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Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Caregiving and Technology
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Ways to Save Money in 2018
From zero spend days to evaluating your purchases — it all adds up
A new year typically brings resolutions, and for many, it
could be a good time to refocus personal budgets. The big question: Where to
start? CNBC came up with a few helpful ideas, and AARP has 99 other options for
you to consider throughout the year.
1. Evaluate the cost of convenience
Yes, it may be easier to buy a coffee on your way to work,
rather than purchasing a to-go cup at the store and making your own cup of joe
at home. But, think about it — say you pay $2 every weekday you stop for
coffee, but it costs you $1 to make it at home. You could end up saving $20 per
month, totaling about $250 a year. If you like that idea, then consider cutting
back on other conveniences for more potential cost savings. From eating lunch
out daily, to using ride shares instead of public transportation, there’s bound
to be many ways to save.
2. Try the zero spend challenge
You might think “If I don’t buy it today, I’ll buy it
tomorrow,” but Zero Day Finance says the zero spend strategy will actually help.
The founder says he sets aside certain days during which he avoids buying
anything, including a morning coffee. Yes, you can still drink and eat — just
have what you bought during your weekly grocery run. Cut out the impulse buying
and discretionary spending. In all, the 26-year-old founder said he saved
$18,000 in one year. (Full disclosure, he said he was spending a lot before he
started the challenge that he turned into a game.)
3. Rethink what’s in your shopping cart
Just because it is in your cart doesn’t mean you have to buy
it. Take supersaver Cherie Lowe for example. She told CNBC, "Every time
you check out at the grocery store, you need to look in your cart and find
three to five items that you don't need. You will save $5 to $10 every time you
shop without cutting a single coupon." She says the same thing applies to
your online shopping cart.
Ready for more? AARP previously reported on 99 ways to save,
in areas ranging from banking to utilities to entertainment and more. Check out
the list for great money saving tips.
Source: aarp.org
Monday, February 26, 2018
What You Should Know About Medicare Part D
A guide to prescription drug plans
Medicare Part D does not pay for over-the-counter
medications like cough syrup or antacids. It also doesn't cover some
prescription drugs, such as Viagra when it is used for erectile dysfunction.
What is Medicare Part D?
•Part D is Medicare’s insurance program for prescription
drugs. For most of its history, Medicare did not offer a prescription drug
benefit. Congress added the coverage, which began in 2006.
How do I buy a Part D plan?
•You can sign up for a standalone Part D plan sold by
insurance companies. These plans are used in conjunction with Original
Medicare. You can search for a plan at medicare.gov.
Is this the only way I can get Medicare prescription drug
coverage?
•No. Most Medicare Advantage plans cover prescription drugs
in addition to hospital care and doctor visits. You can see which Medicare
Advantage plans include drug coverage at medicare.gov.
What does Part D cover?
•Part D pays for outpatient prescription drugs. But if you
go to a doctor’s office or other outpatient facility to receive, for example,
chemotherapy, dialysis or other medicines that are injected or given
intravenously, Medicare Part B — not Part D — kicks in to pay for those
treatments. Part D does cover some self-injected medicines, such as insulin for
diabetes.
What doesn’t Part D cover?
•Part D does not pay for over-the-counter medications like
cough syrup or antacids.
•It also doesn’t cover some prescription drugs, such as
Viagra, when it is used for erectile dysfunction; medicines used to help you
grow hair; medicines that help you gain or lose weight; or most prescription
vitamins.
Does Part D cover brand-name and generic drugs?
•Yes. But most plans charge more for brand-name drugs. Each
plan covers different drugs, and copays vary for those drugs.
What does Part D cost?
How much you pay for prescriptions under Part D depends on
the plan you select and how many medicines you take during the course of a
year. Here’s a breakdown:
•There may be a monthly premium. The Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that the average monthly Part D basic
premium for 2018 will be $33.50. But premiums vary widely, depending on the
drugs covered and the copays. Some plans have no premiums. If you are enrolled
in a Medicare Advantage plan, part of your premium may include prescription
drugs.
•Plans have the option of charging an annual deductible.
That means you have to pay full price for your medicines until you meet that
deductible. The federal government sets a limit on deductibles every year. For
2018, a plan can’t impose a deductible higher than $405. But deductible amounts
vary widely by plan, and many plans don’t impose a deductible.
•Most plans have either a copay, which is a flat fee for
each prescription, or coinsurance, which is a percentage of the cost of the
drugs.
•Once the total cost of your prescriptions reaches a certain
threshold — set each year by the federal government — you’ll have to pay more
for your prescriptions. That’s because of a quirky aspect of Part D called the
coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole.” For 2018, once you have incurred
$3,750 worth of drug costs, you’ll be in the coverage gap. You’ll pay 35
percent of the cost of brand-name drugs and 44 percent of generics.
