AARP and My Premature Aging

June 23, 2008 on 12:24 pm | In Retirement | 3 Comments

AARP CardI turned 48 this year. Yet, I’ve been a member of AARP (Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons), an advocacy group for people age 50 and over, since 2006. When I became a member, I had just turned 46. With social security fast on its way to bankruptcy, I doubt I’ll ever retire, so why did AARP choose to add me to its rank and file in 2006? Because that’s the year my wife, Cecie, turned 50.

I have no regrets about having married an “older woman.” My older woman is wiser, more fun loving, more beautiful, and more energetic than most of the women I’ve met who are my age and younger. 

My beef is with AARP.  Just because Cecie turned 50 doesn’t make me 50. I feel old enough as is. Not so long ago, I could run six miles and barely break a sweat. Now, I have to run/jog and can barely make it 2.5 miles before I collapse. I don’t need to be carrying around an AARP card in my wallet as a constant reminder of how old I’m getting.

I’ll hit 50 soon enough, no need to rush it, AARP!

Ralph R. Roberts Offers to Assist Ed McMahon

June 9, 2008 on 12:42 pm | In Consumer Protection, Foreclosure, Real Estate Investing | Leave a Comment

Foreclosure Self-Defense For Dummies CoverToday’s edition of The New York Times carried a story by Joanne Kaufman entitled, “A Shift in Real Estate Books.” The story is about how publishers are scrambling to get books to market to help homeowners and real estate investors with the downturn in the housing market and increasing foreclosures.

The article begins by focusing on the fact that even rich celebrities are having trouble. Recently, Ed McMahon, famous for being Johnny Carson’s co-host and for making lots of people happy with his Publisher’s Clearing House giveaways, has run into some financial trouble and is facing foreclosure on his $4.8 million in home loans.

My co-author for several books, including Foreclosure Investing For Dummies and Foreclosure Self-Defense For Dummies, Ralph R. Roberts, heard about Mr. McMahon’s problems and called him to offer his expert assistance. Ralph has been through foreclosure himself and works with another guy to audit home loans. In many cases, they are able to reveal problems with loans that force the lender to renegotiate. McMahon turned down the offer. Personally, I think Ed McMahon made a big mistake in doing so. Ralph is what I would consider the top expert in foreclosures in the U.S.

Well, maybe Mr. McMahon has enough money to buy a copy of Foreclosure Self-Defense For Dummies. If he doesn’t, we’d be more than happy to send him a free copy.

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