Reduce Junk Mail and Catalogs - Protect Yourself and Save Trees!

Does your weekly mail delivery include a pile of catalogs, junk mail and advertisements which go directly into your recycling bin?  My husband and I frequently receive catalogs which we never requested and which must have cost a fortune to publish.  It seems like such a waste for someone to print, mail, and deliver these items, only to have them end up unread, in the trash.  

We also receive unsolicited credit card offers, and promotions from hotels, investment companies, Medicare supplements and similar mailings.  While it may seem harmless to simply throw these things away, someone checking our trash could easily learn our name, address, that we are retired, and that we are considered good potential clients by investment companies.  If you want to make sure this type of information is kept private, your best solution is to purchase a home paper shredder (Ad) to destroy anything which comes to your home which could provide the wrong person with too much information about you.  In particular, you will want to destroy credit card offers. However, it may be too much work to shred larger items, such as catalogs.  In those cases, it might be better to stop them from coming in the first place.

Recently, I learned there are a few easy steps we can all take which may not totally eliminate these mailings, but could substantially reduce them.   Hopefully, after cutting down on our junk mail, it will be one less thing we have to deal with each day.  Below are some recommendations from experts:

Dealing with Catalogs and Junk Mail

DMAChoice.org - This is a site which will let you remove your name and address from many catalog lists.  You have to register an account and pay a $2 processing fee.  In return, they will unsubscribe you from entire categories of mail, which include catalogs and advertisements.  You can also unsubscribe only from the particular catalogs you do not want to receive.

Catalogchoice.org - This site is free and helps you unsubscribe from catalogs, but only one at a time.  In addition, it will not unsubscribe you from catalogs from businesses you have dealt with in the past as a customer.  They will only remove you from the prospect lists of companies you have not used in the past.  If you have been a customer of a company and want to unsubscribe from their catalog, you will have to visit their website to unsubscribe. 

Catalogchoice.org - In addition to reducing the number of catalogs you receive, this company will also offer a way to reduce your general junk mail.  You can use their free service, which will send opt-out requests to individual companies which are already marketing to you.  For a $20 "donation" they also have a premium unlisting service which will remove your name from data brokers who sell your contact information to marketers. 

It is unclear whether using the above services is a permanent solution, or if you will have to update your requests periodically.

Sweepstakes Lists

The two major companies which send out sweepstakes to virtually everyone in the country are Publishers Clearinghouse and Readers Digest.  You can remove yourself from these contests using the contact information below:

Publisher's Clearinghouse:  800-645-9242 or privacychoices@pchmail.com

Reader's Digest: 800-310-6261

If you still want to enter those contests, you can participate online, at your leisure, without the need to pour through thick packets of material and mail back an entry.  

Credit Card Offers

Credit card offers are a particularly dangerous type of junk mail.  Someone could potentially steal the applications from your mailbox and submit them, with an address change.  This could create a false identity which might ruin your credit and take you months or years to correct.  

Unfortunately, the major consumer credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax, plus another company called Innovis, are the ones who maintain the mailing lists which are used by credit card and insurance companies to send you junk mail.  Fortunately, you can call one phone number to have your name and address removed from these mailing lists.  It is listed below 

Opt Out of credit card offers and insurance company mail at:

1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688)

Or, go online at:  optoutprescreen.com

Until you have successfully opted out of the credit card offers, make sure you use a home shredder (Ad) to destroy any offers which are sent to your home.  There are many choices and price ranges available. You do not want to simply toss credit card offers in the trash, without shredding them first. 

Stop Marketers from Sharing Your Name

Did you know that when you make a purchase, enter a contest, subscribe to a magazine, mail in a warranty card, or give your name and address to a company for any reason, you will be put on a mailing list which can be shared or sold to other companies?  

The best way to protect yourself is to be proactive anytime you mail in a warranty card (which is not usually necessary).  Whenever you give a business your name, write these words next to it:  "Do Not Rent or Sell my Name" or "No Mailing Lists."

Unsubscribe from Junk Emails

Another way to protect yourself from unwanted attention from companies is to go to the bottom of unwanted emails and click "unsubscribe."  It will reduce the number of junk emails you get, which could also reduce any unwanted attention from companies.  Another option is to just have anything from that company sent to the Spam file in your email.  