•You’ll continue to pay these prices until the total cost of
your drugs reaches $5,000. Once you’ve hit that limit, you’ll no longer be in
the donut hole and you’ll pay no more than 5 percent of your drug costs for the
rest of the year.
How do I decide which Part D plan is best for me?
•You’ll want to go to medicare.gov’s Medicare Plan Finder,
an online tool that allows you to compare Part D plans available in your ZIP
code.
•On the plan finder page, you’ll be asked to enter the
prescriptions you take. This allows you to find out what the various plans
charge for them and to see the plan’s monthly premiums and deductibles. You’ll
also be able to learn which pharmacies in your area participate in the various
plans.
•You can also find out how many “stars” the federal
government has given to the plans available in your area. The government’s Star
Rating System assesses plans based on factors such as customer service, member
complaints and prices.
What if I can’t afford a Part D plan?
•Medicare has an Extra Help program for low-income
individuals that will pay some or all prescription costs.
•If you don’t qualify for Extra Help, you might qualify for
an assistance program in your state. You can contact your State Health
Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or state Medicaid office for more
information.
•In addition, some drug manufacturers also offer discounts
on their medications.
How do I get help?
•Medicare has a call center that’s open seven days a week,
24 hours a day. The toll-free number is 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
•You may also contact SHIP. You can find contact information
for SHIP in your state at Medicare.gov.
When do I need to make a decision?
•This year's open enrollment began on Oct. 15 and concludes
Dec. 7.
•If you are satisfied with your current plan, you will be
automatically enrolled, and you don’t have to do anything. If your plan is no
longer available, you will receive a letter from the insurer about the
termination. You will then need to pick another plan.
•However, Medicare officials and experts strongly suggest
that you review other available Part D plans — even if you are satisfied with
your current plan. Why? Because plans routinely change premiums, deductibles
and copays, and you might find a better deal with a different insurer. Plans
also modify how much they will pay for particular prescriptions. So, it’s a
good idea to review your coverage each year.
What if I miss my enrollment deadline?
•You may incur a penalty. If you are approaching 65, you
should plan to enroll in a Part D plan when you sign up for Medicare Part A
(hospital services) and Part B (doctor visits and other outpatient care). You
need to sign up during your Medicare Parts A and B Initial Enrollment Period
(IEP) to avoid any late penalties. Your IEP begins three months before the
month you turn 65 and lasts until three months after. For example, if you will
turn 65 on June 15, your IEP is from March 1 to Sept. 30. If you don’t sign up
during this period, you are liable for penalties that will increase your
premiums for years to come.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
10 ways to deal with debt while in retirement
Americans are more likely to enter retirement in debt
than ever before.
And that, according to researchers and financial
planners, poses some concerns.
Why so? Well, in addition to decumulating wealth, aging
Americans now need to manage and pay off heavy debt burdens in retirement,
according to Annamaria Lusardi, a professor at George Washington University;
Olivia Mitchell, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania; and Noemi
Oggero, a researcher at George Washington University, authors of The Changing
Face of Debt and Financial Fragility at Older Ages.
So, how might you deal with debt — be it credit cards,
student loans, auto loans, and/or mortgage — in retirement?
►Check
your financial fragility. First, consider what Lusardi, Mitchell, and Oggero
call your financial fragility, whether the amount of debt you have could be a
problem.
So, you might be financially fragile if you have a total
debt to asset ratio greater than 0.5; have a primary residence loan to home
value ratio above 0.5; have another debt to liquid asset ratio above 0.5; and
have a total net worth lower than $25,000, which, the authors noted, “is
approximately half of median income, and it is could be thought of as the
minimum one might need to weather a health shock or other costly financial
emergency.”
►Create
a plan. If you are or are close to being financially fragile, create a plan to
pay down your debt. “The simplistic, financially accurate answer is to do
whatever provides the highest after-tax return,” says Todd Tresidder, a
financial coach with FinancialMentor.com.
In simple terms, that usually means, he says:
►Pay
off your highest interest debt first, prioritized by non-deductible debt before
deductible. Lusardi agrees with this approach. “Try to repay first the highest
cost debt since interest rates charged on non-collateralized debt — for
example, credit cards — are normally quite high,” she says.
►Liquidate
other assets to pay off debt if the return on investment is lower than the
carrying cost of the debt. “For example, many CDs are paying substantially less
than debt financing costs so it might make sense to liquidate the CD at
maturity and use the proceeds to pay off the highest cost debt,” Tresidder
says.
►Consider
selling off any personal assets that you don't use regularly and aren't
bringing you great joy and use the proceeds to pay off debt. “For example,
consider selling that boat you haven't used for the last two years, or that
fancy jewelry that sits in the safe deposit box and use the money to lighten
your financial burden,” says Tresidder.
