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CREDIT CARDS CHOICES AND INFORMATION

Shopping around for a credit card can save you money on interest and fees. You’ll want to find one with features that match your needs. This information can help you
Understand the features of credit cards Compare credit card features and costs Know your rights when using your credit card File a complaint if you have a problem with your credit card
How will you use your credit card? What are the APRs? How long is the grace period? How is the finance charge calculated? What are the fees? What are the cash advance features? How much is the credit limit? What kind of card is it? Does the card offer incentives and other features?
How do I find information about credit cards? What are your liability limits? What can you do about billing errors? What if the item you purchase is damaged?
Complaints involving credit cards Checklist for comparing credit cards Survey
How will you use your credit card?
The first step in choosing a credit card is thinking about how you will use it.
If you expect to always pay your monthly bill in full--and other features such as frequent flyer miles don’t interest you--your best choice may be a card that has no annual fee and offers a longer grace period.
If you sometimes carry over a balance from month to month, you may be more interested in a card that carries a lower interest rate (stated as an annual percentage rate, or APR).
If you expect to use your card to get cash advances, you’ll want to look for a card that carries a lower APR and lower fees on cash advances. Some cards charge a higher APR for cash advances than for purchases.

What are the APRs?
The annual percentage rate--APR--is the way of stating the interest rate you will pay if you carry over a balance, take out a cash advance, or transfer a balance from another card. The APR states the interest rate as a yearly rate.
Multiple APRsA single credit card may have several APRs:
One APR for purchases, another for cash advances, and yet another for balance transfers. The APRs for cash advances and balance transfers often are higher than the APR for purchases (for example, 14% for purchases, 18% for cash advances, and 19% for balance transfers).
Tiered APRs. Different rates are applied to different levels of the outstanding balance (for example, 16% on balances of $1–$500 and 17% on balances above $500).
A penalty APR. The APR may increase if you are late in making payments. For example, your card agreement may say, “If your payment arrives more than ten days late two times within a six-month period, the penalty rate will apply.�
An introductory APR. A different rate will apply after the introductory rate expires.
A delayed APR. A different rate will apply in the future. For example, a card may advertise that there is “no interest until next March.� Look for the APR that will be in effect after March.
If you carry over a part of your balance from month to month, even a small difference in the APR can make a big difference in how much you will pay over a year.
Fixed vs. variable APRSome credit cards are “fixed rate�--the APR doesn’t change, or at least doesn’t change often. Even the APR on a “fixed rate� credit card can change over time. However, the credit card company must tell you before increasing the fixed APR.
Other credit cards are “variable rate�--the APR changes from time to time. The rate is usually tied to another interest rate, such as the prime rate or the Treasury bill rate. If the other rate changes, the rate on your card may change, too. Look for information on the credit card application and in the credit card agreement to see how often your card’s APR may change (the agreement is like a contract--it lists the terms and conditions for using your credit card).
How long is the grace period?
The grace period is the number of days you have to pay your bill in full without triggering a finance charge. For example, the credit card company may say that you have “25 days from the statement date, provided you paid your previous balance in full by the due date.� The statement date is given on the bill.
The grace period usually applies only to new purchases. Most credit cards do not give a grace period for cash advances and balance transfers. Instead, interest charges start right away.
If you carried over any part of your balance from the preceding month, you may not have a grace period for new purchases. Instead, you may be charged interest as soon as you make a purchase (in addition to being charged interest on the earlier balance you have not paid off). Look on the credit card application for information about the “method of computing the balance for purchases� to see if new purchases are included or excluded. Information on methods of computing the balance is in the section “How is the finance charge calculated?�
How is the finance charge calculated?
The finance charge is the dollar amount you pay to use credit. The amount depends in part on your outstanding balance and the APR.
Credit card companies use one of several methods to calculate the outstanding balance. The method can make a big difference in the finance charge you’ll pay. Your outstanding balance may be calculated
Over one billing cycle or two,
Using the adjusted balance, the average daily balance, or the previous balance, and
Including or excluding new purchases in the balance.
Depending on the balance you carry and the timing of your purchases and payments, you’ll usually have a lower finance charge with one-cycle billing and either
The average daily balance method excluding new purchases,
The adjusted balance method, or
The previous balance method.
Minimum finance chargeSome credit cards have a minimum finance charge. You’ll be charged that minimum even if the calculated amount of your finance charge is less. For example, your finance charge may be calculated to be 35¢--but if the company’s minimum finance charge is $1.00, you’ll pay $1.00. A minimum finance charge usually applies only when you must pay a finance charge--that is, when you carry over a balance from one billing cycle to the next.
What are the fees?
Most credit cards charge fees under certain circumstances:
Annual fee (sometimes billed monthly). Charged for having the card
Cash advance fee. Charged when you use the card for a cash advance; may be a flat fee (for example, $3.00) or a percentage of the cash advance (for example, 3%)
Balance-transfer fee. Charged when you transfer a balance from another credit card (Your credit card company may send you “checks� to pay off the other card. The balance is transferred when you use one of these checks to pay the amount due on the other card.)
Late-payment fee. Charged if your payment is received after the due date
Over-the-credit-limit fee. Charged if you go over your credit limit
Credit-limit-increase fee. Charged if you ask for an increase in your credit limit
Set-up fee. Charged when a new credit card account is opened
Return-item fee. Charged if you pay your bill by check and the check is returned for non-sufficient funds (that is, your check bounces)
Other fees. Some credit card companies charge a fee if you pay by telephone (that is, if you arrange by phone for payment to be transferred from your bank to the company) or to cover the costs of reporting to credit bureaus, reviewing your account, or providing other customer services. Read the information in your credit card agreement to see if there are other fees and charges.

