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It's almost allergy season again. I used
to suffer from minor sniffles and stuffiness when I was a young mother. Now I have developed most of the textbook allergy symptoms during the spring and fall seasons.
I have over the counter pills and capsules for those rough days of itchy eyes, irritated nose, and sinus pressure.
I find strong allergy nasal sprays and nasal rinse pots disgusting. But I have friends who swear by them. I say, "To each is his own! "
I enjoy using Home Remedies and Naturopathic remedies also. I prefer
them if I am able to start this treatment before my symptoms excerbate. They
work well and I don't have any side effects from them. I will buy a sterile
saline solution from a dollar store
for convenience sometimes.
Here are my "go to" treatments for minor allergy and sinus symptoms:
Saline Nasal Spray for sinus pressure:
This a cheap and convenient remedy.
My 90 y.o neighbor only uses saline for
all of her sinus and allergy problems.
She doesn't buy water from the store.
She boils her water 15 minutes then
puts it in recycled plastic milk jugs. She uses it in her own recipe for the saline solution. I tried her recipe when I ran out of my medication one night. It worked instantly and most of my sinus pressure was gone! I am also sharing recipes for solutions using items in your kitchen for
colds and allergies.
MRS. M'S SALINE SOLUTION
1 cup boiled water
1/2 teaspoon table salt
Combine all ingredients in sauce pot.
Boil solution 1 minutes or until salt has dissolved. Cool and put in clean jar.
MS. LYDIA'S SALINE SOLUTION
1 cup purified or spring water
1/4 tsp sea salt or Kosher salt
Combine all ingredients in microwave safe dish. Boil solution 15 minutes or until salt
has dissolved. Cool and put in clean jar.
How to use:
Wash hands and place small amount
of saline in palm of your hand. Sniff a
little saline up both nostrils. I suggest sniffing a little at a time to avoid letting any solution going down your throat.
https://www.amazon.com
MS LYDIA COLD SOOTHER
ONE STRONG MENTHOL COUGH DROP
OR HERBAL COUGH DROP
1 MUG HOT BREWED BLACK TEA
ADD COUGH DROP TO MUG OF HOT TEA.
STIR VIGOROUSLY UNTIL COUGH DROP DISSOLVES.
TIP:
I SIT UNDER COZY BLANKET AND SIP UNTIL I FEEL BETTER!!
https://en.wikipedia.org
DOCTOR B'S HOT TODDY
I had the best peditrician when my children were young. I was surprised when he gave me this recipe. He said
he used it on his children when they
wer small. Don't be alarmed about the alcohol. Some of the cold/allergy meds that I buy over the counter have some alcohol in them. It helps me sleep when the nasal congestion makes me feel awful.
1 MUG OF HOT WATER
1 TABLESPOON HONEY
1 TEASPOON CHEAP WHISKEY
OR BOURBON
1 TEASPOON LEMON JUICE
ADD ALL INGREDIENTS IN MUG. STIR VIGOROUSLY UNTIL HONEY HAS DISSOLVED.
TIP:
* CAN ADJUST WHIKEY TO TASTE
* DRINK BREW WHEN STAYING INSIDE ALL DAY. IT OPENS YOUR PORES AND MAKES YOU SWEAT.
https://www.walgreens.com
HERBAL DECONGESTANTS
My doctor told be to stop using over the counter decongestants because it was raising my blood pressure. I went to Whole Foods Store. A clerk showed me lots of herbal decongestants in liquid and pill
form. I have tried a lot of them. NatraBio Sinus Relief tablets work the best for me. They are chewable and work fast to relieve my severe sinus pressure. They are now available at some Whole Foods Stores and Walgreens Stores.
ITCHY EYE RELIEF
Last year my allergy symptoms were severe and I developed "pink eye" if I
went outside without my shades on!
The doctor can prescribed medication for pink eye which does clear it up quickly. I discovered that CVS has a tried and true homepathic soultion by Similasan. Their eye drops soothes my irritated eyes
when my over the counter eye drops stopped working. I also saved money
by not paying for any office visit and an expensive prescription. Similasan also have an ear infection solution that works like a charm too.
HERBAL COUGH DROPS
I discovered that herbal cough drops can knock out minor allergy, sinus, and cold symptoms. They contain horehound
and other great herbal ingredients. My mom gave me horehound candy for colds when I was young. The Ricola brand and generic store brand herbal cough drops are available at most retail stores. Believe it or not, Family Dollar Stores have their
brand of herbal cough drops for $2!!
I started keeping them on hand because
I know horehound works for relieving cold symptoms. My allergy/sinus symptoms clear up quickly if I take them three times
a day during the allergy season. The Ricola Lemon & Echinacea brand
works best for me. Echinacea works like
an antibiotic. I also use herbal cough drops for my allergy when I must avoid driving when I am drowsy.
