tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509875496191515962024-03-05T10:28:31.267-08:00Consumer Issues and Your RightsConsumer issues relating to frugal living, medical, retirement living, home improvement, senior citizens and Internet use.
Sharing knowledge about government programs, current events, money management and do it yourself, with references to websites, scams, and how to work smart.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-50603591268155627232015-02-27T08:55:00.004-08:002015-02-27T08:55:59.453-08:00Do Not Discard. 15 Household Products You Can Use on Your Yard<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spring is cleaning time, and you may be ready to throw away
products you haven’t used for years. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many of these products are good for your
yard -- you may remember if you watched Jerry Baker on PBS or if you’ve read
his books. He advocates the use of tonics and solutions to make flowers, shrubs
and grass come alive. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK__HBycpzruhzkVImeXe0M0_cQX3SoSyEIWIscwiTnqz42XMFrScVpJg-KvO5vgvqff_jHsrjl2IRcGM-X7pOCBo8kc3xN1uPMnI9Ji6LA_F45yQKWEoK28X9kCwZBGKFQ4LxedoIG4/s1600/Dsc01306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dianthus flowers fed with epsom salts, sugar and beer" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK__HBycpzruhzkVImeXe0M0_cQX3SoSyEIWIscwiTnqz42XMFrScVpJg-KvO5vgvqff_jHsrjl2IRcGM-X7pOCBo8kc3xN1uPMnI9Ji6LA_F45yQKWEoK28X9kCwZBGKFQ4LxedoIG4/s1600/Dsc01306.jpg" height="213" title="Dianthus is an early bloomer in Texas that thrives on green products" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">De-bug, Loosen Soil and Fertilize with Household Products</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching too much Jerry Baker is why I buy beer for
flowers, but many of the products he advocates are ones I used to pitch out in
spring cleaning. If you’re inclined to use environmentally-safe products and go
green, you may want to keep these items for your flowers, shrubs, trees or
lawn.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are a few products you can use on your plants or yard:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Beer or cola drinks</b> Flowers don’t care if there’s no fizz
or if they’re years old. Beer encourages organic activity and cola is a sugar.
Diet colas don't have the sugar content plants love, but will provide liquid and some acid for roses and azaleas.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Baby shampoo and dishwashing liquid</b> Lemon scented products helps
keep bugs away, but others loosen soil, coat leaves and deter animals.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Ammonia</b> (provides nitrogen)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Molasses, clear corn syrup, or sugar</b> (feed good bacteria)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Epsom salts</b> (magnesium)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Apple juice </b>(sugar)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Murphy’s Oil Soap</b> (works on slugs and bugs as well as
rabbits)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Antiseptic mouthwash</b> (destroys harmful bacteria)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Baking Soda </b>(ph balancer)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Vinegar and rubbing alcohol</b> (keep away leafhoppers, mealy
bugs, whiteflies)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Coffee grounds and instant tea</b> (nicotine and tannic acid)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Vegetable oil</b> (coats leaves for protection)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Critters don’t like <b>lemon-scented products, mothballs,
cayenne pepper, garlic or tobacco</b>. Mosquitos are repelled by the lemon scent, and
dogs and cats will not enter areas sprinkled with cayenne pepper.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jerry Baker has a <a href="http://www.jerrybaker.com/#" target="_blank">website</a> and a <a href="http://jerrybaker-amg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> where you can learn
more about using household products and edibles for your yard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have no affiliation with Jerry Baker, but we read his books and use his advice in our flower beds and lawn. We encourage green living and safe products for the yard, and have lots of critters and birds who seem to like our natural products. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCIPcqPXR4DMEXaBIv2WcFQTd0YOcBytKRpTGDuipX0dQcb3c2yoarI2Ub5FREuxsaglBQiiTRgPNQhHHXSQ1txuZzWLAXGRQ5TAAtKFQPaC8yaSPGaLiKkKllJa3djwnsSGkr-gLPVI/s1600/DSC00256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cardinal in tree against blue sky in Texas green landscape" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCIPcqPXR4DMEXaBIv2WcFQTd0YOcBytKRpTGDuipX0dQcb3c2yoarI2Ub5FREuxsaglBQiiTRgPNQhHHXSQ1txuZzWLAXGRQ5TAAtKFQPaC8yaSPGaLiKkKllJa3djwnsSGkr-gLPVI/s1600/DSC00256.JPG" height="240" title="Bird in tree waiting for drink in Texas green yard" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The cardinal is a regal bird, even in an old tree</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you next time. We hope to have our spring cleaning done as well as income taxes before we meet again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.cajunc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">cajunC</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-17448658201927873462014-12-27T08:59:00.000-08:002014-12-27T08:59:10.776-08:00Your Medical Provider May Not Give You Credit for Overpayment<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijG1nJpBwxH-GcSw5etA0FoatDvL6zkBdRuaP7YrebFiqqET93Dxa38vjixjIjvi3c_KACrHcjimvjEeD5ugKfaSKFnABc4t1J6O9TZVxgU5F0Ht6cF16-HLp4kPJl3dIMVuLdZAgjt4/s1600/cardtrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Card trick quilt block pieces are like health insurance and providers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijG1nJpBwxH-GcSw5etA0FoatDvL6zkBdRuaP7YrebFiqqET93Dxa38vjixjIjvi3c_KACrHcjimvjEeD5ugKfaSKFnABc4t1J6O9TZVxgU5F0Ht6cF16-HLp4kPJl3dIMVuLdZAgjt4/s1600/cardtrick.jpg" height="268" title="Medical insurance and providers work together like quilt pieces" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Card Trick Quilt Pattern Represents How Insurance and Medical Providers Work Together</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Health insurance and medical providers work together, with
most providers filing claims with your health insurer for you. You still need
to check to be certain you get the benefits you pay for.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recently, Hubby had a
visit to the doctor, and since we have a high deductible, he was required to
pay $140 for the office visit at a large Central Texas hospital. He had blood
tests, and didn’t pay that charge in advance. We received a bill at the end of
the month from the hospital for about $180, so I went online to check with our
insurer. I was surprised to find that the charge for the office visit was
limited to $102, so we had $38 credit on the advance payment that didn’t show
on the billing. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I called the hospital billing department and was told that,
because of the way the computer program works, a credit never shows. You owe
the total amount you paid in advance unless you call and request a credit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The lesson learned here is to compare the insurance payments
and maximum allowable insurance charges with the charges from the hospital. The
medical provider estimates the amount you owe for an office visit -- and you
may owe less. You may find they don’t show a credit balance, and you lose any
overpayment you make.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We saved $38 by comparing the charges with the insurance
payments, using the insurance website. That may not seem like much, but if
every patient is overcharged and the hospital or doctor’s office wipes the slate
clean so billing begins at $0, that is a lot of money for the American consumer
to lose. Don’t let it happen to you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you next year!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">cajunC</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cajunc.com/" target="_blank">Cajun Collection</a></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-27496210982247586362014-11-09T13:12:00.003-08:002014-11-09T13:12:54.067-08:00Fraud, Scams, Deceptive Practices You Can Fix Yourself Free or Inexpensively<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLEyIQlW_I4_oE380nIVkMY92NSqYDzZp_l2dANUJgyNkaHg2_ZhlAq42p4ibvo2FA8KIkWKy3RzhPNaSWMLSGJBAaqsmwQR6nBPLK0mtatKLxWhggYj5xObOS7LW6lIbwRDJj1_hQuQ/s1600/Brio006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Unassembled train parts are like incomplete jobs at your house" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLEyIQlW_I4_oE380nIVkMY92NSqYDzZp_l2dANUJgyNkaHg2_ZhlAq42p4ibvo2FA8KIkWKy3RzhPNaSWMLSGJBAaqsmwQR6nBPLK0mtatKLxWhggYj5xObOS7LW6lIbwRDJj1_hQuQ/s1600/Brio006.jpg" height="213" title="Fix Scams, Deceptive Practices, Fraud for Free or Cheap" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't Let the Bad Guys Ruin Your Work</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If a company or contractor has scammed you and you don’t
want to pay an attorney, there are alternatives. Solutions exist that don’t require hiring an attorney. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If a contractor has ripped you
off and particularly if several people are affected, the <b>attorney general’s office for your
state </b>accepts complaints in the <b>consumer protection division</b>. You complete the
complaint form and the consumer protection office contacts the company or
person for a response. You get a reply from the AG’s office if the contractor
or individual responds. If the consumer protection division receives several complaints, it may file suit, but usually the claims are settled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are some instances when the consumer protection
division of the attorney general’s office for the state has been helpful:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An item purchased from Arizona didn’t arrive within 30 days.
Filing a claim with the consumer protection division of the Arizona attorney
general’s office got the item and an apology.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A promise of a $50 bonus for financing a computer never
arrived, and the financing company didn’t meet expectations. A complaint to the
AG’s office in Texas brought a response and a credit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A news report a few weeks ago showed a family with a roofing
job that wasn’t completed. The couple said they couldn’t afford an attorney and
thought that a news report would shed light on the issue and maybe get the roof
completed. This couple could have filed a complaint with the consumer
protection division of the AG’s office to get a response from the roofing
company.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sometimes the <b>Better Business Bureau</b> can be helpful as well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, if you’ve been defrauded on the Internet, file a complaint with <a href="http://www.ic3.gov/">http://www.ic3.gov</a>, the<b> Internet Crime Complaint
Center</b>. You can read more information about the ICCC here: <a href="http://www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.html">http://www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.html</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your local <b>Small Claims Court</b> also accepts claims without an attorney,
although there is usually a filing fee. Your County Attorney or Sheriff’s
Department may also help you with ideas or information to get action or your
money refunded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Send all correspondence by mail and keep a copy for your
records. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If the activity takes place through the U.S. mail, you may <b>file with
the postal service for mail fraud</b>. Here’s some information about filing with
the USPS if you’ve been scammed or received deceptive information through the
mail: <a href="https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactus/filecomplaint.aspx">https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactus/filecomplaint.aspx</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don’t let the cost of an attorney or lack of knowledge make
you a victim. Act immediately in writing and pursue all free or inexpensive
avenues to get action. You can do this!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you again soon,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cajunc.com/">http://www.cajunc.com</a></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-69774632950192593222014-09-22T13:17:00.002-07:002014-09-22T13:17:20.634-07:00Texas Property Taxes are High ... and Due Soon<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLmK9X6oLruWqYdvGpPzO1OSD-zfZ1Csm8J_X0zNKXKeCdO-5t7ZQ_37wZyS_fwhgXZVkl4mkBZf_YZppkgyvM9hCZ1cgvzJQ-wLmWYF7-xFXR1y2ubjsOY7iShS6uQ_-PLk4UO9ZPxA/s1600/yellowcrowned05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Water bird at the edge of a pond " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLmK9X6oLruWqYdvGpPzO1OSD-zfZ1Csm8J_X0zNKXKeCdO-5t7ZQ_37wZyS_fwhgXZVkl4mkBZf_YZppkgyvM9hCZ1cgvzJQ-wLmWYF7-xFXR1y2ubjsOY7iShS6uQ_-PLk4UO9ZPxA/s1600/yellowcrowned05.jpg" height="240" title="Texas parks, wildlife and climate are pleasures of living in the state" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Yellow Crowned Night Heron at the Park in Temple, Texas</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Texas Property Taxes are Assessed in October</b></div>
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You may think of Halloween in October, but in Texas, we know
that’s property tax notice month. Texas homeowners get a notice in the mail to
pay property taxes by October 31 to avoid penalties -- or get a discount,
however you read the notice. </div>
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You already know that everything is bigger in Texas, and
that includes property taxes. According to <a href="http://tax-rates.org/">T</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">ax-rates.org</a>, the median property
tax in Texas is $2,275 on the home value of $125,800. You’d think with all that
farmland, Texas could make enough revenue taxing ranches and leave the
homeowners with a postage-stamp square of land a little money to live on. It’s
not to be, and property taxes, even with a homeowner’s exemption, will probably
cost you $200 a month in Texas.</div>
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You may pay your Texas property taxes with your house
payment each month as part of the escrow, or you may pay the taxes separately once a year,
directly to the Tax Appraisal District for your county. </div>
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<br /></div>
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If you’re paying with
your house payment, you may not be getting all the exemptions available to you. There are a few exemptions allowed under Texas property laws.</div>
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Check your tax notice to see the appraised value of your
house. If you don’t believe your house will sell for the amount of the
appraisal, <b>contact the local tax appraiser and ask questions</b>. Compare the value
of your home with similar homes in the neighborhood. The appraisal information
is available online at official websites in Texas, but estimated values are
also available through websites like Trulia and Homesnap. If your local
appraiser doesn’t value your home based on similar homes in the neighborhood, complete
the forms and request a hearing. You can contest the value. Here’s how it
works. <a href="http://www.window.state.tx.us/propertytax/local-protest/remedies/96-295.pdf">http://www.window.state.tx.us/propertytax/local-protest/remedies/96-295.pdf</a></div>
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</div>
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See if you have a <b>homestead exemption</b>. If you live in the
home and meet the qualifications, you can claim a homestead exemption and
reduce some of your taxes. If your tax notice doesn’t show a homestead
exemption, call the Tax Appraisal District and ask. Complete the homestead
exemption forms and save a copy for yourself before you send them to the tax
office. You are entitled to $3,000 in exemption from county property taxes and
$15,000 in exemption for school district taxes.</div>
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Look for <b>disabled or age 65 exemption</b>, if you can qualify.
