If there is a silver lining to this complex senior world, the Internet would be it. By offering information, advice, community connections and so much more at all hours of the day, it can be a lifeline for baby boomers as they navigate the second half of life. Sometimes it’s hard to find what you need on the Internet. Search engines are great, but if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for they may not be much help. Here are two new sites offering valuable tools for boomers as they plan their future. Home equity advice For most of us, our home is the biggest purchase we will make in our lifetime. It is undeniably one of our largest investments. Of late, many boomers and seniors are making decisions about what to do with their homes during times of high stress or financial hardship. These situations can be complicated and scary, and it can be difficult to obtain impartial advice that is customized to our life situation. Sponsored by the nonprofit National Council on...

We live in expensive times. As prices go up and up and up, even the normal discount stores are starting to feel a little pricey. For many basic household needs, savvy shoppers are turning more frequently to thrift shops. People shop at thrift stores for any number of reasons. Some are trying to stretch their budgets; others hope to find overlooked antiques and collectibles, while college kids look for retro fashions, and retirees seek out memories of past days. “Thrifting” is fun and it’s cheap—and it’s also a good deed, providing funds for various charities as well as keeping usable goods out of landfills and incinerators. Some thrift stores are run for profit, and knowing who sponsors the store might provide insight into what you’ll find there—or incentive to patronize specific stores. Contrary to popular belief, most thrift stores do not exist to provide cheap goods for the poor—they exist to raise money to support their organizations’ missions. Senior Concerns’ Bargain...