►Think
about debt service. Generally, the assessment of “too much debt” is made
relative to “too-little income,” says Don St. Clair, president of St. Clair
Financial.
Now most retirees — at least those who can’t work part or
full time to pay down their debt — think about reducing their overall debt. But
that may be the wrong approach, says St. Clair. “Is it the debt or the
debt-service that needs reducing?” he asks. “Recognizing this important
difference can help reveal possibilities we might otherwise remain blind to.”
In retirement, this often comes at the expense of taking
additional IRA withdrawals. “But if you’re accelerating an IRA distribution to
make current debt payments, you may be choosing to pay 25%, 30%, 35% or more in
combined state and federal income taxes to accelerate the payoff of something
that’s costing you 4%, 5% or 6%,” says St. Clair. “Talk about stepping over
dollars to get to dimes.”
►Consolidate
your loans. “Reducing your debt service probably won’t reduce your debt,” St.
Clair advises. “Consolidating a car loan, credit cards and/or stretching out
your mortgage term won’t help you pay off the debt any sooner. But it can cut
your monthly debt service and put more month back into your monthly money. And
maybe even spare your IRA from a premature death.”
►Want
to be debt-free? Consider using either the debt snowball or a debt avalanche
strategy to pay down your debt, says Tresidder. With the snowball, you would
pay off the smallest debt first while making only minimum monthly payments on
all the other debts. With the avalanche, you would pay the minimum payment on
each debt and devote any remaining debt-repayment funds to repaying the debt
with the highest interest rate, according to Investopedia.
Tresidder favors the debt snowball strategy. “It's the
most cost-effective, fastest and emotionally satisfying way to get out of
debt,” he says. One resource: https://financialmentor.com/calculator/debt-snowball-calculator.
►Consider
a reverse mortgage. If you have a traditional mortgage, examine whether
replacing it with a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) makes sense, says
Jason Branning, the owner of Branning Wealth Management.
The HECM is Federal Housing Administration’s reverse
mortgage program which enables homeowners 62 or older to withdraw some of the
equity in the home. It can be used to pay off a traditional mortgage balance
and potentially require not additional monthly principal and interest payments.
►Other
options. Consider downsizing, moving to a low tax state, and tapping retirement
accounts. Lusardi also recommends avoid late payments which can affect credit
scores and also generate higher debt payments in the future.
►If
you haven’t retired yet. If you are still working and think you might retire
with mortgage and other types of debt, consider upping the amount you save or
paying down your debt more aggressively before you retire. “In the past, most
households arrived in retirement free and clear of their house payments,” says
Geoffrey Sanzenbacher, the associate director of research at the Center for
Retirement Research at Boston College. “Today that is less common as more
households have some mortgage debt, often from HELOCs or refinancing from the
housing boom. This fact means they need to have more saved up in their
retirement accounts so they can keep paying that mortgage even once retired.”
Source: Robert
Powell contributes regularly to USA TODAY, TheStreet, and The Wall Street
Journal. Got questions about money? Email Bob at
rpowell@allthingsretirement.com.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
It’s easy to spot a heart-health fanatic. She’s the one
jogging down the side of the road, wearing tight pants and a heart monitor,
then slipping into House of Kale for a superfood infusion. But you don’t need
to be the neighborhood greyhound or a health food zealot to dramatically slash
your risk of heart attack and stroke. You just need to stop making a few common
blunders that elevate your risk of heart disease, says Clyde W. Yancy, chief of
cardiology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. The
sooner you make a change, the faster you can reverse existing damage or reduce
your risk.
That’s why AARP and the American Heart Association (AHA)
are working together to give you simple fixes you can do today to start
lowering your risk — dramatically. During February — aka American Heart Month —
and all year round, avoid committing these blunders. You’ll set yourself, and
your heart, on a healthy new path.
1. You sneak a smoke
Heavy smokers know they should quit. So should occasional smokers. But you might say, “I only bum a smoke socially” or “Just once in a while, I have a cigar on the golf course” or “I switched to vaping. It’s so much cleaner and healthier.”
Wrong answers, one and all. “Cigarettes, cigars, vaping —
all of them have the same degree of risk” for your heart, Yancy says. Nicotine
has been shown to tighten coronary arteries; the effect is virtually immediate,
he notes. “And there is no ‘small dose’ of nicotine,” he adds. “There is no
threshold below which you’re ‘OK’ with smoking. That doesn’t exist.”
If you stop smoking right now and you don’t already have
coronary artery disease, within two years you can reduce your heart attack risk
to what it would have been if you had never smoked.
2. You skip your walk
Muscle loss as you age is a serious problem, and your heart is the most important muscle of all, says sports medicine physician Jordan D. Metzl, author of The Exercise Cure.
The AHA recommends 150 minutes a week of exercise, or 30
minutes a day at least five days a week. A 2017 study showed that people with
stable coronary heart disease who increased their habitual physical activity
reduced their mortality rate. The greatest benefits were seen in the most
sedentary people who finally started moving regularly.
