SENIORS: BEWARE OF PADDED BILLS

Most of us have heard of blatant senior scams. Like someone calling to say your grandchild needs bail money. But there’s another way seniors are taken advantage of, and it’s legal. It happens when a handyman, lawn service ,tire store or grocery clerk “accidentally” overcharges you for goods or services. Hospitals are notorious for this, but it’s a common practice everywhere. Seniors: Beware of padded bills.

Do you check your grocery store receipts? Some do, but most don’t. It depends on what else you have to do, or if your printed receipt blew away as you were walking to your car. I began checking mine to see how much I’d saved with coupons. Much to my surprise, I often found that I’d been charged twice for one item. Another trick—or mistake—is charging a set price for a pound of produce when you’ve only got half a pound. Once, I confronted the checkout clerk and he insisted that you can’t buy less than a pound. Not true. Took it to the store manager and got my money back. Since the clerk had nothing to gain, I attributed the mistakes to laziness or perhaps being in a hurry to get my groceries checked out. Hopefully, it wasn’t a store policy.

It’s hard to find a reliable lawn service. You may succumb to the lure of someone new to the business knocking on your door. Sometimes, these entrepreneurs lack integrity. Often, their charges are verbal. “You weren’t here last week, but I mowed your lawn anyway.” After awhile, you get confused as to just how many times they actually did mow your lawn. Don’t let the bill accrue—pay each time and keep a record of what you paid, and when. This way, you have proof that you aren’t paying for services that didn’t occur.

Getting a new set of tires for your old car is more complicated than it seems. Someone has to get down on their knees and find the serial number of the current tires. Then, they have to search for replacements that will fit. It turns out there are several “grades” of tires to choose from. You decide on the middle price, since you don’t do much interstate travel. But when you go to pick up the tires, they’ve given you the top grade, and that’s going to cost double. It’s a hot day, and you’re tired. They offer to change to the lower grade, but that means waiting while they exchange the expensive tires for the cheaper ones. You have a choice: sit and watch daytime television for hours or pay the higher price and go on. Did they do this on purpose, thinking a senior would not remember the original price quote? You’ll never know.

Some of us have small rental properties which need frequent repairs and redecorating as tenants come and go. Nowadays , handymen are scarce as hens teeth. You’re apt to fall for anyone who’s willing to do some painting or minor repairs. You agree upon a price and leave them to do the job. But when you come back, they say the job took more time than expected. . Besides, you had some extra paint left over, so they decided to use it on a room that didn’t need repainting. You would like to challenge the bill, but who wants to argue with a burly, tattooed guy who now smells of cigarette smoke and beer? Especially if you’re a little old lady

And then there are the plumbers in the adjoining county whose hourly charges start from the time they leave their office–not when they start the job. Which may add an extra 45 minutes of labor to your bill.

You get a call from your hearing aid provider that you need an annual hearing test. Turns out they’re offering new, improved products and you’re eligible for a trade in. Because you can hear so much better with the new aids, you agree to the up grade. However, it turns out there is no trade in credit.. The price is the same as what you paid four years ago. You’ve been drawn in under false pretenses, but who doesn’t want to hear better? So you cave and buy the new aids at full price.

In some instances, there are things you can do. You might contact the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint. about bad business practices. But the thought of such a confrontation seems upsetting and stressful. Seniors: Beware of Padded Bills!

March 8, 2023March 8, 2023

GROCERY DELIVERY CHANGES GAME FOR SENIORS

Shopping wasn’t much fun if you grew up during the WWII years of 1939 to 1945. Coffee and meat were rationed, as well as sugar and most other good food. Besides the rationing, money was scarce. After the war finally ended, I became a teenager, earning my own money at last. That was the start of my love for shopping, which continues to this day. When the Covid pandemic hit , I masked up, wore gloves, and persisted with my trips to the grocery store. But one freezing day last February, my arthritis flared. My heart wanted to shop, but my shoulders and knees rebelled. With trepidation , I ordered groceries online to be delivered. To my surprise, it was easy as cake. Grocery delivery changes the game for seniors.

A lot of people love to shop. In fact, over 80% of people prefer shopping in physical grocery stores. It’s fun to wander the aisles looking for unexpected treats and new products. Sometimes, you stop and visit with neighbors. Maybe glance at the tabloid headlines while in the checkout lane. And if you’ve been shopping the same place for awhile, you enjoy talking to your favorite cashier.