What are the cash advance features?
Some credit cards let you borrow cash in addition to making purchases on credit. Most credit card companies treat these cash advances and your purchases differently. If you plan to use your card for cash advances, look for information about
Access. Most credit cards let you use an ATM to get a cash advance. Or the credit card company may send you “checks� that you can write to get the cash advance.
APR. The APR for cash advances may be higher than the APR for purchases.
Fees. The credit card company may charge a fee in addition to the interest you will pay on the amount advanced.
Limits. Some credit cards limit cash advances to a dollar amount (for example, $200 per cash advance or $500 per week) or a portion of your credit limit (for example, 75% of your available credit limit).
How payments are credited. Many credit card companies apply your payments to purchases first and then to cash advances. Read your credit card agreement to learn how your payments will be credited.

How much is the credit limit?
The credit limit is the maximum total amount--for purchases, cash advances, balance transfers, fees, and finance charges--you may charge on your credit card. If you go over this limit, you may have to pay an “over-the-credit-limit fee.�
What kind of card is it?
Most credit card companies offer several kinds of cards:
Secured cards, which require a security deposit. The larger the security deposit, the higher the credit limit. Secured cards are usually offered to people who have limited credit records--people who are just starting out or who have had trouble with credit in the past.
Regular cards, which do not require a security deposit and have just a few features. Most regular cards have higher credit limits than secured cards but lower credit limits than premium cards.
Premium cards (gold, platinum, titanium), which offer higher credit limits and usually have extra features--for example, product warranties, travel insurance, or emergency services.

Does the card offer incentives and other features?
Many credit card companies offer incentives to use the card and other special features:
Rebates (money back) on the purchases you make
Frequent flier miles or phone-call minutes
Additional warranty coverage for the items you purchase
Car rental insurance
Travel accident insurance or travel-related discounts
Credit card registration, to help if your wallet or purse is lost or stolen and you need to report that all your credit cards are missing
Credit cards may also offer, for a price,
Insurance to cover the payments on your credit card balance if you become unemployed or disabled, or die. Premiums are usually due monthly, making it easy to cancel if the payments are higher than you want to pay or you decide you don’t need the insurance any longer.
Insurance to cover the first $50 of charges if your card is lost or stolen. Under federal law, you are not responsible for charges over $50.
Before you sign up to pay for any of these features, think carefully about whether it will be useful for you. Don’t pay for something you don’t want or don’t need.
How do I find information about credit cards?
You can find lists of credit card plans, rates, and terms on the Internet, in personal finance magazines, and in newspapers. The Federal Reserve System surveys credit card companies every six months. You’ll need to get the most recent information directly from the credit card company--by phoning the company, looking on the company’s web site, or reading a solicitation or application.
Under federal law, all solicitations and applications for credit cards must include certain key information, in a disclosure box similar to the one shown.