“This can be so simple,” Metzl says. “Some people hate
the word ‘exercise.’ That’s fine. Just move. Get up and get your heart pumping.
It won’t care if you’re at the gym or not.” A large-scale study last year
confirmed that any physical activity that gets you breathing hard, whether it’s
for recreation or not, delivers the same benefits.
Avoid weight creep to protect the health of your heart.
3. You scarf an extra cookie
One of the biggest health issues, if you’re over 50, is weight creep — gaining a pound or two every year until you tip over into obesity. Science has found that meaningful weight loss comes mostly from better eating patterns, rather than from, say, more exercise.
“You shouldn’t expect to lose weight from exercise
alone,” Metzl points out. “You can erase 500 calories burned from exercise in a
few minutes of eating.” So, the key is to eat the right foods. And that leads
us to the next common blunder.
4. You eat dinner out of a box
Foods that come in boxes and bags are more likely to make you fat and sick than foods you cook yourself. An animal study in the journal Nature showed that emulsifiers in processed foods can trigger obesity and metabolic syndrome.
“An overall healthy eating pattern emphasizes a variety
of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless
poultry and fish, nuts and legumes, and non-tropical vegetable oils,” says
registered dietitian Rachel Johnson, a professor of nutrition at the University
of Vermont in Burlington.
5. You shun your veggies
A lot of foods seem healthy but are low in nutritional value. Some culprits: granola bars and smoothies loaded with added sugars, Johnson notes.
Try to eat a serving of fruits and vegetables with every
meal (yes, including breakfast!). Fry some thinly sliced Brussel sprouts with
your eggs, have a healthy salad or vegetable soup for lunch, and make sure
there’s a side of broccoli with your salmon. For snacks, stir some fresh
berries into a cup of plain yogurt (instead of eating that sugary “fruit” on
the bottom), or scoop hummus with some carrots and celery, rather than
processed chips. For natural blood pressure control, Johnson recommends
potassium-rich foods such as sweet potatoes, spinach, beets, beans and yogurt.
6. You lose your cool
Occasional stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But chronic stress can put your health at risk. One result: elevated blood pressure. Plus, according to a 2017 study of more than 2,500 people age 54 and older, chronic stress is associated with obesity.
Anti-stress techniques abound: Exercise, meditation,
yoga, tai chi, enjoying nature and even creative hobbies can all help dial down
your stress reaction. But one key to understanding stress is that, in the end,
it’s how you react to it that makes all the difference. From that point of
view, a big part of the remedy is just to ask, “Why am I so stressed about
this?”
7. You over drink
“There are substantial data that say that a modest amount of alcohol daily, or weekly, is reasonable and might be protective of your heart,” Yancy says. “But how do we measure protective benefits on an individual basis? And here’s the really hard part: Are people disciplined enough to keep it modest?”
“Modest” shakes out to one drink per day for women and
two drinks for men. If you can do that, you’re probably OK. But if you can’t?
The evidence suggests that no alcohol at all is better for your heart than too
much.
There’s one thing that makes all of the previous seven
blunders more likely: not going to sleep early enough. A study of nearly
440,000 adults over 40 found that those who went to bed later were more likely
to smoke, remain sedentary and skip fruits and vegetables than those who got
extra shut-eye by hitting the hay early. “Good sleep is the foundation of health,”
Metzl says. “When you wake up feeling good, all the healthy choices become more
attractive. You feel like eating well, you feel like working out. Sleep just
makes everything easier.”
Source: AARP Magazine: retrieved 2.17.18
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Medicare Beneficiaries and Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapy
Millions of Medicare beneficiaries will be able to afford the
physical, speech or occupational therapy they need because the payment caps on
those services were permanently repealed as part of the budget deal the president
signed into law Friday morning.
Since January, older adults
have lived with uncertainty about whether Medicare would cover all the therapy
they need to recover from falls or strokes, or to manage chronic illnesses.
It’s common for someone who has had a stroke, hip fracture or other
injury to need intensive therapy to learn how to speak and walk again or
feed themselves. Patients who suffer from conditions such as arthritis,
Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis also often need therapy to handle the
tasks of everyday living.
For two decades, payments for
these treatments have been capped, with Congress periodically passing bills
that provided automatic exceptions for the reimbursement limits when the
treatments were deemed medically necessary. Congress did not act in 2017 and,
as of January, Medicare
beneficiaries who reached the caps — $2,010 for physical
and speech language therapy combined, and $2,010 for occupational
therapy — worried they might not be able to afford to continue to get the
treatments they need.
Friday’s action eliminates
that uncertainty.