Delivered groceries seemed to me an extravagance reserved for spoiled, wealthy people, too lazy to shop, too snooty to mingle with the common folk. In the old days, stores that delivered groceries catered to “the carriage trade”–that wealthy upper crust who belonged to the country club and employed household servants.

And yet, when I looked at my receipt that first day, I found that I had saved enough money to pay for the delivery cost and tip for the driver. Because I was logged into my own account at that store, they automatically gave me all of their weekly discounts and coupon savings. Better yet, I saved on gas used while driving back and forth to the parking lot.

For an octogenarian who has always shopped in-store, this process took me way out of my comfort zone. But if you want to age in place, and stay in your own home, this may be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Grocery Delivery changes the game for seniors.

July 13, 2022July 13, 2022

FIVE WAYS SUPERMARKETS MAY CHEAT YOU

If you are the family shopper, you know that inflation is getting worse instead of better. Supposedly, it’s running at 9%. But those of us who roam the aisles of the grocery stores know better. Especially at checkout time, when you’re hit with a whopper of a bill. I suppose the people who run big super stores are having the same problem at the wholesale level, so they’re desperately seeking ways to make a decent profit in order to stay solvent. Unfortunately, they’re resorting to some sneaky tactics to make that happen. Here are five ways that supermarkets may cheat you.

5 ways supermarkets may cheat you — FIVE WAYS SUPERMARKETS MAY CHEAT YOU” # Inedible fruit, Double scanning, couponing, false advertising, forgotten items.

1.Selling inferior or frankly inedible produce. This is a biggie, because most of us are trying to eat healthy. So, you buy a cantaloupe, or what some farmers call a “musk melon.” But you’re taking a big risk, because when you get it home and cut into it, you know you’ve been ripped off. In some cases, it tastes like squash. Or it’s half spoiled, or hard as a rock. So you throw it in the trash because it’s not worth spending $5 on gas to return a $3 melon. Other examples of bad produce are avocadoes that have turned black inside; green potatoes, mushy asparagus. The list goes on and on..

Are we supposed to believe that the head of the produce department does not realize they’re selling inedible fruits and vegetables? That they never taste the batches of melons that come in the back door? Sorry, I’m not buying that excuse. They know perfectly well that they’re cheating their customers, but they also know that most folks won’t go to the bother of driving back to the store to return it.

2 .Double scanning. This happens most at crowded stores with small checkout stands. While the clerk is busy talking to you or the bagger he/she runs a box of crackers or a bag of tomatoes twice through the scanner. You don’t’ realize it until you get home and check your receipt. By then, it’s too late to get your money back. Who’s to say you didn’t buy two boxes of crackers?

3. Couponing Before I retired, I never bothered with coupons. Didn’t have the time to fool around with them. But most retirees do try and save a few dollars by using the ones in the paper and those sent out by the major supermarkets. . Trouble is, you must read the fine print. At least half the time, they’re rejected because you were supposed to buy two or ten of the item, or they’re expired.

4. Misleading advertising. As an example, one store recently advertised a name brand ice cream on sale for $3.00. (which usually sells for around $6.00) A large sign on the freezer door boasted of this fantastic sale. If I hadn’t been careful enough to look at each price tag, I would have paid $6 for my vanilla ice cream. Turns out the sale only applied to “select varieties” which include some strange flavors like carrot/avocado.

5. Forgotten items after checkout. This happens most frequently in stores with carousel bag holders. There a shelf in the middle where the cashier places big items, or ones that are fragile. Sometimes, you get home missing bags of potatoes or oranges. I’ve seen cashiers stash these things under the counter. Do they return them for resale, or take them home? Either way, you’ve lost money. Recently, I have a friend who found a steak left on top of the carousel. When he tried to find the person who bought it, she had driven away. Didn’t the checkout clerk see the steak? Was she planning to put it back for resale?. We’ll never know.

Many shoppers are too tired and rushed to look out for these five ways that supermarkets cheat you. Most of the time, there’s not much you can do about it. But if I get a rotten melon, I take it back to the store—not for the money, but just so they know I’m onto their tricks.

