WCCF Offering “Spooktacular” Non-profit Board Training Opportunity

Washington County Community Foundation realizes that board training for small non-profit organizations can be difficult to schedule or plan for on a tight budget. We also recognize that a great Board of Directors is critical to a nonprofit organization’s success.

Members of Boards of Directors of local nonprofits serving Washington County are invited to a training event on October 31, 2023 from 8:00 AM to noon, at the Community Learning Center at 1707 N. Shelby Street in Salem. Our guest presenters are Terri Johnson of Terri Johnson Consulting and Ed Kominowski, President and CEO of One Question Consulting Foundation. Both Terri and Ed have decades of experience with non-profit Boards of Directors and are so excited to share their knowledge with our community!

This training is not mandatory; however, during our Spring and Fall competitive grant cycles, preference may be given to organizations that have had at least one board member attend the training.

The cost to attend a session is $100.00 per person. However, this fee will be refunded if the Board Member attends the entire session. If a Board Member leaves early or does not show up, the registration fee will be retained by the Washington County Community Foundation. We look forward to a morning of treats!

Registration deadline is October 23, 2023. For further information or to register please call 812-883-7334 or email program.officer@wccf.biz or director@wccf.biz.

Donors to the Washington County Community Foundation serve as a beacon of hope, creating a legacy of care and compassion that shines for generations to come.

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WCCF Donors and Police Dept. Collaborate to Improve Service

The Donors of the Washington County Community Foundation helped the Salem Police Department to receive a $146,000.00 grant to update their communication systems. Through the Foundation’s RISE UP program, James Moore from SPD, reached out to the Foundation for assistance in writing a grant to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The grant application was to add mobile data units to the cruisers as well as installing new software for the Department that allows them to connect to the same system as Washington County EMS, Sheriff’s Department, and intrastate agencies.

The collaboration between the WCCF and the Salem Police Department made it possible to improve our community by keeping our officers and residents safer!

Donors to the Washington County Community Foundation serve as a beacon of hope, creating a legacy of care and compassion that shines for generations to come.

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Choosing the Right Stair Lift

Due to my chronic arthritis, I have a very difficult time going up and down stairs. I am interested in purchasing a stair lift for my two-story house. What are some things to consider before purchasing?

A home stair lift is a great mobility solution for anyone who is unable or has a difficult time climbing stairs. To help you choose a quality stair lift that meets your needs and budget, here are a few shopping tips.

What to Know

There are two basic types of stair lifts that are sold today: straight and curved. The design of your staircase will determine the type of stair lift you will need.

A straight stair lift travels in a straight line up a flight of stairs uninterrupted by landings, bends or curves. Straight stair lifts cost anywhere between $3,500 and $5,500. Prices will vary depending on the length of the staircase, model and added options. Curved stair lifts are much more elaborate and will go around corners, bends and changes in direction. Curved lifts are much more expensive than straight stair lifts, ranging anywhere from $8,500 to $14,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the installation.

Most stair lifts available today have seats, armrests and footplates that fold up for storage. Swivel seats are frequently incorporated, making it easier to get in and out of the chair. They also include standard safety features like seatbelts, braking systems and footrest sensors. The controls, which are typically in the form of push-buttons or rocker-switches, are located on the armrest for easy operation. Additionally, some stair lifts include "call send" controls which allow you to call or send the unit to the other end of the stairs. You should review which features are most important to you and ensure that the lift you select incorporates them.

If you need a stair lift with wider seating and increased weight-bearing capacity – you may want to inquire with the company about their availability. If you prefer a raised seating position, ask about the option to modify the seat during the installation process.

Depending on the company, you may have the option to choose between an electric (AC) and a battery powered (DC) stair lift. Electric stair lifts are simpler and more affordable than battery powered units. However, the electric lifts rely on your home's electrical supply. Therefore, in the event of a power outage, electric lifts will stop operating whereas battery powered lifts will continue to operate even when there is a power failure.

