2023-05-27 07:33
Memorial Day is a day to honor Americans who have died in service to their country. Many people attend a memorial day event, visit a cemetery where a loved one is buried, or spend time reme… Read More
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The Survive And Thrive Boomer Guide Blog
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Sharing information to help baby boomers make smart consumer choices
2023-05-26 06:10
Remember when 125,000 Peloton Tread+ treadmills were recalled after the death of a child and dozens of incidents of children, pets, and objects being pulled under the rear roller?
The U.S… Read More
2023-05-24 09:18
On Saturday, I received a strange email. It said it was from Gastro Health and a new lab result had been entered into my patient portal from my Gastro Health provider. To access my lab resu… Read More
2023-05-22 08:29
An “investment opportunity” extremely popular on the social media platform WeChat stole millions from the Chinese community in the United States. Social media posts urged people… Read More
2023-05-20 09:14
For years, research has shown that eating packaged products – such as some breakfast cereals, snack bars, frozen meals, and most packaged sweets, along with other items – is lin… Read More
2023-05-19 06:29
I’m upset. I was due to have my teeth cleaned in January. Since I’ve been busy taking the Dean Ornish heart health program and working on my writing, I just called a couple of w… Read More
2023-05-17 06:37
This huge recall is getting a lot of media attention and it surely is adding to Peloton’s financial problems as people head back to the gym after staying home during the covid-19 pand… Read More
2023-05-14 23:34
Although Mother’s Day is highly commercialized, I like remembering my mom on this special day and I enjoy visiting with my daughters over WhatsApp.
Maybe next year, I’ll be able… Read More
2023-05-13 08:36
No. What ended on Thursday was the covid health emergency on public health and safety measures in the United States. In addition, the World Health Organization recently ended the covid rela… Read More
2023-05-10 08:31
Graduations are coming up and many parents and students are thinking about student debt, which totals $1.63 trillion in the United States. Student loan debt is about $37,600 per borrower.
… Read More
2023-05-08 22:54
Paying off student loans is a big job, especially since it usually takes most people years to achieve it.
Consumers need to beware of debt relief companies that promise quick loan forgive… Read More
2023-05-08 08:04
Photo: Andy Thornley
Since I’m usually up late at night, I’ve come to love Stephen Colbert … and James Corden. Corden and his “The Late Late Show” team made m… Read More
2023-05-05 02:03
Today’s my birthday. Yes, I do get a lot of “May the Fourth be with you” comments. I just shrug it off that my birthday, to some, is an unofficial Star Wars holiday.
Since… Read More
2023-05-03 05:17
This recall is so large, it even made one of the national news programs recently.
Stanley Black & Decker is recalling about 2.2 million DeWALT, Stanley, and Craftsman fiberglass sledgeh… Read More
2023-05-02 03:46
Spring is my favorite time of year, and on May Day, when I was a kid, we used to make paper baskets, put flowers in them, and hang them on door knobs. Then we’d ring the bell and run… Read More
2023-05-01 20:08
When I worked at The Anchorage Times during the 1980s, I was fortunate to get my dream job writing a consumer action column. However, along with the job as columnist, I also had to be the r… Read More
2023-04-29 00:19
Photo: Raysonho
My newsletter this week has a lot of helpful information so I’m posting a copy here. You have until May 8 to use Bed Bath & Beyond gift cards and rewards and until… Read More
2023-04-28 02:46
When I was over by Fred Meyer, I stopped to see if the Canon ink I use was cheaper than what I’ve been paying at Office Depot. I looked at Office Depot’s website to compare its… Read More
2023-04-26 08:17
It’s helpful for consumers to take a look at complaints that are received by agencies and organization to know what to watch out for in their financial lives.
The Consumer Financial P… Read More
2023-04-25 05:20
Luxor Workspaces is recalling about 84,700 Luxor A/V carts in the United States and about 1,650 in Canada.
The carts can be unstable when loaded with heavy objects, such as cathode-ray tube… Read More
2023-04-24 08:45
It’s been the second coldest April in history here in the Seattle area. And, then, there’s the rain, rain, rain. Even hail at times.
Since I’m a photojournalist, I like to… Read More
2023-04-23 01:45
Earth Day is a good reminder of what to do every day and throughout the year for the health of the planet.
I spend a lot of time on it. I know many people do, too.
The theme for this year&r&helli…Read More
2023-04-22 01:29
Photo: Hudconja
A settlement shows that another huge, well-known corporation has engaged in deceptive practices in how it treats its customers.
Prudential Financial denied more than 200 lif… Read More
2023-04-19 04:41
For decades, the U.S. regulators have lagged behind other countries in banning dangerous chemicals.
