(NewsUSA) - ­­­­

“Rich Widows of Savannah Valley”
by Mitzi Perdue       

A whimsical, moving tale about Savannah Valley, the country’s most exclusive retirement community for the uber-rich. Set outside Savannah, Georgia, this fictional community is filled with mansions, Rolls Royce Phantoms and ladies who lunch. Four rich widows -- Glenda, Edith, Darcy and Sharon -- are looking forward to their golden years with everything taken care of. Then the amenities they have paid for begin disappearing.  

The activities become tiresome, the tee times are always taken, and the late dinners are no longer allowed. All of a sudden, it feels as if their wonderful retirement is little more than a cheap motel.   These women knew when they were being handed a load of bull. Laugh-out-loud hilarious, these women are not ready to give up anything they worked so hard for.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3De2iWL.

“I’ll Remember You”
by Deborah Packer  

“I’ll Remember You,” based on a true family tale and originally written as a screenplay, is set on the turbulent home-front America of 1943 amidst the anti-Semitism and racism of the time. It’s a love story about a young Jewish couple’s conflicted, hasty war-time courtship and marriage, a relationship plagued with doubt, misunderstanding and childhood trauma, that threaten any hope of a future together.  

An idealistic, fiercely proud small-town girl falls for a complex, enigmatic soldier from Brooklyn with horrific memories as a child in WWI Poland. Their romance, told from both perspectives, struggles through the turmoil of their hurried vows up to the moment the soldier leaves on a troop ship for England, convinced he will not survive the war. An epilogue is set in 1994.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3PtAPmj.

“Jasper the Wonder Dog”
by Richard Halliday  

This poignant tale packs twelve years of love and adventure into 52 pages, giving us a glimpse into the deep connection between Jasper and his family. While the story is bittersweet, it reassures fellow dog owners that we’re not alone when it comes to feelings of loss and remembrance.  

Ultimately, “Jasper the Wonder Dog” is far more than a children’s book about loss. It encompasses not just Jasper’s passing, but also the happiness and love that he received, thanks to his family. As much as the Hallidays brought love into Jasper’s life, Jasper gave it back to them tenfold. This book serves as a memorial to this incredible soul that touched their lives -- a true wonder dog. Beautifully written in first person with Jasper as our narrator.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3vYeHta.

“Aha! So That’s What Bitcoin Is!”
by Uncle Crypto  

This book is a step-by-step guide to cryptocurrency in pictures and plain language, helping readers understand the basic concepts before even beginning to tackle what it means to invest.  

The author believes that Bitcoin has the potential to change our lives as much as or more than the invention of the automobile, computers or the Internet. Once readers understand what Bitcoin is and what it can do, they will have a clearer picture of the future we are heading toward.   Education should be easy and fun. Forty-seven illustrations make the journey enjoyable, and readers will find that going from one simple idea to the next will get them to their “AHA!” destination.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3T8Oja4.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Many Native American children living on remote Reservations in the United States are growing up in unimaginable poverty, and their struggles are magnified by current skyrocketing prices for gas and food. Unemployment on Reservations is high, and jobs for many parents are scarce. Multigenerational families often share small houses, many of which lack phones, running water and sometimes even electricity. When families are struggling to pay for the necessities, there is no budget for Christmas presents. That’s where Marine Toys for Tots stands ready to assist children living on remote Reservations -- and that’s where you can help, too.     

The generosity of the American public has allowed Marine Toys for Tots to deliver hope and gifts to Native American children on more than 77 Reservations. In 2021 alone, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, with your support, purchased $2.2 million in toys, books, and other gifts to bring smiles to the faces of children living on remote Reservations in 13 states across the country.     

“With your help, we can help bring joy and hope to even more Native American children this holiday season,” says Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.       

This season marks the 42nd year of the Toys for Tots Native American Program, and what better time to introduce one of Toys for Tots’ Youth Ambassadors, Jaylene Bluesky Tosee, a 14-year-old from the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. Jaylene is a proud member of the Comanche Nation with Kiowa lineage, and honors both tribal affiliations by participating in various tribal events.     

A graduate of the Kiowa Tribe Head Start Program, Jaylene actively volunteers in cultural and community activities, including reading to children in classrooms and helping with holiday events for Head Start children and families.     