DISCLAIMER: I HAVE NO MEDICAL TRAINING. YOU SHOULD CONSULT
WITH YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE & TREATMENT.
I became age 65 in 2016. I did not know reaching age 65 would make me so important to insurance companies.
My mailbox became flooded with letters, brochures, MEDICARE booklets from every health insurance company known
to man or woman. I even had a couple
of fast talking insurance agents show up at my door. They claim that they wanted
to explain MEDICARE BENEFITS to me.
Of course, I didn't let them in my house.
I told them to leave because I didn't
transact any business with door-to- door!
It's 2017 and apparently I'll be bothered by MEDICARE AGENTS this year too. I had to get rid of an agent yesterday.
I suddenly recalled my mom calling often to complain about getting numerous calls from MEDICARE AGENTS. They were trying to get her to sign up with them.
I told her to hang up immediately!! A few
even knocked on her door. She knew better than to let them inside.
I learned a few do's and dont's from listening to Seniors at the Senior Center
that I go to every week:
DON'T TALK TO THEM ON PHONE. YOU MAY GET CONFUSED & SIGN UP FOR A BAD POLICY. SOME THEM GOT STUCK WITH POLICIES THAT DIDN'T HELP THEM WITH THE COST OF THEIR MEDICATION. THIS EXPENSE CRIPPLED THEIR FINANCES FOR 12 MONTHS.
DO BE CAREFUL WITH THE MEDICARE MAILERS! SOME ARE FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT & SOME ARE NOT!
READ SMALL PRINT AT BOTTOM. IT SAYS
NOT AFFILIATED WITH A GOVERNMENT! AGENCY!
DO CALL SHIPP! THIS IS A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED CALL CENTER. THEY HELP YOU SORT THROUGH THE MEDICARE
MADNESS. THEY ARE TRAINED TO HELP PEOPLE CHOSE A POLICY TO FIT YOUR BUDGET & HEALTH NEEDS. THEY
ALSO KNOW WHICH AGENTS ARE AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE IN YOUR STATE-SOME ARE NOT!! VISIT THIS
WEBSITE FOR HELP WITH FIND YOUR STATE'S WEBSITE & PHONE NUMBER:
http://www.seniorsresourceguide.com/directories/National/SHIP/
DO VISIT AARP WEBSITE. THEY HAVE OF THE MEDICARE GUIDE THAT'S EASY TO UNDERSTAND:
http://www.medicareadvantagesupplementplans.com/wp-content/uploads/AARP-retirement-survival-guide.jpg
DO ASK THE MEDICARE AGENT YOU
CHOOSE IF THEY OFFER VISION & DENTAL PLANS!
DO INVESTIGATE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN IF YOU
REQUIRE A LOT OF MEDICATION
& HAVE FREQUENT OFFICE VISITS.
MY HUSBAND GOT IT BECAUSE
HIS CO-PAYS WERE EXPENSIVE.
OUR INSURANCE CO ALREADY
COVERED OUR AUTO & HOME
OWNER INSURANCE. THEY JUST
ADDED THIS FEE IN OUR MONTHLY
PREMIUM.
I hope that the new health insurance that the government is proposing will not be detrimental to MEDICARE for seniors.
The MEDICARE benefits we have now is not perfect but most seniors couldn't afford an increase in their MEDICARE
insurance premiums or cuts in the benefits that we are currently receiving.
Beware of websites offering freebies and
samples. Especially if you have to pay for
shipping and handling. I fell for this trick
and ordered a new skin care sample. I got the 2 oz sample and wasn't impressed. The company started mailing me 2 oz products every month for the skin, wrinkles and eyes. I didn't authorize
any of this. I was puzzled because the shipping label didn't have company name on it. I decided to review my checking account. There was two charges for $89! My bank suggested I cancel my debit card to prevent further charges. I refused to pay shipping and handling to return these products. A lesson learned for these $89, 2 oz bottles of junk. The Internet had several Seniors complaining of lots of unauthorized charges for this skin care product.
I also stopped ordering samples because some companies wanted too much personal information. Your birth date and phone number can be used by hackers. My email started being cluttered with
SPAM (unsolicited emails). I began to get numerous telemarketing calls on my cell phone too.
There are some websites offering samples without " strings attached". I don't have time to find out who they are. I go the product websites to see if
I can get SAMPLE directly from manufacturer. Some companies offer limited number of samples and freebies on Facebook and Twitter.
