BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
THE BOOMER'S GUIDE TO PLANET
RETIREMENT
DR. MARILYN BRUNO
WWW.GYNOSAPIENS.COM
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
IN THIS ISSUE: Page 1: Save Money on Personal Care
Page 2: Getting Fit for Life
Page 4: Getting Jobs Through the Back Door
Page 4: The Power of Positive Thinking
Page 7: How to Raise Your Self Esteem
Page 8: How to De-Stress Yourself 1-2-3
Page 8: Tips for the Home-Based Writer
Page 9: Freebies
Page 11: Together Rx Access Card
Page 11: "Health Tax" on the Insured
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because
what the world needs are people who have come alive." -- Theologian Howard Thurman
SAVE MONEY ON PERSONAL CARE
We are all looking for ways to cut back on spending. Personal care items can have huge mark-ups. Here are some ways
to minimize the amount of money you spend:
-- Buy generic or low-cost cosmetic and hygiene products and forego the pretty packaging and brand names. Be sure to
check out the Freebie article at the end of this Newsletter for coupons and discounts!
-- Manicure your own finger and toe nails, or swap services with a friend!
-- If you don't even want to spring for a budget hair cuttery, have a friend/relative trim your hair. This is risky, but could
be fun! All you need is a sharp scissors and a lot of trust! As far as tinting you hair, all the TV ads say that it is easy as
shampoo-ing, so give it a try. You can always go to a salon if these ideas don't work out!
-- Good health is the best secret for maintaining a great glow, so eat well and give up the food and drink that is not good
for you. Everyone should have quit smoking by now, but the recent price hike is an additional disincentive!
1
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
-- Exercise at home and walk around the Mall, either alone or with a motivating group of friends. There are wonderful
TV fitness shows, online routines, videos and DVDs, and inexpensive equipment that you can use for your exercise
regime. This is so much more inexpensive than the pricey gym membership, and probably more fun. (Read on...)
Getting Fit For Life
We have all heard that exercise can improve your mental and physical health no matter what your age. The
National Institute for Aging came up with the following guidelines in 2007. They still look pretty good to me:
-- Keep and improve your strength so you can stay independent.
-- Have more energy to do the things you want to do.
-- Improve your balance.
-- Prevent or delay some diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
-- Perk up your mood and help reduce depression.
You don't need to buy special clothes or belong to a gym to become more active. Physical activity can and
should be part of your everyday life. Find things you like to do: brisk walks, ride a bike, dance, work around
the house, garden, climb stairs, swim, rake leaves -- come to my house and help me garden! Try different
kinds of activities that keep you moving. There are lots of ways to build physical activity into your daily
routine.
And, don't forget that sharing activities with friends and relatives can make all the exercising/house work
actually fun. Some of my friends and their significant others go a few times a week to dance studios. They
are really looking good swirling around the ballroom. Another of my friend's boyfriend bought a four DVDseries to learn to dance the salsa. They have been practicing the first level steps and really finding this a
wonderful way to exercise and learn to dance. And, when they popped in the advanced DVD to check out the
more complicated moves, they stunned to see how preposterous they were (splits, shoulder tapping, back-ofknee tapping)! So, they ended up laughing their heads off.
In am convinced that hearty laughter is the ultimate aerobic exercise!!!
Back to the Serious Message: Remember the Four Ways to Be Active
1) Endurance activity builds your energy or "staying power." Be sure to get at least 30 minutes of activity that
makes you breathe hard on most or all days of the week. You don't have to be active for 30 minutes all at
once. Ten minutes at a time is fine. Just make sure you are active for a total of 30 minutes most days. How
hard do you need to push yourself? If you can talk without any trouble at all, you are not working hard
enough. If you can't talk at all, it's too hard.
2) Strength exercises build muscles. When you have strong muscles, you can get up from a chair by yourself,
you can lift your groceries and grandchildren, and you can walk through the park.