June 16, 2022June 16, 2022

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEATWAVE MELTDOWN

The first heatwave has come on way too early this year. We expect it in summer, but it’s still officially spring. Global warming may or may not be to blame, because I can remember a few heatwaves when I was growing up in Indiana. There was no air conditioning in those days, unless you went to a department store or movie theatre. Most of us just sweat it out at home in various degrees of undress. As kids, we ran under a garden sprinkler hose to cool down. But grownups had to keep on going to work, taking care of children, cooking, doing laundry. Nowadays, most everyone has air conditioning. Except, sometimes you don’t. Even without a power blackout, the air conditioner often gets overloaded and breaks down. What to do? How to survive a heatwave A/C meltdown:

While you’re waiting in line for a repairman to come and fix whatever’s broken, here’s what you can do to cool a house with damp towels. This also works if you have a two story house, with an upstairs room that the air conditioning doesn’t reach.

1. Close all windows and doors in the early morning. Draw all the shades and pull the curtains shut.

2.Find every fan you have in the house, on the porch, garage, or basement and turn them on. .

3. Go to your linen closet and pull out some bath towels. Soak them in cold water. A damp towel, preferably light-colored, should hang in a window or in front of a fan, where its trapped water evaporates and cools the air flowing through it. Your rooms may not get as cold as they would with an air conditioner, but the towels and fans will alleviate the worst of the heat. And the noise from a fan is far less than a window air conditioner.

How To survive a heatwave meltdown. Hang a wet towel in front of your window. — How To Survive A Heatwave Meltdown. Hang a wet towel in your window and turn on a fan.

Meanwhile, turn off the oven. Eat cold cuts, or go for carry out.

Believe it or not, some people don’t have air conditioners at all. 87% of Americans have some type of air conditioning , but that’s true in only 8% of the rest of the world. You, too, can survive a heatwave without an air conditioner.

Finally, you might download you tube music “HeatWave,” , and listen to Irving Berlin’s popular song from the thirties https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5PpCCfhBhY

How to survive a heatwave meltdown. Listen to Ethel waters sing "Havin A Heatwave" — How To Survive A Heatwave Meltdown. Listen to Ethel Waters sing while hanging wet towels in front of fans.

Oh! We’re having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave
The temperature’s rising, it isn’t surprising,
She certainly can the can-can
She started a heatwave by letting her seat wave,
In such a way that the customers say
That she certainly can can-can

February 24, 2022

BEWARE OF STRANGERS IN SAFETY VESTS

Anytime you’re driving anywhere, you’re apt to see men and women wearing florescent safety vests. Usually, it means they’re involved in some type of construction, street work or any occupation that requires public consideration or respect. It never occurred to me that such vests can be purchased by anyone, and not always for a good reason. They may be a decoy to fool you into trusting them. Beware of strangers in safety vests.

Here’s what happened to me after the big snow storm of 2022.. I drove out the lane to go shopping, and stopped to get my mail. A mound of ice/ snow between the car and the mailbox made me stumble and nearly fall. As I clung to the mailbox, I heard a voice cry out, “Do you need help ma’am”, and before I knew it, a middle aged woman wearing a florescent safety vest came along and helped me to my feet. She even put my mail in a bag. I assumed she worked in some capacity with the city parks or street department..

As she followed me to my car, she said she was walking home. Since she had been so kind, I offered to give her a ride. I assumed she lived nearby, as it was sub zero weather, and the snow was a foot deep.

Turned out, she lived miles away (or so she said). I swallowed hard, but continued on, determined to do my good deed for the day. She wanted to chat, told me her name and asked mine. But after we crossed the highway, she casually mentioned that she had just got out of jail, and it wasn’t very clean.

“Have you been vaccinated?” I asked. She said, “oh no, I would never let them put that poison in my body.” At that point, I rolled down the windows as freezing air swept through the front seat. Accelerating to reach the speed limit, a plan formed in my mind. Soon, I pulled into a busy gas station. “Sorry,” I said. “I have to drop you off here because you haven’t been vaccinated.”

She seemed startled and hesitated a moment. But we were surrounded by other vehicles. Without further argument, she opened the door and got out of the car.

My husband was waiting at home in a sweat. He had seen us drive away and was ready to call the police. I’ll never know what was on that woman’s mind, but I didn’t want to find out.

Beware of strangers wearing safety vests.