This gives you an additional $10,000 exemption of the appraised value of the
homestead, and maybe some other exemptions -- depending on whether the
additional exemptions are adopted by the governing body of the taxing unit or a
majority vote of the qualified voters of the taxing unit.</div>
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Texas also has a <b>tax ceiling for senior citizens</b>. Ask about
freezing your taxes the year you are 65. It applies as of January 1 of that
year, and will keep your taxes from increasing each year unless you make
significant improvements. The freeze or ceiling applies to a surviving spouse
living in the home if the spouse is 55 or disabled at the time of the spouse’s
demise.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a <b>disabled veteran exemption</b> in Texas that also
applies to the surviving spouse. If you or your spouse is a disabled veteran,
be sure to check to see if you are getting the exemption. You are not eligible
if you are remarried, and you can’t receive both the disabled veteran or
surviving spouse exemption combined with the over 65 exemption.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Request the forms and send them to the appropriate office,
along with any requested documents (probably a copy of your driver’s license
and utility bill). <b>Beware that there are people out there who want to do this
for you FOR A FEE</b>. They check to see who hasn’t claimed all available
exemptions and offer to complete the form for you. You can do this on your own,
and if you have any difficulty, the Appraisal District will assist you. You
don’t need to pay for free services.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/basics/96-1425.pdf">http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/basics/96-1425.pdf</a></div>
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Pay your taxes in full by the end of October and get a 3 percent discount. End of November payments are reduced by 2 percent and end of December payments save one percent. Take advantage of all of the breaks, exemptions and reductions you can get to save a little money on your property taxes in Texas. Remember that you don't pay an income tax and enjoy your little piece of Texas.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Linda</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.cajunc.com/" target="_blank">Cajun Collection</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /><br />
<br />
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-30072768473607304362014-08-12T13:36:00.002-07:002014-08-12T13:36:48.677-07:00Cooking Cool in the Summer Heat -- Pasta Salad and Fruit Salad Recipes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FfrXPUcXEB43f1tiV6pi0f-2TFOTgDS0_BU2Dz9Y_-MizfjS00cFlfJNLeKItpLJ6LNMaz_wysQPMcwkEdI6RJycdnLxAYVfi9xSmwL2Ku7A7HTda3ZGQmVaixTm9Y5cB_uBnOEwlCk/s1600/kildeer01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Killdeer or plover bird in Texas pond water" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FfrXPUcXEB43f1tiV6pi0f-2TFOTgDS0_BU2Dz9Y_-MizfjS00cFlfJNLeKItpLJ6LNMaz_wysQPMcwkEdI6RJycdnLxAYVfi9xSmwL2Ku7A7HTda3ZGQmVaixTm9Y5cB_uBnOEwlCk/s1600/kildeer01.jpg" height="240" title="The killdeer stands knee-deep in water to keep cool" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Killdeer Keeps Cool in the Texas Heat by Standing in Water</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Texas summer is upon us and we attempt to keep the
electricity costs down by using recipes that don’t require the oven. We also
like cold salads and have a couple of recipes we’ve developed over the years
that are economical and easy. When cooking, we often read a recipe and remove
the foods we don’t like or don’t have on hand. Then we substitute foods we like
that sound like they would go with the recipe. Here are a couple of recipes we've created that you
can modify to suit your family’s likes and dislikes.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Boil some salted water on the top of the stove and add about
half a cup of macaroni. Cook until tender. Pour off most of the water (leave a few tablespoons of water to wet the dry cheese) and add
the cheddar cheese mix to the macaroni. (We don’t use butter or milk like the
Mac and Cheese recipe calls for.) Allow to cool. Add chopped vegetables and mix
so the cheese coats the vegetables. Season with black pepper and Tony
Chachere’s Creole seasoning. Cover and refrigerate until serving. If we have
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can of mandarin oranges, drained or fresh oranges in broken sections</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Other fruit in season that you like</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Adapt these recipes to suit your family, and enjoy the
fruits and vegetables while they’re in season and affordable. As a smart
consumer, you can find ways to beat the heat and the utility bills while eating
well. We have other tips and practical cooking recipes in an ebook we wrote a
couple of years ago. You can find it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Living-Recipes-Cooking-ebook/dp/B0072XOJF0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327854782&sr=1-1" target="_blank">here in <i>Tips and Recipes for Easy Cooking</i></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoy your summer. Eat economically and keep cool.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">cajunC</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cajunc.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cajunc.com </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-42309416137552654602014-07-07T07:57:00.005-07:002014-07-07T07:57:52.056-07:00Donate your Left-Over Merchandise to Reach the End-User<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3trxfAdS4dsFDgjO1RsxIova63CNwLMJd8cFwJItizV3qlhg3Gi8fkdroBSDLtWO1G6j8EkPX4JF9C6iyogJYwlv9griC8woPkKGakJck7yHUVp9ZgcAxAJRsvxNpHNBp76uq_0RW3Ak/s1600/Dsc03493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shasta Daisy flower in natural setting" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3trxfAdS4dsFDgjO1RsxIova63CNwLMJd8cFwJItizV3qlhg3Gi8fkdroBSDLtWO1G6j8EkPX4JF9C6iyogJYwlv9griC8woPkKGakJck7yHUVp9ZgcAxAJRsvxNpHNBp76uq_0RW3Ak/s1600/Dsc03493.jpg" height="240" title="Simple things like donations can add pleasure to life" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Add Beauty to Someone's Life with Your Donation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Donating Where It’s Most Helpful and Best Used</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you have leftovers from your garage sale or are
cleaning out the house or garage, you probably think you’re doing a good deed
by donating it to a local non-profit. Some non-profits resell everything, and
some really give things away. If you donate to a non-profit corporation that
sells the merchandise, the people who really need it never get it. They usually
don’t have vehicles to drive around looking for bargains, and they don’t have
money to buy what they need.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I saw a whole box of<b> hotel soaps and shampoos </b>for sale at a
local non-profit store this week -- someone had spent some time in Las Vegas.
These are great items for the women’s shelter or for a homeless shelter with
shower facilities. If you donate to the place where the product is used, your
donation goes directly to someone who needs it and won’t get thrown out if it
doesn’t sell.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Blankets, coats, towels and washcloths</b> are also essentials
for women’s shelters and homeless shelters. <b>New products like unopened make-up,
combs, brushes and even emery boards </b>are helpful donations for shelters. Shelters
need <b>school supplies</b> because kids are homeless, too. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Call around and find out which organization can use your
leftovers, instead of donating them to a place that sells them. Even the profit
doesn’t go to homeless or needy from some of these non-profit stores; it goes
to build more stores and grow the capital of these non-profit outfits. Many of the non-profit stores
pay management bonuses to use the profit, while lower-level employees get minimum wage and
aren’t allowed to purchase anything in the store.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you live in a nice neighborhood, it’s difficult to
locate individuals who really need, but they’re in every town and city in
America. You can make a difference with your cast-offs by touching base with
organizations like food pantries, homeless shelters, women’s shelters and the
<a href="http://satruck.org/" target="_blank">Salvation Army</a> donation center. These organizations run shelters and provide <b>food </b>as well as
<b>supplies </b>to individuals and families. Coat drives give away <b>coats</b> before the
cold weather begins. Some organizations give away <b>fans</b> in the southern states
in the summer and provide <b>blankets</b> in the winter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <a href="https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/" target="_blank">Salvation Army</a> in our
area interviews individuals and provides a voucher for<b> household necessities
like silverware, pots and pans and sheets</b> -- particularly helpful for someone
who leaves an abusive relationship or is starting over after a fire. When the
person finds an approved item, it’s checked off the voucher and bagged at no cost
to the individual. If the store doesn't have all the items at one time, the person can return to shop until listed items are located and checked off the voucher. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before you make a run to the nearest thrift store, consider
where your donations will reach the end user. A place that sells the items to
build another store may not be your best choice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you soon!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cajunc.com/" target="_blank">Cajun Collection </a></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-48288404745952945902014-06-09T08:27:00.001-07:002014-06-09T08:27:18.933-07:00Using Vintage and Collectible Ceramics and Glass in the Kitchen and Around the House<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMO1Xg_aNuSBnwNe2leEh6WEnrNFG4zoavk53rXO_08DKc3k_aiY39wmhYZehZSN13AHVjfwiWmM7W5Q9QiO8obve9P1KmdoMdRTOhkp3q1_QG8j_mMo7N-QbQ0PZnyLRcLVdU5gE-fJ8/s1600/platr39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vintage Fiesta Red Platter Showing HLC Fiesta Mark on Back" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMO1Xg_aNuSBnwNe2leEh6WEnrNFG4zoavk53rXO_08DKc3k_aiY39wmhYZehZSN13AHVjfwiWmM7W5Q9QiO8obve9P1KmdoMdRTOhkp3q1_QG8j_mMo7N-QbQ0PZnyLRcLVdU5gE-fJ8/s1600/platr39.jpg" height="181" title="Homer Laughlin Fiesta Red Vintage Platter May Make Geiger Counter React" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vintage Fiesta Red Contains Elements Not in Other Colors </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A benefit of collecting pottery and glass is that you never
have a shortage of useful bowls, vases or pans, but some vintage and
collectible ceramics and glass are not safe for food use. Recent imports are
often marked on the back as “Not safe for food” but older and handmade pieces
are not often marked. Hazards exist beyond breakage and getting cut, as lead
and cadmium poisoning are insidious dangers lurking in these wares. Lead is
common in our everyday lives, but chronic exposure to lead or constant
consumption of lead causes long-term effects, particularly in fetuses, infants
and children.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ceramics are made of a clay layer and maybe a glaze layer,
and either layer can contain unsafe metals and elements, including lead and
cadmium. The clay may also be fired only once, creating a bisque without glaze, and elements in the clay depend on where the clay comes from. Some pottery has
lead glaze or metal fragments in the glaze, and crystal has a higher lead
content than ordinary glass. Any of these may be unsafe in the kitchen.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You’ve probably seen crystal marked 24 percent lead content,
and it’s shiny and beautiful, but it’s not good for long-term storage of acids.