3) Balance keeps your muscles in shape and helps prevent falls that cause problems like broken hips. You are
less likely to fall when your leg and hip muscles are strong. Do things to help your balance. Try standing on
one foot, then the other. If you can, don't hold on to anything for support. Get up from a chair without using
your hands or arms. Every now and then walk heel-to-toe. When you walk this way, the toes of the foot in
back should almost touch the heel of the foot in front.
2
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
4) Flexibility will make it easier for you to reach down to tie your shoes or look over your shoulder when you
back the car out of your driveway. Stretching can help you be more flexible. Stretch when your muscles are
warmed up. Don't stretch so far that it hurts.
Safety Tips
-- Start slowly, especially if you haven't been active for a long time. Little by little build up your activities and
how hard you work at them.
-- Don't hold your breath during strength exercises. That could cause changes in your blood pressure. It may
seem strange at first, but the rule is to breathe out as you lift something; breathe in as you relax.
-- Use safety equipment. For example, wear a helmet for bike riding or the right shoes for walking or jogging.
-- Unless your doctor has asked you to limit fluids, be sure to drink more than your usual 8 glasses/day when
you are exercising. Many older adults don't feel thirsty even if their body needs fluids.
--Always bend forward from the hips, not the waist. If you keep your back straight, you're probably bending
the right way. If your back "humps," that's probably wrong.
--Warm up your muscles before you stretch. Try walking and light arm pumping first.
Exercise should not hurt or make you feel really tired. You might feel some soreness, a little discomfort, or a
bit weary, but you should not feel pain. In fact, let those endorphins flow and enjoy!
Who Should Not Exercise?
Check with your doctor if you are over 50 and you aren't used to energetic activity or are suffering from:
-- a chronic disease, such as diabetes or heart disease
- -any new symptom you haven't discussed with your doctor
-- dizziness or shortness of breath
-- chest pain or the feeling that your heart is skipping, racing, or fluttering
-- blood clots
-- an infection or fever
-- unplanned weight loss
-- foot or ankle sores that won't heal
-- joint swelling
-- a bleeding or detached retina, eye surgery, or laser treatment
-- a hernia
- - had hip surgery
Resources to Find Out More
-- Local fitness centers, recreation centers, YMCAs, area shopping malls for walking programs, my email
-- Doctors and hospitals
-- Internet
-- Publications by the National Institute on Aging, including strength, balance, and stretching exercises you can
do at home. You can order the free guide in English from the NIA Information Center. A Spanish version is
available online at www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation. NIA also has a 48-minute exercise video/DVD for $7.
3
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
-- Federal and non-Federal organizations will help you get started:
American College of Sports Medicine
P.O. Box 1440
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1440
317-637-9200
www.acsm.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
800-311-3435
www.cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/growing_stronger
MedlinePlus
"Exercise for Seniors"
"Exercise and Physical Fitness"
www.medlineplus.gov
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Room 738-H, Dept. W
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201-0004
202-690-9000
www.fitness.gov
Small Steps
www.smallstep.gov
GETTING JOBS THROUGH THE BACK-DOOR
TheLadders.com has some good , free advice on how to get a jump start on jobs. The gist of an article from
last April was that doing some preliminary homework and networking was the smart way to find out what jobs
are going to be announced -- before they are advertised or posted on any website. This requires some
advance research and schmoozing in order to cultivate back-door connections via clubs, industry and
community groups. Ads are then simply used as roadmaps to locate who you should be getting to know
through the "back-door." If company X is advertising a position, find out who the competitors are and make a
presentation. If an opening is considered, you may have opened up your candidacy.
The "front-door knock" gets you only:
-- Competition from everyone and no negotiating stance
-- Adversarial interviews
-- Probably not a plum position (remember, lots of others knew about it already)
The "back-door" networking approach gets you:
4
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
--Casual conversations
--No noticeable competition
--The leg up of personal referral
The Power of Positive Thinking
I believe whole heartedly in positive affirmations: reciting over and over again how I imagine
(creating a mental image) I feel about myself and my world, even if the condition hasn't happened yet.
