These Natural Wonders Are Worth Traveling to See

Travelers always dream of visiting legendary landmarks and wandering through storied ­museums. But sometimes Mother Nature puts on the most amazing shows. If you are heading to any of the following ­destinations, these offbeat, awe-inspiring natural wonders are well worth traveling to see.

Bioluminescent bays: Certain bodies of water sparkle at night as if sprinkled with Tinker Bell’s pixie dust. Credit goes to bioluminescent single-celled algae known as dinoflagellates that emit blue-green light when the water is gently stirred by a kayak paddle or even a hand. While year-round, the glow is especially impressive on the darkest nights of the month (one week around the new moon), so check lunar phases before booking. Places to see them…

https://www.bottomlineinc.com/life/travel/these-natural-wonders-are-worth-traveling-to-see

Why more people are trying a phased retirement

By Chris Farrell, Next Avenue

We know the U.S. workforce is aging. The ranks of workers age 65 and older has nearly quadrupled to more than 11 million since the mid-1980s, according to a report by the Pew Research Center. The trend toward an older workforce will continue, largely thanks to the combination of increased life expectancy (on average) and lower birth rates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predictsadults 65 and older will account for 57% of labor force growth over the decade ending in 2032.

That said, most workers eventually retire. Surveys show that the concept of gradually transitioning from full-time work to retirement — the catchphrase is "phased retirement" — is popular.

Fidelity Investments’ "State of Retirement Planning" study notes that two-thirds of those it surveyed across generations hope for phased retirement — steadily cutting back their work hours over several years before saying goodbye to colleagues for the last time. The Allianz Life 2024 annual consumer survey finds 47% of its participants think retirement should be a slow transition away from full-time work.

A Way To Test Drive Retirement

Phased retirement is an attractive choice for several reasons, especially among employees who have spent decades developing work-related knowledge and skills. They may not be quite ready to stop using their accumulated expertise, yet they're eager to leave behind the demands of full-time work (and endless exhortations to do more with less).

Perhaps continuing to earn an income, even though it's adjusted lower to account for fewer hours on the job, will ease the financial transition into retirement. Less time at work allows near-retirees to experiment with different activities to learn what may be fulfilling in their post-work years.

"It is an appealing idea for people," says Joe Casey, an executive coach and author of "Win the Retirement Game: Outsmart the 9 Forces Trying to Steal Your Joy." "It gives them more control and another option between continuing to work full-time and full-time retirement."

However, most companies haven't bothered to build an established glide path toward retirement for their older employees. That is, until recently.

Not only are phased retirement programs getting more attention from management, but even organizations without plans for adopting such a program increasingly offer employees the option to shift to more flexible work schedules, part-time jobs and the like. The choices go under different names, but the overall impact is to create more practical and gradual transition avenues toward retirement.

Preserving Institutional Memory

"It feels like progress has been slow," says Catherine Collinson, chief executive officer and president of the nonprofit Transamerica Institute and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. "But progress is happening."

Odds are management will look favorably on phased retirement and related programs in the years ahead. For one, management wants to retain experienced labor for a few more years in a tight labor market. For another, organizations want to encourage experienced employees to pass on their intangible knowledge to younger generations before they leave.

Employees are eager for phased retirement opportunities, too.

"What I see in the data and my interpretation and the survey findings, is the world of work is evolving; employer business practices are evolving," says Collinson. The Covid-19 pandemic alone accelerated the adoption of remote work, hybrid work and other opportunities that didn't exist five years ago.

Formal Vs. Informal Programs

Let's pause for a brief definition. Formal phased-retirement programs usually establish a set schedule over several years toward reduced hours and pay. Benefits are often maintained during the transition period. Formal programs can require mentoring and knowledge transfer to other employees.

Employers with formal programs typically have a highly skilled workforce — colleges and universities, government and technical professions. Management in these skill-dominated industries appreciate the option of retaining experienced employees longer, buying time for critical knowledge transfers and workforce succession planning.

Informal phased retirement programs are more common. The classic informal arrangement is a negotiated deal between an employee and boss that sets the parameters for a gradual exit. In addition, benefits options that enable greater flexibility on the job aren't necessarily designed with older workers in mind, but they are useful for constructing a transition path to retirement. Flexibility is useful for employees at other stages in their career and lives, including caregivers.

"You want it to be as inclusive as possible. So, when you're saying you're offering part time, people won't automatically put you out to the pasture and say, 'Look, you're retiring,' " says Emily Dickens, chief of staff, head of government affairs and corporate secretary for Society for Human Resource Management. "It's like, 'Look, I want to do something different and part time is an option,' no matter what age range you are in."

How Common Is This?

