Medical Billing And Coding - A Great Career Opportunity

Medical billing and coding can be a great career for someone who wants to work in the fast-growing field of healthcare. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that employment for health care technicians and medical records specialists is likely to grow much faster than the national average in the next few years, as medical diagnoses become more complex, and more sophisticated treatments and procedures are developed. The life expectancy of each generation is increasing, implying a larger population and further need for medical services. Skilled workers supporting the provision of medical support services are likely to be in high demand.

Why Is Medical Coding An Important Job?

When a patient visits a physician or hospital, they don't usually pay for the treatment directly. There may be a copay, but the bulk of the cost is reimbursed to the healthcare provider by the medical insurer. With a constant steam of patients arriving for all kinds of different procedures, providers rely on an efficient system to make sure that they are paid promptly.

Medical coding specialists translate an array of diagnoses and treatments into special codes which allow the insurance companies to process claims -- and mistakes can cause claims to be delayed or even withheld. Many claims are processed by computer, allowing for more streamlined management. To work in medical billing and coding, you need to understand medical terminology and have a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as understanding the complexities of coding and the software used to handle many types of claim.

Medical Billing And Coding Training

In order to learn the skills and knowledge required for this career, aspiring medical coding workers can take a dedicated training program at a campus-based college or online. There are several happinesslifetime.com training schools in most regions, offering a variety of courses that lead to a qualification such as a diploma or an Associate degree.

Online career education has surged in popularity in recent years, thanks to widespread Internet access. Taking a medical billing and coding course online allows students to study at the pace and on the schedule that suits them best, and may offer the flexibility to combine training with the demands of a full or part-time job, or with domestic responsibilities. Learning at home can also save the costs associated with commuting to class or finding accommodation near a campus.

Whichever format you choose, it's important to make sure that the school or course you enroll in has been properly accredited, either by one of the six regional accreditation agencies, or by a nationally recognized professional body such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). As well as providing a level of quality assurance, if your take an accredited course it may be easier to transfer credits to another accredited school if you need to interrupt your training or want to continue your education at a later date.

Medical Coding Certification

Your training will help you prepare to take exams to achieve certification, such as that offered by the AAPC. There are different levels of certification, depending on your skills and experience, and the setting in which you plan to work. Certified coders can use their credentials to demonstrate their expertise to a prospective employer, and may also be able to get a better rate of pay.

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Don't Hire a General Contractor Before Reading This!

Introduction

Professional home improvement projects can correct cosmetic or structural problems with your home, improve its general appearance and dramatically increase your enjoyment of your home and property. These projects can also increase the value of your home, which is likely one of your most important assets. On the other hand, these projects are often large expenditures, can restrict the use of certain parts of your home, and are subject to complications and delays (ranging from supply shortages to inclement weather).

The purpose of this guide is to offer insight into identifying, selecting and managing professional home improvement contractors. We highlight the major steps in the process and offer suggestions and key questions to ask along the way. Topics covered include: choosing a contractor; estimates and quotes; contracts; financing and payments; and resolving problems.

Note on Licenses, Permits and Inspections: Many cities and states require that specific home improvements are performed by licensed professionals (especially electrical, plumbing and structural work). Certain projects may require permits before beginning work and/or inspections after the work is completed. Check with your state regulatory commission, Department of Commerce, City Planner or Zoning Board to determine what licenses, permits or inspections are required for your project. Use only licensed professionals where required by law.

Choosing a Contractor

Choosing the right contractor is often the most critical step in any professional home improvement project. A good contractor will understand your specific needs (including your budget), communicate clearly how he will address your needs and have a reputation for delivering results as promised. In order to find the right contractor:

1. Identify reputable contractors in your area that specialize in the type of services that you need. A local directory of home contractors (such as RecUmmend.com) is a good place to start in order to identify local contractors, read reviews and see photos of their work.

2. Select at least 2-3 contractors to evaluate more closely. Verify the information below before proceeding.

a. Valid and current licenses for all work requiring license

b. Valid and current Certificate of Insurance (including liability and worker's compensation)

c. Permanent business location and local telephone number

d. Good standing with local building or trade associations

e. Good standing with Better Business Bureau

f. No major red flags on credit report such as recent bankruptcies

3. Check references. Ask the contractors for the names, phone numbers and addresses of previous customers in your area. Contact the customers and ask them about their experience with the contractor:

a. How satisfied are they with the work?

b. Was the work completed on time?

c. Was the work completed on budget?

d. How did the contractor deal with any problems that came up?

e. If it was an external project (windows, fencing, siding, etc), can you drive by to see the results?

Estimates and Quotes

Estimates from different contractors can vary widely depending on the quality and type of materials used, installation method and scope of work. Pay careful attention when comparing bids from competing providers.