Liquor stored in crystal decanters can acquire lead from leaching. You can use
a crystal decanter, but it’s important to return the liquor to the original
bottle after each use. The same is true for acids such as lemonade, vinegar or
orange juice. If you serve in crystal, return to another container after the
meal. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdedv65R3JeP63QazNdjgkQy_1HJ4NxCW5ztSDY61y45Jmp8UL56kqCdBc8eQcLIkWhYgoSIygOsB6tR_wTP4mUps0mgks6v4JK6KwtNyC_GtPMT559HVMDjBHdIQcPs35vM7DHGk0Q2c/s1600/decant5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Block decanter and stopper in clear crystal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdedv65R3JeP63QazNdjgkQy_1HJ4NxCW5ztSDY61y45Jmp8UL56kqCdBc8eQcLIkWhYgoSIygOsB6tR_wTP4mUps0mgks6v4JK6KwtNyC_GtPMT559HVMDjBHdIQcPs35vM7DHGk0Q2c/s1600/decant5.jpg" height="203" title="Crystal decanter and stopper can leach lead with storage of acids" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Block Brand Crystal Decanter Has Lead Content</span></td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pottery and ceramics are more variable. Contemporary
ceramics may be marked as safe for food use or safe for microwave, but the<a href="http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm233531.htm" target="_blank"> FDA warned several years ago of items from Mexico</a> marked as safe were not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it depends on the glaze color. You
may recall that Fiesta red dinnerware had a higher radiation level than other
colors, causing concern, and <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/is-it-safe-to-eat-off-vintage-plates-66089830/?no-ist" target="_blank">discussed in Smithsonian Magazine</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, pieces with significant wear to the
glaze may leach elements more easily than ceramics with no damage. Microwave
use or heating may cause more leaching than serving. It can also depend on age, condition
and use. Prior to about 40 years ago, the Food and Drug Administration didn’t
test or regulate elements in dinnerware or kitchenware. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cadmium is present in fertilizers, batteries, plastics and
often occurs in association with zinc, as <a href="http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=6&po=5" target="_blank">reflected in this CDC report.</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cadmium is naturally occurring in the
water and soil, and may be present in the air near iron and steel production
facilities. Dyes, paints and glazes can also contain cadmium. Cadmium studies
are ongoing, but cadmium consumption may cause kidney stones, kidney diseases
and maybe high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease and COPD, according to
the <a href="http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=6&po=12" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control. </a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read more about cadmium content in
everyday products here <a href="http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/search?tbl=TblChemicals&queryx=7440-43-9" target="_blank">on the National Institutes of Health website</a>. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Test kits are available for checking lead or cadmium content,
but home test kits for
cadmium have not been reliable, often rendering false positives, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9770321" target="_blank">according to the National Institutes of Health</a>. The safest method is to use vintage dishes and accessories for decoration,
and use only dinnerware approved for food at the table. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use your knowledge to be safe in the kitchen. See you next time!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">cajunC </span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-62498346287346529272014-05-05T08:45:00.001-07:002014-05-05T08:45:23.339-07:00Save or Starve in Retirement: The Choice is Yours<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRP_hskI_tz3dXK3jz5wTJxAd4NN5w4fW_nC4POb6Y4raokIX7j7LhPDAQ6-4PshZfqbireclR2Xz9p3D3oV17CXhg4uNVfLMhL_bbxnW1W6_SWip8YUVj40_B-Z1tOSY5l3R5854fSw/s1600/squirrel01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Squirrel sits on a rock with acorn" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRP_hskI_tz3dXK3jz5wTJxAd4NN5w4fW_nC4POb6Y4raokIX7j7LhPDAQ6-4PshZfqbireclR2Xz9p3D3oV17CXhg4uNVfLMhL_bbxnW1W6_SWip8YUVj40_B-Z1tOSY5l3R5854fSw/s1600/squirrel01.jpg" height="240" title="Squirrel on a rock at Lions Park Temple TX" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even a Squirrel Saves for the Future</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our government saw starvation first hand after the Great Depression of the 1930s and realized a need to take care of elderly
Americans with Social Security, so starvation was not the way to die. In the
1960s, Congress tackled Medicare so that lack of medical care for the
elderly was not the way to die. Now, fifty years later, the Affordable Care Act
helps Americans of all ages have health insurance and Social Security and
Medicare are still in effect. But without careful planning, elderly Americans
can still die of starvation or lack of good medical care. How could this
happen?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you don’t save money during your working years, you won’t
have enough money to pay your portion of Medicare or your needs not covered by
Social Security, because neither program covers all your expenses. The
government intended for Social Security to cover only part of your needs,
because at the time, most Americans had a pension plan at work. Company-paid
pension plans are now personalized -- you have to make the contribution to a
retirement plan before your employer pays any part of it. Many of us live for today and don't make the contribution. If your employer gives you free money, why turn it down?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Social Security
covers 40 to 50 percent of your pre-retirement income, and out of that money
must come your Part B or medical coverage and maybe Part D for prescription
insurance coverage. Part A, or hospitalization coverage, has a deductible as
well. If you go to the hospital, you are responsible for the deductible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No matter how much or how little money you earn, you can
save some money for your future. You need six to eight months of expenses saved
in an emergency fund. This fund can also be the start of your retirement fund.
We waste more money in the United States than people in many countries have to
live on. We buy trinkets, junk, more clothing than we can wear, jewelry, and
memberships we don’t use. Think through your lifestyle and what you need, and
pare down to save for your future. It’s a horrible thought that we might die of
starvation in America, but it happens. Older Americans today are choosing
between food and medicine, according to <a href="http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/info-2010/2010_hunger_forum.html" target="_blank">the AARP Foundation</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Start now. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You’ll be more relaxed with money in the bank to cover
emergencies and may even live longer as a result of less stress. Have money taken out of your paycheck to
cover a 401(k) or Roth 401(k), or set up an IRA for yourself by contacting your
bank. I'll confess that when we were 40, we thought we had many years to build a retirement fund. Twenty-five years later, we realize the importance of saving early to let the money accumulate interest, so we don't have to work for every dime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spend less.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the easy ways to spend less is to cook at home
instead of eating out. Cook vegetables, serve fruits, and don’t use starter
mixes like helpers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Buy bleach, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and vinegar for
cleaning supplies instead of squirt bottles of something you can’t identify
that is heavily perfumed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shop when you need something, and don’t use shopping as your
recreation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Go to the park, library or zoo for free entertainment,
instead of spending your money on tickets for activities you may not even
enjoy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Review your bills and cut expenses where you can. Expenses
you incur every month are bites out of your future funds. Call your utility companies
and ask for better rates. Telephone, cell phone, cable, electricity, alarm
systems and internet services all have loyalty or retention programs to keep
customers once they have them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Buy used.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you need something, call thrift stores and see if they
have the item available. Buy clothing at thrift or bargain stores. If you’re
afraid someone may see you or recognize something you’ve bought, go to the next
town to shop at their thrift stores. We frequent thrift stores and have made
friends with the clerks and other thrifty people. Some of our thrifty friends
own businesses, a couple are in real estate sales, and others are retired. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don’t pay interest.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Save money by paying for purchases in cash or paying with
credit cards that you pay in full every month. It’s shocking to see how much
money Americans spend on financing. Dinner out for $100 should be $100, not
$125 because you didn’t pay the credit card on time. Make it your goal to pay
credit cards every month or don’t charge anything you can't pay off that month. You're borrowing against your future when you charge more than you can pay this month. Your future is money you need in retirement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Live Modestly.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You don't need a new house or an electronics upgrade every few years. Living in the same house saves moving expenses, larger payments and contributes to your overall wealth. Pay for what you have, and appreciate it.<b> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Think of your future every time you spend money.</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Picture
yourself too old to get a job and choosing between medicine and food. It’s your
wake-up call.</span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-37242569116329510242014-03-17T07:42:00.000-07:002014-03-17T07:42:01.427-07:00Rotate your Kitchen Stock Like a Business to Save Food, Money and Waste<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR6o3HoztYYh_3pQWLkm9G9BXTVpfg-kVJ6SleYlkoYpafJInJtbvbP03B74hVIFTE4k2I29-my5m_rcF43tc6Wh8xiur1cYSVEvdzyp4aeBbDzQK64L-g36Wk8YEqGbT2CoVfQ_qKxs/s1600/veggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Buckets of garden vegetables including squash, cucumbers and beans" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdR6o3HoztYYh_3pQWLkm9G9BXTVpfg-kVJ6SleYlkoYpafJInJtbvbP03B74hVIFTE4k2I29-my5m_rcF43tc6Wh8xiur1cYSVEvdzyp4aeBbDzQK64L-g36Wk8YEqGbT2CoVfQ_qKxs/s1600/veggies.jpg" height="240" title="Rotate your vegetables and use the older products first" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use Older Vegetables First</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You've probably read about the
quantity of food wasted in the U.S. each year in articles like this one from NPR. We
waste enough food to feed us all.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/02/27/283071610/u-s-lets-141-trillion-calories-of-food-go-to-waste-each-year" target="_blank">National Public Radio Food Waste</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/food/files/wasted-food-ip.pdf" target="_blank">Natural Resources Defense Council </a>
suggests that 40 percent of all food is wasted in the United States each
year.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Arriving home with the groceries may
be the end of the shopping trip, but is just the beginning of the organization
required to run an efficient kitchen. You need to rotate your stock so you don't
have all the new purchases in the front or on top. Old cans can swell and burst,
and the mess can be worse than you imagine, in addition to the loss and waste of
food. Fresh fruits and vegetables lose flavor and spoil over time, creating more
food loss and money spent needlessly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>An easy way to rotate your pantry
stock</b> is to pull all the old products to the front of the shelving and place the
new items in the back. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></b><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Remove the fruits and vegetables from
the crisper drawers and place the new items in the bottom. </b>When you buy fresh
vegetables and fruits, chop the old ones and place in the freezer, or cook
something that uses the older produce. Chop older celery and bell peppers and
freeze in plastic zipper bags for seasoning for soups and stews. Tomatoes can be
chopped and frozen as well. Use apples and citrus fruits in a fruit
salad.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Your frozen food can be handled the
same way.</b> Freeze your newest purchases, then place them on the bottom or behind
similar items that are older. Your oldest products will be on top and easy to
locate.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Make country fries or scalloped
potatoes with the older potatoes. For country fries, wash the potatoes and slice
lengthwise unpeeled. Place a single layer on a parchment paper lined cookie
sheet with a tablespoon of oil. Season and bake at 400 degrees for 40
minutes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Peel the potatoes for scalloped
potatoes. Slice and season in a greased oven-safe baking dish. Add some milk and
Velveeta or similar cheese to cover the potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for about
an hour until the potatoes are tender. We have an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Living-Guide-Recipes-Cooking-ebook/dp/B0072XOJF0" target="_blank">ebook on Amazon with tips and recipes</a> if you'd like more recipes and information about frugal living.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Efficiency and frugality in the
kitchen starts when you come in from grocery shopping. In addition to rotation
of stock,<b> ignore most date codes and dates on food products.</b> These codes are for
manufacturers and retailers to identify recalls and rotate the shelf stock, not
for you to discard the products after the "best by" date. The federal government
regulates coding on some baby food, but all other codes are optional. Use your senses of smell and vision to determine if foods are still palatable. Most are good long after the "sell by" or "use by" dates.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wasting food is wasting money and
contributing to the landfills. You can save money, food and the environment when
you return from grocery shopping. Your kitchen will be better organized and you may save yourself some cleanup.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See you soon!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linda</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">cajunC</span></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-12351835364942430762014-02-03T10:01:00.001-08:002014-02-03T10:01:50.383-08:00Collecting Coins as a Hobby is Inexpensive, Educational and May Help You Save Money<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK18USK6wDbuFcnJ1yfYxB56Y429eIsE9AasOvX4wtnx-D6HY7T80Cm51d4EEjLcKaB8IHiF2yaX7SyHiODBftMAISj3pfFucL47cdJ8QGFYVBiNco7jlD2IVzRaTP8xSfMJZGUt0mK18/s1600/coins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Recent quarters and pennies from pocket change" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK18USK6wDbuFcnJ1yfYxB56Y429eIsE9AasOvX4wtnx-D6HY7T80Cm51d4EEjLcKaB8IHiF2yaX7SyHiODBftMAISj3pfFucL47cdJ8QGFYVBiNco7jlD2IVzRaTP8xSfMJZGUt0mK18/s1600/coins.jpg" title="U.S. Mint production coins are collectible" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Quarters and Pennies are Collectible Coins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Collecting coins may sound like an
expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be, and is an educational adventure to
pursue with or for children or grandchildren.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>You don't have to buy coins to collect.</i> New
coins are collectible and cost only face value. Collecting last-years minted
coins is a good place to start. As a consumer, you can </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">pay cash for small purchases and save the
change. Dump your coins into a bowl and sort occasionally by denominations.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></i><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Children can learn to count and learn
about mint marks and coinage at the same time</i>. Most children can read the date
and mint mark for Philadelphia or Denver without a magnifier -- while, at our
age, we may have difficulty sorting quarters from nickels without glasses and a
magnifier.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are some collecting ideas:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Collect states quarters and the new
extra ones like Mariana Islands.</b> Folders for collecting states quarters are available, and these
are handy because they identify which coins were minted, and the mint locations.
