Have you ever bought something and then regretted it?

Did you know that if you walk in to a store and try on a shirt that costs $80 - if you put it on and don't like you will take it off and put it back on the rack. Now if that exact same shirt is on sale and now say $40 dollars - a whole different set of things happen.

You will look in the mirror, turn around a few times, stand on your toes to see how it looks and there is a very good chance you will buy the shirt! This is a proven fact.

You will second guess your own judgement - to not miss out on what appears to be a good deal.

Then you will probably never or very rarely wear it.

Here is how I shop. Nothing is ever on sale. (even if it is). Either I love it or I don't. No one is going to mess with my judgement ever again!!!

Stay tuned.......

I hear "I don't have an money" Here is what advertisers believe....

Marketers get creative targeting hard-to-reach college students
Posted

By Eileen Blass, USA TODAY

Villanova University junior Courtney Chupka (left) of Chatham, N.J., hands a pair of free American Eagle Outfitters flip-flops to fellow student Nicholas Benenati, a sophomore from Miami. Chupka was one of a team of Villanova students dressed in matching T-shirts to promote American Eagle Outfitters on campus.

"Marketers get creative targeting hard-to-reach college students ";
var articleSummary = "Savvy college marketers have learned that they can no longer reach students by old-school marketing and are turning to peer-to-peer marketing. "
By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY

It may have seemed like just another freshman move-in day at West Virginia University. But for American Eagle Outfitters, it was D-Day.

Long before the new students arrived at their dorms a few weeks ago, the oh-so-trendy clothing retailer had a detailed marketing battle plan in place specific to this Morgantown, W.Va., campus. Facebook updates promoted free car-to-dorm room help with heavy stuff on move-in day — not to mention free flip-flops.

The savvy strategy wasn't executed by an American Eagle exec. It was overseen by 21-year-old Gina Damato, a WVU senior PR major who, in her spare time, manages a pizza parlor, writes for the school paper, snowboards and, oh yeah, is a student rep for AE.

"College students are wary of old-school marketing," says Paul Himmelfarb, managing director at Youth Marketing Connection, which specializes in linking marketers with the college crowd.
"You have to take a brand and incorporate it into the college lifestyle by peer-to-peer marketing."

Savvy college marketers have learned that they can no longer reach students by simply putting up posters, handing out samples and hanging ads from dorm room door handles.
That's why there are now nearly 10,000 student reps like Damato on campuses nationally. They are paid in cash, products or a combination of the two — up to $1,500 per semester.
Much of their work is via social media, such as relevant Facebook updates and targeted tweets via Twitter. It is detail-oriented marketing intricately tuned-in to things vital and specific to student bodies at each of the nation's 4,100 colleges and universities — and in many cases to the individual student. So there is little wasted messaging.

PARENTING: First weeks can be tough for college kids
FRESHMEN YEAR: May be harder on parents than students
If there were a college class for this, it would be New World College Marketing 101.
"College marketing used to be block and tackle," says Matt Britton, founder of marketing agency Mr. Youth, which recruits thousands of students nationwide. "Now, college students are immune to those tactics and expect something much more deeply intertwined in their lives."
These days, it's about reaching students where they are — which is mostly (but not always) on their cellphones or laptops. So the most sophisticated college marketers — from American Eagle to Apple to Red Bull — are increasingly turning to social media focused on students' wants and needs.

For brands like caffeine-stoked Red Bull, the college crowd isn't the gravy, it's the meat.
"Think about college life," says marketing chief Amy Taylor. "It's made up of five main activities: study, work, play, party and, if there's time, sleep. Our product can help with four of those five."

Students are a rich resource
Why reaching students on campus is fundamental for marketers:
• Students have money to spend, often courtesy of Mom and Pop. Discretionary spending by the nation's 19 million full- and part-time college students will reach $76 billion this year — up $2 billion from last year — projects Alloy Media + Marketing.

• Students will have more dough in the future.
• Students, particularly freshmen in their first extended time away from home, are developing brand affinities that can last.

But they're very clear about how they want to be reached by marketers. When college students were asked in 2009 how they want to get information on goods and services, 46% said the Internet, reports research specialist Student Monitor. That's up from 26% in 2000.
Where they're not interested in getting information: TV or magazines. While 59% looked to TV ads in 2000, that number shrank to 44% last year. And while 42% depended on magazine ads for information in 2004, that fell to 25% last year.

Not that everyone can be reached. Bijah Gibson, for one, just wants to be left alone.
The 21-year-old journalism major at Colorado State University in Fort Collins says that while it's hard to miss all the college marketing coming at him — he mostly ignores it.
"It doesn't affect what I buy," he says. "My friends have a much bigger effect on what I buy than what I see on some website or on a Facebook update."

The life of a college student rep
But such exceptions don't slow down Damato, the student rep at West Virginia. Before her gig as ambassador for American Eagle, she repped for both Apple and Disney.
In return, Apple lent her gobs of computer equipment, Disney helped her get class credit for a six-month internship in Orlando and American Eagle sends her checks.
Damato says being a student rep has helped make her a big shot on campus. "I'm not only recognizable to students — but to professors," she says.

For Apple, she manned tables at freshman orientation last June — supplying detailed Apple product information to students and parents at a moment when many were most susceptible to purchase. Apple doesn't let her make the sale at the tables, but refers students to an Apple site specific to her school and she gets commission on each purchase made there.
Last fall, she organized Apple tailgate parties at school football games where students played Guitar Hero on Apple laptops in the parking lot. She posted Facebook updates on the tailgate fun.

But this fall, she's all about American Eagle.
She recruited 40 volunteers — mostly by arranging an AE donation for a fraternity's favorite charity — to work on freshman move-in days. She touted their services on the WVU Facebook page for incoming freshman with updates such as: "Need help moving in: No worries. AE will be there."

Was it ever. Over six hours, her crew helped 100 freshmen move into their dorms.
And each of those freshmen got a free pair of American Eagle flip-flops (valued at about $15) and a store coupon for 15% off at the American Eagle store at the local mall. As an incentive to get them there quickly, the coupon was set to expire in 30 days.

"The motive is brand awareness," says Fred Grover, executive vice president of marketing. "Our target is a 20-year-old."

Here's what a handful of AE's peers are doing to also seek that 20-year-old on campus this fall:
• Red Bull. The brand sells more than 4 billion cans a year in the U.S., a lot of them to college students.
So it's no accident that Red Bull has an astounding 8.4 million friends on Facebook. That and Twitter are primary ways it communicates with students.
Also, when students returned to school this fall, thousands got sample Red Bull Energy Shots (2-ounce bottles that retail for $2.99) at college bookstores.
Red Bull has student brand managers on 250 college campuses who host — and promote via social media — events such as a recent student chariot race at the University of Georgia.
Red Bull also is active in mobile marketing. There are mobile games and phone apps produced by Red Bull — some of which are free. College students might learn via text message about where to get a free four-pack on a Thursday night, Taylor says.

