Friends & Family

FROM THE ARTICLE: Your local grocery store has some tricks up its sleeve to inspire you to walk to the register with a full cart. By Nicole Pajer, AARP. *** There are 10 comments on the AARP website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published June 03, 2025. You see employees at your grocery store stocking displays with fresh produce and replacing items on the shelves. But have you ever stopped to think about what goes on behind the scenes?A supermarket is a business with a whole corporate team focused on one goal: getting you to spend money — as much as possible. And grocery stores have some secrets, but they aren’t jumping at the chance to make them public. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/supermarket-secrets.html

FROM THE ARTICLE: The Treasury Department is kissing the penny goodbye. The five-cent coin might follow suit. By Andre Ellington, AARP. *** There is 1 comment on the AARP website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published May 29, 2025. The U.S. Treasury Department recently ordered its last round of penny blanks — flat metal discs that get turned into coins — and said it will not put any more pennies into circulation after that batch is made.Why kill the penny? Because pennies cost a lot of money to make and distribute — 3.69 cents per coin, to be exact. And the U.S. issued more than 3.2 billion pennies during the 2024 fiscal year, according to the U.S. Mint, at a reported loss of around $85.3 million. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/history-of-the-nickel.html

▶️‌To reply, click on reply button at bottom of this post. Enter your text. Click reply button again.◀️ **READ comments, ADD comment** Do U agree/disagree with what they say about YOUR sign? 🤔 🗣by Tina Fey 5/30/23. 👉Link to information👈  Nicole 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 (Friends & Family Forum)

Put all this stuff on the back burner and get to the good stuff. What you cooking Monday? Am I going to be the only one at the grill and smoker? .Don't call the fire department that smoke is coming from my patio. Saw a recipe for ribs the other day and going to try. Cover them with yellow mustard (not a typo), then coat them with your rub and put in smoker. When they get close to done brush on your favorite sauce.   Going to have some beans in the smoker also. On the grill I'll do some taters and onions. You folks have a safe and fun weekend, and forget about diet, sugar, bp, clogged veins and what ever else, just eat and enjoy family. 

Grandparent Alienation has now affected millions, world wide. It has reached epic proportions. It is elder abuse as well as child abuse. It affects all types of families. A well rounded, outgoing grandparent changes immensely when this occurs. They are saddened for themselves and for the effect on their grandchild. 

FROM THE ARTICLE: As it turns 90, the program ‘matters more than ever,’ CEO says. By Andy Markowitz, AARP. Published May 14, 2025. Few things reach as broadly into American life as Social Security.Some 69.4 million people — about 1 in 5 U.S. residents — received a payment from the program in April 2025. Most of them are retired older adults, many reliant on their earned benefits to put food on the table and pay the bills. Almost every working American pays into the system via payroll taxes, with the promise that Social Security will be there for them, too, when they need it. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2025/social-security-milestone-90-years.html

FROM THE ARTICLE: AARP Pushes Back on Effort to Delay New Federal Nursing Home Staffing Standards to 2035.Rule offers dignity and safety to our most vulnerable Americans. By Natalie Missakian and Nancy Kerr, AARP. Published May 14, 2025. A plan to delay long-overdue minimum nursing home standards would cost lives and delay important protections needed for people living in nursing homes.In a May 13 letter to the U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce, AARP noted deep concerns about a proposed delay to these standards, which would require an increase in staff at nursing homes and the presence of a registered nurse on-site at all times. The standards are set to take effect in stages starting in 2026, but this plan would delay them until 2035. Republican lawmakers are seeking cuts across federal programs to offset President Trump’s massive tax bill, which would extend and add to tax breaks. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/politics-so

FROM THE ARTICLE: Order Takes Aim at Lowering Prescription Drug Costs.AARP also calls on Congress to protect and strengthen Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower drug prices for millions of older Americans. By Rachel Nania, AARP. *** There are 11 Comments on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published May 13, 2025. President Trump on Monday signed an executive order that aims to cut Americans’ prescription drug costs by bringing the price the U.S. pays for its medications in line with comparable developed nations.The order directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to communicate most-favored-nation price targets to pharmaceutical companies in the next 30 days. If manufacturers do not make significant progress toward these targets, additional steps could be taken, though many questions remain on how the plan will work, specifically, and when Americans could expect to see any potential savings. The order also intends to ensure that

