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Writing Contest for Baby Boomers

Retirement Writing ContestRetirement/Empty Nest Writing Contest

StageofLife.com wants to hear your retirement and empty nest stories! We feature a free, bi-monthly writing contest themed around retirement and empty nest.  This writing competition is a non-fiction, memoir, blogging, essay-style contest for any person who is or was married.  There is NO submission fee.

See writing contest question and rules below.

How to Enter?

  1. Read rules below
  2. Read writing contest prompt below
  3. Submit your essay online to StageofLife.com (as instructed below) via the BLUE "Submit Essay"" button

Retirement/Empty Nest Writing Contest Winner Gets:

  1. Stage of Life SWAG
  2. $25 cash from StageofLife.com or equivalent value gift card from story contest sponsor
  3. Featured Writer invite on Stage of Life

Rules for the Writing Contest:

  • Essay must relate to the theme (see below).
  • Essay must be your original work.
  • Essay can be no longer than 500 words.
  • Essay must be non-fiction and follow the form of a diary, journal, blog, memoir, or essay.  That is to say...we want real stories about real life...from you.
  • Once entered, essay will become a part of Stage of Life's public facing content so no foul language or inappropriate material.  Those entries will be removed.
  • Registration to Stage of Life is required to enter the writing contest (it's free) which will allow us to post your story to the public.

Enter the Retirement/Empty Nest Story Writing Contest Now:

Please read below for details on the monthly writing contest and click the green "Enter Contest" button to submit your essay.  Good luck!

 

Empty Nest/Retirement Contest Topics

Empty Nest/Retirement Writing Contest: May - June 2012

Writing Contest Question:  What is your dream renovation?

Background: Summer is drawing near and this is prime climate for home improvement projects and renovations.  You may be a veteran or entry level empty nester with the need to make new with the now empty space of your kid(s), a retiree with time on their hands and the need to fill a vision, or, a baby boomer looking to cash in on equity and maybe bring up the value of your home.  Even if the economy is holding off plans or the dream is yet to be put into action, we all have those home projects that will fill a need or fulfill  a dream!  What will your dream remodel, renovation, or improvement project consist of, be it empty nest, retirement, or increasing the value of your investment…your home?

Essay Title:  Please title your story/essay: My Dream Improvement Project: (Insert your creative title here)

Example of Essay Title: My Dream Improvement Project: Kids Room Today, My Music Room Tomorrow!

Remember - your essay needs to be 500 words or less.

Contest Deadline:  June 30, 2012

Winner:  Announced after July 15, 2012

Prizes:    Three prizes awarded to winner...

  1. Shoebuy.comStageofLife.com SWAG package (pen and more)
  2. Featured Writer status for your essay on StageofLife.com.
  3. $25 gift card from Shoebuy.com

Good luck!

Empty Nest and Retirement Writing Contest
Empty Nest/Retirement Writing Contest: March- April 2012

This Contest has Ended

Writing Contest Question:  "With gas prices rising, how will this affect your retirement plans?"

Background: The economy has it's ups and downs, which always affects the way people spend and save. As the price of gas begins to rise, will this force you to change your empty nest and retirement travel plans?

Essay Title:  Please title your story/essay: The Economy and My Retirement:  ________  [insert your answer]

Example of Essay Title:   The Economy and My Retirement: Florida will have to wait

January- February 2012: Writing Contest

This Contest has Ended

Writing Contest:  What do you envision for 2012?

    DetailsWhether you are a single woman or man over 50, recently retired or experienced the first holiday season without your son or daughter who is off on their own, there is no doubt that we all experienced different emotions and possibly witnessed change of past traditions.  Then again, some of us may have been totally unaffected by change and the economy.

    Have the kids moved away or are they still local, and did the distance, tight finances or alternating families of significant others put restrictions on visits? If you have been single or are new to this experience, what kind of plans did you make to stay on top of it all. If you are retired, money may have been tight this year tell us your thoughts on 2012. What do you expect it to be like?

    In your essay, please creatively tell us...

    • Your outlook for 2012
    • Goals
    • Worries
    Winner: My 2012 Vision: A Nod to Yogi Berra by dswiatek
    November - December 2011: Writing Contest

    This Contest has Ended

    Writing Contest:  Awareness Month Nomination - What issue or cause should receive its own "awareness" month?

