Traveling Abroad? | Credit card, etc. usage and the currency exchange

Title: Money in Italy: Banks, ATMs, cards & currency exchange

Article Snip: "...Always choose to be charged in EUR, the local currency

One thing you should be aware of if you use a credit or debit card abroad, is something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). How it works is that when you pay, you might be asked if you want to be charged in your home currency. While that sounds nice and easier to understand, it means that the exchange rate applied is chosen by the retailer's bank. As a general rule, this won't be as good as the rate your own bank would give you (after all, it's in your bank’s interest to keep you happy).

Instead, always opt to pay in the local currency to make sure you get the best deal. ..."

Reference: wise.com

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Hopefully You Are Not Missing This Rare Opportunity for 5.25%+ Certificate of Deposit Rates (CD) Instead of Meager Bank/CU Savings Rate

We are NOT offering investment advice. We offer you the 'referenced' facts for you to make your own decisions.

Title: Hopefully You Are Not Missing This Rare Opportunity for 5.25%+ Certificate of Deposit Rates (CD) Instead of Meager Bank/CU Savings Rate

"The Fed has maintained a higher interest rate for a period in an effort to reduce inflation. That means banks and credit unions should be offering you a good rate on CD's ...a rate that is likely to drop several times in 2024 as the Fed is pressured to do so. If you want to capture this rate or better, now looks like the time. We have noticed many offerings that are appealing as opposed to the average savings account rate of less than .50% return. One example offered by a reader states that he or she has captured a 5.25% CD (simple interest, not compounded) for seven months with a $5,000 minimum. This is a considerable difference in the savings rate. Don't let your money sit idle and leave money on the table that you do not have to lock up for years. "

Reference: Federal Retirement News
Certificate of Deposit Rates (CD),Investing,CD's vs. Savings,

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Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program FAQs

Title: Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program FAQs

Article Snip: "The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) which will provide health insurance to eligible Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their eligible family members starting in 2025. The PSHB Program coverage will replace Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program coverage for these groups. "

Reference: www.opm.gov
Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB),Medicare,

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This California retiree collects — and returns — old postcards

Title: This California retiree collects — and returns — old postcards

Article Snip: "Lowell Joerg says he ‘likes to send history’ through the mail...The 95-year-old Stockton, CA, retiree mails his finds to the places they depict — a longtime hobby he calls his “redistribution of happiness” project. ..."

Reference: news.usps.com

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OPM Application for Court-Ordered Benefits for Former Spouse (PDF)

Title: OPM Application for Court-Ordered Benefits for Former Spouse

Article Snip: "...Use this application if you are the former spouse of a Federal employee/annuitant covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), you wish to apply for a court-ordered retirement benefit, and you have obtained a court-order acceptable for processing. You can also find this form on our website at www.opm.gov/retirement-services/my-annuity-and-benefits/life-events?#url=Court-Order. Supporting documentation must be submitted with this application. This includes ..."

Reference: www.opm.gov
Forms, Application for Court-Ordered Benefits for Former Spouse (PDF), RI 84-1, SF 3119

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Surprise! If You're a Medicare Enrollee, You May Have to Pay for These Expenses on Your Own.

Title: Surprise! If You're a Medicare Enrollee, You May Have to Pay for These Expenses on Your Own.

Article Snip: "...Medicare provides health coverage to millions of seniors today. But even with that coverage, retirees commonly have to reach into their wallets to cover expenses that Medicare won't pay for. Here are a few items that fall into that category. ..."

Reference: www.fool.com
Medicare, Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage,

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93-year-old athlete’s workouts reveal 4 secrets to maintaining longevity

Title: 93-year-old athlete’s workouts reveal 4 secrets to maintaining longevity

Article Snip: "...At 93, Richard Morgan is as fit as someone half his age. The Irishman was the subject of a new analysis, published last month in the Journal of Applied Physiology, of his training regimen, diet and overall health. ...Physiological characteristics of a 92-yr-old four-time world champion indoor rower"

Reference: nypost.com
Health,super-agers,Exercise,Rowing,Diet,Physiology, world champion indoor rower,Aging,Concept2 RowErg,

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What Are Your Options if You Haven't Saved Enough When You Retire?