FROM THE ARTICLE: By Sally Balch Hurme. Paperback, E-book. Put your life in order with this valuable new resource from AARP and the American Bar Association. Checklist for My Family guides you through the process of gathering in one place your finances, legal documents, online accounts, wishes about medical care and more. Plus it tells you what you need, why you need it, what’s missing and where to get it. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/books/bookstore/home-family-caregiving/checklist-for-my-family/

My attention was drawn to a court this weekend that allowed an artificial intelligence rendering to "testify" during the phase of the proceeding where family members attest to how the crime affected their family. The odd  subject matter is what caught my eye. The person attesting to how the killing affected the family and their thoughts about forgiveness came from the DEAD PERSON THEMSELF as a created A.I. rendering of the dead person. The court allowed it. This worries me.  What is to keep courts allowing renderings of dead bodies, renderings of mangled children, renderings of decedents with bullet holes visible...... A.I. can create anything.  In this particular case, the defendant got sentenced for more years than the prosecution was asking for. Who is to say that the A.I. talking directly to the judge didn't influence his thinking on sentencing? This is a "advancement" that needs to be "nipped in the bud" and strictly "controlled".  We h

The Farmers Market opened today. Good ole red ripe tomatoes not the store bought.Tomato and bacon sandwich just went to top of the menu at our house. Most of the stuff is coming from Fla. but that is ok.   

FROM THE ARTICLE: Bill would ease financial strain of caring for an aging parent. By Natalie Missakian and Peter Urban, AARP. Published May 06, 2025. RP is supporting bipartisan legislation on Capitol Hill that could provide some financial relief to the growing number of adults who care for aging parents.The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act was introduced May 1 by U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Bill Cassidy (R-L.A.). It would allow caregivers to use their tax-free flexible spending or health savings accounts (FSAs and HSAs) to pay for qualified medical expenses of their parent or parent-in-law. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2025/lowering-caregiver-costs.html

FROM THE ARTICLE: The New Documentary ‘Aging in America’ Shows How Far We’ve Come.Director Neil Steinberg tells AARP what society is doing for the 50-plus: ‘Ageism is a bit better, but homelessness is worse’. By Tim Appelo, AARP. Published April 30, 2025. The documentary Aging in America: Survive or Thrive, narrated by Martin Sheen, 84 (on PBS starting in early May; check local listings), celebrates the encouraging progress society has made in dealing with aging as well as the daunting challenges still faced by a rapidly aging population. In 1975 there were 25 million Americans over 65; today it’s more than doubled to 55 million, and in 10 years the 65-plus will outnumber those under 18 for the first time. Director Neil Steinberg tells AARP what we can learn from the expert testimony and personal stories featured in the film, how far we’ve come in dealing with aging and what remains to be done. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/m

I have noticed of late in my Google News Feed, SEVERAL discussions on this topic. [1] Do you think it should be banned? [2] Has it been banned in YOUR location? This can be the United States or a foreign country. Thanks,Nicole  👵  (Friends & Family Forum)

FROM THE ARTICLE: AARP Foundation Experience Corps celebrates an anniversary. By Elise Ceyral, AARP. Published April 29, 2025. Laurie Bowers, 73, owes a lot to being a good reader. “Not everyone needs a college degree, but everyone needs to be able to read, write and communicate,” Bowers says. A former report technician for the police department, Bowers has been teaching reading to students in Buffalo, New York, for six years as a volunteer with AARP Foundation Experience Corps.Launched in 1995, the program pairs elementary school students with older adults with one goal: improve the kids’ reading skills before the end of third grade. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2025/experience-corps-celebrates-30-years.html

FROM THE ARTICLE: 10 Simple Financial Tasks You Can Tackle in an Hour.You won't believe how much you can accomplish — and save — in just a few minutes. By Daniel Bortz, AARP. *** There is 1 Comment on the AARP website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published April 28, 2025. Have 60 minutes to kill? You could spend it watching TV or playing games on your smartphone. Or you could spend it saving money, by ticking some easy but important financial tasks off your to-do list.Get one — or more — of these 10 smart money moves accomplished on your next lunch hour. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/quick-easy-financial-tasks.html