“Millions of vulnerable
patients who need occupational, physical and speech-language therapy will now
be protected from an arbitrary limit on how much Medicare will pay for needed
therapy,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief
advocacy and engagement officer. LeaMond applauded the inclusion of the therapy
cap repeal, which AARP has long supported, in the budget bill.
An analysis commissioned by
the American Occupational Therapy Association found that nearly 6 million
Medicare beneficiaries used outpatient
therapy services in 2015. Rehabilitative care often allows
older Americans to maintain their independence and remain at home rather than
go to a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
AARP Magazine, retrieved 2.17.18
Monday, February 19, 2018
High thyroid levels may put older adults at risk
High levels of thyroid hormone may put older adults at risk for heart disease and death, a recent study showed.
Middle-age and older people with high or high-normal levels of a thyroid hormone called FT4 had double the odds of high coronary artery calcification scores, an indicator of hardening of the arteries.
Elevated FT4 levels were also associated with an 87 percent higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack and double the risk of death related to hardened arteries. FT4 is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps control the rate at which the body uses energy.
The findings indicate that thyroid hormone can help identify older adults at risk of artery calcification.
Source: news.heart.org / American Heart Association
Middle-age and older people with high or high-normal levels of a thyroid hormone called FT4 had double the odds of high coronary artery calcification scores, an indicator of hardening of the arteries.
Elevated FT4 levels were also associated with an 87 percent higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack and double the risk of death related to hardened arteries. FT4 is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps control the rate at which the body uses energy.
The findings indicate that thyroid hormone can help identify older adults at risk of artery calcification.
Source: news.heart.org / American Heart Association
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Study: Almonds and dark chocolate lower bad cholesterol
Study: Almonds and dark chocolate lower bad cholesterol
You can have your chocolate and EAT it too!!Almonds and dark chocolate can possibly reduce a risk factor of coronary heart disease, according to a recent study.
Researchers found combining raw almonds, dark chocolate and cocoa significantly reduced the number of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, particles in the blood of overweight and obese people. LDL is often called “bad cholesterol” because of the role it plays in clogging arteries.
But portion size was key. The study looked at nearly one-third a cup of almonds a day — either alone or combined with almost one-quarter cup of dark chocolate and 2 1/3 tablespoons cocoa a day.
Source: news.heart.org / By AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NEWS
Library Offering Hot Spots Service
William F. Laman Public Library System has partnered with wireless telephone company T-Mobile to provide hot spots that create Internet access for Wi-Fi-enabled devices at home or on-the-go, according to a library newsletter.
With so many patrons who have "cut the cord," the library has been expanding and improving its electronic resources, the newsletter said.
The hot spots are available for 14-day checkouts without renewals to adult patrons who don't have outstanding fines or lost material fees. The hot spots are limited to one per household.
More information on this and other library services is available at lamanlibrary.org.
With so many patrons who have "cut the cord," the library has been expanding and improving its electronic resources, the newsletter said.
The hot spots are available for 14-day checkouts without renewals to adult patrons who don't have outstanding fines or lost material fees. The hot spots are limited to one per household.
More information on this and other library services is available at lamanlibrary.org.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
February is just for Valentine's Day!
February is not just for Valentine's Day! National Heart Awareness Month is in February.
February is when we celebrate National Heart Awareness
Month which helps raise awareness of heart disease. According to the Center for
Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United
States killing more than 600,000 Americans each year. The most common type of
heart disease is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack.
High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes,
tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke are also
risk factors associated with heart disease.
There are some things you can change in your diet to keep
your heart healthy. Read the nutrition labels and make your food selections
based on the following:
•Select fat-free, 1% fat and low-fat dairy products
•Choose heart-healthy fats over saturated fats and trans
fats
•Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars
•Purchase and consume foods lower in sodium/salt
•Limit foods that are high in dietary cholesterol. Try to
eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.
•Choose more whole grains, legumes, fresh produce and low
fat dairy products
•Choose lean cuts of meat and pork
•Take the skin off poultry before serving
•Do not salt food at the table
•Reduce the amount of sugar in recipes
•When stir-frying, include fiber rich vegetables, such as
peppers, cabbage, broccoli, and carrots
•Include fish regularly in your diet
•Watch portion control at all meals
•Be physically active for 30 to 60 minutes a day
•Stop smoking
•Drink alcohol in moderation
Be good to your heart this month and make some positive
changes for a healthier you.
Source: www.nutritioncaresystems.com / By Angie
Windhorst, RD, LDN
2018 Blind Idol Contest!
2018 Blind Idol Singing Contest
Legally blind? With a great voice? A Brighter Path Programs and IFB Solutions invite YOU to audition for a chance to compete in the 2018 Blind Idol competition.
