“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.” Mark Twain

I once spent 5 years building a pizza business in a small town. I worked 12-16 hours a day, seven days a week. After about three years, the business was turning a tiny profit. After five years, I could see the end of the tunnel. What I was soon to learn was that what I saw at the end of the tunnel was indeed that train coming to crash into my business and destroy it completely.

The town where I had my shop decided to renovate Main Street. The plan called for redoing a three block section where the road would be slightly widened, new sidewalks put in place with rustic street lamps, planter boxes and trees. All overhead wires would be placed underground.

The problems that created for my business were almost too many to remember. First, the underground water, gas and sewer lines were ancient. Many had to be replaced and so, for uncounted days, my business suffered unannounced periods without water or gas. When the sidewalks and roadway were ripped up, walk-in customers had no way to get to my business without parking several blocks away. When it rained or snowed, the dirt paths that were once sidewalks became quagmires.

Our delivery drivers used the alley behind the shop for leaving on deliveries. Too often, both ends of the alley were blocked by utility workers and construction equipment as the electrical, telephone and cable TV wires were placed underground. Deliveries, and soon pizza orders, ground to a halt.

Our competitor across the street and down the block a ways was the chief benefactor of the construction in front of our business because that side of the street was not torn up and those sidewalks were replaced piecemeal rather than in one extended period.

This disruption in access to and operation of the pizza shop went on for EIGHT months. Even our most dedicated customers gave up and orders for pizza soon stopped coming. We lost our business due to something completely out of our control. We looked for another location for our business but could never find any affordable place. Five years of hard work along with $100,000.00 in personal investment went down the drain.

With affiliate marketing I can choose who I work with.
I have no obligation to promote anything that I don’t personally use or believe in.
I can work when I want or just relax if I need time off.
While it is possible to be “fired” from promoting others’ people products if the company thinks I’m not producing, there are thousands of advertisers to choose from.

This is only a partial list of why I think affiliate marketing is great for retired folks. If you get into this, I know you will find your own reasons why this work is ideal for you.

I don’t know exactly yet because I haven’t finished my first affiliate sales site. But I can tell you this: It won’t be nearly as long as I’ve spent preparing for this day. Some examples I’ve seen have shown people setting up a simple site in just an hour or two.

I’m sure they spent a lot more time preparing than in actually setting it up on line. For me, it doesn’t matter how long it takes. It doesn’t even matter if it works or not. Just doing it will make me better prepared for the next one. That’s the attitude you must have in any business if you want to succeed.

I’m studying to learn how to do a better job at being an affiliate marketer. It is taking quite a while for me to get through the lessons far enough where I’m ready to implement them on a real web site. That delay is partly due to the learning process and partly due to the fear of failure. But, I’m getting out of my comfort zone just by writing and publishing these words. Soon enough I’m taking that step into the unknown and setting up my first affiliate sales site.

I hope you will follow along here at Senior Surfers Center. Maybe you can benefit from seeing me make mistakes. When I make one, I won’t hide that fact. Like any other worthwhile endeavor, there will be failures along the way. Gradually, like learning to walk, I’ll get better at affiliate marketing and I hope you will benefit.

Here’s something else I think is worth repeating. How long would you give a child to learn to walk?
I’d say as long as it takes. That’s how I’m approaching this affiliate marketing.

See you soon.

Tweet This Post 

However, AARP is about providing useful information and making money for the organization.  This site is not only to help you find information about things…like Social Security, but also to make a place for seniors to learn how to earn money with affiliate marketing and other genuine money making methods online.  Currently, this site only has articles about Social Security and term life insurance.  Those are information only articles.

Have you ever heard of affiliate networks?  How many ads have you seen on different Internet web sites for getting free on line insurance quotes?  I counted no less than 7 ads on the AARP home page for different products.  Did you know AARP is making money from you by advertising these businesses and that you could be doing the same thing on your own web site?

I know that I could be earning as much as $35.00 for every person I send to a site on the Internet that provides insurance quotes for policies.  All that person has to do is fill out a short questionnaire requesting a quote for insurance and when that potential customer confirms their request for an insurance quote…BAM…I GET PAID 35 bucks.