While taking these actions will not completely eliminate all junk mail, especially from local businesses and vendors, it could substantially reduce the amount of mail coming to your home. In addition, by eliminating unwanted catalogues and frequent mailings, you may also save a few trees!

You can find gifts for retirees and others at my Etsy Store, DeborahDianGifts:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive one weekly email containing the most current post. 

If you are interested in learning more about financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues as you age, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Photo credits:  Pixabay - cattu

Is Inflammation Killing You? Learn How to Tame It

 Many of us do not realize that inflammation is one of the causes of a wide variety of illnesses, including cancer, gout, arthritis, heart disease, asthma, dementia and diabetes.  Inflammation is complicated, because it is both the cause of many illnesses, as well as a result of them.  This creates a dangerous cycle.  As our body fights off illnesses, our level of inflammation increases.  When it increases, it can also trigger other illnesses. Consequently, it may feel as if our health is cascading downward.

The November, 2019 issue of the AARP Bulletin contained some helpful information about the ways we can protect ourselves from the damage that long-term chronic inflammation can cause.  First, however, we need to understand the causes.

What Causes Inflammation?

Inflammation is a natural response to a variety of assaults on our health.  It is the normal reaction to any threat to our body.  We are aware of it when we have a fever and our body temperature rises to fight a virus.  Inflammation is also present when we injure ourselves and the tissue around the injury swells.  These are examples of temporary, acute inflammation.  However, sometimes inflammation lingers and begins to damage the healthy, surrounding tissue or organs.  It can last a long time and become chronic.  That is when it can trigger other health issues.

Chronic inflammation can be caused by long-lasting infections such as hepatitis C or Lyme disease.  It can also be a response to air or water pollution, allergies, and similar environmental factors.  In addition, lifestyle issues such as obesity, smoking, stress, alcohol use, poor sleep, poor diets and lack of physical exercise can all contribute to chronic inflammation.

The more factors at work in your life, the more likely you are to be experiencing chronic inflammation.  For example, if you are recovering from a serious illness, and breathing polluted air, and overweight, sleeping poorly, and eating badly, you have created a situation where your immune system is constantly on high alert and continually inflamed. This makes you even more vulnerable to developing additional illnesses.  Of course, the cycle just escalates until it may feel as if every system in your body is breaking down.

One way you can reduce the inflammatory reaction in your body is to eat an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the one you can find in "The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners: A No-Stress Meal Plan with Easy Recipes to Heal the Immune System." (Ad) If you suspect that inflammation has put your body into a downward spiral, following this diet is a good place to start turning things around. 

How Do You Know if You Have Chronic Inflammation?

The truth is that, as we age, virtually everyone has some degree of inflammation.  The AARP article described it as a "flickering ember" which you do not want to let "erupt into a forest fire."  Just carrying a little excess weight, especially belly fat, means you are carrying around "highly inflammatory tissue."  When you add in the fact that you may be eating too much sugar and/or unhealthy, fatty meats, you already have several factors causing inflammation in your body.

In addition, simply getting older causes our inflammation markers to rise. The older we are, the more opportunity we have had to be exposed over the years to chronic diseases, bad food choices, alcohol, and environmental toxins.  To make matters worse, aging makes it harder for our bodies to manage our immune system, shed weight and extract nutrients from food.  This means we need to work even harder to reduce our chronic inflammation.

Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Inflammation

If you want to reduce the amount of disease-causing inflammation in your body, the first step is to avoid foods and activities which tend to rev up the inflammation. 

Avoid white bread and other low-fiber foods.
Avoid processed foods and desserts which tend to be low in fiber and high in sugar.
Avoid fried foods.
Avoid bottled salad dressing.
Avoid saturated fats
Avoid drinking, smoking and places where there is second-hand smoke.
Work to get rid of any belly fat you are carrying.
Avoid situations and behaviors which lead to stress and a bad attitude.

How to Tame Your Chronic Inflammation

It is not enough that you simply avoid things which increase your inflammation.  It is also important to engage in positive activities and diets which will reduce it.

