Baby boomers are increasingly viewing online entertainment. However, they're not yet giving up traditional media. Currently, 61 percent of people ages 44 to 61 are visiting video streaming or downloading Web sites and 41 percent have tried social networking, according to a recent study by the NPD Group, a marketing... Read more →

I grew up on an apple ranch, so it doesn't surprise me that agricultural jobs are among the most dangerous. Two deaths, I remember, occurred from tractor accidents. Also, a teenager was killed when he was changing sprinklers with his dad. He was playing with a long sprinkler pipe, balancing... Read more →

Two reports released by AARP recently paint a bleak picture for retirement dreams today and in the future. Thirteen percent of Americans 45 and older are withdrawing money from their retirement accounts, or other investments, to cover day-to-day expenses, according to the report "Retirement Security or Insecurity? The Experience of... Read more →

Despite the "wonders" of modern medicine, being misdiagnosed isn't rare. About 15 percent of patients experience an incorrect diagnosis, according to the article "Why Doctors Make Mistakes," in the September and October issue of The AARP Magazine. Serious harm or death could befall half of these patients. The article explains... Read more →

For years, l've been storing leftovers and beans, rice, and lentils in glass jars. Why? I've been concerned about chemicals from the plastic leaching into food. When I read an article years ago in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "FDA Consumer," I threw out all my plastic containers. The... Read more →

Are you thinking about using the recession to your advantage and purchasing a foreclosed home? Before you go to the courthouse, be sure to review "Buying a Foreclosed Home," a Web page by the Federal Citizen Information Center. Valuable information is offered on: Pre-foreclosure Auctions Bank-owned homes Buying from government... Read more →

Since I’m having some remodeling done to my home, I’ve been out in my yard a lot lately. Unfortunately, I noticed more clearly that my beautiful wooden fence that I had installed several years ago is beginning to look quite faded in places. I think it’s time to have it... Read more →

My new Pella patio doors were installed this week. I selected Pella instead of Milgard because I didn’t need to order the doors. Lowe’s had them in stock. I decided I wanted to get the windows in before the heavy rains started here in the Pacific Northwest. I selected Pella... Read more →

It was a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest today, despite the forecast of scattered showers and sun breaks. I made great progress on my outdoor project; removing an old, rusting storage shed in my side yard. The demolition went slowly at first. A friend told me to dismantle the... Read more →

Complaints from throughout the U.S. are being received by Consumers Union, publishers of Consumer Reports, as cable companies transfer channels to digital-only operation. Cable companies are using confusion about the upcoming digital TV transition – which applies to TVs with antennas, but doesn’t apply to TVs with cable – as... Read more →