are charming additions to your sofa, chairs, or bed and bring comfort and beauty to any room.
• Coasters and Placemats: Design and craft unique punch needle coasters and placemats to protect your tabletops while impressing guests during meals and other gatherings.
• Tote Bags and Pouches: Turn plain tote bags or pouches into fashion statements with punch needle embroidery. Express your personality through bright colors and fun designs.
• Ornaments and Keychains: Make adorable punch needle ornaments and keychains. They’re perfect for gifting or adding a fun touch to your keys.
• Garments and Accessories: Take your punch needle artistry to the next level by embellishing clothing items like shirts, denim jackets, and hats. You can even make punch needle accessories like earrings and brooches.
• Rugs and Mats: Design and craft punch needle rugs or doormats to keep your floors cozy and inviting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have your materials and project ideas, it’s time for the fun part!

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric

Begin by placing the monk’s cloth or linen fabric on a flat surface. Loosen the screw on your embroidery hoop, separating the inner and outer rings. Lay the fabric over the inner ring. Then, place the outer ring over the fabric and press down firmly. Tighten the screw to secure the material between the rings. You may need to pull or adjust the edges of the fabric to keep it taut in the ring. You don’t want any folds or wrinkles!

Step 2: Transfer Your Design

If you have a specific design in mind, lightly sketch it onto the fabric using a transfer pen or pencil. If you’re unsure about your drawing skills, find punch needle patterns online or use stencils for a perfect outline. Alternatively, you can work freehand for a more organic and spontaneous creation.

Step 3: Thread the Punch Needle

Now, thread your chosen yarn through the punch needle tool’s eye. Take a length of yarn, and using your fingers or a needle threader, guide it through the eye until you have an equal length of yarn on both sides of the needle. Make sure the yarn is secure and won’t slip out as you punch.

Step 4: Start Punching

Hold the punch needle tool like a pen, and place the needle on the fabric where you want to start your design. Push the needle straight down through the material until the handle is flush with the surface. Make sure the needle goes all the way through the fabric and emerges at the backside of the hoop.

Step 5: Create Loops

Here’s where the magic happens! Pull the punch needle back slightly, but not all the way out, then push it down again, creating a loop. The farther you pull the tool out, the larger the loop. This action secures the yarn in place, creating a tufted texture on the front side of the fabric.

Step 6: Keep Punching

With the first loop in place, continue punching your design, following the sketch or letting your creativity guide you. Skip two or three holes between loops to avoid weakening the fabric. You’ll notice a satisfying rhythm as you repeat the punching process. Remember to maintain a consistent punch depth as you work, and keep the needle perpendicular to the fabric for neat, even loops. Keep going until you’ve finished the outline.

Step 7: Fill in the Design

Once you finish outlining, you can start filling in the shapes by repeatedly punching within the boundaries. This “filling” technique adds dimension and texture to your project. As you experiment with different yarn colors, don’t be afraid to blend shades or use variegated yarn to create unique effects.

Step 8: Add the Finishing Touches

When you’re satisfied with your punch needle masterpiece, it’s time for the finishing touches. Flip the hoop over to the backside, and secure loose yarn ends with a needle and thread. Knot or weave the ends to prevent unraveling. Neatly trim off excess yarn with scissors.

Congratulations! You’ve just completed your first punch needle project. As you’ve discovered, punch needle embroidery is a captivating craft that combines creativity and relaxation. Whether you adorn your walls with punch needle wall art, add a touch of charm to your home with embroidered cushions, or explore the realm of punch needle clothes accessories, the possibilities are endless!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you tried punch needle embroidery before, or are you excited to give it a shot after reading this guide? I’d love to hear about your experiences, project ideas, and any tips you may have for fellow crafters. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Happy punching!

Are you tinkering with the idea of starting a new business? One of the most useful approaches I’ve encountered when it comes to starting a new business is the minimum viable product (MVP) methodology.

The essence of an MVP is to keep things lean and simple. You don’t need to have everything ready to go in the beginning. (Phew! Yes, you can relax now.) Instead, you start with the bare essentials that allow you to operate, and then expand to offering more services or products as you grow.

While the term MVP originates from the lean startup methodology in the world of software development, the value of an MVP extends to all kinds of businesses – including the one that’s been rattling around in your head day and night!

I know for myself that I can’t help but think of all the possibilities when a new business idea strikes. But this can get overwhelming to the point of indecision and ultimately, inaction. It happens to the best of us. The MVP route takes away all those distractions, keeping you focused on the essentials and moving forward on the path to success.

What is MVP?

Your MVP is a base-level version of a product or service that’s sufficient to satisfy a customer’s needs while demonstrating the broader potential of your business.