FROM ARTICLE: AARP has championed state efforts to help those without access to workplace retirement plans build savings. By Kenneth Terrell, AARP. Published April 22, 2025. LaVante’ Dorsey knew that before her business could focus on helping young women, she first needed to take care of her employees.Since it opened in Newark, Delaware, in 2018, LaVante’ N. Dorsey & Associates has provided mental health and therapeutic counseling services to help women — and men, too — feel empowered and reach personal goals. But it couldn’t provide a retirement benefit to the seven therapists on staff. Like many small businesses, it didn’t have the resources. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2025/auto-ira-one-million-savers.html

I took care of my daughter, my niece, and sometimes my nephew.  They suffered from emotional and physical abuse at times.  My daughter is now a doctor, my nephew a pharmacist and my niece a nurse.  I believe the reason they are all doing well is I took them places and showed them how to enjoy themselves at an early age.  I think the best way to help our communities is for aarp to work with our communities to help preschoolers and after school programs to take kids to places around the community, zoos, museums, nature.  It’s a win-win for lonely seniors and helping our children be prepared for school and less susceptible to gang and criminal influences.  Especially low income families who are struggling.

How to find a person to take care of your needs when you are the only one. That consists of friends lawyer who do you trust. Can you have someone that you pay to take care of your well being.  If you be come sick who can you rely on to take care of issues. Yes theirs a will lawyer is in charge but can you trust a lawyer to do the right thing and honor your wishes.  With layers being busy how can you rely on them. What to do all by one self. 

Living in Arizona, I love the fact that I don't have to deal with the "Spring forward" and the "Fall back" any more.  Would you want to keep DLST or get rid of it?

 Click here for an easier-to-read version.  HAPPY HOLIDAYSHere's an easier-to-read version.  

  2024 Holiday get togethers will be interesting this year!  Many conversations may start with family talking around things that concern them but they can easily escalate to hateful commentary.  This can happen even when someone mentions the high cost of the meal or the cost to fill the gas tank for travel.   How do we avoid the 'triggers' of a conversation?  "Nice Day" or "Have a blessed day." can be mistaken by someone just looking to irritate another.   Topic suggestions?  

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! AARP Pushes for Improved Auto Safety to Protect Pedestrians. Older pedestrians are more likely to die in traffic crashes. By Susan Milligan, AARP. Published November 26, 2024. Pedestrian deaths from traffic crashes are on the rise and AARP is advocating for improved auto safety features to protect those traveling on foot. Overall, motor vehicle deaths are dropping, but pedestrian deaths from auto accidents reached a 41-year high in 2022, the latest data available. New federal rules proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would make vehicles safer for drivers and for those walking along the street. The NHTSA proposal would establish a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, requiring new passenger vehicles to be designed to reduce the risk of serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians. https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2024/improve-safety-protect-pedestrians.h

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! Stop! Don’t Buy These 10 Items on Black Friday. You're better off shopping for these products at different times of the year. By Beth Braverman, AARP. Published November 25, 2024. With all the excitement surrounding Black Friday, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill and end up overspending or making purchases that leave you with buyer’s remorse. And, unfortunately, not every item is a good buy on the biggest shopping day of the year. Experts say it’s better to wait to buy the following items, since prices may fall further or be cheaper at different times of the year. https://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-2024/black-friday-items-to-avoid.html

In many places they still have no fuel to keep their generators and cars going - the gas stations were destroyed.   It is gonna be getting real cold there very soon.  So think about them when the chill of the night occurs. Hurricane Helene didn’t just cause destruction in this area - it literally washed everything away or it buried it under feets of mud.   Many have shelter courtesy of the State and FEMA but they still need help with food and fuel as the recovery continues.  Those big trucks clearing the way to get the debris out of the way need fuel sources too.   Please give what you can to help- They need specific volunteers too.This is a central clearinghouse organization that puts out the word on what is needed and where - it is all listed - give funds or needed items.WESTERN CAROLINA EMERGENCY NETWORK  Thank you for remembering them.