October, 2011Archive

Fall Savings Challenge: How Did YOU Do?

Posted on 10/28/2011 by Jeff Yeager | The Ultimate Cheapskate | Comments

Money & SavingsWith this edition of the Savings Challenge nearing its end, I’ve been tallying up how I’ve done in meeting the special challenge we set out for the group: Find creative ways to pay less than full price for everything you buy during the month of October. In my case, I’m reminded of that line from the old sitcom Get Smart: “Missed it by that much.” Between coupons, store specials, and a couple of items from the discounted “dented cans bin” …

The Takeaway: Aspirin Cuts Bowel Cancer Risk; GPS Shoes For Patients With Dementia

Posted on 10/28/2011 by Elizabeth Brown | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsPatients who took 600 mg of aspirin daily for two years were 63 percent less likely to get colorectal cancer than those who took a placebo. New GPS sneakers were designed mainly with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in mind.

Tackling Concussions

Posted on 10/27/2011 by Trish Vradenburg | Before I Forget | Comments

Personal HealthGood news for football moms…and football dads…and football grandparents…and anyone who watches football…and, well, anyone who cares about human life and scientific research. (There must be a category you fit into.) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, at first in denial about the link between player’s repeated concussions and degenerative cognitive function or Alzheimer’s later in life, has made a laudable 180-degree turnaround. He is now a vocal champion for the safety of his players: “There is no issue of greater importance …

The Takeaway: Why Diets Fail (The ‘Blame Your Hormones’ Edition); Financial Strategies for Supporting Aging Parents

Posted on 10/27/2011 by Elizabeth Brown | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsHunger hormones may refuse to return to normal for up to a year after dieting. And what’s the best way for boomers to provide financial support to aging parents?

Licorice Lovers: FDA Warns About Eating Too Much

Posted on 10/27/2011 by Candy Sagon | Personal Health and Well-being | Comments

Bulletin Today | Personal HealthDays before Halloween, the biggest candy binge of the year, the Food and Drug Administration has a spooky warning for older adults: Don’t over-indulge in black licorice, especially if you’re 40 or older. It turns out, a compound in licorice root can affect your heart rhythm. Older adults who eat two ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks risk landing in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, according to the FDA. (How much exactly is …

Take Tax Deductions for Job-Hunting Expenses, Energy Efficiency & More

Posted on 10/26/2011 by Deb Silverberg | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Money & Savings | WorkApril may seem far away, but thinking about your taxes now can leave you with more money in your pocket later. Start gathering your receipts and records, and take advantage of every tax break you can. Here are some ways you might be able to reduce your tax burden for 2011, from deductions for job-hunting and self-employment to medical expenses to energy savings to retirement funding.