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We are delighted to introduce you to our new guest columnist, Rita Robison. Rita is a consumer writer and runs the blog, Boomers Survive and Thrive Guide and she also writes a Boomer Consumer blog on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. As times are tough these days, financially speaking, and stretching those few dollars is a really good idea, we requested Rita to pen a guest column for our readers on a weekly basis and share her insights with our audience. Rita has gracefully accepted our request. Thank you Rita. Let’s hear more about Rita in her own words…

Since 1977, I’ve been fortunate to be able to be a consumer writer.

My columns have appeared in The Anchorage (Alaska) Times, The (Tacoma, Wash.) News Tribune, The Spokesman (Spokane, Wash.) Review, and The Olympia (Wash.) News.

My favorite job was being a consumer action column writer for The Anchorage Times. I answered questions from readers. My column was called Tell It to Bud – Bud stood for ombudsman.

I love doing consumer research. It’s fun to do all the interviews it takes to get a story. I’ve obtained quotes from the White House, tracked down Ralph Nader, and convinced Elizabeth Kubler Ross that she should take the time for an interview.

Knowledgeable specialists in retirement, heart disease, stress management, insurance, housing, relationships, hearing aids, dentistry, foot care, finances, aging, and dying have also provided information for my columns. Writing consumer columns for newspapers has brought me much joy. I’ve been able to research issues of importance to readers.

Here are 15 items that are among the key things that I’ve learned during my years as a consumer columnist:
-  The importance of having a living will.
-  How to decide whether to buy long-term care insurance.
-  Tips for the new retirement – the go-go, slow-go, and no-go phases.
-  What consumer books and green gifts make good presents for the holiday season.
-  How to handle credit card debt and collection agencies.
-  What to do about clutter.
-  How to buy cell phones, long-distance phone service, and computers.
-  How to avoid accidents in the home.
-  What you need to do to be prepared for emergencies.
-  How to pick out a charity.
-  How to select contractors and roofers.
-  How to buy a manufactured home.
-  The benefits and drawbacks of Medicare Advantage, a way to combine Medicare and supplemental policies under one private company that manages a person’s Medicare benefits.
-  The benefits of massage.
-  Stress reduction techniques.

Now I’m a blogger for boomer consumers. My blogs are:
- The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide – http://boomersurvive-thriveguide.typepad.com.
- Boomer Consumer, a reader blog for the Seattle (Wash.) Post Intellingencer – http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/boomerconsumer/.

I’m pleased that Boomer411 has asked me to be a weekly guest blogger. I’m looking forward to having a conversation with you on how consumers can take action during these trying economic times.