And just like that, they were gone. My fine, tiny feathered friends have flown the coop. Off they went to southern regions where hummingbirds can become snowbirds, escaping our frigid winters. I held out hope that I might see a few stragglers this past week, but to no avail. Only a few bees ...
Dear Savvy Senior, I’m retired and was a victim of identity theft a while back. I’ve already frozen my credit to protect myself, but I recently heard that I can also “lock” my Social Security number. What exactly does that mean, and is it something I should do? – Recently Scammed Dear Recently, Freezing your credit was one of the smartest steps you could take after identity theft. But there’s another layer of protection many people don’t know about: limiting how your Social Security number (SSN) can be used. While you can’t actually “lock” your Social ...
In 1964, I was 10 years old. One of my favorite TV shows was the “Twilight Zone.” Some of those shows put the fear of God in me with an occasional nightmare. A few episodes were so outlandish, but to a 10-year-old they also put a new twist on being scared silly. There was one episode in particular which we pretty much laughed at because of its storyline. That same episode and a few others with a similar theme could be relevant today. The episode was titled “From Agnes, With Love.” The storyline was simple and also disturbing. It involved a computer, something very modern for ...
Dear Savvy Senior, I’m planning to move later this year to be closer to my youngest son and his family. I’ve lived in the same state for decades, so I’m a little nervous about how this might affect my Medicare coverage. Will I need to change plans or take any special steps to avoid gaps? – Relocating Rita Dear Rita, Great question. A move like this is exciting, but it’s smart to think ahead about how it could affect your coverage. Whether your Medicare is impacted – and what you’ll need to do – depends on the type of plan you have. Here’s what to expect and ...
There are days when my head is spinning as I read the news or see a TV broadcast about all the turmoil in the world. For that matter, right here in our own backyards. There was a time when I was a high school student that I was truly interested in the study of history. Learning about events and people who shaped our world actually kept my attention for 40 minutes a day in a classroom at Wheeling Central Catholic High. I can’t say the topics were always very compelling but the man who stood at the front of class tried to make them understandable. His name was Charles “Chuck” ...
Dear Savvy Senior, I always get my annual flu shot, but I never know whether I’m getting the right one. Can you explain which flu vaccine is best for seniors this fall and whether there are any other recommended vaccines I should get? – Trying to Stay Healthy Dear Trying, If you’re 65 or older, getting your annual flu shot is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself during flu season. But with new vaccines and changing recommendations, many older adults aren’t sure which shots they need. The good news is that this fall’s advice for seniors is ...
