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......

Snowed In and Loving It

We have spent hardly any money this winter on activities or eating out. Why? Because we have been snowed in most of the winter. I need to remember this lesson when the weather breaks and I am free to roam anywhere I please.

Over the past few months we have not been bored. In fact, just the opposite.

We started out with the usual cabin fever stuff -- watching TV, watching TV and watching TV then we got bored. We started a backgammon tournament, creative cooking, watched a season of the Wire (which we owned), organized our file system and offices (happiest day of my life), had a snowball fight, wrote actual letters to our elderly relatives, spent more time with neighbors, read books from the library, hot baths and relaxation, used the treadmill in my basement and enjoyed the Olympics to name a few of our favorite past times.

My biggest accomplishment was finishing a book project I have been working on. Stay tuned for more info on that ... surprise it is not on Finance.

With all the articles and tips on saving money - it really goes back to the basics of spending time with people you care about, exercising and being healthy, organizing your environment for success and having fun.

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!

They Were Right Along... Who Knew?

I am back! I am so sorry for the lapse in posts but I had a few personal issues to deal with and actually working on another project that I will post about in a month or so.

So in the past week I have spoken to friends of mine whose kids have recently moved into their own apartments. I thought I would share the thoughts their kids have shared with them since moving out.

1. I didn't know a dog could eat so much. I am at Wal-Mart buying more food.

2. My roommate never shuts the lights out. It is so frustrating.

3. Have you seen the cost of milk this week?

4. The cute little cat I found has medical issues - the vet bill is over $400. No extras for me for quite a while. I had to put it on my credit card.

5. Had friends over for a pot luck dinner - to watch the Olympics. (Who knew they had a clue about a pot luck dinner).

6. I can't afford gas for my car.

7. How do you put plastic on the windows? It is really drafty and the gas bill is sky high.

8. Did you know you can get TV for free with rabbit ears?

9. Can I go to Costco with you to check prices?

10. Wow, now I understand why you were always on me about being more aware of my actions - all the little things add up to alot of money!

I love being on my own but I have a totally different view now that it is my house and my money!

So GenM pay attention to your parents - they are really giving good advice and not just trying to irritate you.

Stay tuned......

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.......