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Farming group offers free housing, board for volunteer work

A little-known nonprofit hooks up people who will work for free on earth-friendly farms in exchange for rent-free housing and three square meals a day.

Q. My 18-year-old son is interested in joining a group called WWOOF-USA, which promises to let people live on a farm rent-free in exchange for unpaid work. Is this a legitimate organization, or is it some type of scam?

A. The Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms in the United States - commonly called WWOOF-USA - is a legitimate nonprofit that links people up with more than 2,100 earth-friendly farms and even urban gardens across the nation, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

So-called WWOOFers typically spend about half a day doing unpaid chores, which can range from planting or harvesting crops to keeping bees or even building small homes made of organically grown bales of hay. In exchange, the property owner agrees to provide free room and board.

As a bonus, WWOOFers learn practical, eco-friendly farming skills.

For about $40 a year, folks can search www.wwoofusa.org for farmers, ranchers or other property owners who are looking for help. The free housing offered can range from a spare bedroom to (believe it or not) a tepee.

Though I think that WWOOF provides a great service, it's important to note that the group doesn't fully screen either its WWOOFers or the folks who will provide the housing. So, it's important to talk with a prospective host before agreeing to work and live on the property.

It also would be wise to research the host by using popular websites like Google and Pipl.com. Checking the federal government's National Sex Offender website (www.nsopw.gov) could be helpful, too.

Real estate trivia: About 97 percent of the nation's 2.1 million farms are owned by families or their corporation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports, but "64 percent of all vegetable sales and 66 percent of all dairy sales come from the 3 percent of farms that are large or very large family farms."

Q. We are remodeling our living room, and would like to buy a new TV as part of the process. There are some great deals now, but could we save even more if we wait until next month's Black Friday?

A. It depends on the type and size of the television that you want to purchase.

If you want a TV with a standard screen size of 55 inches, you probably should make the purchase now, reports shopping expert Benjamin Glaser, of bargain-hunting website DealNews.com. "That's because this category size has hit a price plateau, meaning retailers have discounted them as much as they're willing to," Glaser notes.

Should you want a bigger set, you'll likely save money if you wait until Black Friday. That's the day after Thanksgiving, when retailers typically slash prices to jump-start their holiday-shopping season.

October also is a great month to buy end-of-summer stuff, including patio furniture and barbecue sets. Retailers need to clear floor space of such bulky items in order to make room for holiday-related goods.

This also is a good time to buy a tent or other summer camping gear if you - like me - prefer to "house" yourself under a moonlit autumn sky rather than a bedroom that's covered by a cottage-cheese ceiling.

Q. I am stupid. I left my laptop computer on the seat of my car while I went to get a hamburger inside a restaurant, then came out to find that somebody had broken my car's window and stolen the computer. I called my auto insurance company, but the representative said that the theft is not covered by my policy. What can I do? I paid more than $1,200 for that computer a year ago!

A. I'm sorry about the break-in. Many homeowners and renters think that a typical automobile-insurance policy will pay for most items that are stolen from their car. They are mistaken.

Your homeowners or renters insurance policy, though, should reimburse you for the stolen computer even though it was taken from your car. That's because a standard homeowners or renters policy covers the contents of your home, even if they're stolen or damaged someplace else - including a car, a bus, a storage unit or even a park bench.

Call the company that insures your home for more information. Though your separate car insurance policy won't pay for the stolen computer, it's legally required to pay for the replacement of the shattered window and any other damage to your car.

• For the booklet "Straight Talk About Living Trusts," send $4 and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to David Myers/Trust, P.O. Box 4405, Culver City, CA 90231-4405.

© 2016, Cowles Syndicate Inc.

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