Title: What Are Your Options if You Haven't Saved Enough When You Retire?

Article Snip: "...It's not an uncommon situation at all: Retirement is getting closer, and you're starting to worry that you haven't saved enough. Retiring without enough income or resources is a frightening prospect, and you're scared. Indeed, according to the 2023 Retirement Confidence Survey, 33% of respondents have less than $25,000 in savings and investments (excluding the value of a primary home). ..."

Reference:www.fool.com

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America is hitting "peak 65" in 2024 as record number of boomers reach retirement age. Here's what to know.

Title: America is hitting "peak 65" in 2024 as record number of boomers reach retirement age. Here's what to know.

Article Snip: "...2024 will be a record-breaking year for retirement in the U.S., with an average of 11,000 Americans a day expected to celebrate their 65th birthday from now until December. Approximately 4.1 million Americans are poised to turn 65 this year and every year through 2027, according to a report from the Alliance for Lifetime Income. Dubbed by experts as "peak 65" or the "silver tsunami," the figure represents the largest surge of retirement-age Americans in history...."

Reference: www.cbsnews.com
Silver Tsunami,Baby Boomers,2024,

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The Biden Years | The US may have tiptoed around a recession last year, but it won't be so lucky in 2024

Title:

Article Snip: "...careful look at the labor market now will suggest that hiring has just ground to a halt...The problem is that the Fed badly misread how long high inflation would linger...In December, the core inflation print notched an annual 3.2% increase. "They've never missed in that direction by that magnitude ..."

Reference: www.businessinsider.com
2024, The Biden Years,Inflation,Recession 2024,Biden Legacy,Destruction of Seniors,Destruction of Retirees,

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Trump urges unity, Dems stoke racism and divide

Title: Trump easily wins Iowa caucus in historic landslide, urges unity to ‘straighten out death and destruction

Article Snip: "The 77-year-old Trump recorded the biggest margin of victory in the modern history of the Iowa GOP caucus ...“I want to congratulate Ron and Nikki...“I think they both actually did very well. I really do. I think they both did very well.” ...“I really think this is time now for everybody in our country to come together. We want to come together — "

Reference: nypost.com
Iowa Caucus, Trump Wins,2024,

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I’m 80 and my single daughter is bullying me into childcare

Title: I’m 80 and my single daughter is bullying me into childcare

Article Snip: "Now is the time to say ‘No!’ It will feel frightening, but you must do it anyway and, with time, you will feel more confident...Last year I had to stay at her house for three weeks while she did a course. As time went on it became clear that her course would mean she would be away on far more occasions. We sold our house in Spain so that we could be on hand even more. I found this sale stressful and my health deteriorated during that time. The completion date was to be on a day when she wanted me to be with our grandson. I told her I would have to be in Spain and she was extremely nasty, bullying me into changing the day to suit her. We had to change the documents and rush everything. We then had to dash up by car to look after my grandson. ...we've created now is a generation of kids where adolescence is the new childhood, where they're coddled and they're over parented and they're over protected." ...psychologist says hyper-vigilant parents are projecting their worries onto their children, leading to new generations with serious mental health issues. "Children are not fragile," said Dr. Simon Sherry."

Reference: www.theguardian.com
The Problem isn't your child - It's you! Coddling your children helps no one.

More Reading: Coddled kids end-up incapable, anxious, and depressed: Halifax psychologist

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Trump to take the stage in Iowa for Fox News town hall

Title: Trump to take the stage in Iowa for Fox News town hall

Article Snip: "...town hall will air at 9 p.m. ET...Former President Trump is expected to take the stage Wednesday for a live town hall from Iowa, where he will take questions on the leading issues facing voters in the Hawkeye State and across the nation. ..."

