Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/770061
I'dhadthesameoven thermometer for at least a hundred years. The thing had been splattered on and dropped more times than I can count. And the splat- ters had be- come hope- lessly baked on, mak- ing it nearly impossible to read. When I got a mes- sage from Naomi about her oven thermometer, I knew exactly what she was talking about and how to fix the problem. Dear Mary: Every oven thermometer I have ever owned has been difficult to use. The bases were always too small, and they tipped over. They were difficult to set up- right when they were hot, and using hot pads or tongs to handle them was mega-frustrating. In the past, you have recom- mended a model that has a hook at the top. But the oven rack would be right above it, making it diffi- cult to see. Could you rec- ommend a decent oven thermometer that has big writing and won't tip over? — Naomi Dear Naomi: I think you would be thrilled with an infrared noncon- tact digital laser ther- mometer. Using the Etek- city Lasergrip 774 Infra- red Thermometer is a lot different than trying to make a wobbly thermom- eter stand up in the oven. Point it at the space you want to measure. Line up the laser. Then press the trigger. It mea- sures temperatures all the way from minus 58 de- grees F to 716 degrees F. And the numbers are writ- ten very large, so it's easy to see. This might be ex- actly what you're looking for. It costs about $17. You can find a link to the La- sergrip and more at www. everydaycheapskate.com/ wobbly. Dear Mary: I recently read your column on ways to save on prescriptions drugs. A few years ago, I started taking an expen- sive name-brand drug. While I was employed, my group insurance covered it, and I was able to get a monthly discount through the manufacturer. I am now semi-retired and on Medicare with the Part D prescription drug plan. This time last year I was in the doughnut hole cov- erage gap and could not afford $150 for a 30-day supply. I called the drug manu- facturer discount program and found that I could get one month free because I was on a government pro- gram. That was great, but I had two more months to go until the next calendar year would start. I contacted my cardi- ologist. She said no prob- lem and called her drug rep for the medication. He dropped off a three-month supply of samples to her office for me to pick up. This year I'm fac- ing the same thing. I got one month's worth at no charge from the manufac- turer and the same three- month supply from my doctor's office. For anyone in my same situation, I suggest you first go to the manufac- turer website and check out any discount plans and then call your doctor's of- fice to get samples. It can't hurt to ask! — Alison Dear Alison: This is great information, and thanks so much for shar- ing it with my readers. While this tactic might not return the same results for everyone, it should give confidence to readers fac- ing a similar situation. You're right — it certainly can't hurt to ask. Dear Mary: Awhile back you mentioned the name of a great carpet scrubber. It was a Shark product, but I didn't get the model number. Could you please tell me? — Wendy Dear Wendy: I'm fairly certain you are refer- ring the article titled "Who Else Doesn't Want to Scrub Floors on Your Hands and Knees?" The scrubber was the Shark Sonic Duo Carpet and Floor Cleaner. It is a great machine that works like a horse but is very light- weight and easy to maneu- ver. Hope that helps. EmailMaryatmary@ everydaycheapskate.com. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Upgrade that wobbly, hard-to-read oven thermometer Mary Hunt The next Monday Morn- ing Meeting with Red Bluff City Councilman Clay Parker is scheduled for 10- 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9 at the City Council Chambers in Red Bluff, 555 Washing- ton St. The public is invited to come to discuss issues im- pacting the city and its res- idents. The meeting is free and open to all. RED BLUFF Mo nd ay m or ni ng m ee ti ng with councilman coming up By Justin McCuin Social Security manager in Redding At Social Security, we're always looking for ways to improve how we commu- nicate with you. It's been a year-and-a-half since we joined the blogosphere, and we couldn't be hap- pier with the content we've been able to provide. This blog is exactly what we en- visioned: an honest con- versation with you about our programs, the