Turn Health into Wealth

Turn Health into Wealth

by | Aug 30, 2012

Five ways to take charge of your health and increase your bottom line

Health care today is expensive, but there are ways that you can give your wallet a break. One of the best ways to make health care more affordable is to avoid the need for medical care in the first place.

More than 75 percent of health care costs are attributed to chronic illness, most of which are controllable, if not preventable. For those, here are five ways to save on health care spending so you have more money to enjoy life.

Know Your Health Numbers

It is important that you know your optimal range for health markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose. Knowing your health scores allows you to take steps to lessen your risk of chronic and costly diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Not only are such diseases a burden to national health spending, they also make a major impact on personal spending.

For instance, people with type 2 diabetes that can be controlled through diet and exercise spend about $2,000 a year. When it isn’t controlled, those costs can escalate dramatically for insulin treatments, or worse, hospitalization.

Life Time, The Healthy Way of Life Company has initiated a new program called myHealthScore to bridge the gap between fitness and health care. The program provides testing, available to members and nonmembers, to measure six critical health markers: cholesterol ratio, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, nicotine use and body fat ratio. These metabolic markers provide a baseline from which people can set goals, or in some cases detect serious health issues that might otherwise go undetected, even with an annual doctor visit. A Life Time health adviser works with participants to move their score into an optimal range. “Results from myHealthScore give someone an inside-out view of their health,” says Tom Manella, vice president of Personal Training at Life Time.

Invest in Prevention

Get health screenings as advised and prevent illness with vaccines. What you spend on an annual flu shot will more than make up for costs you incur on over the counter medications, doctor’s visits, and lost wages if you get sick. Likewise, an annual membership to a fitness center can cost as little as $50 a month, but being inactive and overweight costs significantly more: an additional $1,152 in medical expenses if you’re an obese man and $3,613 more if you’re an obese woman, according to a study published in the Journal of Health Economics.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Poor oral health is often a signal of bigger health problems. The same bacteria that causes gum disease has been implicated in other major health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature births, all of which can require expensive and ongoing care. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with a toothbrush that is replaced every three to four months and flossing every day, an investment that will cost as little as $15 a year.

Stop Spending on Sugar

Your sweet tooth is very, very expensive. Saving anywhere from $5 to $20 a week that you’d normally spend on sugary treats translates into savings of $1,000 a year, not to mention the calories saved, which can save additional thousands spent on taking off that extra weight later or obesity-related medical expenses.

Flaunt Your Fitness in Front of Your Employer

Most health insurers provide incentives for people to take the initiative to get and stay healthy. For example at Allina Health System, one of many companies using Life Time’s myHealthCheck program, employees have the potential to earn up to $1,600 in what they call “Be Fit Premium Credits.” Many health plans offer a discount for people who make regular visits to a fitness center, too. Ultimately the savings can trickle down to deductible spending. The healthier you are, the less you need to see a doctor, which means out of pocket costs go down.

None of us enjoy spending money on health care expenses. Do yourself – and your wallet – a favor and begin to invest in better health. Small steps today can pay big dividends tomorrow.

Dealing with Bedwetting Gracefully While Preserving Your Child’s Self Esteem

Dealing with Bedwetting Gracefully While Preserving Your Child’s Self Esteem

by | Aug 28, 2012

This is an issue I faced with my son for a while. It was frustrating and discouraging for us both but we finally got through it. There are many reasons why some children wet the bed. The thing to remember is they are not bad or lazy. In my son’s case, he developed slower, he had problems with constipation, and he was a hard sleeper. The following is information and advice brought to you by Good Nites Underwear. I used them a lot when my son was younger and happy with the results. I wish you the best in your journey.

Bedwetting is a natural childhood developmental phase that millions of children experience. While it’s quite common, parents still struggle with interrupted sleep and extra laundry loads, and some even wonder where they might have gone wrong in the potty-training process. If not handled properly, children can even lose confidence in themselves, especially when faced with potentially discouraging situations like a sleepover at a friend’s house.