Reference: www.foxnews.com

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APWU | Watching Your Wallet in 2024

Title: APWU | Watching Your Wallet in 2024

Article Snip: "The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a federal agency created to ensure consumers are treated fairly. ...The CFPB is working to save households billions of dollars a year by reducing exploitative junk fees charged by banks and financial companies. ...Find answers to your money questions"

Reference: apwu.org
Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB)

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What's Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?

All Medigap policies are standardized. This means, they offer the same basic benefits no matter where you live or which insurance company you buy the policy from.

Title: What's Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?

Article Snip: "...Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private health insurance company to help pay your share of out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare. Generally, you must have Original Medicare – Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) – to buy a Medigap policy. ... Get Medigap basics and Learn what Medigap covers, how it works, and general costs."

Reference: www.medicare.gov
Medigap,Medicare supplement insurance policy,

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Your Tax Dollars at Work ...for immigrants | Living the American Dream

Title: Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs

Article Snip: "...Last revised MARCH 2023* This table provides an overview of immigrant eligibility for the major federal public assistance programs. The programs listed in the table are the following:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Emergency Medicaid (includes labor and delivery)
Full-Scope Medicaid
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Medicare “Premium-Free” Part A (hospitalization) (Eligibility based on work history.)
Premium “Buy-in” Medicare
HUD Public Housing and Section 8 Programs
Title XX Block Grants
Social Security
Other Federal Public Benefits Subject to Welfare Law’s Restrictions
Benefits Exempt from Welfare Law’s Restrictions

Some states provide assistance to immigrants who are not eligible for federally funded services...."

Reference: www.nilc.org
Root Cause of Illegal Immigration,Biden Legacy,Foreign Invasion of U.S. Borders,

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2024 Tax Filing Guide: Key Changes and Mistakes To Avoid

Title: 2024 Tax Filing Guide: Key Changes and Mistakes To Avoid

Article Snip: "...Each year with tax filing season comes changes and updates. Being aware of these changes is important as you begin your year-end tax planning and gathering information for the preparation of your 2023 tax return. Here’s a look at how certain tax thresholds, deductions and credits will shift for the 2023 tax year: There are seven federal tax brackets, and they will remain the same as 2022 — 10%, 12%, 22%..."

Reference: www.thestreet.com

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The Income Gap Jeopardizing Retirement for Millions

Title: The Income Gap Jeopardizing Retirement for Millions

Article Snip: "...the inequities between the very bottom and the top of income distribution,” said Jack Chapel, the lead author of the study, an economist and doctoral candidate... “We wanted to look at the middle class, where people are struggling.”

Drawing on data from the national Health and Retirement Study between 1994 and 2018, the researchers found “a bifurcation” among Americans in their mid-50s, he said.

In effect, they now divide into two middle classes: the ..."

Reference: www.nytimes.com
Destruction of the Working Class,Destruction of Retirees,Destruction of Social Security,

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Here’s What It’s Like to Retire on Almost Nothing but Social Security

Title: Here’s What It’s Like to Retire on Almost Nothing but Social Security

Article Snip: "Four retirees with limited incomes open up about how they make it..."

Reference: www.wsj.com
Wisdom (Retirement),

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92-year-old sets world record with trek across Grand Canyon

Title: 92-year-old sets world record with trek across Grand Canyon

Article Snip: "...Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, 92, set a Guinness World Record when he made a 24-mile hike across the Grand Canyon last October. ...Burdio's takeaway from the hike is that it is never too late to try something, even at old age.

"I began living a healthy lifestyle really at age 76," he said."

Reference: www.foxnews.com
Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, 92 Year Old, Guinness World Record, Grand Canyon, Hiking,Things to do in retirement,Exercise,Health,super-agers,

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