Focus on getting good, restful sleep every night.
Eat whole grains, including whole-grain bread.
Eat a variety of fruits, including grapes, apples, and berries
Include beans and tea in your diet
Eat yogurt which is low in sugar and contains live cultures
Consume plenty of colorful salads
Use healthy fats such as olive oil.
Eat food containing healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, fish and flax.
Get exercise.  Even a walk outdoors can make a difference.
Go to the dentist. Gum inflammation can lead to other diseases.
Use prayer and meditation to reduce your stress.  Yoga and religious practices can lower some markers of inflammation.

Why Should I Do These Things?

It may seem like it takes a lot of effort and major lifestyle changes in order to reduce your inflammation. However, would you rather do these things or spend years of your life dealing with heart disease, cancer, diabetes or, possibly, all three at once?

One more word of caution:  You cannot simply take a pill to reduce your inflammation.  While occasionally taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen might help with acute inflammation, it is not a good solution for long-term chronic inflammation.  These drugs also have side effects such as stomach bleeding and increased blood pressure, and those problems will eventually increase your inflammation, not decrease it.

You can find gifts for retirees and others at my Etsy Store, DeborahDianGifts:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive a weekly email with the most current post.
 

If you want to know more about dealing with common medical health issues as you age, Medicare, Social Security, financial planning, where to retire and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

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Photo credit:  Wikimedia

Dementia Risk Higher for Baby Boomers - Faster Mental Decline as We Age!

Have we Baby Boomers been careless about the way we are aging?  There seems to be some indication of this, based on what researchers are seeing with our mental decline. There are indications that our cognitive function is not as good as it was for our parents and grandparents at the same age! The good news is that it is not too late for most of us to make the necessary changes to protect our brains from declining too fast. 

As the attached graphic from the University of California in Irvine shows, dementia is an "umbrella term" which covers many types of cognitive decline,  with Alzheimer's Disease being the most common.  However, it also includes dementia which is caused by Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Bodies, Vascular problems, brain damage and many other pathologies. With everything we know today about dementia, how is it that Baby Boomers are seeing more cognitive decline at an earlier age than earlier generations?

What is it that researchers have discovered, and what can we do to avoid being one of the Baby Boomers who will prematurely develop dementia?

Baby Boomer Cognitive Decline

According to a study called "Health and Retirement" which appeared in the Journals of Gerontology, the University of Michigan followed a group of 30,191 people from 1996 to 2014.  This was a sizeable and lengthy study.  People born between 1942 and 1947 had better cognitive function than those born between 1890 and 1923. However, Baby Boomers, who were born after 1947, had significantly worse cognitive functioning than either of the preceding two generations.  

Some of the Baby Boomers they studied showed signs of cognitive decline as early as ages 50 to 54.  The participants were given standard cognitive tests which included memorizing lists of words and counting backwards from 100 by sevens.  Older senior citizens were able, as a group, to perform these tasks better than Baby Boomers, when their scores were compared at the same age.

Why are Baby Boomers Showing Faster Mental Decline?

The author of the study was Hui Zheng, an associate professor at Ohio State University. Although the study was not able to completely ascertain all the reasons for the rapid cognitive decline in Baby Boomers, they were able to get some indications from their research.  When compared with older generations, they found that Baby Boomers, as a group, had lower household wealth, were less likely to be married as they aged, were lonelier, and exhibited more depression and psychiatric problems.  

In addition, the physical health of many Baby Boomers was not as good as the overall health of their older relatives at the same age.  Baby Boomers were more likely to be obese, physically inactive, and suffer from diabetes or other chronic illnesses.

One cause of dementia is head trauma, and many Baby Boomers have engaged in more aggressive sports and other activities which exposed them to concussions and falls.  Baby Boomers should avoid risky activities that could lead to brain injury, as a way to reduce their risk of developing injury related dementia.

In addition to the research done at Ohio State University, and other study centers, researchers from the University of California - Irvine have also studied the causes of dementia and they have found that, although there are some factors which people cannot change, there are others which are well within our control.  Among those which are unavoidable are genetics, such as a family history of dementia. We cannot change our parents.  However, there are steps we can all take to reduce our dementia risk, even if we have a family history of Alzheimer's or similar diseases.

Are Baby Boomers Doomed to Early Dementia?

The good news is that many of the factors which contribute to early dementia are in our control.  We can make lifestyle changes which slow down the signs of cognitive decline and can improve our mental functioning.  Although not all dementia can be completely prevented, there are signs that people are able to slow it down, often by years, even when family members have a genetic predisposition.  Simply giving ourselves a few more years of clear thinking is something we should all strive to do.  