1. Speak with 2-3 providers to get a range of service levels and prices.

2. Get a written estimate including the total price, the terms of payment, estimated time to complete the project, and a list of specific materials that will be used (including brand names, styles, colors, grades or model numbers).

3. Ask the provider to break out costs in terms of materials and labor, if appropriate, or into relevant units to make comparison between providers easier (for example: total installed cost per window).

Contracts

It's a good idea to have a written contract for any home improvement project. The contract will specify exactly what work is to be performed, what materials will be used and the cost of the project.

1. Get all agreements in writing.

a. You may want to have an attorney review any contract before signing.

b. If you make any changes to a standard contract, write you initials beside the changes or additions

c. Both parties should sign the agreement

d. Keep a copy of the agreement for your records

e. Maintain your records in a safe place even after the project is completed

2. Make sure the contract includes the following:

a. Company name, address, telephone number, license number and the name of the sales representative

b. Specifications of the job including: total price, the terms of payment, materials that will be used (including brand names, styles, colors, grades or model numbers), and any technical drawings or schematics

c. Start date and estimated time to complete, providing for any reasonable delays. You may be able to include penalties for significant time overruns that are within the contractor's control, however the provider may then seek a reward for finishing ahead of schedule.

d. Clause indicating that it is the contractor's responsibility to obtain all permits before beginning work

e. Any warranties covering the work and/or materials. Some states have minimum warranties that contractors must honor on all home improvements.

f. Payment terms

g. Agreement to clean up and properly dispose of all waste

h. Credits for significant amounts of unused materials (contractors can often re-use or return materials to manufacturers)

3. If there are any changes or additions to the project, put them in writing, date the document and have both the contractor and you sign the document. Keep a copy of all written changes along with the original contract.

Financing and Payments

Several financing options are available, so select the option that works best for your situation. Structure a payment plan that gives the contractor the money he needs to get the project started and then make additional payments after he reaches specific targets.

1. Determine how you will pay for the project. Financing sources include:

a. Cash or available funds

b. Home equity line of credit

c. Second mortgage or refinancing

d. Home improvement loan

e. Financing from home improvement retailers such as Home Depot or Lowe's

f. Financing from contractor

g. Credit card (credit card interest rates are usually the highest among any type of financing. Before using a credit card, consider whether the improvement is absolutely necessary.)

2. Set up a payment schedule.

a. Payments are typically due after completion for smaller projects.

b. For larger projects, agree to make a series of payments after the provider achieves certain milestones or after inspections are passed

3. Deposits are customary for some projects. A deposit may be required so the contractor can buy materials for the job or cover other start-up expenses.

4. Final payment should be made upon completion of work as agreed to in the contract. Inspect the work to make sure it meets your satisfaction and make sure the contractor cleans up the work area and disposes of any waste properly.

5. Always ask for a receipt regardless of the method of payment. Make payments by check if possible - the longer the "paper trail," the more evidence there is to support your payments in case any questions should arise.

Resolving Problems

Sometimes you may not see eye to eye with your contractor. If you do have a problem, the best approach is to directly address it with the contractor and to try to resolve it without bringing in outside parties.

1. Let the contractor know right away that you're not satisfied. Are workers tracking mud across your oriental rug? Are roofing scraps falling into your neighbor's pool? Address the issues with the workers, foreman or project manager. Be willing to listen to explanations and make reasonable accommodations.

2. Try to resolve any problems directly with the contractor. It's generally in everyone's best interest to try to work out a solution that both parties can accept rather than involving outside parties.

3. Written contracts take precedence. If there is a discrepancy between obligations written in a signed contract and a spoken promise, chances are the written terms will be enforced. Once again, remember indicate any changes or additions to the original contract in writing.

4. Seek other recourse. If you cannot resolve the problem directly with the contractor, you have several channels for recourse:

a. File a complaint with the state licensing agency or department of commerce. Document your complaint and include any written agreements, photos of the work, inspections, etc.

b. File a complaint with your local Better Business Bureau or relevant trade association

c. If all else fails, you can seek judgment in a court of law

Follow the link for more information or to find contractor reviews at recummend.com/contractor/index.php RecUmmend.com.

Keenan Klinger
Founder
recummend.com RecUmmend.com

Nursing Degrees - What Careers Options Are Available?

Many think that nursing degrees lead you into a career of working in a hospital. There are so many more opportunities. If you are thinking about getting a nursing degree, it is good to know what career options are available when you graduate.

Midwives - The practice of midwifery was very common in the 19th century. It is again becoming popular. As a midwife, you can work in a birthing center, hospital, or patient's home. Midwives not only deliver babies, they also care and monitor the health of pregnant women.

