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Embracing Essential Civic Duty

There are some things in our lives that require attention immediately. Perhaps the smoke alarm starts screaming in the middle of the night. Maybe you hear the screeching of tires on the street outside your door. Or when you open your mailbox to find an official-looking letter from your local Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. The latter could truly make some nervous. However, it most likely is a letter telling you that you have been selected for jury duty. The process is rather simple. The letter provides detailed instructions on how you will be notified when to appear for a trial at your ...

Helping an Aging Parent Manage Their Money

Dear Savvy Senior, Since my dad passed away last year, my 82-year-old mother has struggled to keep up with her bills. She’s proud and insists on doing things herself, but I worry she’s falling behind. How can I help her manage her finances without upsetting her? – Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, You’re not alone – lots of adult children step in to help aging parents with their finances. Whether it’s paying bills, handling bank accounts, filing insurance claims, or sorting through taxes, taking on these responsibilities can feel tricky. The key is to approach it ...

Until Next Year …

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 ...

How to Better Protect Your Social Security Number

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 ...

Today’s Twilight Zone

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 ...

Medicare and Moving: What You Need to Know

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 ...