A1. IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
It is Seniorresource.com's wish that you have a joyful holiday and a
bountiful new year! As we welcome in this season of the year, our minds
and hearts turn to giving (and getting). Here is a personal story about
how volunteerism helps both the giver and receiver.
Downsizing and Freecycle™ by Monique Theriault
Veronica had just moved from a house to an apartment. Due to lack of
space, she found herself having to rent a storage unit for her overflow.
Not wanting to have to pay for storage for the rest of her life, Veronica
had to decide how to dispose of her stuff, a hard decision to make - some
of it had been costly and some of it had many memories attached to it.
She considered eBay so she would feel better about the money aspect of
it but, in the end, opted for Freecycle™ gifting. More to come below
about her decision-making process. But first let me tell you a little
about this movement that she opted for.
The Freecycle™ network is now the largest Web environmental community
in the world making a huge difference in the status of our landfills,
with over 5.7 million members in more than 85 countries! This nonprofit
gifting movement enables individuals to gift items in their local communities
rather than to throw them away, thus keeping over 600 tons out of landfills
daily. In 2007 Freecycle™ was ranked by Yahoo as the third most searched
environmental term on the planet, following only "global warming"
and "recycling."
This huge grassroots movement started in Tucson, Arizona, when Deron
Beale had a bed he wanted to give away but could not accepted at the local
thrift shop. So he started a recycling group where members would give
each other the things that they no longer needed. Everything was free,
even membership. What started as a group of 30 of Deron's online friends
has evolved into 4,610 groups worldwide with over 10,000 volunteer moderators.
Freecycle empowers people, on a grassroots and local level, to take charge
and make the world a better place both by keeping stuff out of landfills
and by giving stuff to those who need it. It's that personal touch that
swayed Veronica in her decision-making.
In a recent query, several members of Freecycle Huntington Beach, expressed
their views on consumerism and the gifting of items. Veronica was one
of those who replied to our query. We chose to highlight parts of her
answer in this article because she has a clear idea of how hard it is
for most of us to let go of our stuff and how Freecycle can be a real
help. Veronica stated that she is not Christian, but bases her viewpoint
on her spirituality.
(Edited for brevity) "…For me, Freecycle™ [giving] is
an act of faith… I love eBay as a buyer, and I've often thought
that I should become a seller too, treating all of my no-longer-needed
items as inventory to sell on eBay for cash. But in reality, I don't
have time to sell everything. …One of the lessons I am always in
the process of learning is that God is the true source of my well-being;
God provides for all my needs. Nothing in this material world has the
power to provide me with security. Material things are the inert results
of God's grace and my faith in it.
"…When I hesitate to release some material thing that won't
add value to my life in the foreseeable future, it is a demonstration
of my fear. I think "I might need it someday," -- and deep
down, that translates to worry that I won't have the money to buy another
one, if and when that time ever comes. … the best part about Freecycle™
is that participating in it can serve as a tangible reminder of the
interconnectedness of all things -- us to each other, and all of us
to God. …
"…By giving these items away, versus throwing them away (perish
the thought!), I am expressing gratitude for having received them, and
am now passing along that blessing to someone else. I am opening myself
to become an instrument for satisfying the needs of others.
"It is just as wondrous for me to experience being used as God's
instrument to fulfill someone else's need or desire, as it is for me
experience the "miracle" of receiving exactly what I need
or want from another Freecycle™ [member], in the perfect time and
way….It is a cycle of giving; everyone gives to everyone with absolutely
no expectations of anything at all in return."
Veronica's reply may be helpful to some of you who are struggling with
too much stuff. If it is and you'd like more information about Freecycle™,
please go to: http://www.freecycle.org/
for more information or to sign up with a Freecycle group in your area.
Find gifts to make this a happy season for your senior at our Senior
Bazaar.
http://www.seniorresource.com/SRBaz.htm
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A2. SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES 5.8 PERCENT BENEFIT INCREASE FOR 2009
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for
more than 55 million Americans will increase 5.8 percent in 2009, the
Social Security Administration announced today. The 5.8 percent increase
is the largest since 1982.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits increase automatically
each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer
Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), from
the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding period of the
current year. This year's increase in the CPI-W was 5.8 percent.
The 5.8 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits
that over 50 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January
2009. Increased payments to more than seven million Supplemental Security
Income beneficiaries will begin on December 31.
Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based
on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum
amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum)
will increase to $106,800 from $102,000. Of the estimated 164 million
workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2009, about 11 million will
pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Information about Medicare changes for 2009 can be found at: http://www.medicare.gov
| Tax Rate |
2008 |
2009 |
| Employee |
7.65%
|
7.65%
|
| Self-employed |
15.30%
|
15.30%
|
| NOTE: The 7.65% tax rate is the combined rate for Social
Security and Medicare. The Social Security portion (OASDI) is 6.20%
on earnings up to the applicable taxable maximum amount (see below).
The Medicare portion (HI) is 1.45% on all earnings. |
| Maximum Taxable Earnings: |
2008 |
2009 |
| Social Security (OASDI only) |
$102,000 |
$106,800 |
| Medicare (HI only) |
Medicare (HI only) |
Additional insurance information for seniors can be found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/insur.htm
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B. DID YOU KNOW...?
1. Simple Energy-Saving Ideas
This winter is likely to bring higher heating and electricity costs.
There are many ways to take major steps to reduce these costs. Unfortunately,
they tend to be big and costly steps. Such things as solar panels, geothermal
wells and tankless water heaters are far beyond what most people can undertake.
However, there are some smaller steps that can both save money and be
eco-friendly.
