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WEBSITE OF THE MONTH - ARCHIVES
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August 2008 -
Website of the Month
Lotsahelpinghands.com
is a free service that helps family and friends coordinate caregiving tasks of a
loved one in need. Through an easy to use group calendar, members
can sign up for available tasks or check commitments - though the service's
email reminder system will make sure you don't forget. (Make sure you
check your email on a daily basis!)
July 2008 -
Website of the Month
If you use the computer a lot
for shopping, online banking, etc. and need to remember user names and
passwords, Roboform
will be very helpful! In addition to increasing security, it can also help
you fill out long forms. Best of all, this feature is FREE!
June 2008 -
Website of the Month
AgeSpan is an award
winning site that is designed for "seniors." this means that it is simple
to follow, you drag mouse over the "village" you see on the website and get to
many different features including finances, entertainment, news, medial, and
more. It is free to join. You'll definitely enjoy this very useful
website.
May 2008 -
Website of the Month
hulu.com – a gallery of old tv
shows, movies, and more. Best of all, it’s free, a great way to entertain
yourself! There are commercials; you do need a high speed connection.
Beware, this can become addicting!
April 2008 -
Website of the Month
If you enjoy eating out,
Restaurant can provide some
nice discounts on dinners out. Get a $25 gift certificate for $10!
They often have sales where you can them for half of that (sign up for their
emails). As the webmaster has used them previously, do exercise caution in
noting expiration dates, blackout periods, and if they can be used on
holidays/weekends. Also, make sure you use them soon as they could
possibly go out of business. Some local restaurants include Conte's, Pane
Vino, and The Roger Sherman Inn.
March 2008 -
Website of the Month
Are you being besieged with
phone calls from telemarketers? If you registered a few years ago, you are
still safe. There is final Congressional review on this law.
However, if you want to be removed from this list, use the
Do Not Call website.
You can also use this site to file complaints about those who abuse the law.
They can be fined HEAVILY for infractions. Note, the law has been
INDEFINITELY extended so if you signed up previously, there is no need to renew!
February 2008 -
Website of the Month
Download books for free - go to
www.librivox.org. All the titles are
in the public domain and read by volunteers so there's no copyright
infringement. If you don't own an iPod, download to your PC and burn to a
CD. Also, you can also do downloads from the Westport Public Library.
Click on the link on their home page to set up an account so that you can get
e-books, download videos and audio books to your hard drive or portable device.
January 2008 - Website of the
Month
Juliana at Your
Service...your own personal Lifestage Concierge Service. Are you
facing a challenge in your senior years, in need of local assistance or
reviewing future health care concerns. Need assistance with legal and
financial matters?
Let Juliana help...your LifeStage Concierge...at your service!
(203) 847-4177
December 2007 - Website of the
Month
With the holidays approaching,
we are often in a generous spirits, wishing to share with others. This
website, Kiva is not just
about doing hand outs, it is providing loans to people in developing countries
so that they can become successful and pay you back. Although you might
not get your money back, this is a very reputable organization and you'll have
fun developing a correspondence with those that you are assisting. Even if
you only have $25, you can make a genuine difference. s
November 2007 - Website of the
Month
Need to call a company and don't
know their #? go to www.gethuman.com
to find the company you'd like to call.
October 2007 - Website of the
Month
Making money on your old stuff?
In addition to eBay and the old fashioned tag sale, here are other on-line
sources to dispose of old items (and some quick tips) to earn cash (or just get
rid of it)
Craigslist has been around a long time and allows you to sell stuff for free
(Make sure you are on the Fairfield County section!). Listings are free,
have good descriptions, a photo can help. Treat it as a garage sale with
appointments. Accept cash only (personal checks can bounce and
bank/cashier checks can be forged).
Oodle is a good alternative
if you're eBay minded but don't want the fees.
Half is a division of eBay
dealing with books, DVDs and CDs. They do charge a fee, but they reimburse you
for shipping charges. You need an eBay account to work with them.