Financial Help

Health insurance, including original Medicare, does not cover home stair lifts, but some Medicare Advantage plans may provide some assistance. Medicare may pay for a portion of a lifting device attached to the chair as that is considered durable medical equipment (DME). However, Medicare has specific eligibility criteria for DMEs to qualify for assistance. Alternatively, if you have long-term care insurance it may also cover a portion of the costs. It is important to note that stair lift financial assistance is not available on all plans. Check with your insurance plan provider prior to making any purchase.

If you qualify for Medicaid, many states offer waivers that could help pay for a lift. If you are a veteran, the Veterans Administration (VA) has several grant and benefit programs that may offer assistance. Assistance varies by state, so you should verify with your local Area Agency on Aging to see program availability and eligibility.

To reduce costs, consider purchasing a used or refurbished stair lift model. If you need a stair lift for only a short period of time, renting one could be a viable choice. Most companies offer these options and many offer financing as well.

To get started, you can reach out to stair lift companies which will connect you with a local stair lift dealer in your area. Most dealers will provide free in-home assessments and estimates and can help you choose an appropriate lift.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Published September 22, 2023

How to Protect Yourself from Cybercrimes

I frequently use the internet to pay bills, shop and keeping up with my grandchildren on social media. But a few months ago, my computer was infected with malware and a cyber hacker opened a credit card using my identity. Do you have any tips to help me stay safe while online?

Cybercrimes, especially against seniors, continues to be a major problem in the U.S. According to the FBI 2022 Elder Fraud Report, cybercrime cost Americans over age 60 more than $3 billion last year, an 84% increase from 2021.

While anyone can be a victim of cybercrimes, seniors are frequent targets because they tend to have more money than their younger counterparts. But there are several things you can do to protect yourself from online fraud, hacking and scams. Here are a few tips to protect yourself.

Strengthen your passwords: A strong password should contain at least 12 characters and include numbers and a special character, such as an exclamation point or asterisk. Be sure to have unique passwords across different sites and applications to ensure a hacker would not gain access to all of your accounts through one password. Use an encrypted and trusted password manager to store all your passwords. If you keep a written list of all your passwords, make sure you store it in a safe secure place. Avoid storing passwords on devices using the 'remember me' feature as it only increases your chances of being hacked. When using smartphones or tablets, be sure to set up a password to access and protect your device in the event it is lost or stolen.

Opt out of pop-ups: To protect yourself from computer viruses and other forms of malware, avoid any pop-up style message when you are on a website. Additionally, internet browsers provide options to customize settings, including the ability to disable pop-ups for added security. Hackers often disguise their malware as pop-up advertisements or "special offers" when you are shopping or reading online. By clicking on these pop-ups, it can lead to viruses or data breaches. If you encounter a suspicious pop-up message, do not click on anything in the window. Simply leave the site or close out of your web browser.

When in doubt, throw it out: Sometimes online hackers will engage in a tactic known as phishing. The hacker will send an email or text message and pretend to be someone to convince a victim to share valuable information with them such as Social Security Number, address or credit card information. If you receive a suspicious message from an unknown sender, do not respond or click on any links or attachments. Instead, delete the message or if you are on a work email, follow your employer's phishing protocol and report the message as phishing.

Share with care: It is possible to overshare information online. This applies to private information you may post on various online profile accounts. Using popular social media platforms makes it easier for hackers to collect information about you based on what you share, including details like your home address and personal contact information. Ensure that your privacy settings are up to date so that only people who follow you can see your posts. Be mindful not to post information that may be related to security challenge questions or financial accounts.

Verify websites: Before you shop or access your bank online, double check the validity of the website you are using. Reputable websites use technologies such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) that encrypt data during transmission. You will see a padlock icon in your browser and usually "https" at the front of your address bar to confirm it is a secure connection. If you do not see it in the web address that you are on, you should not trust that website with your passwords, payment or banking information.

Have some back-up: While practicing safe habits can protect you and your information, you do not have to solely rely on your own efforts to stay safe. Anti-virus software can be used to prevent and detect viruses or other types of malwares from your computer. It works in the background and helps make it easier to avoid threats while on the internet.

