Dear PerkyPal

General Advice Column

[perkypal]

How To Live In Retirement Mode

At some point the majority of the United States population will be in retirement mode. What this means is the older generations will be living on a budget or a fixed income. In either case, the major dilemma facing this demographic of retirees is what to do with their time. For a long time people have been trained to be on a schedule. There is a schedule to maintain for an infant, a toddler, a schoolage child, a college student, the workforce, the military, and even in prison. So how does a retiree schedule their time?

Everyone for the most part dreams of moving to some exotic locale and getting the most out of their money. However, the reality is most people stay exactly where they're at whether for family, financial, or logistical reasons. With that in mind, the retiree needs to consider the activities available to them in their local area. Then they need to, yes, set a schedule. The most important element to this schedule is to plan activities that require you to leave the home. Otherwise, the depression of the four walls surrounding you start to crush every aspect of your life.

I like to tell people start your day as if you were going to work. First, you get ready to leave the home and drive or commute to work. Well, in retirement mode you still need to get ready to leave the home and drive or commute to a daily activity or in the ideal situation a series of activities. At my local gym, for instance, there is a group of ladies that meet every morning Monday through Friday and do their own water aerobics class. While I, on the other hand, swim laps during that same hour. Next, you either shower and get ready to start your day or go home & rest. I shower and head on to my next activity.

Most importantly, is the fact that each day you are creating an activity that you do religiously as if you were going to work. Stopping for a lunch break, shopping for an outfit, taking a walk in the evening, going to the gym, visiting your local library, even going to a doctor's appointment is an activity that is getting you out of the home and into society where you can create and or maintain social interactions. You may even find yourself doing activities you never thought you'd be interested in. So, if you haven't planned your retirement schedule of activities start thinking about them now.

Thank you for making the most out of your retirement!

[perkypal]

PerkyPal's Homemade High Protein Trail Mix

I like to eat a high protein low carbohydrate diet that includes a lot of iron and antioxidants. Therefore, I started to make my own trail mix because many of the trail mixes on the market do not fit my nutritional needs. Below I will provide a general mix of ingredients for a delicious trail mix that will give you an excellent amount of protein without the excessive amounts of carbohydrates. The mix will have general amounts of small bags of ingredients so don't worry about precise amounts of any of the ingredients. As with anything you make by hand you can customize the amounts to your personal preferences. I hope you enjoy this combination of trail mix.

First decide how you want to package your trail mix whether by plastic container, baggie's, or jars. I personally use a combination of bags that the ingredients come in as well as a plastic container. Next, get a large bowl or plastic bag to mix all the ingredients in. Something like a one gallon freezer bag should work. Now comes the fun part. In the large container pour the following items:

A small bag of vanilla flavored yogurt raisins

A small bag of unsalted almonds

A small bag of unsalted sunflower seeds

A small bag of unsalted cashews

A small bag of unsalted peanuts

A small bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

A small bag of cranberry-raisins

Mix all ingredients with your clean hands or use a large spoon. Then gently pour an equal amount of trail mix to smaller containers. All the items used in this mix I was able to find at a 99 cent store.

*Optional item: Add a small portion of

chia seeds

to each container after you have poured trail mix into small containers. Chia seeds are the latest nutritional item to come on the market.

This should save you money while satisfying a sweet tooth or hunger craving. Enjoy!

[perkypal]

PerkyPal's List of Holy War No No's

1) Try to convert people with a gun in their face.

2) Threaten countries with bombs and nuke attacks.

3) Threaten to behead foreigners.

4) Try to take regions of a country you think belong to your religion by threatening the population.

5) Scare young children who will eventually want vengeance against you and your religion.

6) Anger your neighbors who have more money than you.

Thank you for keeping everyone alive to enjoy another day of prayer whatever their beliefs!

[perkypal]

The Future of Media and Network Television

I have spent a good portion of my life being educated on film and media and its impact on future generations. I've also learned that the future is and has been embarking on a new emergence of media. This media as you may already know is the Internet. There is a high price to pay for Internet service these days and most of it is a result of emerging digital media.

For instance, I don't need a television service provider for local or even network television because I can access these networks via the Internet. I'd say about three years ago I had sent an e-mail to Apple, Inc. about creating an iWatch which is basically the same concept that Samsung has done with their current watch. I had other ideas I've mentioned to Apple, Inc. a few years ago, but the most important thing I want my readers to understand is the Internet broadband speed and data capacity is the future of media.

