With the increasing popularity of MP3 players, teens and even younger children face a newly discovered risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Doctors in Miami and around the country say they’re seeing younger and younger patients with hearing loss symptoms that typically don't occur before middle age, according to the article... Read more →

Yesterday, I blogged about the need for changing our economy to a more sustainable model. When I walked into the Olympia Food Co-op today, I spotted the Winter 2009 issue of Yes! magazine. The theme of the issue is "Sustainable Happiness" and on the cover Dee Williams was pleased to... Read more →

I received two e-mails today about the economy. The Economy Policy Institute, a research organization, wrote to let me know that the Federal Reserve reported consumer debt fell for the first time ever in the third quarter of 2008. To me, this is good news. Consumers need to cut their... Read more →

It’s interesting to see a new study that reports the buying power of baby boomers is remaining strong for now. Despite the fact that boomers are beginning to retire in the U.S., they continue to have money to spend, according to research by The Nielsen Co. and the Hallmark Channel.... Read more →

One in three toys tested by The Ecology Center were found to contain "medium" or "high" levels of chemicals. Researchers tested more than 1,500 children's toys for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC, and other harmful chemicals to provide information for this year's holiday shopping season. Lead was detected in 20 percent... Read more →

Do you vacuum the dust from the compressor coils of your refrigerator several times a year? Do you remove the lint from your dryer's lint filter after each use to keep air flowing freely. These are two of the tips from the article "Help Appliances Live Longer" in the January... Read more →

Ronald H. Herberman, M.D., director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, sent a memo recently to students and faculty members at the university urging everyone to limit their cell phone use to avoid increasing their risk of developing cancer. Herberman believes that a solid connection between cell phone use... Read more →

Are you looking for ways to reduce spending during the holidays? The Better Business Bureau is offering tips on how consumers can cut down on spending and reduce household costs in their everyday lives without dampening holiday fun. With the economy declining, many Americans are planning to cut back on... Read more →

About 25 percent of baby boomers expect to move from their current homes in the future, according to a survey prepared for AARP. The majority of boomers planning to move are looking for a single-level home that’s more comfortable or convenient. Most of the boomers surveyed – 79 percent --... Read more →

With the recession upon us and financial institutions experiencing unprecedented challenges, most baby boomers are cutting back on expenditures for the holidays. However, baby boomer women are taking the cuts more deeply when it comes to their own personal spending. Specialty retailers who target baby boomer women are seeing sales... Read more →