Public Health Nurse - Public health nurses not only care for individuals, families and groups, they work to improve the health of a community. They tend to work in private or government agencies such as retirement centers, clinics, and schools. They design and implement community health programs.

Home Health Nurse - If you do not want to work in a typical hospital or clinic, home health nursing may be a good career fit. You will work in patients' homes providing various nursing functions. Home health nurses also develop special maintenance and rehabilitation plans that can be administered to patients at home.

Hospital Nurse - This is the most common job for nursing graduates. They can choose one area of the hospital as a specialty, such as trauma, emergency, or maternity.

Nursing is a vital and exciting field and is in demand in many different areas of the health care industry. With a college degree in nursing, you will be prepared for a wide variety of career opportunities.

As a writer for nursing-degree-online.net Online Nursing Degrees and accelerated-degree.com Accelerated Degree, the writer reviews a number of supplies and products online.

Home Mortgage Loans - What Are The Usual Loan Types?

All home greeneasylife.com mortgage loans are profitable to the lender, at least in average. So it is your job to pick the home greeneasylife.com mortgage loans, which bring the benefits, which are important to you. Note, that the home greeneasylife.com mortgage loans are longterm investments and their benefits can fluctuate a lot during rough economic times.

1. The Fixed Rate Home Loans.

Their idea is, that the interest rate will stay the same during the whole running time of the loan. This brings the benefit, that these loans are predictable and secure and the borrower knows exactly, how much is the next payment. These are ideal for people, who do not want any financial risk and are not interested to follow the interest rates or the economy in general.

The most popular loans are 30 and 15 year fixed mortgages, which have the same monthly payments through the whole running times. The biweekly greeneasylife.com home mortgages form a special group, where the borrower will pay the loan every other week. The idea is to cut the amount of the interest rates, because the parts of the capital will be paid away so many times.

A convertible greeneasylife.com mortgage loan combines the benefits of the fixed and the variable ones. There is a small component of the variable interest rate in the terms, which can bring savings if the market interest rates make the term to work.

2. The Adjustable Rate Home Loans.

The interest rates of these products will follow the market prices, which means, that the loan price can fluctuate. People, who follow the economy and like to form their own idea of the market interest rate development think, that these offer a chance to get the loan cheaper.

Some home buyers use the low interest rate market situation and will take an adjustable loan with a lower interest rate to get a bigger home greeneasylife.com mortgage loan. There is naturally a risk, because the interests can increase in the future.

3. VA And FHA Loans.

Both of these agencies operate with social aspect in their loans. Certain qualifying people can apply these loans and the idea is that also these people can start to enjoy about the home-ownership. These loans include also options of low or no down payments.

The greeneasylife.com mortgage loan borrower lives always in a complicated circumstance and he or she has to ponder carefully, what loan type he will select. It is useful to get an own understanding about the product types and to fulfill it with the talks of other people and with the experts. Many times the circumstances will change and that is maybe the time with new talks of the terms.

Juhani Tontti, B.Sc., Marketing. To understand the types of the OurMortgageLoans.com home mortgage loans is the first step towards the best mortgage loan rates. Visit: OurMortgageLoans.com mortgage loan

Doctor House Calls And Mobile Urgent Care

The advancement of technology has aided radio imaging technology become mobile and it possible these days for patients to rest at home and have all their x-rays done with the help of portable x-ray machines. These machines are so sleek that they may even be transported up a flight of stairs.

Once the x-ray images are obtained and processed immediately, they are ready to be sent through wireless gadgets to the concerned doctor or radiologist, to get their opinion. Unlike in the past, the doctor or radiologist can easily access the images through a laptop, iPad or a smart phone. The quality of the images have also improved tremendously in comparison to the past. Though obtaining x-rays at home may prove more expensive than having it done in at a regular radiology imaging center, the entire procedure may at times prove the former method cheaper.

Whereas a normal chest or ankle x-ray would cost $50 if obtained in a regular clinic, the same would cost $350 if the procedure was done at the patient's house. But the ambulance charges may make the whole procedure much more expensive and the same may not be covered by insurance. Especially, after normal working hours, the cost of ambulance and emergency units may even run into a few thousand dollars.

Mobile urgent care services located in San Francisco use such mobile services to doctors doing house calls. Usage of these technologies is not restricted to only the elderly people and patients of all ages can utilize the services. Emergency physicians and technicians are employed by this agency. As they are well trained and experienced professionals, these technicians are perfectly capable of handling emergency situations like ankle sprains, broken wrists or any other condition causing orthopedic trauma.

As soon as x-ray images are obtained, these physicians or technicians can provide immediate relief to the patient by immobilizing the damaged part using splinting equipments. They can administer the necessary medication or prescribe medicines that can be bought from a drug store. By using such services, the patients can certainly avoid waiting in a crowded clinic.

