From a baby boomer perspective
Wouldn’t it be great to see what you would look like with a total beauty makeover? A new hairdo, a new hair color or new makeup? What style glasses look best? How about earrings? Or a tatoo? What if you could do it all virtually?
At Total Beauty Makeover, you can upload a photo or use one of their models. Change hair styles and colors, add makeup and accessories. Then, save, print or email the new you.
I’ve been self-employed for many years. Even when I had a job in the early 90’s, the company didn’t provide health insurance. So, I have an individual health insurance policy. It started out at about $100 a month. It seemed expensive, especially because I rarely used it. The premiums increased every year, but, I knew I couldn’t go without health insurance any more than I could go without car insurance. So, I paid … And paid … Every month … Year after year.
Starting January 1st, my premium rose about $40 to $550 a month. And I still don’t use it. So, I knew I had to do something. I’ve lowered my premium in the past by raising my deductible. But this time, I wanted to REALLY lower it.
My policy is with Blue Cross Blue Shield. I learned that if I stay with them, I can change to any other policy they have without worrying about passing a physical or even filling out an application.
I found a plan that sounds good. It has a $5,000 deductible. That sounds high, but the policy works a little different from most. Wellness visits and routine tests are covered. If I go to a doctor with a medical issue, I pay the preferred, negotiated rate – Thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield. There’s no co-pay. When I reach my $5,000 deductible, medical bills are covered 100% – Not 80/20.
I thought one drawback was going to be the network providers that I had to use. My policy is Ohio based, but I spend winters in Florida. According to the insurance agent, I can use any Blue Cross Blue Shield provider in the US. There are even providers internationally. At this point, I’m just about sold on this policy.
The deciding factor was the premium. I now pay $225 a month. That’s a savings of $325 a month that I can use for doctor visits. And if I don’t go to the doctor, I get to keep the $325.
This plan is called Lumenos HSA 100. Learn more of the plan details. Mine is an Ohio plan, but it may be available in other states.
I’m trying hard to live green, but it’s not easy. I bought green, reusable bags to tote purchases home from the store. It’s becoming a habit to remember to take them into the store. But, I also have to remember to get them back to the car after I’ve used them.
It’s almost impossible to completely get away from plastic bags. The cashiers and baggers automatically start packing orders into their plastic bags. I can’t remember the last time I heard “paper or plastic.” They just put a couple items into each plastic bag. They can’t fill the bags because they tear too easy. So, if I don’t stop them, I end up taking home several bags. Then, I’m compelled to reuse or recycle.
I no longer use a plastic produce bag for each fruit and vegetable that I buy. I keep one of my cloth bags open in the cart and add tomatoes, apples, cucumbers and all the loose items into my bag. Then, at the check out, I set my bag on the counter and give the cashier an empty bag to transfer to as she rings up each item. So far, it’s working well.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. It’s always an historic event. Whether you voted for Barack Obama, John McCain, someone else or no one, Barack Obama will be OUR president. It’s time to put the campaign behind us and support Barack Obama.
The official website for the inauguration has information on the events of the day, including the luncheon menu and recipes. If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket, there’s maps, parking and other attendance details. The swearing in ceremony will be streaming live at the site on January 20th.
I remember the good old days when you could actually understand the words in songs. I found an online jukebox with a lot of the old songs from 1957 and took a walk down memory lane. I was too young then to really be “into” that music. So, I suspect the songs weren’t all from 1957. I was amazed that I remembered a lot of the words. I learned to dance to some of these songs. Others reminded me of teen parties, old boyfriends and school days. What great memories!
I’ve gone from green thumb to living green. After spending 20 years of summers out in the yard – planting flowers and vegetables, watering, weeding and reaping the harvest – I’m now going green with the realization that we need to take care of ourselves, our families and the earth. And I found a company to help me do it. I’m a Shaklee distributor.
Going to antique stores isn't as much fun since I started saying "I used to have one of these."
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