Jaylene does all of this while maintaining a 3.0 GPA in her academic studies and contributing to the community as the Comanche Nation Jr. Princess, a member of the Future Farmers of America and manager for the Elgin High School and Jr. High football team.     

The Toys for Tots Native American Program has provided new toys, books and games to children living on Reservations for the last four decades. With the generous support of our faithful donors, and the dedication of our Youth Ambassador, Jaylene, Marine Toys for Tots wants to ensure that “Santa” visits children living on Reservations this Christmas -- and your support will help us meet the growing need again this year. A new toy, game, or book that you help provide can be a bright spot for children who are enduring devastating poverty.     

Please visit our donation page to support the Toys for Tots Native American Program: https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/native_american_program.aspx. Be sure to follow Marine Toys for Tots on our social media platforms to see the impact that your support has on Native American children across the Nation.  

(Cole's) - It’s an age-old question -- to feed or not to feed birds in fall and winter.  Some people believe that feeding wild birds can cause more harm than good, like preventing timely migrations, or causing birds to depend on feeders rather than foraging food. The truth is these are myths and feeding birds is beneficial to their well-being. Birds migrate regardless of seed in feeders. It’s estimated that wild birds only get 25 percent of food from feeders, the rest is naturally sourced, so full feeders don’t keep birds from migrating. Instead, several triggers urge birds to migrate: like changes in nesting locations as trees lose leaves, less natural foods, insect decline, winds, temperature drop and day length. As days grow shorter, many birds get internally restless and head south, taking advantage of plentiful natural foods, and stocked feeders to fuel their flight.     

During cold weather, resident birds that don’t migrate, need extra calories to stay warm as they burn energy keeping body temperatures up when temperatures drop. As natural resources decline, resident birds expend much energy searching for food. Providing supplemental food at feeders helps keep birds’ caloric-intake high, supporting them during bouts of brutally cold weather.     

In wintry weather, birds can use up to 75 percent of their fat stores per night. Studies show birds with regular access to feeders are healthier, have better feather growth, disease resistance and more successful reproduction. The right bird feed and feeders attract a wide variety of resident and migrating birds to backyards.     

Birding expert, Elaine Cole, owner of Cole’s Wild Bird Products, Co., offers timely advice on continuing to feed birds throughout cold weather and keeping birds safe and healthy.     

“Not all bird feed is created equal. Cole’s takes exceptional care to select only the top 1 to 2 percent of the highest-quality seeds birds like, with no filler seed ever used. Our ‘Harvest Fresh Lock’ packaging protects nutritional content and doesn’t allow seed to spoil or dry out like other bird feed. No dangerous pesticides, chemicals or mineral oils are ever used, keeping seed safe and as close to natural as possible.     

For cold weather, I suggest black oil sunflower, white proso millet, cracked corn, niger seed, raw peanuts and suet cakes or kibbles to ensure the nutritional benefits of feeders. Offering top-quality feed means less waste and an increase in birds at feeders”, says Cole.     

“Providing a variety of feed and feeder types increases the diversity of avian visitors. A tube feeder is a ‘must-have,’ these all-purpose feeders keep seed dry and accommodate a wide variety of birds feeding from multiple ports. Specialty wire-mesh tube feeders, designed for birds that cling, can easily dispense tiny, oil-rich niger seeds, protein-packed dried mealworms and other specialty feed.     

For an easy-to-use, one-size-fits-most feeder, select a bowl style with a protective dome that can be raised and lowered to thwart large birds and squirrels while protecting seed from inclement weather.  Easy to hang and fill, bowl feeders accommodate any seed, nuts, suet and even chopped fruit.     

Invest in larger feeders which hold more seed, like the ‘Tubezilla.’ Frigid weather makes energy conservation critical; birds can’t afford to waste time waiting for food if feeders are empty. Large capacity feeders decrease the frequency of empty feeders, while increasing the number of bird visits. And they’ll save you some frigid trips outside to refill feeders,” says Cole.

More Tips:     

• It’s always essential to clean out residue before adding fresh seed. Because some feeders can be difficult to scrub, this step is too often ignored. Cole’s tube feeders have a built in “quick-clean” feature; a removable base that with one push of a button, provides easy access to the inside, making cleaning -- a vital step in preventing disease -- a breeze!     

