7 Ways to Save Money on Your Summer Vacation

The first rule of saving money traveling during the summer is to not travel during the summer! For many destinations, summer is peak travel season, and prices go up accordingly. But don’t despair: You can cut your summer vacation costs by using some of… Continue reading

Host a Clothing Swap: Gen2Gen Style

When my mother started her now-famous clothing swap about 11 years ago, we weren’t thinking, “Let’s bring the generations together.” We were thinking, “Let’s figure out how to indulge our constant itch for fresh styles without spending any money, and h… Continue reading

6 Home Renovations in Retirement That Are Worth the Cost

After retiring, the chance to stay in the home where you’ve built up memories and grown comfortable may sound perfect. But to age in place well, you may need to do some renovations. The question is: Which ones are worth the cost? “If you plan on aging … Continue reading

OPINION: Why Some Grandparents Raising Grandkids Can’t Get Government Help

Christine has been raising her grandson, who’s now 5, for the last three years, since Child Protective Services (CPS) removed him from his mother’s care for child neglect. She lets out an exhausted sigh as she relays the struggles of feeding her grands… Continue reading

Danger Ahead: Privacy Concerns With High-Tech Caregiving Devices

One of the most exciting sectors in the elder care market is the technology industry moving into the caregiving business. High-tech devices and support services are being built around smartphones, voice-activated devices, artificial intelligence (AI) a… Continue reading

Best Ways to Manage Life Insurance Proceeds After a Spouse Dies

I handled all the household finances and bills throughout my 32-year-marriage to my husband, Dale. But when he suddenly died of a massive heart attack at 57 last year, I was so traumatized by the loss, I couldn’t think clearly about managing his life i… Continue reading

Pneumonia Vaccine: How Things May Change for People 65+

(An update on the May 2019 Next Avenue story, below, about a potential change in the rules about a pneumonia vaccine: On Wednesday, June 26, a key U.S. government panel recommended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — the CDC — change its p… Continue reading

Using Salvage Stores to Improve Your Home on the Cheap

Fans of such TV home renovation shows as Windy City Rehab, Home Town, Fixer Upper and Salvage Dawgs are familiar with the term “architectural salvage.” But if you’re not, it’s the booming business of reclaiming, recovering, and reusing rich architectur… Continue reading

Drug Prices in TV Ads: How Transparent Are They?

(Update: On July 8, 2019, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration order that would have required drug companies to include prices in their TV ads. A Health and Human Services spokeswoman said the administration “will be working with the Depart… Continue reading

What to Do When You Inherit a House

Recovering boat owners often say a boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money. Much the same could be said for a house you inherit. When a parent or other relative dies and you take possession of his or her house, it can be easy to think you… Continue reading