Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/251338
2C Daily News – Thursday, January 30, 2014 Pyramid scam or great opportunity? Dear Mary: My brother-in-law told me about a plan he is involved with regarding Direct Reinvestment Plans. I would pay him a token fee ($10), which would enable me to buy a single stock in a company without the hassle of paying a stockbroker a commission. I could then "sell" this information to someone else, thereby regaining my initial payout to him. I am interested in buying stock, but do not have much to invest. This sounds like a pyramid scheme, but he insists it is working for him. What can you tell me about DRIP's? -- Johanna, email Dear Johanna: The word "DRIP" is an acronym for "direct reinvestment plan," but "DRIP" also describes the way the plan works. With DRIP's, an individual, like yourself, buys stocks directly without going through a brokerage. Then dividends that investor receives from a company go toward the purchase of more stock, making the investment in the company grow little by little. The "dripping" of dividends is not limited to whole shares, which makes these plans somewhat unique. The corporation keeps detailed records of share ownership percentages. For example, if the 123 Clothing Conglomerate paid a $1 dividend on a stock that traded at $10, every time there was a dividend payment, investors with Dear John: The purpose of life the DRIP plan would receive onetenth of a share in the 123 insurance is to replace a breadwinClothing Conglomerate. ner's income for those who are Another feature that makes dependent on that income (such as DRIP's popular is that there a spouse and children) and who would face financial hardare no commisship if that income were to sions or brokersuddenly disappear. Since age fees involved you are not income probecause the investor ducing and you do not deals directly with the have dependents, you do company. Companies not need life insurance. that offer their stock I suggest that you look through a DRIP want into pre-paid funeral you to buy directly from arrangements as a great them, starting with just option. The way it works one share. is that you make all of the I don't know what Mary decisions with the help of your brother-in-law has a counselor at a local morgotten into here, but I tuary, right down to the see a pyramid-type final details. Then you scam and suggest you pre-pay all of the costs at say thanks but no today's prices. Upon your thanks. This is only death, your heirs can carry working for him if he out your wishes without can get you and hundreds of other suckers to blindly any financial hassles or concerns. fall for his pitch. Mary invites questions at To learn more about how to get started investing in DRIP's on mary@everydaycheapskate.com, your own, I recommend learning or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. all you can at Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. This column will answer questions DirectInvesting.com. Dear Mary: Does life insurance of general interest, but letters really matter when you're a senior cannot be answered individually. citizen? I want to leave just Mary Hunt is the founder of a enough money for my two sons to www.DebtProofLiving.com, give me a proper burial. What personal finance member website affordable insurance company and the author of "The Smart would you recommend, if any? -- Woman's Guide to Planning for Retirement," released in 2013. John, email Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Grants awarded by hospital St. Elizabeth Community Hospital presented the 2013 grant recipient awards during a recent St. Elizabeth Advisory Council Meeting. The grant award opportunity is announced annually during the late summer and provides funding opportunities to all eligible non profit 501(c)3 organizations. Three awards were given totaling $38,184 in funding to local agencies in need. "These agency programs were acknowledged for the services they provide to the poor and underserved populations of Tehama County," said Senior Director of Mission Integration Sr. Pat Manoli, who directs the selection committee and process. "It's a pleasure to work with the selection committee members, who represent a broad spectrum of our community. Each member gives serious review to every application, evaluating how well the program aligns with an identified community need, and if the agency partners with others with like programs." The selection committee was facilitated by Amy Schutter, and included representatives from St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Advisory Council members and community members at large; Tony Cardenas, Alan Foley, Laura Fox, Jolene Kemen and Melissa Mendonca. Three grant recipients were selected. Crisis Pregnancy Center Red Bluff of Northern California; $2,872 will pay for training a volunteer director of Medical Services who will be on site to perform sonograms on a weekly basis. Northern Valley Catholic Social Services of Tehama was awarded $15,000 to allow for enhancement to the agency's Food 4 Thought program; a program that provides nutrition, education and physical activity to improve overall good health and eating habits. Northern California Child Development Inc. received $20,402 that will pay for expanded access to mental health counseling for lowincome Tehama County residents. Every hospital within the Dignity Health system conducts a community health assessment and has identified strategic priorities based on