Folders aren't necessary, though, as you can get the information you need from the U.S.
Mint here:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<a href="http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/</span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The "P" minted coins are more
difficult to find than "D" and we have a few sets completed and others with just
a few "P" coins missing. You may have the same luck, but sometimes it depends on the region. If you live close to the Philadelphia area, you may find "P" coins easily, and if you live near Denver, the "D" coins may show up in change. We live in Texas, and don't find as many "P" coins here.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Save all the new coins from the past
few years.</b> These aren't uncirculated coins, but over the years, the condition
will be better and the value will be greater than coins that have been in the
marketplace. Coins from 40 years ago or so that we collected when
our daughter was young no longer show up in pocket change. She learned about American coinage, mint marks, how to
count, how to save money, and the coins are still in great condition. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Save the presidential dollar coins,
first released in 2007. </b> The U. S. Mint is producing $1 coins honoring presidents.
The presidents for 2014 release are Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert
Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt, but the series started in 2007 with George
Washington.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You can learn more about the
presidential $1 coins here:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1716005826"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></a><div>
<a href="http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/$1coin/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/$1coin/</span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Collect the Native American $1 coins first released in 2009</b>. Sacagawea is on the front and each release has a
different reverse. Here's information about the 2014 coin:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/nativeAmerican/?action=2014NADesign">http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/nativeAmerican/?action=2014NADesign</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Collect new pennies, dimes and nickels and any old coins you find in change. </b>These coins are usually available about a year after minting. We find 2013 coins in change, and save them. They have little wear but won't stay in that condition unless we rescue them. Silver-based coins made prior to 1964 have greater silver content than coins after that date. Older half-dollars are valued higher than face value. You can read about the metal melt-down value here:</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.coinflation.com/" target="_blank">Coinflation</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Collecting coins this way is not expensive. You're saving money, not spending money like so many hobbies --
scrapbooking, crafts, and other collecting ventures. Your coins will never go
below face value, and can always be turned into dollars if you need. If you only
pay face value for the coins by saving your change, you'll never lose
money. Your family can learn about United States coins, and children can experience the anticipation of finding a coin needed for a collection.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoy a hobby that doesn't cost money. That's a rare find.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you soon!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">cajunC </span></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-75056566804358707782013-12-31T16:51:00.000-08:002013-12-31T16:51:38.562-08:00Shop for Medications by Phone to Pay Less for Drugs<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjyX3CllgehngAsj5kdU0ti3HY-iMaHAElC8VilkfHR4ZAmHgFdI-T3uxaMx1TY0DVI3AolbDQ15VbMvGNwpMybSFQO3Zv5vOzU4Zy9C7DoZHJtKfm3UMjQ3XzBFgQDqFRfttU6iQSlI/s1600/exploremedicationcosts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Squirrel investigates before he buries a nut" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjyX3CllgehngAsj5kdU0ti3HY-iMaHAElC8VilkfHR4ZAmHgFdI-T3uxaMx1TY0DVI3AolbDQ15VbMvGNwpMybSFQO3Zv5vOzU4Zy9C7DoZHJtKfm3UMjQ3XzBFgQDqFRfttU6iQSlI/s320/exploremedicationcosts.jpg" title="Explore the cost of medications before you buy" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Explore the Cost of your Medications</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your health insurance is changing,
and you can be better prepared if you learn from others who have already
experienced some of the changes. If your medical insurance now has a high deductible, you may find that you'll pay for many of your prescription drugs before the insurance pays at all.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We've ordered our medications from an
insurer-approved mail-order pharmacy, but they did not carry one drug we needed.
That's when things got interesting. I asked the doctor to write a prescription for
the medication so I could shop for the best price. I've never done that before,
so I had no idea what to expect. Surprise, surprise!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you shop for a drug, you have to
ask for the cash price. Many pharmacies want to know your insurer and are
reluctant to give you a cash price until you hand over the prescription. Make
telephone calls to shop for the drug you need, but have the prescription in
hand, since you'll need to give the exact dosage and quantity to the pharmacy
tech. You may also get a better price with the generic drug, not a name brand --
if the drug is no longer under the original patent protection.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started with Walgreen, since I
expected this well-known pharmacy would carry the medication. Imagine my surprise that the cash
price was $700. The local WalMart had the drug for $12.08, and a WalMart in the
next town had the drug for $165. I finally found the medication at a local
hospital pharmacy for $7 with some unknown portion charged to my
insurance.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was so curious about the different
prices that I called the FDA -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A
consumer contact person told me that the FDA does not regulate the prices of any
drugs, and that they have no control over pricing.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If your medication is still high
after shopping, you may inquire about the cost of a 90-day supply or even a
prescription for a different dosage. Surprisingly, some medications are
the same price if you buy 25mg or 50mg pills. You can get your physician to write the
prescription for the larger dose and break the pills in half to get twice as
much for the same cost.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If your health insurance has a large
deductible this year and your prescription drugs are not covered until you meet
the deductible, it's time to wise up and shop for your medications. You, too,
may find that local prices range from $7 to $700 for 30 pills of the same drug. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you soon!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">cajunC</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cajunc.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cajunc.com</a> </span></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-61588923838886665282013-11-24T12:49:00.000-08:002013-11-24T12:49:33.714-08:00Read Your Health Insurance Policy Before You Visit Your Doctor<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYT_PmLJrQCTwauMEoI2OVpAFUqTYyFPOf6tgbnatN6dx_6JHr0RT-DQygkk0OtTxObQLXkThJRl4xB0JqO1eHhvQYKg_f7NUbw0ursLE4zGNXOCPZ6N4KmaFpdjxiWilYMWIV9K5Fsk/s1600/savemoneyonhealthinsurance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Coins representing money saved by reading your health insurance policy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYT_PmLJrQCTwauMEoI2OVpAFUqTYyFPOf6tgbnatN6dx_6JHr0RT-DQygkk0OtTxObQLXkThJRl4xB0JqO1eHhvQYKg_f7NUbw0ursLE4zGNXOCPZ6N4KmaFpdjxiWilYMWIV9K5Fsk/s1600/savemoneyonhealthinsurance.jpg" title="Read your health insurance policy before you visit your doctor" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Save Money on Health Insurance -- Read Your Policy</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When we talked about health insurance last month, I told you I
owed $325 on lab work on a well visit to the doctor. If I had been alert and
done my homework before going to the doctor, I could have saved about $260 of
that amount -- but I didn't realize that until I got the bill.</span>
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You probably know that the codes on
your medical records give a diagnosis of your condition as well as the purpose
for any tests. The ICD is the <b>International Classification of Diseases</b> and the
HCPCS is the <b>Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System</b>. You can read more about
coding on <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/medcodes.html" target="_blank">the National Institutes of Health website</a>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My health insurance covers 80 percent
of preventive care lab work without applying the deductible, but doesn't cover
diagnostic lab work until the deductible is met. My doctor coded the lab work as
diagnostic, and I came out with a $325 charge because I hadn't met the
deductible for the year ($1,000 in personal expenses).</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If the lab had been coded as
preventive, I would have paid 20 percent, or $65 instead of
$325.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If I had known this from the outset,
I could have mentioned to my doctor that this was a well visit and that the
blood work was not diagnostic. Doctors usually think all blood work is
diagnostic, since they use it to diagnose your medical condition. However, if
you get bloodwork before you go to the doctor, he isn't diagnosing anything --
it's a checkup. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Insurance is ever evolving, and some
big changes are ahead of us. However, this is one change that has already taken
place. A few years back, if medical care was preventive, it wasn't likely to be
covered by your insurance. <b>Now, preventive care is usually covered by insurance.</b> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Affordable Care Act requires health plans to cover specific injections and
screening tests without consideration of your deductible. You don't pay a
copayment or coinsurance for covered preventive services. A list of the covered
services for adults are shown on<a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/what-are-my-preventive-care-benefits/" target="_blank"> the healthcare.gov website</a>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Specific preventive services are free
for women and children as well, as shown on the link on that page.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lesson learned. If you go to the
doctor for a checkup or well visit, tell the doctor you are there for a well
visit for preventive care. The coding can matter to your financial
health.</span></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-38184322122840393442013-10-27T14:57:00.000-07:002013-10-27T14:57:38.413-07:00Health Insurance -- Maybe You Need It<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We're all hearing about health insurance with the Affordable Care Act -- good news, bad news and all the politics, but if you're an American consumer, you're smart to listen to some of the chatter. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx_chcySVwr0gC55faRSevdYDAWil-bwbiT90YvjCyWJ5iwGhKFa99vMRXICZ6AeSEWSSXIx_8ru_Blc6EkCIZq8OHtQLzIXWvX4t-hUaNxci1TE4UrqWTSjvJiBVB-xSe0xfUhpfs2g/s1600/healthcare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Green anole on green leaf visible in Texas front yard" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx_chcySVwr0gC55faRSevdYDAWil-bwbiT90YvjCyWJ5iwGhKFa99vMRXICZ6AeSEWSSXIx_8ru_Blc6EkCIZq8OHtQLzIXWvX4t-hUaNxci1TE4UrqWTSjvJiBVB-xSe0xfUhpfs2g/s1600/healthcare.jpg" title="Anole thinks he's hidden on a green leaf" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You're exposed if you don't have health insurance</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you don't have health insurance
through your employer, you probably don't have health insurance. Even if you
have health insurance through your employer, you may not feel like you have
health insurance, as most employers are going to high deductible plans similar
to major medical. Maybe you pay the first $2,000 or the first $3,500. That
includes prescription drugs, office visits, medical diagnostic tests and
everything that isn't preventive medicine. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That's the kind of medical insurance
you need even if you aren't insured through your work, particularly if you're
young and healthy. You need a major medical policy that pays only if you have an
expense greater than a few thousand dollars. That's what you can get with the
Affordable Care Act, at a lower price than you'd pay for an individual policy.
Check out catastrophic medical coverage for high deductibles and low
rates. ACA also has the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze plans, all with more coverage and higher premiums.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Why do you need medical insurance?</b>
You're young, healthy, haven't been to the doctor in years, and have someone in
the family who can give you medical advice -- or you can find it online.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>You need medical insurance for your
future.</b> You have plans, dreams and future earnings. If you have a medical
expense that you can't pay right away, it will follow you until it's paid. That
may be the remainder of your life. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Having medical debt is a little like
having a child</b>, but even children make a contribution while costing money. You
have the expense of children from before birth until at least age 18, but they
give joy and pleasure along the way. You won't get that from a medical expense
that isn't covered by health insurance. You'll get to pay every month with no
visible result. It's a drain on your future.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>You're smarter than that</b>. It's better
to pay for major medical insurance at a low cost than to risk your future
without it. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I went for a well visit last month,
and just got the bills. My doctor's charge was about $300 and the blood work was
$560. I can't even afford to be well without insurance. With my insurance coverage, I'll
only pay about $325 of the total charges. My cousin recently told me it cost
$25,000 to LifeFlight her about 100 miles to a large hospital for treatment.