Annual percentage rate(APR) for purchases
2.9% until 11/1/06after that, 14.9%

Other APRs
Cash-advance APR: 15.9%Balance-Transfer APR: 15.9%Penalty rate: 23.9% See explanation below.*

Variable-rate informtion
Your APR for purchase transactions may vary.The rate is determined monthly by adding5.9% to the Prime Rate.**

Grace period for repyamentof balances for purchases
25 days on average

Method of computing thebalance for purchases
Average daily balance (excluding newpurchases)

Annual fees
None

Minimum finance charge
$.50

Transaction fee for cash advances: 3% of the amount advancedBalance-transfer fee: 3% of the amount transferredLate-payment fee: $25Over-the-credit-limit fee: $25
* Explanation of penalty. If your payment arrives more than ten days late two times withing a six-month period, the penalty rate will apply.** The Prime Rate used to determine your APR is the rate published in the Wall Street Journal on the 10th day of the prior month.

APR for purchases. The annual percentage rate you’ll be charged if you carry over a balance from month to month. If the card has an introductory rate, you’ll see both that rate and the rate that will apply after the introductory rate expires.
Back to disclosure box
Other APRs. The APRs you’ll be charged if you get a cash advance on your card, transfer a balance from another card, or are late in making a payment. More information about the penalty rate may be stated outside the disclosure box--for instance, in a footnote. In this example, if you make two payments that are more than ten days late within six months, the APR will increase to 23.9%.
Back to disclosure box
Variable-rate information. Information about how the variable rate will be determined (if relevant). More information may be stated outside the disclosure box--for instance, in a footnote.
Back to disclosure box
Grace period for repayment of balances for purchases. The number of days you’ll have to pay your bill for purchases in full without triggering a finance charge.
Back to disclosure box
Method of computing the balance for purchases. The method that will be used to calculate your outstanding balance if you carry over a balance and will pay a finance charge.
Back to disclosure box
Annual fees. The amount you’ll be charged each twelve-month period for simply having the card.
Back to disclosure box
Minimum finance charge. The minimum, or fixed, finance charge that will be imposed during a billing cycle. A minimum finance charge usually applies only when a finance charge is imposed, that is, when you carry over a balance.
Back to disclosure box

Transaction fee for cash advances. The charge that will be imposed each time you use the card for a cash advance.
Back to disclosure box
Balance-transfer fee. The fee that will be imposed each time you transfer a balance from another card.
Back to disclosure box
Late-payment fee. The fee that will be imposed when your payment is late.
Back to disclosure box
Over-the-credit-limit fee. The fee that will be imposed if your charges exceed the credit limit set for your card.
Back to disclosure box

