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Your staff does a wonderful job
on the articles. I’m 26 and I even
enjoy reading them!
@bedrickk
The Way He Is
I met Mr. Redford in 1990 and had
a brief but engaging conversation
with him. He was ever so gracious.
That brief encounter, and his life-
long commitment to all causes good,
illustrates that he is the real deal in the industry as well
as in life! He is not only an effective filmmaker, actor, and
activist but a truly gentle person. I can’t help but have a
crush on the actor while also admiring the man.
Jill Brouillard
Santa Barbara, California
Page48 SPEND LESS ON YOUR TEEN Feel great. Save money. Have fun. March| April2011aarp.org/magazine$4.50Thefiercelyprivateactor-directortalksabout fame,family—andhisnewfilm,TheConspirator Robert Page38 Redford SEX AND THE MPTY NEST Page70 Needa NewJob? Giveyourself arelevance makeover Power Food forthe Brain ASuperYou! Topathletessharetheir stay-youngsecrets ONYOUR ENERGY BILLS! SAVE $1,000 2010 FOR GROWNUPS! Enterforachance TOWINA FLATSCREENTV BEST MOVIES
Fast Track to Financial Freedom
While Liz Weston’s suggestion that
a couple shouldn’t refinance their
mortgage before addressing more
pressing debts was sound advice
[“Racing to Pay Off a House?”], I have
another solution: If they have a good
mortgage rate, low monthly payment,
and additional income, then they
should pay a little extra each month
and apply that amount to the principal. A couple hundred extra dollars
per month reduces the principal and
you save on interest as well.
CRAIG STEARMAN
San Diego, California
Robert Redford is a megastar with
integrity. He is to be commended for
his environmental awareness and for
setting such a fine example of what
people with power can do. For someone like me, that is the root of his
electrifying magnetism.
CHARLOTTE FREEMAN
Chattanooga, Tennesee
Loved, loved, loved the article on
Robert Redford! He simply oozes
sex appeal (yes, 75-year-olds can be
sexy). Mr. Redford can put his shoes
under my bed anytime!
CAROL CARELLI
Amsterdam, New York
Mouthful of Money
Your article “The Bionic Mouth” is
right: Tooth loss is epidemic. Could
it be, though, that many people don’t
have the proper insurance to cover
dental care? My 90-year-old mother
has no insurance other than Medicare and Medicaid. I pay for all her
routine cleaning and repairs. I’m
happy for those who have the funds
or insurance to get implants, but most
folks probably can’t afford to care for
their teeth as they should.
CATHI ODOM
Fort Pierce, Florida
Nine-Digit No-no
We caution against Ron Burley’s
advice in “Credit Woes From a Typo”
(January/February) that suggests
readers guard against identity theft
by “offering your own nine-digit
number” in lieu of a Social Security
number. Instead, if you’re asked to
share your SSN, ask why the company needs it and what the consequences will be if you don’t provide
it. (Some companies may not do business with you if you don’t give your
SSN; that’s a decision you’ll have to
make.) For more tips to avoid identity
theft, go to ftc.gov/idtheft.
CHARLES HARWOOD
Deputy Director, Consumer Protection
Federal Trade Commission
Hardcore Competitors
I related to your story about “Super
Athletes.” I didn’t start running until
I was 44. My casual-run distances got
longer and longer, and over the next
several years I ran six marathons. At
54, I still run 25 miles a week. It takes
desire and commitment, but I believe
that everyone can be athletic.
ART ROSEN
Manalapan, New Jersey
I needed to have one tooth replaced,
and estimates for the entire job were
nearly $5,000. Talk about sticker
shock! So I, like the author, had the
work done at a dental college, which
charged roughly half of what the
private sector does. What was my
biggest expense? Time. The trip was
45 miles each way. Considering that
I saved at least $2,000, it was well
worth the effort.
MARLENE CIMONS
Bethesda, Maryland
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