February 6, 2022February 6, 2022

8 BLESSINGS IN THE STORM

If you live in this part of the country, you just got through one of the wildest snow storms we’ve endured for years. At our age, we’ve lived through many such storms and blizzards. Especially, my Nebraska-born husband. However, we’ve been spoiled the past few years, with some fairly mild winters. We forgot what it’s like to live through one of those whoppers that left our trash cans frozen in a mound of hard, icy snow. Housebound for three days seemed like an eternity for a person who likes to come and go as she pleases. Nevertheless, we were grateful for 8 blessings in the storm:

1. No power outage. . We called several stores to see if we could purchase a kerosene heater, but everyone was sold out. Consequently, we were prepared to find a hotel room somewhere if we lost power.. At our age, we simply aren’t equipped to deal with all the inconveniences. But for once, Duke Energy kept us all wired. I don’t think anyone in our city lost power.

2. Children living nearby. My girls live too far away to be of any help during a storm. Fortunately, my husband’s twin sons are in town. They called every day to see if we needed help, and even picked up our mail. What a blessing to have adult children living in your same city

3. Hot beverages. Coffee in the morning, cocoa or tea in the afternoon. Sipping these warm drinks while watching the snow fall was so comforting.

4. Flannel sheets. Nothing helps a good nights sleep on a snowy night so much as snuggling up in their warmth. Go one step further and wear flannel jammies all day long.

5 .I phone, with all its apps. Our newspapers weren’t delivered, but my trusty smart phone kept us informed of all the latest news. Also, there are several meditation apps. I’ve been using Calm for years, and it’s helped through some rough times. It’s amazing what a few breathing exercises and inspirational messages can do for your peace of mind.

6..Library books. We loaded up on enough to get us through the storm. There’s nothing cozier than reading a best seller and sipping a cup of tea while the wind blows outside.

7. Amaryllis in Bloom. Indoor bulbs are a beautiful way to brighten winter days. Ours opened up just as the snow started to fall.

8. Jigsaw puzzle. As children in the post depression years, we always had one in progress . Without television, computers, or smart phones, these puzzles entertained us on dreary winter days . Modern technology rendered them obsolete. But all of a sudden, we realized how much fun they are. And they’re good for the aging brain!

When the snow melts and the sun shines, we’ll remember these 8 blessings in the storm of 2022 with gratitude.

January 14, 2022January 14, 2022

6 WAYS TO BRIGHTEN A WINTER DAY

January 2022 seems especially dreary. It’s the third winter we’ve been stuck at home because of COVID-19. That first year, we did pretty well. It was kind of fun, battening down the hatches, sending for take out, and staying inside. The next winter, we had a little more hope because the vaccine came out in January, and we thought this would definitely be the end of Covid-19. We even started going to restaurants and family get togethers. Free at last!! But now, we’re back where we started. Masking up at the grocery store, staying home, washing our hands, and going nowhere fast. One good thing. The days are growing longer, and we’re seeing more sunny days. Here are 6 ways to brighten a winter day:

1. Clean the air. Indoor air is full of pollutants. It’s especially bad this winter, when we’re staying indoors more often than usual. Even when it’s cold outside, you should open some windows for five to ten minutes a day, just to bring in some fresh air. Next, brew a pot of boiling water on your stove top, and stir in teaspoons of cinnamon, ginger and cloves. It might even clear your sinuses if you breathe in the fragrant vapors for a few minutes. Keep the pot simmering as long as you like.

2. Catch some sunshine. Put on a winter coat and lie on a lounge chair on your deck or patio. The rays are so bright that you can get a slight sunburn—even in winter. If you don’t have your own outside space, go to a park, pick a bright spot, and lift your face toward the sun .

3. Plant a winter bulb garden. . The stores are full of potted hyacinths, tulips and daffodils.. Take that Christmas poinsettia off your coffee table, and bring in some lovely spring flowers in shades of pink, purple, and yellow.

4. Download some classical music. There are free apps on i phones and your computer. Frankly, I wouldn’t care to sit for hours in a concert hall and listen to long hair music. But it’s soothing in the background while you’re doing household chores or reading a book.

5. Walk outside. Even when the temperature drops below freezing, you can bundle up and take a short walk around the block or down the road. You’ll come back inside refreshed, and with a better attitude.

6. Try a new recipe. They are in the newspapers and all over the internet. Make something with an unusual ingredient that you’ve never tried before.

These are just a few way to enjoy the winter of 2022. Meanwhile, work a jigsaw puzzle, read a best seller, and look forward to a winter when we don’t have to worry about Covid=19..