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.

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.