Princeton, NJ-- Ahhh...the kids are gone. What to do now? "Spend, spend, spend," says Emily Briody who heads up the Milestones division of ALC, whose mission is to facilitate strategies for life event marketing.

With more leisure time on their hands, empty nesters are pursuing new activities, traveling more frequently, and partaking in self-nurturing activities. They're adopting new technologies to stay on top of the markets, manage money, and stay in touch with their kids and grandchildren. They're also more likely to try new products.

According to recent studies, empty nesters:

• Spend more time socializing and entertaining at home


• Use the web to manage and spend their money


• Stay on top of the market and their retirement investments via publications and websites


• Partake in self-nurturing activities


• Embrace products and technologies to stay in touch with children


• Pursue new experiences -- leisure activities, volunteer, second career


• Try new products from packaged goods to health and beauty


• Travel, stay in hotels & resorts, rent cars, and join exotic excursions

Briody claims that empty nesters--parents whose kids have moved out-- are one of today's hottest markets. "Achieving life's milestones such as graduating from school, having a baby, and seeing your children leave home triggers new needs, desires, and dreams," she says. "Raising your children to become independent is one of life's great accomplishments."

"As part of the affluent boomer generation, there are more empty nesters than ever before," she adds. "And as empty nesters, a majority have more money than their parents before them based on higher discretionary income and funded retirement plans."

The marketing possibilities are endless. Among affluent empty nesters, many have immediate plans to redecorate and remodel their homes to add offices, craft, fitness, and entertainment rooms. Others plan to relocate to better climates or to closer proximity of services such as recreation, cultural activities, and country clubs.

"Today's generation of empty nesters are wielding significant economic influence on consumer spending," adds Briody. "The key to winning their patronage is by reaching them right at the time as their kids take flight."

Immediately available through ALC is the following list:
355,000 ALC Milestones- Empty Nesters @ $75/M

Selections include:

• Parents' Age and Exact Date of Birth


• Gender


• Income


• Dwelling Type

The ALC Milestones team helps marketers identify which life moments trigger spending in many product categories. Life-changing events have enormous impact on consumer purchasing behavior and the ability to know when they will occur can be extremely valuable market intelligence.

ALC Milestones lists available for life event marketing campaigns include:

• College Students & College Bound High School Seniors


• Engaged/Newlywed


• Prenatal and New Births


• New Business Starts


• New Movers


• Empty Nesters

For more information on reaching Milestones Empty Nesters, please contact Emily Briody at (609) 580-2971.