Spotlight
Ritzy locales (Seattle included) require at least close to a million bucks for comfortable retirement
Researchers calculated how much money is required to retire and live comfortably in every U.S. metropolitan area based on average annual spending. It turns out that in 28 metros —half of them in California — retirees need nest eggs of at least $1 million, headed by San Francisco ($1.5 million). Seattle is just outside the “millionaires club” but ranks 30th nationally at $995,000. Inflation and taxes figure in the affordability ratings.
[continue reading...]
News
Authorities are warning the public about frauds related to COVID-19, including bogus offers of tests and other services aimed at obtaining sensitive information from victims.
Survey: Seattle-Tacoma cost of living is among highest in U.S.
Taking into account the cost of consumer goods, services, and housing, the overall cost of living in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area is 12 percent higher than the national average, making it one of the least affordable regions anywhere in the U.S. That’s one of the results of a nationwide survey by Porch, an online company
[more…]
A nationwide transition to clean, zero-emission vehicles would have a dramatic impact on the air quality and health of Washington residents, according to a new report by the American Lung Association.
The share of Pierce County’s residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is approaching the three-quarters mark. As of April 9, 70.2 percent of vaccine-eligible residents (ages 5 and up) were fully vaccinated, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. The 1.4 million shots given to 599,600 people included boosters.
Lifestyles
Advice for organizing that junk drawer Most people have at least one junk drawer stuffed with takeout menus, old mail, ketchup packets, batteries, and other odds and ends. Instead of shoving more items into it daily and pretending not to notice that it isn’t closing, would you like to organize it?
Food
Avoid junk food like your health depends on it (which it does) Sure, most people know what a healthy diet looks like, they don’t all follow it, And if they let too much fast-food and processed food pass their gums, the result can be health problems such as obesity and a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Adventures
What you can and can’t take on a plane (You might be surprised) Your travel plans could hit the skids if you board a plane unwittingly carrying a banned item. Experts say it’s worth taking time before packing and heading to the airport to familiarize yourself with what you can take with you.
Health & Fitness
Improved COVID situation can bring back preventive medicine With the emergence of COVID-19, routine preventive care, including breast, cervical, and colon cancer screening, decreased dramatically to prioritize urgent care and reduce the spread of the virus in medical facilities. The good news is that 92.6 percent of people in King County ages 5-plus have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and half are fully
[more…]
Personal Finance/Consumers
People generally worried about their finances A survey of 1,015 Americans—22 percent of them 60 or older—found mixed feelings about where they stand financially, with nearly one in five feeling “bad” or “very bad” about their personal debt, savings, spending habits, and ability to pay their monthly bills. But some are also optimistic that their finances will improve this year.