There is no nationally representative data on phased retirement, but the survey evidence is suggestive. Take the results from "Workplace Transformations: Employer Business Practices and Benefit Offerings" survey by the Transamerica Institute. Only 35% of employers have a formal phased retirement program, and 28% say they plan to implement one in the future.

Benefits that offer the option to create a transition to retirement can include flexible work schedules (available at 59% of companies surveyed), the ability to adjust hours as needed (54%), and enabling the switch from full-time to part-time (and vice versa) (36%).

Curious to learn more about phased retirement, I met with Stephen Burks, 74, who is an economics professor at the University of Minnesota Morris. The University of Minnesota has a formal program for tenured faculty, and he recently completed his four-year phased retirement. He joined the faculty at Morris in 1999 and specialized in experimental and behavioral economics and the economics of the U.S. trucking industry. (Burks drove tractor-trailers for a living for 10 years ending in 1986 before deciding to get his Ph.D. in economics.)

He started thinking about phased retirement about six years ago. Two years later he started his phased retirement, doing 75% of a professorial workload for 75% of the pay in the first year. He ended the transition at 35% pay and activity his last year. He kept his benefits.

Progress Trails Aging Workforce

An advantage of the program is that his schedule became considerably more relaxed since he no longer had to participate on committees and other university services. He did suffer a setback when he had to have triple bypass heart surgery. Happily, he recovered fine, and he tacked on another course the following year to make up for the missing semester.

"I have to say I liked it," says Burks. "I honestly don't think there was very much negative."

The evidence is overwhelming that the workplace has become more age-friendly in recent decades although progress has been on the slow side considering the aging of the workforce and the population.

Whether the approach is a formal phased retirement program, a much larger embrace of flexible work arrangements, or some combination of benefits, establishing a clearly understood roadmap for employees eager to retire gradually seems like a classic win-win for both management and workers.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2024/08/26/why-more-people-are-trying-a-phased-retirement/

Top 10 Expert-Backed Budget Travel Tips: How to See the World Without Breaking the Bank

From Bottom Line Inc.

By Donna Heiderstadt - a travel expert who has visited nearly 100 countries and traveled to all seven continents. 

Once you catch the travel bug—as I did 40 years ago—you’ll never want to stop exploring the world. With a few budget travel tips, you can easily make your money go further…and go farther yourself. As I’ve learned over the years, budget-savvy planning also can help you experience a destination more authentically. Here are my favorite money-saving travel tips…

1. Plan Ahead for Savings

Research is key to choosing the right dates and unlocking the best deals, so… 

Avoid visiting any destination during major events

Not only will airfare and accommodations command a premium during Paris Fashion Week, the Venice Film Festival, the TCS New York City Marathon or Art Basel Miami Beach, but traffic will be terrible and restaurant tables will be scarce.

Visit museums for free

There’s free admission at Rome’s Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of each month and the Louvre in Paris after 6:00 pm on the first Friday (except in July and August). New York’s Whitney Museum of American Art is free every Friday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and all day on the second Sunday of each month. Most London museums (including the British Museum and National Portrait Gallery) are always free, as are the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC.

Find free entertainment

Official tourism websites often have event calendars listing free activities. Example: Some cities—including Ashville, North Carolina…Charleston, South Carolina…San Antonio, Texas …and Seattle, Washington —host monthly art gallery walks, often on Friday evenings.

2. Travel During Off-Peak Seasons

Traveling off-season saves money and means fewer crowds and more temperate weather, so…

In the tropics, opt for shoulder season

May, June and November are ideal for enjoying a relaxing getaway to the Caribbean or Hawaii.

Head to the Med in November or March

A visit to Portugal, Spain, France, Italy or Malta on either side of peak season lets you avoid summer’s intense heat and long lines.

Skip summer trips to National Parks

Not only do lodges and campsites book up almost a year in advance during peak season, but jammed roads and crowded trails create frustration.

3. Find the Best Deals on Flights

Think off-season, mid-week and off-peak to score cheap airfare.

Avoid peak periods

That means summer and Christmas/New Year’s almost everywhere…Spring Break (mid-March) in Florida and Mexico…January to March in the Caribbean…and late September and October in fall foliage regions.

Choose the right day

Use a website like Kayak to compare flight costs on different days. Flying on Tuesday or Wednesday typically is cheaper than flying on Friday, Sunday or Monday.

Fly early or late

That flight at 6:00 in the morning or the midnight red-eye usually costs significantly less than one departing late morning through early evening.

4. Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodations

Finding the right lodging can offer big savings, so be sure to…

Compare options

Beyond traditional hotels, budget-friendly stays can include hostels…bed & breakfasts…rentals via Airbnb and Vrbo…and special hotel rates for group stays during a reunion or gathering.

Take advantage of discounts

Join a hotel’s loyalty program to snag member rates. Also: AAA has lodging deals for members. And some hotel chains offer senior rates—if there’s no deal listed online, call the property directly—and AARP has hotel discounts for members.

