Americans lost $29.8 billion between 2020 and 2021 from phone scams. These threats are highly manipulative and make it impossible to recover your money. While these people can trick you into giving them your money, they cannot force you. But how do you know if someone is trying to scam you? Use this helpful guide the next time an unknown number calls you.

Five Warning Signs of a Phone Scam

The ruse may change, but the purpose remains the same–phone scammers want your money, and they are willing to say anything to get it. Since these scammers can make verbal threats, it’s essential you know what to expect from them and how you can report phone scams. 

Here are five straightforward ways to know when to hang up on a scammer.

1. Prizes Don’t Exist

When we think of prizes, we think of an award or gift we receive after accomplishing something, and one of the most common phone scams is a promise of an award after payment. This request is a warning sign–no one pays for a real prize.

2. No One Can Arrest You

Fear-mongering is a scammer’s best friend. To get you to do what they want, a phone scammer will lie to you, threaten you, and promise your arrest. However, the police can’t arrest you based on a phone call like this.

3. You Have Time to Think

Legitimate businesses will never pressure you to decide on the spot. Even if the calling company is the IRS or your credit card company, they will never request a final decision over the phone. However, spam calls pressure you to decide before you take the time to think about it.

4. Never Pay with Cash or a Gift Card

Scammers know that a debit or credit card is traceable and that you can seek legitimate refunds for money lost. Scammers will request you to pay in cash, wire transfer, or with a gift card to avoid getting caught and stay anonymous. They want you to pay this way because there isn’t a way to recoup your lost money, and it keeps them free from liability and tracking.

5. Government Agencies Don’t Use Phone Calls to Confirm Sensitive Information

One of the most common ruses is the government agency front. If you receive a call from a specific agency asking about your sensitive information, hang up the phone immediately. 

A federal agency will never ask about your social security number, bank account numbers, or other private information over the phone.

Conclusion

As technology develops and changes over time, so do the ploys for taking people’s money. When dealing with phone scammers, it’s always best not to answer a call from a number you don’t recognize. However, that is not always possible to avoid unwanted calls, so make sure you know how to recognize phone scams and use caller id. When talking on the phone with a suspected phone scam, listen for clues about prizes, arrests, government entities seeking private information, and payment methods. The moment you notice one of these warning signs, hang up the phone and report them.

Easy DIY Costumes for Seniors

Halloween season is upon us and stores are filled with costumes for you to choose from. However, you don’t really want to spend money on costumes you will only wear once for a little while with your grandchildren. Make your own costumes using things around the house and from your closet.

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5 Easy Halloween Costumes

Farmer

Farmers are a classic Halloween costume. Not only are they easily recognizable, but they are also easy to create with a few things at home.

Here’s what you need for your farmer costume:

• Overalls
• Boots
• Flannel or plaid shirt
• Handkerchief or bandana
• Hat
• Shovel or pitchfork (optional)

For this costume, all you have to do is get dressed and carry a few items around. You can save money and be super comfortable. Who doesn’t love a pair of overalls and flannel?

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Couples Costume: Popeye and Olive Oyl

For those of you looking to match your significant other, there are several options available. It’s normal for people to feel silly dressing up on their own, but when you can get dressed up and match someone, it becomes much more fun. Dressing up as Popeye and Olive Oyl is a classic Halloween costume with nostalgic roots for many seniors.

It’s incredibly easy to dress up at home. Here’s what you need for your costume:

Popeye

• Jeans
• Brown shoes
• Black t-shirt
• Red bandana
• Captain’s hat
• Pipe

Olive Oyl

• Brown shoes
• Black skirt
• Red blouse

This costume is sure to get some smiles and may even win you a costume contest. Other options for couples’ Halloween costumes include Princess Peach and Mario, Oil and Vinegar, and Salt and Pepper.

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Milburn Pennybags

Milburn Pennybags, lovingly known as Mr. Monopoly is a great Halloween costume that is a surefire way to get a conversation started.

Here is what you need to look like the famous board game character:

• Black suit jacket
• Black pants or blue pants
• White dress shirt
• Red tie
• Wooden cane
• Iconic white mustache (real or fake)
• Bag of money (optional)

If you notice, we didn’t mention a monocle, and that’s because Mr. Pennybags never officially wore a monocle. This Mandela Effect has confounded people for decades, but it is true. Wearing a monocle might look right, but it certainly wouldn’t be authentic.

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Punny Costume

Everyone loves puns. And there is nothing better than seeing the look of realization on people’s faces when they get your joke. This Halloween, try a clever costume and see how many of your family and friends get your joke.

Here’s what you need for this Halloween costume:

Breadwinner

• T-shirt
• Gold medal
• Loaf of bread

Chip on Your Shoulder

• T-shirt (color to match the color of the chip bag)
• Bag of chips

Smarty Pants

• Pants
• Smarty candy

*You can use hot glue or scotch tape for each of these costumes to hold it together

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This Halloween, don’t settle for what you can find in stores. Nothing brings more joy and smiles than well-crafted DIY Halloween costumes. With these easy costumes, you are sure to spend more time with your family and friends and less time picking out a costume.