Here are few example MVPs:

• A home cleaning service might launch an MVP that offers just dishes and laundry cleaning services. Once feedback is collected, they can gradually add more services like deep cleaning, cooking, etc.
• A digital marketing agency might begin by offering only local SEO services as an MVP. After positive feedback and gaining experience, they might include other services like social media marketing, email marketing, etc.
• A kids’ apparel ecommerce shop could start off selling just socks. After collecting feedback and requests for new products or designs, they could expand to include loungewear, t-shirts, etc.

So, are you ready to give your business idea a strong and steady start?

Let’s dive into the five steps to launching your MVP.

5 Steps to Launching Your Minimum Viable Product or Service

1. Define Your Value Proposition

What is the problem your product or service solves? What kind of customer or client are you targeting? What makes your product or service stand out from the rest?

Example:

My home cleaning service solves the problem of keeping a house tidy and orderly. My clients are young professionals with small children who have mountains of laundry and dishes but don’t want to spend their precious time cleaning. My cleaning service stands out because I don’t require any lengthy assessments, deep cleaning or long-term contracts. I make it easy!

Your value proposition serves as the foundation for your MVP and guides its development.

2. Identify Essential Benefits

Now that we have a clear value proposition, let’s identify the essential benefits you deliver to your customers.

What immediate value does your product/service deliver?

Example:

• A feeling of cleanliness and orderliness – priceless!
• More time to spend with your loved ones, less time spent on cleaning.
• Effortlessness. An easy, convenient, reliable cleaning service you can trust.

By identifying these core benefits, you can create a minimum viable product or service that provides an immediate solution to your customer’s pain points.

3. Craft Your Irresistible Offer and Call to Action (CTA)

I’ve taken some creative license with this third step in the MVP process, which usually goes something like “Develop Your Prototype.” Instead, we’re going to distill our value proposition and essential benefits into an irresistible offer and call to action.

Imagine your client or customer lands on your website looking for exactly what you offer.

We don’t want to make them search for information, pricing, or how to get in touch. Instead, we make it as easy as possible for them to take action with an irresistible offer.

Example:

Get your dishes and laundry cleaned today before you can say “Calgon, Take Me Away!”

CTA: Click here to schedule your first cleaning and enjoy 50% off!

Your irresistible offer can be fun, serious, professional – whatever tone you think resonates best with your ideal customer.

4. Test and Gather Feedback

Now it’s time to put your product or service out into the world!

The goal of this stage, and actually, every stage of your business, is to collect feedback and constantly improve.

There are several ways to test and gather feedback. I recommend a two-pronged approach during this initial phase: Launch a simple one-page website and offer freebies or a big discount to people you know.

For the website, be sure to put your irresistible offer front and center. For help getting started with a website, check out Setting Up Your Website, Part 4 of Margaret Manning’s Starting a Business After 50.

Now… you may be saying Give it away? Really?

In many cases, offering freebies or discounts can be a smart investment that gets the ball rolling, and makes your product or service visible to real customers more quickly.

For our cleaning service example, I might reach out on Nextdoor or to friends and ask if anyone would be willing to try out my service in exchange for feedback and a review on my Yelp or Google business page.

For an ecommerce shop that sells just kids socks, I might email a group of friends asking them to share my site with others and encourage them to buy my fun kids’ socks at a crazy (but limited quantity!) discount. In return, I would ask them to write a review for my Amazon or Etsy page or Shopify store.

In either case, I can point people to my website where they can take action – schedule a cleaning service or buy my socks.

An alternative to the freebie idea is to advertise on Facebook or Google, which also provides feedback and should get some initial traffic to your website.

5. Iterate and Improve

Based on the feedback you’ve gathered, what improvements could you start making right away? Has your experience brought up any unforseen issues or difficulties?

We all have a picture of how things will go. Then, there’s reality. At this stage, you’ll have real-world experience with your product or service, and so will your early stage customers and clients.

Now is the time to refine, correct, remove or improve whatever needs attention.

For our cleaning service example, maybe you expected everyone to be out of the home, but they’re all there, making cookies and getting in the way of your work! While your promise is to make it easy for them, you also need to get the job done. Whether it’s a new scheduling option, or a simple service agreement that communicates your expectations, the solution will come.

Conclusion

By running your business idea through the MVP process, you’ll be able to validate your idea, minimize risk, develop a loyal customer base, and grow at a healthy pace.

You’ll also be way ahead of the traditional business start-up game. Although I do recommend writing a one-page business plan – which covers business fundamentals, such as SWOT analysis, objectives, target market, marketing strategy, operations and financial projections – a formal business plan usually isn’t necessary for most solopreneurs.

Remember, an MVP is not just your service or product launch; it’s a continuous process of improvement and growth. Consider using it as a stepping stone to a fully realized and successful business.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

So, what does your MVP look like? Do you have a business idea you’re ready to test out? Share in the comments below!