
Halloween on Wall Street started much too early this year, and it was all trick and no treat. It has been really scary. Scary, like when we review reports on retirement accounts and other mutual fund holdings, and scary to even turn on the news to hear the newest, breathless threat to our economy here and globally. We have, as you know, been in much, much better shape than many other parts of the country.
Current trends indicate it will be over 6% and
largest cost-of-living adjustment since 1982;
announcement due next month
Sept. 15, 2008 –
Senior citizens may be headed for their largest
pay increase – or cost of living adjustment – in
more than 25 years, following this year’s Social
Security COLA of only 2.3 percent. Projections are
now being made that the increase for 2009 will
almost certainly exceed six percent.
While the spirit of giving seems to grow during
the holiday season, the IRS reminds taxpayers to
keep some important points in mind when making
donations with the expectation of deducting them
on a federal tax return.
Taxpayers can deduct
donations only if they make them to a qualified
tax exempt organization.
"The IRS website
allows taxpayers to search for many charitable
organizations online with Publication 78," said
IRS spokesperson Luis D. Garcia. “Qualified
organizations can include non profit groups that
range from religious to scientific, charitable to
educational, or that work to prevent cruelty to
children or animals. Generally, organizations will
be able to tell you whether they are federally tax
exempt and eligible to accept tax-deductible
donations."
Some Texans consider it the next best thing to
paradise, returning year after year to enjoy its
comfortable climate and affordable prices.
Located near the midpoint of Mexico's west
coast, Puerto Vallarta sprawls around tranquil
Banderas Bay at the feet of the jungle-clad Sierra
Madre mountains. It records 345 sunny days per
year, with average high temperatures of 28 C (86
F) from January to April and 31 C (92 F) from May
to December.
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By 2050, Hispanics will be the fastest growing population in the 65 and over age group, reaching 15 million, and will likely double that figure for those age 50 and over.
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About 18% of seniors on Medicare have diabetes; Hispanic are four times more likely to be hospitalized due to uncontrolled diabetes.
Focusing on Hispanic senior citizens with diabetes and covered by Medicare, a new effort between the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Patient Education Research Center at the Stanford University School of Medicine was announced yesterday by Health and Human Services (HHS). Their goal is to increase the number of diabetes self-management training programs (DSMT) in the U.S. for Hispanics and others.