Dog’s are called “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are loyal companions who show unwavering love to their owners. Similar to people, there are thousands of breeds with a variety of personality traits. Some dogs are better with children. Others require a more active lifestyle. There are dog breeds for seniors that would be especially great for you. 

As you are looking for your next best friend, consider adopting a dog with the right energy level, manageable cleanliness, and a friendly personality.

What to Look For in Dog Breeds for Seniors

Dogs have an array of personality traits. It’s important to know what you are looking for in a dog before you start shopping. You need to consider the energy level, cleanliness, and friendliness of your next companion.

• Energy Level: It’s essential to know the energy level you can handle with a dog. If you walk in the mornings and evenings, a more active breed will fit your lifestyle.

• Cleanliness: Cleanliness is essential. Hypoallergenic and noshed breeds are great options to consider.

• Friendliness: Most people want friendly dogs. It is crucial to consider the balance you desire between warm and protective.

Once you’ve considered the kind of personality and energy level you want in your companion, it’s time to start looking into breeds that fit your lifestyle and requirements.

3 Best Dog Breeds for Seniors

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and West Highland White Terrier have proven to be the best companions for seniors.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These gentle lap dogs are an excellent choice for seniors. They are considered a toy dog breed and come in at 13” tall and weigh between 13-18 pounds. With a 12-15 year life expectancy, these pups will be your best friend for a long time. This breed requires moderate exercise. They are easy to train and incredibly friendly with all people.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Corgis are easy to train and love daily walks and exercise. Their playfulness translates well to being great around other people. This breed is an excellent senior pet, standing 10-12” tall and weighing in at around 30 pounds. With their playful demeanor and low maintenance, you will enjoy spending time outside with your pup.

West Highland White Terrier

These happy, loyal, and entertaining dogs are a joy to watch and own. They are small too. These Terriers are 10-11” tall and weigh 15-20 pounds. They also live for a long time with a life expectancy of 13-15 years. These dogs have loud personalities and love to make you smile and laugh.

Conclusion

When looking for a new dog, it is essential to find one that fits your lifestyle. The best dogs for seniors are smaller, friendly, easy to maintain, and easily trained. These kinds of dogs are great senior pets and will be around for 10-15 years. 

If you are interested in adopting these breeds, continue your research at the American Kennel Club. They have excellent information on all breeds, so you can find the right companion.

Over the last several years, there has been a bunch of talk about superfoods. Fitness gurus have encouraged people to eat quinoa, kale, ancient grains, and the list goes on. We know these foods have been around for some time, so why do they get a random burst of attention? Better yet, what even makes a superfood a superfood? And who are they good for?

First off, a superfood is a food that is incredibly high in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. While there is no one food that provides your body with all the necessary vitamins, these foods are significantly higher in quality that other types of food.

 

Also, superfoods are great for everybody to eat! There really is no distinction in regard to who it is better for, but there are some considerations when thinking about your own personal health.

 

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Best Superfoods for Seniors

Nuts

One of the most chronic illnesses among seniors is cardiac health. While a lifelong habit of healthy eating is necessary to maintain a healthy heart, it is never too late to start. Nuts are an excellent way to introduce superfoods into your diet and improve heart health. Hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans, and many others are excellent sources of protein and will improve the health of your heart!

 

Dark, Leafy Greens

While bitter in taste to some, dark, leafy greens are excellent sources of nutrients and are incredibly versatile in the kitchen! You can easily have greens in a salad or as a side dish, but even better than that is you can have these greens in smoothies and breakfast drinks!

 

Greens are significantly high in folate, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins. These nutrients, among others, are shown to improve mental health among seniors! So not only are you eating deliciously healthy food, but you are also giving your brain the nutrients it requires to properly function!

 

Tea and Coffee

Yes, you read that right! You can still enjoy your hot morning and evening beverage without worrying about it’s health benefits! Tea and coffee provide your body with caffeine and vitamins to go through the day. This superfood is great because it can complement all other foods you are eating. Tea is famously known to be packed with vitamins and weight loss attributes! While coffee sometimes has a bad reputation for making people jittery and anxious when over-consumed, there are studies showing that caffeine, and coffee in general, helps improve your memory pathways.

 

When it comes to superfoods, there are a ridiculous number of options available! Studies are constantly being conducted on the best foods to eat and the nutritional value in different types of foods. One of the best ways to find what works for you is to consider your health, what you need to improve about your health, and implement the necessary foods into your diet!

 

Nowadays, there are so many culinary options available that you don’t need to feel blocked in with a super strict diet. So go out there and eat some greens, or nuts, or drink all the coffee in the world! Remember, they’re superfoods!

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