Taking a video class is having a surprising side effect. I’m working on my clutter reduction projects. I want to use video clips on my blog and to send clips to YouTube. So, when I thought about what to use as a background for my three test clips, I wanted... Read more →

Have your bank fees shot up lately? Many bank fees have risen in recent years and banks are failing to provide consumers with information about these fees, a report released last week by the Government Accountability Office found. Federal regulations require these details to be made available to consumers. Average... Read more →

It's important for boomer consumers to file complaints when they're unable to resolve issues with companies. It can help you recover money, and it helps the economy to work better because companies get accurate feedback about their products and services. Here are some typical consumer complaints, and tips for what... Read more →

When I began to have hot flashes, I did research on whether to take hormones. My decision? No. I found a study that indicated women taking hormone replacement therapy had a 1 percent increase in their risk of developing breast cancer for every year if they took HRT. It wasn’t... Read more →

The Federal Aviation Administration Thursday initiated an action to collect a $10.2 million civil penalty from Southwest Airlines for operating 46 airplanes without performing mandatory inspections for fuselage fatigue cracking. Later, the airline found that six of the 46 airplanes had fatigue cracks. From June 18, 2006, to March 14,... Read more →

Are high airline fares bugging you? The Independent Traveler offers 10 tips for finding cheap airfares. They include: Buy early. Buy late. Shop around. Know when to buy. Be flexible. Don't forget the discounts. Use your frequent flier miles. Get a refund when fares go down. Find out about air... Read more →

Dear Readers, Thank you for your support as I've launched The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide. It's a fun experience, learning how to be a blogger. I've appreciated your suggestions: shorter posts, larger type, and include photos. I'll be adding more photos as I develop the technical skills in TypePad.... Read more →

I seldom buy toys for my grandchildren anymore. I usually buy books. Why? Because more than 25 million unsafe toys were recalled in 2007. What's the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission doing about the serious problem of unsafe toys flooding the American marketplace? Manufacturers are testing more toys and more... Read more →