September 2007 - Website of the
Month
For those who wish to
conserve water (as well as save money), in addition to shutting off faucets,
these websites may provide some useful tips. For water efficient
showerheads, either to go the local hardware store or go to
www.niagaraconservation.com
If you're getting a new washing machine, choose one with an Energy Star label. Check ratings at www.energystar.gov. www.h2ouse.org has a calculator to help you save money on next bill. www.wateruseitwisely.com lists best conservation tips by region. If you use a dishwasher, just scrape the plates and put in the dishwasher. If you have an older unit; replace it, the savings will pay for it sooner rather than later. Bosch makes the most efficient dishwashers.
August 2007 - Website of the
Month
For those of you travel,
these websites are useful:
The National Air Traffic
Controllers Assn offers airport specific reports on how to avoid delays.
At Flight Stats, you
can check specific flights you are considering and see their record of on time
departures and cancellations.
Avoid Delays publishes
rankings of the worst offenders.
July 2007 - Website of the
Month
Making medical decisions
as we mature is a difficult yet necessary thing to do. If you write a
living will, choose an agent to act in your name. If you reject a life on
feeding tubes, your written wishes should prevail even in states with
must-feed laws. See
www.caringinfo.org for free living will forms. If you prefer to be
kept alive, you'll find a "will to live" form at
www.nrlc.org.
June 2007 - Website of the
Month
f you are enjoying
photography but don't want it to be as complex as the Elements classes that are
offered at the center, try
Picasa! Owned by Google, it is a FREE download. Although not as
powerful, it allows you to do simple retouches, crop, and sort. You do
need a fairly new computer to work with this program.
May 2007 -
Website of the Month
If you are becoming a
"techie" on the computer and wish to find some really cool free services on the
web to help your computer run better, or just do some interesting things, check
out File Hippo! This
is one-stop shopping for many sites that have FREE downloads from Adobe Viewer
to compressing those oversized files to some free photo imaging websites!
April 2007 -
Website of the Month
If you want to make free
phone calls through the Internet, use
Jajah. Unlike Vonage,
you can use your own phone and there are no monthly fees. You'll have to
sign up on their website. When you need to make a call, visit the website
and enter the # of the person you want to call. Your phone will ring
immediately and a computerized voice will tell you to hold the line while you're
connected. There are no fees to other land-line users who are registered.
Calls are $.03 per minute to Europe and over $.50 to certain remote countries.
To avoid charges, simply ask the people you call regularly to sign up.
March 2007 -
Website of the Month
If you need to know what is on
sale at stores next week, go to this website:
http://www.salescircular.com/. Prices, product descriptions and sales
dates are displayed. It tends to show tech-y items but you may find
it useful.
February 2007 -
Website of the Month
Cranky is the first
age-relevant search engine. Some of us get a bit too cranky (regardless of
age!) with too many choices! Google provides millions or at least thousands of
hits on almost any search topic. This website will provide you with four choices
per page so that you won't suffer from information overload aka TMI (too much
information).
January 2007 -
Website of the Month
New to the Internet?
or you just want to learn more about what is out there...this site is actually
good for those of you with more than just a bit of experience.
Internet for
Beginners has a wealth of information for any and all of you! If your
resolution for 2007 is to become more proficient, spend an hour or two a week
learning what this site has to offer. There is a wealth of useful
information.
December 2006 -
Website of the Month
We all may know someone
with a handicap that may prevent them from enjoying their computer.
Vision Dynamics has many items that work not only with computers but in
general for those with a vision or any other type of disability.
They even have a special interface with larger and darker print to make it
easier to navigate.
November 2006 -
Website of the Month
With the holidays coming,
you may wish to avail yourself of some shopping websites to make life simpler.
Below is a list of some sites that the author has used and has been pleased with
their promptness, service, and/or pricing.
www.buy.com - has practically
everything; often free shipping on larger orders! Very fast and prompt.
www.deepdiscountcd.com
- music at great prices, free shipping!
www.deepdiscountdvd.com
- movies/videos at great prices, free shipping!
If you're into electronics and gadgets, try
ecost.
To find bargains, you may wish to try
FROOGLE, a division of
Google!
October 2006 - Website of
the Month
Leaf peepers can locate the best
pockets of color with maps and downloadable free podcasts at
www.yankeefoliage.com
September 2006 - Website of
the Month
Consumers have the ability to "opt-out" of receiving unsolicited credit offers
in the mail. There are 2 methods. Call 1-888-567-8868 to avoid
getting these pesky junk mails that can be used by thieves. In addition,
you can go to
The Direct Marketing Association to specify whether or not you wish to
receive direct marketing offers from companies. These tips can help you to
protect your identity.
