(NAPSI)—Each year, Medicare Open Enrollment begins on October 15 and ends on December 7. It’s an important opportunity for eligible individuals to select a Medicare plan that best meets their current and potential health needs, and also offers crucial protection for unexpected costs.

Although it’s been 10 years since the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression hit the U.S., most middle-income boomers say they still don’t feel their finances have fully recovered. According to a recent study from the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement, today, only 57 percent of middle-income boomers feel confident meeting their daily financial obligations, down from 65 percent before the crisis. Along with their smaller savings accounts, concerns about rising health care costs as they age could be feeding boomers’ lack of confidence in their financial futures.

Today, boomers expect to carry more debt into retirement; only 34 percent expect to retire debt-free. One of the main drivers of debt for this demographic is the nationwide increase in health care costs. Boomers—an estimated 74.9 million Americans aged 53 to 71 in 2017—will likely live to around age 85, on average, according to the Social Security Administration, and unexpected health issues associated with age can drain savings and increase the risk of added debt. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—The National Museum of the United States Army is under construction, and four artifacts are already in place. These unique pieces of Army history are so large that crews pre-positioned them early in the construction process so the Museum’s walls could be built around them.

The first two artifacts were the M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle that led the 2003 charge from Kuwait to Baghdad, and the M4A3E2 Sherman “Jumbo” Tank, known as “Cobra King,” which was the first tank to break through German lines during World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. Crews then installed an LCVP, one of the few remaining Higgins boats certified to have carried troops ashore at Normandy on D-Day.

The fourth artifact, a Renault FT-17 Tank known as “5 of Hearts,” made history in World War I when it led an attack on enemy lines near Exermont, France. It is the only known surviving Renault FT-17 Tank used in combat by U.S. personnel. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Nearly everyone born between 1996 and 2010—Gen Z, as they’re known—owns a smartphone, Mediakix research shows. What many people don’t know, however, is that these young people are often as much into nature as they are into technology.

Fourteen-year-old Jake Reisdorf of California is a shining example. The subject for a school project was the impetus that turned an initial interest in bees into a full-fledged hobby and business, and the young entrepreneur now serves as founder and CEO of Carmel Honey Company.

He had taken a beekeeping course and used that information to create a website for a class project. His fellow students, however, seemed more interested in learning about honey bees than about website design. So Reisdorf procured a hive and began rescuing wild swarms. He now manages nearly 100 hives. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—If your home is like most, you no longer have a landline. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 51 percent of U.S. homes rely on cell phones alone for a telephone connection. So a reliable cellular signal is more crucial than ever.

The Problem

Unfortunately, bad cell reception can happen in urban areas, thanks to all the obstacles that block cell tower signals from reaching your phone. And it can be even worse in rural areas, which make up more than 72 percent of the U.S. land area.

In fact, most cell phone users have used a number of creative ways to make or receive a mobile call, including going outside, standing near a window, finding the one spot in the house with a signal, standing like a statue and even moving like a ninja. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Low and slow is the way to go when it comes to entertaining. Start marinating the night before, prep the rest of the ingredients in the morning, drop it all into the slow cooker and let the magic begin as the flavors slowly meld and everything turns tender.

Then it’s all about the garnishes to contrast the mellowness and succulence of a slowly braised meal. Choose items that will strike the perfect balance by adding brightness and texture:

• Chopped scallions, fresh jalapeños and halved cherry tomatoes add crunch and flavor to your favorite chili recipe.
• Handfuls of arugula, chopped parsley and pine nuts are delicious toppings for your favorite chicken cacciatore recipe.
• Roasted sesame seeds, julienned cucumbers and cilantro cool down your favorite Asian spicy rib recipe.

Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—To help you save time and trouble and turn out a beautiful bird (or two), “Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking” author and television host Nathalie Dupree offers these clever turkey time tricks.

“I rarely cook a turkey larger than 14 pounds, and find it easier to roast two smaller ones than one larger one. A large turkey takes longer to cook, and is more difficult to handle and store. Two small turkeys allows one of them to be roasted and carved ahead of time, and the other to be the ‘showpiece’ on the table,” she explains.

“Rather than stuff the turkey,” she adds, “I flavor it with an onion, carrot and a few herbs. Herbs enhance the flavor of the turkey, when tucked inside the cavity. If a rack is not available, the onions and carrots can form a resting place for the turkey. I add stock to keep the bottom from burning and to ensure a scrumptious gravy. This creates a bit of steam, so take care when opening and closing the oven.” Continue reading →