Guest Correspondent Wendy L., Miami FL: Whether tourist or local, be aware that shopping in New York City can be pricey. However, if you know how to find them, bargains are everywhere.

An ex-New Yorker, I go back often to stock up on everything from seasonal clothing to electronics to the latest in contemporary furnishings. As a senior shopper, I like the convenience of the Big Apple. I can get around by foot, cab, Uber and Lyft, and there are many places to stop, eat and take breaks.

Here are some suggestions on how and where to do your senior shopping in Manhattan.

Before planning that bucket list trip to England, China or wherever outside the USA, be sure you have all necessary and updated paperwork.

Don't mess up your plans by being refused entry into a country. It could be worse, being hauled off to spend a night or more in the local lock-up while waiting for bail-out money. When embarking on your travels, be sure to have the following in-date and in-effect documents with you:

Guest Senior Correspondent Dr. KLB, Atlanta GA: A key part of my travel attitude is to make sure I get my money's worth. I've worked and saved carefully for a lifetime, so I never intend to pay for overcharges and mistakes of others.

I have a good track record at getting refunds after travel deals go wrong. Of course, I prefer to have things go smoothly than needing to complain later to try for satisfaction. When you get bad service at a restaurant, overcharged on a hotel bill or other questionable deals, here are tips that may help you complain effectively, without being a cry baby:

When you spend long hours in the air, there's no way to make the distance shorter. However, with common sense and smart planning, there are tricks to make it seem shorter. Consider:

1. Get the right flight. For trips lasting four hours or more, book a red eye. They usually take off from the airport between 11 pm and 3 am. They're scheduled at times when roads and airports are less crowded. You'll get through security more quickly, and be settled in your seat without all the pushing and shoving. If you’re lucky, you may be able to stretch out alone in a three-across seat row.

2. Because it’s your regular bedtime on the red eye, make yourself as comfy as possible. If booked in first or business class, just lean back flat and snooze away the hours, interrupted only by an occasional snack, cocktail or two. If you're in a squeezed tourist seat, make the best of what you have.