Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/610779
Frombarbershopsto fine print — and a lot be- tween — my EC read- ers are re- ally smart. I love it when they share their time and money- saving tips with us. I think you're going to love today's great reader tips, too! STRAIGHTCUT Every couple of months, when I need only the bottom of my long hair trimmed, I've discovered that a barber can cut just as straight as a beautician. And the cost? Less than half the salon price. —Molly READ THE FINE PRINT It sounded good, and I was tempted to take the store up on its offer of tremen- dous sale prices, plus nothing down and no payments until next year. But after a closer look at the fine print in the store's ad I read: "Buy- ers using the No Money Down; No Payments for xxx months do not qual- ify for Sale Prices on fur- niture." When you walk in the door, it's best to have saved enough to pay cash, even at the high- end furniture stores. Money talks, and it is a great tool to bargain the price down. — Judy SNACKS TO GO For those who like to take snacks with them, (nuts, seeds, trail mix, etc.), first wash out an empty Parme- san cheese container (the type with the twin serv- ing top for shaking or spooning) with soap and water and let dry. Re- move the label so you can see what's inside and fill with your desired snack. Depending on the size of the snack, you can use either side to dispense your snack, plus a num- ber of persons can share this dispenser by pour- ing or shaking the snack without everyone placing their hand inside a bowl. Once the snack has been finished, refill and use again. The 8-ounce con- tainer is perfect for travel and general use. — Helen PERFECT PRINTS I love your column and look forward to reading it ev- ery day (I have for years!) I find recipes and hints that I love and want to keep, but don't always have the time or mate- rials handy to write or copy them. I have started taking pictures of them with my mobile phone. Then when my local drug store runs a spe- cial on printing 4x6 pic- tures for ten cents each, I print them all. Because the prints are 4x6, they fit perfectly in my rec- ipe box — and many of them have beautiful color pictures of the dish in- cluded. While I am wait- ing for the ten cent spe- cial, I can always go to my phone to get the rec- ipe, which I delete once printed. — Patti PINECONE FIRE START- ERS To make pinecone fire starters, melt paraf- fin (available in super- markets with the home canning supplies) in a large coffee can placed in a pan of water set over medium heat on the stove. Add cinnamon, nutmeg or other scents to the paraffin (you can purchase scented paraf- fin if you prefer, but it's more expensive). You can also add colored wax or drops of oil to the melted paraffin. Tie a piece of candlewick or string to the top of the pinecone. Dip dried pinecones into the paraffin. Allow par- affin to harden, then dip again, allowing paraffin to harden after each dip. Package for gifts as de- sired and add a tag read- ing "Place pinecones un- der logs before lighting." They're as pretty as they are useful. — Perry Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE Readerdiscoversstraightcutatbarbershop Mary Hunt By David Sayen It's an unfortunate truth, but health care fraud drives up costs for everyone in the health care system. Fraud schemes often de- pend on identity thieves getting hold of people's Medicare numbers. So guard your Medicare num- ber. Treat it as you would a credit card. What can you do to pro- tect yourself from health care fraud? Here are some tips: · Don't share your Medi- care number or other per- sonal information with anyone who contacts you by phone, email, or by ap- proaching you in person, unless you've given them permission in advance. Medicare will never contact you and ask for your Medi- care number or other per- sonal information. · Tell your friends and neighbors to guard their Medicare number. · Don't ever let anyone borrow or pay to use your Medicare number. · Review your Medicare Summary Notice to be sure you and Medicare are only being charged for services you actually received. · Be wary of salespeople who knock on your door or call you uninvited and try to sell you a product or ser- vice. · Don't accept items re- ceived through the mail that you didn't order. You should refuse the deliv- ery and/or return it to the sender. Keep a record of the sender's name and the date you returned the items. Fraudsters often surface during Medicare's open enrollment season, which runs through Monday, Dec. 7. So if you're planning to enroll in a Medicare Part C health plan (Medicare Ad- vantage) or Part D prescrip- tion drug plan: · Be suspicious of anyone who contacts you about Medicare plans unless you gave them permission. · There are no "early bird discounts" or "limited time offers" for Medicare plans. · Don't let anyone rush you to enroll by claiming you need to "act now for the best deal." · Be skeptical of free gifts, free medical services, dis- count packages, or any of- fer that sounds too good to be true. · Any promotional items you're offered to enroll in a Medicare plan must be worth no more than $15. And these items can't be given on the condition that you enroll in a plan A common ploy of iden- tity thieves is to say they can send you your free gift right away — they just