Some simple ways for seniors to save money

Seniors who are looking for ways to save money, but are afraid
of being the victim of a scam or consumer fraud, can take advantage
of a number of safe programs that are available to thousands of
local residents.
  These wonderful cost-cutting programs offer the additional
benefit of protecting senior’s identity and maintaining
confidentiality, so seniors can live securely in the comfort of
their homes and communities. 
Seniors who are looking for ways to save money, but are afraid of being the victim of a scam or consumer fraud, can take advantage of a number of safe programs that are available to thousands of local residents.  These wonderful cost-cutting programs offer the additional benefit of protecting senior’s identity and maintaining confidentiality, so seniors can live securely in the comfort of their homes and communities. 

Here are some valuable tips to save money, safely and easily:

Cut costs when traveling

Travel savings are abundant for seniors living an active life and wanting to see the world. Several travel Web sites offer seniors special package deals which can include airline tickets, hotel accommodations and transportation, all at a discounted rate.

Save on gas, electric bills

Find out if you qualify for discount programs like the Pacific Gas & Electric Company CARE Program.  CARE, which stands for the California Alternate Rates for Energy, is authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission. PG&E provides qualifying fixed income households in California a 20 percent discount on their gas and electricity bills through the CARE program.

PG&E is particularly interested in enrolling seniors in CARE. Without proper connections or access to information, many seniors who are eligible for CARE continue to pay more for electric and gas services when they simply don’t have to. For more information please call 866-PGE-CARE or visit the Web site at www.pge.com

Additionally, PG&E offers its Third-Party Notification program to all residential customers. Third-Party Notification allows you to name a friend or relative to receive duplicate copies of past-due payment notices, which may have resulted because of an illness or other circumstances. This service acts as a safety net, alerting your designated person so that quick action can be taken. While this third party is not responsible for paying the bill, they can contact PG&E to help resolve the problem. For more information on Third Party Notification, please call (800) 743-5000 or (800) PGE-5000.

Lower your phone bill

Discounted telephone service programs like Universal Lifeline are available for qualifying seniors. Connection and monthly charges for Lifeline service are 50 percent less than basic residential service. The service is the same as that provided to all SBC California customers. Lifeline customers are also not required to pay certain monthly surcharges and fees, such as the “Federal Subscriber Line Charge” of $4.42 per month.

For more information, call toll-free at 1-800-310-2355 weekdays, 8am to 6pm and Saturday from 8:30am to 5pm (Pacific), from anywhere in the United States.

Get around town at a fraction of the cost

Most city bus and rail systems provide free or discounted transportation for seniors or people with disabilities. Always remember to ask if such a discount exists and how you can apply for it.

Shop, dine comfortably

From dining to movie theatres to department stores, most national restaurant and retail chains offer senior discounts. Attending senior days at your local department store or asking for the senior menu at your favorite eatery can save a lot in a monthly budget. 

To learn more about where you can find retail discounts, contact the AARP at 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277) or www.aarp.org.

Be aware of fraud

Prevention tips:

• Suspicious “contests” – Beware of notifications, usually by mail, which involve making a purchase of goods under the premise you may win a large sum of money.

• Misleading ads that sound too good to be true, usually are just that. Read the advertisements carefully before sending any type of payment.

• Avoid giving your credit card number over the phone unless you are certain that the caller is legitimate.

• Be suspicious of “no-risk” claims or promises of huge financial gain

• Before investing your money, get a second opinion from a spouse, friend, financial adviser or attorney.

• Consult with the Better Business Bureau or legal counsel regarding large investments. This may save you financial grief.

• Find out the percentage of money a charity actually receives from donations before donating to charitable organizations over the phone.

• Avoid giving out personal information over the telephone (your name, address, social security number, marital status or personal history)

Don’t let the fear of consumer fraud keep you from saving money. There are safe, confidential ways to cut your costs without having to worry about being victimized. Being well-informed is the key to protecting yourself and a great step towards saving money, free-of-risk.