Blind Idol is a national singing competition that celebrates the musical talents of Americans who are legally blind. Submit an audio clip at BlindIdol.com between February 12th and March 30th and the Blind Idol team will select 20 semi-finalists to compete live in two regional semi-finals. Four finalists will go on to compete in a live finale on August 11th. The winner receives a prize package that includes $1000.00 cash, recording studio time and head shots.
VISIT BLINDIDOL.COM
Presented by - A Brighter Path Programs & IFB Solutions
For questions or to sponsor, contact Anastasia Powell at apowell@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5698
Arkansas Regional Semi-Final: June 2nd in Little Rock, AR
North Carolina Regional Semi-Final: June 16th in Raleigh, NC
Finale: August 11th in Winston-Salem, NC
Legally blind? With a great voice? A Brighter Path Programs and IFB Solutions invite YOU to audition for a chance to compete in the 2018 Blind Idol competition.
Blind Idol is a national singing competition that celebrates the musical talents of Americans who are legally blind. Submit an audio clip at BlindIdol.com between February 12th and March 30th and the Blind Idol team will select 20 semi-finalists to compete live in two regional semi-finals. Four finalists will go on to compete in a live finale on August 11th. The winner receives a prize package that includes $1000.00 cash, recording studio time and head shots.
VISIT BLINDIDOL.COM
Presented by - A Brighter Path Programs & IFB Solutions
For questions or to sponsor, contact Anastasia Powell at apowell@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5698
Arkansas Regional Semi-Final: June 2nd in Little Rock, AR
North Carolina Regional Semi-Final: June 16th in Raleigh, NC
Finale: August 11th in Winston-Salem, NC
Friday, February 16, 2018
February Events
Thursday, February 22nd we will be demonstrating the UBER Ride app and talking about all the ways you can get rides when LINKS or friends and family are not available.
We look forward to see you all there. If you want to attend the demonstrations or need transportation, please call Shelly at WSB at 501-664-7100 extension 233.
We look forward to see you all there. If you want to attend the demonstrations or need transportation, please call Shelly at WSB at 501-664-7100 extension 233.
Eating Healthy Is Good for Your Brain
Survey finds that people who eat nutritious foods report being more mentally
sharp
Most adults don’t eat the daily allotments from the
five food groups recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While there’s still no magic bullet that will guarantee a healthy brain, a new AARP survey points to a promising nutritional formula: What’s good for the rest of the body is good for the brain. The trick, experts say, is getting people to follow this commonsense guidance.
Adults age 40 and over who say they eat healthy foods most of the time are twice as likely as those who rarely eat a nutritious diet to rate their mental sharpness as “excellent” or “very good,” according to a new AARP consumer survey on brain health and nutrition.
The more fruits, vegetables and fish respondents say they eat, the better they rate their brain health and overall health. Sixty-three percent of the adults surveyed say they eat a healthy diet up to three or four days a week. Those who eat seafood in a typical week, but not red meat, report better brain health and higher average mental well-being scores than individuals who have red meat but not seafood.
The survey results are in line with new recommendations by AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), which conclude that a plant-based diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with better brain health and that eating fish and other seafood seems to improve cognitive function. In addition, excessive amounts of alcohol, saturated fats and salt are all harmful to brain health, according to the GCBH.
The foods that researchers say lead to brain health are the same ones that studies consistently show promote good heart health.
“Many of us have gotten used to the idea of heart-healthy foods, but now we know that those same foods can make a big difference in our brain health, as well,” says Sarah Lock, AARP senior vice president for policy and executive director of GCBH.
Most adults don’t eat the daily allotment from the five food groups recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ChooseMyPlate initiative. It recommends people over 30 eat: 1.5 to 2 cups of fruits; 2 to 3 cups of vegetables; 3 cups of dairy; 5 to 7 ounces of grains; and 5 to 6 ounces of proteins. Only 1 percent of survey respondents say they eat the ideal number of servings from all five food groups, and one-third say they fall short in every food category. Women report eating better than men, and adults ages 40 to 54 cite more barriers that prevent them from eating well compared to adults over 65.
Among the reasons respondents say they don’t eat healthily are: It would be too expensive; it’s “hard” to eat healthy; their family would not like the taste; there’s a lack of nearby stores that sell healthy food; and the belief that eating healthy won’t make a difference. A majority agree that if their doctor recommended a change in diet, they’d be more likely to do it. But only 37 percent say their physician has ever mentioned diet, and only 10 percent say their doctor has recommended they follow an eating plan.
“No one food is the answer to brain health,” said Lock. “Rather, it’s a healthy pattern of your diet with lots of different types of fruits, veggies, fish and healthy fats, along with cutting down on salt, sugar, highly saturated fats and empty calories that seems to help the most.”
Nearly 9 in 10 say they would likely eat healthier if they knew it would lower the risks of cognitive decline, heart disease and diabetes.
GfK conducted the survey for AARP using its nationally representative online panel. A total of 2,033 adults age 40 and older were surveyed between Oct. 25 and Nov. 8. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.