We all stream media in one way shape or form, but because certain applications such as on-line gaming and other streaming requires so much data transfer it is necessary for large amounts of data transfer and broadband speed. The networks have finally caught up to the fact that people can stream media in an a la carte fashion therefore leaving out the service providers. My advice to my readers is to drop your television service provider and find the BEST Internet service provider that exists in your area. All you have to do is look for it and it is there.

Thank you for saving money and looking toward the future.

[perkypal]

PerkyPal's List of Marriage No No's

1) Marry someone who is a middle-child.

2) Marry someone who say's their parents never gave them any attention.

3) Marry someone whom you are repulsed/embarrassed to see naked or in a swimsuit.

4) Marry someone who has a different religion than you and doesn't want to convert to yours or you don't want to convert to yours.

5) Marry someone who doesn't have any hobbies or interests as you.

6) Marry someone who has a mother that meddles or gossips about their children and significant others.

7) Marry someone whose family thinks they are better than your family or vice versa.

8) Marry someone who has a different idea of what "parenting" is.

Thanks for keeping one less divorce off the books!

[perkypal]

PerkyPal's List of Dating No No's

1) Date someone with a suspended driver's license.

2) Date someone who say's their last partner was "psycho."

3) Date someone who's been in prison.

4) Date someone who spends what little money they have on strip clubs.

5) Date someone who doesn't file their taxes.

6) Date someone who hides their cell phone under their pillow.

7) Date someone who hides a crap load of drugs in a large orange thermos aka "construction guy thermos."

If you find yourself involved with a person who has violated one or more of these issues listed make sure you run and change your number ASAP!

Thank you for saving yourself the time and energy!

[perkypal]

How to Go to the Movies for FREE

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to go to an advance screening of a movie? Well, many of us Film and Media students have this luxury, but so can everyone else. Film and Media students get notified of advance screenings (that are free) from instructors and advisers. However, there is another way to go to an advance screening without having to pay by going towww.gofobo.com This link will allow you to find prescreenings in your area and print out tickets (limit two) per person to the movie. Also, check back often to see if a screening has been changed from a "private screening" to an "open screening." Make sure you abide by the rules of the website and of the courtesy of releasing your tickets if you choose not to attend a movie, but otherwise have fun and enjoy the show! Thank you for going to the movies!

[perkypal]

How to Make Your Own Wine

The economy is pretty tough these days and most people enjoy a glass of wine to unwind from a stressful day. However, with these economic hard times very little money should be spent on the leisure of alcohol consumption. The process of making your own wine and spirits goes back to ancient times. Here is a recipe I have learned and tried that can make a very good homemade wine.

Ingredients:

2 Bottles -Welch's 100% Grape Juice and various flavors 64 oz.

1/3 cup -Warm water

1 Teaspoon -Rapid Dry Yeast

10 Tablespoons -Brown Sugar

2 Empty Gallon Jugs

2 Paper Towels

2 Rubber Bands

2 Lavender Scented Sachets (natural)

Directions:

Pour one bottle of Juice into each gallon jug. Add 5 tablespoons brown sugar to each jug. Then mix in a separate bowl or measuring cup 1/3 warm water with 1 teaspoon yeast and an additional 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Let yeast mixture stand for 3 hours covered with kitchen towel. Once, yeast mixture has set for three hours split half of the yeast mixture into each of the gallon jugs and shake well. Now, place a folded paper towel over each jug and hold in place with a rubber band. Then, put a lavender scented sachet (natural) on top of each gallon jug and let the bottles sit in a cool, dark place for 9 days. Once the fermentation process has begun do not shake jugs to mix ingredients further, explosion of ingredients will burst the contents out of the jug. The longer the wine sits the better the wine. Preferably 4-6 months, however, ready to drink within a month or less.

Thank you for saving money on wine!

[perkypal]

How to Access Premium Cable TV shows and Movies for FREE

As a Film and Media Studies Major with a Minor in Theatre I have access to great minds that find new ways to access premium cable tv shows and movies for FREE. The latest website I have learned about is http://www.free-tv-video-online.me otherwise known as Project - Free TV. The only catch is this website has a lot of pop-up ads so you will need to close the pop-ups to play the show without hearing or seeing the pop-ups. Also, if you have a browser or ad-ware software that blocks ads it may hinder your ability to view the shows. Other than that you should be able to enjoy FREE tv shows and movies.

