Baby Boomer Going Like Sixty

Remember when shopping for food was quick and easy? Wander around the grocery store and if it looked good throw it in the cart? And then sit on the couch and binge?

Yeah, me too.

Then we moved to Costa Rica and we wandered around the store wondering WHAT the hell it was and what it tasted like and how to prepare it. Then the Costco-like store opened and the Gringo brand names started showing up. It helped, but it still wasn’t fun.

When we moved back to the U.S. ALL those goodies were staring us right in the face. At the time, we did our best not to gorge on all the bad stuff. Since one of us is pre-diabetic, it was even more important.

Now that both our numbers are moving in the wrong direction, we decided that we would attempt to eat better.

Good ole Medicare came through by paying for us both to take a class in Diabetic Education.

9 hours over three days. it was worth it. I had no idea how many organs can be adversely affected by glucose being out of whack. And how HARD it is to control blood sugar.

In a nutshell, medication, diet and exercise works. Diet and exercise (D & E) can reduce your blood sugar level as well as medication. And with D & E there are no adverse side effects.

Your pancreas, liver, and kidneys all get involved in digesting food.

Diabetic education and technology is has changed a lot the past few years. We’re encouraged to pay attention to carbs, but not get anal about it. 30 mg carbs per meal, 15 carbs per snack. No more than 3 hours between eating. Sticking your finger has gotten easier, and less painful – some gadgets don’t even require a stick – just a swipe of the device on your arm with a reader. But there is so much more. If you’re diabetic – or close – and on Medicare, ask your doc to prescribe a class. You might be surprised on what you don’t know.

Our first trip to the grocery took us two hours – reading labels! We put stuff in the cart only to take it out. Miserable. The class teacher reassured us that it gets better. She said we’ll get to know the good stuff from the bad.

Here’s the bright spot. Hard liquor is carb free.

Attention Medicare: Hard liquor is carb free. Should be reimbursable.

It is very crucial to budget carefully and keep your expenses low when you are living on a fixed income. Buying all your necessities, paying monthly bills, and making additional purchases are ways in which money is spent that cover all your needs without living beyond your means. Cash management plays a significant role when you are living on a fixed income.

Ensure that all your obligatory expenses will be covered first. After budgeting for all your necessities, you will now have additional funds for services and items that you have to spend money on.

If you are relying on a fixed income, it is important to have funds that are set aside to be used for emergency cases only. Having an emergency fund ensures that you have extra cash that is needed when it comes to taking care of unplanned expenses such as a car breaking down.

Consider Your Budget

Since you are a senior living on a fixed income, it can be hard for you to pay costly repairs. It will not be easy to fit a car payment into the monthly expenses. Various unexpected repair costs and expensive parts at the dealership will not solve your problem if you are on a budget. Finding the most suitable garages and mechanics that are near you should be first on your list. However, most garages and mechanics have a price that ranges from moderate to high. Find the right mechanic or repair shop before having the repair work done and make sure that it fits your fixed income.

Be Smart

After you have asked for a cost estimate from a repair shop, do you really think it is the right option for you? On the other hand, going to find used auto parts near me or a salvage yard close by is where you can find exact materials and parts at a very cheap price. It is the most ideal and practical option when it comes to those who are living on a fixed income. It is for people who are careful and wise about their budget. Salvage yards have the capability to invest in vehicles that are no longer irreparable or those that have not been used for a long time. Moreover, they sell the wrecked parts of the automobile, part by part, after inspecting the car. Going to a salvage yard will help you choose the exact parts that you will be needing and only pay a fraction of the cost. It is the key to saving a huge amount of money and a practical answer to the problem.

Benefits Of Recycling Auto Parts

Buying used car parts have many advantages that you are probably unaware of. Purchasing used engine components, wheels, transmissions, and other auto parts instead of purchasing brand new ones are beneficial in the long run since it is very cost-efficient. If you are environment-friendly, going to a salvage yard should be ideal for you because auto recycling has ecological benefits.

Oil from car engines is dirty; however, it can be reused and cleaned to integrate with other products. Oil can be recycled and disposed of appropriately. It should not be dumped into groundwater or landfills. The battery components of a car can be reused for creating new batteries, and the recycling of lead batteries help prevent toxic substances from going into the environment. Additionally, instead of dumping or burning tires at a landfill, which causes air pollution and contamination to the groundwater, recycling tires can also be used for a variety of purposes.

Save time, money, resources, energy, and pollution by going to a salvage yard. For a senior who has a fixed income, this is the most ideal way because it is a lot cheaper and it is where you will be able to find the exact auto part that works properly. Plus, you will save a bunch of money. Moreover, purchasing recycled auto parts help keep the car parts out of dumps and landfills which saves the environment, space, reduces the manufacturing process, and prevents greenhouse gases. Salvage yards are just a smart idea.