Source: www.aarp.org – Written by Victoria Sackett, January 30, 2018
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Light Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Rice
Sweet and sour is a flavor combination everyone loves. The
meatballs also make a wonderful appetizer. Simply skip the rice.
Difficulty: Easy
Hands-on: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 medium red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
⅛ tsp. ground white pepper
1 can (20 oz.) pineapple tidbits
½ cup orange juice
2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup sugar
27 frozen meatballs, baked
4 cups hot, cooked white rice
Directions
Step 1 - In large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium
heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir for 4 minutes. Add bell peppers; cook
and stir for 3 minutes. Sprinkle with flour, salt, and pepper; cook until
bubbly, about 3 minutes.
Step 2 - Add pineapple tidbits with liquid, orange juice,
soy sauce, cider vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently,
until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3 - Add meatballs to sauce and stir gently. Bring
back to a simmer; simmer for 10 minutes or until meatballs are hot. Serve
immediately over rice.
Monday, February 12, 2018
5 Things your SmartPhone camera can do!
Smartphone Cameras...Not Just for Pictures Anymore!
Your phone’s camera is a powerful tool, capable of far more
than regular picture-taking. With the right apps, your phone can absorb visual
information and use it for everyday tasks. You can conduct searches, tackle a
shopping list, read a foreign language, or solve math problems, all with a lens
the size of a marker tip.
- CamFind App is a bit like a regular Internet search site, except it uses images instead of words. The app is available for both Android and iOS phones. Open the app, snap a photo, and watch as it runs through keywords that identify what’s in the picture. It will then generate a list of similar images and related search results. It’s not accurate 100% of the time, but it is close.
- Amazon Mobile Shopping app – click on the camera icon in the Amazon app, pull up your camera view. You can snap a photo of the item, or scan a barcode, or check and redeem gift cards. You can also scan the shipping label on the outside of your Amazon box to find out what’s inside before opening the box.
- eBay app can help you if you find out what an item is called. Open the eBay app and look at the end of the search box for a camera icon. Touch the camera icon and choose “image search”, which will open the camera on your smartphone. Point at the item you’re looking for, take a photo, and crop it. The app will search for Auction listings that match the look of the item in your photo. It’s a great way to search eBay when you are having trouble with the right keywords.
- Help with MATH homework! - The Photomath app lets you point your camera at an equation and get an answer. It can even show you the steps it took to find that answer. You can use Photomath for simple subtraction, multiplication, addition, and division problems, but it can also tackle more complex equations. It can even read your handwriting so you can scribble down your math problem and let the app hand you the solution.
- TRANSLATE FOREIGN LANGUAGES - Google Translate app lets you translate 38 foreign languages. Start the app, tap on the camera icon, and point the lens at what you are trying to translate. It will magically change the text right on the screen. This is good for street signs, store signs, or menus in restaurants.
Source: USA Today
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Success Vision Coupons
Make your tax refund money stretch farther at Success Vision
Express. You can get glasses, prescription sunglasses and more for half of what
you would normally pay. Plus, you get same day service from a friendly staff.
2 Complete Pairs of Glasses Starting at $39 Ready in About an Hour.
One Stop Shop for Your Eyes.
They have an independent doctor of optometry located next to
all their locations. Of course, you can
visit any optometrist. They accept any signed and non-expired glasses
prescription.
They make buying glasses fun and easy. Serving You in Arkansas
West Little Rock
11401 Financial Center Parkway
North Little Rock
4120 East McCain Boulevard
Hot Springs
4043 Central Avenue
Conway
1100 South Amity RoadNOW OPEN
Give them a call for more information at 501-223-2020
Coupons & Offers
2 Pair Regular Bifocals for $79.002 Pair No-Line Bifocals for $79.00
$20.00 off Ultra-Thin Polycarbonate Regular Bi-Focal Lenses
$10.00 off Prescription Sunglasses
$10.00 off Designer Frames priced at $129 and up
$10.00 off Pro Plus Warranty (Scratch Coating, UV Coating, Lens Warranty & optional Tent
Get even better values, with some of these great savings!
Click on the link below to print out one of the coupons,
or display it on your mobile device at any of their locations.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Low-Cost Wireline
AT&T is offering low-cost wireline home internet service
to qualifying households:
- At least one resident who participates in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and
- An address in AT&T's 21-state service area, at which AT&T offer wireline home Internet service, and
- No outstanding debt for AT&T fixed Internet service within the last six months or outstanding debt incurred under this program.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Our Heartfelt Sympathies
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to our friend and colleague Christie S. from DSB. Christie's Georgetown Apartment complex caught fire and claimed Christie's apartment and all her belongings. We are so thankful that Christie herself was not hurt.
