Boomer's Trikes

Boomers Welcome This Third Wheel:
"The irony is not lost on those who ride them. As toddlers they started out on three wheels.
As aging boomers, they have gone back to their trikes.At the dealership on Merle Haggard Drive, salesman Mark T. Welch said the $30,000-plus three-wheel Harley-Davidson motorcycles are flying out the door. They can't order them quick enough to keep up with the demand."

It had to happen.
We're all getting older and looking for more stability (pun intended) in our lives. I guess when you're

PSA Test Value Questionable

Cancer Society Casts Doubt on Value of Prostate Cancer Test: 
"New advice from the American Cancer Society puts a sharper focus on the risks of prostate cancer screening, emphasizing that annual testing can lead to unnecessary biopsies and treatments that do more harm than good.

The cancer society has not recommended routine screening for most men since the mid-1990s, and that is not changing. But its new advice goes farther to warn of the limitations of the PSA blood test that millions of American men get now. It also says digital rectal exams should be an option rather than part of a standard screening."

I've heard rumors about this for years.
Being "well over fifty" PSA tests have been a routine part of my doctor visits, just like blood pressure tests, temperature, and the venerable weigh-in. No matter what the reason was for my doctors visit, be it flu, back pain, bee stings, or an ingrown toe nail, there it was the old PSA test.

I've always felt that it had more to do with revenue generating than it did my health. The fact that doctors still routinely perform the tests, even though the they were not recommended since the mid-1990's, bears out my suspicions.

Revenue generation through the use of blood tests, and more recently CAT Scans, by doctors and hospitals is a pet peeve of mine and will be the topic of a future post.

So read the article and make your own decisions about PSA screening.

Tips On Giving Out Your Social Security Number - Yahoo! Finance

When They Ask, Just Say NO:
"Some Legitimately Need It -- to Others, Learn to Say 'No'
Your Social Security number is one of the keys to your financial health. It's a unique indentifier lenders use to assess your creditworthiness. It's also exactly what a would-be thief needs to apply for a credit card, mortgage, car loan or job in your name.
If you're like most Americans, it's also something you give out all too frequently."

This is an informative little article, and the side bar explaining how to decode your Social Security is an interesting bonus.
I posted this article because giving out personal information about my self to any store clerk who asks for it is a pet peeve of mine. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people giving out their full name, home address, and telephone number at the checkout counter. Some times, as an added bonus, they'll throw in their email address all for the honor of being on the store's Mailing List.
Not only is this an opportunity for identity theft, it can lead to a parking lot mugging or home invasion. You can easily be taken off guard by someone who calls your name while loading your purchases into your car. They have your home address and can easily explain their presence to your inquiring neighbors because they know your name and where you shop.