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What I’ve learned applying for passports

By Carl Dombek

After returning from a brief trip to Calgary in October and with no other international travel planned for the immediate future, I decided to submit my U.S. Passport for renewal. With a little less than a year of validity remaining, the time was right.
After trying – unsuccessfully – to renew my passport online, which the State Department now allows , I had a traditional passport photo taken, filled out and submitted the required passport renewal application (Form DS-82), wrote an old-school paper check, and sent everything in. Two days short of four weeks, I received my new passport, which is good until November 2034. My “house arrest” is over!

When we last renewed my wife’s passport in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, it took almost exactly two months. Today, the State Department says the average processing time for a passport renewal is four to six weeks, so State beat even its quickest estimate. Great news, but certainly not a record.

I obtained my first U.S. passport in May 1986. Coming up on three years as a reporter at KING-1090, a news-talk radio station in Seattle, it was my fondest hope that I would be sent somewhere – anywhere – as long as it required a passport to cover a story.
At that time, U.S. citizens could travel to Canada and Mexico without a passport, so I had farther-flung destinations in mind. My workday started at 5 a.m. and finished at 1 p.m., so one afternoon, armed with my birth certificate and Washington driver’s license, I went to the local Kinko’s, got a passport photo taken, then went to the Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle where I filled out my application for a passport.
While reviewing my application, the woman at the counter asked me where I was planning to travel. I responded (rather proudly, in fact) that, “I’m a reporter at KING-1090. I don’t have anywhere planned at this time but I want to be ready in case a big story breaks.” That satisfied her, she stamped it, and said it would be submitted for processing.
I don’t know what I expected, but what happened next definitely was not it.
When I went to our mailbox the next day, there was my passport! One. Day. A feat never to be equaled! I viewed my new passport as a ticket to whatever came along; hoping that adventure would be involved. 

When Operation Desert Shield commenced in August 1990 and military units from Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base were deployed to the Middle East, many noncombatants were being staged in nearby Jordan. I applied for a visa from the Hashemite Kingdom so that I could travel to the region and provide coverage.

Jordanian officials granted my request and issued a visa good for four years and “multiple” entries. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), I never traveled to the war zone and didn’t actually use the visa. What coverage I engaged in was stateside and focused on the connections to Puget Sound.

I renewed passports in 1996, 2006, and 2015, so this is my fifth passport. For the last two, I have requested the “large” passport book with extra visa pages for “frequent international travelers.” Acts of purest optimism, I know, but hope springs eternal.
FYI, the large passport book has a generous 52 pages, while the standard contains only 28 pages for visa stamps and travel endorsements. And there is no additional cost for the larger book.
The new iteration of the passport carries a proviso: “If your passport expires within six months of your date of departure, you may be denied entry into some countries.” Many countries require a passport to be valid for six months after date of entry while others require only three months’ validity.
Bottom line: If you’re within a year of your expiration date, find a window of up to two months that works for you, and get the renewal process started. If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy the feeling of freedom once you have your newly renewed travel documents in hand and you’re ready to make your escape.

Carl Dombek, who lives in Seattle, is a retired journalist and a travel blogger. His website, thetravelpro.com, has news, reviews, and personal observations on upmarket travel.

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures
Ways to stay in shape without wearing out your wallet

(Pictured: A set of resistance bands is an inexpensive alternative for strength-training.)

Gym memberships can be expensive and may lock a member into long-term contracts. Some at-home equipment on the market can also carry big price tags and possibly monthly subscription charges, too. But keeping fit doesn’t need to be a workout for the wallet. Here are some ways to save:

Stream workout videos for free.

Whether gentle yoga, heart-pounding cardio, or sensible strengthening routines, there are thousands of workout videos—available free—online (one easy place to start is aarp.org/fitness) or through some cable television providers and streaming services. You don’t need much for most of these workouts—just a yoga mat for floor exercises and enough space for a few steps (or lunges).

Buy studio classes in bulk.

If you prefer the community feel of in-person classes, most studios offer a free or highly discounted trial class or two. Once you’ve found one you love, consider buying a package of classes up-front—as long as you’re certain you’ll use all the classes in the allotted time limit. “If you pay for six months’ worth of classes at once, it’s cheaper than paying for the classes as you go,” said Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, a comparison-shopping website.

Discounted gym memberships.

High demand for memberships from New Year resolution-makers means that gyms tend to charge higher prices in January. You’ll get a better deal later, Ramhold said. Pay even less by taking advantage of discounts offered through workplace benefits or programs such as Silver Sneakers, available through some Medicare Advantage plans.

Make thoughtful gear purchases.

Looking to strength-train without spending hundreds of dollars on dumbbells? A set of resistance bands is a cheap alternative and will still provide a full-body workout. If you’re interested in larger equipment, like a treadmill or stationary bike, check out sites such as Craigslist, OfferUp, or Facebook Marketplace, where neighbors may be selling barely-used equipment for much less than you’d pay at retail. “There are a lot of people who buy exercise equipment and don’t use it,” said Lorraine C. Ladish, a certified yoga instructor and over-50 fitness influencer. “Often it’s secondhand, but it’s in pristine condition.”