August 2006 -
Website of the Month
Vermont Country
Store is part tourist shop, part maple syrup source, part general store with
wonderful browsing. This store has been around 1945 and offers many
old-fashioned items like cola syrup or dickies. There is lots of food and
county an dof course a large selection of maple syrup.
July 2006 - Website of the
Month
Although many of you are familiar with free greeting cards from places like
Hallmark,
Birthday Alarm takes it one step
further wherein you can not only get the cards sent, but you can get reminders
when someone's birthday is coming up. You can have friends email you their
birthdates so you will able to remember them!
June 2006 - Website of the
Month
Gasoline prices making
you crazy?! Go to
GasBuddy and you'll have a new best friend. Type in the zip code and
it'll show you where the best deals are located. This site is constantly
updated. Remember that you won't save money driving three towns over to
save .08 per gallon.
May 2006 - Website of the
Month
Wish to know the value of
your house? Try Zillow!
It is not the most accurate of websites but it can help you find some comparable
data and a possible sales price for your home or condo. Some people have
said the values were quite accurate and others have found the prices to be way
off base. What is definitely cool are the aerial maps you can get of your
neighborhood!
April 2006 - Website of the
Month
Trying to get off an interminable
phone call with a co-worker, relative, or someone who is just plain boring and
you don't want be rude. Use this website,
Sorry Gotta Go!
You have to be near a computer with speakers for it to be effective, it will
play all these cool sound effects from the doorbell to a car in driveway to
static or a hungry kitty. Definitely a cool way to get off the phone calls
without being rude.
March 2006 -
Website of the Month
Do you have something that needs
fixing from a light bulb to vacuum cleaners?
How To Mend it will give
you tips on how to fix almost anything. Best of all, it's FREE!
February 2006 -
Website of the Month
This is a cool site.
Are you tired of going through agita and grief whenever calling an 800 (toll
free) number? Do you want to speak to a human instead of a machine?
This website will give you the scoop! (they'll probably change the prompts
since everyone knows about them!). Check out
www.paulenglish.com/ivr
January 2006 -
Website of the Month
Tired of getting all
those telemarketing calls that are selling worthless things and are always at
the wrong time? If you are on the "do not call" list, these companies are
breaking the law. You can either go to the following web site,
www.donotcall.gov (to
register or to make a complaint) or you can call 888-382-1222. If you are
hearing or speech impaired, call 866-290-4236. You must know either the
name or telephone number of the company that called and the date the company
called.
December 2005 -
Website of the Month
You might know of someone who is
older and might possibly be taken advantage of financially by some "new"
neighbors or friends who are being a bit too friendly. Although their
interests may be good, sometimes they isolate them from family and friends.
Then this new friend disappears, leaving them destitute. You can report
your concerns to adult protective services. Investigators are trained to
distinguish between friendship and exploitation. To find your state's
agency, go to
www.elderabusecenter.org. If they discover anything, they will turn
the case over to law enforcement authorities.
November 2005 -
Website of the Month
Spending too much time playing games?
it's a lot of fun to play one or two online games, however we sometimes say
to ourselves, just one more game...and it's an hour (or two!) later. There
is this nifty little free download, called
Temptation Blocker.
When you get to this website, you should already be on the Contact page where
you'll find this free and very useful download!
October 2005 -
Website of the Month
Need a unique, personalized gift?
There is now customized
e-commerce where you can get things made to your own specifications. these
two sites will let you design t-shirts, stamps, etc. This is a great way to
create a customized gift for anyone on your gift list.
Zazzle and
CafePress are user
friendly and you'll be able to find some gifts that hopefully won't sit in the
closet.
September 2005 -
Website of the Month
Sex Offenders...do you live near one?
Few things can unsettle grandparents or parents as much as the prospect of a
predator living amongst them.
www.MapSexOffenders.com
was launched in July and is still in its beta stage. You can type in your
address and map of your neighborhood with red flags marking the residence of
offenders. Click on a flag and a window appears with the predator's name,
address, phone, and offense.
August 2005 -
Website of the Month
Finding a reliable hospital
Sometimes it can be difficult to know what hospital is the best for surgery.
