I enjoyed the article on ways to save [“99 Great Ways to Save”]. Here’s an idea I started a long time ago; rounding up in my checkbook. If I spent $20.77, I subtract $21. I’ve never had a negative account or nonsufficient funds. It may not work for everyone, but it has for me. And it’s nice to see how much is actually in my account on the monthly statement, compared to what I think I have. After a while, I may transfer some of it into a savings account or certificate of deposit.

In the AARP Bulletin for July/August 2024, you discuss ways to save on dental care. Another way is to make use of the dental clinics offered by the dental schools in this country. In my state of Alabama, in addition to the University of Alabama-­Birmingham Clinic in Birmingham, there is now a second clinic in Dothan, Alabama. These clinics save patients 50 percent or more, depending on your location and procedure. Families that I know who have used these facilities, including my own, have been very pleased.

On free streaming: Many libraries offer for no charge commercial-free movies, documentaries and courses through services like Kanopy and Hoopla!

Thank you for trying to keep Social Security and Medicare safe.

It’s not right that these programs should run out of money. People have worked and put money in. I’m all for helping people in other parts of the world, but I think that it’s time for our government to start helping our own people. We have given $175 billion to Ukraine alone while we have people suffering because they don’t have enough money to buy food or pay rent or go to doctors. For every dollar spent on other countries, we should keep and put at least 10 percent of the total into the Social Security and Medicare programs.

I just read your latest article on Social Security [“Defending Social Security,” Your AARP]. I found it good, but I also wonder if the time has come for AARP to go beyond forums and explanations. Maybe it’s time for you to develop a membership consensus about what should be done and then press forward and sell that plan to Congress. Use the power of an organization with tens of millions of members to play an important role in actually making something happen.

To be a winner, you need to be both physically and mentally prepared [“Q&A with Mark Spitz,” Your Life]. Mark Spitz had been preparing since the age of 9. Spitz knew what he wanted and went after it. I truly enjoyed Spitz’s invigorating story and especially refreshing is his humble attitude.