Last week, the California Assembly’s Health Committee approved a bill to ban five h… Read More
2023-04-18 09:11
In 2016, I had H&R Block prepare my taxes. It was upsetting because neither the receptionist nor the tax preparer would give me an estimate of what it would cost to prepare my taxes. Th… Read More
2023-04-15 00:03
About 100 infants have died in Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play infant sleepers. And, unfortunately, kids are continuing to die because the deadly sleepers are still being used and sold seco… Read More
2023-04-12 06:30
As a researcher, I was surprised several years ago when I ran across a study on pets that are allowed to sleep in their owners’ beds. It found E.coli, a bacteria that can cause illnes… Read More
2023-04-10 00:56
Happy Easter if Easter is a day you celebrate.
For me, I’m trying to concentrate today on the wonders of spring and the yearly renewal of the earth.
Here are some recent photos:
In l… Read More
2023-04-09 04:20
Sixty-three percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians, and 43 percent plan to attend church on Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
Easter is a big donati… Read More
2023-04-04 09:13
It was upsetting to deal with possible leak in the water pipe that goes from my house to the meter box near the street. I had a repair made in 2019 for a leak and I didn’t know if that… Read More
2023-04-01 08:57
As a fan of the FIRE (financial independence retire early) movement, I thought I’d try a side hustle, one of the FIRE recommendations.
Since I have pinecones that fall on my driveway… Read More
2023-03-31 08:41
Have you ever had a problem because of data a company has collected on you?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is launching an inquiry into companies that track and collect informatio… Read More
2023-03-30 05:59
Photo: Minh Nguyen
Republicans doing the bidding of Wall Street for years led to the current banking crisis.
In 2018, Republicans led an effort, lobbied heavily by the financial industry, t… Read More
2023-03-28 05:05
When you take two consumer problems, telemarketing and extended warranties, and put them together, it can result in disaster.
The Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement Friday in… Read More
2023-03-25 06:10
YETI is recalling about 1.9 million coolers and gear cases in the United States and 40,760 in Canada.
If the magnet-lined closures fail and the magnets fall out, serious injury or death can… Read More
2023-03-24 06:59
Since I avoid the use of harsh, toxic chemicals in cleaning, I often use vinegar in cleaning. However, Consumer Reports says it shouldn’t be used in nine cases:
Clothes irons. Vinegar… Read More
2023-03-23 04:44
Last week, it was exciting news when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced proposed limits on the toxic “forever” chemicals known as PFAS as a way to reduce drinkin… Read More
2023-03-21 05:03
One of the best consumer actions in recent years is the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2011.
Established after the Great Recession of 2007-08 to set up one federal… Read More
2023-03-18 03:55
I love Ireland. I was so fortunate to travel there with my daughter Lisa in 2016.
So, I decided a good way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day Friday is to post some of the photos from ou… Read More
2023-03-16 22:52
It’s important to reduce the amount of pesticides in food that you and your children are exposed to. One way to do that is to be aware of the amount of pesticides that may be on the f… Read More
2023-03-15 05:40
In addition to recalling products, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issues warnings about hazardous products. A recent warning from the agency is to immediately stop using black… Read More
2023-03-13 00:28
Movies continue to be one of the most popular past times in the United States. Joseph Campbell, American author and teacher, called them the great American dream machine.
However, in my opi… Read More
2023-03-11 10:18
Photo: Kevauto
Buying a new car is among one the most challenging purchases a consumer needs to make.
Every year, Consumer Reports, a research, testing, and advocacy organization, conducts… Read More
2023-03-09 05:55
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality,” because 37 percent of women don’t use the internet an… Read More
2023-03-07 08:08
Another big recall made the news recently.
Cosori is recalling about 2 million air fryers in the United States, 250,000 in Canada and 21,000 in Mexico.
A wire connection in the air fryers… Read More
2023-03-04 02:37
I’m approaching the 200th issue of my newsletter Helpful Money Tips for You. This week’s newsletter tips are especially valuable, so I’m posting a copy of the newsletter… Read More
2023-03-02 07:09
Most landlords and property managers use tenant background checks to decide whether to rent to someone.
Two federal agencies want to hear about your experiences with background checks used… Read More
2023-02-28 07:23
Last week, in the Seattle area, we had snow, unusual for Western Washington. Fortunately, the power didn’t go out so we got by with little trouble.
While I was dealing with weather is… Read More
Did You Know The Largest Credit Card Companies Aren’t Reporting Customer Payments To Credit Bureaus?
2023-02-24 20:09
In 2022, Americans paid more than $120 billion in interest and fees on credit cards. With interest rates going up, that amount is continuing to increase.
For consumers to get the best offe… Read More
2023-02-23 06:39
It’s important to keep up on what’s happening with unsafe products under the jurisdiction the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC.