Check for extras

Some hotels include breakfast in standard rates (Embassy Suites by Hilton, Fairfield by Marriott and Holiday Inn Express all do) and/or have a complimentary happy hour (Kimpton, Drury Hotels and Embassy Suites by Hilton).

5. Pack Smart and Travel Light

Avoid checked-bag fees and public-transport hassles. My carry-on packing tips…

Think lightweight fabrics and layers

My go-to items are cotton or rayon pants and dresses paired with tank tops/T-shirts, thin cardigans and a rain-repellent jacket. Choose mix-and-match colors, and pack minimal shoes (sneakers, sandals and flats) and accessories.

Wear your bulkiest items on the plane

That means sneakers or boots, jeans and your heaviest sweater or jacket. Place toiletries, electronics and at least one pair of shoes in a shoulder tote or backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.

Roll, layer and compress

I fit clothing for a week or more in one side of a carry-on by neatly rolling the thinnest items to create a base layer and then layering folded pants and shirts on top. T-shirts, underwear, pajamas and swimwear are zippered into a medium compression bag on the other side, with accessories (sandals, scarf, belt, hat) tucked around it.

6. Use Public Transportation and Walk

You can save significantly by relying on buses, trains and your own two feet…

Take public transit to and from the airport

This is a true cost-cutter since many major airports offer fast and affordable trains or buses to the city center. Check your arrival airport’s website—for example, Heathrow Airport in London—and look for a “Transport and Directions” tab.

Check for discount fares or multiday passes

If you are spending a few days in a city with a subway or tram system, see if multiday passes or unlimited day tickets are available. Example: Search for “Chicago transit day pass” to see your options in the Windy City.  

Create your own walking tour

Ahead of your trip, research walking tours in your destination, note the places visited, and then create your own route using your phone’s map app.

7. Eat Well for Less

Enjoying local cuisine is a must, and it’s easy to save on food while traveling.

Visit a market

Immerse yourself in local culture by exploring a food market, such as Barcelona’s La Boqueria…London’s Borough Market…Seattle’s Pike Place Market…and Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market. Try a regional specialty from one of the vendors, or buy foods for a picnic lunch—fresh bread and cheese, sausages, olives, fruit and regional sweets.

Dine and drink like a local

First, find a non-touristy restaurant (avoid places with menus outside in multiple languages). Start with a carafe of the affordable house wine (in Italy, France, Greece and Spain) or locally brewed beer (in Germany, Belgium, England and Ireland).

Cook dinner

If you’re renting a place, dine out for lunch (when menu prices are cheaper), and shop a local market or grocer for dinner ingredients to prepare yourself.

8. Avoid Hidden Fees and Currency Charges

Managing your expenses while abroad requires avoiding bad exchange rates and ATM fees.

Know the exchange rate

Currencies regularly fluctuate against the US dollar, so before your trip, check the currency converter at Xe.com to see the current rate.

Avoid hidden fees

At your destination, look for ATMs operated by major banks (Citibank, HSBC or Deutsche Bank) or financial institutions that display the Cirrus, Mastercard or Visa logos.

Play your cards right

Use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, which can add up quickly. Examples: American Express Gold Card, Capital One Venture and Chase Sapphire Preferred.

9. Take Advantage of Travel Rewards and Points

Leverage your credit card points, loyalty programs and other travel rewards by…

Knowing loyalty program perks

Beyond accruing miles or points for redemption, achieving and maintaining airline loyalty program status can earn you complimentary upgrades and priority boarding—with added benefits (preferred seat selection and free checked baggage) if you also have the airline’s credit card.

Watching for points promotions

Roundtrip to Europe in April for just 37,000 points? I spotted a Delta SkyMiles promo, snagged the deal and saved $825. Sign up for alerts or keep updated on current deals at ThePointsGuy.

Using bonus rewards

In addition to accruing points for free flights and hotel stays, some travel credit cards also give members who spend a certain amount within a calendar year a reward voucher for $100 or $200 that can be redeemed when booking using the card.

10. Work and Save While You Travel

Less conventional ways to save while traveling are also available — if you’re willing to…

Look into work-exchange programs

These arrangements, available through a variety of organizations, let you experience local life while working part-time (teaching English or working on a farm, for example) in exchange for free accommodation.

Give lectures on a cruise ship

If you have a field of expertise—from ancient history to digital photography—and can deliver an engaging presentation, apply through a specialized talent agency or directly with a cruise line to be part of an enrichment program at sea. You won’t get paid, but you will see the world.

https://www.bottomlineinc.com/life/travel/top-10-expert-backed-budget-travel-tips-how-to-see-the-world-without-breaking-the-bank/