There are websites that can help on the 4,200 hospitals nationwide.
www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov
focus on quality of care for patients with heart attacks, heart failure &
pneumonia. Other sites you may wish to use include
www.leapfroggroup.org and looks at
safety measures at hospitals such as computerized prescription ordering which
can eliminate erroneous information from poor handwriting.
www.healthgrades.com does charge for
some of its information. They examine mortality and complication rates for
28 procedures and diagnoses, including hip replacement and bypass. A
low-tech way is to ask your doctor what hospital he or she would recommend.
July 2005 -
Website of the Month
http://www.newstandardkeyboards.com/ has a keyboard that is in alphabetical
order. If you are a very occasional user of the computer, this may make
your easier as you will no longer have to hunt and peck. (It's still
recommended that you learn keyboarding skills so that you can input your
information much faster than the hunt and peck methods!)
June 2005 -
Website of the Month
Looking for a part time job?
This website provides listings for hourly jobs so that if you are looking
for something a bit out of the rat race or part time work to help pay for that
trip to China, this may be up your alley.
www.snagajob.com has about 50,000
listings. Pay rates range from $7-$18 an hour. You do not need to register
on the website, but this could be a good way for you to find some extra money or
get a few bucks while in between jobs.
May 2005 -
Website of the Month
Getting Refunds on Medical Overcharges
Chances are high that you are among the majority of Americans who are paying
incorrect medical bills.
Mor-Med Consultants of Wilton, CT can do an audit on the bills you have
received and will help you get back money that you may have overpaid to the
hospital and/or doctor.
Whether you’re an individual, attorney, insurance company or medical provider, Mor-Med can assist you. With the complexity in today’s billing system, fraud and abuse can go undetected. Government studies have determined that 9 out of every 10 medical bills can have an error on them.
April 2005 -
Website of the Month
Filling your tank for less.
We often know where to find the cheapest prices while at home. However,
when you are away from home, are you getting the the best prices?
Check out these websites.
www.gaspricewatch.com
has over 100,000 volunteers reporting on prices from coast to coast. Type
in the zip code to get low prices in that area.
www.gasbuddy.com also
works by zip code. It compiles information from over 150 websites across
the US.
www.fueleconomy.gov posts local gas prices but also special offers when gas
is discounted. Gas is often discounted on weekdays and prices are higher
over the weekend.
March 2005 -
Website of the Month
Rx Ratings
Consumers Union has launched Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs. This fee
website compares effectiveness and prices of prescription medicines.
www.crbestbuydrugs.org
February 2005 -
Website of the Month
A directory of wireless phone numbers is being created which claims that only
those who choose to be listed will be included. So that you don't get unwanted
phone calls, you may wish to opt out. Add your cell number to the FTC's
National Do Not Call Registry online at
www.donotcall.gov or call 888-382-1222
January 2005 - Website
of the Month
Writing your will
At
the beginning of the year, we like to have resolutions and get things in order.
For information, go to www.abanet.org or
www.actec.org
December 2004 - Website of the
Month
Spyware/Pop-ups
Pop-ups are those windows for unwanted
websites (often commercial) that pop up at inopportune times in the browser.
However Spyware is software that is installed without the user's knowledge on
the computer where it can monitor activities, slow down performance, or just be
plain annoying.
Fortunately, Yahoo has a toolbar that can be installed that allows user to block pop-ups as well as install anti-spyware. Your instructor installed this program and when he scanned his hard drive, 7 unwanted programs were discovered (and removed). This is very easy to use...download is a snap and using it it is even easier!
For anti-spyware purposes, these two
programs got high ratings from Consumer Reports in late 2004. They are
both free and can be downloaded.
www.lavasoftusa.com
www.safer-networking.org
November 2004 - Website of the
Month
Free plants!
At Free Trees
and Plants, you can get plants for free (there are shipping and handling
charges involved). In addition, you are helping disabled people get work
as they package and label them. Nurseries often have too much stock
and rather then throw them out, they are donated to this wonderful organization
in Nebraska. S/H is about $6.95 per unit. They employ about 100 people in
their operation.
October 2004 - Website of the
Month
Dental Care
Dental care is expensive. Even if we have a log of money, it is still
costly to the pocketbook to have certain procedures such as caps, root canals,
and bridgework done. A source to find some competitive dental plans is
Discount Dental Plans.