I avoid using the words "I wish for," "I pray for" in the affirmation, and I never describe how I feel at
the time of stating the affirmation.
Here are some examples, but you should definitely make your own list:
IF YOU HOPE AND PRAY FOR
THE POSITIVE AFFIRMATION IS
-- health
I am grateful for my perfect health.
-- money
I am a magnet for prosperity.
-- no more stress
I feel good about myself
I can handle everything with no problem
-- losing weight
I take good care of myself, eat right and get
plenty of exercise.
-- horrible people around you
I spend time with people who are nice to me and
make me feel good about myself.
I have the best boss in the world.
Many people like me.
-- patience
I am a good and caring person
-- good attitude
I never get angry and am known for my pleasantness
You get the idea. The end result, after reciting the affirmation several times a day, is that you will feel
better about yourself -- probably because you have the impression that you are in control of your
happiness, which you are. And -- no kidding -- the affirmations tend to gradually become true for
you. You will indeed come to feel better and better about yourself and be able to cope with all that life
throws at us. Smiling a lot always helps too!
More Positive Thinking Techniques
Self-Talk
-- Try to avoid thinking anything negative for one full day. Become aware of your negative “self talk”
about yourself and others and think only positive thoughts. A dear friend of mine calls this sending out
only light and love. It is miraculous how much joy you will end up with at the end of the day.
-- Work hard at un-learning all the criticism, skepticism, and cynicism that we have used all of our
lives to survive in the real world. Don't be glib with insults. Give only encouragement to others!
-- Try the following exercise to help you become aware of your internal “self talk” and make it more
positive:
5
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
-- Pay attention to your thoughts. Some people say they notice more negative thinking when
they are tired, sick, or dealing with a lot of stress. As you become aware of your negative
thoughts, you may notice more and more of them. Then you can systematically avoid them!
-- Write down negative thoughts. Carry a small pad with you as you go about your daily routine
for several days and jot down negative thoughts about yourself whenever you notice them.
Don't try doing this while you are driving. But do take note later of the level of your road rage
once you are safely parked!
--Develop positive statements to replace negative ones. For example, u
se positive words
such as happy, peaceful, loving, enthusiastic, and warm.
-- Avoid negative words such as worried, frightened, upset, tired, bored, not, never, can’t.
-- Always use the present tense, e.g., “I am healthy, I am well, I am happy, I have a good job,”
as if the condition already exists.
-- Personalize the statements, direct them towards yourself, e.g., use I, me, or your own name
-- Reinforce the positive thought
-- Repeat the positive thought over and over to yourself, out loud whenever you get a chance or
write the positive thought over and over
--Share the positive thought with another person who can affirm that the positive is true
-- Make signs that say the positive thought and place them in places where you will see them
often.
Affirming Lists
Making lists, re-reading them often, and re-writing them from time to time will help you to feel more
positively about yourself. Try making a list of the following:
-- At least five of your strengths, for example, persistence, courage, friendliness, creativity
-- At least five things you admire about yourself, for example the way you have raised your children,
your good relationship with your brother, or your spirituality
-- The five greatest achievements in your life so far, like recovering from a serious illness, graduating
from college, or learning to use a computer
--At least 20 accomplishments—they can be as simple as learning to tie your shoes, to getting an
advanced degree
-- 10 ways you can “treat” or reward yourself that don’t include food and that don’t cost anything, such
as walking in woods, window-shopping, watching children playing on a playground, gazing at a baby’s
face or at a beautiful flower, or chatting with a friend
--10 things you can do to make yourself laugh
--10 things you could do to help someone else
-- 10 things that you do that make you feel good about yourself
Appreciation Exercise
-- Title a piece of paper “I like (your name) because:”
-- Have loved ones write appreciative statements about you
-- Accept these statements as true
-- Re-read often
6
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
A positive self-image is integral to leading a healthy life.
