How to protect seniors -- older parents, relatives and loved ones -- who live alone. Tips on what to do in case of an emergency. Safety ideas.

Monday, January 05, 2009

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF CREDIT CARDS: #3

by Don Rose, Writer, Life Alert

Rule 3. Pay bills on time to avoid fees, credit report damage, and other penalties.

Typical late fees range from $29 to $39, and if you are over 30 days late many credit card companies will report you to one or more of the big three credit reporting agencies. Another negative of being late: the credit card company can impose other restrictions, like raising your annual APR (interest rate) as a penalty for lateness. Strive to pay your minimum payment (preferably more) at least a week before the due date; this will cause less stress, thanks to the one week time cushion for your payment to reach its destination.

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Life Alert, founded in 1987, provides two-way communication for its members at the touch of a button when an emergency strikes, and sends help immediately. On average, Life Alert saves one of its members from a catastrophic outcome approximately every 23 minutes, saving 22,490 lives in 2009 alone, and has received over 14,000 testimonials from grateful customers in the past 2 years. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D. is the spokesman for Life Alert -- the only company he endorses. Once help is summoned by a Life Alert dispatcher, he/she stays on the line with the customer until assistance arrives -- and notifies family members, friends, and/or neighbors of the situation. In January 2008, “The Martha Stewart Show” featured Life Alert. The popular national television program recommended Life Alert during a segment on health-tech devices. Dr. Brent Ridge (who co-hosted the segment and is V.P. of Healthy Living at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia) said that “we recommend this to all of the patients at the Martha Stewart Center for Living,” pointing out that Life Alert is "so inexpensive yet so vital for people."