I also got good advice from these websites:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com
FEATURE STORY: 31 Best Websites for Scoring Freebies
http://www.familycircle.com
FEATURE STORY:
How to Get Free Stuff and Avoid Scams
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Free-Stuff-Without-Scam-Offers
FEATURE STORY:
How to Get Free Stuff Without Scam Offers
http://www.womansday.com
FEATURE STORY:
3 Sites for…Free Samples!
FREE MAGAZINES IN MY MAILBOX!
I started receiving free popular magazines wrapped in plastic in my mailbox. I didn't authorize an subscription. I was suspicious
and returned them unopened to the company.
I had to do this three time before they got the message:
DON'T TRY TO GET ME TO PAY FOR UNAUTHOZIED SUSCRIPTIONS!!
I LIKE BOGO!
I used to love "BOGO". I learned to be careful when I see these ads on TV and in store sales flyers. I hate the TV ads featuring trendy gadgets and encourage you to buy extra one to use for a gift. They say, "Just pay additional shipping and handling". The second one is not free if pay
any fee! I made the mistake of ordering a trendy product by phone once. The ad on TV said the food chopper was $10. I called the toll-free-number and the customer service lady was
trained in soliciting additional order. My total
charge was $40 because she added 2nd chopper for my mom, shipping/handling fees, and chopper upgrades! I no longer rush to order trendy gadgets.
My favorite stores have a "AS SEEN ON TV" section. I just wait for the trendy gadget to arrive so I won't have to listen to tricky sale pitches!
Be care of several items for same price
( e.g. 10 for 10) in grocery stores and retail stores. I was excited the first time my fave grocery store offered this.
The sale was on frozen veggies and store allowed customer to mix and match veggies. My total
check out bill was $70! Trust me this only happened once! Each item maybe $1 but I
don't have to buy more than I need. I live
alone and there was no way for me to use up
all these veggies before they had freezer burn.
Some stores play games when you see 2 for 1
price. You have to buy two to void paying
full price for the second item ( e.g. 2/$1.00
and pay 65 cents regular price if only buy one ). This rule is usually in small print. I tell the sales clerk to keep this product if I can't buy one item
for the sale price.
Some stores only let you use reward cards
for percentage off on non sale items. Read
small print because only get sale price when
use reward/loyalty card. I have seen so many
people get cart full of sale items but didn't
have reward/loyalty card. They became upset
when they heard total purchase price. The
clerk says, " You must have reward card to
get sales prices".
Check out this website that helps consumers
wise up:
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/2010/08/05/10-for-10-2-for-5-how-to-know-when-you-do-or-dont-have-to-purchase-multiples
I remembered the song, "It's A Hard
Knock Life" from the Broadway play
Annie recently. I got a "hard knock"
as a result of being lazy. I did not monitor my checking account regularly. This task is boring and a nuisance.
Even if your bank has staff trained in fraud detection, bad things can happen beyond their control. Fact is, no one can keep up with my "frequent shopping miles" better than me.
LESSON LEARNED:
MONITOR MY CHECKING & CHARGE ACCOUNTS DAILY!!
MY PENNY PINCHER CHARGERS
My bank called me on a Sunday morning because they noticed $2 charges from Florida! A hacker was testing my account to see if my bank would allow his small dollar transactions to go through. The bank clerk said the hackers began to transmit large dollar amounts if the small ones go through. I assured him I was not Florida. He immediately cancelled my debit card to avoid further hacking.
I often partake in Value Menus at my
local fast food restaurants. So, my checking account has lots of dollar amounts under $10. This is why I need
to pay close attention! I make sure all
of those small charges and fees were made by me. Some hackers could have their scamming dollars mixed in.
STRANGE CHECKING ACCOUNT VISITORS!
My friend's checking account was hacked for 6 months without her or her bank noticing. The hackers had fun and made transactions totalling $7,000. This hacking would have continued until her debit card
denied a charge when she was out shopping. She was alarmed because her pay check had just been direct deposited.
Another friend was traveling in Europe didn't take the time to monitor his checking account. The hackers had made $15,000 of transactions before he or his bank noticed.
Their banks worked with both of them
and law enforcement was notified of
the fraud/hacking. They were blessed
because their banks said that most customers are usually responsible
for fraudulent transaction over $500. These horror stories really frightened
me. Now I make sure I monitor all of
my bank accounts daily . I check for transactions from unfamiliar stores or
purchases I know I didn't make. I keep
all of my receipts and don't discard them until I verify them in my bank accounts.
http://galleryhip.com
I believe in sharing information.
Especially information that will
help fellow senior ladies stay as
savvy as possible. We senior
ladies also need to be savvy
about computer scams and hacking.