Why does all this work? Experts are finding evidence that our expectations—positive and negative—
don’t just have psychological effects. It is a simple formula: less stress = less strain on your liver (a
very vital organ) = improved immune system = better overall physical/emotional health = better coping
skills = longer life span.
An interesting website (www.Lifecare.com) has some good advice for all regarding the power of
optimism. In addition to the physical benefits of positive thinking, there is apparently also a significant
benefit to our self-esteem or self-confidence. Studies have shown that people who have confidence in
themselves are better able to solve problems and make decisions, take risks and assert themselves, and
work towards personal goals. They have healthier and stronger relationships with others. This allows
them to lead and enjoy healthier, more productive and more fulfilling lives.
I love it! (A positive affirmation!)
How to Raise Your Self-Esteem
Of course, the flip side of all of the positive thinking is that people with a low self-esteem feel badly
about themselves most, or all, of the time. These feelings prevent them from taking care of themselves,
enjoying and making the most of their lives and having healthy relationships with others.
Some tips you can pass along to people who are unhappy or depressed:
--Make your meals healthy and special.
Eat healthy foods and avoid junk foods (containing a lot of sugar, salt, or fat). Turn off the television,
radio, and stereo when you eat. Set the table, even if you are eating alone. Arrange your
food in an attractive way on your plate. If you eat with others, encourage discussion of pleasant topics.
-- Exercise. Moving your body helps you to feel better and improves your self esteem. Arrange a time
every day or as often as possible when you can get some exercise, preferably outdoors so you can get
the extra benefits of fresh air and vitamin D.
--Take time to do things you enjoy. Make a list of things you enjoy doing. Then do something from
that list every day. Add to the list anything new that you discover you enjoy doing.
-- Engage in activities that make use of your own special talents and abilities.
If you are good with your hands, then make things for yourself, family, and friends. If you like
animals, consider having a pet or spending time with friends’ pets. Volunteering always makes me feel
great!
_ Do things that make you feel good about your appearance. Dress in a way that makes you feel
good about how you look. If you have little money to spend on new clothes, check out thrift stores
in your area. Do personal hygiene tasks that make you feel better—things like styling your hair,
getting a haircut or giving yourself a manicure.
-- Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself—people who treat you well. Try
to avoid people who treat you badly or whose attitudes conflict with yours.
-- Make your living space a place that honors the person you are. Whether you live in a single
room, a small apartment, or a large home, make that space comfortable and attractive for you. If
7
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
you share your living space with others, have some space that is just for you—a place where you can
keep your things and know that they will not be disturbed and that you can decorate any way you
choose. Keep art in your life -- always uplifting!
--Display items that you find attractive or that remind you of your achievements or of special
times or people in your life. If cost is a factor, use your creativity to think of inexpensive or free
ways that you can add to the comfort and enjoyment of your space.
--Take advantage of opportunities to learn something new or improve your skills. Take a class or
go to a seminar. Many adult education programs are free or very inexpensive. For those that are
more costly, ask about a possible scholarship or fee reduction.
--Begin doing those things that you know will make you feel better about yourself—like going on
a diet, beginning an exercise program or keeping your living space clean.
-- Make it a point to treat yourself well every day. Before you go to bed each night, write about how
you treated yourself well during the day. You will find that you will continue to learn new and better
ways to take care of yourself. As you incorporate these changes into your life, your self-esteem will
continue to improve.
HOW TO DE-STRESS YOURSELF 1-2-3
We know that the key to basic good health is a sound immune system. The first way you can build your
immune system, or repair a weak one, is by eliminating stress from your life. It is as simple as that. Now is
the time to add to your daily routine an hour of meditation, deep breathing, self-healing, reiki, yoga, Tai Chi,
positive thinking, self-hypnosis, prayer, and any other techniques that you have found works for you.