For more information on how to safeguard your personal technology devices and personal information, visit consumer.ftc.gov and search "Protect Your Personal Information and Data." To report fraud or identity theft, go to either ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IdentityTheft.gov.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Donors Offering Scholarships to Non-Traditional Students

The Washington County Community Foundation is now offering scholarships to non-traditional students through its Education Matters initiative. The deadline for applications is October 5, 2023 by 3:30 PM.

The following criteria have been established for scholarships:

Annual awards will not exceed $3,000 the first twelve months and $5,000 per person in any subsequent twelve month period.
Scholarship applicants must be a minimum of 28 years old as of the date of application.
Only individuals who can demonstrate continuing legal residence in Washington County for at least the past five years are eligible. Documentation such as tax forms, housing receipts, or utility bills will be used to verify residency and/or household income.
Scholarship awards may be used for tuition, course-related fees, or books only. Checks will only be written to an educational institution or certified training provider.
The application deadline is October 5, 2023 by 3:30. No exceptions.
Adult scholarship awards may not be used to pay for college debt.
Subsequent awards will only be considered for students maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA.

September is Disaster Preparedness Month

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded taxpayers that September is National Preparedness Month. With Hurricane Lee in the Atlantic intensifying to Category Four at the time of publication, the storm season is now approaching. While Hurricane Lee is projected to turn north and miss the U.S., there are likely to be other storms that impact the Gulf Coast and other regions.

The fall season may involve hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters. September is a good month to focus on safeguarding your essential documents. You should create a list for preparedness and secure your important documents.

If you are in a natural disaster, having a file of important documents will be important. Relief by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other disaster agencies may depend on your ability to recover records and submit an application.

Each individual should gather important documents and place them in water and fireproof containers or a bank safe deposit box. There are several categories of important documents to collect.

Personal Identification — Personal items include birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, Medicare cards, driver's licenses and marriage certificates.
Financial Documents — You should collect all of your bank and investment statements. These may include the statements for your IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or other retirement plans. It is helpful to retain at least three years of your income tax returns (some individuals keep six years) and titles and registrations for your cars, trucks, RVs, boats and other vehicles. You should have a copy of your home, auto, life, health and other insurance policies as well.
Real Estate Records — If you are a homeowner, you will want to retain a deed to the property and mortgage agreements. If you own other real estate, you may also have lease or rental agreements. It is important to keep records of your home improvements such as the addition of solar panels or battery backup system.
Estate Documents — Each individual should have a will. For some individuals a living trust may be advisable. You may also have an advance healthcare directive or a durable power of attorney for finances. It is good to retain copies of the beneficiary designations for your retirement plans, insurance and financial pay–on–death (POD) accounts. In some states, you also may have real estate pay–on–death accounts. You can avoid probate on most estate property through your beneficiary designations. You should retain copies of all these documents in your disaster preparedness file.
Medical Records — Your medical information could include your health insurance, immunization records, a list of your prescription medications and any other important medical history.
Education and Employment — It is helpful to retain copies of diplomas and education transcripts. If you have any work-related licenses or professional certificates, those records should be included in your file.
Personal Records — Many individuals keep digital copies of family photos. If you served in the military, you should safely store your service and honorable discharge records. If you have become a United States citizen, you should keep a record of the naturalization papers.
Emergency Contacts — It is helpful to have a list of emergency contacts. These will frequently be family members. You also may wish to list the names and contact information for your doctors, financial planner, attorney or other advisor.

Many individuals scan these documents and create digital copies. The digital copies can be stored on an encrypted USB drive or through a secure filing system in the cloud. It may also be desirable to have a reasonable amount of cash on hand and know where your valuable items are retained in case you must evacuate.

As individuals discovered during the Lahaina fire in Maui, you may not have a great deal of warning time before an evacuation. Many Lahaina residents had five minutes or less notice they would need to flee. If you know the location of your cash and valuables, you will be able to gather them quickly and then evacuate.

Editor's Note: It is good to review your natural disaster preparedness plan each September and update these files. Many individuals also have a senior parent or other relative in assisted living or a nursing home. You can provide a great service to them with an annual checkup on their important documents.

How to Save on Prescription Drug Costs

Prices keep increasing for my prescription medications, even with my Medicare prescription drug insurance. Can you recommend any tips that can help cut my costs?