What are your liability limits?
If your credit card is lost or stolen--and then is used by someone without your permission--you do not have to pay more than $50 of those charges. This protection is provided by the federal Truth in Lending Act. You do not need to buy “credit card insurance� to cover amounts over $50.
If you discover that your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately to your credit card company. Call the toll-free number listed on your monthly statement. The company will cancel the card so that new purchases cannot be made with it. The company will also send you a new card.
Make a list of your account numbers and the companies’ phone numbers. Keep the list in a safe place. If your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, you’ll have all the numbers in one place. Take the list of phone numbers--not the account numbers--with you when you travel, just in case a card is lost or stolen.
What can you do about billing errors?
The federal Fair Credit Billing Act covers billing errors. Examples of billing error are
A charge for something you didn’t buy
A bill for an amount different from the actual amount you charged
A charge for something that you did not accept when it was delivered
A charge for something that was not delivered according to agreement
Math errors
Payments not credited to your account
A charge by someone who does not have permission to use your credit card
If you think your credit card bill has an error, take the following steps:
Write to the credit card company within 60 days after the statement date on the bill with the error. Use the address for “billing inquiries� listed on the bill. Tell the company Your name and account number, That you believe the bill contains an error, and why you believe it’s wrong, and The date and amount of the error (the “disputed amount�).
Pay all the other parts of the bill. You do not have to pay the “disputed amount� or any minimum payments or finance charges that apply to it.
If there is an error, you will not have to pay any finance charges on the disputed amount. Your account must be corrected.
If there is no error, the credit card company must send you an explanation and a statement of the amount you owe. The amount will include any finance charges or other charges that accumulated while you were questioning the bill.
What if the item you purchase is damaged?
The federal Fair Credit Billing Act allows you to withhold payment on any damaged or poor-quality goods or services purchased with a credit card--even if you have accepted the goods or services--as long as you have made an attempt to solve the problem with the merchant.
The sale must have been for more than $50 and must have taken place in your home state or within 100 miles of your home address. You should notify the credit card company in writing and explain why you are withholding your payment.
You may withhold the payment while the credit card company investigates your claim. If you pay the charges for the goods on your credit card bill before the dispute is resolved, you will lose your right to make a claim.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Document Requirements (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Document Requirements (FAQs)
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What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors.
Who will the Travel Initiative affect?
The travel document initiative will affect all United States citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere, who will now be required to carry a passport or other accepted document.
It will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States namely most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda and Mexican citizens.
When will the Travel Initiative be implemented?
In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:
December 31, 2006 – Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 – Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
I thought there was an additional phase to be implemented on December 31, 2005. Is this a change?
In April 2005, the Departments of State (DOS) and Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed plan to be implemented in three phases beginning on December 31, 2005 for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After further review and considering the delay in publishing the public notice in the Federal Register, DOS and DHS recognized that implementing the December 31, 2005, phase would be problematic for travelers during the upcoming winter tourism season. This change will simplify the implementation and provide a longer lead-time for travelers to come into compliance with the requirements.
How do I get a passport?
United States citizens can visit the State Department’s travel website www.travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center: 1-877-4USA-PPT; TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793.
You should allow yourself a sufficient amount of time to apply and receive your passport in advance of travel. Please allow 6 weeks for processing of your passport application if you apply from inside the U.S. If you need to travel urgently and require a passport sooner, please visit http://www.travel.state.gov for additional information. Overseas passport processing times vary; you should contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for specific information.
Peak domestic passport processing is between January and July. For faster service, we recommend applying between August and December.
Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain passports.
Other than a passport, what types of documents will be acceptable under this initiative?
The passport is the document of choice right now because of security features and general availability. Individuals traveling within the Western Hemisphere are encouraged to obtain a passport.
For land border crossings, other documents that we are considering for acceptance under this Initiative are SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST program cards. These are current international frequent traveler programs (see www.cbp.gov for further information).
We anticipate that the Border Crossing Card, (BCC – also known as “laser visa�) will also be acceptable as a substitute for a passport and a visa for citizens of Mexico traveling to the United States from contiguous territory.
No currently existing documents other than the BCC, SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST cards are under active consideration as substitutes for the passport. The Departments of Homeland Security and State are working to determine acceptable alternative documents other than a passport as soon as possible. We are using new technologies to create other acceptable travel documents. We will make public additional travel document options as they become available.
Why is the U.S. Government implementing the Travel Initiative?
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) mandated that the U.S. Secretaries of Homeland Security and State develop and implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate secure identity and citizenship documentation when entering the United States.
For many years U.S. citizens, and some citizens of other countries in the Western Hemisphere including Canadians, have not been required to present a passport or other specific forms of secure identification to enter the U.S. Instead, a wide variety of less secure documentation has historically been accepted.
In light of the new security efforts, the United States is requiring travelers to have a passport or other accepted secure document for entry into the United States.
Can the general public provide input into the planning and implementation of the Travel Initiative?
The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), and State (DOS) are issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register to provide vital information on the plan to the public and to request input and/or comment on the suggested documents and possible alternative documents that can meet the statutory requirements. DHS and DOS expect to issue a more formal rule later this year following review of those comments to implement the first phase of the Initiative. This rule will take into account comments received from the ANPRM as well as solicit further comments on the rulemaking itself.
The government expects that acceptable documents must establish the citizenship and identity of the bearer through electronic data verification and will include significant security features. Ultimately, all documents used for travel to the United States are expected to include biometrics that can be used to authenticate the document and verify identity.
How will the Travel Initiative impact travel at the land borders?
DHS and the State Department understand that the greatest potential change will occur at the land borders. The new statute specifically mandates that the concerns of border communities be considered. We recognize the implications this might have for industry, business and the general public, as well as our neighboring countries, and they are important partners in this initiative. The advanced notice of proposed rule making will allow these affected publics to voice concern and provide ideas for alternate documents.
Will this requirement apply to travel between the United States and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa will continue to be able to use established forms of identification to board flights and for entry.
If traveling outside the United States or a U.S. territory, a passport or other secure document will be required. For example, a person may travel to and from the United States to the U.S. Virgin islands without a passport or other secure document, but under proposed regulations, a passport or other secure document would be required to re-enter the U.S. Virgin Islands from the British Virgin Islands or another country as of December 31, 2006.

