Health advice during the last 20 years has waffled back and forth as to whether eggs are good or bad for you. If you don’t eat eggs, you probably haven’t noticed that the price has escalated recently. It makes one wonder if there is a shortage of hens to lay eggs. They do produce eggs in cycles, as any old farmer knows, but the high cost of eggs can wreak havoc with a budget.

We all want to save money. There may be some readers who never worry about making ends meet, but for those of you who would like to be able to afford the “golden egg” (or the precious bacon to go with it) here are a couple of ideas you may have overlooked.

I watched the television commercials showing young Joe Kennedy with his hard hat on, standing by a ship and talking about oil and something called Citizens Energy, which would provide oil at a 40 percent discount. At the time I didn’t need to order oil, but since I’m one of those who don’t qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, based on income, this Joe Kennedy commercial lingered in the back of my mind and I remembered the phone number, if not the details. The income allowed was higher than that allowed for energy-assistance program.

In December, I decided to call 1-800-Call-Joe and someone with a Boston accent took my name and other information over the phone, sent me an application blank, which I completed and returned, and within a couple of days I received a letter for my oil dealer, whereby I can purchase up to 200 gallons of oil at a 40 percent discount. If you do not qualify for fuel assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, you may want to check this out. I know there are some political considerations here, but staying warm and surviving is at the top of my priority list, especially given the history of political affiliations and how they change. Yesterday’s enemy can be tomorrow’s good friend.

It’s not often that the IRS provides a refund for everyone, but this year things are different.

Taxpayers who have telephones and have paid long distance excise tax are entitled to a one-time refund this year from the IRS. The refund refers to Federal Excise Taxes paid on long distance calls. That little expense is buried on phone bills with a list of about six or seven charges for special taxes and other fees. Last month, it was 56 cents on my phone bill. Unless you have kept all your phone bills for more than five years, you may want to consider the standard refund.

The IRS has established a standard amount (based on how many exemptions you have) and also a special new form for taxpayers such as seniors whose income may be below the filing requirement. These forms are available at public places such as libraries and post offices.

If you do not file a tax return, pick up this form, 1040 EZ-T, so that you can get this refund.

If you do file a tax return, check the instructions carefully.

The standard refund for one exemption is $30, which although not a fortune, would certainly be welcome by most of us.

When you come across a good money-saving idea, share it with other seniors by contacting me at kso48@aol.com.