The high cost of prescription drugs is an ongoing problem affecting everyone, most notably seniors. Seniors tend to feel the impact more due to their greater need for medications and because not all of their drug costs are covered by Medicare.

While the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will help seniors save on their medications by negotiating lower drug prices and capping out-of-pocket spending at $2,000, it will be a few years before the law is fully phased in. In the meantime, here are some different strategies that may help reduce your prescription costs.

Talk to your doctor: First review your medications at least once a year with your primary care doctor to determine if any can be stopped or reduced. If you are taking any brand-name drugs, check to see if they are available in a generic alternative. For long-term prescription drugs, you may want to ask your doctor what the price might be for a three or six-month prescription instead of a monthly supply for potential cost savings. While the cost per pill is reduced, your total price will increase since you will be purchasing at a higher volume. Additionally, consult with your doctor to see whether your prescription allows you to partake in pill-splitting. Pill-splitting is the practice of dividing a medicine tablet into two pieces. This practice can get you twice as many pills for the same price. If you do this, your doctor will need to write the prescription for twice the dosage you need.

Review your insurance: Carefully review your drug coverage during the open enrollment period, which runs October 15 through December 7 for Medicare beneficiaries. Make sure all your regular medications are covered in the plan's formulary, that your current pharmacy is in the plan's network and that your plan covers additional medication coverage in the gap. To shop and compare Medicare prescription drug plans go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare.

Pay cash: Not using insurance for prescriptions seems counterintuitive, but in some cases, it may save you money. For example, many chain pharmacies and big-box retail stores have their own prescription savings programs that may be lower than your insurance copayment. Another option is to check out a price comparison platform for prescription drugs. These websites often provide coupons to help you save up to 80% off the list price of generic and some brand-name drugs in certain pharmacies.

Shop online: You can also save on regularly used medications by having them delivered to your home from a mail-order pharmacy. Check with your health insurance provider or usual pharmacy to see if this is an option and whether it is more cost effective. If this is not an option, check online pharmacies and compare prices. With these, you may spend less in some cases than you might with insurance.

Get more help: If your income is limited, you may also be able to get financial help through Medicare's Extra Help program (Medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs), your state pharmaceutical assistance program (Medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/states) or patient assistance programs (Medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program). Visit each website to see if you are eligible and learn how to apply.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

IRS Explores Direct E-File

The IRS has been slowly moving forward with a direct e-file system. Several members of Congress have promoted the concept. The Inflation Reduction Act included funding to allow for the IRS to conduct a study on building an e-file system.

To explore the interest in a federal e-file system, the IRS has conducted two taxpayer surveys. There is significant taxpayer support for a direct e-file system, particularly among younger taxpayers. The survey responses emphasized that privacy is a major concern and taxpayers prefer to combine filing a federal return with their state tax return.

The IRS estimates that a direct e-file system would cost between $64 million to $249 million each year. The majority of the costs would be for customer support. The IRS also faces major challenges due to the complexity of the U.S. tax code. A direct e-file system must be updated regularly for tax law changes and to ensure that taxpayer information is secure.

The IRS points to many other nations that offer a direct file system including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Spain and France. One step in taxpayer convenience is a prepopulated filing system. Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, France, Finland and Norway all offer these systems.

Many nations, including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, offer extensive online services. The IRS recently has moved forward with enhanced systems. U.S. taxpayers now have a " Your Online Account " page. The IRS also launched new chat bots that provide taxpayer support.

Editor's Note: Several members of Congress who support direct e-file have observed that commercial tax software companies are not protecting taxpayer information. One of the primary reasons for creating a federal system is that many of the commercial companies have been using Google analytics. Some of the tax software websites included a Google Pixel that collected income, refund amounts, filing status and scholarship information from taxpayers who used those websites. The taxpayers did not consent to the use by Google of that information for marketing purposes. While Google claims that it has safeguards to protect personal identity, artificial intelligence capabilities now allow identification of individuals through their data. The advocates for an IRS direct file system emphasize a federal system that would protect the information of taxpayers.

Retirement Planning Tips

What retirement planning tips can you recommend? I am worried that I may not have enough saved for retirement.