For example, in addition to avoiding brain injury, we can also lower our dementia risk by avoiding midlife obesity, midlife hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and poor sleep. 

If you are serious about taking steps to protect your aging brain, a good place to start is by reading  "The End of Alzheimer's Program: The First Protocol to Enhance Cognition and Reverse Decline at Any Age." (Ad)

How to Slow Down Dementia

According to researchers at the University of California in Irvine, certain behaviors tend to speed up dementia, and other behaviors tend to slow it down. They have been studying the "Oldest of the Old" for over 50 years in the California retirement community where I live.  Some of their results have been presented on the television show "60 Minutes." The researchers have tested their participants, followed up with them annually for decades, and even dissected the brains of some of the participants after they died.  In their research, they have learned that the more lifestyle changes we make, the more likely it is that we will be able to postpone dementia. 

As you can see from the attached chart of Life Style Risk Factors from UCI, here are some of the actions which seem to slow down the development of dementia:

* Education: The more education we have, the lower our dementia risk.  It is never too late to continue to take classes and learn. Do not worry about whether or not you have an advanced degree.  Taking classes in anything which interests you or that improves your job skills is a good way to strengthen the connections in your brain.  You may also want to take foreign language classes, music lessons, or writing classes, even if you are already in your 70s or older.

*  Diet: Eat a healthy, balanced diet which includes adequate protein and a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy oils such as olive oil, avocados and nuts.  Often referred to as the Mind Diet, you can learn more details on how to follow it by reading "Mind Diet for Beginners: 85 Recipes and a 7-Day Kickstart Plan to Boost Your Brain Health."  (Ad)

*  Exercise: Get daily physical exercise.  At least 30 minutes a day of walking and/or weight training is recommended.  If arthritis or other problems make this difficult, try water aerobics.  It is important to move every day.  It will increase the blood flow to the brain.  

*  Brain activities: Stimulate your brain with a variety of cognitive activities, including playing games, working puzzles, etc.  Try to do different types of brain activities, especially ones which you find challenging. As you learn to do new things, your brain will also make new connections.

*  Social activity:  Many people, especially those who are isolated, do not realize how important it is to socialize with others on a regular basis.  Having a conversation is a complex process and people who engage with other people regularly are more likely to keep their brains sharp.  After the pandemic, when people were more isolated than normal, it became especially important for people to look for ways to socialize with family and friends as often as possible.  If you cannot get out of the house to see people, try having phone conversations or Zoom meetings as often as possible. What is most important is that you are actually engaged in these conversations, and not distracted.  You need to practice listening to what is said, and then responding appropriately in a way that invites them to respond.  This "conversational ping-pong" is one of the best ways to keep your brain sharp.

*  Get Necessary Medical Care:  It is much harder to stay engaged in conversation, take classes, get exercise, or do other brain stimulating activities if you are not taking care of your health and, most importantly, your hearing.  People who need hearing aides and do not get them are more likely to develop dementia.  Some researchers have also learned that people who have had Covid-19 may be more likely to develop dementia, which is one more reason to get vaccinated and take other precautions. You want to follow your doctor's recommendations regarding your cardiovascular health, as well.  A stroke, aneurysm, or serious heart attack can do significant damage to your brain. People who are sedentary because they do not feel well or experience pain are also more likely to develop dementia.  See your doctor and get medical treatment for any health problems you may be experiencing.  The better your overall health, the stronger your brain will be, too. 

You can learn more ways to maintain your brain health in "The End of Alzheimer's Program: The First Protocol to Enhance Cognition and Reverse Decline at Any Age." (Ad)

You can find gifts for retirees and others at my Etsy Store, DeborahDianGifts:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive a weekly email with the most current post. 

If you are interested in learning more about common medical issues as you age, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, financial planning, travel and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

 Graphic credits: University of California - Irvine slides

Protect Yourself from New Scams and Old Ones, Too!

People around the world are losing millions of dollars a year to scammers.  Many of these scammers live in poor countries, such as India, where unemployment is high, especially for young adults.  It is easy for them to get pulled into working for "boiler rooms" where they use auto-dialers to call thousands of vulnerable people in the United States and other countries every day, attempting to convince them to send money to the scammers.  They are willing to use a wide variety of different approaches, which makes it almost impossible to list them all.  