There are several plans listed that you can compare. Other services such
as discounts on prescriptions, eyeglasses, and chiropractic services are
included with some. This is not insurance, there is a list of selected
dentists to choose from. Fees can range from $90 - $130 a year but if you
need some extensive dental surgery, the cost can pay for itself.
September 2004 - Website of the
Month
Reducing your home property tax
Many municipalities are often pinched and may pump their assessments and
rates on homes. It is worth fighting back. Only about 2% of
homeowners will take the time to fight the assessment. If homes in your
neighborhood are appraised for less or sold for less than your home's appraised
value, that is a sure sign your assessment is out of line. Or you can have
a "value killer" such as poor drainage, shoddy materials. Often, the local
taxing authority has incorrect information so that doesn't hurt to check.
Many municipalities have cut off dates so you need to file your complaint within
the right window of time. You can also download a "Property Tax Reduction
Kit" for $29.95 at
www.homeownertaxcut.com
August 2004 - Website of the
Month
Chat for less
The phone company
competition seems to drying up and costs will be rising. Spring Sense
customers will see a new $3.95 a month fee in August and MCI is hiking several
of its plans. To help cut your costs:
Keep track of rate increases at the Telecommunications Research and Action center’s www.trac.org.
Compare cell phone plans to see if it's time to lose the land line (the phone you keep in the house.)
Fine the right plan at either www.LetsTalk.com and www.Phonedog.com.
www.Vonage.com, internet based services, offers unlimited local and long distance calling for $29.99 a month.
July 2004 - Website of the
Month
Do you like chocolate?
Chocophile is the site
for you! Wonderful information about one of the "basic food groups!"
June 2004 - Website of the
Month
Got stuff? Want stuff??
Freecycle is a grassroots
movement to connect people to swap things. You can get ride of stuff or
get stuff for yourself.
May 2004 - Website of the
Month
Phone costs continue to
escalate if you're an infrequent user. Many of us still use the
traditional land line phone with the wire...often the most dependable in a power
failure. However, cell phones, VOIP (voice over internet protocol)
services can be convenient or very economical. There are also long
distance discounters which can save a lot on calls. To find such services,
go to either www.SaveOnPhones.com or
www.SmartPrice.com.
April 2004 - Website of the
Month
Part of retirement may mean spending less, downsizing into a smaller home
or forgoing overpriced vacations. Two good websites show you how much more or
less it will cost live in various cities. The sites are
www.bestplaces.net and
www.retirementliving.com. They
list information such as state taxes and tips on finding retirement communities.
March 2004 - Website of the
Month
All thumbs on the keyboard? Although you may have heard of Mavis
Beacon, this is another source that will show people of all ages how to use the
computer keyboard. it's
Ten Thumbs Typing
Tutor which costs $26. The introductory quiz custom tailors the
training to match your abilities. There are also a couple of typing games
that you may find amusing.
February 2004 - Website of the
Month
All of us love to be entertained...on a cold wintry
day, it may be fun to
look at these websites. First, there is
www.cowboypal.com which allows
you to relive the gold years of the cowboy
movies and their horses, from the 30's to the 50's. If you like musicals,
www.classicmoviemusicals.com
is the site for you...search film, actor, song, or composer.
For the literary person, these sites will be of interest to you. www.todayinliterature.com spotlights the major books, writers, and events of literary history. www.glossarist.com has links to glossaries, it can help you find the difference between words, etc.
Dealing with Viruses....the New York times had a report about MyDoom on February 5 in their Circuits section.
January 2004 - Website of the
Month
Did you get a new pc
over the holidays and no longer need that spare one at home! Worry no more...no
need to put it in the landfill. Provided the computer is somewhat recent, i.e.
it has a Pentium processor in it, you can donate it to a worthy group or
individual. Go to
www.sharetechnology.org. You can get a tax write off based on the actual
worth (check eBay for an approximate value). There's a message board on the
website with people explaining why they need old computers.
