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Putting Things Into Perspective

I get it. I know the price of gasoline. I reached for a pot roast at the store only to put it back when I saw the price was over $25. Cheaper cuts of pork would do. We all are dealing with higher prices on many things. But in all the five decades of my married life, my spouse and I have learned to pivot when it comes to making ends meet. We learned early on how to stretch a dollar and above everything, live within our means. Neither of our careers of choice put us in the upper tax bracket, yet we pay our share of state and federal taxes. We also support our fire departments, paying ...

Can My Children Get Social Security Benefits When I Retire?

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m getting ready to start my Social Security retirement benefits and have two children at home, ages 17 and 15. I’ve heard they may also be eligible for benefits on my record while I’m collecting. Is that true, and if so, how does it work? How long would they receive benefits, and is there anything I need to do to apply for them? – Retiring Parent Dear Retiring, Yes! If you’re 62 or older and raising kids, Social Security can put a little extra cash in your family’s pocket. Here’s how it works. When you claim your retirement benefits, each of ...

More Than a Loaf of Bread 

When I was a young child, grade school age, our pastor or other priest often visited our classrooms. Religion classes were part of the Catholic school experience. I can recall a day when one of my classmates asked the priest if there was ever a time when it was OK to steal. The young student presented a scenario of a poor family with nothing to eat. Would it be a sin to steal a loaf of bread or a can of soup from the local grocery store in order to feed the family? Most often the priest would reply that we already knew the answer: it was a sin to steal. That would lead to a ...

When Home Care Isn’t Enough

Dear Savvy Senior, My mother has several chronic health conditions and needs a home caregiver to help with daily activities. I know she wants to stay at home as long as possible, but how do I know when it’s time to consider an assisted living facility or nursing home? – Exhausted Daughter Dear Exhausted, Most older adults hope to remain in their own home as long as possible, and with the right support, many can. But there may come a point when home care is no longer enough to meet a person’s medical, safety or social needs. While moving to an assisted living facility or ...

Some History Is Worth Repeating

In the mid-1950s, the Civitan Club in Wheeling sponsored a forum titled “What Is Wrong With Wheeling — And What Can We Do About It?” A series of meetings brought together community leaders from the tri-state area and sparked citizens’ interest. Among the topics on point included discussions regarding dwindling population, tax assessments, loss of industry, housing needs and falling school enrollment. Sound familiar? This movement, started not long after the end of World War II, was the beginning of marked improvements to the city. A community-wide beautification project was ...

Planning a Simple, Affordable Funeral

Dear Savvy Senior, I’d like to make my end-of-life arrangements, but I want to keep things simple and affordable. What are my options? – 86-Year-Old Dear 86, Smart thinking! Planning ahead can save your loved ones a lot of stress, and money. With a traditional burial averaging around $10,000 and a full-service cremation near $6,500, it’s easy to see why many seniors are looking for simpler, lower-cost ways to say goodbye. The good news is, there are plenty of options that are dignified, straightforward and much easier on your wallet. Here’s a look at some choices, ...