Category: tips

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7 lessons learned from COVID-19 crisis

Looks like we’re flattening the curve on coronavirus cases.  The end isn’t here, but it’s coming. In a couple of months, we’ll be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  But things will never be the same. Here are seven  lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis.

1. Saving for a rainy day is good advice.  I know it’s not possible for everyone. Stuff happens, and you find yourself in a hole, living paycheck to paycheck.  I’ve been there, done that, and  know how it feels. And yet, many folks who could have established an emergency fund didn’t.  They maxed out their credit cards on boats,  trips to Disneyland,  eating out, and other stuff they didn’t really need.  I hope their unemployment and stimulus checks tide them over now.  But when they finally get back on their feet,  they really need to cut out some of the unnecessary spending.  And make it a point to save a certain percent of their income for a rainy day.

2. You can keep ripe bananas in the frig.  Shopping habits changed the past few months. Instead of going to the grocery several times a week, we had to cut it down to once or twice.  Planning ahead was a necessity.  And if you bought enough bananas ahead of time, they were apt to spoil before your next trip.  My husband and I split part of a banana  every day—him for his cereal, mine for smoothies.  Although you’re always told you can’t refrigerate ripe bananas, the fact is, you can—for a couple of days.  The skin may turn dark, but the inside is still fresh and sweet.

3.  Everyone should wash their hands more often. Many of us were lax about that.  How many times have you seen someone leave a public restroom without washing?  But I think everyone has it in their heads now:  Washing your hands will keep you from getting the flu, colds, and other types of infections. If you didn’t know it before the covid-19 outbreak, you know it now.

     4.   Higher education is more important than ever.  During the past decade, I’ve met many bright young people who dropped out of college because they could make so much money in tips at upscale restaurants.  Those people are now drawing unemployment.  Those with college degrees  are more likely to have jobs that pay them to work from home.  Others who learned a skilled trade find their services in high demand. A two year degree may pay off  just as well as a four year degree.    If you have the academic ability, get some training and education beyond high school. Don’t rely on tips to fulfill your dreams.

7 lessons learned from COVID-19 CRISIS. Immunity, education, saving, good health habits, sunshine all have an effect
Open office space can be hazardous to your health.: 7 lessons learned from COVID-19 crisis.

5.  Open spaces offices are bad for your health.  70% of modern offices have no walls.  You’re forced to  work close beside other people , breathing in whatever they’re breathing out in the way of viruses .  It’s been shown that open office spaces make people less productive and healthy. Without walls or barriers in front of you, a virus can spread very easily. Companies should  go back to providing offices or at least cubicles, where  employees can enjoy a little peace, quiet, and cleaner air.

6. Find some  old fashioned pastimes that don’t require wireless.  Jigsaw puzzles, cards, board games, crossword puzzles, just to name a few.  Or creative activities like painting, sewing or woodworking.  There could be a national crisis that involves an internet blackout.  What will you do to pass the time, then?

7. Unfiltered sunlight is good for you, in small doses.  Sunscreens prevent cancer, but they also block the production of vitamin D.   Vitamin D is important for a good immune system. Doctors now recommend that you wait 15 minutes before applying sunscreen if you’re out in the sunlight.

Americans are resilient and smart.  They will make it through this crisis and  also learn their lessons.

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WARNING! SPOOFERS TARGET SENIORS

Most seniors have email accounts, but aren’t  too hi tech, otherwise.  When they get an email from their bank, Pay Pal, or credit card provider, they perk up.  Especially when the email warns them that A) their bank account is locked or B) someone from Zimbabwae is hacking into their account.  Fear takes over.  Consequently, when they’re asked to provide passwords to straighten everything out,  they’re tempted.   The email looks legitimate; it’s  logo and format looks exactly like  other emails from financial institutions.   Warning!   spoofers target seniors.

My husband and I use one email address for all of our financial transactions.  Last week, we got an email from his bank. The logo and format was identical to the routine emails we receive from Fifth Third.   It had been posted at 5 o’clock in the morning, and said he had been locked out of his account.  All he needed to do was provide his pin and password, and he could get back in.