Here’s 9 reasons I love affiliate marketing:

You don’t need your own product
No inventory, product fulfillment or customer support
Reputable business
Proven business model
Crazy low startup costs
Zero Risk
Very Profitable
Freedom from a cubicle
You’re never bored

In the future, I will be doing case studies showing you exactly what I do to earn affiliate commissions from companies willing to pay you to send them customers.

In a forum I read recently, a member wrote about how hard it is for him to find a job related to law enforcement, even with a ton of experience and how he is looking into an on line business that Donald Trump is offering.  Trump is building a site about affiliate marketing although I didn’t find anything saying that in the advertising. Anything Trump gets into should be interesting.  Donald Trump is a man who has made millions, lost millions and always seems to come back from those losses.  Why?  Because he never gives up!

But, what if you could create your own business in affiliate marketing?  How much better off could you be if you work from home using only your computer, Internet connection, very little money and your brains?  What if you could start this business for less than $25 to $30 and that’s only so you can have your own website?

This isn’t anything like those awful “doing surveys” and stuff like that.  I’ve tried those.  They take lots of work, provide lots of frustration and give back very little money for your effort.  The affiliate business is basically simple, easy to get in to and is an honest way to make money.  But it does take work, dedication and the willingness to learn and apply something new.

For now, if nothing else, I hope you will read an article that interests you and leave a comment.  Say anything that you like.  I read all comments.  Some comments I will not post on the site if they are not on point, are abusive to others or just plain not helpful.  There are lots of people who make comments only to put a link to their website where they are selling something.  Those never make the accepted list.  Maybe I should set up a separate page just for those.  What do you think?

Tweet This Post 

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.

The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.

The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turning back to the old man I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, ‘You shouldn’t even be allowed to drive a car at your age.’ And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, ‘Looks like you’re having a problem.’

He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us, he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, ‘What outfit did you serve with?’

He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.

He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket… We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye’s to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name……..

Navy Medal of Honor

I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who served…& those who supported them.

America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.. If you don’t stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!

Remember , Freedom isn’t “Free” — thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.

Tweet This Post 

Tweet This Post 

So, let’s take a look at five important things you must know before you invest in term life insurance.

Some term life insurance for elderly policies have a renewal option where it can be automatically renewed. Generally, answers to a new lifestyle questionnaire, and a raise in the premium will also be needed in order to renew. Additionally, when comparing policies, ask whether the premiums are fixed for the full term of whether they adjust. Many insurance policies for the elderly have premiums that adjust every few years, which can significantly affect the amount that will need to be paid.

It’s also very likely an insurance company will look at your Medical Information Bureau (MIB) records. If they detect a difference between the MIB report and the responses you submitted in your application, they may well refuse to issue you a policy, cancel an existing policy or refuse to pay your death benefits. Maybe even worse, when you try to apply with another insurance company, you’d have to reply with a “yes” if they ask you if you have ever been denied coverage before. That could prevent you from ever getting a life insurance policy so, tell the truth when completing the application.

An accelerated option can be started when you’ve been diagnosed with either a terminal, acute, or chronic illness. Diseases like cancer are considered terminal, and an acute illness example would be heart disease. Chronic diseases include diabetes and arthritis.

Reputable life insurance companies will provide accelerated death benefits on a policy. It is also vitally important to know how the payout will be started. Each company is different, a few will give you a lump sum payment, while others will give you monthly installments. A wonderful thing about these policies is that if you completely recover you will not have to repay any of the benefits paid to you. Also, if you die any money remaining will be paid to the beneficiaries from your life insurance.

It doesn’t matter how long you’re disabled…no premium payments will be required. When you recover from your disability, if you ever do, then your payments start again. You’ll owe nothing in back payments to the insurance company. The cost of the waiver of premium rider is minimal.