The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself before you lose money to them, and we will describe some of the best ways to stay safe from them.  The bad news is that once you have wired those funds or provided gift card numbers to the scammers, it will be almost impossible to get your money back.  Obviously, you want to learn how to protect yourself before it is too late.

Common Phone and Email Scams - Don't believe these callers!

You missed jury duty and owe a fine 

Your Social Security number was used in a crime

The police are going to arrest you if you do not pay a fine right now

Your grandchild or family member has been kidnapped and you must pay a ransom

Your family member has been arrested and needs bail money

You missed a Zoom meeting and need to click on a link to restore your account

You won a contest, and just need to send in a processing fee

Apply for a job at an unknown company

Your computer supposedly has a virus, with bold alerts lighting up your screen, and a caller, or the person sending the message to you, offers to "fix your computer" for you

A brand-name product is for sale on Facebook or another online site at a "too good to be true" price

Someone is romantically interested in you, but needs money to visit or to help a sick relative

You are entitled to a Medicare service, but you need to give out your Medicare number to get it

A person or company "accidentally" deposited money in one of your accounts, and needs you to return it.

There is a problem with your credit card and you need to click on a link to verify your information.

ALL of the above approaches are actually common scams.  Sadly, people in the United States, Canada and Europe fall for them often, and frequently send money to the scammers.  Too often, they only realize they have been scammed when it is too late.  Don't click on links in unsolicited emails.  This is the first step in avoiding these scams.

The Job Search Scam

While looking for a job on the internet, you may see ads which list wonderful sounding jobs at fabulous salaries, but they do not mention the name of the company.  PROCEED WITH CAUTION.  This may simply be an attempt to steal your identity.  

If an unknown company asks you to fill out an application, including giving them your full name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, driver's license number and similar information, DO NOT DO IT. 

You should only go directly to the website of companies you know to apply for a job, and fill in their online application.  Do not fill in an application for a job if you do not the name of the company that is asking you for your personal information.  You also need to make sure you check the URL of the company, so you are certain you are on the correct website, and not on a fake website that seems similar.  You will probably never hear from the fake company, but they will then have all the information they need to do things such as file a fake tax return form in your name, apply for unemployment insurance benefits in your name, get credit cards in your name, and commit similar crimes.  Everyone, including teenagers and senior citizens, should check on their credit reports once or twice a year to make sure their personal information is not being misused by someone else.  

A Common Scam Story

Here is a true story from someone who lives in my retirement community:

 "I got a phone call from someone who said he was my grandson, saying he was in a car accident, the airbag went off in his face, broke his nose (which is why he was hard to understand), and he had seven stitches.  He said he hit another car and the other driver is in critical condition and my grandson could be tried for manslaughter. He gave me his booking number and told me to call his 'lawyer' who would tell me what to do.  I called the 'lawyer' who told me how to wire money to get my grandson out of jail. I went to the bank with my husband and we wired $6000 to these people, and then found out it was a scam.  My grandson is fine, but it was a traumatic experience, and we lost $6000." 

Do NOT fall for any of the con artists who are trying to steal money from you.  They are very good and very convincing. They often work in teams.  They have a variety of phone numbers for you to call, so you can speak to fake lawyers, doctors, or anyone else they may need to use in order to convince you to send them money.  If someone ever tells you they are calling from a hospital or courthouse and say they need money from you, look up the phone numbers of those places yourself and place calls to confirm that your family member is actually there, and in trouble. Also, contact other members of your family for confirmation. Do your research before sending money to a stranger, even one who sounds legitimate.  

