By Dr Nick Jones

It pays to be planned and prepared for that trip overseas. Even the smallest health ailment can dampen our enjoyment tremendously.

In this book, you will find tips on getting prepared for your trips, from insurance, vaccinations, jet lag to the medical kit for your travels. Not overlooking travellers with specific needs, it also provides detailed advice for the elderly, disabled, families with children, pregnant women and sufferers of asthma or diabetes.

In addition, the book also provides several listings. Two listings to highlight are an A to Z List Of Diseases (their symptoms and practical steps to take) and Where In the World (higher risks of common diseases prevalent in their geographical groups).

By Sandy Paton

You’ve planned your itinerary, packed your bags, and you’re ready to go – or so you think. Traveling can be mentally and physically demanding. If you’re tired, no matter how interesting the attractions, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy them. This is where the book will come in handy.

The book takes you through a series of exercises to help you relax, maintain your energy level and relieve muscle cramps, to keep your cool during the trip and unwind at the end of it. The next morning, with a few simple stretches, you’re ready to go again!

The best part is that the exercises are simple with only two or three steps. You can do them in confined spaces, such as while sitting in the plane or traveling on a coach. You can also continue to practise them even when not traveling for stress-free days ahead.

By Howard Tomb

This travellers’ phrasebook maybe tiny but it packs a battalion of verbal arsenal. Whatever the situation entails, whether it is to pay compliments or refute an abusive salesperson or taxi driver, you can definitely find that killer one-liner here. But of course, the languages covered are limited to French, Italian, German, Japanese and Spanish only.

Overall, this is a fiendishly irreverent phrasebook meant just for fun. It is an especially good read when one is initially unsettled and overwhelmed by the strange sights, sounds and smells in a foreign land and it seems as though you cannot get things going your way. Reading this book with its humorous look at cultural differences will inevitably lift up one’s spirit.

By Steve Watkins and Clare Jones

Ride on the luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore to Bangkok or set sail on a tall ship between Venice and Rome. Walk with Wordsworth in England or take a detour to see the towering spires of Antonio Gaudi’s famed cathedral La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

These are some of the quaint, unusual and unforgettable journeys that will surely delight seniors among us. Filled with six to eight pages of photographs of interesting sights and descriptions for every one of the thirty journeys, which include tough challenges for the rugged young at heart too. Contains useful web addresses at the end of the book.

By Heidi Sarna & Matt Hannafin

All aboard!

Planning to take a cruise but have no idea where to start? Flip through this guide and find out the best destinations for cruises and the exhilarating and entertaining activities that you and your family can do on board a cruise liner.

From luxury cruises to family cruises, popular ports to exotic destinations, discover the different kinds of cruises that are available. Get vital information on how to go about booking your cruise, what to pack and the things to expect when you’re on the cruise.

Bon voyage!

By Lisa Rogak

You can choose to be your own boss.

If you need ideas on what type of businesses to start, this book is a good reference. For each business, there is a 2-3 page summary on the skills required, the estimated investment, the potential clients of the business and other details.

As you flip through the book, you may suddenly realize that there are so many opportunities out there that may be worth a try.

By Larry E. Swedroe

Know the market, avoid disastrous loss.

Most people who consistently do well in their investment do not succeed based on luck alone. They study the trends of the market and develop understanding on the behaviour of the market. In this way, they are able to see tell tale signs of unstable market and cut cost when necessary.

In this book, the author devoted one chapter each to the 14 “truths” that he has observed about the market. These pointers are good learning points for other investors.

By Martin Hawes

Plan for the life you have always wanted.

After 30 to 40 years at high-pressure jobs, it sounds good to switch to a slower pace of life, to do things that your have only thought of but never have the time to do. At the same time, this is also a frightening idea. The first inevitable question will be “How long will my money last?”

Learn how you can plan a more relaxing lifestyle from Martin Hawes, a financial expert. Look into how you can free up more time for yourself, work less and maximize the returns of your current assets.

By David D. Corbett and Richard Higgins

When a person hits 50 years old, the word “retirement” starts to surface. David Corbett has new ideas for seniors in their 50s and 60s. Targeted at executives and professionals, the author has proposed a life portfolio that tackles 5 main areas: 1) work, 2) learning, 3) recreation, 4) family, and 5) community.

With this life portfolio, one can have new purpose in life and have more meaningful post-career engagements.

By David Bach

It is never too late to do financial planning.

This book provides encouraging incidents of people who started financial planning late and yet ended up wealthy. It is easy to read and full of ideas on how you can save more money, get rid of your debt and increase your sources of income.

It also explains how insignificant habits like buying bottled water to quest your thirst everyday may snowball into a large sum of money over the years.