When we first get out of bed, we’re often a bit groggy.  We didn’t quite understand what was going on.  I lifted my fingers and started to key in the required information.  Then I took a few sips of coffee, and my head began to clear. We didn’t need any cash, so why hurry? Two more sips. “ I  think you’d better stop by your bank, “ I said. It was a cold and snowy day, but he had a scheduled haircut, so it wasn’t a big deal.

Turns out, he was the fifth person who’d reported receiving one of these e mails that day.  Even one of the bank employees received one.  You’d think the phisher or spoofer would be smarter than that.  And yes, it was a fake.  If we had provided the requested information, someone could have cleaned out his account, and there wouldn’t have been much we could do about it.

Spoofers and Phishers Target Seniors
This email was fake. It looks like it was sent from Pay Pal, but it wasn’t.

That was a bit unnerving, but we hoped it was the end of the fake emails.  But it wasn’t.  Yesterday, I got one (supposedly) from Pay Pal saying they were concerned about my account  because someone from Zimbabwe was trying to use it.  I clicked on one of the links, and they asked me to provide my pin and password.  This time, I knew what was happening.  It’s hard to speak with a real person at Pay Pal, but I finally managed to find a viable phone number.  They said the email was a fake, and asked me to forward it to their “spoof” address.   They also suggested I change my email address.

This is a warning to all seniors.  Always call before providing pins and passwords in response to e-mails from financial institutions

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HOW TO FIX WHAT’S BROKEN

Remember when people fixed things instead of buying new ones? There were shoe repair shops all over town.  Socks were darned. Broken crockery was glued back together.  But now, we’ve become a throw-away society.  Instead of repairing household goods and products, we simply toss them in the trash and buy a new one.   But recently, I found a new product that works miracles in repairing numerous household and personal items.  Here’s how I learned  to fix what’s broken .

In a rental property I manage, a very nice built-in medicine cabinet had a cracked, yellowed lampshade..  Everyone told me there was nothing to do but buy a new medicine cabinet and lighting fixture.   But I liked the cabinet, and didn’t want to yank it out of the wall, and hire someone to rewire a new medicine cabinet .  Also, there would be a problem with  new plaster or drywall.

You can repair a broken lampshade with moldable thermoplastic
Instead of buying a new medicine cabinet, I made a new lampshade. Here’s how to fix what’s broken.

Desperately, I searched the internet and home improvement stores to find a lampshade to fit. But alas, it was custom made and out of date. I tried to find someone who made custom lampshades, but no such luck.  Then, I came across an article about moldable thermoplastic.  It sounded like something way out of my realm of expertise.  And yet, after watching a  you tube video,   I realized I could make my own  lampshade.

Most artsy crafty people have been familiar with this stuff for years.  I ordered some over the internet for $6.00, but you can buy it places like Walmart and Hobby Lobby.  It’s incredibly easy to use and requires no special equipment.  Just melt the little plastic beads in some hot water until it becomes soft and pliable and sticks together.  Using the old shade as a mold, I pulled and stretched the gooey mass until it was.hard and tough.  Within minutes, I had a  new translucent lampshade.

It's easy to fix reading glasses with moldable plastic
Here’s how to fix what’s broken: use moldable thermoplastic to repair broken glasses

I had tons of the beads left over.  It only took a few beads to repair some cracked reading glass frames. Then I fixed the cracked tip of my cell phone charger.  It can also be used to repair  cracked hairdryers, vacuum cleaners, or any household item made of plastic. Believe it or not, some people make their own false teeth!  I don’t think I’ll go that far.

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FREE BOOK: TAKE THE MONEY

Are you getting worn out with winter?  Dreaming of palm trees, warm breezes, and blue skies?  If you can’t get on a plane or drive a car, I’m offering you a free trip to Costa Rica via Kindle.  My novel came out a few years ago, but I think it’s still a good read if you’re looking for armchair travel. Download a FREE BOOK:  TAKE THE MONEY: ROMANTIC SUSPENSE IN COSTA. This offer starts today, Feb 7, and runs through Feb. 10.

Here’s the synopsis on Amazon:

kThis book is free on Friday, Feb 7 thru Monday, Feb. 10
 Take The Money is Free Friday 2/7  through Monday 2/10  on Kindle @ https://amzn.to/1AgDW8a:

What would you do if you witnessed a murder and the victim gave you $60,000 just before he died? Should you keep the money or call the police? Julie Lawson has only moments to decide.