Hosed at the gas pump -- by your debit card

You may have topped off with just $20 worth of unleaded, but the debit-card transaction could freeze as much as $75 in your account, sometimes for days. By Christopher SolomonIf you ever use your debit card to pay at the pump, watch out: Did you know that every time you top off the tank, a chunk of your checking account can be blocked -- sometimes for days, with the potential to cause you all sorts of financial headaches and bounced checks? That’s what happened to Jessica Hathaway, a state employee from Allentown, Pa. Earlier this year Hathaway stopped during her commute to fill up her car at Rauch’s Mini Mart, a Shell station. She bought $22.29 worth of gas using her debit card.The next day Hathaway balanced her checkbook using her bank’s telephone service -- and something didn’t add up. The bank said that she’d made two purchases the previous morning: one for the $22.29 and one for $75. Trouble is, she’d only bought the gas.Finally Hathaway called the service station, and an attendant explained to her what few people know.How your money gets frozen If you use your debit card at a pump that does not require a PIN, the station regularly will block out an amount -- often $50 or $75 -- on your card.That amount doesn't “un-block� as you drive away. Instead, the hold remains until that evening, and sometimes for up to several days, until the station does a “batch� transaction, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
Find a loan that'sright for you at theLoan CenterEach big oil company has a different policy:
Shell places a $75 hold for gas purchases, and it can stay in place for as long as three business days.
British Petroleum places a $75 hold on accounts when customers use debit or credit cards, but the hold is usually lifted after about two hours, said spokeswoman Sarah Howell. The same policy applies at its Amoco and Arco stations, Howell said.
Chevron applies only a $1 hold to debit cards, to ensure that a card is active, says a spokeswoman.The reasoning behind this policy is that oil companies don’t know how much gas you’re about to pump -- only PIN-based debit transactions are processed immediately -- and so they earmark a certain amount of your money. “We want to make sure that we’re protected, that we get payment for the gasoline,� says BP’s Howell. This general idea isn’t new. Credit-card companies have done it for a long time. (Think of when you rent a hotel room or a car, and the attendant runs your card upon your arrival to ensure you can pay for it.) It’s less of an issue with credit-card owners, however, because you’re usually told that it’s happening and you’re probably not flirting with your credit limits. If a company puts a chunk of dough in your checking account off-limits without your knowledge, however, it can cause real migraines.