•Hewlett-Packard. The tech brand's college marketing platform focuses by campus. "We've got to be where the students are — on campus and online," says Lisa Baker, director of student education marketing.

HP student reps at Washington State University recently participated in the annual back-to-school music fest featuring local bands. HP student reps demonstrated HP laptops in the thick of the action and announced special HP deals for the 4,000 students at the event. Students who signed up for information there or on Facebook got free giveaways.

•Zipcar. Since launching its first student rep program in 2001 at Harvard University, the nation's largest car-sharing service now has reps on 50 campuses.
In the spring, Zipcar will set up fake beach scenes on campuses, complete with sand, beach chairs, umbrellas and swimsuit-wearing students. Fellow students who stop to check out the "beach" also will see a poster with this pointed spring break reminder: "You need a Zipcar to get here."
Zipcar courts students via Facebook, Twitter and location-based social network Foursquare. "Students are accustomed to getting things on-demand in the way they choose," says Zipcar chief marketing officer Rob Weisberg.
So it's no coincidence how much Zipcar's latest iPhone app appeals to college students — Zipcar members can use their iPhones to beep their car horns or even unlock car doors.

• Barnes & Noble. In the past 12 months, Barnes & Noble College Booksellers has expanded from 40 college-specific Facebook pages to 636, says Lisa Malat, vice president of marketing.
"We need to go where the students live," she says. "We can't wait for them to come to us."

No Net - Make A Choice To Be Prepared

GenM this is what I have been preaching for the past 3 years! You do not have a net underneath you for retirement. Time is your best resource at this point - and saving NOW! This does not have to be a negative for your generation - it all depends on your choices.

What to do when your pension is frozen
BY M.P. Dunleavey,
Money Magazine
™ and © 2010 Cable News Network and Time Inc. and/or their affiliated companies. All Rights Reserved.
Money Magazine — 06/10/10

You've been looking forward to retirement — and the steady income your employer was supposed to provide — only to learn that your company has frozen its pension plan. Now what?

You're joining a well-populated club: Overall, about a fifth of workers in private-sector pension plans — 3.3 million people — have been affected by a "freeze," or suspension of benefits, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Kraft, HBSC, TWX, are among the largest employers who have frozen their plans this year, following 190 fortune 100 companies in 2009.

Industries such as aerospace, defense, and natural resources — along with state and local governments — are likely to offer defined-benefit plans for years to come, experts say.

But the firms that have frozen plans aren't likely to thaw them. So if your pension is iced over or at risk, you'll need to adjust your retirement strategy ASAP.

What a 'freeze' means
Unlike 401(k)s, which are funded in large part by employee contributions, a pension is paid entirely by the employer using a formula typically based on your years of service and highest pay.

A company might, for example, multiply 1.5% of your top salary by your tenure, meaning that if you worked 25 years and now earn $100,000, you'd get $37,500 a year.

Companies can freeze plans in one of two ways. Under a "hard" freeze, the pension is literally frozen. The benefit you've accrued as of today is what you'll get at retirement. "You don't accrue further years of credit, and your benefits are based on your salary at, say, 50 instead of 65," explains Alicia Munnell of the Center for Retirement Research (CRR).

A "soft" freeze is less severe — your benefit still grows, but based on a new formula. The company generally doesn't allow you to accrue more years of service, and it may cap the salary it uses (taking a five-year average, say). Either way, your pension is worth much less.

Who it affects the most
If you're under 35, or have been with the company a short while, you probably haven't amassed much of a benefit. Also, firms that freeze pensions generally offer a new or enhanced 401(k)-type plan, and younger people have time to make the most of such offerings. Folks within five years of retirement are also not so bad off: You'll have accumulated close-to-peak benefits, says Munnell.
It's those in the middle who "get the worst of both worlds," says David Certner, legislative policy director for AARP. You lose the guaranteed income and "you don't have time to recoup your losses by joining the 401(k)."

Absent a freeze, if you'd been hired at 35 and stayed on until retirement, you could expect about 43% of your final salary at age 62, according to a CRR study. But if your company instead froze the plan when you were 50, and you immediately started contributing 6% of salary to a 401(k) plan with a standard 3% match, you'd be likely to get only 28% of your final earnings at retirement.

How to make up for it
First, contact the pension specialist in HR to find out exactly how much you're entitled to at retirement, says Falmouth, Mass., financial planner David McPherson. "Make sure you understand the rules," he says. Get details on any new or improved 401(k) match too.

Next, use the program at basic.esplanner.com to reassess your retirement picture, weighing projected income and savings against expenses. If there's a shortfall, you'll need to save more to cover it.

Even with only, say, 12 years to save, a sweetened 401(k) can help you make up time. In the standard plan noted earlier, if you contributed up to the match, starting at age 50 with a salary of $100,000 that rises 2.5% a year, you'd have $184,000 by age 62, given a 7% average annual return, says McPherson. With an enhanced dollar-for-dollar match up to 6%, you'd have $245,000.

Though it may not sound appealing, postponing retirement can also help you bridge the gap, says Newtown, Pa., financial planner Michael Garry. You generate more savings and reduce the number of years you need to rely on those savings. Besides, as with Social Security, delaying your pension until full retirement age (as set by your company) results in a bigger benefit.

Overwhelmed? You can find pension assistance locally via pension help.org. But don't delay dealing with the issue. The sooner you take the reins, the more you stand to gain.

Stay tuned......

Secrets of Self - Made Millionaires

5 Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires

user
by Reader's Digest Magazine, on Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:04pm PDT
By Kristyn Kusek Lewis

They’re just like you. But with lots of money.When you think “millionaire,” what image comes to mind? For many of us, it’s a flashy Wall Street banker type who flies a private jet, collects cars and lives the kind of decadent lifestyle that would make Donald Trump proud. But many modern millionaires live in middle-class neighborhoods, work full-time and shop in discount stores like the rest of us. What motivates them isn’t material possessions but the choices that money can bring: “For the rich, it’s not about getting more stuff. It’s about having the freedom to make almost any decision you want,” says T. Harv Eker, author of Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. Wealth means you can send your child to any school or quit a job you don’t like.According to the Spectrem Wealth Study, an annual survey of America’s wealthy, there are more people living the good life than ever before—the number of millionaires nearly doubled in the last decade. And the rich are getting richer. To make it onto the Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans, a mere billionaire no longer makes the cut. This year you needed a net worth of at least $1.3 billion.

istockphoto.comIf more people are getting richer than ever, why shouldn’t you be one of them? Here, five people who have at least a million dollars in liquid assets share the secrets that helped them get there.