Top Seven Tax Deductions for Seniors and Retirees over 50
1. Medical and dental expenses. Medical
and dental expenses are often one of the largest expenses for retired people.
These include health insurance premiums (including Medicare premiums),
long-term care insurance premiums, prescription drugs.
2. Selling your house. Retired people often sell their homes to
move into smaller places or retirement communities. If you've lived in your
home for a long time, you probably have substantial equity and will earn a
large profit on the sale. Fortunately, you may not have to pay any tax on your
profit. As long as you live in your home for at least two out of the five years
before you sell your house, the profit you make on the sale -- up to $250,000
for single taxpayers and $500,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly -- is
not taxable.
3. Retirement plan
contributions. Just because you are
retired or semi-retired doesn't mean that you can't make tax-deductible
contributions to retirement plans such as IRAs. Those over 50 have higher
contribution limits for traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and 401(k)s.
4. Investment expenses. The best way to earn money when you retire
is in the form of interest, dividends, and capital gains from investments.
Dividends and capital gains are taxed at lower rates than ordinary income,
ranging from 0% to 20% depending on your overall income tax bracket. Unlike
income from a job or business, these types of income are not subject to Social
Security or Medicare taxes.
5. Business expenses. Many retirees continue to run their own
businesses or start new ones. For example, some retired employees work
part-time as a consultant for their former employers and other clients. Having
a business (whether full- or part-time) is a great way to get tax deductions.
You may deduct all the necessary expenses you incur to do business, so long as
they are reasonable in amount. This includes business travel, the cost of
business equipment such as computers, and outside or home offices.
6. Charitable
contributions. Retirement is a time
many people think about giving back to their community by making charitable
contributions. Such contributions are
deductible as itemized deductions;
however, they are subject to special limitations. Cash contributions of up to
50% of your adjusted gross income are deductible each year as an itemized
deduction.
7. Standard deduction. This applies if you don't itemize your
deductions (many older folks don't if they are no longer paying mortgage interest).
Anyone 65 and older by December 31 of the tax year is entitled to a higher
standard deduction. Technically, you are considered 65 on the day before your
65th birthday so you can take the higher standard deduction if you
turn 65 by January 1st. People age 65 and older
(or blind) get an additional standard deduction. You can claim the higher
deduction if only your spouse is older than 65 and you file a joint return.
Source:
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/top-tax-deductions-seniors-retirees-29591.html- By Stephen Fishman, J.D.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Dollar General Ad 2/4/18 – 2/10/18
Dollar General Ad 2/4/18 – 2/10/18
3 for $6.00 General Mills
Cereal
$6.00 Maxwell House
Coffee
2 for $5.00 Doritos
$1.50 Campbell’s Chunky
or Progresso Soup
3 for $10.00 Coca-Cola 12pk
cans Assorted varieties
$4.50 Paper Towels 6
rolls
$3.95 Purex Liquid Detergent
Money Mondays: Tax Tips and Preparation
It's tax
season! As you prepare to file and pay your taxes, the following resources may
be available at no cost to you.
Free
tax help and preparation from the IRS
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers 2 free
services to help certain people prepare and file their taxes. Check out the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
(VITA) program or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) to find out how
IRS-certified volunteers may help you.
VITA
offers free basic tax return preparation to people who:
- Generally, make $54,000 or less
- Have a disability
- Are limited-English-speaking taxpayersTCE offers free tax help for all taxpayers, especially those who:
- Are 60 years old or older
- Have questions about pensions or retirement-related issuesTo find your local VITA or TCE sites, call 800-906-9887 or use the VITA Locator Tool.
FEBRUARY OIB EVENTS
Thursday February 8th - 1PM - 4PM
WSB will be hosting another GAME DAY for OIB clients. Anyone wanting to attend needs to Call Shelly at 501-664-7100 Extension 233 and let her know a head count and if you need transportation.
Tuesday February 13th - 1PM-3PM
WSB will be demoing the NuWave Cooking equipment. Call Shelly if you would like to attend and if you need transportation. 501-664-7100 Extension 233.
Thursday February 22 - 1PM - 4PM
WSB will be conducting Instructions on how to download the UBER app for transportation and how to schedule UBER rides when LINKS is not available to you. If you would like to attend call Shelly at 501-664-7100 extension 233.
WSB will be hosting another GAME DAY for OIB clients. Anyone wanting to attend needs to Call Shelly at 501-664-7100 Extension 233 and let her know a head count and if you need transportation.
Tuesday February 13th - 1PM-3PM
WSB will be demoing the NuWave Cooking equipment. Call Shelly if you would like to attend and if you need transportation. 501-664-7100 Extension 233.
Thursday February 22 - 1PM - 4PM
WSB will be conducting Instructions on how to download the UBER app for transportation and how to schedule UBER rides when LINKS is not available to you. If you would like to attend call Shelly at 501-664-7100 extension 233.
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