Men's Health - FOXNews.com

Overcoming Bad Eating Habits:
"Ever find yourself mindlessly munching in front of the TV, entirely unaware of what you’re shoving into your mouth? Or perhaps you’re the type who inhales their food in record time? If these traits sound familiar, then you may in fact be guilty of a bad eating habit. But don’t worry; you’re certainly not alone."

Although the title of the article indicates that it's just for The Boyz, I'm sure that The Goils can pick up a few pointers. After all, we're all guilty of carrying around a few extra pounds these days, we're not Yuppies anymore.

Todays Money Saving Tip

How Facebook Can Save you Money
"Facebook is great for connecting with old friends, cyber-stalking exes and wasting time. But it’s also great for saving money. There are freebies and exclusive deals all over this social networking site. Here are ways Facebook can be a frugal person’s dream."

Even though I'm not a Facebook fan, I'm sure many of you out there are. The article explains unique ways  to use it to save some money. The source for this article, The Bargainist, is well worth bookmarking for future bargain hunting excursions. I've put it in my bag of tricks.    

Free Microsoft Security Software

Microsoft confirms free security software ships Tuesday:
Microsoft today confirmed that it will launch its free security software suite, which has been in development for almost a year, Tuesday morning. "Microsoft Security Essentials, the highly anticipated no-cost consumer security offering, will be released to the public tomorrow, September 29," a company spokeswoman said in an e-mail reply to questions.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the words "Free" and "Microsoft" used in the same sentence, but here it is. If you don't have a security suite or are using one that you don't feel comfortable with, read the article and comments, then download the MS suite from Free Security Essentials 

Oops, almost forgot Matt's YouTube Review

Enjoy!

  

Medical News - Prostate Cancer

Exercise Lowers Risk of Prostate Cancer, Less Aggressive Disease:

By Duke Medicine News and Communications -

A moderate amount of exercise most days of the week may contribute to a lower risk of prostate cancer, and lower grade tumors among those men who are diagnosed with the disease following biopsy, say researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital."

This article should be of interest to "The Boyz" out there. I saw it in my quarterly issue of  Duke Medical magazine, tracked down a copy from their web site, Duke Health , and posted it here. You might want to visit the site from time to time, just to stay current with what's happening in medical breakthroughs.

Breaking News - From COMPUTERWORLD Magazine

Nanotech used to build cancer-detecting microchip:

"Scientists at the University of Toronto reported today that the chip not only detects cancer but also can detect the type and severity of it. The chip, built with nanowires, is designed to sense trace amounts of cancer bio-markers, which are biologic molecules that indicate the presence or progression of a disease."

Halloween Projects How-To Guides

Monster List of DYI Halloween Projects:

"With little more than a month left before Halloween, if you're intending to set up some underwear-destroying, adrenaline-spiking Halloween props, you're going to need to get cracking. Thankfully the MonsterList of Halloween Projects has hundreds of how-to guides."

I know a lot of you folks are fanatics about Halloween, so when I ran across this article on the LifeHacker website my first thought was to share it with you. I think that most adults still enjoy Halloween because it brings out the children in us, or maybe it's just the CANDY and TREATS that we enjoy.

Boomers Alert - Social Security

Early Retirements Strain Social Security:
"Big job losses and a spike in early retirement claims from laid-off seniors will force Social Security to pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes the next two years, the first time that's happened since the 1980s."

The reasons being given for the impending collapse of the Social Security and Medicare Ponzi schemes are endless as the universe, and credible as Baghdad Bob. The bottom line is that unless Congress can add more players to game, the systems will go broke fairly soon. Then sit back and watch the flames of generational warfare get stoked, big time. I'm curious as to how much longer the systems would have lasted if Congress hadn't raided the funds for the last 40 odd years. But then again what would we Boomers have done with the extra money, Dine on Gourmet dog food plated on Melba Toast with a sprig of parsley, instead of Eating Alpo straight out of the can?

DID SOMEONE SAY LOCK BOX?

The Economy

Food Stamps Surge:
The number of people on food stamps reached a record 35.1 million in June 2009, up 21% from last year and 33% from the end of 2006. That's almost 12% of the entire population of the United States, the highest percentage since the food stamp program began in 1969"

I've often wondered what the income level of the mythical "poverty family of four" jumps to after they avail themselves of all of the government subsidies? My bet is that it could reach solid middle class salary and then some. If anyone is interested in the requirements for obtaining food stamps, they can be found at  -
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Boomer Savings

The Cheapskate - CNET News:
"Five ways to eat cheap this weekend"

More ways to stretch your budget compliments of Boomers Brigade.
If you find any articles that you feel are candidates for Boomer Savings or Freebies, let me know and I'll post them. I would also appreciate any leads on "deals" websites that I can either add to the website, of highlight some of their articles.

Boomer Alert Scams

IRS scam now world's biggest e-mail virus problem:
"Criminals are waging a nasty online campaign right now, hoping that their victims' fears of the tax collecter will lead them to inadvertently install malicious software."