“The most important thing for parents to understand about bedwetting is that it is different than potty training. If your child is able to successfully use the bathroom during the daytime without any accidents, they have matured past the potty training stage. But many children between the ages of 4 and 6 still have accidents at night,” says Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, pediatrician. Forty percent of parents with children in this age group say their child wets the bed at least once a week, according to the June 2012 Bedwetting Study conducted by Strategy One Research. Nighttime wetness is completely normal and part of the developmental growing process.

There are many reasons why children wet the bed. The most important one to understand is that children develop at different rates. This development is something parents and their children will have to let happen at its own speed.

Also, part of that development centers around your child’s bladder. Young children still have developing and growing bladders. Because of this, they aren’t able to “hold it” for an entire night.

Finally, children are also very deep sleepers, which is great to help build energy for all the activities they do during the day. But it also prevents them from recognizing the signals that their bladder is full, leading to bedwetting situations.

According to the survey, 43 percent of parents believe they can train their child out of bedwetting. In reality, there is no training to make bedwetting go away, however parents can help their children maintain confidence by keeping the bed dry, even if the child goes to the bathroom in the middle of the night while asleep. You can help reduce the surprise of accidents by waking your child during the night for a trip to the bathroom. Also, GoodNites Underwear for boys and girls are specifically made to protect children while they’re lying down, and are 40 percent more absorbent than leading training pants. Your child’s pajamas and bed will stay dry, allowing for greater confidence and self-esteem as they grow out of this common childhood phase.

For more tips and the full infographic, visit www.goodnites.com/pdf/GoodNites_bedwetting.pdf.

5 Reasons Why Fighting for Child Support is a Lost Cause

5 Reasons Why Fighting for Child Support is a Lost Cause

by | Aug 27, 2012

Usher and Katie Holmes wins custody

So you are upset and angry that your ex is not paying child support. It happens, but you are probably a bigger part of the problem than he is. I’ll explain how this is true shortly.

I just learned about a Facebook page/group that is focused on exposing deadbeat dads. I will not link to it here because I am not interested in adding fuel to the fire. The amount of venom on that page is enough to kill an entire city. But it’s pointless because the women just make themselves look bad.

Haven’t we learned the lessons from seeing Usher’s ex-wife? She went for his jugular and still lost the kids. Contrast this to Katie Holmes who handled her business in private and came out on top with a fat child support settlement. Tom Cruise’s annual $400k payment is nothing to sneeze at; yet women are showing their fangs over $400 a month. I’m not sitting in judgement but simply cry out for a little common sense!

Ladies have you stopped to consider that fighting for child support is a lost cause? Who really wins in a fight? How many single moms have really won by fighting their child’s father for money? How many children have lost a great mom in the process because she’s angry all the time?

Here are 6 reasons why fighting for child support is a lost cause:

1. You will be the only idiot screaming like a banshee

Do you really want to be one of those women who spends all her time being angry at and trying to make your baby daddy’s life miserable? Those women are crazy and you will look like them when you put your stuff out there about how he isn’t paying child support. The reality is you are no longer in control of your own life when you behave this way. You place your will in his hands and give him control (on a silver platter) each time you use energy to be angry with him.

2. He will grow resentful and you will still get nothing

Men are delicate creatures with fragile egos. They do not respond well to threats and embarrassment. Back them up into a corner and they come out swinging or resort to passive-aggressive behavior. He will do the exact opposite of what you want him to do no matter how much he loves his kids.

3. Breaking him down makes you look bad to any future man you want to date

This is something most women aren’t thinking about. I’m talking about extreme behavior here. Calling him names, dragging him to court time and time again, bad-mouthing him to the entire world is something that will follow you. Do you think a real man will want to be with you after he hears about how you treated the father of your child(ren)? He will think you will do the same thing to him and run in the other direction.

4. You never get to the root of the problem…

… your failure to choose a good man; the deadbeat is a reflection of your character and bad choices. This is a biggie…it’s tough to look yourself in the mirror and see who you really are. The reality is the people in our lives are a reflection of ourselves. So if you are only see how low-down and dirty he is, consider you might be seeing those characteristics in your own life. We only recognize drama if we have drama. In the same way we only recognize a low-down dirty man if we are that kind of woman. Like the kids say…It takes one to know one.