PLUS: 13 Things Your Financial Adviser Won't Tell You

1. Set your sights on where you are going - Twenty years ago, Jeff Harris hardly seemed on the road to wealth. He was a college dropout who struggled to support his wife, DeAnn, and three kids, working as a grocery store clerk and at a junkyard where he melted scrap metal alongside convicts. “At times we were so broke that we washed our clothes in the bathtub because we couldn’t afford the Laundromat.” Now he’s a 49-year-old investment advisor and multimillionaire in York, South Carolina.There was one big reason Jeff pulled ahead of the pack: He always knew he’d be rich. The reality is that 80 percent of Americans worth at least $5 million grew up in middle-class or lesser households, just like Jeff.Wanting to be wealthy is a crucial first step. Says Eker, “The biggest obstacle to wealth is fear. People are afraid to think big, but if you think small, you’ll only achieve small things.”

PLUS: 17 Things Your Mother Wants You to Know

It all started for Jeff when he met a stockbroker at a Christmas party. “Talking to him, it felt like discovering fire,” he says. “I started reading books about investing during my breaks at the grocery store, and I began putting $25 a month in a mutual fund.” Next he taught a class at a local community college on investing. His students became his first clients, which led to his investment practice. “There were lots of struggles,” says Jeff, “but what got me through it was believing with all my heart that I would succeed.”

2. Educate yourself - When Steve Maxwell graduated from college, he had an engineering degree and a high-tech job—but he couldn’t balance his checkbook. “I took one finance class in college but dropped it to go on a ski trip,” says the 45-year-old father of three, who lives in Windsor, Colorado. “I actually had to go to my bank and ask them to teach me how to read my statement.”One of the biggest obstacles to making money is not understanding it: Thousands of us avoid investing because we just don’t get it. But to make money, you must be financially literate. “It bothered me that I didn’t understand this stuff,” says Steve, “so I read books and magazines about money management and investing, and I asked every financial whiz I knew to explain things to me.”

PLUS: 6 Moneymaking Tips

He and his wife started applying the lessons: They made a point to live below their means. They never bought on impulse, always negotiated better deals (on their cars, cable bills, furniture) and stayed in their home long after they could afford a more expensive one. They also put 20 percent of their annual salary into investments.Within ten years, they were millionaires, and people were coming to Steve for advice. “Someone would say, ‘I need to refinance my house—what should I do?’ A lot of times, I wouldn’t know the answer, but I’d go find it and learn something in the process,” he says.In 2003, Steve quit his job to become part owner of a company that holds personal finance seminars for employees of corporations like Wal-Mart. He also started going to real estate investment seminars, and it’s paid off: He now owns $30 million worth of investment properties, including apartment complexes, a shopping mall and a quarry.“I was an engineer who never thought this life was possible, but all it truly takes is a little self-education,” says Steve. “You can do anything once you understand the basics.”

PLUS: 17 French Restaurant Words You Need to Know

3. Passion pays off - In 1995, Jill Blashack Strahan and her husband were barely making ends meet. Like so many of us, Jill was eager to discover her purpose, so she splurged on a session with a life coach. “When I told her my goal was to make $30,000 a year, she said I was setting the bar too low. I needed to focus on my passion, not on the paycheck.”Jill, who lives with her son in Alexandria, Minnesota, owned a gift basket company and earned just $15,000 a year. She noticed when she let potential buyers taste the food items, the baskets sold like crazy. Jill thought, Why not sell the food directly to customers in a fun setting?

PLUS: 15 Foods You Should Never Buy Again

With $6,000 in savings, a bank loan and a friend’s investment, Jill started packaging gourmet foods in a backyard shed and selling them at taste-testing parties. It wasn’t easy. “I remember sitting outside one day, thinking we were three months behind on our house payment, I had two employees I couldn’t pay, and I ought to get a real job. But then I thought, No, this is your dream. Recommit and get to work.”She stuck with it, even after her husband died three years later. “I live by the law of abundance, meaning that even when there are challenges in life, I look for the win-win,” she says.

PLUS: 20 Secrets Your Waiter Won't Tell You

The positive attitude worked: Jill’s backyard company, Tastefully Simple, is now a direct-sales business, with $120 million in sales last year. And Jill was named one of the top 25 female business owners in North America by Fast Company magazine.According to research by Thomas J. Stanley, author of The Millionaire Mind, over 80 percent of millionaires say they never would have been successful if their vocation wasn’t something they cared about.

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4. Grow your money - Most of us know the never-ending cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. “The fastest way to get out of that pattern is to make extra money for the specific purpose of reinvesting in yourself,” says Loral Langemeier, author of The Millionaire Maker. In other words, earmark some money for the sole purpose of investing it in a place where it will grow dramatically—like a business or real estate.There are endless ways to make extra money for investing—you just have to be willing to do the work. “Everyone has a marketable skill,” says Langemeier. “When I started out, I had a tutoring business, seeing clients in the morning before work and on my lunch break.”A little moonlighting cash really can grow into a million. Twenty-five years ago, Rick Sikorski dreamed of owning a personal training business. “I rented a tiny studio where I charged $15 an hour,” he says. When money started trickling in, he squirreled it away instead of spending it, putting it all back into the business. Rick’s 400-square-foot studio is now Fitness Together, a franchise based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, with more than 360 locations worldwide. And he’s worth over $40 million.

PLUS: 10 Smart Money Moves to Make Now

When extra money rolls in, it’s easy to think, Now I can buy that new TV. But if you want to get rich, you need to pay yourself first, by putting money where it will work hard for you—whether that’s in your retirement fund, a side business or investments like real estate.

5. No guts, no glory - Last summer, Dave Lindahl footed the bill for 18 relatives at a fancy mansion in the Adirondacks. One night, his dad looked out at the scenery and joked, “I can’t believe we used to call you the black sheep!”At 29, Dave was broke, living in a small apartment near Boston and wondering what to do after ten years in a local rock band. “I looked around and thought, If I don’t do something, I’ll be stuck here forever.”He started a landscape company, buying his equipment on credit. When business literally froze over that winter, a banker friend asked if he’d like to renovate a foreclosed home. “I’m a terrible carpenter, but I needed the money, so I went to some free seminars at Home Depot and figured it out as I went,” he says.

Download our Life IQ trivia game for your iPhone.

After a few more renovations, it occurred to him: Why not buy the homes and sell them for profit? He took a risk and bought his first property. Using the proceeds, he bought another, and another. Twelve years later, he owns apartment buildings, worth $143 million, in eight states.The Biggest Secret? Stop spending.Every millionaire we spoke to has one thing in common: Not a single one spends needlessly. Real estate investor Dave Lindahl drives a Ford Explorer and says his middle-class neighbors would be shocked to learn how much he’s worth. Fitness mogul Rick Sikorski can’t fathom why anyone would buy bottled water. Steve Maxwell, the finance teacher, looked at a $1.5 million home but decided to buy one for half the price because “a house with double the cost wouldn’t give me double the enjoyment.”