Boomer Savings

Coupon Roundup
"Printable coupon roundup- Free entree at Panda Express, and much more"

 Some Freebies For Boomers

Friday Boomer Freebies

Friday freebies... | newsobserver.com projects:

  "It's Friday, so it's time for some freebies!"

Policies Would Redistribute Nearly $1 Trillion in Wealth Every Year

CNSNews.com - Obama's Policies Would Redistribute Nearly $1 Trillion in Wealth Every Year:
"By 2012, nearly $1 trillion from the top 30 percent of American families will be redistributed among the bottom 70 percent if Obama’s proposals on taxes, health care, and climate change become law, according to the Tax Foundation."

Assuming you're a Boomer who has, a pension, a 401K, and you're in the bottom 70%, you have to ask yourself What's In It For Me?
Unfortunately I think the answer is Nothing, Nada, Zilch, Zero.
And if anyone really believes only the Top 30% will pay, I've got a bridge I'm willing to sell them.

Get a 12-inch Acer Netbook for $279.99

If you are a Road Warrior, this might be the deal for you. Be sure to read the comments in the article for the pros and cons of the deal.
For me, I'll stick to my old ThinkPad T20. It weighs a ton, the battery is dead, and it's held together with duck tape and crazy glue. But what the hell it works, and if it's lost or stolen while traveling who cares.

Get a 12-inch Acer Netbook for $279.99 | The Cheapskate - CNET News

Senate kills bid to make White House czars accountable

I love this one.

Did it come from the NYTimes, Washington Post, Daily News, LA Times?

No, ComputerWorld of all places. I guess there is so much going on these days that the future of the Internet pales in comparison.

Go figure.

Senate kills bid to make White House czars accountable:

"A proposed amendment that would have given Congress more oversight over the White House cybersecurity czar and at least 17 other czars appointed by President Obama was shut down in the U.S. Senate today."

Duke University

I found this nifty tool that lets you insert a map into your blog post. Since I live only about four miles from Duke, I thought I’d try the map feature out. I live about where you see that 147 marker, cool huh?
It works like a champ! (Note to my self, make Windows Live Writer font the same as Blogger)

Report Charges AARP Getting "Kickbacks" In Dem Health Care Bills

Well AARP is back in the news again. Seems like Health Care Reform is a 24/7 issue. There's been a lot of Blog Chatter about AARP and George Soros, check it out yourself.

The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : GOP Report Charges AARP Getting "Kickbacks" In Dem Health Care Bills:

"One of the subplots to the health care debate I've been following is the cozy relationship between AARP and the Obama administration, as the group has thrown its full-throated support behind the Democrats' health care push even though their membership comes from the age group most opposed to Democratic health care proposals...."

Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done

I've been reading Lifehacker for some time now, and I highly recommend it. The tips and shortcuts cover computers, cooking, cleaning, fixing, you name it Likehacker covers it. It is updated Daily, including Week Ends, so I make reading it part of my daily routine.
Try it, you'll like it.

Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done

Welcome to Lifehacker, an award-winning daily blog that features tips, shortcuts, and downloads that help you get things done smarter and more efficiently. Lifehacker launched in January 2005, and now ranks as one of the top-linked blogs on the internet according to Technorati.

Try BJs Wholesale Club for free...

Hat Tip to John L. for requesting non-computer "free stuff", this one's for you-

Try BJs Wholesale Club for free... | newsobserver.com projects:
"BJ's Wholesale Clubs are offering a free 60-day trial membership to people who want to test their stores out."

This was also a chance to test out a Plug In called Blog This! which allows you to insert a post directly from your browser. In my case it's Fire Fox

Medical Bulletin (Windows Live Writer)

This is a test of Windows Live Writer. I’m trying out this blog poster software because it seems to be more robust than the one that’s built into Google Blogger.

The following is a Boomers Medical Bulletin -

Medical Bills You Shouldn't Pay
“As health-care costs continue to soar, millions of confused consumers are paying medical bills they don't actually owe. Typically this occurs when an insurance plan covers less than what a doctor, hospital, or lab service wants to be paid. The health-care provider demands the balance from the patient. Uncertain and fearing the calls of a debt collector, the patient pays up.”

Boomers Brigade Prototype

This is a test of a prototype for a blog I'm thinking of creating.
I've chosen this template for now, but it might change later (color, layout, etc.) 
Haven't decided on the exact content yet, but it will probably contain subjects that will interest us "old folks".
Something like the following that are from some links I had laying around in my bookmarks folder -

Computer Problems
When Their Computer Goes Bust, What's A Boomer To Do

Research About Boomers
New Research from Forrester and Microsoft Shows Millions of Aging Baby Boomers Can Benefit from Accessible Technology

Bargains
The Web's best free stuff

Humor
Senior Citizens Humor, Just For Laughs, Remember When?

If you have any comments (be kind and respectful) please post them to the blog by clicking the "comments" link, I'm curious to find out how that works.
TIA
Frank