Here are some additional techniques to reduce stress that you may not have considered before:
-- "Komboloi" are the "worry beads" that you may have seen Greek or Middle Eastern men flipping
back and forth or fingering quietly. They may look like prayer beads, but komboloi have no religious
connotation. They simply large beads (amber, coral, plastic, metal) loosely threaded on a string that are used
to reduce stress and relax the user. The beads clack when flipped, but can also be quietly fingered, one by
one, moving beads from one end of the thread to another or pulling the thread between beads. The
authentic komboloi have an odd number of beads that is a multiple of 4 plus 1 (e.g., 17, 25), with a fixed bead,
a shield, and tassle on the end. I lived in Greece for two years, and was amazed that the komboloi were only
used by the men, not the women. I think that our stressful times merit use by both sexes. The komboloi have
been used for generations, so I can only conclude that they work to reduce worries!
-- Finger tapping may be the Western equivalent of the worry beads. Psychologists have proven that
stress and anger are greatly reduced by taking two fingers of the left hand and tapping certain parts of the
right hand (e.g., the skin where the pinkie and ring fingers meet, the top knuckle of the pinkie, the skin next to
each finger nail). You can also tap the same spots with the thumb or index finger of the same hand. The
scientific explanation for the stress relief is that the act of concentrating on something other than our worries
and accomplishing the simple task of tapping on specific nerve centers elicits a soothing, calm sensation that
unravels the knots in our necks. After I was mugged, a very patient and generous counselor set me a-tapping.
It worked very well to distract me from my post-traumatic stress.
8
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
-- Prayer described as l'hitpallel, the ancient Essene-Kabbalistic teaching of being one with God, also
reportedly works to reduce stress. I have not tried this, but find it intriguing. Rather than religious mysticism
or praying to a God outside ourselves, this prayer technique focuses on God within ourselves. Instead of
praying for peace (external), the prayer itself evokes the feeling of peace (internal).
TIPS FOR THE HOME-BASED WRITER
We all have a story to tell. Some could actually be marketable! Here are some ideas from a very fun website:
http://www.ratracerebellion.com
HOW TO FIND AN AGENT:
Publishers Marketplace can tell you a lot about the author-agent-editor merry-go-round, and trends in
publishing. Remember, it’s a business, and the more you know, the better off you’ll be. For details, see
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/.
WHERE TO FIND AN AGENT:
-- writers conferences. As you might expect, some conferences are harder to get into -- and offer better value
for money than others, and costs vary. (Bread Loaf, held at Middlebury College in Vermont, is one of the most
prestigious.) If you Google “writers conferences” (with the quotes), you’ll find plenty to start with.
Conferences are also listed at such aggregator sites as http://writing.shawguides.com/.
-- network through other writers (who already have an agent), librarians, popular bloggers (a number of whom
are writing books now), etc. Many established agents prefer to find new clients through referrals rather than
the “slush pile” (unsolicited manuscripts).
-- check such sites as Preditors & Editors (http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/), Everyone Who’s
Anyone (http://www.everyonewhosanyone.com/) and Absolute Write
(http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/) for the gist on good and bad apples, contact information, agents’
quirks and preferences, etc. (A number of agents also have their own blogs. Google will show the way.) You
can always query agents “cold” (i.e., slush pile), and although it may take awhile via any route to find and land
the agent who fits you best, sites like these will help you shorten the path considerably, and avoid missteps,
too.
FREEBIES
Enjoy!




Free sample Oxyfresh toothpaste : WWW.KNOCKOUTBADBREATH.COM
Free Mars products coupons every Friday thru September: WWW.REALCHOCOLATE.COM
Free Arby's Roastburger with beverage purchase: Text ROASTBURGER to 27297 (ARBYS) and receive a text
"coupon" to your cell phone. You have to show the message on your phone at the time of purchase.
