Q: My husband enjoys collecting guns. He has always been a gun nut, as is every man in his family. I have always feared guns. Last month we moved to a retirement community, and I told him it was time to get rid of them. He agreed to do so. However, I recently discovered two of his guns while I was cleaning his closet. He was trying to hide them.

I don't quite know how to handle the situation. My argument is based on a few things. For one, we live in a gated community, so he doesn't need to keep guns for protection. Also, when our grandchildren visit they may find them and want to play some game like cowboys with them. And, we enjoy a daily cocktail hour at our community, and he may do something foolish after, such as trying to clean his guns.

At our age, I do not want to make a federal case over his guns. What are some of my options?

A: Now that you have caught him after he already agreed to get rid of the guns, you are in a strong position to get him to change his mind. You could point out the fact that his eyesight and ability keep his hands steady probably aren't as good as before — especially after a cocktail hour.

Ask him what his reasons are for keeping the guns. Are they valuable to where he could sell them to make money for a vacation? Or is he keeping them for sentimental reasons (maybe his father gave them to him as a child)?

Perhaps he could gift them to a family member.

You may need to enlist the help of family members to convince him he needs to do what he agreed to do. And be sure he is following gun laws. — Doug

CUTTING YOUR COSTS

Q: I am a single widower. My wife and I tried to be practical and balance our income and spending. We managed to contribute 5 percent toward our retirement.

However, without her income or Social Security benefits I am not making enough. When I think abut how inflation is only going up I get depressed.

Do you have any thoughts or insights?

A: Make a categorized list of your spending and your expenses. There are a number of programs intended to help seniors. Enter "senior housing help" in any online search engine, and a number of results will come up.

For example, many communities have transportation services for seniors. A company located near me has a prepaid van service ($5 per destination) and free rides given by volunteers. Again, a quick search on the internet may prove useful.

There are a number of food services and utilities services for seniors that could really decrease your monthly overhead. Many websites provide information on inexpensive cable TV providers.

If you take medications, ask your local pharmacist if you could purchase the generic brands, which are less expensive.

Do you pay any fees for bank services? Seniors can often avoid them.

When making a purchase, do you ask for a senior discount or a date after which the item you want to buy will be on sale?

If you eat at restaurants chains, look for coupons in the newspaper.

A little effort on your part may make a big difference in your financial situation. — Emma, Doug's granddaughter

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at [email protected]. Emma, Doug's granddaughter, helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.