Captrust - May 2025

Seasoned Traveler Secrets How Retirees Can Explore

Chords of New Wonder

THE WORLD’S FIRST COLOR-CHANGING GUITAR

“We’re crazy. That’s the first thing you need to know.”

the World Without Breaking the Bank

When Cream Guitars mastermind Luis Ortiz said those words in an interview with Premier Guitar on the floor of the 2024 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show in California, he summed up his company’s awe-inspiring vision for the future of music performance. Through a partnership with the Boston- based electronic ink and ePaper technology company E Ink, Ortiz has developed Cream Guitars’ revolutionary Voltage DaVinci, a guitar that can change color on demand. As Ortiz explained to Premier Guitar, a player who delights churchgoers with their white guitar in the morning no longer has to switch to a black guitar when they hit the stage with their heavy metal band in the evening.

Traveling as a retiree is a fun experience,​but it doesn’t need to strain your finances. Let’s take a look at some effective budget travel hacks that can help seniors explore the world without spending a fortune. Choose the right time to travel. Timing can significantly impact the cost of travel. Choosing to visit destinations during their off-peak seasons results in lower costs for flights and accommodations and fewer crowds. Travel providers often offer substantial discounts during these quieter months, so keeping an eye on deals can pay off. Utilize senior discounts. Make sure to take advantage of senior discount programs. Many organizations offer savings on everything from hotels to car rentals and dining. Organizations like AARP have extensive networks of travel discounts, and flashing that membership card can open the door to unexpected savings. It’s worth asking about senior discounts for any service because they’re not always advertised. Explore alternative accommodations. Searching for other accommodations can also stretch your travel budget. Instead of traditional hotels, consider vacation rentals or possibly house-sitting. These options can provide a more authentic local experience at a fraction of the cost. Platforms like Airbnb offer numerous possibilities that accommodate diverse tastes and needs. Opt for public transportation. When it comes to getting around, public transportation is both economical and an excellent way to feel the pulse of a new place. Buses, trains, and trams are less expensive than taxis and rental cars, and they allow you to navigate a new city like a local. Eat like a local. For dining, try to seek out places where locals eat. Food trucks, markets, street food, and mom-and-pop restaurants usually offer great food at lower prices than more upscale restaurants. This will help give you a taste of the food specific to that area. Smart planning and a willingness to explore beyond the conventional tourist destinations can make travel in retirement both affordable and more fun! Here’s to a budget-friendly trip!

“We had the idea to break all the rules of the traditional guitar,” he states in an E Ink press release. “We’ve redesigned every part of an electric guitar to broaden and enhance the playing experience. Through our innovative collaboration with E Ink, we are providing artists a level of creativity that extends well beyond anything available in today’s market.” The Voltage DaVinci’s E Ink displays allow players to switch between seven styles and shades. Depending on a player’s specific needs, the guitar can be programmed to retain a static color or display various

animated looks as desired. This option will appeal to performers who welcome the opportunity to alter the color of their guitar based on the mood or presentation of a particular song. Developed in the mid-1990s by scientists and engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), electronic ink has become a staple of mobile phones, electronic notebooks, and e-readers. With its colorful arrival in the music world, the possibilities for sonic and visual expression on stages worldwide have never been greater. The color-changing guitars are expected to be on the market by the end of 2025 and have an estimated price tag of $3,200.

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