Free College Education for Senior Citizen

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     Did you know that if you are 60 or older, you may qualify for a free or reduced rate for tuition at your local campus.  Senior citizens can attend most colleges free of charge or a reduced rate depending on seating availability.  You have to meet the requirements of the college and pay fees,book and educational related expenses.  Some colleges only allow you to audit the classes , whereas others are credit based only.  I am currently working on another blog specific to this post.  I am researching all campuses in each state and I hope to provide you with a comprehensive list of these campuses complete with contact information,  My new blog is at http://www.senioredu.blogspot.com/.   I hope it provides all the information you need to get started today.  College is not only good for the mind, but it is food for the soul.  It is a good way to remain active and productive after retirement.  So please consider calling your local college campus and inquire in financial aid as to your eligibility.  Also, ask your local tax advisor about the Lifetime Learning Credit that is available.

An Abscessed Tooth can KILL You!

Image via Wikipedia     What you don't know about abscessed tooth can kill you.  Left untreated some of the complications can range from Ludwig's angina or facial cellulitis to septicemia, and from brain abscess to endocarditis.  All of these are serious infections that can be fatal.  An abscessed tooth is considered a medical emergency and can be treated at your local emergency room.  If you are disabled, elderly, or medically compromised and can not afford proper dental care and do not qualify for state aid then you may qualify for Donated Dental Services provided by NFDH.  The NFDH is a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association and they have a network of 13,000 volunteer dentist and 3,000 volunteer laboratories.  They also offer house call services to those that can't get to a dentist office for whatever reason.  There is also another service that provides dental coverage known as  CHIP for children under the age of 19, and in some states their parents, who are low-income but do not qualify for medicaid.  This is a resource for any medical condition that will sometimes provide free prescriptions and care that is often overlooked and that is clinical trials.  Check their website often to see if you or experiencing symptoms for a disease that they are researching.  Clinical trials that are specifically geared toward dental problems are provided by the NIDCR.  You can also obtain care at your local health department.  And lastly, you can find quality dental care at a discounted price at your local dental college.  Some dental schools and dentist for that matter will sponsor and event certain times of the year where they will provide free services for the low income.  Another place that you can check is at Free Medical Clinics/Camps All Over the USA for a clinic in your state.

     Whichever avenue you chose to meet your dental needs, remember that an abscessed tooth is no laughing matter.  Seek out care because your life may depend on it.

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If You Need Help Now Dial 211

     Yes if you have a crisis and need help fast, then pick up the phone and dial 211.  211 is a national collaborative of the United Way World and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. 211 is a number that you can call that connects you with your local chapter.  They can provide critical information about services that are available to you in your community. Your chapter can provide you with information about services that are available to assist you with housing. food, clothing, employment, counseling, health-care,senior and childcare services.  They can also assist you with services that are available form teen pregnancy to alcohol and drug intervention and rehabilitation and much, much more.  They have an exhaustive list of referral information for all most any critical health or human service issue you might encounter.  As of November 2009 211 serves over 241 million Americans in 47 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.  The remaining states are in various stages of planning for implementation of the 211 system with new services been update weekly.  Furthermore,as of September 2008 the 211 system has expanded its services to Canada.  You can find out more about this expansion at http://www.211canada.ca/ .
As for the expansion in the remaining states in American, you can join in their efforts by contacting your representative in congress  and urge them in co-sponsoring the Calling for 211 Act by signing the United Way petition (S.211/H.R.211).  If you have had or know of someone that has utilized the 211 calling system, could you shared with our readers if you or their needs where met?

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A Decade that Changed Us Forever

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     This has been an interesting and demanding decade.  From national and natural disasters to financial failures and home foreclosures, this period of our history has affected us all in someway or another.  Not that the first part of the 21st century was unkind to all of us, but for some of us, our lives will be forever changed.  On a personal note, I am mourning to loss of my beautiful grandmother who passed away on Dec. 30th.  My goal this year is to make her proud of me.  I will work hard to do all I can do to provide you with information that will help you or someone you love.  May we all work harder to help our fellow man, and may the coming decade be filled with compassion and hope and new beginnings for us all.

