Anyone can be the target of identity theft.  To safeguard your money and your credit rating, take these common-sense precautions: · Access, print and carefully examine your credit report at least once per year. · Never give out personal information via phone or email to people you don’t know. · Do your homework on how online sites like PayPal and eBay work before you use them. · Be skeptical of “business” emails... [read more]

1. Hey!  There’s a gift! 2. Well, well, well ... 3. Boy, if I had not recently shot up four sizes that would’ve fit. 4. This is perfect for wearing around the basement. 5. Gosh, I hope this never catches fire!  It is fire season, though.  There are lots of unexplained fires. 6. If the dog buries this, I’ll be furious! 7. I love it – but I fear the jealousy it will inspire. 8. Sadly, tomorrow I... [read more]

Everyone wants to stretch their food dollars, and the grocery store is a great place to do it.  Here are some tips for savvier shopping: Don’t assume those items stacked at the end of the aisles – like sodas and chips – are on sale.  This is a trick to make them seem like they’re marked down.  More often than not, they’re marked at the regular price. Know that you pay for convenience.  Skinless chicken breasts cost more than those packaged... [read more]

According to a new study, healthy aging of the brain relies a great deal on the health of your heart and blood vessels during middle age. Smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol all contribute to the health of a person’s blood vessels and vascular system, leading to hardening of the arteries and other disorders. These same factors are present in the elderly with high levels of a protein called amyloid, which is known to clump together in the brains of... [read more]