The agency and Baby Trend are warn… Read More
2023-02-21 11:11
Since my daughter lives in California, I’ve been fortunate to go wine tasting several times.
Sonoma County is my favorite county for wine tasting. My daughter Lisa had been wine tasti… Read More
2023-02-21 03:47
Presidents’ Day sort of sneaked up on me this year.
At times in the past, I’ve written about Presidents’ Day as a time to appreciate our democracy and celebrate the many f… Read More
2023-02-20 10:48
Before you spend money on that “Shark-approved” miracle invention, weight loss product, or keto diet pill, make sure it’s really been featured on the “Shark Tank&rdq&helli…Read More
2023-02-17 04:10
Until this week, I hadn’t heard about a potential safety problem with electric bicycles or “e-bikes.”
An article in The Washington Post, “A Child’s Death Promp… Read More
2023-02-14 09:16
Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling about 143,000 E-Z-GO PTVs or personal transportation vehicles in the United States, 8,100 in Canada, and 1,000 in Mexico. Some of the PTVs were rec… Read More
2023-02-12 07:36
American consumers spend more than $25.9 billion on Valentine’s Day each year. It makes the holiday the third-priciest on the calendar for U.S. consumers.
Valentine’s Day spendi… Read More
2023-02-10 23:55
It’s fun to write my weekly newsletter, Helpful Money Tips for You. It’s free and when you sign up, you’ll get lot of tips to help you with saving money, budgeting, and le… Read More
2023-02-09 04:28
A friend of mine recently received a $300 gift card under Comcast’s reward program. She thought she got it because she’s been a long-time customer.
Since I’m a long-time C… Read More
2023-02-08 03:10
Recently, I wrote about where to donate clothes you no longer want to wear, including those that are worn out.
I listed the usual locations – Goodwill and the Salvation Army – a… Read More
2023-02-07 09:29
How do you pick out a bank? It’s more difficult than it seems. Many people choose a branch near them. But, banks can have practices that are detrimental to consumers who want to spend… Read More
2023-02-06 05:45
Usually, I take clothes I no longer want to wear to the Goodwill because donation is easy. However, in the past few years, it has put out public service announcements that it only wants clo… Read More
2023-02-02 05:47
February is a month of possibilities for sales: Some for Valentine’s Day and some for Presidents’ Day.
Here are some ideas on what to look for from Dealnews.com:
Valentine’… Read More
2023-01-31 08:55
While a debate is ranging in America about whether gas stoves should be banned due harmful indoor emissions, one brand is expanding its recall of dangerous stoves.
ZLINE is recalling about… Read More
2023-01-28 05:14
I’ve written about antibiotic resistance a number of times, and I have a section on it in the draft book on my journalism work.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance ha… Read More
2023-01-27 04:27
I’m now a T-Mobile customer. Darn. I switched because I was upset that Verizon wouldn’t give me a deal on a new iPhone and I wanted to be in a family plan with my grandson from… Read More
2023-01-26 06:07
It’s positive to see government agencies working to curb monopoly power.
The U.S. Department of Justice and eight states filed a lawsuit on Tuesday charging Google with o… Read More
2023-01-25 07:13
I’ve written about it before, but it’s worth highlighting again.
A Consumer Reports evaluation of peer-to-peer or P2P payment apps found that users could lose money to… Read More
2023-01-24 09:44
One thing that financial writers recommend when you’re having money problems is to review your subscriptions. Sometimes subscriptions that you aren’t using anymore keep renewing… Read More
2023-01-21 10:35
If you have a child or grandchild or are a caregiver, you need to know about the dangers of infant sleepers.
More than 100 deaths have been reported in Rock ‘n’ Play Sleep… Read More
2023-01-20 10:09
Last week, I received an email from the U.S. Postal Service suggesting I might want to pay for my post office box before the rates go up on January 22. The email said I could pay on the web… Read More
2023-01-19 08:13
I spent quite a bit on having two Christmas celebrations with my daughters. Now that I’ve got a little cushion in my bank account again, what could I look for at January sales? I know… Read More
2023-01-14 10:09
Another issue that should have been adequately addressed decades ago was also included in the congressional end-of-year spending bill.
Starting in mid-2023, all new dressers and other cloth… Read More
2023-01-13 03:18
Today I received an email saying that my Social Security number was going to be suspended.
Scam.
Ironically, it was “signed” by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. I wonder if he… Read More
2023-01-12 08:15
Of the many consumer laws I’ve reported on over the years, weak laws on personal care products such as cosmetics are among the most frustrating.
The United States has lagged behind th… Read More
2023-01-11 08:31
Inflation hurts, and it causes stress. I was going to buy a frozen package of mac and cheese. However, it cost $14.95. I decided I’d make one of my Annie’s organic mac and chees… Read More
2023-01-10 10:00
Have you been frustrated because you’ve wanted to repair your electronics or appliances or find a less expensive place for repairs to be made other than through the manufacturer?