5. The kids always get the raw deal…their dad is gone physically and you are gone emotionally

Finally, the people who are truly hurt by all of this are the kids. They didn’t ask to come into this world. They are innocent and have to deal with your mess. They have to deal with your bad choice in a father for them and now you are making them live in a negative emotionally environment. At some point you have to grow up, put on your big girl panties, and take responsibility for the choices you made.

What’s the Child Support Solution?

The million dollar question is how do you get child support from a deadbeat dad. You don’t get child support from someone you label deadbeat. You only get child support from a man you believe is a decent person who has a vested interest in your child’s well being. You get child support through rational discussion, negotiation, and compromise.

If you happen to be dealing with a truly disinterested guy, you find a way to move on. You forgive yourself for getting involved with him in the first place and you turn your attention to the child you have to raise.

It’s hard and it feels like he owes you something for taking part in making a human life. Unfortunately, he doesn’t owe you anything but he is depriving himself of the opportunity to help raise and support a beautiful child.

Now it’s your turn. Do you think I’m wrong? Explain your answer. How has fighting for child support benefited you? Do you know anyone who has won child support and ultimately ended up happy?

Smart Solutions for Busy Single Moms

Smart Solutions for Busy Single Moms

by | Aug 26, 2012

Many parents are busy these days juggling everything from work, car pools, soccer practice, and cooking dinner. But a hectic schedule doesn’t have to mean poor food choices. Here are a few time-saving tricks to make mealtime easier and nutritious for the whole family.

Create a family calendar

Whether you prefer the old fashioned calendar posted on the refrigerator or smartphone apps that sync your schedules, a key to reducing stress is to find an organizational system that works for you. By tracking everyone’s daily activities in a central place, you are less likely to forget any important work or family events and minimize the chance of double bookings.

Shop for groceries on a schedule

Schedule a regular time each week for grocery shopping. Create a list so you stay focused when you shop, helping to save time and money. Post the list in the kitchen where the whole family can see it and everyone can easily add in a variety of their favorite items as soon as you run out.

Make a meal in a minute

Ready-to-go meals are a smart choice for working parents. For example, family-owned pasta company Barilla offers microwaveable meals made from 100 percent natural ingredients. These palate-pleasing favorites like Mezze Penne with Tomato and Basil Sauce or Whole Grain Fusilli with Vegetable Marinara Sauce don’t require refrigeration, so they can be easily stored in the kitchen pantry or a desk drawer for lunch at work. Better yet, they are ready in just 60 seconds in the microwave so you can have a wholesome lunch or dinner – no cooking required.

Engage the whole family in menu planning

Ask everyone in the family – especially the kids – to plan a balanced dinner menu for one night of the week. Encourage them to think of creative themes like Italian night. Menu planning eliminates the last-minute scramble for something to eat, saves money on takeout and ensures healthier meals.

It doesn’t have to be a daunting task to maintain a wholesome lifestyle for the family. If everyone chips in, it can be easy and fun. (ARA)

Myrtle Beach Food at Surfside Beach

Myrtle Beach Food at Surfside Beach

by | Aug 10, 2012

We ate at a couple nice places on the beach and one place in town. We heard good things about the restaurant across the parking lot of our resort called The River City Cafe. It was packed everyday and we soon found out why. The food was phenomenal! My daughter had a burger that was absolutely crazy good. It was called the OMG Burger Platter.


This burger had  two patties topped with two fried eggs, hickory smoked bacon (we got it without the bacon), swiss and cheddar, lots of mayo, lettuce, tomato and fried onion strings, stuffed between two grilled cheese sandwiches (The bun couldn’t handle it!), served with a pile of fries, two giant fried onion rings and slaw.

Here is a video of my daughter’s description and delight over this concoction.

We also ate at a Chinese Buffet in town. The food was good but the service was questionable.

We got smoothies and fries (don’t ask) at a little place on the beach. We sat on the deck and ate while enjoying the ocean view.

The little eating place across the street served breakfast so we ate there one morning. They were nice people and made us feel welcomed.

We couldn’t leave without picking up a couple of souvenir t-shirts for me and my daughter. My son found a toy he had to have and I found a necklace I liked. It was cheap and proved so because I broke after wearing it twice :-(.

We didn’t get to try Bubba’s Fish Shack but we couldn’t resist taking a picture.