need your Medicare number to confirm. Decline politely but firmly. Remember: it's not rude to be shrewd! If you suspect a health care fraud, report it by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can learn more about protect- ing yourself from health care fraud by visiting www. Medicare.gov or by contact- ing your local Senior Medi- care Patrol (SMP). SMP is a wonderful, nonprofit organization. It's made up of highly-trained volunteers who teach oth- ers about health care fraud. SMP volunteers show Medi- care and Medicaid recipi- ents how to protect against, detect, and report fraud. The volunteers are seniors and professionals such as doctors, nurses, accoun- tants, investigators, law en- forcement personnel, attor- neys, and teachers. SMP is dedicated to the idea that working with healthcare users to prevent fraud will help protect our citizens' health as well as the Medicare and Medic- aid programs. To find the SMP in your state, go to the SMP Locator at www.smpresource.org. David Sayen is Medicare's regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800- 633-4227). HEALTH CARE How you can save yourself from Medicare fraud The Sierra Club Yahi Group is hosting the follow- ing events for December. Unless otherwise noted, trips are free and open to the public and begin at the trail head. If you have any questions or want further information about specific activities, call Wayland Au- gur at 519-4724 or write to wba@acm.org. Llano Seco and Sacra- mento National Wildlife Refuge, Sunday, Dec. 13 The group will take an incredible drive through the heartland of the Sac- ramento Valley's wintering waterfowl, stopping several times to observe the thou- sands of birds who feed and rest in the freshwater marshes. The group will do two easy walks at Llano Seco and the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge. Bring bin- oculars, field guide, cam- era, lunch and water. An 80-mile round trip drive. Bring $3 for entrance fee and money for carpool. Heavy rain cancels. Call leader to sign-up and get meeting info, 8 a.m. tenta- tive, Alan at 891-8789 or aj- mendoza777@comcast.net. Annual Yahi Holiday Party and Potluck, Friday, Dec. 18 The party and potluck will be held starting at 5:30 p.m. at Valley Oaks Village, 1950 Wild Oak Lane, Chico. Limited parking so please carpool. Bring your own beer and wine. There will be a $5 charge for room rental and cleanup. After dinner the group will have a talk given by Richard Bur- rill, "Some of Ishi's secrets shared." Burrill is an Ishi scholar and is the author of a number of books about Ishi and the Maidu Indians. He will be offering for sale a compilation of several of his books, which are out of print. If you plan on attend- ing, notify Suzette Welch by e-mail at booksontape@ rocketmail.com or call 342- 9214 stating number of peo- ple in your party and what you plan to bring. SIERRA CLUB December activities planned for Yahi Group COURTESYPHOTO The 2014candlelight memorial at Oak Hill Cemetery. The public is invited to the 7th annual Holiday Me- morial Candlelight Pro- gram, sponsored by the trustees of the Red Bluff Cemetery District, being held at historic Oak Hill CemeteryonSunday,Dec.6. Luminary candle bags will be available for a $1 do- nation beginning at about 4 p.m. Holiday carols will be sungbymembersoftheRed Bluff High School choir and a short program will begin at 5 p.m. Stay for refresh- ments after the program. Hot chocolate will be pro- vided by the Boy Scouts. This celebration is in re- membrance of those who have gone before, and gives the opportunity to share a bit of holiday time with them and with each other. Oak Hill and St. Mary's cemeteries are full of Red Bluff history. In remem- brance of those people who helped build the town, guests are encouraged to purchase an extra luminary and place it on one of the pi- oneer grave sites. The program will take place, rain or shine. OAK HILL Cemetery to host candlelight memorial From barber shops to fine print — and a lot between — my EC readers are really smart. I love it when they share their time and money- saving tips with us. PLEASERECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER. La Corona WILL BE CLOSED starting December 7, 2015 & re-opening January 7, 2016 to serve you. 914WalnutSt,RedBluff,CA•528-9496 Authentic Mexican Food La Corona FromourfamilyhereatLaCorona Mexican Restaurant, we would like to wish you and your family HappyHolidays We look forward to seeing you next year. 744 Main St., Red Bluff HOLIDAYSALE 20% OFF •GIFTCERTIFICATESAVAILABLE • LAY-AWAY GIFTS • FREE GIFT WRAPPING • OPEN SUNDAYS - DEC. 6, 13, 20 • NOTARY PUBLIC AVAILABLE COME&SHOPWITHUS (single item) 736-1389 632 Main Street, Red Bluff Ragz To Riches 20% off Selected Items (Must present coupon) Unique Seasonal Gifts Handcrafted Items C O U P O N C O U P O N Offer Expires 11-30-2015 Call for details (530) 529-1220 100 Jackson St. Red Bluff $28 A Month 413WalnutStreet•530-528-8000 Sat.-Mon. 10am-4pm • Tues-Fri 10am-5:30pm Se Habla Español www.redbluffgoldexchange.com www.angelsamongusall.com ServingOurCommunityForOver21Years Joinusinsupporting CHIPS FOR KIDS Toy Drive $ 10 .00 new, unwrapped toys Collecting Toys thru 12/13/15 LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, December 3, 2015 MORE ATFACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4