Stay tuned......

Living Your Passion

Hey Generation Millionaire -

I want to go back to my original mission. Live your life's passion, live a balanced life, give back to society, and live within your means.

Did you notice that the money goal is listed last? That is on purpose because if you follow the basic principles - money isn't the goal - it is the means.

• Living to make money and get stuff is not rewarding - it is a grind.
• Going to a job that drains you of your energy - is cheating you out of living your best life.


• Only thinking of yourself and what you can get - robs you from the rewards of seeing someone else do well and having compassion. Also, it is true - energy comes back to you - so when you put out positive energy and help others - it seems like things start to go our way as well.


• Money - is important - however, we need to recalibrate how we view it and what it means in our lives.

The next few posts are going to talk about each topic and how by recalibrating your views on money and living your passions will provide you the opportunity to live the life you want. I will suggest books, give tips, and yes, we will talk about the basic principles of money - back to the basics.

I have been busy redesigning my mission - I am adding programs for toddlers through retirement planning. Although your generation is my key focus - as you have to change now to hope for enough money in retirement - if we can influence younger kids now - our tribes grow and we can spend time enjoying life vs. managing it.

Stay tuned....

Help What to do with Student Loans

Subject: debt counseling


Hi,I came across your blog accidentally, but am glad that I did. I live in California and have been looking to find some debt counseling services. After an initial web search, I was very confused - most services seem like debt consolidation scams. Could you point me in the right direction? I have around 30k in student loans and another 2-3 in consumer debt. I currently make a fair salary and am spending (slightly) less than my income. If you can provide any info - even a few links to authentic services.
Thanks!
John

John,

Thanks for the opportunity to help. I am going to go over a few basic concepts that you need to think about before consolidating your loans. Remember the rules change all the time and the state you live in may have different rules. So this is a general guideline.

• Do you have Government loans? Gov. loans usually divide into four types: Stafford Loan, subsidized & unsubsidized, Federal Plus Loans & Federal Perkins Loans.


• Do you have Private Student Loans?


• Use a loan calculator to list all your student loan debts and determine your situation.

Now you have a picture of your current situation. Make a call.

• If you have government loans I would start by calling them to determine your current situation and options.


• Private loans I would call your current provider to see what the options are with them.


• Ask questions - my understanding is Gov. Loans and Private loans can not be consolidated. Government loans normally have a lower interest rate. If consolidating private loans be careful not to increase your rate and watch for fees.

What is your goal?

• Paying off as soon as possible?


• Simplifying - one payment


• Extending your payments to lower monthly payments - but will add more interest you pay over time?

My recommendation always is pay off as soon as possible. If you do not consolidate take the highest interest rate loan and pay as much extra to principle payment as possible while paying the minimum on the remaining loans. Once you pay off the higher interest loan - add the payment from the first loan to the next highest interest rate loan and pay it off etc.

The companies who gave you the loans want you to take the longest repayment schedule and will make it very appealing by telling you how low your payment will be. What they don't tell you is the longer you have the loan - the less freedom and opportunity you have in your life. As well as, how much more money they make from you.

Hopefully, you will never be poorer than while being a college student. So I tell recent graduates - do not increase your lifestyle dramatically - take the time to pay off your debt instead of creating debt with large purchases or expensive living accommodations. If you can keep a roommate or continue to live modestly for a few more years - you can have so much more freedom to live your passion going forward.

Regarding your credit card debt - I would try to pay that off as fast as possible - more than likely that is your highest interest rate debt. Attempt to live debt free - pay cash for any purchases so you don't continue the cycle.

My next post will cover steps to save while paying down all the debt you currently have as that is as important as paying off debt. Time is currently on your side for long term planning - also the need for emergency savings, and money needed over the next couple years to everyday living.

It is truly a life choice to change your thinking and set yourself up for long term success. I believe you can live your passion and have a very balanced and financially successful live.

Stay tuned......

Stephenie

87 Million dollar Income and now 5 Million in Debt

Derrick Coleman, NBA basketball star made over 87 million dollars in his 15 year career - and now is 5 million dollars in debt. If I said it once I have said it a million times, if you don't know how to manage $30,000 what makes you think you can mange more?

So let's start with the basics regardless of your income.

1. Always pay yourself first. I don't care if it is $10 a week. Preferably it would be about 15% of your gross income, going into a tax deferred retirement account.

2. Have an emergency fund. It should be at least 3 months of your total monthly expenses.

3. Pay cash, if you can't afford it - don't buy it.

4. Live under your means. If that means you live in a smaller place, don't have the latest gadget, or name brand clothes - sorry. It beats the alternative, debt, stress, and homelessness.

5. Get a second job if necessary for the short term, walk dogs, mow lawns, work fast food. What ever it takes to get out of debt or get that emergency cash saved.

6. Grow your own vegetables, herbs etc. People say good food costs more than fast food. That is true - however, at what cost. Your health will pay in the long run. It is very inexpensive to grow your own - have a small garden in your backyard or get a hydroponic planter. They go on sale often. Check out local farmer markets.

7. Have a roommate or two to keep costs down.

8. Spring is right around the corner - look in the paper for free activities. Most cities have parties in the park, free concerts, bike paths, etc. Entertainment does not have to be expensive.

Once you start to adjust your thinking - and realize you can save money. It becomes fun. Because you have FREEDOM and OPTIONS. Which gives you the opportunity to live your passion.

Stay tuned..........

I Don't Care How Much Money you Have... If You Don't Know How to Manage It.....

Another star to go bankrupt. Nicholas Cage is the next casualty. My point is if you make $30,000 or $3 Million dollars - if you don't manage your money appropriately - you end up in trouble.

Cage owes 11 million on the house, it has been on the market for over a year. He was trying to get 11.5 million with no bites. The bidding was starting at 10.4 million - and guess what - no one is interested.

I tell students in every presentation. Just because you make more money doesn't mean you are going to make better decisions. If you do not know how to budget, live under your means, pay yourself first and live without debt -- you are subject to having financial issues.

I am one of the best presentations who will ever hear in your life - if you want to be not only financially successful - but learn to live your passion and have balance in your life.

Have your activities board shoot me an email or call me - I would be thrilled to come to any of your campus's. A rock band may be entertaining for a night but I will change your life forever.

Stay tuned....

How to Obtain A Great Credit Score

Meet the Credit Score Perfectionists
Erica SandbergWednesday, April 7, 2010
From Yahoo news

While most Americans strive for good credit scores, others take special care to achieve great ones. Meet some credit score superstars -- and learn why and how they keep those precious three digits so high.