    View summary for this writing contest:

      Teen Trends - Letter to Me

    Student Writing Contest Winner - Bullying Essay

    Winner: Awareness Month Nomination: Don’t Let Another One Die From Suicide by NCpollyCA (Suicide prevention deserves an entire year, let alone one month)


    Runners Up:

    1. Awareness Month Nomination: Realizing Time by Guerillafilth (“Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional”)
    2. Awareness Month Nomination: Increasing Awesome by Papples (Stage of Life should feature “awesome” news stories from around the world)

    Details:  We saw NFL players wearing pink throughout October in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month.  We will pay tribute to the role of African-Americans throughout February during Black History month.  Now think about the topics on which you're passionate, and share your thoughts on a single issue or cause that should receive its own awareness month. 

    In your essay, please creatively tell us...

    • Is this a local, regional, national, international or planetary issue?
    • Why is this issue important?
    • Who does the issue impact?
    • How could the message be spread?
    • Are there any organizations, companies or blogs currently trying to make a difference to increase awareness on this issue?

    Here's the exciting part...

    This is going to be our first-ever, site-wide writing contest on StageofLife.com (verses the individual monthly writing contests).  So no matter what your stage of life may be, we want everyone, from teens to Baby Boomers, to share their vision and thoughts on how we could make the world a better place through your personal nomination of a societal issue that needs increased awareness in its own Awareness Month.

    The best essay responses will be compiled on a summary page and shared via a national press release in early 2012.

    $250 Prize Package:  One essay winner will be selected from across all writing contest entries in all life stages on StageofLife.com  We will also select 10 finalists, one from each life stage.  The solo-winner will receive a prize package valued at over $250:

    • $100 in cash from StageofLife.com
    • $50 gift card from contest sponsor, BareNecessities.com
    • $50 gift card from contest sponsor, FragranceNet.com
    • $25 gift card from contest sponsor, KodakGallery.com
    • $25 gift card from contest sponsor, Shoebuy.com
    • Free Pillow from contest sponsor, Sleepy's
    • Free T-Shirt from contest sponsor, T-Shirts.com
    • Stage of Life SWAG package, including letter from Stage of Life CEO
    • Invitation to become a Featured Writer on StageofLife.com
     Writing Contest Prize Sponsors
         
         
         
    Retirement/Empty Nest Writing Contest: September-October, 2011

    Retirement/Empty Nest Writing Contest Question:  "What do you feel may become the new trend or norm for the future of retirement?"

    Background:  It’s common for parents to be devastated when the kids move out. Further, you have spent most of your life stressed out about retirement funds.  But times and economic events have created a shift in your ability to save.  Those nest eggs and fund accounts seem to be on the chopping block.  Many of us will never be able to afford what is deemed as a ‘normal’ or traditional retirement. 

    What do you see for a future life of retirement and what are some ideas on how retirement traditions will change.  Whether you have first hand experience as a current retiree or see it somewhere in the future as an empty nester or baby boomer, your thoughts and ideas are important to us all!  As an empty nester, retiree or soon to be either, what do you feel may become the new trend or norm for the future of retirement?

    Essay Title:  Please title your story/essay:  The future of retirement:  ________  [insert your unique part of the title]

    Example:  The future of retirement: Working a part-time job just to get by.

    Contest Deadline: October 31st, 2011

    Winner:  Announced after November 10, 2011

    Retirement/Empty Nest Writing Contest Winner Gets:

    1. Stage of Life t-shirt and pen
    2. Featured Writer invite on Stage of Life
    3. $25 cash from Stage of Life!
    THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED AND IS BEING JUDGED
    Retirement/Empty Nest Writing Contest: July- August, 2011

    Retirement/Empty Nest Writing Contest Question:  "What are you looking forward to when you retire or have an empty nest?

    Contest Details:  Don't deny it, we know your excited to retire or have the house all to yourself. What are your plans for retirement? Are you going to:

    • Travel
    • Remodel
    • Relocate
    • Downsize
    • Pick a new hobby
    • Renew your relationship with your significant other

    Essay Title:  Please title your story/essay:  How will you fill your time: ________  [insert your unique part of the title]

    Example:  How will you fill your time: I will buy an RV and travel with my wife.

    THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED

    Contest Deadline: August 31st, 2011

    Winner: How will you fill your time: I will survive by momaloft

    Retirement/Empty Nest Writing Contest Winner Gets:

    1. Stage of Life t-shirt and pen
    2. Featured Writer invite on Stage of Life
    3. $25 cash from Stage of Life!

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