Also, the doctors making such house calls have more time to answer all the questions of the patients. Even after the visit, the house call providing agencies ensure the patients face no further problems by remaining readily available in case of necessity. These house call providing agencies also offer the convenience of using portable ultrasound and EKG machines.

The portable version of ultrasound machines has only recently been introduced and they are of a great help. The latest model introduced in the market is an ultrasound device that can be hand held, which can aid visual assessment from anywhere.

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Nonprofit Credit Counseling Agencies - Think Twice Before You Leap

Consumers that deal with credit card debt sometimes find it necessary to a get a little outside help. Consumer credit counseling agencies are a great, free resource for consumers needing a little extra help with budgeting, planning, or even setting up a debt repayment plan, otherwise known as a Debt Management Plan (DMP).

But you may be wondering if you really need help. Here are some warning signs to help you decide if it's time to start investigating a non-profit consumer credit counseling agency.

Your own efforts at working out a reasonable repayment plan have failed.

Based on your current budget, it will take longer than five years to repay your credit card debt.

Your total monthly debt payments, not including mortgage and car, equal 1/4 - 1/2 of your take-home pay.

Your are unable to pay even the minimum amounts due on each credit card every month.

You are consistently late with one or more regular bills other than credit cards, including utility and auto bills.

Creditors and collection agencies frequently call you.

You and your spouse fight about debt and financial issues.

You don't know if you can really afford to purchase something.

Know What to Look for in a Credit Counseling Agency

With the assortment of agencies trying to get your business it can be difficult to know which one is best. First things first, look for an agency that is non-profit and accredited with either the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies.

It's also a good idea to contact the local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company and how the issue was resolved. Similarly, checking our active credit forum for posts regarding the company is a good idea.

Finally, make sure they are licensed to offer services in your state and that they don't require detailed information about your situation before sending free informational material about the services they offer.

Know What They Offer

A reputable credit counseling agency offers many wonderful services including assistance from a certified counselor who will help you create a personalized budget and possibly a debt management plan (DMP); working with creditors to lower or eliminate interest, finance charges, late payment penalties, and other types of fees; distributing payments to each of your creditors enrolled in your DMP; and, most importantly, giving you lots of free educational materials.

Know How They Will Help You

The first step a credible counselor will take is thoroughly analyzing your financial situation; plan for an hour long initial visit and several follow-up sessions. Then, based on what they see, they can set up a plan to help you both in the short-term and the long-term.

Sometimes long-term help involves a debt management plan (DMP), but not necessarily. If the agency won't continue providing budget counseling unless you sign up for a DMP, look elsewhere.

Another warning sign to look elsewhere is the unrealistic promise of erasing your credit history. No one can erase your credit history. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, accurate information about your accounts stays on your report for up to seven years.

Know About Their Fees

Reputable credit counseling agencies generally offer budget services for free, but they will charge fees for their debt management plans (DMPs). The key is to find an agency that has reasonable fees. Linda Tucker, Director of Education and Marketing for Consumer Credit Counseling Service in North Little Rock, Arkansas, says a monthly rate of $15-$25 is a reasonable amount to pay and $50 is on the high end. Sometimes fees depend on the market, so if you live in a state like California or New York you may end up paying on the higher end of the scale. If you can't afford their fee even if it is reasonable, ask the agency what type of help they can still offer-- most good agencies won't turn you away.

Know About Their Counselors

Find out what type of training the agency's counselors receive. Ideally, they should be both trained and accredited by an outside source completely unaffiliated with the agency.

Know How Employees are Paid

Don't be too embarrassed to ask if their employees are paid a salary or on commission. If an employee is paid on commission, then they are more likely to pressure you into a DMP because they are probably watching out for their pocket book, not yours. If this is the case, look elsewhere!

Know About Their Funding

Non-profit agencies have other sources of funding than just the fees paid by their clients. Ask from what other sources they receive funding and who regulates and audits their operations. Are they certified by the International Standard of Operations (ISO compliant)?

Know About Their DMP

If, after careful analysis of your finances, you and your credit counselor decide a DMP is the best next step, you will need to know what to look for in a good program. Look for a program that pays your creditors before the due date. If the agency makes late payments or misses payments, it will only hurt your credit history.

Also make sure you will continue receiving monthly statements from either your creditors or the agency. Since it's your credit history on the line, it's important to know the interest rate, payments, and balances for each of your creditors.

Know How Each Creditor is Involved

Sometimes not all creditors decide to participate in the DMP. It's important to know which ones don't sign up so you can continue making payments to them on your own.