Good Scores Key to Financial Health
Credit scores were developed as tools to help banks and businesses make objective decisions. To generate them, a mathematical formula pulls credit report data and transforms it into a numerical rating. FICO (FICO) scores range from a low of 300 to a high of 850, and according to MyFico.com, mortgage lenders consider anything above 760 as ideal. While it is the dominant score, FICO isn't the sole scoring model. For example, the three major credit reporting bureaus -- TransUnion, Experian and Equifax (EFX)-- produce the VantageScore, with a scale ranging from 501 to 990.

Despite ranking system differences, a higher score always indicate less risk, and having them makes you more appealing to lenders, employers and landlords.
Consequently, focusing on scores is only natural. "People are drawn to this subject because it allows them to measure something that they equate to financial health," says Jose Rivas, national education manager for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco.

That focus, however, can turn into anxiety, with conflicting information often to blame. "One article states that consumers should close their unused accounts," says Rivas, "another states that consumers should never close their accounts." For this reason, getting the facts from reliable sources is essential. Like the following high achievers, you can create a terrific credit score with real knowledge and a specific sense of purpose.

Credit Score Vigilante
Dan Nainan, a professional comedian who constantly travels between New York and Los Angeles, has carefully built an 830 FICO score. Doing so enabled him to negotiate preferential terms with his premium reward card. "I was able to drop the annual fee for my $450 per year American Express card to $150!" Nainan also cites the "feel-good" factor: "It's a comfort to know that wherever I go and whatever I apply for, I can get it."

Vigilance is Nainan's strategy. "If there's anything at all that might affect my score, I ask a ton of questions and go to the Internet and do as much research as possible. If I test drive a car, or sign up for a health club, I look at the fine print very carefully to see if they have a right to hit my credit file with an inquiry." He's also programmed everything online "so that all of the bills pay themselves, and any and all credit card balances are paid off immediately."

Protecting a Long History of Timely Payments
Want the very best vehicle loan available? Let your numbers do the talking. When Brenda Avadian, founder of Caregivers Voice, out of Pearblossom, Calif., was applying for a car loan, her 849 score helped her secure top financing. "Saving thousands on interest charges is a tremendous motivator," says Avadian, who locked in 0 percent interest for five years. A loan with a 4 percent rate would have cost her an extra $3,200 on the same vehicle.
Avadian attributes her impressive score to a long history of timely payments. "And on those rare moments when a bill sneaks under some paperwork and it's either late or due that day," says Avadian, "I call and take care of it." She believes her loyalty to the same banks (three credit accounts -- not too many, not too few) also helps. "Instead of constantly shifting to capture the best deal, discount rate, rebate points, etc., I've stuck with the same folks for years."

Regular Charging, Zero Balances
At last check, marketing company president Paul Entin, from Bloomsbury N.J., holds a 990 VantageScore. For him, it's a matter of honor and integrity. "A high credit score indicates your name and your signature on a contract have meaning. It's an indicator of certainty ... of character. It would be difficult to trust someone with a poor credit rating to the same extent you can trust someone with a higher credit rating."

Entin maintains his high score by using his business and personal credit cards regularly and paying them off every month. "It's not magic -- pay your bills on time and pay the debt. Make it a priority. Pay attention to spending."

Keeping the Right Mix of Credit
"Every time someone runs my credit they say, 'Wow, I almost never see someone with credit that high,'" says Carrie Rocha, founder of pocketyourdollars.com in Minneapolis. She keeps it first-rate to preserve her autonomy. "As someone who got out of $50,000 in debt in less than three years, I take a lot of personal pride in my financial freedom." Though Rocha has no plans to borrow money again, "I have no barriers when it comes to employment, insurance or other areas of life where my credit score is used to assess the kind of risk I am."

Besides "the obvious things like pay my bills," Rocha says she increased her score by talking to her credit union loan officer, who said an overabundance of idle retail accounts was driving it down. She had opened the cards randomly during in-store promotions, but never really charged on them, so there was no history to protect. After formally closing the accounts, her scores that were previously in the 720 to 740 mark rose to the 800s.

Does the Perfect Credit Score Exist?
Pursuit of excellence is often wise, but does 'perfect' exist? Yes, says Craig Watts, public affairs director for FICO. "Several thousand consumers do in fact have the highest possible FICO score."

While not everyone will reach the credit score apex, you can get close by consistently following three simple guidelines:
1. Pay all bills on time.
2. Keep credit card balances low.
3. Take on new credit only when you really need it.

Don't obsess over small credit score variations. "Lenders decide what score they will accept for their best interest rate product," assures Watts. "They genuinely don't care if your score is 50 or 100 points higher than that."

Clearly, A-plus credit has its advantages, but there is no reason to go overboard. Find balance between attentiveness and fixation by understanding what those numbers can do for you and knowing how you can improve them. And remember -- credit scores gauge your borrowing history, not your intrinsic value as a person.

Stay tuned.....

Excellent Question on Inheritance

I received a question on Facebook and wanted to answer for all to see. This student has some very good questions and wants to make an informed choice vs. just listening to her parents. Although, some parents have excellent advice many are in financial distress themselves. I am a believer in educate yourself, listen to valuable resources and then make a decision. Then if it goes well you can feel good if it doesn't - you only have yourself to blame and learn from the lesson.

I have some questions about money stuff. I should ask now so I have a general idea of what to do. I just got the money that I inherited from my grandmother this past weekend. its enough to pay for the rest of my time in college so I don't have anymore student loans (which is amazing)but I have some money left over about $3000 what should I do with it? I want to save most of it but don't know where I should put it/what kind of account I have a savings account already, should I put it in there? and I don't know what to do with the chunk of money for next years tuition. what type of account it should sit in until I need it. my mom is trying to give me ideas but i want to have the final decision of what type of account it will be in.so.. suggestions?

First off, I am sorry for your loss. Inheriting money is about the least desirable way to obtain a windfall. But your questions are excellent.

Some basic money rules:

• Any money you need in the next 2 - 3 years should be in a very safe account. Savings, checking, money market that is FDIC insured. You do not want to take any risk with this money. You may not make alot of money in interest but the money will be there to pay your bills.

• Regarding the remaining $3000. It depends on when and how you want to use it. If you want to use the money after graduation for a car or house, then you may want to put it into a low risk mutual fund. Something that has a timeline feature. So if you need the money in 2014 - then check with a company like Fidelity Investments or T. Rowe Price and asked about their no load time based funds. Again, you are not going to get rich but it will be invested in the market in a diversified account for the appropriate risk for your time frame. This will give you the opportunity to make more than a savings account but remember you are taking on risk and may lose money if you need it on a specific date. If you can ride out the ups and downs of the market - and are not tied to a specific time line - you can wait for the market to rebound and hopefully make a few bucks.