Fortunately, she has Medicare and Medicare Supplement, with little of that cost
coming out of her bank account. Can you afford to be without health
insurance?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>You can go to healthcare.gov and shop
for insurance</b>, based on your state and county. Your shopping figures don't include
credits you may get on your federal income taxes or subsidies from the federal
government. A catastrophic insurance policy will probably cost under $200 a
month, and protect your future if you have to be life flighted, or if you are
hospitalized for a few days. You may get a credit or federal subsidy if your
income is below about $45,000 as an individual or about $62,000 for two. The break in pricing seems to be at age 50, so if you're under 50, your insurance will be less than those over age 50. The insurers for each state are different, but you'll recognize names like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Health insurance may also protect
your family</b>, if you have assets. Generally, your debts get paid before your
family gets any assets -- and this includes medical debts. You may be gone, but
your failure to have health insurance lives on. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a savvy consumer, keep an open mind and consider the risk of not having health insurance. Take a look at the website and see the cost of a catastrophic policy without any subsidy. Then, create an account and compare the cost with the subsidy. You may find it's a deal you can't refuse -- when you consider your future without it.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you soon!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.cajunc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our website</span></a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-83819507623213959512013-08-07T15:38:00.001-07:002013-08-07T15:38:43.448-07:00Conducting an Estate Sale for Your Family<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3YZpldnL0i-XCsRGsAnmS84BgwvnghcOfYXka0YlEkrA-SYlRRgO_FmWIi-uuD1vbnhkcdk_uIsSF7AlayCGk9eQSzl_RHhc3Tc5k2g5t_R2efvQEEoR1SxgZ3rk7k3S2_KtkbnjiZY/s1600/pf41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Amber bottle with red glass stopper from Christian LaCroix" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3YZpldnL0i-XCsRGsAnmS84BgwvnghcOfYXka0YlEkrA-SYlRRgO_FmWIi-uuD1vbnhkcdk_uIsSF7AlayCGk9eQSzl_RHhc3Tc5k2g5t_R2efvQEEoR1SxgZ3rk7k3S2_KtkbnjiZY/s320/pf41.jpg" title="Collectors look for vintage and collectible perfume bottles" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian LaCroix and Other Perfume Bottles are Collectible</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When someone in your family needs to
shuffle to a retirement center or assisted living, or dies, a lifetime of
collections and maybe collectibles needs a new home. Family members often have an estate or yard sale to "get rid" of some of Grandma's "stuff." As an estate sale buyer and appraiser
for more than 20 years, I can share a few ideas with you. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In general, you need to save
everything and try to sell it. </b>Don't cull for the American public, especially at
a first sale. Well, maybe you can pitch the butter tubs and foil pie tins. Few
estate salers are looking for a matched set of butter tubs.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I see families save National
Geographic magazines from the 1960s forward. Unless you have a hologram issue,
give these to some grade school or middle school students to read. The libraries
won't take them, because there is an abundance. Nat Geo before 1960 may
have a Coke ad on the back cover that has some value. Recent magazines may sell for cheap, but they aren't really collectible. Magazines from the first half of the 20th Century are collectible, and many through the 1950s interest collectors because of advertising, styles and history.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I'm asked
to come look over an estate before the items are put out for sale. When I arrive
at the location, there is usually a large stack of rubble at the street. The family has tried to clean up before I arrive, and <b>they have relegated these
items to the curb</b>:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">magazines</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">perfume bottles</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ladies hats</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">fishing lures</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">wooden boxes</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ashtrays and old
lighters</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">smoking pipes</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">gag gifts and miniatures</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">old toys like dollhouse
furniture</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">junk drawer items</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">old postcards and envelopes with
stamps</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">fountain pens</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">wall hangings and art</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">old photographs</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">20s furniture and other items "out of
style", including vintage clothing</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's what they leave inside for the
sale:</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Clothes that aren't old enough to be
collectible</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kitchen items in current
use</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plastic and wooden baskets and
bowls</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyday dishes and glasses with
dishwasher etching</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prints on cardboard with plastic
frames from the 60s</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pressboard furniture</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You get the idea. Everything of value
got pitched before I arrived. We've gone through stuff at the curb and tried to
revive some of the items, but often they've been rained on and it's more effort
than they want to exert. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-RbySzO8OudY7l3aec6U3bfKtRZl7UWudt_Yj-NqSV7oX_uCZneZDjOvenLcAfIVTDCHQreIZBapGxEdvVlQHTtWmf1a5mrdakKYhs7ewI7Xs_pzDDZOtSPEkKlowzfeQgT5Xs3T2tw/s1600/pipe15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Six smoking pipes from various makers, all used and collectible" border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-RbySzO8OudY7l3aec6U3bfKtRZl7UWudt_Yj-NqSV7oX_uCZneZDjOvenLcAfIVTDCHQreIZBapGxEdvVlQHTtWmf1a5mrdakKYhs7ewI7Xs_pzDDZOtSPEkKlowzfeQgT5Xs3T2tw/s320/pipe15.jpg" title="Different makers and styles of smoking pipes sell at estate sales" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Smoking Pipes are Collectible, Even USED Ones</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Don't make this mistake. </b>Someone will
go through the items at the curb and take your valuables while you're selling
the cheap stuff in the house. If you don't know what you have, look online or
ask someone who deals with antiques or collectibles. I look at photos for free and go to homes for an hourly rate. What you
think is junk may make a collector's day. Pass it on to someone who appreciates
it, and make some money while you're at it. But, please don't put it out at the
curb until you've tried to sell it first.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have some fun, make some money, and give collectors the pleasure of shopping with you.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">See you next time!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">cajunC</span></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.cajunc.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.cajunc.com</span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-40768118565171548182013-05-12T09:57:00.001-07:002013-05-12T09:57:48.627-07:00Frugal Family Entertainment in Northwest Arkansas<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflpPjfEEqmRLLYSfRU9T0bJkH-doNM-omROjJ_DaFu3P6RG2ssfBpEPdreqErDEapRZ73aARtU7eG5Cj8N2tX5MEhFSqvv1zB3BoqA_RwCH5P1Uw_1e7yuB3KIJ8cYvB5ZPr8Yp8KXzw/s1600/Dsc01392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Terra Studios entrance with clay sculptures" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflpPjfEEqmRLLYSfRU9T0bJkH-doNM-omROjJ_DaFu3P6RG2ssfBpEPdreqErDEapRZ73aARtU7eG5Cj8N2tX5MEhFSqvv1zB3BoqA_RwCH5P1Uw_1e7yuB3KIJ8cYvB5ZPr8Yp8KXzw/s320/Dsc01392.jpg" title="Entrance to Terra Studios Arkansas location" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Terra Studios near Elkins, Arkansas</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;">Sometimes we shop in Arkansas for
antiques and collectibles, particularly pottery and glass. We're also interested
in contemporary Arkansas artists working in pottery and glass. We didn't have to
go to Arkansas to see the Bluebird of Happiness that has sold so well that it's in
homes and shops all over America, but we were thrilled to see a demonstration of how they're
made.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;">We found directions to Terra Studios and
decided we would trek over there and watch them make a bird or two. We spent the
night in Fayetteville and antiqued in Rogers at one of the best smalls malls in
the state -- The Rose. We stopped at a couple of other shops and dropped
down past Elkins to locate Terra Studios, the home of the Bluebird of Happiness
and the Pink Bird of Hope. We have no affiliation with Terra Studios, The Rose or any of the artisans. We're sharing our experience with you because it is free entertainment suitable for the whole family.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MRqUCuezcomYToC4jo_haNOj2C06fXKnq-Y73XxHJUYT7aWl3Y8dWeZNDt2Wuamv1uEFC6FuR_lzbF66fOTmwS9JIafi-4slrXEDR08bFfQt-QEirqbSQdavUwlZ0J3kDL7ySjzx8jU/s1600/terrastudiosglassexhibit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Handmade and blown glass from Arkansas glass artisans on display" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MRqUCuezcomYToC4jo_haNOj2C06fXKnq-Y73XxHJUYT7aWl3Y8dWeZNDt2Wuamv1uEFC6FuR_lzbF66fOTmwS9JIafi-4slrXEDR08bFfQt-QEirqbSQdavUwlZ0J3kDL7ySjzx8jU/s320/terrastudiosglassexhibit.jpg" title="Handcrafted glass display at Terra Studios gift shop" width="213" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside the Gift Shop at Terra Studios</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;">The Terra Studios grounds are
beautiful, with a fairy-like atmosphere of gnomes with clay and glass sculptures
to create an enchanted village. </span><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;">We
were pleasantly surprised that the gift shop at Terra Studios has exceptional
work of contemporary potters and glass blowers from all over Arkansas. We knew a
few of the artisans from other trips and from shows, but we don't know of anywhere that you'll
find so much contemporary Arkansas pottery and glass in one place. And most of it is for
sale.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOn7acaQXiHDDMz7piaziEyrYD1QUEvIhqEZKkqUwF2G2oM8CHloWqGyXsW4swN3qUnl0_oo-0R7uzFZ7JFDWuk-Q3_aXSGxyyioxhZ-T54sPCwEQKe6nC_t2B9nSTKp8zkqwPzmNCKE/s1600/giftshopentranceterrastudios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOn7acaQXiHDDMz7piaziEyrYD1QUEvIhqEZKkqUwF2G2oM8CHloWqGyXsW4swN3qUnl0_oo-0R7uzFZ7JFDWuk-Q3_aXSGxyyioxhZ-T54sPCwEQKe6nC_t2B9nSTKp8zkqwPzmNCKE/s320/giftshopentranceterrastudios.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Entrance to Gift Shop with Tile Art and Large Vase</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;">We love the colored clay work of
Siegele and Haley, and there was a display and several pieces for sale at Terra
Studios. We also saw the work of Klay-Hawk Studios and local Elkins artisan,
Chad E. Van Brunt. Other glass and pottery artists were equally impressive, and
we spent lots of time soaking in the beauty. We watched how the birds are made
and bought a few for friends. There is also a pottery shop onsite.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsi876-7kX-JNtB_WbTEnQjyBgexLmoy4NIc9quj00co9JerIMuvY5TKkzlAU7P-qxLm_v_cTVvJb4Ucmiqp7DHMQFugNmek1Z63J9BV1uIhJIRvdEXmrkNQNIHtM73CIHdv-AHOOWg28/s1600/haleysiegelebowl01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sliced pottery bowl from Siegele and Haley colored clay" border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsi876-7kX-JNtB_WbTEnQjyBgexLmoy4NIc9quj00co9JerIMuvY5TKkzlAU7P-qxLm_v_cTVvJb4Ucmiqp7DHMQFugNmek1Z63J9BV1uIhJIRvdEXmrkNQNIHtM73CIHdv-AHOOWg28/s320/haleysiegelebowl01.jpg" title="Susy Siegele and Mike Haley Colored Clay Bowl" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Siegele and Haley Colored Clay Bowl</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;">Terra Studios has a picnic area and
activities for children as well as adults. If you like to watch artistry in
action or to take the kids for an outing, this is a pleasant out-of-the-way place
you can enjoy without waiting in line or competing for tickets. It's free
entertainment for the whole family not far from Fayetteville and it's worth your
time. It's open every day, and you can see the hours and location at <span style="font-size: small;">the <a href="http://www.terrastudios.com/" target="_blank">Terra Studios</a></span><a href="http://www.terrastudios.com/" target="_blank"> website</a>.</span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-80775775726890819102013-03-28T08:34:00.002-07:002013-03-28T08:34:51.919-07:00Using Your Tax Refund Wisely<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DNyoO_EA9-2huCK0zzqrrUFIiLMWktsQ-BNzILy18dhNdOfqxrHYe3VvRKBC8JH3tKEv2nuZLmVlvQWFTxo5yPQGAfTGYT73QvfKcOgIuWzZaZG_74DLWg86cKP801sjQErloMJhrI8/s1600/swallowtailbutterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Swallowtail butterfly on dianthus flowers March 2013" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DNyoO_EA9-2huCK0zzqrrUFIiLMWktsQ-BNzILy18dhNdOfqxrHYe3VvRKBC8JH3tKEv2nuZLmVlvQWFTxo5yPQGAfTGYT73QvfKcOgIuWzZaZG_74DLWg86cKP801sjQErloMJhrI8/s320/swallowtailbutterfly.jpg" title="Swallowtail Butterfly on Dianthus Tax Time in Texas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Tax Time in Texas is Also Spring</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Spending Your Tax Refund To Give You the Best Return on Your Investment</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You probably have a hundred ways to spend your tax refund, but savvy money managers are always interested in another point of view or someone else's input. If you haven't filed your taxes yet, consider U.S. Savings Bonds for your refund. You file Form 8888 with your tax return to get the bonds. Here's the <a href="http://www.irs.gov/uac/Use-Your-Federal-Tax-Refund-to-Buy-Savings-Bonds" target="_blank">information from the IRS</a> if you're interested. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tax refunds are later this year
because most of us had to wait for forms and figures to file a tax return for
2012. Some of the delay was from the Internal Revenue Service as a result of a
slow Congress, but employers and contractors don't always get the W-2 or Form
1099-Misc out early. Banks send 1099-Int forms if you've made enough interest on
your accounts. If you filed with H&R Block software and used Form 8863
between February 14 and February 22, <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/03/22/hrblock-glitch-class-action-suits/" target="_blank">your refund may also be delayed</a>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are waiting for your tax
refund, you're probably making plans for the use of the money. You could go out
to eat or buy something you want and the refund would be gone forever. Or you
could make good use of your refund and add to your net worth. Here are some ways