December 2003 - Website of the
Month
Need to find assistance for
a loved one who's getting older and may possibly be in need of assistance? There are many ways to maintain
independence...be it from assisted living to meals being delivered or an
occasional visit from a home health agency. This can make their lives very
fulfilling. Since 1991, the
Eldercare Locator, a
nationwide toll-free service, has helped older adults and their caregivers find
local services for seniors. November 2003 - Website of the
Month
SCAM ALERT! Hopefully
you know if the deal sounds too good to be true...trust your instinct.
Money back guarantees don't always work. Scams occur in all
categories...from investments to savings to "deals" on hotels or even drugs.
Check out the
FTC fact sheet. Or, call (toll free) 877-382-4357.
October 2003 - Website of the
Month
Dialing for Deals
Many of us still use dial up service as we are on the Internet for short periods
of time. You don't have to be locked into spending up to $25 per month
with one of the big services. There are numerous smaller Internet service
providers offering reliable, bare-bones Web access. Some of these
companies are the $4.75/mo www.550Access.com
or the $$6.50/mo www.650Dialup.com.
They keep costs low by cutting email and Web space. The connections are
reliable, with fewer users, you may get fewer busy signals. However, there
are some hidden fees. Most charge a small setup fee and some ca' the hours
at 200 a month. (however, that averages to be nearly 7 hours a day!).
Online tech support is usually free, just phoning the company can cost up to $5.
You can also compare options at
www.theispguide.com, a searchable database of more than 1,000 providers.
Another company which is advertising on television is www.NetZero.net. They are $9.95/month. To order your NetZero CD by phone, using a credit card, for $9.95 call: 1-800-333-3633 (open 24/7).
September 2003 - Website of the
Month
Moving? As we either downsize or need a new place to move, there's
a lot involved, be it across town or the country when a professional is hired.
Develop a
critical eye to size up potential movers. This site has a lit of bad
movers, with real stories from victims. You can find additional blacklists
at these sites,
www.MovingAdvocateTeam.com,
www.BadBusinessBureau.com, and
www.MovingScam.com. In addition, you can go to
www.Monstermoving.com to do research
about moving, getting movers. It is recommended NOT go get quotes online
as this can lead to inflated charges. Address change on the site can allow
you to provide your address to your magazines, credit cards, etc.
Monitoring of the industry is now done by the Dept of Transportation as the Interstate Commerce Commission was abolished in 1995. It is good to do your own research as they have few investigators working.
August 2003 - Website of the
Month
Health issues - getting bad
news from the doctor
At any age, we can have health issues. As we mature, the chances increase
in deteriorating health. In addition, to a second opinion, an
educated patient is a better patient. The Internet provides many excellent
sources.
Medline Plus is run by the US National
Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health. In addition,
www.healthfinder.gov has links to more
than 1,800 health-related organizations.
Stanford University Medical Center's health library offers free research help to anyone seeking information on an illness or treatment. Call 800-295-5177 or go to their website at http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu
July 2003 - Website of the
Month
Discount Shopping
for DVD/CD viewers and listeners! 15% off if you're an AARP member.
go to www.timelife.com/aarp and use
this code for your discount! AARPBUL
June 2003 - Website of the
Month
Nursing Homes
If a loved one has to go into a nursing home, it is good to know the quality of
the facility. Many offer excellent care with good attention; others are
not so good. Go to these links for further information:
Nursing Home
Quality Indicators
Additional information can be obtained (not definitive) at
www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp
Remember that neither of these websites is comprehensive, but they will provide
some excellent guidance.
May 2003 - Website of the
Month
Auction sites
Although ebay is the most popular site out there, there are a few others you
may wish to work with. No guarantees are made to your personal luck or
results. Although they may not have the diversity of ebay, you may find them
useful.
www.auctionport.com - tutorials, for
$20 will provide an online appraisal. limited amount of merchandise
available.
www.bidfields.com - tends to work with
smaller retailers
www.epier.com - community forms offer buying
and selling tips from pros
www.ioffer.com - "anti-auction" site
encourages haggling!
April
2003 - Website of the Month
Be wise about donations - many of them are good. However, you want your
money to go to the cause and not to administration - at least 65% of the
donation should go to the cause, be it fighting hunger, education, or health
care. One tip: don't respond to phone requests. If you get a
phone call, ask for a written mission statement. You may wish to create
your own giving plan for a favored charity. Verify the organization's
license with the state charity registration office, and ask for confirmation of
its tax-exempt status. For help, go to the Wise Giving website at
www.give.org or write to 4000 Wilson Blvd,
Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203 for a copy of its Wise Giving Guide.