Julie goes for a drive in her boss’s new Porsche, but a joyride turns to terror when they’re rammed from behind and tumble into a ravine. Knowing he won’t survive, Kevin Dufrain urges Julie to take the money and run because, “they’ll get you, too.” She boards a night plane to the cosmopolitan city of San Jose, Costa Rica and meets mysterious businessman, Bud Jimenez, who helps her find a job at the “Memphis South,” a popular nightclub run by Texas beauty, Nellie Compton. But when Julie discovers the killer has tracked her down, she heads for a beach near the Nicaraguan border.

Julie’s small plane is forced to land in a remote Indian Village where she meets the passionate and charismatic Dr. Enrique Rojas, a widower who runs a medical clinic for the impoverished natives of Costa Rica. Here, Julie thinks she’s found the secret thing she always wanted to do, but it may be too late. The killer is still on her trail and the DEA suspects her of drug trafficking. Her fragile hopes for happiness seem about to shatter. Now, Julie must lose herself to discover what’s really important in life.

Take the Money is a compelling tale full of passion and courage. It takes you from a corrupt, inbred, southern Indiana town to the mountains, beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, rain forests, and all of the fabulous natural wonders of beautiful Costa Rica.

If you’re having midwinter doldrums, this free e  book should give you a lift. DOWNLOAD IT FEB 7 THROUGH 10 @ HTTPS://AMZN.TO/1AGDW8A

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10 WAYS TO TAKE A TIME OUT

Christmas is over, but the holiday still hasn’t ended.  There are more parties and family gatherings ahead in the next few days.  Not to mention the stress of traveling back and forth to visit relatives in other cities.  By the time Christmas is over, you may be drained and exhausted from all the ways you deviated from your normal routines and eating patterns. Here are 10 ways to take a time out  tomorrow or the next day.

1. Sleep late.

2.  Don’t plan to shop. Eat a healthy breakfast of fruit and whole grain cereal.  Then go back to bed or find a comfortable chair, and simply relax with a cup of coffee or tea.

3. Hide the sweet  treats. All the candy, cookies, and desserts can give you a “sugar high.” But when it starts to wear off, you feel jittery and nervous, and maybe depressed. Too much sugar is bad for you.

4. Ditch the salty snacks, ham, & sausage.  When you take in more sodium than you need, your body starts to retain fluid.  This excess make you feel bloated and sluggish. A fresh fruit smoothie  for lunch will provide potassium to flush the salt from your system.

5. Eliminate alcohol.   While you wouldn’t ordinarily drink in the afternoon, it’s likely that you’ll be offered wine, beer, or another alcoholic beverage at holiday gatherings.   It makes the day more relaxing and festive. But it can also lead to lethargy the next day.  Instead of alcoholic drinks today, have a glass of ice water,  orange juice or a cup of hot tea.

A breath of fresh air will be invigorating
If you’re feeling sluggish, take a walk outside and fill your lungs with oxygen.

6. Go outside for a short walk, and fill your lungs with fresh air. Come back in and take a nap,  If you can’t sleep during the day, try meditation and deep breathing exercises.

7. Settle down with a magazine like the Smithsonian, or read Tolstoy.

8. Don’t fix a big evening meal. Skip the evening cocktail.  Make a bowl of fresh potato soup, minus the salt shaker.

9. Forget the evening news. Don’t leave the house to go anywhere.  Relax with a Hallmark movie on TV.

10.  Take a warm bath. Go to bed early.

Wake up the next day renewed and refreshed, ready for that big New Year’s Eve party.

 

 

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Cell Phone Sales Reps Target Seniors

If you’re over 80 and walk into a cell phone service provider, you’re probably going to be seen as an easy mark. Like, what does this old lady know about technology, anyway? The sales rep will rattle off some hi tech gobbledygook when you ask for help. And then they will suggest an expensive solution. Let’s face it, phone company reps target seniors.

Replacing a cell phone battery is cheaper than buying a new phone
If your iphone battery is low, it’s cheaper to have it replaced than buying a new phone.

If you read my post , Recovering from Friday 13, you will see where my iphone 6  battery was low, and I couldn’t get it to recharge. The guy who waited on me seemed somewhat disdainful. He never really looked me in the eye. But I was happy when he initially diagnosed my problem as a defective charging cord.