I am not computer tech savvy. But,
I have been the victim of computer scamming and hacking. So, I have
learned a few lessons that will help
me avoid being a victim in future.
I DON'T GO FISHING!
There are criminal minds who love
to phish ( pronounced fish). They
send me fake email addresses and
spams messages. They really need personal information about you from
your computer. Their ultimate goal is
to steal money. I never open e-mails
I receive in my spam in box. I just delete all of them every day.
PLEASE HANG UP ON ME!
I've seen and heard too many horror stories about seniors being scammed
on the phone. I don't talk to strangers
or telemarketers on my phone. I hang
up the phone immediately. Some are scammers who are fast talking wolves. There are also robocall scams now.
The voice tries to get you to say, "Yes"
to there questions. Then the system records your response and uses it to
make it sound like you agreed to their service. Some of the robocalls try to
get personal information from you to
use for identity thief. Some seniors
have received unexpected charges in
their bank accounts.
I visited the following websites for
more details on these issues:
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/phishing.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing
http://www.aarp.org
FEATURE STORY:
PROTECTING YOURSELF:
Profile of a Scam Victim
http://www.nbcnews.com
FEATURE STORY:
Tips for Fighting ‘Can You Hear
Me Now’ and Other
I think I have come to terms with aging now. I exhaled and learned to deal with it. I had a long talk with my older girlfriends and realized I was not alone. I went into my prayer closet, had a pity party, and came out a better woman. Aging does
not mean I'm not intelligent and have no value in this world. Some young people have needed my wisdom and advice.
I cherish each birthday and changed my priorities. I realize happiness is a loving relationships with the Lord, my family,
and my friends. Some of you senior
ladies might feel like saying, "I feel you!"
I've had some of the same issues". Should I believe, the saying, "You are as young as you feel?"
I have found some coping mechanisms.
I meet with girl friends often and we have
a laugh-in. We discuss all of the senior
moments we've had during the week.
I have visited a few websites for senior women and they discuss aging gracefully.
Some of their advice on aging was good.
Please visit this blog for my :
https://seniorladieskeepingitreal.blogspot.com
" MY SENIOR LADY SURVIVOR RULES"
SENIOR'S BIRTHDAY CAKE!
There are so many things my friends didn't tell me about getting old!! There
is an echo in my mind. My mom said,
"You laugh at me now, but you'll get
old one day!" Of course, I thought she
was just old and wrong! Well, I've had
to apologize to my elders!
http://www.ebay.com
I laughed when she said, "Turn that music down!"She wasn't satisfied until the music was so low, I doubt my dog hear it! Now, I abhor all loud music! It seems that average music volume is piercing and irritating. I even have to cut my own music down in the car sometimes. I admitted to mom that now I understand about the music.
I used to laugh at my aunt who had
cotton in her ears on cold and windy
days. I would tell her, "Please take that cotton out of your ears!"I thought she
was acting "county hick". I apologized
to her because now I see why she used the cotton.I found out the hard way about cold or windy weather. I got a terrible sinus headache because the cold air and
wind went in my ears.
http://www.ebay.com
I wouldn't dare use cotton in my ears
as a remedy. I bought some cute ski ear warmer headbands to wear on cold or windy days. I have to save my fashion savvy reputation!
I thought that getting dressed would be a breeze now that I am retired. I recalled when I multi-tasked with dressing my kids, fixing their breakfast, and putting on makeup before going to work. I couldn't multi-task now if you paid me.The old trick, walking, rubbing your head, and chewing gum at the same time would be an ordeal for me. As a matter of fact,
it takes me longer to get ready to go shopping or to go to church now. I have so many things to check on. I discovered
that I make a mess if I rush. My blouse make be on wrong or I may leave stove on. I understand now why I must put keys, remote, and cell phone in the same place
everyday. I smile now, when I see seniors with a shopping car at checkout with only one item in the cart.
www.youtube.com
I've seen some older men with huge ears and an affinity for suspenders and plaid and striped clothes. I don't feel sorry for the men any more. My senior lady friends and I, have our own aging issues! I've noticed too many older women with moustaches and creepy skin. I had to come to terms with aging this year. It
takes time to cover up and enhance
aging body parts! I didn't seem to notice things "going south" until I reached my 60th birthday. I guess I was in denial.
My aging has left me with unforseen
health problems. I develop a new allergy monthly. I was heartbroken when I recently became allergic to shrimp and hair color.
Hey, I declared I would color my hair until I turned 70! I'm 60 and my mom is 80. She has pretty grey hair but I was not ready to look like her grey haired sister! I have dyslexia now, so, I THANK GOD for spell check! Boy did I have a wake up call. There are a lot of things that happen to aging bodies that's inevitable!!
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