P.S.

You do not need to download anything. So, if you get a pop-up that says you need to download something and or sign up for something - Do Not Do It! Just ignore it or close the window.

Thank you for watching!

[perkypal]

How to save money while moving out of your parents Place

We all go through this unless you live with your parents forever. We all need to leave home and move into a place with four walls, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Now, some people move in with friends or move into a place already furnished, but most of us find ourselves having to buy our own supplies i.e. silverware, dishes, cups, a bed. So, for those of us who find ourselves looking to furnish our new place we call home I suggest going to a thrift store. Maybe it's the economy but thrift stores are not what they used to be. You can find some really cool and excellent condition stuff. The most important thing for all of us in these situations is to bring a list of things you NEED and stick to the list. Otherwise, you will find yourself with a really cool pair of jeans instead of a fork to eat with. Some thrift stores like Goodwill will e-mail coupons to you each month so make sure you sign up for their e-mails so you can get their 20% off coupons. Also, most thrift stores are a charitable entity so they do not charge local taxes. Good luck and save your money for gas! Thank you for recycling!

[perkypal]

How to make phone calls for FREE via Gmail

Now, I have had my run with Skype but paying for a subscription to make phone calls to a land line is not my idea of cheap. Nor is the fact that Skype charges a person to have a phone number just so people can call them. So, to avoid all of this nonsense I have found that if a person opens a Gmail account and adds Google Voice they are given a FREE phone number, and are able to make FREE phone calls, and receive FREE phone calls. My favorite way to use this service is to open my browser to my Gmail account and turn on the chat options. Then I am given the option to Text or Call for FREE. I also use the Google Voice App on my iPhone...Sweet! Thank you for bringing back FREE phone calls and now FREE texts.

[perkypal]

How to make money in a bad Economy

If I have another person beg me for money or gas at a gas station I am going to have a cow. Everytime someone begs me for money I say, "Go donate some plasma! I'm broke." So, I've decided to share my tips on how to make money in a bad economy without having to beg. 

Donate Plasma

Sell your electronics and jewelry at a pawn shop

Sell your clothes at a consignment store

Sell your DVD's at a place like Zia Records

Monetize your blog's and youtube sites for advertisements.

Thank you for not begging.

[perkypal]

How to deal with overdraft fees at a Bank

Now, believe it or not most banks don't want to lose your business. Therefore, I have found if you threaten to take your business to another bank they will waive your overdraft fee or fees. Simply, explain that you have enough money to cover the overdraft amount without the overdraft charge and you can't decide whether to keep the account versus opening a new account at the bank across the street. Most of the time they will waive the fee. Thank you for waiving those overdraft fees.

[perkypal]

How to save money on Textbooks

Every year college students scramble to get textbooks required for their classes. However, when money is tight many students look for other ways to get their books for cheap or no cost at all. One of the ways I have saved money on textbooks is by looking for the textbook at public libraries or even at the college library. Interlibrary loan is another way to find textbooks that are not available at the other libraries. Although, it is important to note that Interlibrary loans are only for a limited time such as a month or two and may not cover the entire semester. Renting textbooks is my current favorite way to save money on textbooks because there is little to no hassle. The books are available to rent from the school bookstore and are usually in excellent condition. The only thing to remember is to return the books by their due date at the end of the semester otherwise you will be charged for the book. Buying textbooks on-line at a website like Amazon or Half.com is another option but the cost can vary so it is important to look for the book well in advance of the course starting because availability is usually limited. Enjoy your semester! Thank you for not robbing me blind.

[perkypal]

How to deal with your car being Towed

This one I learned the hard way. I went to meet some friends at a popular restaurant on Mill Ave. in Tempe, AZ. When I got there I couldn't find any open parking spaces. So, I parked my car in a parking lot across from the restaurant. I literally just walked away from my car when my friends pointed out that my car was being towed. I ran back to my car and the tow truck was already down the street with my car on the back. I called a friend who was going to law school but he didn't answer. I went to the location posted on the signs and paid the $75 dollars to get my car out of the tow shop. When my friend who was going to law school finally called me back he said I should have called the police and reported it stolen. Apparently, towing companies are not allowed to take your car and hold it for ransom. Thank you for not stealing my car.