During the process of enrolling into the program it's also important to keep paying your creditors so you are not charged late fees and penalties. Contact each creditor to confirm they have accepted the terms of the proposed plan or to verify that upfront payments are required. Once everything is confirmed, it's okay to start sending your payment directly to the credit counseling agency.

Know the Difference Between a DMP and Debt Settlement

One final note-- a DMP is not the same thing as debt settlement or debt negotiation, which is very controversial and much riskier. Debt settlement/negotiation focuses on making a deal with creditors to forgive a portion of the debt.

Gerri Detweiler, founder of DebtConsolidationRx.com and author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook, suggests debt settlement is most appropriate for those who are not able to make the payments of a DMP and who either can't or won't file for bankruptcy. But not all experts agree on the value of debt settlement, so if you do choose it as an option do your research and proceed with caution.

We sincerely hope that these ten tips will help you to decide if a credit counseling service is right for you and, if so, to help you find a good counseling agency that meets your specific needs. There are many less than desirable services out there, so a little bit of research on the front end will be time well spent. Good luck!

Amy L. Cooper-Arnold has been a staff writer for cardratings.com cardratings.com CardRatings.com since 2004. Her articles have been republished by respected publications throughout the country, including Young Money Magazine, E/The Environmental Magazine and About.com. Amy recently graduated with honors from Austin Peay Univ. and is currently taking graduate-level classes.

Tips For a Refinance Loan

There are a large number of homeowners in America that think that it is a fantastic time to shop around for a new mortgage and refinance their home. They are particularly looking for mortgages that have lower payments as well as lower rates of interest that are fixed, rather than adjustable.

This mad dash to refinance which came about because of lower interest rates, has caused a flood of loan applications to land on mortgage brokers and lenders desks alike.

However, many lenders are now tightening up requirements for a loan. Therefore, you are going to have to have a good credit score to get the loan, or some equity in your house to refinance. Your credit score and information is will determine the type of loan and or mortgage terms you will be qualified for.

A free copy of your current credit score can be obtained once every year from one of the three major credit-reporting agencies such as Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Once you receive a copy of the report, you must check and recheck for any errors that may be present on it. If you spot any, you should report them at once to the credit agency and have the errors fixed. This can give a large boost to your credit score and will ultimately assist you in getting better interest rates.

To ascertain the amount of equity you have in your home, you must subtract the total amount of money owed on all currently existing mortgages, from how much you think the home you have is worth. If you are in a situation where your credit is very damaged or you owe more money that the value of your home, chances are that you will not be able to refinance at the moment.

The processing time of all the paperwork needed for a new loan takes a while. You must be patient as the loan goes through the system. During this time, do all that you can to not incur any more debt and protect your credit score by paying bills on time, paying your mortgage and not taking on any new debt.

You should make sure that you loan representative keeps in contact with you as you keep in contact with home even if there is not any new action with your loan. However, if you do not hear any word from you loan representative for a couple of days, you should call them to get an update. If you stay on top of this, you can fix any problems that might arise.

You are responsible for understanding your loan terms, so get informed and ask questions as well as listening carefully. Be sure never to sign your loan documents until you are comfortable you have made the right choice.

After the application is submitted, you will most likely be asked for more documentation and information about your assets and income. Answer all of the questions, then fax over any documentation they need to your loan representative as quickly as possible.

Once the loan is approved, sign any document and pay for any closing cost that may be presented. Make sure you have the money to do this, as well as being prepared to signing more documents. Now you will be able to refinance.

Tim Orick enjoys the outdoors and wants everyone to experience the same. From an early age he has been fascinated with solar energy, wind power and hydro power. Recycling, water conservation and environmental awareness has recently gained attention on a global scale and if we all do our part, there exist enough resources for many generations. I invite you to visit nj-refi.com nj-refi.com and browse refinance and loan offers from a wide range of refinance companies.

Qualifying For a Home Mortgage

Getting, and applying for a mortgage, are two different acts. It is a huge responsibility when you first take on the purchase of your very first home and you should be certain that you are ready to deal with it before you begin this life-changing process. Now, once you've decided that you are wanting to take this huge step, there are several things that you really should do to ensure that you receive the loan that'll work for you.

To get matters started, the very beginning thing that you need to take care of is make certain that your credit history is entirely up to this hefty challenge. You are free to get a no-charge copy of your personal credit history once pr year and it is a great idea to make for sure that you keep an eye on what's listed there. It is highly important that you hold your FICO score up high if you ever hope to get a great rate on your mortgage. The information that is contained in your credit report will decide what kind of interest rate you will pay when you get your loan statement. When there's problems, do make sure that you clean them up and bump up your rating before you submit an application for a loan.