the assessment outcome. St. Elizabeth invests in this survey every three years; the most recent survey was published in 2011. The 2014 survey is underway and will be announced and distributed in the next several weeks. The survey will identify the top health concerns and behaviors of the community which will in turn focus the direction of the grant allocation process. The objectives of the Dignity Health Community Grants program include focusing on disproportionate healthrelated unmet needs of the community, emphasizing primary prevention and addressing underlying causes of health problems, contributing to a seamless continuum of care, building community capacity and emphasizing collaboration. Who should file a 2013 tax return? Do you need to file a federal tax return this year? Perhaps. The amount of your income, filing status, age and other factors determine if you must file. Even if you don't have to file a tax return, there are times when you should. Here are five good reasons why you should file a return, even if you're not required to do so: 1. Tax Withheld or Paid. Did your employer withhold federal income tax from your pay? Did you make estimated tax payments? Did you overpay last year and have it applied to this year's tax? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you could be due a refund. But you have to file a tax return to get it. 2. Earned Income Tax Credit. Did you work and earn less than $51,567 last year? You could receive EITC as a tax refund if you qualify. Families with qualifying children may be eligible for up to $6,044. Use the EITC Assistant Rubes tool on IRS.gov to find out if you qualify. If you do, file a tax return and claim it. 3. Additional Child Tax Credit. Do you have at least one child that qualifies for the Child Tax Credit? If you don't get the full credit amount, you may qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit. To claim it, you need to file Schedule 8812, Child Tax Credit, with your tax return. 4. American Opportunity Credit. Are you a student or do you support a student? If so, you may be eligible for this credit. Students in their first four years of higher education may qualify for as much as $2,500. Even those who owe no tax may get up to $1,000 of the credit refunded per eligible student. You must file Form 8863, Education Credits, with your tax return to claim this credit. 5. Health Coverage Tax Credit. Did you receive Trade Adjustment Assistance, Reemployment Trade AdjustBy Leigh Ruben ment Assistance, Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance or pension benefit payments from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation? If so, you may qualify for the Health Coverage Tax Credit. The HCTC helps make health insurance more affordable for you and your family. This credit pays 72.5 percent of qualified health insurance premiums. Visit IRS.gov for more on this credit. To sum it all up, check to see if you would benefit from filing a federal tax return. You may qualify for a tax refund even if you don't have to file. And remember, if you do qualify for a refund, you must file a return to claim it. The instructions for Forms 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ list income tax filing requirements. You can also use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool on IRS.gov to see if you need to file. The tool is available 24/7 to answer many tax questions. Age Well Drive Smart seminar REDDING –Simpson University for Seniors will host a free California Highway Patrol seminar for older adults—or for adults whose parents are aging—called "Age Well Drive Smart: Keys to Driving Safer and Driving Longer." The class will be 10-11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17, in the J.D. Williams Suite on the third floor of the Owen Center on campus, 2211 College View Drive. A free lunch will follow from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Collord Room inside the university dining center. Chuck Spafford, a senior volunteer with the CHP office in Redding, will conduct the seminar. A student manual will be provided. The Age Well Drive Smart program was designed by the CHP to help seniors tune up their driving skills, refresh their knowledge of the rules of the road, learn about normal age-related physical changes and how they affect driving ability. It is estimated that by 2020, more than 6 million California drivers will be 65 and older. Seating is limited. To RSVP, call Lacey Heitman at the CHP at 530-225-2715 or email lheitman@chp.ca.gov. Local Calendar Submit calendar items clerk@redbluffdailynews.com. to P .O. Box 220, Red Bluff, 96080 or THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 Red Bluff California HEAT Chorus - Sweet Adelines, 7 p.m., Meteer School Room 26, 695 Kimball Road, 895-0139 Childbirth Class, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Columba room, Anita 529-8377 Fun Senior Aerobics, 8-9 a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. 