topics that matter to you, and how our agency can bet- ter serve you. On our blog, Social Se- curity Matters, we've told you about our online ser- vices, warned you about protecting yourself against fraud, and shared new ways you can start pre- paring for a secure retire- ment. If you haven't read our blog, check it out now. And if you have, here's an op- portunity to revisit some of our best posts of the past year and a half. It's never too late to join the conversation by comment- ing on these blog posts. Social Security and Vet- erans Affairs Partnership Speeds Disability Deci- sions for Veterans at blog. socialsecurity.gov/social-se- curity-and-veterans-affairs- partnership-speeds-disabil- ity-decisions-for-veterans. How I Navigated the Social Security Disability Process at blog.socialse- curity.gov/how-i-navi- gated-the-social-security- disability-process/ Reporting Changes is Your Responsibility at blog.socialsecurity.gov/re- porting-changes-is-your- responsibility/ Scammers Fake Social Security email at blog.so- cialsecurity.gov/scammers- fake-social-security-email/ The Disability Insur- ance Program — Securing Today and Tomorrow for 60 Years at blog.socialse- curity.gov/the-disability- insurance-program-se- curing-today-and-tomor- row-for-60-years/ Have You Seen Your So- cial Security Card Lately? at blog.socialsecurity.gov/ have-you-seen-your-social- security-card-lately/ Your Social Security Statement Is Now at Your Fingertips at blog.socialse- curity.gov/your-social-se- curity-statement-is-now- at-your-fingertips/ A Special Arrival! Top Baby Names in 2015 at blog.ssa.gov/a-special-ar- rival/ What is Social Security at blog.socialsecurity.gov/ what-is-social-security/ GoingOnlinewithSocial Security isn't Hard Work at blog.socialsecurity.gov/go- ing-online-with-social-se- curity-isnt-hard-work/ And these are only a fraction of the topics we've covered in this busy year. Visit our blog to learn about these and many other topics that may in- terest you. Stay informed, join the over a quarter mil- lion subscribers of Social Security Matters. With financial bene- fits, services, and infor- mation, Social Security is here to help support you throughout life's jour- ney. Go check out our 10 most popular blogs and learn more about how our agency helps secure today and tomorrow. SOCIAL SECURITY Harness the power of our top 10 blog posts Tehama County Tax- Aide will begin accepting telephone calls on Jan. 30 for the purpose of schedul- ing appointments for free tax preparation, at 727- 8298. Most of last year's cus- tomers will be receiving a reminder post card cour- tesy of the Rotary Club of Red Bluff and volunteer counselors will assist with taxes. Appointments will be available beginning Feb. 1 at the Veterans Memo- rial Hall, as well as some dates at Rolling Hills Ca- sino and at the Red Bluff Elks Lodge. Anyone wishing to join the organization as a vol- unteer this tax season is invited to call 528-8512 for information. Training will be held 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 23-27 at the Department of Edu- cation, 1135 Lincoln St. in Red Bluff. As a volunteer, you will learn new skills and be providing a valuable service to the commu- nity. TEHAMA COUNTY TaxAide program preparing for upcoming season The State Theatre For The Arts is proud to pres- ent the Roots & Boots Tour at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 at the State The- atre, 333 Oak St. in Red Bluff. The tour puts three country music stars on one stage. T he oppor tunit y to see Pam Tillis or Sammy Kershaw or Col- lin Raye individually is amazing, but being able to enjoy all three is in- credible. Pam Tillis wowed au- diences with "Maybe It Was Memphis," "Shake The Sugar Tree" and "Don't Tell Me What To Do." Sammy Kershaw deliv- ered big hits, including "She Don't Know She's Beautiful," "Love of My Life" and "Third Rate Ro- mance." From Collin Raye, au- diences have enjoyed hits like "In This Life," "My Kind of Girl" and "Love, Me." The list of hits, accom- plishments and accolades is seemingly endless for this trio of handsome and talented country trouba- dours. Don't miss your chance to see all three in one con- cert. Opening will be the North State's favorite Chad Bushnell. Tickets are $55 and $65 and available at www.statetheatrered- bluff.com or the Tehama Country Visitor Center, 250 Antelope Blvd. in Red Bluff. 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