Some of these things are straightforward. They include replacing an old
upright freezer for a chest model, and unplugging TV's and electronic
gadget chargers when they aren't needed. According to the Rocky Mountain
Institute of Snowmass, CO, water heating accounts for approximately 19
percent of total home energy use and costs an average household over $300
a year. Many things you can do to cut your water heating costs, include
using hot water more efficiently, switching to water-efficient shower
and faucet fixtures, and making a few simple adjustments to your existing
heater.
Learn more at: http://www.rmi.org/
2. Pentagon Memorial Opens
On the seventh anniversary of the day a hijacked airliner (Flight
77) slammed into the Pentagon, President Bush dedicated the memorial near
the crash site. In a solemn ceremony before thousands of service members
and civilians, he called it not only a place of remembrance, but also
a reminder of the resilience of the American spirit. The ceremony also
featured speeches from the secretary of Defense and other senior officials.
With the dedication on September 11, the Pentagon Memorial is now open
to the public. The memorial is designed so that the nation may remember
and reflect on the events that occurred on that day in 2001. The memorial
honors the 184 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks Admission
to the memorial is free and open to the public seven days a week. Groups
and individuals are welcome in the memorial each day but guided tours
are not offered; the memorial is meant to be experienced on a more personal
level.
Learn more at: http://www.whs.mil/Memorial/
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C. THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
We present here some words from those with a birthday this month.
Ira Gershwin - "One can be very happy without
demanding that others agree with them."
Jim Morrison - "Love cannot save you from your
own fate."
Johnny Bench - "Slumps are like a soft bed.
They're easy to get into and hard to get out of."
Sammy Davis, Jr. - "The ultimate mystery is
one's own self."
Walt Disney - "When you're curious, you find
lots of interesting things to do."
More "Thoughts" at: http://www.seniorresource.com/thought.htm
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D. SPECIAL OCCASIONS THIS MONTH
1. National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
With the holiday season comes many parties and festive events. It is timely
to be attentive to the potential driving dangers. Accidents related to
drunk and drugged driving claim the lives of thousands of Americans every
year. During National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month an effort
is made to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence
of alcohol or drugs and to encourage citizens to drive responsibly.
Each of us can play an important role by educating family members and
friends about the devastating consequences of impaired driving and by
insisting that they have a designated driver. Businesses, community organizations,
and faith-based groups can promote substance abuse prevention and encourage
alternative sources of transportation. By encouraging our fellow citizens
to make responsible choices, we can help save lives.
Let's make it a happy and safe holiday season.
2. International Volunteer Day (IVD) - 5 December
IVD is offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual
volunteers to make visible their contributions at local, national and
international levels. Over the years, rallies, parades, community volunteering
projects, environmental awareness, and free medical care and advocacy
campaigns have all featured prominently on IVD.
During the holiday season, many people turn their attention to giving
to charities or volunteering within their own communities--at homeless
shelters, food pantries and even nursing homes. Let's work to extend this
spirit of volunteerism throughout the year!
You and your friends or group can do something nice for the people in
your community NOW, at the start of the new year, by offering to volunteer
a few times a month at a local venue. For example, you could spend time
with young students by reading some of their favorite books to them! Not
only will your students improve their reading skills, but you will also
be helping to give back to the whole community as well.
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E. SPECIAL SURFING SITES
1. Home Health Care Data
This is a more research-oriented website with statistics on home care
use and other data facts and information about home health care. As the
nation's principal health statistics agency, the National Center for Health
Statistics compiles statistical information to guide actions and policies
to improve the health of individuals. They are a unique public resource
for health information—a key element of public health and health
policy. See: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/Default.htm
Also learn more at http://www.seniorresource.com/ageinpl.htm
2. Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO)
LCAO is a large coalition of the nation's non-profit organizations serving
older Americans. The association is diverse and dedicated to preserving
and strengthening the well-being of our older population. They provide
a voice for seniors and their families in the ongoing national debate
on aging policy.
Organization members of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations
are dedicated to:
-
Advocating for strengthening both the public
and private sector response to meeting the needs of America's older
population;
-
Promoting thoughtful and rational policy changes
where such changes are necessary, recognizing that state and local
level activities are important both to the generation and implementation
of public policy;
-
Seeking dialogue with responsible leaders of
both the public and private sector;
-
Working with all of
society's institutions-political, social, economic, religious-to
ensure that they welcome and support full participation by America's
older population;
-
Working to ensure
that no older person is a victim of discrimination based on age,
gender, race, or ethnic origin; and
-
Recognizing the diversity
of America's older population, which includes the most vulnerable
and frail elderly in need of a range of services, as well as older
persons who are contributing to their communities through work-related
pursuits and volunteer service.
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F. OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE
1. More Things to Ponder
- No one has more driving ambition than the boy
who wants to buy a car.
- There are no new sins; the old ones just get
more publicity.
- There are worse things than getting a call for
a wrong phone number at 4.a.m. It could be a right number.
- Think about this: No one ever says "It's
only a game." when his team is winning.
- I've reached the age where the happy hour is
a nap.
- Be careful reading the fine print. There's no
way you're going to like it.
2. ID Your Computer Fix
Joe (not the plumber) was having trouble with his
computer. So he called Richard, the 11 year old next door whose bedroom
looks like Mission Control, and asked him to come over. Richard clicked
a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, Joe called after him, "So,
what was wrong?"
Richard replied, "It was an ID ten T error."
Joe didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless
inquired, "An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix
it again." Richard grinned. "Haven't you ever heard of an ID
ten T error before?"
"No," Joe replied.
"Write it down," Richard said, "and
I think you'll figure it out."
So Joe wrote down: I D 1 0 T
And Joe used to like the kid!
"Oh My Aging Funny Bone" is at: http://www.seniorresource.com/jokes.htm
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This issue has been edited by Betsy Day (betsyjday@aol.com).
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