Payment Methods are the First Clue to Fraud

One indication that you are about to be the victim of fraud is when they ask you to use an unusual method of payment, they want the payment immediately, and they discourage you from contacting anyone about the money transfer. They also usually decline to accept a check or credit card as payment.  That is an immediate red flag that it is a scam. Legitimate companies accept credit cards and many also accept checks. The scammer wants to be paid in a way which cannot be traced and which cannot be cancelled.  Some of the payment methods scammers prefer are:

Retail gift cards which they can quickly redeem for other gift cards

Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies

Cash - often with instructions to wrap it in tinfoil and mail it overnight

Phone apps like Venmo, Zelle and Cash App

Wire transfers like MoneyGram or Western Union

Once the scammer has received their funds using one of the above methods, it is nearly always gone within minutes, and the victim cannot get a refund.  The scammer will frequently give the victim detailed instructions such as instructing you to tell store clerks and bank tellers that you are sending the money, wire transfer, or gift cards to a sick relative.  As soon as you are told to keep what you are doing a secret, or to lie about what is going on, it is a scam. No legitimate business would ask you to do that.

How to Protect Yourself from Scams

DO NOT answer phone calls from unknown callers. Let them go to voicemail and then listen to the message and decide if you need to respond.  

DO NOT call strangers back. If they say they are calling from your bank or a company you use, look up the number and go directly to the company.

DO NOT respond to emails or text messages which are unsolicited. Just have those types of messages go to your spam file. If you happen to open one by accident, DO NOT click on any links in the email or text.  If a legitimate company emails you, go directly to their website to verify the information.  Do not click on a link in the email.  Personally, I have received several emails supposedly from PayPal which claim my account will be closed and I need to click on this link.  However, when I go directly to PayPal, there is no problem with my account.  Be skeptical of any emails or messages which indicate a problem with any of your accounts, whether it appears to be from your bank, credit card, Amazon, or a subscription service, such as Netflix.

DELETE suspicious emails and close pop-up ads.

Whenever you do happen to answer a phone call with a stranger, ask them to send their offer to you in writing and then hang up.  However, your best option is to not answer the call, if possible.

Hang up the phone anytime you get a robocall. Ignore ALL recorded messages, unless it is simply an alert from your local government. Those should be clearly identified on your Caller ID as a RED ALERT or something similar.  Any other recorded message can usually be ignored.

Hang up on phone calls claiming to be from "police charities," Social Security, jury duty bailiffs, the IRS, cold calls from investment companies, sales people, and others whom you do not know and have not contacted first.  In particular, government agencies do not call people without contacting them first by letter.

DO NOT allow anyone to remotely access your computer or download software to your computer, unless you know you are definitely dealing with a reputable source and it is someone you contacted, not someone who unexpectedly contacted you to help you "solve" a computer problem. 

BE SUSPICIOUS of any contact you receive from anyone who is not a friend, family member, or a business or organization you expect to contact you.  You should even be suspicious of relatives who have unusual requests or who ask to be co-signers on your accounts. Do not take on responsibility for someone else's loans or debts.  Co-signing a loan makes you fully responsible if the relative fails to pay. 

EDUCATE yourself. Sign up for AARP, which publishes new information on the latest scams nearly every month.  In addition, read a helpful book such as "Scam-Proof Your Assets." (Ad) It will help you learn how to protect yourself from the latest scams and protect your financial accounts. 

Free Services to Help Protect You

If you want to make sure you are getting all your mail, sign up for the free mail notification service from the U.S. Postal service at InformedDelivery.usps.com. They will email you images of your mail every day and, if some of it is missing, you will know very quickly. It will also make it easier to trace packages and registered mail.  I love the service and used it once to trace a missing shipment of prescription medications.

When you receive unwanted calls on your cell phone, block them immediately. I used to get daily phone calls offering me a free vacation.  Each time, I blocked the number.  Eventually, they must have run out of numbers, because I have not received the calls for over a year. Keep blocking the callers until they run out of numbers or give up. 

Go to DoNotCall.gov and list your phone number.  That will stop some calls, but not all of them.

Call your service provider and see if you can get a free call screening or call-blocking option.

Paid Services to Help Protect You

Subscribe to a service like Elefend. It will automatically join your calls and alert you if the caller uses key words which are often used by scammers.  I wrote another post which will explain more about Elefend.  You will find it at:  

https://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com/2020/10/elefend-defends-against-scam-phone.html

Sign up for Identity Theft protection. Good examples are NortonLifeLock, EverSafe.com and IDSheild.com.  They will alert you if they see suspicious activity on your Social Security number, bank accounts or credit cards.

Set up notifications on your credit cards and bank accounts, so you are immediately notified of each transaction.  Make sure you recognize all the transactions on your accounts and contact the banks if you see suspicious activity.  

