Texas brown is a stark comparison to the lush green of West Virginia this summer. We left the brown scorched earth and 111 degrees in Dallas and looked down on the fields, anxious to see some greenery. It didn't take long to travel to another climate. The green was everywhere in W. Va.; so was the rain and cooler temperatures.

After not flying for several years, we experienced consumerism and the changes first-hand in airport security and passenger controls. We shed our shoes and set out our bottles in the quart Ziploc bag for all to see. The alarm sounded and I got escorted to the side of the line with a call for "female assist." My necklace would not pass screening without removal. They placed it in a dish that looked like it had watered the dog, ran it through the x-ray and left it just out of reach for me to retrieve.

The reassurance of the captain that they were tightening the last few bolts at the rear of the plane was not comforting in Detroit. The flight out of Charleston, W. Va. was delayed 45 minutes for a flat tire that the captain reported as "worn." That made us wonder the status of other tires and parts, but the airline has your money and your soul once you board the plane.

We had 15 minutes to make a connection in Atlanta because of the flight delay, and no one was there to pick us up. Years ago, the airline would have had a shuttle there to take the delayed passengers to the next flight. We got a workout but made the connecting flight.

Airline fares depend on where you purchase your tickets, how far in advance you buy and what services you need. If word-of-mouth is a good indicator, Southwest Airlines has good deals, including no charge for a checked bag or two. Delta currently charges $25 for checked baggage, and that is $25 each way for a round-trip. You can have a purse or laptop and a carry-on, along with a jacket or shirt, but all checked luggage costs a fee. You still receive a complimentary cold drink and nuts or cookie on Delta flights, and the flight attendants still smile.

You can find ticket prices online at several discount websites, but buying from the airline is usually a good idea. You can get a low fare with the airline directly and know who to contact if you have issues. Your flight may be cheaper if you fly during the week and stay over a weekend. You may qualify for discounts by charging your flight on a specific credit card, so check before you buy the tickets.

If you belong to AAA or AARP, use discounts for motels and a rental car for significant savings. Shop online and by telephone for the best rate. Stay at motels slightly out of town and away from the airport for a better bargain. The Sleep Inn in Mink Shoals was the best bargain in the Charleston Area; the Best Western Plus in Irving was a great deal in the Dallas area.


We're glad to be back in sunny Texas, greeted by thirsty birds, squirrels and flowers, water restrictions and brown earth. Our yard and many others have remained a green oasis for animal shelter in the city.

See you again soon!  In the meantime, read some retirement information written just for you.

Our Retirement Living Guide for Senior Citizens is now in eBook format for your e-reader. You can also read it on your computer, with a generous portion available for free. Learn to enjoy retirement and make your money last your lifetime. You don't have to buy the eBook to read some for free and decide if you want to purchase the whole book at $2.99. 

Linda

cajunC

Summer Heat and Cool Consumers Look for Economy in Utilities and Beef

Consumers across the nation are feeling the summer heat and drought. Utility bills for cooling the house are increasing, but so are water and feed bills for animals. If you have animals, this may be your first summer to have to feed hay in areas that have had no rain. Farmers throughout the South expect a hay shortage this winter because of feeding hay this summer. Some farmers are selling livestock to save the expense of feeding this summer, and predictions are that the price of beef will increase as early as this winter.

If you make your meat purchases based on the economy and the weather, you can save money. Beef on sale between now and the end of the year may be a result of the increased sales of livestock because of the drought. It may be a good time to buy. There will be less livestock to sell when winter comes. If farmers sell off livestock this summer, it may take years to rebuild the stock, keeping the price of beef high.

If your utility bills are maxed out, use ceiling fans if you have them and area fans to circulate the air where you are. Fans are less expensive to operate than lowering the air conditioning temperature. Don't use your oven, but use the microwave or cook on top of the stove. Alternatively, eat cold vegetables and meals that require no cooking. When you operate the oven and the air conditioning, you incur double the expense. The oven heats and the air conditioning has to cool the same air the oven just heated. Keep the doors closed as much as possible and wear lightweight clothing.

