BoomerZoo Almanac for December 31-January 6 2007

Pretty much everyone in the universe must be aware by now that December 31, 2006 marked the last day that the leading edge of the Baby Boomer generation turned 60. Over the next 17 years, somewhere in the neighborhood of 72 million more of us Boomers will follow. All told we account for more than a quarter of the U.S. population! At one point in the 1960s, this group of Americans represented more than 40% of the U.S. population, so we don’t quite have the clout we used to—though we do seem to be using up resources at a pretty good clip. Hmm.

While I’m on the topic of numbers, let me just say here that I am totally fascinated by statistics. And yes, I do know about Mark Twain’s (borrowed) adage that “there are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics.” Still, aren’t they kind of fun? We can—and do—use them in all sorts of fun ways. That’s one of my plans for this blog: find fun stats about Baby Boomers—or find stats or events from the last 61 years that make me laugh, at least.

So congratulations to all of you who started getting a senior discount last year, and for those of us turning 55 or 60 this year, keep on the lookout! Going gray may have its drawbacks, but at least we can always go to the Goodwill to get 10% off our purchase!

You take care now. Bye-bye!