Get the AIP (American Institute of Philanthropy) free charity guide by emailing them at aip@charitywatch.org or write PO Box 578460, Chicago, IL 60657. For AIP's list of top-rated charities, go to www.charitywatch.org.
March
2003 - Website of the Month
Internet Discussion Boards- online support groups can allow people with
similar health programs to exchange information and encourage each other.
A one year survey of nearly 600 back pain sufferers (published in the
Archives of Internal Medicine) found that people who used an email
discussion group to commiserate, swap pointers, etc. had less pain and fewer
doctor visits than those who didn't participate.
To locate online support groups for a variety of topics, visit www.selfhelpgroups.org. Or, use your favorite search engine, enter your condition followed by "support group."
February
2003 - Website of the Month
The AARP has many useful tools on their website:
AARP Bulletin -
has updated state by state directory of drug discount programs telling you what
is covered, if you qualify, and whom to contact.
AARP Modern Maturity - their
magazine with on-line features
My Generation -
another one of their magazines, with special estate-planning article.
How to computer
guides, website reviews, and discussion groups!
January
2003 - Website of the Month
There are many ways to invest retirement income. Charitable gift
annuities can provide a predictable stream of income and can provide for
the charity afterwards. In exchange for your gifts of of cash, stock
or other property, donors can get a lifetime of fixed payments.
Beware! They've attracted the interest of con artists and other crooks - so much so that they have become lucrative scams. Gift annuities are subject to no federal regulation. Many people have lost their entire retirement nest eggs.
The American Council on Gift Annuities has applicable state regulations and other information at www.acga-web.org
December
2002 - Website of the Month
We know it is the holiday season and we want to think of fun, good times,
and of course great food. However this month's "issue" is
cholesterol! A silent killer, we need to have at least a bit of self
control while partying and fa-la-la'ing!
American Heart Association
800 AHA-USA1
To assess
your heart attack risk (you'll need your cholesterol level)
November
02 -
With people moving, companies relocating, etc. pensions can get "lost".
If you worked at any company, especially 5 years or more, you have have a
pension waiting for you. Send a letter to:
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
1200 K St. NW
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 400-7242
When
writing, include you name, address, phone Soc Sec #, birth date, companies
worked for, and, if possible, dates of employment. Or, log on to
www.pbgc.gov.
Click here for more information on a
pension tune-up.
October
02
website expired
September 02 Nearly 14% of Americans were without insurance in 200. Little know
fact: many drug manufacturers have Patient Assistance Programs,
offering no-or low-cost prescription drugs at no or low cost to people
unable to afford their medicines. Many patients, and doctors don't
know about this program. to locate this program, please go to this
website:
www.needymeds.com
They are not a drug assistance program, but they offer information and tools to help consumer and health care professionals learn more about programs operated by each participating drug manufacturer. This site is a nonprofit without any advertising, they are located in Pennsylvania.
August 02 Diabetes - it can affect all ages. There are many
different levels of it and it can often be controlled through diet, exercise,
and medication.
American Heart Association
800 242 8721
American Diabetes Association
800 342 2383
National Diabetes Education
Program 800 438 5383
July 02 Alzheimer's can be a very
debilitating situation for any family, especially to see a vibrant loved
one deteriorate. However, there is medical treatment, support
groups and more research. This is some information that you may
find of interest.
Alzheimer's Association
800 272-3900
Alzheimer's Disease
Education and Referral Center: 800 438 4380
The Administration on Aging (for treatment center referrals) 800 677 1116
June 02 Mental Health - whether it is ours or someone else's, this
is something that is treatable, like any other disease. Some sites that
may be of use to you:
National Mental Health Association
800 969-NMHA
National Institute of Mental
Health 888-8-ANXIETY
NOSAD
May 02 Vision is a very important sense for all of us, regardless of age.
However, it is important to maintain our visual health with an exam on an annual
basis! When you use the computer, you may need a special pair of glasses
for close up work and to avoid eye strain. Some good sites to go
to:
Foundation fighting blindness 888 394 3937 www.blindness.org
National Eye Institute
301 496 5248
Prevent Blindness
America 800 331 2020