If you don’t already have a free CVS “Extra Care” discount card, WWW.CVS.COM (opt in for email specials), and
use it every time you shop there. Besides store discounts, CVS awards 2% of in-store purchases and online
pharmacy orders to your Extra Care account, and every three months the cash-register receipt will include these
“Extra Bucks” for CVS purchases. (So be sure to check your receipts!)
9
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
More Good Deals (from Ladies' Home Journal: lhj.com/coupons)
1. Retail Me Not
Warning: Finding a discount on this site is so easy, it may lead to addiction. You can find discounts from about 20,000 retailers on this
site. But don't be overwhelmed -- we promise it's easy to navigate. You can search by retailer (we went with Coldwater Creek and
Estee Lauder) or you can search by category -- "fashion," "beauty," "clothing," and so on. The coupon listings are well updated, so you
don't waste time searching through expired offers, and user ratings show the real-time success rates for savings with specific coupons.
Bonus feature: Use Firefox to browse the Web? You can download an add-on that will automatically notify you when coupon codes
are available for the site that you're looking at.
To find the best prices on your favorite designers, check out their sister site, BeatMyPrice.com.
2. Flamingo World
This is the most thorough directory of coupon code listings we found. You can search by brand (Gap, Wal-Mart, Seven for all Mankind)
or for specific new deals, printable coupons, and expiring deals in all categories. If you know exactly what you want, we recommend
searching for coupons by category. In "Health & Beauty," for example, you'll find discount codes for Prescriptives, Bloomingdale's, and
Kiehl's products. In "Apparel," you'll find codes for stores like Banana Republic and Lord & Taylor. But be careful: you might get lost
amidst so many categories (everything from apparel to video games). It's good if you're shopping for a gift, bad if you have limited time.
Bonus feature: Their Consumer Resources page links to information on Internet scams, recalls, and help tracking online orders.
3. Coupon Chief
Zen is the first thing that comes to mind when on this site. It's broken down into three parts: Featured Stores, New Coupons, and
Popular Coupons. Victoria's Secret, Clarins, and Macy's are just some of the retailers you'll find here. Though the expiration dates are
mostly listed as "unknown," the great thing about becoming a member is their Pays-2-Share program. For every person who uses a
coupon you post, Coupon Chief gives you 2 percent of the sale. So not only can you find discounts, you'll also get paid to post them.
Bonus feature: How It Works video walks you through saving money online -- what you should know and how to save the most money
possible.
4. Cosmetics Coupon Codes + Fashion Coupon Codes
Fashion and beauty junkies will go crazy over the free samples, promo codes, and coupons on these blogs. Visiting the sites is like
listening to a friend who knows it all in a helpful rather than annoying way. Not only will you get the latest discounts from online retailers
like Beauty.com, but you'll also get new product descriptions, and you can e-mail a friend the same discount (sharing is caring). If you're
not in the browsing mood, you can search for discounts in categories like stretch marks, anti-aging, and brows. (Just keep in mind that
you'll need to subscribe for the most updated coupons.)
Bonus feature: They have sister sites like Jewelry Promo Codes and Fragrance Promo Codes.
5. The Budget Fashionista
Listen to Kathryn Finney. She's a major style horse on a minor budget. She's been writing this blog for trendy, money-savvy women for
six years now. Oh, and she wrote the book How to Be a Budget Fashionista -- The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less
(Random House/Ballantine Books), which also helps. You'll find the latest coupons, promo codes, and deals on fashions and
cosmetics, plus you'll get up-to-date industry news and shopping tips like "How to Shop at Forever 21" (good to know when your
teenage daughter drags you in) and "Six Great Online Swap Sites." Love Barney's? TBF will let you know when there are sample sales
at your favorite stores. We're in love.
Bonus feature: On the Fashion Podcast you can watch interviews featuring a mix of experts like Kathy Hilton (hey, she has a beauty
line) and Iman.