• Another option is and my favorite if it applies. If you do not need the money and can save for retirement - put it in a Roth IRA. Again, use firms like Fidelity Investments, T Rowe Price, Vanguard to invest in time based funds. You would be looking at funds with the year ending 2050. The younger you are when you start saving small amounts of money for retirement. The better your opportunity for success. One factor is you have to have earned income to contribute to an IRA. So you will want to check the rules when you call the Investment Firm you opt to use. Also, never pay a load on a fund. It should not cost you money to investment small amounts of money, beware of back end loads - meaning you have to hold the investment for a certain amount of years to avoid a penalty. Look for NO LOAD funds.

Keep the questions coming and congratulations on educating yourself.

Stay tuned........

Ups, Downs and Cost of Recovery

So I am learning that getting a diagnosis is only half the battle. As you remember 6 weeks of being sick without a diagnosis - after an emergency room visit for dehydration - a diagnosis of Giardia was discovered.

I started a 14 day course of treatment - however everyday I got sicker and sicker and sicker. More violent symptoms of throwing up and diarrhea. The day finally arrived where i was going to the specialist I had been trying for weeks to get into. That actually turned out to be a little disappointing.

He thoroughly read my chart, looked over all the tests I had performed, looked me over. But he failed to listen to me. I kept telling him I could not eat literally. It had been weeks since I had more than 1/4 of a banana ALL DAY.
I was getting thinner and sicker by the day. I would feel good until I put food in my system and then it was torture. I was so tired.

At this point he was getting annoyed with me and said call me in two weeks when you finish the antibiotics and we will reevaluate our plan. I was in shock I thought I will be dead by then or definitely back in the emergency room for dehydration. (doesn't seem like the best approach to me). He hands me a bunch of prescriptions, gives me some verbal instructions and walks out. I felt like i was hit by a bus. I walk out of the office and ask the nurse if she can help me organize what just happened in the office. To make a very long story short and not go into the details of my melt down - she wasn't much help.

Which is my next point ALWAYS TAKE AN ADVOCATE WITH YOU. I had my Mom with me and that is when she took over. I stormed out crying because I wasn't being helped, I was starving, I didn't feel good and they just dismissed me and didn't show any compassion. My mom at that point chased me down the hallway and got me to stop and tell her what I needed. I gave her a list of questions and she went back in to the battle field to fight for answers. When she went back in and asked to see the Dr. they politely told her he was with patients. They didn't expect what came next. My Mom very nicely but firmly said "No problem, I have all day. I will be sitting right there - where you can see me. I am not leaving until I see him". They didn't know what to do with her so they invited her to the back office area and went and got the Doctor.

He came out and answered all her questions for me. However, still had no answers regarding the food issue and still seemed to think going to the Emergency room was a fine option.

In the meantime, I am sitting on the floor in the hallway by the elevator crying and calling my sister in law who is a trauma nurse for some answers. Here is the great news - her brother is a Doctor who specializes in infectious disease. She calls him and runs threw this entire six week saga with him. He gets to work to help me. Later that night he calls and tells me 40% of people with the parasite I have - become temporarily LACTOSE INTOLERANT.

What have I been eating - mashed potatoes, oatmeal with milk, yogurt, pudding, and milkshakes. Holy cow I was literally eating all the wrong foods. I took all dairy out of my diet and guess what? I can eat, I keep food down and I am feeling much better.

Had the doctor taken five more minutes to ask what I was eating and given me this information I would have avoided alot of misery. 40% of the population is a huge number - that is where I get frustrated with our health care training and system. We need more doctor's like House (maybe alittler nicer than him) who - will take a step back and not just look at the data but talk to the patient.

I keep chronicling this experience because there are so many lessons in it. I haven't even gone into the rash around my eyes yet - because that seems to have everyone stumped.....

• Stand up for yourself - and always take an advocate to the Dr. with you. It is your life and no one cares about it as much as you do.

• With our current health care system it has taken me weeks to get in to see a Dr. and I am one of the fortunate ones who have very good health care coverage.

• Even after a diagnosis I did not get all the information I needed and continued to get sicker. Dehydration can kill you - not to mention the amount of lost time from work.

• I have spent out of my own pocket thus far - over $500 on co-pays and prescriptions, and my total bill is over $10,000.

• A simple parasite can literally put you in financial ruins.

• Having disability insurance, savings, and low debt has saved me from a pending disaster.

Stay healthy and stay tuned.........

Stephenie

On the Road to Recovery

Wow, have I been through the mill in the past 6 weeks. It was exhausting, expensive, scary, and frustrating. On the bright side I lost 15 pounds and have meet some of the most compassionate health care providers in the Cincinnati area.

It all started with a skin rash around my eyes, looked very raccoon like. First stop, was the dermatologist - well $100 in creams later - no change. (Mind you I have very good health insurance coverage - so that equaled about 7 different types of creams.)

Next stop Allergist. After 100 different types of testing for allergies - it showed very low level reaction to ginger and barley. So he put me on a gluten free diet of just chicken, rice, carrots, grapes, and water to see if it would clear it up.
It did look a little better so he asked me to continue with the diet, but add in pork and lettuce.

A few days later I became so sick. I thought I had a virus. Very nauseated and diarrhea. (sorry but it is important to know the facts.) When this didn't go away after a few days I went to my family doctor. She ordered blood work and stool samples. Everything came back okay.

I was getting sicker by the day. I was now at the point where I could barely eat and if i did have a bite of toast or jello. I was in the bathroom within minutes.
Friends started bringing me smart water, ensure, activa, anything that would keep hydrated. I now had lost about 7 pounds and was exhausted all the time.

The next week I was at the Dr. three times as my symptoms kept getting worse. I had a gallbladder ultrasound and a gallbladder MRI (Hida Scan). The ultrasound was normal but the Hida Scan should some abnormalities. So we aren't sure it is the problem but now need to get into a specialist. The soonest they could get me in was 6 weeks. I told them I would be dead by then because I couldn't keep hydrated and I wasn't eating. After alot of juggling they got me in 9 days. Okay, I will take it as it beat the alternative.

I had also called a gastroenterolgy doctor to try and get in since the gallbladder diagnosis wasn't definitive. That was worse 2 months for an appointment. After pleading my case - they talked with the Dr. (who I am a patient) could get me in 14 days. I took that as well.

The night before I was to go to the Gallbladder surgeon -I was so sick I asked my son and husband to take me to the Emergency Room. I was now running a fever and vomiting as well as all the other problems. We drove 45 minutes vs going to a hospital that was 10 minutes away - because if they admitted me I wanted to be sure the doctors I wanted to perform any procedures were on staff. That was the best decision we made.

The ER doctor was very good. He did an ECG, ran extensive blood work, ordered a CT scan of my abdomen and did anther stool sample. On the stool sample he ran extensive testing. He did not believe it was gallbladder and did not want me to have unnecessary surgery out of desperation. Which is where I was.

