Education

The growing student loan crisis is getting a lot of attention from policymakers. But did you know that, as Boomers age, many of them are bringing student loan debt with them into their older years? Some of it is their own, while other debt is from cosigning student loans for children and grandkids. What happens to that debt after you're gone is the topic of this column, provided by the Cleveland-area law firm Solomon, Steiner & Peck. ...

Find out how technology is more friend than foe. Come to the Geauga Senior Technology Expo that Boomer is co-presenting with Ohman Family Living and other reputable sponsors.

From smartphones to smart speakers, discover how simple hardware, apps and other internet-based services can simplify your life and streamline your everyday activities.

It’s FREE! August 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at West Geauga Senior Center, 12650 West Geauga Plaza in Chesterland. RSVP at (440) 729-2782.

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Why is it that some people seem to "get" technology and some of us don't? If you're in the don't category, then you may be interested in a free tech expo coming up in August at the West Geauga Senior Center. Get hands-on help with smartphones, downloads and other tech stuff. If you want to learn how to use what you have or want to get started with the basics, this is the event for you. ...

We use our smartphones for almost everything - banking, shopping, podcasts, driving directions. Why not use an app to see what Medicare covers? Now you can. The free Medicare app is a convenient way to sort through coverage using only a few taps on your phone. ...

You can almost hear them playing, can't you? Dig through your closets, hunt through the attic and dust off your kids' old musical instruments. We've got a home for them and it's right here in Cleveland with a new generation of budding musicians. ...

As digital records and cloud storage become the norm, the stodgy safe deposit box is under threat to join our growing list of things that will soon disappear forever. But don’t rush to declare the safe deposit box a relic of the past just yet. You still need to be able to produce certain original documents, rather than digital scans or photocopies, and some valuables simply can’t be digitized. ...

Almost all “digital natives” (younger people) — and many digital immigrants (Boomers), such as myself — use smartphones and their apps to stay in touch. Dispersing information on social media once to update our friends does away with the need to repeat the same information to multiple parties. ...

“If education has been a family tradition and core value, it's a wonderful way to leave a lasting legacy,” she says. “The estate tax advantage of placing assets in 529 plans is also compelling. 529 plan assets are not included in taxable estates. This can save significant estate taxes for high net worth families.” ...