• It’s difficult to find essential, unfrozen water in winter. The fix? A birdbath with an electric heater that’s continuously full and clean.     

• Allow leaves to remain under trees and shrubbery which attract birds with shelter, insects, and fallen seeds.     

• Protect birds from cats or hawks by hanging feeders in sheltered spots.     

• Providing shelter is as simple as stacking branches and brush. Also, instead of dragging Christmas trees to the curb, put them in a corner of the backyard, for protection from wind and predators.     

To learn more: Visit Cole’s  

(NewsUSA) -  

“The Color of Ice”
by Barbara Linn Probst       

This is the breathtaking story of a woman’s awakening to passion, beauty and the redemptive power of unconditional love.  

Freelance photographer Cathryn McAllister travels to Iceland for a shoot with an enigmatic artist who wants to capture the country’s iconic blue icebergs in glass. Widowed young, Cathryn has raised two children while achieving professional success. If the price of that efficiency has been the dimming of her fire, she hasn’t let herself think about it. Until now.  

Cathryn abandons a planned vacation itinerary to remain with Mack, the glassblower, who awakens a hunger for all the things she’s told herself she doesn’t need anymore: Passion. Vulnerability. Risk. When her path seems clear, she’s faced with a shocking discovery -- and a devastating choice.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3EkdRtD.

“The New Empire”
by Alison McBain   Fire. Blood. His brother’s hand smashing his face to the ground.    

These are Jiangxi’s final memories of Beijing from 1751. A bloody coup against the Dragon Throne thrusts the emperor’s youngest son into a forced voyage across the China Seas. When his ship arrives on the shores of a California that never was, Jiangxi is among thousands sold into slavery. Shackled to a tribal confederacy, Jiangxi’s journey becomes inextricably linked to the whims of Onas, the powerful Elder who controls his freedom and his fate.  

When Jiangxi gets caught up in a battle to liberate the slaves, he has to choose how much he’ll risk for the ones he loves. His choice will change the future of the two most powerful nations in the world.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3sXQhOY.

“Civil Terror: Gridlock”
by J. Luke Bennecke  

A thought-provoking thriller for fans of Dan Brown, Lee Child, and John Grisham about artificial intelligence and the self-driving revolution. You’ll be forced to consider how you’d react if you were cornered and trapped in a terrifying, life-threatening situation.  

Fed up with slogging through the treacherous LA traffic to get to work, Jake Bendel and a cunning team of experts create a roadway system for self-driving cars -- preventing thousands of traffic deaths. People finally feel safe in their cars. But should they?  

A Syrian terrorist group weaponizes the system and devises a scheme to kill more Americans in one day than the 407,000-plus U.S. soldiers killed in World War II. Then the group plants evidence that convinces the public Jake is the architect behind the heinous terrorist attack.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3zF9gly.

“Rough Justice”
by Burt Weissbourd  

Callie and Cash are back, and their world is about to explode. Callie and Cash are eating a late dinner upstairs at her restaurant, “The Bronze Pig.” It’s been a year since they saved her ex-husband’s life and subsequently had to take on unexpected, lethal adversaries. During that process, they discover they care deeply, romantically, for one another.  

So imagine their surprise when they get an unexpected, half-Algerian female guest, 25-year-old Sara, showing up at the restaurant and insisting on telling them her shocking, unbelievable story. Someone is trying to kill her, and they’ve stolen her identity. She needs their help now, and she has a stunning, life-changing secret to tell.  

Yet, again, Cash and Callie assemble their unconventional ragtag family to save Sara and, ultimately, their own lives.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3erI15G.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - America’s homeowners can expect to shell out more cold cash to keep warm this winter as they face the highest home heating costs in more than a decade -- making optimal energy efficiency more essential than ever.       

Here are the financially frostbiting facts: The average cost of home heating is expected to increase by 17.2% since last winter from $1,025 to $1,202, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA). Those who heat with natural gas will confront the largest spike, with their cost predicted to soar 34.3% over last year. Conversely, homeowners who use electric heat are forecasted to see the lowest increase at 6.9%.     

The good news is that families can prevent a utility bill blitz by following a few simple tips. With home heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use, small steps can go a long way.     