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The After Christmas Sale

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If you have not already begun, it is now the time to stock up for next Christmas. Discounts can be found everywhere from department to drug stores and from grocery to thrift stores. You can find bargains now with deep discounts that you can use for upcoming occasions and holidays other than just Christmas. Get red and white tissue paper now for your Valentine gifts and the chocolates are deeply discounts, especially those in Christmas packaging. Just discard the packaging and put in a pretty heart shaped container. Use your imagination and the possibilities are endless. Gift sets can be purchased now for birthday and anniversary gifts later. Returned opened up and taped back merchandise can be bought cheaply, so think big. It is a good time to get a better tree. The longer you wait the better the deal. To get more ideas on how you can save go to http://www.frugalliving.about.com/ and http://www.thriftyfun.com/. Where are the best deals? You can find an extensive list at http://www.geekettebits.com/. Just look under the Popular Post section at the Day After Christmas Deals & Sales. Here you will find a list of 45 different retailers with deals set to expire within the next couple of weeks. Don't forget about adding to your ornament collection at this time. Here is another tip on the fireplace pleasers. Start saving empty toilet and paper towel rolls and dryer lint. Get some twine if you don't have any and use it to make a wick that goes through the inside of the rolls and then pack with the dryer lint. Color some paraffin with red and green or blue and white candle coloring and dip these packed rolls into them. You can even dip one side in one color and the other side in another color. You can even add fragrance oil into the heated wax for scent. Lay these out on wax paper to dry and seal in airtight containers for next Christmas. You will be ahead of the game with these ideas and you could literally save yourself hundred of dollars buying now.

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Fireplace Pleasers without the Price

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With Christmas quickly approaching, give a gift from the heart. This is one present that you will spend time on making wonderful. Fire starters are very useful and much desired gifts. If you can commit to an afternoon of gathering twigs and lots of pine cones, your guaranteed a low-cost and eye-catching present for the one you love. Gather up kindling of any kind that you can find outside. Try to find twigs or branches big enough that you can cut into uniform pieces. Take them and place in a bucket of water to clean off debris and bugs. Remove the pieces and put 2/3rd's of the pine cones aside. Put remaining pieces on a baking pan and place in the oven at 200 degrees for at least 30 minutes or until dry. When pine cones open their petals, then remove them from the heat and set aside. You can take a third of the pine cones and place in a 1/2 gallon of water and add 1 cup of borax or Allum. Take the other third and place in 1/2 gallon of water and add 1 cup of boric acid and let these soak for 8 hours, remove, and allow them to dry in a warm place until Christmas. When these are dry place them in a cellophane bag and tie with raffia. They will burn red and green when placed in a fire for a beautiful effect. If you don't have fragrance oils, then go to your local florist and ask for any lavender and rosemary stems. You can add bayleaves, lemongrass and mint. Bundle this together in two to three arrangement and add some cinnamon sticks to each and tie with raffia and set aside. Buy some paraffin wax, candle coloring, and candle fragrance and melt in an old tin can big enough to dip cones. Place tin cans in a double broiler to heat. Use Christmas colors of red and green or your color theme can be blue and white. Submerge pine cones with tongs and set on wax paper to dry. Place in a cellophane bag and tie with raffia. Assemble twigs and branches in separate bundles and tie together with raffia. Arrange bags and bundles in a basket or empty cardboard box decorated with wrapping paper. I like to give this with a Christmas popcorn tin so they can use the tin to put cool ashes in during the holidays. Don't forget to include a box of kitchen matches and your set to provide the lucky recipient with some wonderful nights in front of the hearth.

More Inexpensive Christmas Ideas

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I wanted to buy each of my colleagues at work a Christmas present this year. This is one thing that always creates a dilemma. I want to get them something that they will like while making sure my family members presents are covered. After brainstorming for several days I came up with a very inexpensive solution. Recently I had purchase a cute little locker organizer at you guessed it , Wally World . My coworkers had commented on how much they liked it. I purchased 9 of them for about $20.00. I know that they will love it, and I didn't break my budget. I got them something that they will use every time they go to work. I found them in the clearance section at Walmart. They also have locker lites in the shape of stars and heart that come on when you open the door. They are only 50 cents apiece. This makes a great little gift for a niece or nephew. So go pick up a few while supplies last.

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