you could make your tax refund last longer than a few minutes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Add your refund to your retirement
plan </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is windfall money, a refund you
didn't expect to get. Treat it as if you didn't receive it by putting it away
for the future. I never understood Ben Franklin and "A penny saved is a penny
earned" until I learned the benefits of saving money. Interest, although minimal
at this time, is money you don't have to work for. You can fund an Individual
Retirement Account or Roth IRA at your local bank. Ask for advice. An IRA is
funded with pre-tax funds and you pay tax when you withdraw the money. You pay
taxes on the money before you fund a Roth IRA and you can withdraw qualifying
funds without taxation (including earned interest).</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Put Money in Savings</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you don't have 6 to 8 months of expenses saved for an emergency fund, you're living on the edge. Build your emergency fund with your tax refund and regular additions to your savings account until you have a comfort zone of at least six months of expenses. If it costs you $3,000 for basics (rent, food, payments) each month, then you need a minimum of $18,000 in a savings account.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pay Off Credit Card Debt</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You may think there's no reason to
save money with interest rates low, and if you're paying interest on credit card
debt, you may use your tax refund wisely by paying down or paying off credit
card debt. The interest saved is money you don't have to pay, but if you're
just clearing your credit card to charge more, you're not accomplishing
anything. The only time it's smart to use your windfall tax refund to pay credit
card debt is if you don't incur more credit card debt.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Make a Purchase</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If a purchase can save you money over
the long run and you really need the item, consider making the purchase with
your tax refund. Choose an item within the refund amount -- don't add to your
debt by using the tax refund as a down payment. If you need a washing machine,
for example, and it will save the cost of taking your laundry to the
laundromat, you may consider a washing machine as a wise purchase. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you pay for the washer with your
tax refund and save the money you would spend every week at the laundromat, you
can make your tax refund work double for you. Take the money you allocated each week
for laundry to develop a cushion for repairs or other potential emergency
expenses.</span></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Watch for Specials at Your Bank</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Banks often have specials for savings accounts, and some pay a premium at the end of a savings program. Build My Savings is one of those. You commit to adding an amount to the account a certain day every month for a year or so and at the end of the time period, the bank adds a bonus to your account. Some of these average about 3 percent on your money. Ask at your bank, and also ask at the credit union near you. Sometimes credit unions have specials and higher rates. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember that while interest is low, put your money into a long-term certificate of deposit <span style="font-size: small;">only if</span> the penalty for early withdrawal is low. You may want to withdraw the funds to get a higher rate <span style="font-size: small;">if interest rates increase. </span>For example, if the withdrawal penalty is 1 percent and the difference in the interest rate for a 5-year certificate of deposit over a 1-year certificate of deposit is more than 1 percent, you may come out ahead with the 5-year certificate, even if you withdraw some funds early to get a higher interest rate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can use your tax refund wisely and<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">prepare</span> <span style="font-size: small;">for the years ahead</span>. Don't let your immediate desires <span style="font-size: small;">burn</span> a hole in your <span style="font-size: small;">f<span style="font-size: small;">uture.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">cajunC</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.cajunc.com</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-43577522017941295572013-01-18T09:57:00.001-08:002013-01-18T17:42:54.072-08:00A Reverse Mortgage May Not Be Your Best Option<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6NhcKGTBbDatTOXl_R8spmdNiMEnDxl5hzxbuDmxzzTSnopDvLZg7HAhN8vZK5MpzvAbBX31oODkYKr3k8ehHY3JRfTHxY-QQ7lXHjxORKZFWPOCFn4EgTmfzzuCTIcnFGeGhh_YwmM/s1600/homereversemortgage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="picture of American flag outside home in USA" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6NhcKGTBbDatTOXl_R8spmdNiMEnDxl5hzxbuDmxzzTSnopDvLZg7HAhN8vZK5MpzvAbBX31oODkYKr3k8ehHY3JRfTHxY-QQ7lXHjxORKZFWPOCFn4EgTmfzzuCTIcnFGeGhh_YwmM/s1600/homereversemortgage.jpg" title="reverse mortgage loans for seniors are risky" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You and the lender may own your home</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you listen to Fred Thompson, Robert Wagner or Henry Winkler telling
you the benefits of reverse mortgages, remember that they are actors. They’ve
been acting for years --and continue to act in advertisements for reverse
mortgages. Reverse mortgages have a limited place in the lives of some seniors,
but they should be a last resort choice. Instead, reverse mortgages are on the
rise, and so are repayments of reverse mortgages to avoid foreclosure.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You’ve already heard about the <b>advantages</b> of a reverse
mortgage -- you can get cash to pay bills, you won’t have to pay the money
back, you don’t have to make a mortgage payment, and it’s backed by the federal
government. The backing by the federal government doesn’t help you. It provides
mortgage insurance to the lender so the lender doesn’t lose money in the event
of default and keeps your heirs from having to pay outstanding indebtedness.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are some of the <b>disadvantages</b> that you may not know. I’m
not an actor and have nothing to gain from this advice -- but remember that a
smart consumer is one who has searched for both advantages and disadvantages:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A reverse mortgage is a LOAN, and the loan company bases the
amount you can borrow on your age and the equity in your home. You must be at
least 62, and the older you are, the larger loan available to you. Because you
won’t live as long at 80 as you would at 62, the lender won’t have to pay for
as many years if you wait until late in life to take a reverse mortgage. The
older spouse can get the largest amount, so many couples choose to have one
person take out the reverse mortgage. This works well until the older spouse
dies and the lender looks for repayment. HUD has included a provision in the
mortgage to protect the surviving spouse, but some lenders ignore the provision.
Make certain that any reverse mortgage is in both names if you’re married. You
can read about the problem here: <a href="http://blog.aarp.org/2012/10/15/reverse-mortgages-are-proliferating-but-its-wise-to-proceed-with-caution/" target="_blank">AA<span style="font-size: small;">RP Reverse Mortgages Increasing</span></a></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You must live in your home to continue with a reverse
mortgage. If you choose to move, or even if you are in a nursing home for more
than a year, you aren’t compliant with the reverse mortgage terms and may lose
your home to foreclosure.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You’ve heard that you still own your home. That’s true on
paper, but you can’t sell your home without paying the reverse mortgage and all
fees associated with the mortgage. Fees accumulate every year and will take
most of the equity you have beyond the payment or payments you receive.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You’ll still have the expenses of owning a home, and you are
responsible for the property taxes and maintenance. You can’t let it
deteriorate, even if you can’t afford repairs. You own the property and home when it comes time to pay taxes or make
repairs, but the LOAN and LIEN on the house keeps you from selling or moving
without repayment of the loan. You can die without repayment, but your heirs
won’t own the house without repaying the reverse mortgage and all associated
expenses. In most instances, the cost exceeds the value of the home, so don’t
expect your children or relatives to benefit. You are basically giving away the
house for the money you receive. You get to live there and maintain the
property for the mortgage company.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Reverse mortgages are an expensive way to get some cash.</b> The
upfront costs are high for the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage unless you get
the HECM Saver, and what it saves in upfront costs is added to the percentage
rate for the loan. The yearly costs are high as well, and while you’re not
making payments, you’re still accumulating costs.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here’s what AARP says about the things you should know
before taking out a reverse mortgage:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/info-02-2011/10-questions-answered-about-reverse-mortgages.1.html" target="_blank">AARP Questions Answered About Reverse Mortgages</a><b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>What are the alternatives?</b> You’ll probably be better off
selling your home and moving to less expensive housing. If you’re a senior, a
sale will likely free up the equity you need to relocate. You can downsize and
prepare for retirement years instead of holding on to your house that you can no
longer afford or maintain. AARP suggests that you might get a roommate if you
are alone. Before you make any decisions, ask your children. You might choose
to sell the property to a child and use the money you receive to make payments
on the child’s loan -- all while you continue to live in the home. <b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Who could benefit from a reverse mortgage</b>? If you have no
heirs and really need the money to pay for food and medicine, a reverse
mortgage may be the answer for you. Consider whether you’ll be in the same
position after you spend the money you get from the mortgage. If that’s the
case, it won’t help for long, and isn’t the right answer for you.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What else can you do? </span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Inquire about public services available for seniors. You may
qualify for help from your state or county, or from the federal government.
Some drug companies reduce prescription costs for low-income individuals as
well. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make some telephone calls. Check with the nearest Social Security office for
benefits available. Call the state and county offices, and the Council on Aging
in your area.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Ask for help before you make any decisions involving the roof
over your head.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here’s some information from the federal Housing and Urban
Development website: </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/hecm/rmtopten" target="_blank">Housing and Urban Development Reverse Mortgage Information</a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">AARP warns of some of the dangers of reverse mortgages on
its website. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/reverse_mortgages/" target="_blank">AARP Reverse Mortgage Information</a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See you next time!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Linda</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cajunc.com/" target="_blank">Cajun Collection</a></span></span></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-48161000096091844812012-12-09T10:10:00.003-08:002012-12-09T10:10:53.746-08:00Review Your Finances -- Count Your Money at the End of the Year<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVPAUFDlBSG9Ylv3pYUjrGCQ8S10nSMHyOyo4CDHLNUHgrH0tWwWNvoI0YWAjxhx7mGO8zZon4PlB4l_4E3c0sD1_ko_nnLTDXFgTETsVjeksFJIMQYQvC5R6NJB2oVQdNDSNMW0_AUQ/s1600/sterl22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gorham Etruscan sterling silver flatware pattern from 1913" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVPAUFDlBSG9Ylv3pYUjrGCQ8S10nSMHyOyo4CDHLNUHgrH0tWwWNvoI0YWAjxhx7mGO8zZon4PlB4l_4E3c0sD1_ko_nnLTDXFgTETsVjeksFJIMQYQvC5R6NJB2oVQdNDSNMW0_AUQ/s320/sterl22.jpg" title="Calculate Assets and Liabilities for Net Worth" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sterling Silver Flatware May Be An Asset</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">End of the Year Calculations<span style="font-size: small;"> Help You Understand <span style="font-size: small;">Where Your M<span style="font-size: small;">oney Goes</span></span></span></span></b> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Losing weight and taking control of
your finances are two common New Year's resolutions. You may want to see if
you've made any financial progress this year, and you can do this without a
financial counselor or planner. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you're interested in handling your
money, you may watch Suze Orman, Clark Howard or Gail Vaz-Oxley. In addition to
finances, a recurring part of these programs is that the participants seldom
realize how much money they spend, and most spend more than they have coming in
each month.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Four basic calculations tell you all
you need to know -- income, expenses, assets and liabilities.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Income</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Calculate your average income for the
month from employment and all other sources. Use your gross income so you can
see taxes, insurance, 401(k) and any other deductions. If you're not employed,
you pay your taxes and insurance from your savings or other income, so it's
important to remember that these are expenses whether you see the deduction or
not.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Expenses</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Determine your average expenses for a
month. If you pay bills online, you may have to refer to the credit card you use
or the bank account attached to your bill-paying. Don't miss your automatic
withdrawals and quarterly payments. Divide yearly payments by 12 to get the
average monthly payment. Divide a quarterly payment by 3 for the monthly
payment. Free services online can help you keep track of your expenses. For
example, the Suze Orman Expense Tracker
helps you review your expenses without sharing your personal information with
the world population. <a href="http://www.suzeorman.com/suzetools/expensesheet/">http://www.suzeorman.com/suzetools/expensesheet/</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Subtracting expenses from income
should give you money left over. If your expenses exceed your income, you need
to make adjustments in your lifestyle so that you don't spend more than you
bring in each month. The calculations are all you need to <span style="font-size: small;">estimate where you are and where you want to be.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Liabilities</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Calculate how much you owe by
itemizing all of your liabilities -- not for the month, but the total you owe.