527-8177 Good Morning Red Bluff, 7:50 a.m., Job Training Center, 817 Main St. Grief Support Group, 3 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, 528-4207 Imagination Train storyhour, 4 p.m., Tehama County Library Kelly-Griggs House Museum, 1-3 p.m., 311 Washington St., Group Tours by appointment,527-1129 or 527-5895. Live country music, 5-7 p.m., with dinner, Veterans Hall Painting session, Red Bluff Art Association, 10 a.m., Tehama District Fairground, 529-1603 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18, 3-5 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Penny Bingo, 10 a.m., Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Phoenix Community Support Group for those getting over chemical dependency, 11:30 a.m., Presbyterian Church, 838 Jefferson St., 945-2349 Pinochle for Seniors, 12:30-3:30 p.m., 1500 S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Red Bluff Exchange Club, noon, M&M Ranch House, 645 Antelope Blvd. #1 Red Bluff Lions Club, 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial, 527-8452 Rock Choir, 4 p.m., 601 Monroe St., free, all welcome Senior Chair Volleyball, 1 p.m. Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Sunrise Speakers Toastmasters, noon, Rabobank, 500 Luther Road, 529-3556 Swinging Squares Square Dance Club, 7 p.m., Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., beginner or review classes, 529-1615 Widowed Persons Dinner, 5 p.m., call 384-2471 for location Women's Domestic Violence Information and Support Group, call for group time and location, 528-0226 Corning Cal-Fresh and Healthy Family Appointments, 1-3 p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 Dance with Juana, noon to 1 p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 Domestic Violence Information and Support Group, Call for group time and location, 528-0226 Dual Diagnosis Group, 1:30-3 p.m., 1600 Solano St., 527-8491, Ext. 3309 Sewing group, 9 a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South Streets, 824-7670 Soccer training, 4-6 p.m., except for holidays and rain, Woodson School Soccer Field, 150 N Toomes, 824-7680 Women's Support Group, 6 p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 Red Bluff Celebrate Recovery, 7 p.m., Bethel Assembly of God, 625 Luther Road, 527-0445 or 366-6298 Hospice Second Hand Store half price sale, all day, Riverside Shopping Center Nutrition Classes, 12:30-2 p.m, Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, 220 Sycamore #101, 528-7947 Red Bluff Rotary Club Sunrise, 7 a.m., M&M Ranch Corning Car Show, 5-9 p.m., Bartels Giant Burger, 22355 Corning Road, local car clubs welcome, 824-2788 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Red Bluff Bird Walk, 8 a.m. , Sacramento River Discover Center, 1000 Sale Lane, free Frontier Village Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 645 Antelope Blvd. EBT accepted Weight Watchers meeting, 8 a.m., 485 Antelope Blvd. #N, 1-800651-6000 Los Molinos Senior Dance, 7 p.m., Senior Center, Josephine Street, 384-2100 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Red Bluff AA Live and Let Live, noon and 8 p.m., 785 Musick St., meets seven days a week Boy Scouts Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-11 a.m., Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road, $5 Knights of Columbus All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon, $5 adult, $3 child or $12 family, Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 2285 Monroe St., 528-1991 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Red Bluff Al-Anon New Comers At Heart, 7-8 p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345 David Ave., 690-2034 Bend Jelly 4-H, 6 p.m.,Bend School, 527-3101 Community Band rehearsal, 7-9 p.m., Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Street, 527-3486 Diabetic Support Group, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, Columba Room English as a Second Language class, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Red Bluff High School Adult Ed building, 1295 Red Bud, 736-3308, same time Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Thursdays, free childcare from 9 a..m. to 12:20 p.m. classes in Richlieu Hall, 900 Johnson St. Head Injury Recreational Entity, 10 a.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, Rusty, 529-2059 Key to Life, 6 p.m., Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Ste. 101, 528-8066 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18, 3-5 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Salvation Army Writing Class, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 940 Walnut St., 527-8530 Sons in Retirement, 11:30 a.m., Veterans Memorial Building, 5295700 Sun Country Quilters Community Service Group, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Ste. 101, 528-1126 TeenScreen Mental Health Appointments, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free, by appointment only, Youth Empowerment Services, 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, Ext. 3012 TOPS Club (take off pounds Sensibly), 8:30 a.m., First Christian Church, 926 Madison Ave., 527-7541 or 347-6120, visit www.tops.org US citizenship preparation class, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Red Bluff High School Adult Ed building, 1295 Red Bud, 736-3308, same time Tuesday and Wednesday Venture Crew 1914 meeting, 6:30-8 p.m., Moose Lodge on 99W, co-ed ages 14-20 welcome Women's Domestic Violence Information and Support Group, Spanish speaking only, call for time and location, 528-0226 Corning Alcoholics Anonymous, noon Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday, 783 Solano St., behind the church Bingo, 5:15 p.m. early bird, 6:30 p.m. regular games, Maywood Grange, Highway 99W just past Liberal Avenue, 833-5343 Exchange Club board meeting, 7 p.m., Holiday Inn Express Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m., 820 Marin St., 824-1114 or 8242090, meetings are every day through Saturday with an additional meeting at noon Mondays