Five Summer Bucket List Items
July 27, 2021
With summer finally here, it is a great time to focus on things you have been meaning to do but maybe have not had the time or the ability to so. After a little over a year of being indoors, it’s time to enjoy the sunshine and cross some items off your summer bucket list. Need some ideas to get started? Check out these five summer action items.
1. Visit
Whether you are eager to see your grandparents or a college roommate, book an international destination or take in some sights a few states away, make sure you work in a travel arrangement or two this summer. While many of us kept in touch virtually, there is nothing like seeing family and friends in person. Use a travel site like Kayak.com to find the best rates and compare deals on flights, travel packages and more. Before you visit, check the CDC’s website for the most up-to-date information on travel guidelines.
2. Create
Have you wanted to refinish that old dresser in your bedroom? Or is your Pinterest board overflowing with potential projects? If this sounds like you, it’s time to grab a paintbrush and get creative! You can have a DIY summer when you create unique bird feeders, works of art or renew existing items in your house. Go green and upcycle, or use recycled items for your next creative project. Prepare to be blown away by the possibilities when you enter “upcycled furniture ideas” into your favorite search engine.
3. Volunteer
Many non-profit organizations are starting to re-open their doors and accept in-person volunteers at their facility. The pandemic has been tough on businesses and agencies across the board, but charitable organizations have taken a big hit. Do some good in your community and contribute to a cause you love when you volunteer this summer. If you’re unsure where to start, visit volunteer.charitynavigator.org/ and enter your zip code to find opportunities in your area. Sign up for a virtual or in-person event near you.
4. Learn
It’s never too late to learn something new. Learning exercises your brain and is very exciting! It can help reduce cognitive decline in older adults, combat depression and encourage well-being in other areas of your life. Take this summer as your opportunity to learn something you’ve always wanted to. Take those guitar lessons, sign up for a LinkedIn Learning course or learn how to tie a bow tie. Set a goal for yourself and enjoy that rewarding feeling when it’s all said and done.
5. Play
The stress of this past year still weighs on all of us. Many of us had to balance work and home life simultaneously or, we were disconnected from loved ones for what seemed like an eternity. If anything, the past year has taught us that it’s important to live in the moment. So, embrace that kid-at-heart mentality and PLAY. Ask your grandchildren to come over and teach you the latest Tik Tok dance. Or, when you visit that college roommate, indulge in a silly game of charades. Relieve some tension and interact with loved ones in a fun way when you make it a point to play this summer.
Love the ideas listed here? Check out the back of this page and keep track of your progress with GBU's Summer Bucket Checklist.
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.
GBU has designated four Community Pillars - Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support - which are a concentrated list of causes that resonate with our values.
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