Check the photos of people who contact you online.  Often that potential "romantic partner" is totally fake. Recently, a woman in India filed a lawsuit against Prince Harry claiming that he promised to marry her. Someone claiming to be Prince Harry had sent her Prince Harry's photo.  Sadly, similar incidents happen all the time.  You can use reverse image search tools on sites such as images.Google.com, TinEye.com and Yandex.com.  If you see the same photo being used with multiple names, you know it is not a real person, whether you met them on a dating site, Words with Friends, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or some other online site.

Find more ways to identify and protect yourself from getting entangled romantically with con artists by reading "Con Artist Dating: Your Judgment Free Guide to Preventing and Recovering from Relationship Scams." (Ad)  Many people have found the book quite helpful when being contacted online by new "friends" or romantic prospects. 

Either you or your older family members might benefit by having all financial accounts monitored for unusual transactions using services such as GuideChange.com and EverSafe.com.  They look for red flags and send you an alert if they find unusual transactions.

Check out potential caregivers before you hire them at GoodHire.com, Checkr.com or IntelliCorp.net.

Have your emails encrypted using Tutanota.com or Mailfence.com.

Most people will not use all the options listed in this article and, of course, your first line of defense is one your parents told you when you were a young child:  DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS.  Those wise words may not protect you from all scams, but they will protect you from many of them.

You can find gifts for retirees and others at my Etsy Store, DeborahDianGifts:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahDianGifts

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive a weekly email with the most current post. 

If you are interested in learning more about financial planning for retirement, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical issues after retirement and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the to of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful retirement articles.

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DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis - Lower Your Risk

One of the dangers people of any age can face is a life-threatening blood clot which starts in a deep vein and travels to the heart or brain.  The older we are, the greater our risk. When these blood clots form in a deep vein in our legs, it is called a DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis. While you may not be able to totally eliminate the risk, there are steps you can take to reduce the danger of developing a DVT.

As a result, everyone should be able to recognize the symptoms, the activities which increase your risk of developing DVTs, the ways you can lower your risk, and what to do if you suspect you have a problem.

Symptoms of a DVT

If you unexpectedly notice any worrisome symptoms, especially after engaging in one of the activities listed later in this article, contact your doctor.  According to WebMD, the symptoms of DVT are:  swelling, unexpected bruises, or a stabbing "Charley horse" pain in your arm, leg, or chest.  You may also experience throbbing pain, swelling, a painful lump, redness (with the skin turning white or blue in the areas deprived of blood), warmness in a tender area of the leg, tired legs, visible or bulging veins, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, confusion or absolutely no symptoms at all. In many cases of DVTs, the victim does not realize it is happening.  

If you do have one or more of the above symptoms, especially if they occur after any of the activities listed below, you should be concerned and talk to your doctor.  You may also want to read "100 Questions and Answers About Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism." (Ad) This book is a must-read for anyone with a history of DVTs or who is at particularly high risk.   

Possible Causes of DVT

Flying in an Airplane - Spending hours strapped into an airplane seat at a high altitude, while not moving, and drinking very little water, puts you at increased risk, even if you are otherwise healthy.

Being an Athlete - Engaging in demanding endurance events, such as running marathons, may cause you to be more prone to DVTs, especially if you become dehydrated or are injured.

Surgery - Being confined to bed after surgery, particularly surgery to your pelvis, hips, legs or abdomen, could raise your risk of DVTs.   Your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner to reduce the risk.  Be careful if you are placed on a blood thinner.  They can increase your risk of bleeding, which is dangerous if you accidentally cut yourself.

People of any age can be affected by a DVT after surgery. When I was a young mother in my 30s, another mother I knew died suddenly of a DVT the day after having minor knee surgery. Everyone should be aware of this surgical risk and watch for signs of a problem during the following few days.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn's Disease, and ulcerative colitis - If you have a bowel disease, you could have double or triple the risk of a DVT.  This is for several reasons, including that the patients are more likely to need surgery, be on bed rest, or become dehydrated. 

Low Vitamin D - A surprisingly large percentage of people do not have enough Vitamin D in their system, despite the fact that there are a number of ways to get an adequate amount.  You can meet your needs by taking a supplement, spending 30 minutes twice a week in the sun (without sunscreen), or by eating foods such as salmon, tuna, cheese and egg yolks.   If you believe you may not have enough Vitamin D in your system, get tested and discuss with your doctor how you can improve your levels of this vitamin, if needed.