Join a fitness retailer’s loyalty club.

While it’s rarely necessary to purchase purpose-made workout clothing, new threads can give some added motivation. The rewards programs at athletic-apparel stores may give you access to exclusive deals and discounts on merchandise. Some stores, such as Athleta, Reebok and Nike, may also provide access to community fitness events and classes.

Source: AARP

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Health & Fitness

SAVVY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

At age 70, I’ve become more and more forgetful lately and am concerned it may be an early sign of dementia. Are there any memory screening tools or services that you can recommend to help me gauge my problem, without going to a neurologist?

Forgetful Frank

Dear Frank,

Many older adults like yourself worry about memory lapses as they get older, fearing it may be the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia. To get some insight on the seriousness of your problem, here are some tips and resources you can turn to. 

Warning signs.

As we grow older, some memory difficulties – such as forgetting names or misplacing items from time to time – are associated with normal aging. But the symptoms of dementia are much more than simple memory lapses. While symptoms can vary greatly, people with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments, or traveling out of the neighborhood.

To help you recognize the difference between typical age-related memory loss and a more serious problem, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a list of 10 warning signs that you can assess online at 10signs.org.

The Alzeimer’s Association also provides other information, including the signs and symptoms on other conditions that can cause dementia such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and others at ALZ.org/dementia..

Memory screening.

A great resource and first step to get a handle on your memory problem is the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, which offers a National Memory Screening Program. This is a free, confidential, face-to-face screening done virtually in real-time that takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and consists of questions and/or tasks to evaluate your memory status. Once the screening is complete, the screener will review the results with you. Available to everyone, these screenings are done daily Monday through Friday, and are given by doctors, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, or other healthcare professionals across the country. A smart phone, computer, tablet, or any other device with a webcam and Internet capability is all that’s needed. Appointments can be requested online at ALZFDN.org/memory-screening or by calling 866-232-8484.

It’s important to know that this screening is not a diagnosis of any particular condition, but can indicate whether you should see your doctor for more extensive assessment.

Seeing a doctor.

If you find that you need further evaluation, make an appointment with your primary-care doctor for a cognitive checkup and medical examination. Depending on what’s found, you may be referred to a geriatrician or neurologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease.

Keep in mind that even if you are experiencing some memory problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have dementia. Many memory problems are brought on by other factors like stress, depression, thyroid disease, side-effects of medications, sleep disorders, vitamin deficiencies, and other medical conditions. By treating these conditions, a doctor can reduce or eliminate the problem.

Send questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Health & Fitness

By Omar Kaywan

Although it may seem like a grim topic, it’s important to be prepared and have peace of mind about not leaving your family with tens of thousands of dollars of debt for your end-of-life expenses. And while some people may think a simple life insurance policy will cover everything, this is just one of the many end-of-life expense myths out there. Here are five:

Funerals are a set cost.

In reality, funeral costs can vary drastically. Not only does your family need to consider the cost of the plot, tombstone, casket, etc., but also any religious ceremonies, burial, and if your body needs to be transported, which all incur an extra fee. Even the most basic funeral expenses can be difficult to afford, and the bill can add up quickly.

You don’t need to consider final expenses if you have life insurance.

Life insurance is important for everyone to have, but typically the money from life insurance is used to handle other expenses like mortgages, health, etc. That money can go away quickly once those big areas of life are settled.

Getting a final expenses insurance policy can give you peace of mind knowing your family will have help covering funeral costs, other outstanding debts, etc. It is specifically designed to cover costs associated with end-of-life expenses unlike traditional life insurance, and it serves as a financial safety net that offers protection and support to your loved ones.

Only old, sick people need to consider end-of-life expenses.

Whether you’re 45 or 75, life is unfortunately unpredictable. It’s important to begin planning and preparing as early as possible, so your family isn’t entirely blind-sided if something happens and left with an unmanageable amount of debt during their grieving process.

Getting more insurance will be expensive.

Getting a final expense policy doesn’t have to be expensive. Policies are customizable to what your family needs, and can cost as little or as much as you want them to, based on what your family requires. And policies are typically flexible. You can usually adjust your coverage amount or review your beneficiaries as your situation evolves.

If I get cremated, it won’t be expensive.

While cremation is cheaper than burial, the process still can leave your family with serious debt. Your burial/funeral process shouldn’t be something you feel the need to compromise on, and by getting a final expenses insurance policy, you can be sure you never have to compromise or leave your family burdened with difficult decisions and sacrifices.

Omar Kaywan is a co-founder of SmartBunny, a Bellingham-based online insurance broker.

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Personal Finance/Consumers