Determine the amount you owe on your house, car, mobile device contracts, credit
cards and any other bills. Include student loans in deferral -- you still owe
these even if you aren't currently making payments on them. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Assets</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Estimate your assets by checking the
value of items you own. If your house is valued at $100,000 and you owe $80,000
on the mortgage, you have about $20,000 in equity (unless you have a second
mortgage or reverse mortgage.) You can check kbb.com or edmunds.com to estimate
the current value of your automobile. Subtract any amount you owe from the value
to calculate your equity. List your savings and bank accounts as assets, along
with your retirement accounts. If you have a valuable collection -- coins
or sterling flatware, for example -- you may want to list that as an asset as
well.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Net Worth</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once you have base assets and
liabilities figures for the year, subtract liabilities from your assets to
arrive at your net worth. Use this figure at the end of every year to see if
you're making financial progress by increasing your assets and decreasing your
debts. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do a few calculations now to put yourself on the right track for <span style="font-size: small;">the new year. May your year be blessed with prosperity, and may you<span style="font-size: small;"> use what you have wisely.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">cajunC</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.cajunc.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.cajunc.com</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span></span></div>
</div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-39042816005061595342012-10-28T08:39:00.001-07:002012-10-28T10:32:29.867-07:00Texas Homestead Exemption Property Taxes for Senior Citizens over 65<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho641gVp4PeuQUma26GkD7KCg4w9jpekeZcUmDaABK7vOWRprL4Aglq4bQQnDfnYjMBQvmGQ3E_LBFUuxyAkRb3KjvgH5GH8DFN616EfrRNeCPZD8xuQobPBK50-5xVjs674IwUHgtLTk/s1600/hawk03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Alert red shouldered hawk looking out for himself from a tree" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho641gVp4PeuQUma26GkD7KCg4w9jpekeZcUmDaABK7vOWRprL4Aglq4bQQnDfnYjMBQvmGQ3E_LBFUuxyAkRb3KjvgH5GH8DFN616EfrRNeCPZD8xuQobPBK50-5xVjs674IwUHgtLTk/s320/hawk03.jpg" title="Red Shouldered Hawk in Central Texas" width="186" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be a Hawk About Your Money</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Texas Property Taxes for
Seniors</b> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once you arrive at the wise old age
of 65, you get a break in Texas on property taxes if you own your residence and
are living in it. This is not the same as the homestead exemption that you claim
for your residence at any age.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can also pay your taxes in 4
installments if you choose, once you reach 65. You must pay at least 1/4 of the
tax amount before February 1 of the following year, and additional payments by
April 1, June 1 and August 1. The penalty is 6 percent plus 1 percent a month if
you're late, so if you might forget to make the payment, you're risking extra
fees.</span></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hubby and I turned 65 this year, and
we had our birthdates listed with the homestead exemption. When we got our tax
notice (arriving about October 15 each year), the discount should have been
calculated automatically. We did not see any discount on the form. Of course
this prompted me to take the information to the Tax Appraisal District to see
what was up.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Trip number 1: </b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The gal indicated that
we qualified for a discount and a freeze if we completed an application and proved
that the property was our homestead. Proof was to be the remainder of the form
for our automobile registration sticker for the current year -- you know, the
one everyone throws away as soon as they peel off the sticker.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Trip number 2: </b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I returned to the Tax
Appraisal office with auto registration form for my vehicle that I had
miraculously saved. (It's good they didn't ask for Hubby's vehicle, too. I
didn't locate that one.) The gal made a copy of this and a copy of my driver's
license. Now, I was all set to pay the reduced amount. However, she said I would
need to pay the entire amount and get a refund in a couple of months.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Waiting for a refund from a
government office is one of those things I've probably cautioned you about, so
you know I wasn't agreeable to that. The alternative was to turn our "case" in
to have the taxes recalculated, and she couldn't guarantee me that it could be
done by the end of October. Of course, the end of October is a magic date, since
Texans who pay early get a little discount. I decided to take my chances. She
took the form, gave me nothing in return and said it would be a week or so. I
could come back then. I asked for a copy of the paperwork before leaving the
office. You know the importance of having a copy<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Trip number 3: </b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back to the Tax
Appraisal office to see if I could pay the newly-calculated property taxes.
Well, I couldn't, because they hadn't been calculated yet -- but I could pay the
full amount and get a refund. Ha ha.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Trip number 4:</b> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I stopped by the Tax office to pay,
since the October window of opportunity is closing fast. She pulled the
information up on the computer and it had just been recalculated that day. Of
course, the recalculation is done by someone sitting two desks away from the
front desk, and when I realized that, I waved to the gal and thanked her for
recalculating my taxes before the end of the month.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Was It Worth It?</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, seniors, it's worth it. I drove
12 miles 4 times, so that's 48 miles in gas and about 3 hours of my time. Where
else can you make $100 an hour? You must apply the year you're 65 to get the
benefit for that first year.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It looks as if the savings is about
$300 on $2,000 in property taxes in our area. Plus, it should trigger the freeze
on your taxes for the future. You get the advantage of freezing your taxes at
the rate you pay when you're 65 so long as you live in the house. Since taxes
are high in Texas, this makes living here affordable for senior citizens. If
taxes decrease, you get the advantage of the reduction as well. If your spouse
dies, you may have to prove your homestead entitlement again under 9.415 of the
property tax rules. You can read the Texas property tax rules here: <a href="http://window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/proptaxrules.pdf">http://window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/proptaxrules.pdf</a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, the recalculated form
didn't show that our taxes are frozen for next year, so we'll have to check
again next year to make certain we get our taxes frozen. Maybe I'll get to see these nice people at the Tax Appraisal Office again next year.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take care of little paperwork issues
as they come up; call and ask questions. You may surprise yourself at the
savings you can get from being a savvy consumer. Taxes, banking and insurance
are three areas you can understand and make a difference in your annual
expenses.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">See you next time!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">cajunC</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">UUGREGP4WTH4</span></span></div>
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Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-88535127160291526002012-09-13T12:53:00.003-07:002012-09-14T06:03:08.190-07:00Understanding Automobile Insurance -- Removing Comprehensive and Collision<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Automobile insurance is an unknown for some people who are otherwise savvy with handling money. If you have to rely on your agent to decide what car insurance to buy, you just need a short review to make your own decisions. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is it time to remove your
comprehensive and collision coverage from your automobile insurance policy? My
car is 16 years old, so you might think it's time. I finally got around to having the comp and collision cut, but I was hesitant. Here's what you need to
know.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When you get car insurance, you get
liability coverage for sure -- that's what every state requires in some form or
another. That's to cover the other driver and his car. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you want insurance to cover YOUR
car and to pay if you have an accident that's your fault, you'll need
comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to liability. Collision
coverage pays for your car if you hit something; comprehensive insurance pays if
a tree falls on your car or if someone steals it. The policy usually says "fire,
windstorm, hail, vandalism, theft" etc.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the scheme of things,
comprehensive and collision aren't worth a lot to you because of deductibles and
value. Your comprehensive and collision may have a $500 deductible. That means
you pay the first $500 before the insurer pays anything. Then, the value of your
car is determined by mileage and Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.com value guides.
Undoubtedly, your car is worth more to you than it shows in the book, but
insurers work from the blue book value to pay if your car is totaled. They also
get the salvage value of your car if you accept the figure offered.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, if you have $25,000 in liability
coverage, that's a significant amount, but if your car was worth $20,000 new and
blue book price is $8,000 now, the insurer subtracts your deductible and offers
you the blue book value. You might get $7,500 if your car is
totaled.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What happens if you remove the
comprehensive and collision coverage? First, if you have a loan on the car, you
probably can't remove comprehensive and collision until the loan is paid in
full. That's because the loan company wants to protect its interest in the
vehicle. If you can remove the comprehensive and collision coverage and do so,
you probably will also remove the towing and labor and rental reimbursement
coverage, if you had those. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some insurers will let you keep
towing and labor if you have other vehicles on the same policy (Geico, maybe)
but you won't be able to keep the rental reimbursement coverage. Rental
reimbursement pays for a rental car if your car is damaged and in the shop for
repairs. This is helpful but not essential.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If the other guy follows the law and
has liability insurance, his policy covers YOU if he's at fault. If he doesn't
have insurance or has the minimum limits for your state -- and you have no way
of knowing until you have an accident -- you may need uninsured motorist
coverage.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you have uninsured motorist and
underinsured motorist coverage with your auto policy, that pays medical bills if
someone uninsured or without enough insurance injures YOU. If you can't work,
you may also get coverage from the uninsured motorist provisions. This can
really make a difference, particularly if you don't have good health insurance. Your policy may have medical payments coverage or PIP -- personal injury protection -- but those coverages are usually $5,000 or less for medical. You need more.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Uninsured motorist coverage usually can't equal more than your liability coverage, so if you have low limits on your liability insurance, you may not be able to get as much uninsured motorist coverage as you really need. Increasing your liability coverage may cost less than you imagined. If you remove the comp and collision from your policy, ask your agent about increasing your uninsured motorist coverage with the money you save. If you have to increase your liability, that's ok, too, particularly if you own your home or have assets that could be taken if you have an accident and are sued. Use your insurance money where it works for you.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">See you next time!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">cajunC</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFS_v26cTb5TVs_P4h4s0SG4x2T_agXJqBsX46QVk2ZVvA3iL7U3KAl9m8xx77DWceJcuBo_RhdX6jOona9VM5SDo_eluz0Xj1LpAbDh-on7Krgftd-3PqiyWE0JSKhg-oYBd3oTmiTY/s1600/cardinal-02-wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Central Texas bird in natural habitat" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFS_v26cTb5TVs_P4h4s0SG4x2T_agXJqBsX46QVk2ZVvA3iL7U3KAl9m8xx77DWceJcuBo_RhdX6jOona9VM5SDo_eluz0Xj1LpAbDh-on7Krgftd-3PqiyWE0JSKhg-oYBd3oTmiTY/s320/cardinal-02-wm.jpg" title="Texas birds cardinal red bird" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The cardinals are in Texas all year.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-10784107235986528492012-06-21T18:39:00.003-07:002012-06-22T08:55:36.826-07:00Corning Develops Willow Glass<div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>New Willow Glass from Corning is Bendable, Ultra-Thin and Flexible</b> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">When Corning sold Steuben, I thought the best of Corning was behind us. New developments have proved me wrong. Corning is on the cutting edge of research and technology for you, the consumer.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Corning developed Gorilla glass a few
years ago, and it is used for thousands of consumer products, including some
Samsung smartphones and Apple iPhones. Corning has a new kind of glass in the
works that will affect the consumer products we buy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The new glass from Corning is called Willow glass,
according to "Barron's" June 11, 2012 issue and the Corning website. This new
glass is thin and bendable and can be wrapped around products. Corning calls it
ultra-slim and flexible. Your smartphone or tablet may be thinner in just a
couple of years, thanks to Willow glass.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Willow glass is made with a fusion
process with a thinness as slight as100 microns or about like a sheet of copy
paper. It can seal electrical components and still provide good optical
quality. You can read about it here. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.corning.com/news_center/news_releases/2012/2012060401.aspx" target="_blank">Corning News Release on Willow Glass</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Watch for new uses for this bendable glass as technology picks up on the possibilities!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">See you soon! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">cajunC</span></div>
