How to Not Gain Weight During the Holidays

    Since the holiday season is upon us, most of us run the risks of gaining the five to seven dreaded pounds of holiday unwanted weight. Every year, you tell yourself that this year will be different, you will eat no fattening party food, you will jog two miles a day, and you will be thinner than ever for New Year’s Eve! If you think that is impossible, here are some easy habits to assure your success, or to at least help you in keeping the weight gain down to two pounds or less.

1. Make time for exercise. You don’t need to start marathon training right now, but at least keep up on your regular exercise program.
2. Offer to bring food to parties. When you receive an invitation to a party, offer to bring some food. Be sure that the food you bring is low in calories, high in attractiveness, and something you like to eat (so you won’t be tempted by other fattening foods). Some suggestions are a shrimp ring, roasted vegetables, salad, and a fruit platter.
3. Drink lots of water. You can increase your water intake and reap the benefits of having more hydration as well as feeling full. For every alcoholic drink or cup of eggnog, drink two large glasses of water.
4. Eat something before you go to the party. So often people will not eat before they go to a party, and then they eat twice as much as usual of the fattening foods due to hunger. A little prevention eating may save you many calories at the buffet table.
5. Eat half of what you think you want to eat. When the draw of the buffet table is pulling you to go back two or three times, resist by saying that you already ate what you would ordinarily eat at dinner if you were eating at home. Hardly anyone will eat four different desserts at home, so use the same strategies at the buffet table that you use at home.
6. Wear form-fitting clothes. Some people would say to wear baggy clothes to a party where the food will be center stage, but I would suggest just the opposite. Most people will eat less if they are in clothes that show off their body. Put on that ultra cool dress or slacks, and feel great, look wonderful, and eat less.

The best advice is to spend much more time visiting and talking, and spend less time eating. Enjoy the company and stay away from the food while you are engaged in deep and meaningful conversation!

Teaching Children How to Be Financially Savvy

As parents, we are constantly trying to teach children
the right values for them to take into their adulthood. We want our children to be honest, fair and just, thoughtful, and aware. How we are also teaching them financial awareness and savvy? In the current light of the economy, it seems even more cogent to have some strategies for expanding the financial experiences of children while they are young. Here are some suggestions for teaching children about financial management.

1. Start a Savings Account: As soon as your child is old enough to understand, take him or her to the bank and open a savings account in their name. When they receive money as a present, or when they are receiving an allowance, take them back to the bank to deposit the money in their bank account.
2. Discuss Prices: Now that your child has a savings account, start to discuss how much items they like cost. This is not to say that everything needs to be bottom-lined by price, but when a child asks for a particular item, use that opportunity as a “teaching moment” about the price and the value of the item.
3. Have the Child Contribute: Have an honest discussion with your child about what parents provide for children, such as housing, food, etc., and what are not necessities for family living, such as European vacations. If your child wants to have a particularly pricey drum set, ask them to contribute half of the money and you will give them the other half. This is a way for the child to feel part of the financial choices that are inherent in shopping.
4. Have Your Child Figure the Discounts: When you are shopping with children, have them figure out how much the item is reduced by the percentage on the markdown. For example, if your daughter wants a dress that is 30% off the original price, how much will the dress cost? Is it still a bargain?
5. Have Your Child Use Coupons: As the child grows older, have her or him be the keeper and organizer of the coupons and discounts the family uses for purchases. There are prepared coupon organizers that can make this fun and easier for the child. Keep the coupons handy and take them on every shopping venture.
6. Use the Entertainment Discounts Off of Your Computer: Most children love to use the computer, and that can be a source of savings for the entire family. If you have an entertainment discount from a credit card, entertainment booklet, online shopping network, association membership, or frequent shopper discounts, train your child in how to access and use these discounts. He or she can download coupons, search for bargain places to buy pizza, or find the best places to go for family outings using the discounts you already have as a family.
7. Give the Child a Budget: As your children get older, given them a monthly budget for their expenses. They will need to purchase the gas for their car, their outings, movie tickets, or any other non-essential expenses from their budget. This is a good training for their emancipation from the family when they go to work or to college.

HOW MUCH HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE DO I NEED?

    Unless you are one of the lucky few who can afford to pay all of your medical expenses out of your savings, then you will need medical insurance. How much medical insurance you need depends on several factors including your medical needs, income, employment benefits if applicable, general health condition, and what you want to have covered by the health insurance.

    Here are some general questions you will need to answer to determine how much health insurance you need, and what kind of health insurance plan will be right for your needs.

• How much will the health insurance plan cost?
• Will I be able to cover the “out of pocket” deductible?
• What services and medical needs do I want to have covered?
• Will my needs be best met by my choice of a medical service provider or by a health maintenance organization?
• Am I comfortable with needing a referral to see a specialist?
• Does the coverage include emergencies?
• Does the plan apply if I am traveling out of town or to another country?
• How does the plan reimburse for pre-existing conditions?
• What does each plan cover?
• What doesn’t each plan cover?
• Is there a prescription drug coverage plan?
• Does the plan cover any alternative medicine practices, such as acupuncture?
• Does the plan cover mental health services?
• Are the services portable if I change jobs or move?
• What specialized services, such as pregnancy or infertility treatment, are covered?
• What specialized services, such a dialysis, are excluded from coverage?
• What are my typical annual medical expenses and what are they spent for?

After you answer all of these questions, then you can move to determining what type of insurance plan would best fit your needs and medical history. Talk to an insurance salesperson to determine what insurance products are available to best meet your needs and income.