As I mentioned several weeks ago, I love my smartphone and have it with me all the time.  Previously, I suggested several helpful smartphone apps and I have  a few more to add which have served me well.

My travels this past week required a change of planes twice on both the outbound and return flights.  I downloaded the Delta Airlines app (and American and United Airlines) in order to keep informed of all flight details, including layover time, specific gate departures and arrivals.  If you are on a WiFi flight, you can access the airline app enroute for free without having to purchase WiFi service.  Additionally, the apps show your frequent flyer number and up-to-date frequent flyer miles.  I find it so much easier than trying to obtain that information online from my laptop. 

I travel home on Thursday and the airline app provides me every bit of information I need and, if any of my return flights are delayed, it will keep me updated.   I can check in via the app and download mobile boarding passes if I wish.   JetBlue, Southwest, and many other airlines also have mobile apps; US Air does not as yet.

Traveling is such a hassle these days that I am all for anything that can make airline travel easier; these apps serve that purpose. ♥

                      

Rainforest at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Carpe diem!  I learned of another terrific discount for seniors.  It is the Senior Pass offered by the USGS.  For a fee of $20 you can obtain a lifetime pass that "provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites [national parks] managed by five Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services." Any U.S. citizen 62 or older is eligible for the pass.  You can learn how to obtain the pass here:  http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html.  With a photo ID, the Senior Pass" admits pass owners and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas and pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where per-person fees are charged. (Children under 16 are always admitted free.)"  Grand Canyon, here I come ... again!  And here is a travel website specifically for seniors:  http://www.suddenlysenior.com/travelpage.html.

Tomorrow I will discuss tips to prevent memory loss ... if I can remember where I put my notes. ♥

Many of us in retirement are among the masses owning Smartphones.  I absolutely love my iPhone and don't leave home without it.  During the time that I have owned it I have downloaded many apps, including very helpful ones like ShopSavvy (scans the price of an item and compares it to the best prices locally and online), Travelzoo (best travel deals locally and nationally), QRReader (scans QR codes), photo apps such as Pro HDR, Camera+, PerfectPhoto, Instagram, and a gas station locator, GasBuddy, which provides daily updated local gas prices.  I think the app that has occupied most of my time, however, is the game Angry Birds.  Yes, I admit I am addicted, in fact, during the first week of my retirement I spent a good deal of time attaining 3 stars in all the games.  (I needed to do something non-productive!) Yesterday, Angry Birds just sent an update with more games to conquer .... 

A great app for all ages is Google Translate (free), which can do voice translations in 64 languages -- great for traveling!   My recent Google searches have led me to a few apps that are helpful to seniors.  Babyboomers' Handbook ($2.99) gives tips to grandparents, tips on laws, the arts, health, etc.   If you are seeking a significant other to grow old with, there are several senior dating apps ranging from free to $9.99.  WebMD (free) explains medical symptoms, gives first-aid information, and is handy in an emergency.  The name of the following one made me laugh -- it is called SitorSquat (free) and, obviously, is like a GPS for the closest public restroom! 

I received a response from Publix regarding senior discounts:  "Thank you for taking the time to contact our corporate office with your question about senior discounts.  As a competitive response to other supermarkets, on specific days we do offer a senior discount in our Atlanta Division stores.  This encompasses Tennessee and the northern portions of Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia.  However, at the present time we do not have any plans to expand the program beyond that market."  (emphasis added).    So, all the seniors in Florida are out of luck!