Depending on the rider insurance coverage you take with your term life insurance policy, it might also cover loss of sight or the loss of one or more limbs. Of course, you’d have to double check your policy as each company and policy will likely be different. One very important point to keep in mind is that A D & D Riders do NOT cover death by any form of illegal or crime related activities.

The rider also doesn’t pay for death by suicide or death from “natural causes” such as stroke or heart attack. Accidental death implies that an unexpected circumstance caused death that is unrelated to the body. This is where the term life insurance policy becomes important. While the insured would not benefit from the rider, they would most certainly benefit from the term life insurance policy.

A D & D riders also cover dismemberment. In the case of the accidental loss of one arm or one leg only one half of the death benefit would be paid to the insured. In the event that the insured person suffered the loss of two or more limbs (combination of arms and legs), then that would result in the entire face value (death benefit) being paid to the insured. In this event, the A D & D Rider would be terminated or waived because the entire face value of the death benefit/term life insurance policy would have already been paid out. Most A D & D Riders also include the sudden loss of vision and the same payment terms apply.

Tweet This Post 

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.
The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and
failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
‘We must do something about father,’ said the son.
‘I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.’

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, ‘What are you making?’ Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
‘Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
‘ The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I’ve learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life..’

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands.You nee d to be able to throw something back sometimes.

I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.

I’ve learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch — holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back..

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I’ve learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about .I just did.

FRIENDSHIP CANDLE

NOTICE AT THE END,
THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.

I am not going to be the one who lets it die. I found it believable –
angels have walked beside me all my life–and they still do

*********************

This is to all of you who
mean something to me,
I pray for your happiness.
The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship

This candle was lit on the
15th of September, 1998

Someone who loves you has helped
keep it alive by sending it to you.

Don’t let The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship die

Pass It On To All Of Your Friends
and Everyone You Love!
May God richly bless you!

Tweet This Post 

Michelle Malkin says: “How are you celebrating America’s 233 years of freedom? Do this first: Thank all our troops on the front lines and all our veterans who have served and sacrificed for that freedom.”

Here’s a YouTube video that you might enjoy on this July 4th Independence Day number 233.

Tweet This Post 

What manner of miracle is this that the finding of this wonderful document is announced only two days before America celebrates her 233rd birthday.

An unidentified researcher was doing unrelated research when the document was discovered in some late 18th century files in the British National Archives.  While it seems unlikely this particular document will ever be sold, the last print found was auctioned off in 2000 for a cool $8.14 million dollars.

These documents are known as Dunlap Broadsides and named after the Philadelphia printer John Dunlap who was commissioned to print them. A broadside for this purpose is basically a large sheet of paper much like what we call a poster today. Many of these broadsides, reflecting a rush to get them distributed, have imperfections such as reversed watermarks, misplaced punctuations and dark creases that look like the posters were folded before the ink dried.

Archive spokeswoman Katrina McClintok said the document was found months ago but the find had not been announced until it had been “extracted and catalogued”.

Here’s a picture in case you’ve never seen one.

Tweet This Post 

1. Do you have to receive your payments by direct deposit?
The short answer is NO! The Social Security Administration strongly suggests everyone get their monthly payments this way. The three main reasons given for using this service are safety, convenience and speed. There is also a financial benefit to the government. It costs almost one dollar each month to send a paper check but only a few cents to send the payment electronically. At last count in January 2007, 80 percent of all Social Security and SSI beneficiaries had their payments delivered directly to their bank account. You are still able to get your payment by check, but you ought to think about the numerous benefits direct deposit provides.

2. When will my benefits be deposited?
The payments of benefits have long been fixed and are determined by the day of the month of your birth. Payments for all those receiving Social Security before May 1977 are made on the third of each month regardless of when you were born. After May 1977, the payment dates were changed and from that point on are detemined as follows. For everyone receiving benefits after April 1997 this is the schedule. If you were born on or between the 1st and 10th your payment is sent on the second Wednesday of the month. Payments for those born on or between the 11th and 20th are sent on the third Wednesday. Payments for those born on or between the 20th and 31st days of the month are sent on the fourth Wednesday.