• Ease Into Electric:  According to Columbia University’s Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control. Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25% on your energy bill. Plus, they are effective with temperatures as low as -15⁰F. Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space.     

• Get “Smart” About Climate Control: When it comes to smart home temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create “smart” systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected device or voice-operated home automation system.     

• Voice Your Preference: Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature more closely allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.     

• Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted, or ductless, system. This will allow you to save energy by not heating and cooling spaces where you and your family don’t spend a lot of time. With the need for less cooling and the gain from a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use, you can multiply your savings.     

• Try Low-Tech Fixes: Simple changes can have a big impact. Take advantage of the sun’s energy to heat your home by opening your south-facing curtains at sunrise to make best use of “passive solar gain.” Denser, cooler air stays closer to the ground, and warmer air rises. Force it downward with a low-speed fan. Another change you can make is to insulate and fill the gaps. Warmed air leaking out around poorly sealed window frames, power sockets, recessed light fittings, and other gaps is a big source of heat loss in homes. Additionally, thick curtains help to insulate glass at windows.     

If you’re looking to freeze out these record-breaking bills, a ductless heating and cooling system is definitely a worthwhile investment. Many Fujitsu systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government.     

To learn more or find a contractor near you, call 888-888-3424 or visit www.constantcomfort.com.

(NewsUSA) -  

“Room-By-Room Setups That Cater to Cattitude”
by Tanya Smith       

Organizing the home can be difficult, especially when you’re being watched or judged by one or more cats. With this book, you can learn to use various features of the home to provide fun setups for your cat family. If you're a cat parent looking for ways to add safety and entertainment for indoor cats while adding convenience for humans, this book is for you.  

Providing picture-filled illustrations, this book shows how you can: learn ways to add comfort, safety and entertainment features for indoor cats; organize rooms in a cat-friendly manner; create window setups that can work for both mellow and energetic cats; make it easy for cats to sit in comfort as they stare at the neighbors; and more.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3z06RjA.

“Summer of No Rain”
by Laura Hunter  

“In this YA novel,” writes Kirkus, “a multiracial girl finds herself the subject of strange medical experiments in rural Alabama. It’s the summer of 1968. Heat and drought have dried out the fields around Hyssop, where 12-year-old Margaret Ann Odom lives with her Black Cherokee mother, M’dear.”  

“The medicine causes Margaret Ann to feel depressed, but the truth is even darker than she can imagine. The majority of the book is narrated by Margaret Ann, and Hunter gives her a poet’s eye for the world around her ... the novel is based on a true story, one that many readers likely have never heard of, and Hunter tells it in a way that highlights the horrors.”

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3v4YqlW.

“Curse of The Eagle”
by Michael E. Nathanson  

A work of “faction,” combining elements of history, a suspense thriller and modern-day reality.  

The Council of Practitioners of Jihad sounds the call for an unprecedented meeting. They have not officially met since the group’s formation 30 years earlier. Ultimately a unified, unstoppable military confrontation is planned.  

FBI agents Gerry Bolton and Jan Hanson track down clues to the murders of several high-profile government officials that share too many common details. FBI Special Agent Aziz Malawi probes into the underworld of terrorist activities in America. He is drawn by chance into a very dark world and plunges into the workings of a large-scale terrorist operation in America. His FBI team must give him enough leash to get the job done, yet extract him before he becomes another victim.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3aXmNLi.

“The Trouble with Miracles, Book 3”
by Stephen Steele  

The ancient secret of fusion energy is rediscovered in this breathless thriller and third book in the series, about the magic and mystery of the Easter Island statues.   Cyd and Alex return to Montana to settle down. Robert, a close friend working in Chile, turns up missing after recent earthquakes trigger strange lights coming from a volcano. Cyd and Alex go looking for him, and a harrowing adventure uncovers a civilization of ancient aliens who possess the secret to fusion energy, the same energy that powers the sun. An object is found in a lost city that explains the technology, but it is unreadable.  

Meanwhile, a journal from a sunken 18th-century Spanish galleon reveals something hidden on an island off Chile’s coast that can translate the alien object.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3B9lALf.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to giving back, occurs on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, but charitable giving is a year-round endeavor. With some smart financial planning, you can support the causes that mean the most to you.     