6. Coupon Cactus
Coupon Cactus practically pays you for signing up. All you have to do is create your own Coupon Cactus page, and any time someone
clicks on a coupon you've posted, you get a commission. Some users have even inserted links in their e-mail signatures to drum up
easy money. You can also get cash back just for using coupons on this site. For the easiest searching experience (there are over 2,000
coupons), go to the Coupons by Category link. Under Women's Apparel we found coupons for high-end retailers like Brooks Brothers
and more affordable vendors like Ann Taylor Loft (2 percent member cash back). We also found deals on Shu Uemura and Clinique in
the beauty category. Not sure if it's worth your time? The commission rates for each retailer are standard and listed on the site.
Bonus: Refer new members to the site and earn a 25 percent commission on all cash back and every commission that they earn.
7. Style For Free
10
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
It's not really shopping for free, but pretty close. There are a ton of beauty and fashion coupons to choose from on this site. You can
narrow your search by categories like plus-size, handbags, or shoes. In addition to coupons, there's also information on free samples
and sweepstakes. The site is easy to navigate, lists the expiration dates of coupons, and offers information on the hottest products for
each company (just in case you're not sure what to buy).
Bonus: The Style Files blog keeps you up to date on the newest products on the market and any relevant discounts.
8. Shopalicious
This blog dedicates itself to "delicious deals." Discounts on designer goods are updated daily. You'll get a product description of the
featured items along with where to get them at the best price and their coupon codes. If you're not up for reading through different kinds
of bargains, the Walk-in-Closet section allows you to search the blog by price point (below $150, for example), coupons only, sales, and
contests. Subscribe to their e-mail and the discounts will come to you.
Bonus: Their Indie Coupons section offers discounts on lesser known retailers, but quality fashions nonetheless.
9. She Finds Coupons
Bloomingdale's, SAKS, Lord & Taylor, and Origins are just a sampling of the stores that She Finds has coupons for (you'll also find
Home Depot and 1-800-Flowers, but the more the merrier, right?). What gives this site credence is its founder and shopping expert,
Michelle Madhok. You can trust that like an online personal shopper, she scoured the Web so you didn't have to.
Bonus: Sister site, shefinds.com, gives you the inside scoop on the latest fashion and beauty deals that don't compromise on chic.
10. Sweet Savings
The unique thing about this site is that the coupons actually look like coupons. You can easily scan through the new offerings on the
homepage, or you can search by offer (discount, sale, and free shipping), by category, or alphabetically. If you're looking to buy for him
or the kids, there are also coupons for that.
Bonus: Sign up for their Sweet Bakery weekly newsletter and stay in the loop about the hottest deals.
Originally published on LHJ.com, March 2009.
TOGETHER Rx ACCESS CARD
Speaking of Freebies, nearly 90% of uninsured Americans are now eligible for the Together Rx Access Card.
Sponsored by many of the largest parmaceutical companies, this program expands eligibility for prescription
coverage for individuals and families in the following income levels:
$ 45,000 for a single person
$ 60,000 for a familiy of two
$ 75,000 for a family of three
$ 90,000 for a family of four
$105,000 for a family of five
This is big news. To get more information or enroll, Call 1-800-250-2839 or visit www.TogetherRxAccess.com.
"HEALTH TAX" ON THE INSURED
Who pays for the health care that the uninsured receive? A 2009 Report by Families USA assessed the
following:
-- the uninsured pay out-of-pocket 37% of the total cost of care they receive
11
BOOMER'S GUIDE
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2009
-- third parties (government programs and charities) pay for 26% of the uninsured's care
-- 37% remaining ($42.7 billion) is unpaid, uncompensated care.
This 37% "hidden health tax is passed along to the privately-covered, non-Medicare/Medicaid population and
businesses in the form of higher premiums -- estimated at $368 per individual and $1,017 per family. God
Bless our working population!
Please let me know what topics you would like covered in our next Newsletters!
E-mail:DrBruno@gynosapiens.com.
All previous Newsletters are posted online on the homepage of
www.gynosapiens.com
12