Take a look at several different companies for your house loan. When you take the time to do some research on the interest rates that you qualify for, you will make sure that you're paying the lowest possible rate. Always chat with with a qualified financial advisor or lawyer to ensure that you make sense of everything that you will be placing your signature on. There are home loan deals out there that would not be ideal for you and your lawyer or personal advisor will make sure that you're doing the right thing for your personal situation. It is vitally important that you have someone located outside of the lending agency and the lending institution check everything over so that you aren't sold something that you will not be able to pay off.

This document was written by Alberto Maeses. If in any way you found this article useful, please see glitec.co.uk/personal-loans personal loans and glitec.co.uk/debt-consolidation-loans debt consolidation loans.

Diabetes and Obesity - Some New Issues to Consider

Five years ago, the president of the American Diabetic Association announced at a scientific conference, "By the year 2030... treating diabetes will cost us 250 billion dollars annually. This will be enough to bankrupt the health care system."(1)

Obesity is a major and controllable contributor to diabetes

With the passage of Obamacare, the laissez-faire attitude toward others' obesity will enter a new dimension

The question will naturally arise, "Why am I being asked to pay for Mr. and Mrs. Jones' bad health habits?"

Another question may be, "Why are our tax dollars subsidizing -- indirectly, of course -- food additives that are helping to destroy the health of our nation?"

New scientific evidence has come to light making it very clear where most of the blame for the alarming rise in obesity among Americans belongs. Nevertheless, the public is having a hard time judging the guilt or innocence of this food additive, because it has two big things going for it:

1) It is a byproduct of USDA farm subsidies, which gives this ingredient in many processed foods the low-price advantage (The U.S. Department of Agriculture can be expected to defend this food additive, just as it would defend anything that benefits agribusiness' economics.)

2) It has been so profitable for the members of the Corn Refiners' Association that they can afford to produce slick, media-saturation campaigns to convince the public of their product's innocence

Of course, we are talking about High Fructose Corn Syrup

At this point, the public is still somewhat unclear about what they are doing that has made them so fat. Commercials defending fructose are intended to keep the public confused for as long as possible. There is money to be made, after all.

To the uncritical observer, American food choices haven't changed very much in the past 100 years. So why are we now -- 68% of us -- growing so rotund at such an alarming rate?

Well, it doesn't require a lot of detective work to find what has changed in the American diet over the past 100 years.

For one thing, about half of our meals are now eaten in restaurants, namely fast food places. Menu items are formulated in industry laboratories with the aim of creating foods that are irresistible. Sugar has long been added to prepared food in this context, because it stimulates consumption.

Our Food Appears the Same, but the Ingredients Have Been Changed

Fructose has readily found its way into many items of the fast food menu, from buns to soft drinks because of its cost savings over the sucrose that was previously used.

For another thing, even those meals we enjoy at home have had high fructose corn syrup slipped into the canned items, baked prepared foods, mixes, and beverages. Fructose is everywhere and it is metabolized very differently than old-fashioned sucrose, making it far more likely to be converted to fat in our bodies and less likely for our body to tell us when to stop eating.(2)

Our food looks and tastes the same, but with fructose in nearly every processed food item, we are tricked into consuming more calories -- and those calories coming from HFCS are more likely to result in fat accumulation than previously.(2)

So, all this leaves us with a large proportion of the U.S. population likely to develop diabetes over the next few years. As pointed out earlier, this will bankrupt Medicare by the year 2030 -- and it may come sooner.

Most people don't want to think about this. They want happy stories, "Chicken-Soup-For-the-Soul"-type stories with unearned miraculous endings. In effect, they want to win the lotto without buying a ticket.

Because they are not thinking about this substitution in their food supply, Americans are not doing much about it. We have been taught to wait for some non-profit or governmental agency to gear up to solve the problem that we could easily solve by small changes in our diet and lifestyle.

"The USDA Will Take Care of Our Food Safety -- That's Their Job!"

What can we say about those who had a chance to change their dietary habits, but decided it was too much trouble? Or that someone else would take care of the problem?

Will the burden of their health care costs cause social unrest on the part of those who must pay for others' inaction? We don't know. What does seem likely is that many of the obese will die from our overworked health care system's inability to pay for their care.

It would be wise for those who see trouble coming to make the necessary changes in their own lives now. Type 2 diabetes is easily preventable.

1) medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=47573 medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=47573

2) articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/26/sugar-may-be-bad-but-this-sweetener-is-far-more-deadly-part-2.aspx articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/26/sugar-may-be-bad-but-this-sweetener-is-far-more-deadly-part-2.aspx

For those who have no confidence that our federal government will ever solve this massive health problem they had a hand in creating, my Web site: healthyplanetdiet.com healthyplanetdiet.com offers a free Special Report on how you can assure yourself and your loved ones a more pleasant, healthy future.