You don’t have to break your budget to make a difference, says Scott Ward, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. A recent survey by Lending Tree showed that 56% of Americans gave to a charity of some kind in 2021, and nearly 92% of those who gave to charity included charitable deductions on their tax returns.     

Keep these ideas in mind to help support your favorite causes while staying within your budget.     

• Give time. If you are on a tight budget, volunteer your time to a local charity. “If your volunteer service requires you to drive your own car, keep tabs on your mileage; you may have an opportunity to deduct it on your tax return,” Ward says.     

• Consider securities. Stock shares that have appreciated for more than a year can be donated outright to charity with a variety of benefits. “Both you and the charity may be able to avoid capital-gains taxes because you didn’t sell the shares, and you can deduct the fair market value of the asset on your next tax return,” Ward adds.     

• Donate non-cash items. You can deduct donations of non-cash items, such as clothing and furniture, as long as the items are in good condition. Ask for a receipt to document the donation. The IRS guide, Publication 561, can help you determine the value of your donations.     

• Maximize giving opportunities. Some companies offer matching contributions to charitable organizations. Also, if you are age 72 and older, you must take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA, even if you are still working. If you were going to make a charitable donation anyway, consider a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). “The QCD option allows you to make a gift directly from your IRA to the eligible charity of up to $100,000 a year,” Ward says. This option allows you to increase your charitable donation, satisfy the RMD and reduce your taxable income, he says.     

• Set a schedule. If you want to take a tax deduction in one year (typically used for gifts in excess of the standard deduction limit) and donate to charity over time, consider a donor-advised fund. You can donate a variety of gifts to a donor-advised fund, including cash donations, investment securities and cryptocurrencies.     

Visit www.LetsMakeAPlan.org for more information about how giving can be part of your budget.

(NewsUSA) - When Los Angeles's wide receiver, Allen Robinson, takes the field on Sunday, October 16, he will be running for more than yards and points -- he’ll be helping Maaco celebrate its 50th anniversary in golden style.     

In Maaco’s Gameday Giveaway, fans of North America’s no. 1 body shop can watch the team’s no. 1 Allen Robinson to win prizes when they see his Maaco 50th anniversary golden-yellow cleats in action.     

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to represent such an iconic brand,” says Robinson.     

“From spending time with the team and learning the Maaco way, I was blown away by their persistence and dedication to getting the job done. This has been something I have embodied as an athlete, and I am honored to get to help celebrate their 50th anniversary.”     

Fans can visit MaacoGamedayGiveaway.com and enter to win from Tuesday, October 11 through 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, October 16. To enter, fans will need to submit their name, email address, state of residence and they can add a photo of Allen Robinson for their valid entry. No purchase required. In addition, entrants can view the prize details and official contest rules on the website.   

 “At Maaco, we’re known for adding a colorful splash, focusing on the goal line, executing with our team and celebrating our victories,” says Daryl Hurst, chief operating officer of Maaco.     

“We’re ready to cheer on Allen Robinson and see him run for the end zone in his Maaco 50th anniversary cleats.”     

Whether you are looking to fix up a vehicle that has dings and dents like a defensive lineman after a tough game or go on the offensive and restore your vehicle with a fresh paint job, Maaco offers high-quality, reliable painting and repair service across the U.S. and Canada.     

For information and store locations, visit Maaco.com.

(NewsUSA) -  

“White Flag”
by Judy Mandel       

“I’m done with that life, I’ll never go back to it,” vows Cheryl, but at this point the words are meaningless. This is why, when her Aunt Judy finds Cheryl in jail after two years after presuming her dead, Judy prays this is a wakeup call for the eldest daughter of her dead sister.

Bestselling author Judy L. Mandel reveals that her niece Cheryl is just a symptom of the pervasive grip of trauma brought to light in her first book, “Replacement Child.” Judy grapples endlessly with the seeming futility of trying to help Cheryl, and in the process discovers that trauma and epigenetics may have been what started this avalanche of pain generations ago. She wonders why some people can recover from addiction, and others cannot. Why some can raise the white flag of surrender, while others fight, no matter what the cost.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3AwgNDv.

“Where The Sun Rises”
by Anna Gomez and Kristoffer Polaha  

The “From Kona with Love” series depicts multicultural romance, love, loss, and redemption woven into a family saga, set in the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Book Two is a story about overcoming adversity, the promise of young love, and the valor in letting go.  