Most individuals, especially those nearing retirement, require some type of financial planning prior to retirement. Inflationary pressures increase the price of goods and services and may significantly affect the value of your retirement savings over time.

While Social Security payments can be a valuable resource that assists many individuals throughout their retirement, they are not meant to be the only source of retirement income. The Social Security Administration reports that the average monthly retirement benefit for recipients as of February 2023 is about $1,781.63, which may fall short of sustaining a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

A recent survey found that Americans holding retirement accounts believe they will need approximately $1.8 million for retirement. For instance, a 65-year-old who retires with $1.8 million saved could expect to receive a retirement income of $72,000 per year. The average U.S. retirement account, however, held $113,000 last year while accounts of those 65 and older held an average of $233,000.

Given these factors, it is crucial for individuals to familiarize themselves with financial matters and learn how to save more effectively for retirement. Here are some tips and resources that may help.

Start Saving Aggressively

If your employer offers a retirement plan, such as a 401K, it is advisable to contribute enough to at least capitalize on a company match, if available. If your finances allow you to, you may want to consider contributing even more. In 2023, you can save as much as $22,500 in a 401(k), or $30,000 including the catch-up contributions for those who are 50 or older.

If you do not have a workplace plan, think about opening a Traditional or Roth IRA. Both are powerful tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts that let you contribute up to $6,500 annually, or $7,500 when you are 50 or older. If you are self-employed, consider a SEP-IRA, SIMPLE-IRA or an individual 401(k), all of which can help reduce your taxable income while putting money away for retirement.

Additionally, if you have a high deductible health insurance policy with an annual deductible of at least $1,500 for self-only coverage or $3,000 for family coverage, you should consider opening a health savings account (HSA). This is a tool that can be used to set aside funds pre-tax, which will lower your taxable income. The money in the account will grow tax-free and if the money is used for eligible medical expenses, the withdrawals are tax-free too. After age 65, withdrawals for nonmedical purposes are treated as though they are from a traditional retirement account.

Pay Off Debts

If you have debt, it is best to reduce it as much as possible. Consider working with a non-profit credit counseling agency that provides free or low-cost advice and solutions. The counseling agency could also help you set up a debt management plan. To find a credit counseling program or agency, check with your financial institution or credit union. You may also request a referral from your local consumer protection agency.

However, it is important to exercise caution when choosing a credit counseling organization. Reputable credit counseling organizations should send you information about their services at no cost. Prior to choosing a credit counseling organization, it is advisable to research the organization with your state's attorney general office and local consumer protection agency. This will allow you to review any complaints and confirm licenses the companies may be required to have depending on your state.

Find Help

To help you educate yourself on financial matters like retirement planning, saving, investing, health care, annuities and more, a great resource is the Retirement Savings Education Campaign – Saving Matters, provided by the United States Department of Labor. You can access the educational material at savingmatters.dol.gov.

For information on Social Security, visit SSA.gov/retirement. The Social Security website provides links to benefit calculators and access to your personal Social Security account to help you figure out your future earnings at different retirement ages.

You may also consider hiring a financial advisor to conduct a financial assessment. Costs for these services will vary between $150 to $300 per hour, but this can be very beneficial to help you set up a retirement plan you can follow. You can search online for financial advisor directories and websites dedicated to finding fee-only advisors in your area. Alternatively, you may seek recommendations from friends and family who have previously used financial advisors.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

WCCF Offering “Spooktacular” Non-profit Board Training Opportunity

This training is not mandatory; however, during our Spring and Fall competitive grant cycles, preference may be given to organizations that have had at least one board member attend the training.

The cost to attend a session is $100.00 per person. However, this fee will be refunded if the Board Member attends the entire session. If a Board Member leaves early or does not show up, the registration fee will be retained by the Washington County Community Foundation. We look forward to a morning of treats!

Registration deadline is October 23, 2023. For further information or to register please call 812-883-7334 or email program.officer@wccf.biz or director@wccf.biz.

Donors to the Washington County Community Foundation serve as a beacon of hope, creating a legacy of care and compassion that shines for generations to come.

What to Know

Financial Help

Start Saving Aggressively

Pay Off Debts

Find Help

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