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</div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-64109592978896687742012-05-21T09:10:00.000-07:002012-06-09T12:38:46.822-07:00Appliances With Electronic Controls Can't Be Left Running<div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>New Appliances Have Electronic Controls</b> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If you have any new appliance, it probably has an electronic control panel that keeps it functioning. The control panel is the brain to the appliance, so we found out with our Whirlpool electric range. With no brains, the appliance has no sense.</span> </div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We returned from a two-mile walk and decided we'd cook a frozen pizza for supper. I turned on the oven and pushed the temperature panel to stop at 400 degrees. When the preheat had less than a minute to go, I popped the pizza in the oven and went to watch television for 15 minutes while the pizza cooked. I heard the buzzer when the preheat completed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Don't Use Your Appliances When You're Out</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I was just in the next room, but smelled something strange. Got up to check on the pizza and saw that the oven no longer showed 400 degrees, but had something that looked like F-3 on the panel. The pizza smelled like it was burning and there was an electrical smell in the air.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I pulled on the oven door. It wouldn't open. I peeped through the glass and could see the coils were hot and continuing to heat. I called Hubby. He ran to the garage to turn the breaker off while the house was filling with smoke and burned-pizza odor. We opened the doors, trying to prevent the smoke alarm from attracting the neighbors.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The door wouldn't open even after the breaker was turned off. The pizza continued to burn because the oven was at a high temperature.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I went to the Internet to check to see if this happened to other people. It appears that it is fairly common, but I couldn't get the oven door open to locate the serial number or style of the oven. Even the 800 number is inside the oven.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I rifled through the warranty files to locate the owner's manual and installation booklet. There is no information about this problem in the literature.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>How the Electronic Controls Work</b> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After an hour or so, the oven door could be opened and we took the black pizza out and threw it away. The next day, I called Whirlpool and reported the dangers of what happened. They said that was normal and "the way the oven was intended to work." I suggested that the pizza could have caught fire if we hadn't been watching and that serious damage could have resulted.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The repairman replaced the control panel and assured me that it was made to work the way it did. When the control panel goes out, the temperature is uncontrolled and goes up like it does in self-cleaning mode. The oven door locks to avoid human burns -- to heck with the pizza or whatever you have inside. I suggested that a fuse could prevent this and was told that there is a fuse that would probably blow if the pizza had ignited.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The lesson we learned here is not to leave an </span><span style="font-size: small;">appliance with an electronic control panel operating while we're out. This goes for the washer, dryer, oven, range or whatever. If the control panel fails, the appliance runs uncontrolled.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We hope our experience helps others realize the perils of electronic controls. We had never used the self-cleaning feature on the oven and joked that the oven decided it was time for a cleaning -- but this is not a joking matter. A house full of smoke, a pizza in the oven that can't be rescued and an appliance with a locked door creates a scary situation. I'm still a little reluctant to use the oven when I'm home alone.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">See you soon!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">cajunC</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">PS: On a fun note, we've been seeing the yellow-crowned night heron in Central Texas since we've had some rain.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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</span></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-82621291405911654942012-04-02T05:36:00.000-07:002012-05-11T21:33:03.964-07:00Spring Cleaning with Natural Products -- Baking Soda, Rubbing Alcohol and White Vinegar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlooweu6G-xhT2yMDy61gYbc5xKzUYoLZbEOubnVViqphy_anPuKA2E4NPjF0SbjgPjjoNLez1TI1ynhA8PZ-AwHnQDhyKUNRM7gMt8O6XzSGP4iUhTS_42iuaCNoiskxOYw5MrEzku4/s1600/bathroom-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlooweu6G-xhT2yMDy61gYbc5xKzUYoLZbEOubnVViqphy_anPuKA2E4NPjF0SbjgPjjoNLez1TI1ynhA8PZ-AwHnQDhyKUNRM7gMt8O6XzSGP4iUhTS_42iuaCNoiskxOYw5MrEzku4/s320/bathroom-02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Naturally, You'll Do Spring Cleaning in All the High Places.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Natural products work as well or better around the house than expensive brands you use because they have "in your face" advertising. When you go to the grocery or drugstore, buy only the basics to enjoy safe and practical cleaning at an affordable price.<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Baking Soda</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Baking soda is a cheap alternative to spray cleaners to use in almost every room of the house. Baking soda cleans the tub, the sink and the commode in your bathroom. Just sprinkle the powder in areas where you use sprays. Wipe with a wet sponge or brush and rinse with clear water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Baking soda works in the laundry as well. Sprinkle some baking soda in your wash to eliminate odors such as perfume and body odors. It also gets your clothes cleaner, assisting the detergent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Baking soda is useful in the kitchen. It cleans the sink and the pots without scratching. It's also good for odor absorption in the refrigerator. If your ice cubes have a taste, they may be old, or they may have absorbed refrigerator odors. Cover all open containers in your refrigerator with a plastic wrap and place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>White Vinegar</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Use white vinegar to clean stubborn stains. It works well in the bathroom to clean around the faucets. Wet a cloth with white vinegar and wrap the area around the faucets. Come back in an hour and scrub the area with an old toothbrush to remove the sediment. Rinse the faucets with clear water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">White vinegar cleans residue from glass, pottery or porcelain that's caused from standing water. Fill the container with white vinegar and let it sit over night. Scrub with a toothbrush and rinse with clear water. Use white vinegar in the kitchen when you have a stubborn stain or baked-on food. Leave the white vinegar in the item to soak, and rinse with clear water in an hour or so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Caution: don't leave vinegar in an aluminum pot or it may eat through the metal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rubbing Alcohol</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Use rubbing alcohol throughout the house as a disinfectant. You can clean your countertops with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel to remove ballpoint pen ink and sanitize the countertops for cooking or emptying the dishwasher. Rubbing alcohol cleans granite countertops and laminates. Don't get alcohol in the seams as it may dissolve the glue or sealants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol is a good glass cleaner, and cleans mirrors better than purchased spray products. Place a little rubbing alcohol on a paper towel and use it to wipe the bathroom mirrors, fixtures and countertops. Use rubbing alcohol as a prewash to remove ballpoint ink spots on your washable clothing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Alcohol is flammable, so don't use it near an open flame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">These three products can help you do most of your spring cleaning. We also use hydrogen peroxide as a mild bleach. It's a disinfectant for countertops and sinks, and is safe enough to use as a disinfectant on your hands, a cleaner for cuts or wounds and a fungicide for plants. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Inexpensive natural green products that don't harm the environment and don't require a propellant can work for you. At about $1 each, you can get all the cleaning products you need on a $5-dollar bill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">See you soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-69097771901706473362012-02-05T14:49:00.001-08:002012-05-11T21:37:02.320-07:00Take Charge of Your Federal Income Taxes Including Form 1099-K<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">W-2 forms and 1099's for filing federal income taxes are in the mail, if yours haven't already arrived. You'll have all the income information to file your federal income taxes soon, but you may still need to add the income figures and make a few calculations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You DO file your own federal income taxes, don't you? If not, you're paying someone to put figures in the blanks, and you provide the figures. The IRS has free filing through their website at irs.gov, but if you operate a business, you may need to purchase a tax software program such as TurboTax or TaxAct. The Home and Business version walks you through your Form 1040, Schedule C for your business and Schedule SE for your self-employment taxes -- Social Security and Medicare.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The federal tax laws have changed a little this year, and there is no Making Work Pay credit. The filing date without an extension is April 17, because April 15 falls on a Sunday and Monday is Emancipation Day in DC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You'll need to break down your mileage from January to June 30 and from July 1 to December 31 if you want to claim mileage for your business activity. Mileage is calculated at 51 cents for the first half of the year and 55.5 cents for July to December.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The IRS has a new Form 8949 for capital gains. Complete this form to transfer your capital gains information to Schedule D. If you got a Form 1099-B, it may have the basis figure you need to complete the Form 8949.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Form 1099-K is new, and comes from merchant payment centers such as PayPal. If you received more than 200 payments through a merchant payment center during the 2011 year totaling more than $20,000, you will likely receive this form. Because you may also receive a Form 1099-MISC for contract work, be aware that there may be duplication of the amounts. You don't want to pay taxes on this income twice. Fortunately, the IRS has waived calculations for this year, and the 2011 Form 1040 tells you to put "0" in the blank.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Don't concern yourself about discrepancies in the Form 1099-K and your actual income for this year. Just put a zero in the blank and move on, because you can't likely reconcile the figures -- and you don't need to. Count all of your income on your federal income tax form, but only count it once.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The IRS requires businesses to send you a 1099-MISC if you work as a contractor and earn more than $600 during the year. If you earn less than $600, you must still count that as income, although you don't get a Form 1099-MISC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Claim all of the deductions you are allowed, including mileage, advertising and supplies. And Internet expenses, if you work online. It's only with claiming all of your deductions that you can see if you make a profit from your business efforts. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Do your taxes yourself and treat yourself when you're done. You'll save a significant amount of money and you may learn some tax law along the way. Everything you need is available on the IRS website. Here's the information you need from the <a href="http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=253098,00.html">IRS about Form 1099-K.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">An article with another perspective on this year's tax changes is <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tax-changes-to-watch-for.html" target="_blank">Tax Changes to Watch For </a>by Eva Rosenberg.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes an eagle watches over you, and sometimes it's a hawk. We don't have a picture of an eagle, although my daughter swears she'll get us one. Here's the red shouldered hawk we see in our area often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JT3pL2Q90EP1JpxKNxYEcQChI1J5-3wmaOmfXHRAhaGkCSVt-Pb0UGGSO8BAyiKhiaaekULgs4awXMM7iZ-Nul-O3Ziaxm1-iAQwy3Thanj7vat1DavHs-ELtrrLlCSX8PKSY55LhlM/s1600/hawk01wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JT3pL2Q90EP1JpxKNxYEcQChI1J5-3wmaOmfXHRAhaGkCSVt-Pb0UGGSO8BAyiKhiaaekULgs4awXMM7iZ-Nul-O3Ziaxm1-iAQwy3Thanj7vat1DavHs-ELtrrLlCSX8PKSY55LhlM/s320/hawk01wm.jpg" width="195" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Such a stately bird, we enjoy his company. Get your federal income taxes done and soar ahead of the crowd.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We got a new book published. This one is <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/125177" target="_blank"><i>Retirement Living Guide Tips and Recipes for Easy Cooking</i></a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can also read part of the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Living-Recipes-Cooking-ebook/dp/B0072XOJF0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327854782&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Retirement Living Guide Tips and Recipes for Easy Cooking</a></i> or download a copy for $2.99 on Kindle at Amazon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Our previous book, <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77302" target="_blank"><i>Retirement Living Guide for Senior Citizens</i></a>, is still available on Smashwords or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Living-Senior-Citizens-ebook/dp/B005HZWRHW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327854884&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Kindle</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">See you SOON!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-850987549619151596.post-42382329108958442442012-01-16T09:48:00.000-08:002012-06-22T09:05:10.344-07:00Organize with Files for Tax Time and Warranty Claims<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPPqNf7Z81ebEN8JHr21WsbGMWsjp6w-DfiAA9nA8hJ1rn2pNfWa9YkgmQ6BIxG7h0y_2Dl57T2pwkZapI14r6UIXeqK3MNwTb0Kq-kIsXSKbpYINS8MB4GmxBcXArTg3_cDLzifikxY/s1600/red04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Red-bellied Woodpecker in Texas sits on a branch." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPPqNf7Z81ebEN8JHr21WsbGMWsjp6w-DfiAA9nA8hJ1rn2pNfWa9YkgmQ6BIxG7h0y_2Dl57T2pwkZapI14r6UIXeqK3MNwTb0Kq-kIsXSKbpYINS8MB4GmxBcXArTg3_cDLzifikxY/s1600/red04.jpg" title="Red-bellied Woodpecker in Texas" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Organize for 2012 so you'll be prepared for taxes, broken appliances and warranty work. Start a simple filing system with an expandable folder or file drawer. You don't need much to get started and keep your system up-to-date. Manila file folders work with a file drawer. Here's an easy system that works.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Label your file folders for saving receipts and papers you'll need for taxes or reference. Some labels you might use are</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">credit cards</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">house</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">income</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">insurance</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">taxes</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">miscellaneous </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Date each file for the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">During the year, stick the receipts in the correct file. Any order will do at this point. You don't have to be a fanatic for this system to work -- just don't throw away receipts or information about the things you might need, especially credit cards and insurance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When it's tax time, pull the files for the year and sort the receipts. They will all be together for easy retrieval. Use the tax file to write down the items you can deduct from your taxes, such as property tax or maybe even your vehicle renewal fees. Calculate your credit card interest paid and other enlightening figures, so you can see where your money goes. Review the files for taxes and for budget resolutions -- improvements you can make to your spending habits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You'll also need a warranty file for all of your small equipment. An alphabetical expandable file works well for this. When you purchase anything with a warranty such as electronic, electrical or hand equipment, clip the receipt to the warranty and mark the date of purchase. File your warranty information alphabetically by the name of the item for easy retrieval. This file is ongoing, and doesn't need to be started new each year. Include household items such as water heater, microwave and appliance warranties as well as warranties for toaster and small kitchen appliances. If it has a warranty, you need to save the paperwork to make a warranty claim. Be sure to make a warranty claim if you have an issue with any piece of equipment within the warranty period. This notifies the company of a potential problem as well as assists you in the repair or replacement of the item. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If your mind doesn't like the thought of organizing, this filing system works with little mental agony. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Although the tax deadline isn't here yet, it's time to set up new files for 2012 so you'll have purchases and expenses for the year all in one place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">See you next time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Linda</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">cajunC</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">P.S. The red-bellied woodpecker is in our backyard, and claims the territory in this area of Texas. </span></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15836041295551405430noreply@blogger.com0