When Maele Moana is paired up with Adam Yates to walk down the aisle together at her friend Andie’s wedding, it isn’t exactly a perfect match. Maele is the daughter of a plantation worker, and Adam is the son of one of the richest men in Oahu. But they have one thing in common: big dreams. But with love comes sacrifice, and the goals they’ve worked so hard for may end up tearing them apart.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3qCU7g0.

“The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show”
by Casey Rislov  

Rugged action. Daring stunts. Spectacular showmanship! Rowdy Randy is back, and this time instead of aggravating all the creatures in her path, she’s rounding them up to put in her very own Wild West show.  

Now critters from every rock, den and tree are lining up to audition. And what a show it is! From rope stunts to high jumps, and aerial tricks to climbing competitions, this cowgirl’s show has got it all. But there’s one unwanted character lurking in the shadows who is ready to take credit for it all. The latest in the Rowdy Randy series for children -- which will bring joy and enlighten the imagination -- from this award-winning author.

Purchase at  https://www.caseyrislovbooks.com

“When the Bough Breaks”
by Nancy Ferraro  

“When the Bough Breaks, True Stories of Hope and Encouragement of Mothers Who Have Had to Reinvent Their Relationships with Their Children,” seeks to shed light on that moment when Mom has to reach into the well of courage and ask for outside help.  

The author is an attorney and the mother of two boys, one of whom was adopted from Romania with severe disabilities. After almost a decade of advocacy and research, she placed her son George in a group home, where he is thriving, growing and participating in family life. She writes of her experience as the main caregiver in the family, as most American mothers are, and bearing the burden of guilt and responsibility when things go awry.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3wQ9Ee1.

NOTE: BookTrib’s Bites is presented by Booktrib.com.

(TJ Gibb, VP, Medicare Part D, Humana) - While inflation is forcing many people to cut back on purchases, spending on your health is not where you want to trim your budget. However, if you have a prescription drug plan (PDP), now is a good time to take a closer look at how you can get the most out of your PDP, including ways to make your medications more affordable and accessible.     

Here are six considerations to keep in mind for your medications:     

Smart Shoppers Compare Costs: Many seniors take multiple medications to treat chronic conditions, which can get expensive. If you’re taking a brand-name drug, you can likely reduce costs by either taking a generic or an alternative medication that treats the same condition but is less expensive. For instance, some pharmacies like CenterWell Pharmacy will let you know if there’s a lower-cost option available and how much it will save you annually.     

• Carefully Choose Your Pharmacy: It is best to select a pharmacy that is in your plan’s network. Some pharmacies, referred to as preferred pharmacies, might offer prescriptions at a lower cost. Check with your PDP to see if there’s another pharmacy in your area that could save you money.       

• Need a Refill? There’s an App for That: Another good way to make sure you refill prescriptions on time and easily manage your medications is to use mobile applications. For example, Humana members have access to MyHumana, a secure and easy-to-use web and mobile application designed to help members get the most out of their PDP benefits.     

• The Pharmacy is Ready to Help: While doctors prescribe your medication, pharmacists are most knowledgeable about them. Many PDPs have pharmacists available to speak with you. If you have any questions or concerns about the medicine you’re taking, make that call rather than wait in line at a pharmacy or for your next doctor’s visit.     

• Get Extra Assistance When Needed: There are low-income subsidies that can further reduce copays and help you afford your medication if you qualify. Additionally, there are patient assistance programs offered through drug manufacturers, foundations and state-based assistance programs that can help cover medication costs.     

• There’s No Place Like Home for Getting Your Medications: Transportation can be costly and not always accessible, making it difficult to get to the pharmacy for needed medications. And you could make a trip to the pharmacy, only to find out your medication is out-of-stock. Instead, take advantage of home delivery options to help ensure medications are received on time. Reduce your costs with home delivery by getting a 90-day supply of the medicine, which often has a lower copay than filling it each month, and by signing up for auto-refills to ensure you don’t miss a dose.       

These options are especially important for seniors to consider since research shows they take an average of 15 prescriptions per year. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers prescription drug coverage or a stand-alone prescription drug plan, check to see what’s included so you can start using these services.

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organization and a stand-alone PDP prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Other pharmacies are available in the Humana network.