Estrogen and testosterone supplements, including birth control medications - Taking hormones like estrogen or testosterone may increase your risk of DVTs.  It is important to be particularly aware of this if you also have any of the other risk factors, such as a recent surgery, low Vitamin D, or you fly frequently. 

Cancer - Some causes of DVT are simply unavoidable.  Blood clots are associated with lymphoma, leukemia, and cancers of the liver, brain, colon, lung, kidney, ovary and pancreas.  In addition, some types of chemo can cause blood clots.  Follow your doctor's orders carefully to minimize your risk, and stay as active as your doctor permits.

Being Overweight - If you have a BMI over 25, you are at added risk of a DVT.  If you are overweight and also have a secondary problem, such as using birth control, your risk could go up substantially.  

Pregnancy - Carrying a baby puts pressure on your pelvis and legs, increasing your risk of a DVT.  The risk continues for six weeks after you give birth.  The older the mother, the greater the risk.  If you are carrying twins, your risk also goes up.  Be especially attentive if you have a family history of blood clots or you have been put on bed rest. 

If YOU were a premature baby - You are at greater risk of a DVT if you were born before 37 weeks of gestation.  Doctors do not know exactly why, but your increased risk for a DVT continues throughout your lifetime.

Smoking -  This activity is known to increase your risk for blood clots.  Your risk increases substantially when combined with any of the other risk factors, such as obesity, birth control or pregnancy.

What to Do if You are At Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis

As you can see from the above list, almost everyone has at least one risk factor for DVTs.  You can have an increased risk if you are too active, and if you are not active enough.  You can be at risk when traveling, or if you sit at home and become overweight. Some things are totally out of your control, such as having cancer or having been a premature baby. Other things are within your control, such as smoking or being sedentary.  With all these factors to consider, what can you do to protect yourself, or at least lower your risk of succumbing to a DVT?

Keep moving your body, especially on flights - Get up and walk around the plane every hour or two.  I prefer to have an aisle seat so I do not disturb other passengers.  I also try to move my legs and fidget a little in my seat, to keep my blood flowing.  In order to make sure you are awake and moving, you may want to skip the alcoholic beverages and the sleeping pills before a flight.  Try pumping your feet up and down frequently during the flight, by lifting and lowering your heels.

Drink plenty of water - Both when you are flying or staying active as part of your daily routine, make sure you do not let yourself become dehydrated.

Do not sit too long - Whether you are working from home or at a desk in an office, move as much as you can.  Do little exercises with your feet and ankles.  Get up every hour and walk around.  Stretch.  Do not sit frozen in one position.  Take frequent breaks when riding in a car, too.  Pull off the road every hour or two, and just walk around for a few minutes. 

Wear compression stockings or socks - If you have a risk factor for DVTs (and almost everyone does at some time in their lives) you might consider wearing compression stockings or socks, (Ad) especially while flying or on a long drive.  They will help improve your blood flow and reduce foot swelling.  There are many different brands and styles, from knee high to thigh high.  They come with different levels of compression.  They come both closed toe and with open toes.  Try different styles until you find a pair which are comfortable and will work for you.  You can find dozens of choices of compression socks, (Ad) and pick out a pair which you think you will like.  In looking through the choices available, you will see that you can find a variety of pairs which are cute and stylish, for both men and women.  I have some which I wear whenever I fly, and believe that my legs feel better when I get off the plane.

Keep moving - The more you move, the lower your risk of a DVT.  You do not have to run a marathon (in fact, that could increase your risk).  Just take frequent walks, lift weights, or sign up for a yoga or aerobics class. Take dance lessons. Any movement will reduce the danger of developing a DVT.

Anything you can do to lower your risk will benefit you, so just try to control the things you can.  Do not smoke and do not let yourself become too sedentary.  Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your risk of a DVT.  Your physician may have specific advice based on your health and medical history. 

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Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.  You will receive a weekly email with the most current post.    

If you are interested in learning more about financial planning, Social Security, Medicare, where to retire, common medical problems and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from an Amazon ad, I'll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  pixabay - USA Vein Clinics