ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

One small bright spot coming out of the doom and gloom of economic news this week: gas prices are way down. Despite this good news, demand is still remaining uncharacteristically low here. Why? Well for starters with the national average still above $3.40 a gallon, gas isn't exactly cheap. Americans seems to be sticking with their newly learned frugal habits and the lack of demand will likely drive prices even lower. This is a good thing, especially considering how the cost of everything else seems to have gone up even as we have less money to spend. If you're looking for ways to save on gas, try these tips, or if you're really feeling desperate to save on your commute, there's always this:

I've been sick the last few days (forgive me for the lack of posting) so when I saw our recent article on Flu shots in Bulletin Today, of course it struck a chord with me.

Who should get a flu shot? While I think anyone working in an office of more than two people should get one, technically, this is the flu shot profile:

• People age 50 and older
• Nursing home residents
• Health care workers
• People with chronic diseases that weaken their immune systems
• People who are in contact with those at high risk for flu
• Children and teens, from six months to 18 years old
• Pregnant women

If you're like me, you don't have time for a doctor's appointment so you can check out senior centers, pharmacies and public clinics in your community for free or low-cost shots.

Happy vaccinating!

More than 700 people turned out for a diverse, intergenerational Debate Watch Party at Nashville's Centennial Park on Tuesday night. The crowds turned out despite a rainstorm that force planners to move the event from outdoors to an enclosed pavilion at the park. Photos of the party are posted on the AARP Tennessee website. Here are some highlights.

Debate Watch Team in Nashville with Champ

Mayor Karl Dean Signs DWF Pledge

Read More »

Technological advances seem to have no limit these days and this particular device is all about removing limitation. A Japanese company has created a robotic suit with the potential to give the ability to walk and carry things to those who currently can't. The suit reads impulses sent from the brain to operate its mechanical limbs. This machine holds the promise for increased mobility and strength for a host of people from those who have suffered injury to older people who have lost dexterity and strength. The suits are ready to be mass produced in Japan and will be available for monthly rental in Japan and elsewhere. The company has yet to decide on plans to sell the suit in America, but if they do, you can have your very own robotic exoskeleton for the low, low price of just under $60,000.

Have a look:

Pretty impressive, but call me when it can do this:

Tell us who won and why!

Don't forget that tonight Senators Obama and McCain will face-off in a townhall-style debate tonight! You can check your local listings for times and stations that will be carrying the event.

Just like last week's VP debate, we'll be hosting another poll where you cast your vote for you think came out on top! Visit us immediately after the debate and tell us what you thought.

Even though voting on the VP poll continues, here are the results as of today, at 3:41 p.m. ET. Interesting stuff indeed!

So the stock market has hit its lowest levels in four years, credit is tight and home values are down. We are all starting to get accustomed to these facts, but the real-world implications for the economic slow down are just starting to reveal themselves. One of the big losers in the current economic climate is retirement savings. Even before the markets really tanked, an AARP survey showed that 20% of baby boomers had stopped contributing to their retirement savings, and a third were considering postponing retirement. It's doubtful that the swooning economy of recent weeks has done much to improve these numbers. So if your nest egg is starting to look like this:

You're not alone.

Hey, it's tough out there. It's even tougher with unemployment rising and all these companies going under, being bought, merging...you name it. If you find yourself in the position of having to re-start your career check out Bob Skladany's article taking a look at things you should do when you're laid off.