Eigh… Read More
2023-01-08 06:26
When travel blogger Gabby Petito went missing in 2021 then was found murdered in a national park, the news media and social media went wild. For weeks, the headlines blared.
Now the same me… Read More
2023-01-08 02:23
I hope keeping up with recalls is one of the items on your “good consumer” list.
On May 5, 2021, the Peloton Tread+ treadmill was recalled because incidents associated with pull… Read More
2023-01-07 10:49
Don’t get tricked into signing up for a high-cost loan when you buy a used car.
Credit Acceptance Corp. misrepresented the cost of credit and turned the car-buying experience into a n… Read More
2023-01-05 07:35
How was your holiday? Did you get lots of neat presents? Were you able to celebrate with family and friends? Were you exhausted when it was all over?
I was fortunate because I was able to c… Read More
2023-01-02 23:06
I don’t know about you, but 2022 went by so fast for me.
After four years, I was finally able to get the first draft of the book about my journalism career done, but the printed copy… Read More
2023-01-02 02:53
My best wishes to you and your loved ones for 2023.
On New Years eve, I wrote about the top consumer and personal finance stories of 2022. Inflation and higher interest rates topped the lis… Read More
2023-01-01 07:43
It’s time for my annual article on the top consumer and personal finance articles of the year. As usual, there aren’t many reporters covering this important topic. However, in a… Read More
2022-12-31 10:16
I missed writing about Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 when you can join, switch, or drop a plan. I always know when it occurs: my mail box and email… Read More
2022-12-29 10:23
Unfortunately, I got caught up in the Southwest Airlines holiday flight cancellation debacle around Christmas.
Scheduled to return home at 10:45 Monday Dec. 26, I was shocked when my daught… Read More
2022-12-27 08:06
The largest recall from last week is Samsung top-load washing machines, with about 663,500 being recalled. The washing machines can short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire risk.
It’… Read More
2022-12-25 22:57
Christmas is a great time of year. There’s so much joy to share for the yearly celebration with family and friends.
Americans plan to spend $832.84 per person on gifts and other holi… Read More
2022-12-24 03:10
Every year I write about children’s toys to avoid, according to W.A.T.C.H., World Against Toys Causing Harm, a group that helps raise awareness about the dangers in toys, children&rsq&helli…Read More
2022-12-23 06:47
Christmas is one of the most popular holidays in the United States, and it can be one of the most expensive. Decorations, food, cards, gifts, travel, and more can add up fast.
Americans are… Read More
2022-12-22 23:55
It’s the holiday season and Christmas Day will be here soon.
For more than a year now, I’ve been writing a newsletter offering readers 10 money tips every week.
The… Read More
2022-12-22 01:12
On a recent trip, I learned a valuable lesson. Most airlines won’t reimburse you for electronics if they’re in a checked bag that gets lost.
How did I find that out?
When I arri… Read More
2022-12-21 07:23
Wells Fargo is at it again. It shows why consumers should be skeptical about trusting big banks.
The repeat offender has agreed to a settlement that requires it to return more than $2 billi… Read More
2022-12-20 08:26
Just because you’re shopping late for the holidays doesn’t mean you should make a lot of costly mistakes. Take a deep breath, make a list, and proceed with confidence.
My top t… Read More
2022-12-16 07:49
On Tuesday, my new Apple desktop computer was delivered. I signed up for Best Buy’s Totaltech program, paying $200, because a tech would come to my house and install the computer. My… Read More
2022-12-14 04:38
Did you know alcohol is a carcinogen? Only half of Americans are aware of it.
For years, the alcohol beverage industry has been successful in keeping the government from requiring the type… Read More
2022-12-12 23:57
At holiday dinners, we usually put the stuffing in the turkey and cook the two together.
However, at a recent holiday event, the topic came up about what to do if you cook the stuffing sepa… Read More
2022-12-12 00:56
Are you aware of the problems with infant flotation rings?
A drowning and serious injury have occurred with infant flotation rings sold by Otteroo Corp.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com… Read More
2022-12-10 00:59
As a minimalist, I don’t do much shopping. Before the pandemic, I bought most of my clothes from the sales racks at Macy’s. Its clothes seem to be O.K. for older women.
I did go… Read More
2022-12-08 06:14
Scams are terrible, especially during the holidays. But scammers are out there every day, searching for their next victim.
Scammers will ask you to pay with gift cards. Why? Because they&rs&helli…Read More
2022-12-07 08:41
Identity theft is terrible. It’s ruins your day, week, month, and probably more.
The average data breach in 2022 cost a company $9.44 million and took 277 days to contain.
To determine… Read More
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