Ya' Know What Yur Doin' Thar? If You Don't Know the Nuts & Bolts of Your Business, You Might Stumble

When I was in high school, the corner drug store that had survived the depression, was purchased from the Greek owners by a gentleman by the name of Frank. Frank became a good friend, and I kept track of what he was doing.

While the Greek family was waiting for Frank to take over, they changed the way they did business. In the past, they had watched every penny and kept the local school kids in order as to not bother the other customers. At the end, they gave out free ice cream and relaxed their operation. That was their way of saying "goodbye."

Frank took over and I think that maybe he thought the school kids and those playing the pinball machine were his main source of income. Gambling was illegal, but Frank paid out in cash for the number of games won. Cheating was easy as ABC, so Frank often lost.

The store lost money by people stealing, Frank being too generous, and the fact that older customers went up the street a few blocks to another drug store.

Frank had to sellout.

Frank started an automobile repair shop next. He hired a mechanic and sat at his desk waiting for customers to come in. He might have made it if he had been a mechanic himself. He was not a mechanic and the mechanic doing the work could not bring in enough income to pay them both.

Frank's plan was to have a several mechanics to support the operation. Too little business and Frank's lack of knowledge in automotive repair done him in. He was broke and would have to find a job working for somebody else. I don't know what happened to Frank after that, but I'm sure it was not in fulfilling his dream to run a profitable business.

When I was a kid, I watched several businesses started just after WWII fail in our neighborhood. The problems were not always in not knowing the business fundamentals. Often, it was just underestimating the market. But businesses fail everyday of the year because of a lack of assets. Those who start businesses know this. What some of them don't know is that:

"Assets are Not Only Financial".

"An asset is something of value. Something detrimental is a liability. A lack of knowledge is a liability.

The first step in considering a new business is to list and evaluate your assets AND LIABILITIES. Any short comings must be rectified (fixed) before you get too involved.

Home Business Tip: Don't jump too quickly into a new deal if you lack knowledge of the required everyday operations

A Tippy from Flippy: Find the information you need by simply asking those in the business. Also go to local, state, and federal agencies to learn more. And don't forget the Chamber of Commerce and local financial institutions.

Keeping Up with the Jones': In business, it's best to stay ahead of the Jones. Taking care of every aspect of the business will do the trick. But if you slack off, you Will slack off!

Fiddle Dee & Fiddle Dum: Did you write a good business.educationeasy.net business plan, one you are proud off? Tear it up and write it again. When it doesn't look so great because you have identified all of the risk, then you are on your way to either resolving the risk or dumping the project. That is what a business.educationeasy.net business plan is for.

Can't Ya' Get Goin'?: Must be too small a carrot. Start over!

All Things Come: It's not always what you have in your pocket that brings you success, it is wisdom to recognize your assets and liabilities.

Life Success Quotation: Great men sometimes end up in the gutter. Some get up and get going again. Others give up and die in oblivion. The difference is in recognition of ones own capabilities and opportunities.

Business Success Quotation: Seek the advice of others, but you must evaluate the speaker. If you don't, you may be led astray. The answer you have been looking for may not be the right answer. Push on!

From the Eye of the Potato: You need to know the details of your business to succeed.

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com), a retired college professor and business executive, Former editor of an international engineering magazine. To learn more about Wealthy Affiliate University go to his info site. If you desire a flagpole to Fly Old Glory, go to the business site.

More info: InternetBusinessToolCenter.com InternetBusinessToolCenter.com

Business web site: AAAFlagpoles.com AAAFlagpoles.com

Is Staying in Their Home Or Living With You Best For Your Parents?

The other day, while driving, I passed a very elderly woman being taken for a stroll in her wheelchair by her caregiver. It was obvious that the woman was well cared for physically - hair coiffed and warmly dressed and tucked in a blanket. In a residential neighborhood with no senior community within walking distance, it was clear that she either lived at home or with family. I was glad to see that she looked so well.

I wondered, however, what her elder years were really like? Was this really the best option for her and others like her? How was it impacting her family? I struggle with this all the time.

As we continue to live longer and medical science keeps us fairly ambulatory, it is not fair to expect families to assume the burden of elder care as did their predecessors. Yes, in the "olden days", you kept your parents at home. But they didn't live as long as they do now. Both partners didn't have to work full time. Daughters and daughters in law didn't work outside the home and grandkids didn't have so many after school activities. Dads didn't travel as much and were home most nights. Families weren't transferred far away,across county and neighbors helped out. And guess what, the grown kids weren't elders themselves!!! Grandma and Grandpa weren't hooked up to oxygen tanks and Iv's. They died much earlier and probably with more dignity too.

