Can’t post anything new right now — I do have some things that will probably interest the women, but there has been illness in my family and I have not had the time to gather things together right now.

Hopefully, after the new year things will be better and I will have more time.

God bless us all.  Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year.

Joan Boles

 

Thanks to the Agriculture Extension Service for sending enough materials to make at least two articles, in order that one won’t be so long and involved. We’ll hear about some things we already know and a few that I personally had not thought about – hope this will be helpful. Will write more later.

Joan Boles

INSURANCE

• Comparison shop – Practice the Rule of 3: Compare rates and policies at a minimum of 3 places; ask about discounts or special rates for your particular needs.
• Use one company – You may get a discount for buying all your insurance needs at one agency.
• Consider the Deductible – Often, you will receive lower premium payments if you select a higher deductible.
• Check on discounts – Maintain a good driving record and ask about good driver discounts from your insurance. Ask if discounts are allowed for smoke detectors, burglar alarms, etc.

 

LEISURE

• Borrow a movie from the local library instead of renting one, or going out to a movie. Play board games or cards with your family.
• Take advantage of community centers for exercise instead of paying the higher spa prices.
• Attend free concerts – watch the local newspaper for announcements of these and other community events. Watch for discounts at restaurants and use their coupons.

 

MEDICATION

• Buy over the counter when you can – cheaper than prescription drugs, and usually just as effective – i.e. OTC Prilosec is just as effective as Nexium (I know I take Prilosec).
• Samples – Talk to your doctor about the cost of your medications. Ask if a less expensive medication is available. The doctors can give you samples of some of your medications.
• Dosage – ask your physician if your medication can be split in half. Often a physician can prescribe 20 mg. tablets for the same cost as 10 mg. needed by the patient. Patients can use a pill-splitter to get the correct dosage of 10 mg.
• Most important – shop around – compare stores or pharmacies for the best prices.

 

GROCERIES

• Make a shopping list and stick to it, and set a spending limit.
• Plan menus and use them to make your grocery list. Read sale ads and use them to plan your menus and grocery list.
• Coupons, coupons, coupons. Shop where they double your coupons, if the prices are good.
• Choose the best day to shop –( my Kroger store has 5% off on Tuesday for senior citizens.)
• Buy day-old bread or rolls and freeze. When you thaw them, they are as fresh as original. (That was the only way we ever had cupcakes, cinnamon rolls or dinner rolls.)
• Already cooked or cut-up food usually costs more per serving. A whole chicken will cost less than a chicken already cut up. Bulk ground beef costs less than ground beef patties. A whole cabbage costs less than a bag of slaw. Dry milk costs less than fresh milk for cooking. Large cans or packages are cheaper and can be divided into freezer bags and stored for later.
• Eat before shopping. If you’re hungry while shopping, you may be tempted to buy things that aren’t on your list.
• Dry beans and peas, canned tuna in water and peanut butter are all good sources of protein that cost less than meat.

I am collecting material for an article on how we can save a little money in this economy, especially important since our pensions have no COLA. 

If you have any suggestions, I will be very happy to hear them — hopefully by next week I will have everything gathered and can give us all some hints.

Before that, I want to share a recipe from 1959 given to me by one of the retired wives.  We knew each other as teenagers and worked together after we were married, so I can definitely say we are “long time” friends.  Thought you younger ladies might be interested in seeing how we cooked from a recipe — back “in the day”.

RICE PUDDING:

Cooked rice – add to this one or two eggs (these can be separated if you want to use the whites for topping).  Milk – enough to make it sort of soupy because it will thicken up.  Sugar – make this a little sweeter than you want it to be when it is cooked as it loses some of its sweetness.  Vanilla.  Salt – just a pinch or two.  Nutmeg – sprinkle around in it.  Raisins can be added if you like them.  Sometimes I use Graham Cracker Crumbs sprinkled on the top of it after it has baked, instead of the egg whites.  Cook on top of stove until it thickens or you can cook it in the oven.

Can anyone guess who this is?  Until I get all the materials, stay strong and believe it will get better.

Hello Ladies,

This is the beginning of the new Widows/Wives section of the LRPD Retired Officers Pension Web Site.

We as the widows/wives of retired and/or active police officers have a different perspective of police work than the officers, either retired or active. They are the ones on the front lines, but we are the ones that have waited by the phone when we heard of an officer shooting. We are the ones that waited dinner for the officers that had to work extra time for the paper work inherent with the job. We are the ones that fixed Christmas dinner and played Santa because the officer couldn’t make it since they had their shift to work. In other words, we are all very similar, and we have our own opinions about police work that may be different from the “men and women in blue”.

This column is for us. It is for us to respond with what we think about what is going on, both regarding the pension fund or the PRB or the world in general if we so choose. I’ll start it off with giving my opinion about the way the Little Rock Board of Directors is treating all of us. Because we are also affected, especially if you are like me and have to do all the money managing at home.

We keep hearing on the news about how the city of Little Rock is having to trim its’ budget – Lee Harrod last year kept us informed about how Little Rock is spending their budget. Get real; if they were to take some of the political items off their budget, they wouldn’t have to be trimming any and would have enough to pay the measly $500,000.00 they have refused to pay from the streaming fund, (at least measly in comparison to $1,200,000.00 for the Jim Dailey Fitness Center), c’mon.

Would love to hear from any or all of you widows/wives out there. This is OUR section, let’s make it OUR section for real. Let’s hear your suggestions for topics to discuss. We don’t always have to discuss the political things going on. We can always comment about anything that is relevant to women everywhere, and police wives/widows especially. How about someone commenting on women’s health issues, or would you like to discuss how to work, manage a home and buy groceries in today’s economy. What do you think about the Arkansas Razorbacks? (I’m a Hog fan for sure, even when they lose).

Thank you board members for suggesting the widows/wives have our own section on which to comment. Ladies, get your comments coming in and God bless you all, because we sure do need it.

Joan Boles (widow of Jack Boles 1951-1973 LRPD)