As I waited for my phone to recharge, he looked out the window and said, “you know, your battery is shot. You’ll be lucky if this charge holds for an hour.”

“So,” I responded, “can you just sell me a new battery?.”

He looked at the floor. “We don’t sell Apple batteries here.”

“Well, where could I get one?”

“You can buy them at an Apple store,” he muttered, “but it would be a waste of time and money. ”

“So what are you saying?”

“You need a new phone.” He went on to explain that as an existing customer, I could upgrade to a newer iphone for a mere $500 if I would sign a 30 month contract, and make monthly payments of $17 a month, simply added to my current bill.

I thought for a few minutes. I didn’t mind the $500 so much as the 30 month commitment. Dare I say that at my age, it’s risky buying green bananas? I asked him why it would be a waste to simply replace the battery. He stared at the desk. “ Because It would cost you nearly as much to buy a new battery and have it replaced as a new phone would cost. And once you take a cell phone apart it’s never the same. It’s damaged.”

Okay, he had me convinced. I asked him to look up my account and arrange for a new phone and new contract. But when he tried to process my credit card, it wouldn’t work. Why? Because the existing contract is in my husband’s name. And my last name is hyphenated, a combination of my old and newer last name. The sales rep was disappointed, but I assured him I would be back with my husband ASAP..

That was on a late Friday afternoon. That night, my husband agreed we should get the new phone on Sat. But wait. That gave me a chance to check on the net.  . The website said I should replace the battery. Nothing to suggest I should buy a new phone. After that, I found an authorized Apple repair shop.  Better yet, it’s open on Sunday morning.

We stopped there on the way to brunch, The technician was pleasant, and actually looked at me. When I told him how the phone company rep had warned me against replacing the battery, he laughed and said, “that’s how they sell new phones.”

After a delicious Eggs Benedict brunch we picked up the phone which now had a new battery. The total bill for parts and labor : $60. If it hadn’t been for that glitch about a hyphenated last name, we would now be $440 poorer, and locked into another 30 month contract.  Saved by a hyphen!

Seniors, beware of phone company reps who want to sell you a new phone you don’t need.

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HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY REGRETS

Everyone looks forward to the holiday season.  But when it’s over we may feel a post season slump.  Things didn’t go as well as expected, and it’s partly our own fault.  Here’s how to avoid holiday regrets:

Do you control your appetite or does it control you?  The holidays start on Thanksgiving and don’t end until Jan 2.  Now is the time for some preventive maintenance.  Start downsizing your body before the holidays even begin. This gives you some leeway if you eat too much pecan pie and stuffing.

One way to control your weight is to ignore those first signs of hunger. Don’t head for the frig as soon as you feel your stomach gnawing or growling.  Drink a glass of water.   Do some exercises–anything to get your mind on something else. And on the big day, try to avoid second servings.

Here are five ways to avoid holiday regrets.
TOO MUCH ALCOHOL CAN TRIGGER FAMILY FEUDS AT HOLIDAY GATHERINGS.

Alcohol and  relatives don’t  always mix.  Not everyone likes their in laws.  If you’re a never Trumper, someone in the family probably likes him.  Family gatherings are fertile grounds for disagreements over just about anything. The choice of restaurant, a loan that wasn’t paid back, grandpa’s will.  The list goes on and on.  You try to bite your tongue most of the time, but an extra glass of wine or a double scotch is apt to loosen it. .  And before you know it, you’ve said something nasty  and you can’t take it back. Know your limits.  Don’t let too much alcohol ruin family harmony and leave you feeling ashamed of yourself.

It’s fine to give expensive presents if you can afford them.  But don’t overspend. Who wants to be paying off Christmas bills at Easter time?

Don’t feel you must go home for Christmas. Ice and snow usually create hazardous conditions at least once during the season.  No family wants to get a call that their loved ones have been in an accident. You can always celebrate a few days later when the roads have cleared.

Stay home if you’re sick.  Don’ t push yourself  to attend social gatherings or go to work.  If you feel  you’re coming down with something, you’re probably contagious.  A bad virus infection can turn into pneumonia if you don’t stay in bed until you’re well.    For your own sake, and the wellness of others,  take care of yourself until you’re feeling healthy again.

Here’s hoping your holidays are full of happy memories, and no regrets!