Frugal living can be your friend and help with the bills as well.


See you soon with more consumer information to share!

Linda

cajunC

Credit Scores, Credit Reports and Consumer Issues

Your credit score is important for borrowing money, but it is also important for pricing insurance policies. Insurers refer to your credit score when giving you a quote for automobile and homeowner's insurance. You can get a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting companies -- TransUnion, Experian and Equifax -- by using annualcreditreport.com website ONLY. This website is operated by the three credit reporting companies in compliance with federal regulations. You can get a credit report from each of the three reporting companies. If you are interested and want to keep track of your credit report, apply every four months for a report from a different company -- TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. This gives you a report every four months without cost to you.

If you use any of the other credit reporting websites, you will sign up for a monitoring service and pay an unnecessary charge. You can monitor your own credit and will receive better information with your own review of your credit reports. Why pay someone to monitor your credit? Do not be intimidated by scare tactics and fear of identity theft.

If you are interested in your FICO score, you can obtain the actual score for a fee from myfico.com. The current cost is $14.95 for one credit score. Your FICO score calculations come from Fair Isaac Corporation that first developed the FICO score formula. About 35 percent of the score comes from your payment history and another 30 percent is based on what you owe. Fifteen percent of the FICO calculation arises from the longevity of your credit history. FICO divides the other 20 percent between new credit and other factors, with 10 percent for each. A search for several new credit lines can lower your score, but a mix of different types of credit may increase your score. You can read more about your credit score at the FCIC website operated by the federal government for consumers.

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It's survival of the fittest in Texas in the summer. The critters are all around the house. Today I went out to fertilize the flowers and the anoles are everywhere. Many are only an inch or so long. You may recognize these as chameleons, as they change color from green to brown, and puff a large red throat at times. This little guy is not a gecko -- we have those, too. They are brown speckled.

See you soon!

The Federal Citizen Information Center Can Help

The Federal Citizen Information Center provides information from the federal government that you can use, including online tips and guides for savvy consumers. When you locate an area of interest, you can sign up for a newsletter or weekly email with new information relating to the consumer issue. There are summertime gas saving tips and tips for saving energy.

You can get the consumer information catalog sent to your home or view it online. This catalog shows the publications available from the federal government, and many are free.

The smart consumer online tips and guides section has suggestions for employment, re-entering the work force and careers. There is also a section on money with excellent advice for taxes, scams and credit cards.

If you haven't looked over these free materials from the federal government printing office, you are missing an excellent consumer source.





We live in Central Texas, with dry weather and high heat most of the summer. Learning some ways to save on cooling and water are essential. We use ceiling fans and portable fans to keep the house as cool as we can without constant running of the air conditioner. Keeping the doors closed and not operating the oven, washer and dryer all seem to help some. We try to use these appliances late in the evening or early in the morning. Turning off unnecessary lights and using CFL lighting is helpful as well.

We're glad to share what we've learned with a lifetime interest in consumer issues and frugal living. We all need any tips we can get, and the Federal Citizen Information Center has excellent free publications and tips.


Linda
cajunC

The Texas Spiny Lizard is busy catching whatever he can find in this weather. We love the Texas critters.

Find Public Records Online and at the Courthouse

 Grow your Knowledge as a Consumer

Public records are available to you as an American consumer if you know where to look for them. Many records are online now, including property records and assessment values for most counties and most states. Many legal opinions are also available for reading online once the case is completed.

If you read something in the local newspaper and want to check it out, you have the same records available to you as the reporter who wrote the original story. Just read carefully and figure out where the information is located. County records are held in the County Clerk's office. District Court records are at the District Clerk's office. Federal court records are at the Federal District Clerk's office. It's that easy. We have written an article with more detailed information about finding public records online and at the courthouse. Learn where to find public records to compare your property assessment with others in your area. These are likely available online, and you can read property value assessments from years past.

Read court cases in your area at the courthouse. Find criminal cases there, too. Stay informed and know how to check public records--a handy tool in your consumer toolbox.

See you soon!


Linda
cajunC