The good news but surprising to the ER Doc was my abdomen, intestines etc came back looking great! No ulcers or blockages. They stabilized my fluids and had to send me home. (even though I begged them to keep me). He told me stick with the two doctor appointments I had and when they get the stool sample results he would contact me. If I get worse again - come back in do not wait and get dehydrated as this can easily cause death.

By the way at this point I have lost 15 pounds in about 3 weeks. This was at least 10% of my body weight.

After going to Dr. David Ward, the surgeon the next day - he said it was not definitive I should go to the gastroenterolgy doctor, Dr. Stephen Ionna and they would confer on Tuesday after my appointment (4 days later was my next appointment) to try and come up with a game plan. I appreciated that he didn't push surgery since he wasn't sure - however, at that point if he had I probably would have gone along with it - hoping it helped. I have alot of respect for him and his values.

After my appointment with Dr. Ward I went home, fell into bed and was sleeping when my son came running up the steps and said Mom, wake up it is the doctor from the Er last night, Dr. Gary Gries. My results of my stool sample showed a parasite called Giardiasis. He would call in a medication immediately to resolve the problem. Within 24 hours I feel like a new person. It is quite contagious and I need to be on the antibiotics for at 48 hours to be safe not to contaminate my family. (although they have been living with me for 3 weeks - keep your fingers crossed they don't get it).

I am not sure where I picked this up - however, the important information for all is - WASH YOUR HANDS after using the bathroom. Someone somewhere didn't do this and I picked it up.

I hope to be back on track with blogging. Thanks for your patience.

Live Your Best!
Stay tuned...
Steph

Top Ten Money Issues for Singles
From Deborah Fowles, former About.com Guide

Build and Protect Your Financial Future

Whether you're single because you've never married, or are suddenly single due to divorce or death of a spouse, money management and financial planning are critical. You have only yourself to depend on for income, goal-setting, decision-making, and retirement planning. Here are the issues that most need your attention:

Debt: Know exactly who you owe, how much you owe each creditor, and the interest rate on each account. Develop a plan to pay down your debt using a popular method that I call the Credit Crunch Method, described at the end of Get Out of Debt.

Budget: You've heard the expression: "You can't get there from here," right? Well, whoever coined the phrase might very well have been talking about budgets. When it comes to meeting your financial goals, without a budget "you can't get there from here." A budget doesn't have to be financial handcuffs or a money diet. For a more positive outlook on budgeting and all the advice you need to succeed at it, see Budgeting 101.

Health insurance: It's common to feel invincible when you're young. Many young singles take a huge financial risk by going without health insurance because they believe their youth and good health makes insurance unnecessary. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a single. You CAN become ill, regardless of your age. You could be in a car accident, hurt yourself skiing, tear a muscle lifting weights, fall on the ice, get mono or pneumonia, or incur any number of illnesses or injuries that would land you in the hospital and rack up large medical bills that may take you decades to pay off.

Don't be short-sighted. If you can't afford a good plan with a low deductible, at least protect yourself from catastrophic financial losses by purchasing a less expensive plan with a high deductible. You'll pay the small expenses yourself, but the large ones that could ruin your financial future will be covered by insurance.

COBRA: If you're covered under your employer's group health insurance plan and you're about to change jobs, check into COBRA coverage, which allows you to continue your coverage under the plan until you're covered under your new employer's plan, for up to 18 months after termination of employment. The cost to you is whatever your employer pays, plus a small administrative fee.
Disability insurance: Because you don't have a second family income, it's very important that you protect your income-generating power by buying long-term disability insurance, and if possible, short-term disability insurance. Disability insurance will pay a percentage of your income (usually 60%) if you're unable to work due to illness or accident. Again, don't let your feelings of invincibility prevent you from protecting yourself. These coverages are much more important to you than life insurance unless you have dependents. Many employers offer short- and long-term disability insurance free or at a substantial savings. Check with your Human Resources department.
Retirement Planning: If you're young, don't let your age fool you into thinking it's too early to save for retirement. The sooner you start saving, the less you'll need to save overall, due to the power of compounding, deferred taxes, and your employer's 401(k) match if you're lucky enough to have such a plan. Don't walk away from the free gift your employer offers via the 401(k) match. If you're not eligible for an employer's plan, set up an IRA. Avoid a big mistake many singles make: don't cash out your 401(k) account when you change jobs. Roll it over into an IRA or another employer plan instead. The cash is tempting, but spending your retirement money is short-sighted.

Medi-gap and Long-term Care Insurance: Singles over 65 should purchase a Medi-gap policy to cover medical expenses not covered by Medicare. Singles over 50 may want to consider a long-term care insurance policy, which covers the expenses of a nursing home or home health care if needed.

Your Home: If you're suddenly single due to divorce or death of a spouse, it may be necessary or prudent for you to move to a smaller home so you have a smaller mortgage. This will make it easier to make ends meet and may be the only way you'll be able to save towards retirement.

Wills: Wills are another item that many singles think are unnecessary. They're wrong. If you own anything of value (car, jewelry, house or condo, computer, savings account, etc.), you should have a will specifying who will get your belongings if you die. If you have children, a will is an absolute must, because it's the method for designating a guardian for them.

Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney: If you become unable to make medical decisions for yourself, a living will and power of attorney will designate someone you trust to make those decisions for you or carry out the wishes you've indicated. See a lawyer or financial planner to draft these documents.

By looking at your current situaion and planning ahead - you make life's bumps alittle easier to deal with. Having a balanced life is more than just having enough money to be comfortable. It is about being responsible in all areas of your life.

Stay tuned......

Make Sure You are Here to Enjoy Retirement and Help Those You Love Too

From Yahoo and Women's Day Staff

Protect Your Heart at Every Age
Follow these easy health tips specific to every stage of aging

By Woman's Day Staff -You're never too young—or too old—to start lowering your heart disease risk. Of course, exercising, eating healthy and reducing stress are key throughout life, but due to physiological changes that happen as we age, certain risk factors do become more of a threat.

In Your 20s
Stub Out a Social Smoking Habit Smoking is enemy number one when it comes to heart disease, and even just a few cigarettes can do damage: New research from McGill University in Montreal found that smoking just one cigarette a day stiffens your arteries by a whopping 25 percent. Plus, smoking erases the hormonal advantage you have from estrogen, which can leave you vulnerable to a heart attack before menopause, explains Dr. Bonow.

Don't Ignore the Birth Control Factor -Remember that hormonal contraceptives slightly increase the risk of blood clots, so if you've ever had one, make sure to discuss it with your doctor before going on birth control. And if you're currently a smoker, don't take oral contraceptives, because the combo can be especially dangerous, says Sharonne N. Hayes, MD, director of the Women's Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Watch Your Alcohol Intake - Moderate amounts of alcohol can have a beneficial effect on your heart. (By "moderate," we mean one drink a day or about 5 ounces—but many restaurants serve far more than that.) Overdoing it can raise triglycerides, increase blood pressure and lead to weight gain, thanks to all those empty calories.

