All too frequent street crime headlines: bike thieves swoop up tourist cell phones. When walking, especially in a big city, it can happen to you. Top targets of the thieves are distracted senior tourists wandering the streets cluelessly pointing and shooting selfies and other scenes.

You can prevent it happening to you by keeping your phone secure in a fitted case with a strap wrapped around your wrist. When not pointing and shooting, don’t walk around with it loose in your hand. Keep it in a buttoned pocket.

You’ve decided on a cruise, had a price quote from the cruise line and are ready to pay for it. Hold on to that money until you can check out ways to sail that voyage for less, sometimes much less!

Look online for discount booking companies, such as www.vacationstogo.com, and seek out better deals. The best are usually for last-minute sailings, where the ship is scheduled to leave the dock in just a few days, and some cabins are not yet booked. It’s especially good for retired seniors who are always prepared to grab an already-packed bag, fly to the port and go aboard just before sailing time. Bon bargain voyage!

According to some learned shrinks, all the ever-increasing travails of seniors are affecting their health. They say every hour of every day now fills our minds with shocking news of natural disasters, wars, politics, suicide, crime and other negative brain drains. How can we, especially seniors, cope with it all?

The best solution for staying mentally healthy is to get out and get going to keep your aging brain filled with new and exciting travel adventures. Grab a flight to England and have tea and biscuits by London’s Trafalgar Square. Sail to a Caribbean island and enjoy the music, beaches and tropical themes. Get star-struck in Manhattan’s Broadway theater district and see the latest plays. Climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris or just hit the nearest beach with your grandkids.

For example, Southwest offers senior deals on most flights, but sometimes they may not be the lowest you’ll actually pay. For instance, SW periodically offers special fares with a three-day deadline. If you’ve already bought a ticket earlier for the same flight, the price you paid could be $100 or more higher. Keep daily checking, and if the flight is later advertised at a lower rate, contact SW or your travel agent. Ask to get the credit applied for a future SW flight.