Avoid medical alert device swindles.
Here is an important article about medical alarms aimed at seniors. This is a must read. Click below for the whole story:
Free Medical Alert Device Scam Targets Seniors - Identity Theft - AARP
My husband and I never answer the phone. We let our cheap answering machine screen all our calls. If we want to talk to someone whose voice is talking on our answering machine, we pick up the phone. We had a robocall call us for over a month. Their robocall was talking to our answering machine. A robocall is a pre-recorded sales call. It is not a real person talking to you. Eventually, they stopped calling us.
NEVER give out any personal information over the phone. Examples are:
- Social Security Numbers
- Bank Account or Credit Card Numbers
- Birth Date
- Don't respond to unsolicited requests for personal information in the mail, over the phone, or online.
Restrict telemarketing calls permanently by registering your phone number at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
Tips for Dealing with Extreme Heat
Stay in air-conditioned space if possible.
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
- Cut back on exercise.
Closely watch those who are at high risk of heat-related illness.
NEVER leave anyone or any pet in an enclosed, parked vehicle.
Click below for more on these tips:
Tips for Dealing with Extreme Heat
If you are thinking about buying a new car or just want to know your car's MPG (Miles Per Gallon) you can check the Fuel Economy Guides by clicking below:
Print the Fuel Economy Guide
The Fuel Economy Guides are for cars from 1984 to Present. You can download or order a printed copy. There is a lot of information here. This is a very useful site! Enjoy!
Summer driving has started. Here are some tips to improve your gas mileage:
- Drive more efficiently.
- Keep your car in shape.
- Plan and combine trips.
- Choose a more efficient vehicle.
To read more about the tips above click below:
Improve Your Gas Mileage
Some sweepstakes are legitimate. Some are scams. Learn how to avoid sweepstakes scams by clicking below:
How You Can Avoid Sweepstakes Scams
You can have your name removed from direct mail and email marketing lists at the National Do Not Call Registry. Just click the above link.
Low-income families can get help paying for phone service using the Lifeline Program. The Lifeline program helps low-income households get telephone service by providing discounts. Participants must provide proof of income or participate in a qualifying assistance program.
Learn more about Lifeline and find out if you're eligible.
Here are the 9 symptoms you should never ignore:
- Sudden Intense Headache
- Chest Pain
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Unusual Bleeding
- High or Persistent Fever
- Shortness of Breath
- Sudden Confusion
- Swelling in the legs
- Sudden or severe abdominal pain
Read more about these nine symptoms and what they might mean. Click below:
9 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
All federal benefit check recipients will receive funds electronically starting March 1, 2013. This includes Social Security, VA benefits, or other federal benefits. You are required by law to switch by March 1, 2013. You can choose to get your payments by direct deposit to a bank or credit union or to a Direct Express Debit MasterCard card account.
To learn more visit godirect.org.
Federal Benefits: Switch to Electronic Payments by March 1
The U.S. Postal Service has been in the news lately. Starting in August 2013, the U.S. Postal Service will no longer deliver regular mail to street addresses on Saturdays. Mail will still be delivered Monday through Friday.
Discontinuing Saturday delivery is expected to save the Postal Service $2 billion annually.
To read more about this new change click the link below:
Post Office To Change Mail Delivery Service, Starting in August
Are you hearing very loud commercials from your television set? Louder than the program you were watching? Now, there is something you can do about it. The CALM Act requires commercials to have the same average volume as the programs they accompany.
If you hear very loud commercials than the TV shows you are watching, you can file a complaint with the FCC by providing detailed information about the commercial.
Click the link below to learn more:
CALM Act Regulates Volume of TV Commercials
The United States Postal Service has set the 2012 holiday shipping deadlines for Christmas delivery. Click below to see holiday mailing options and deadlines:
Holiday Mailing Options and Deadlines
Are you thinking about retirement? Or do you just want to know how much money you would be getting from Social Security? Then you need Social Security's retirement estimator.
The estimator will help you know how much your monthly Social Security benefits would be based on your earnings record.
Click the link below and get started:
Estimate Your Retirement Benefits from Social Security
If you need help with retirement planning check out the link below:
10 Ways to Prepare for Retirement
USA.gov has a Thanksgiving page. There you will find information on cooking and food safety tips, travel resources, volunteer opportunities, and historical information. Check them out. Click the link below:
Thanksgiving Resources
Need heat? Need help paying for heat? Don't be cold this winter. Get more information by clicking the link below:
Get Help Paying Your Home Heating Bills this Winter
If you can't reach them on the phone, go in person to your county Department of Social Services. Go the Food Stamp Department. They will have the information you need to receive help.
Get advice on preparing and serving a variety of meats and side dishes during the holidays without spreading food borne illness.
You'll find online publications about roasted meats, stuffing, mail order food, and other topics.
You can also order a free print kit that includes Let's Talk Turkey, Cooking for Groups, and a handy magnet that tells you the recommended internal temperatures for some common foods. Click the link below:
Safe Cooking Tips for the Holidays
My husband and I bought a new lawn mower this past summer (2012).
Popular Mechanics sent me my newsletter which contained an article about how to pick the right lawn mower for my lawn. You are probably not thinking about buying a lawn mower at this time of the year. If you are interested in how to pick the right mower for your lawn check out this link:
How to Pick the Right Mower for Your Lawn
Note this link is slow but it is worth waiting for.