In Your 30s
Get a Grip on Stress - When you're juggling career and family, it's crucial to find stress management techniques that work. "Untamed stress has a direct negative impact on heart health," says Dr. Stevens. "The constant bombardment of adrenaline raises blood pressure and destabilizes plaque in your arteries, making it likely to cause a clot or heart attack."
Lose the Baby WeightNo, you don't have to fit into your skinny jeans by the time the baby's 6 months old, but do aim to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight within one to two years. "Carrying around extra pounds can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors," Dr. Bonow says. Also remember that it's easier to lose weight in your 30s than in your 40s, when your metabolism slows down.

Stay Social - It's important to stay connected to friends and family for the sake of your mood and heart. Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that high levels of loneliness increase a woman's risk of heart disease by 76 percent. On the flip side, having strong social support can help lower your blood pressure and improve other cardiovascular functions. Set aside time once or twice a week to call friends, or make a monthly dinner date.

In Your 40s
Make Sleep a Priority - Thanks to peri-menopause, fluctuating hormone levels can interfere with a good night's sleep. But not getting at least seven hours of shut-eye regularly can lead to increased blood pressure, low-grade inflammation and higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, all of which are harmful for your blood vessels and heart, explains Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, a cardiologist at New York University School of Medicine and coauthor of Heart Smart for Black Women and Latinas. Lack of sleep has also been linked to weight gain. So establish good habits: Turn in (and wake up) at the same time every day—even on weekends—and do your best to relax before going to bed, whether it's watching a favorite funny TV show or reading.

Reassess Your Risk FactorsYou may discover that your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels have changed in this decade, even if you aren't doing anything differently, says Dr. Hayes. In fact, 22 percent of 40-something women have high blood pressure and 50 percent have high cholesterol (a jump from 38 percent of women in their 30s), according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Also, be sure to get your thyroid checked around 45; hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), which becomes more common as women get older, can negatively affect your cholesterol levels as well as your heart.

Step Up Strength Training - You start to lose muscle mass more rapidly in your 40s, which causes your metabolism to slow down since muscle burns more calories than fat. Unfortunately, this makes it harder to stave off those extra pounds. To help maintain muscle and keep your metabolism going, aim for two 15-minute sessions weekly of lifting weights, using a resistance band or doing other toning exercises.

Carve out Personal Time"Between the demands of work and family, it becomes even more challenging to find time for yourself in your 40s," says Dr. Mieres. But it's crucial to do so—not only to help ease stress but also to guard against depression, which commonly crops up in this decade and can raise your risk of heart disease. "Find at least 10 minutes of ‘me' time every day to do something—even if it's just chatting on the phone with a friend—that helps you destress and regroup," says Dr. Mieres.

In Your 50s
Move More Around menopause, you tend to gain extra weight around your belly, which can lead to insulin resistance, inflammation and heart strain. Cardiovascular fitness also starts to decline, particularly if you're not that physically active to begin with. "Unfortunately, at this point, women have to burn more calories to stay at the same weight," Dr. Stevens says. Start taking the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can, walk faster around the mall, or jog to the mailbox to send letters instead of sticking your hand out the car window as you drive by. Small changes really do add up.

Have an ECG - Silent heart abnormalities become more common in your 50s, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart's electrical activity can pick them up, says Dr. Goldberg. Also ask your doctor if you should have a stress test; this is especially important if you're just starting to exercise.
Add FiberBesides being good for your cholesterol and blood sugar, pumping up your fiber intake (think whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice and flaxseeds, as well as beans, fruits and veggies) can help prevent constipation, which becomes more of a problem as you get older and your digestive system starts to slow down.

In Your 60s
Get Even More Vigilant About ScreeningsAfter you go through menopause and get older, your blood pressure and cholesterol tend to go up, and blood vessels get stiffer. "Have your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol measured yearly," advises Dr. Goldberg.

Consider Medication - If you have hypertension or high cholesterol, the way you've been managing it before may not be enough. "As you get older, you may need more aggressive therapy," Dr. Bonow says. "High blood pressure that was controlled with one medication may now require three to control it." Talk to your doctor about whether you need to add to or adjust your medications to control your risk factors.

Be Alert to Symptoms - Now is when the first noticeable symptoms of heart disease may appear, so it's important to know what's normal for your body and be on the lookout for worrisome signs like chest discomfort, shortness of breath or changes in exercise tolerance—meaning you suddenly feel winded going up a flight of stairs or feel unusually tired for no apparent reason, says Dr. Mieres. If these appear, see your doctor pronto!

Sorry for Disappearing!

I am so sorry for the lack of posts. I have been out of town for personal reasons and will be home after February 16th. I will attempt to get a post out prior to that. If I am not able to I will have regular posts after February 18th.

Thanks for your support!

Stay tuned.......

Sallie Mae's Tips for College Planning

There are many steps to picking a college. Sallie Mae has provided a list of things to consider while choosing. Financial concerns are among the top issues and if you miss deadlines to apply for aid - you may have to wait another year to apply. This is not a time to procrastinate. Once the money is gone - you are out of luck.

TOP 10 TIPS
For Planning and Paying for College

Make the most of high school academics and activities
Select courses that meet college admissions requirements. Develop your
interests and talents through additional activities.

Find a college that fits you
Use the Internet, guidebooks, brochures, campus visits, and college
fairs to find schools that meet your academic and personal needs.

Take appropriate standardized tests
The SAT and/or the ACT are usually required for college admissions.
Use a test prep book or online practice tool to get ready.

Familiarize yourself with the college application process

Make a list of all deadlines and required recommendations, essays,
transcripts, test scores, etc.

Investigate scholarship opportunities early
Scholarships are based on a variety of criteria and can be found on
the Internet, in scholarship guides, and through sponsoring groups.

Beware of scholarship scams
No one can guarantee you a scholarship in advance, and you should
never have to pay a fee for scholarship searches.

Understand college costs
In addition to tuition, room and board, you also will need to cover fees,
books, transportation, and personal expenses.

Research your eligibility for federal and state financial aid
Two-thirds of all full-time undergraduate students receive some kind
of financial aid, so odds are you are eligible, too.

Complete the FAFSA annually in January
This is required to be considered for federal student aid. It can also
be required by colleges, state agencies, and some scholarships.

Explore student and parent loans
Borrow only what you absolutely need. Start with federal student
loan programs, which usually provide the best terms.

For more information on planning and paying for college, visit
http://www.salliemaefund.org/.

©2008 The Sallie Mae Fund. All Rights Reserved.
SMF-023

Stay tuned.....