3. Why not just receive a check in the mail?
There are some good reason to receive your payment by direct deposit. Don’t you just hate waiting in a line? I know that I do and long lines make my feet hurt.

Celebrate! No more standing in line to cash your check when it finally arrives in the mail. Your money goes immediately into your account. You do not have to get out of your house in bad weather or be concerned if you’re on holiday or away from home. You do not have to bear any more check cashing fees. Your money is in your account ready to use the day you receive your deposit.

4. How can I sign up for direct deposit?
It’s actually fairly easy to get signed up if you already have a bank account. Just go to your bank, savings and loan or credit union. They can answer your questions about direct deposit.

If you do not have an account, look into opening one and sign up for direct deposit. Nearly all banks, savings and loans and credit unions provide an assortment of accounts, some with little or no fees. Look for one that meets your needs.

5. What can I do if I don’t have a bank account and don’t want one for direct deposit of my payment?
There are several options open to people without bank accounts but the one that is promoted by the Federal government is called Direct Express. In June of 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department introduced the Direct Express Debit Mastercard card. This a direct quote from the Treasury Departments’ website at http://fms.treas.gov. [quote]People without bank accounts now have a user-friendly, practical alternative to paper checks for their monthly federal benefit payments,” said FMS Commissioner Judith Tillman. “We know that many check recipients are eager for a card-based option for their federal benefits, and we are confident the Direct Express® card will provide many Americans an important entry point to the financial mainstream.[end quote]

Check cashing and other services typically charge heavy fees and the Direct Express card puts an end to that problem. With Direct Express, there is no sign up fee and no bank account or credit check required to enroll. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Social Security Administration encourage you to sign up for the card and you can learn more about this here. http://www.usdirectexpress.com/edcfdtclient/index.html

Tweet This Post 

Medicare is the main insurance for people 65 and older and also provides coverage for some people with disabilities. It is the nation’s largest health insurance program - covering around 39-40 million Americans.

To be eligible you must be a citizen of the United States and meet certain requirements. Medicare is health insurance offered by the federal government to people who are older than 65 and eligible. Some younger people who have disabilities, permanent kidney failure or Lou Gehrig’s disease can also qualify. Medicare is a government insurance program that covers Americans who are 65 and older. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill creating Medicare on July 30, 1965. At that time, only half of America’s elderly had any health insurance.

Medicare serves all eligible beneficiaries without regard to income or medical history. Most individuals ages 65 and over are automatically entitled to Medicare Part A (the Hospital Insurance Program) if they or their spouse are eligible for Social Security payments. Medicare then cost more than 800% over projections! This was a medical insurance plan which was intended to pay for itself but instead had become a Federal entitlement. Medicare supplemental health insurance plans can also cover your Medicare Part A deductible, extra days of hospital care, your Medicare co-payment amounts, skilled nursing and foreign travel emergency care.

Medicare is complicated — with many exceptions, provisions, rules, limitations, and so forth — making it seemingly impossible to unravel. The wise senior citizen will get assistance long before the time comes to enroll in Medicare.

Medicare HMOs cover the same doctor and hospital services as the original Medicare program, but out-of-pocket costs for these services are usually different. HMOs appeal to some people with Medicare because they may provide additional benefits, such as eyeglasses, which are not covered by the traditional Medicare program. Medicare has moved from that approach to one that rewards quality outcomes. To help achieve these improved outcomes, starting in 2009, Medicare will be rewarding prescribers who utilize an approved electronic prescribing system. Medicare covers many different types of medical costs. This includes things like durable medical equipment , doctors visits, and hospital stays.

Medicare pays for all covered expenses after the deductible for the first 60 days of hospitalization. After 60 days of a hospital stay Medicare pays for coinsurance amounts up to a total of 150 days. Medicare Part B is optional and requires a monthly premium. It covers certain medical and outpatient services, including physician care. Medicare is split into a number of parts. Most people get Medicare Part A without having to pay extra fees, and it covers some of the costs of hospitalization.

To learn more about Medicare see my other articles here on this website.

Tweet This Post