50+ Perks: Not just for Coffee Pots
by Jim Herman

One of the many advantages of reaching the milestone of 50+ is the perks that are available to this growing segment of our population. For the most part we are through with the hectic pace of working sixty-hour weeks to insure the family has all the modern conveniences. We’re done. The kids are gone, we hope, and it’s time to enjoy our status of having made it this far. Now we are ready to consume the perks available from the abundant offerings that are literally being piled upon us.

Most of us are familiar with the more popular offerings from the well-organized association AARP, which are plentiful; however, there are many more in our own backyard, so to speak. Most all grocery chains offer discount days as well as department stores, hardware and home improvement outlets. You just have to ask.

Some of the more lucrative perks are not advertised heavily, but are well worth a diligent search. One perk that my lovely wife and I have latched onto involves a variety of resort-like vacations -- should you elect to use all of the offered freebies -- available at a price that is not only affordable but downright embarrassingly cheap in comparison to our costs before reaching 50+ status.

No! This is not about time-share!

All across these United States there are several corporations building retirement villages. Actually, some are large enough that they have incorporated into a town. Based on federal law and guidelines from which these companies receive some type of benefit, these types of communities are only available to people age 50 or older (some are 55+). These companies want you and I to purchase a very nice dwelling and lifestyle from them. To draw us, they offer visits and use of facilities for up to one week for a cost that is less than a one-day charge you would have to pay at a “name” resort.

My personal favorite is Del Webb Corporation. This company has 27 distinct communities located from California to Maine, offering lifestyle living from affordable to luxury. My favorite two are located in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Del Webb’s web site at www.delwebb.com, details all of their properties. Be sure to look for the “visit us” invitation link. All of their properties include country clubs, multiple golf courses, huge tennis facilities, learning centers, a town center that includes theaters and shops, fitness centers, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, fishing lakes, walking/running trails, game rooms for cards and billiards and restaurants.

This past year we visited Del Webb’s Hilton Head facility, Sun City. Located just 10 miles inland from the Atlanta Ocean and the well known Hilton Head Island, the large gated community of a planned 3,000 homes is a self-contained resort with a county club, two golf courses and all of the amenities listed above. The added plus here is the proximity of the beaches, seafood restaurants and the natural beauty of the area with its huge growth of evergreens. Live Oak trees seemingly embrace your visit with a sense of belonging.

Our total cost for the five-night stay in a two bedroom fully furnished Villa was $225. This price included 24-hour a day use of an electric golf cart and full use of all the facilities at no charge, except for the $9 per person charge for each round of golf.

The only other obligation was to attend a one-hour wine and cheese presentation at the county club where a low-key sales pitch about the property was presented. We enjoyed this one-hour presentation so much that we asked for a repeat visit the same week and were given a resounding yes!

When I was younger a perk was something a coffee pot did; today it is more for less!

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