Managing housework with arthritis

Cooking dinner. Mowing the lawn. Mopping the floor. They may seem like minor chores, but everyday tasks can take a toll on your body. And when your joints are stiff and painful from arthritis, running a household can seem like an overwhelming job. The biggest mistake many people with arthritis make is trying to do everything at once, according to Olga Anderson, an occupational therapist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
"It's a cycle — they do too much, then they become over-fatigued or cause a flare. Once their energy is back and the pain is gone, they try to make up for lost time — and then they get fatigued again and have another flare," says Anderson.
How to approach housework
The good news is that you can take many steps to make the work in and around your home easier to manage. Follow these guidelines:
OrganizeBy planning ahead you can organize your tasks in ways that conserve energy. For instance, clean one area or floor at a time. If you're doing laundry in the basement, combine tasks that can be done there to avoid hikes up and down the stairs.
Ask yourself: How many tasks can I realistically accomplish in this room or on this floor without causing pain, triggering a flare or becoming overly fatigued?
PrioritizeAccept the fact that you won't be able to get everything done in one day. Decide which are the most important tasks to accomplish, and focus on them. Other items can wait until another time.
Ask yourself: What chores really have to be done now? What tasks can be delayed?
DistributeBreak tasks into smaller units that can be accomplished over a number of days. For example, carrying laundry can strain your joints. When clothes are wet, they can be heavy and hard to maneuver into the dryer. And if your washer and dryer are in your basement, you can spend a lot of time running up and down the stairs.
To ease the strain, do a load of laundry every other day instead of all in one day. Another option is to set time limits for yourself. For instance, clean the closet for 30 minutes each day until the job is done.
Ask yourself: How can this job be spread over a number of days?
AlternateTwo ways to classify and alternate tasks are:
Light tasks and medium tasks. Alternate light tasks with medium tasks. If you do a heavy task, plan on taking a break after completing it and follow it up with a lighter task. This gives your joints a break and allows you to work longer. What you consider a light or medium task to be may vary according to how you feel.
Standing tasks and sitting tasks. If you stand up while washing the dishes, then plan on sitting down, when you can, while preparing a meal. Consider using a high stool. Alternating your position helps keep one set of joints from taking all of the strain.
Whether you do a chore standing or sitting often is determined by habit. You may be used to folding laundry while standing by your bed, but remember that you also can do it while sitting.
Ask yourself: In what order and position should I do these tasks?
Pace yourselfRemember to take regular rest breaks. This doesn't mean you have to lie down and sleep, just make sure to relax the set of joints you just used. Length of rest varies person by person — listen to your body. Stop for a break before you're tired or hurt.
Ask yourself: When will I take my breaks?
DelegateAnother way to distribute work is to ask for assistance or hire someone to help you. This is especially important with strenuous activities that put stress on your joints and can cause pain and fatigue.
Family and friends are good sources for help. Don't forget that even young children can be given regular chores.
Ask yourself: Who else can do this task?
DuplicateKeep several sets of cleaning supplies distributed around the house so that you won't have to carry them far. For example, keep a toilet brush and cleanser in each bathroom.
Ask yourself: What cleaning supplies do I use in more than one room?
Tips by location in your home
Here are some additional tips for functioning in and around your home. Depending upon which joints are most affected, some tips may be more helpful than others:
In your kitchen
Use electric appliances. For instance, use a food processor to do your chopping.
Buy prepared foods and convenience items. For example, buy salad mix that is prewashed and shredded.
Use scissors. Cut open a package instead of tearing it open with your hands.
Ask for groceries in a paper bag. You can carry paper bags between your forearm and hip, which avoids the hand strain you could experience if using plastic bags.
Modify your mixing technique. Reduce stress on your joints by placing your mixing bowl on a damp cloth in the sink while you stir. The cloth will keep the bowl from slipping, and holding the spoon like a dagger takes stress off your hands. Or, even better, try using an electric mixer.
Ease cleanup. Use nonstick sprays, foil and disposable baking pans to make cleaning up easier.
Lighten your load. Use lightweight pots, pans, bowls and dishes.
Around the house
Organize closets and cabinets. Organize strategically so that the heavy and most frequently used objects are easy to reach — between the middle of your thigh and shoulder.
Create easy access. Leave your most frequently used items out on the counter in the kitchen and bathroom and on your dresser in the bedroom. Use long-handled tools for reaching.
Be realistic. Limit yourself to one major cleaning task a day.
Outside
Be efficient. For example, gather your tools together in a wheelbarrow so that you're not making several trips back and forth. Leave the hose in the yard instead of dragging it out of storage each time you use it. Put a chair at each end of a garden row — it will help you get up from the ground.
Create easy access. Do your gardening in small containers that you can keep at an accessible level or use raised beds.
Use tools that minimize joint stress. For example, try ergonomic rakes and shovels. Or, modify your existing tools. Put pipe insulation tubing around tool handles to make them easier to hold.
Time it right. Weed after it rains or the garden has been watered — soft soil means less tugging.
If you have arthritis, small tasks can lead to pain. Take steps to reduce the effect these tasks have on your joints.
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Firstcoastnews.com
Senator Demands Apology for Bennett Comments on Blacks and Crime
William Bennett
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former Education Secretary William Bennett is coming under fire for comments he'd made on his radio program. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats are demanding Bennett apologize for linking the crime rate with the abortion of black babies.It began with Bennett taking issue with a recent book that theorized that one reason crime is down because abortion is up. Bennett said, "You could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down." He went on to call that "an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down." Reid says he's "appalled by Mr. Bennett's remarks," and is calling on him "to issue an immediate apology not only to African Americans but to the nation." Bennett says his comments have been mischaracterized. He said his point was that the idea of supporting abortion to reduce crime is "morally reprehensible."
Associated Press

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