"Nowadays", unlike the "olden days", the care did not fall on just one grown child, which is most always the case now. It's time to look at some new response models for what is happening now - a model that is mindful and compassionate for all concerned. I want seniors to have meaningful lives. But I also want their families to stop feeling guilty about what they can and cannot do to help them.

Experts tell us that most seniors would rather stay at home or live with family than move to a senior community or assisted living. I understand what losing their home and their independence would mean to them. But this is the 21st Century and what worked before may not work now.

Sometimes the issue is truly financial - either by circumstance or by choice. Downsizing and moving to senior communities is expensive. The senior and their family simply can't afford outside care or the senior doesn't want to spend the money on themselves. The senior's home may not have the equity that was hoped for to pay for their care. The issue is very complicated and filled with emotion and complex family dynamics.

Here are some thoughts to consider. Deciding on staying at home when a senior is clearly unable to be alone, will require some in house care - either live in, daily or weekly visits. Even when the senior lives with family, it is likely that both adults in the home work full time and someone will have to be hired to come in. Caregivers can come from an agency (which can be good) or a referral from "somebody who knows somebody.". Let me tell you what this can mean. The caregiver may have minimal training. English speaking may be minimal. They may just bring meals or do light housekeeping, check vital signs or medications and/or perhaps help with bathing or personal care. They may take the seniors for a walk (like the lucky lady I saw) or maybe not. Conversation will often be minimal and sometimes disrespectful "baby talk". "Shall we eat our dinner now,Sweetie?" The senior will spend most of their time in front of the TV or napping. This might alleviate the worries of the family members,knowing their loved one is "safe", but what about the quality of life for the senior?

Travel with me now to an independent or assisted living community. They look nothing like the smelly and depressing horrors of the mid 20th century - the kind of places that terrify our seniors because they remember their own parents or grandparents being sent there to waste away and die.

Senior communities, whether independent living, assisted or memory (Dimentia and Alzheimer's) care are homelike, clean (no smells) buzzing with energy and things to do. Except for memory care residents, all have the option of spending the day in their apartments or gathering with other residents for meals, movies, lectures, field trips, shopping trips and parties. Who would want to stay in their apartments? There are book groups, political discussions, travel slide shows and special lectures. Often,, cocktail hour with musical entertainment is offered in the lobby. Many have private dining rooms where visiting families can gather for a meal together - at a beautifully appointed formal dining room - just like home. Every resident is accounted for daily and "call buttons" are installed by the bed and in the bathrooms, should residents need unexpected help. If you don't show up for a meal, the community director will check up on you. If you need to see a doctor, they will take you and make sure you make your appointments and checkups.

Understand, what you are agreeing to when your beloved senior says they want to stay at home or live with you. Undeniable statistics show that caring for a failing adult shortens the life of the caregiver and can seriously impair the quality of life for everyone concerned. Please be realistic. It's not a problem to diaper a baby. Try diapering or lifting, dressing and bathing an uncooperative 200 lb adult. You can't spank your parent for running out into the street or playing with matches. Baby locks on doors and handles won't work for memory impaired adults who might be stronger than you.

It can be a very thankless job even when you read or hear of a caregiver (who feels guilty about feeling secretly angry and overwhelmed) tells you they are "glad" they did it. I've been working with seniors and their families for many years and I only personally know of one case where that was true (and then I still think the daughter sacrificed too much of her personal life).

Even with home care,it takes more than installing grab bars in the tub. A senior needs to stay connected to the world AND the family members need a break too. It's a 24/7 very demanding,frustrating, thankless, lonely job.

Don't be afraid to look at this problem head on and don't let what was done in "the olden days" influence deciding what is best for you "Nowadays".

Marilyn Ellis, Author, Speaker, Professional Organizer, Senior Move Manager and Business Development Coach, loves working with senior clients and their families. She also coaches individuals and companies on how to grow their senior service businesses. For three FREE reports on how to become part of the growing senior care industry, visit her website at movemomanddad.com movemomanddad.com

Indoor Air Purifiers - Make Your Home Safe From Allergens

More and more people are actually getting their allergies checked out and they are finding that they have airborne allergies that they never realized. What many people also do not know is that they can keep their home a safe haven for their allergies with the use of indoor air purifiers.

Air purifiers can greatly increase the quality of the air inside your home. By running a purifier you can reduce the amount of dust as well as airborne allergens. Many people suffer with upper respiratory problems and if the home is not kept clean, they pay the price with unwanted symptoms. So what can you do to help with that? Getting an air purifier will help those with upper respiratory infections as they help to clean the air inside a home.

The American Environmental Protection Agency has done studies that show that over 170 million people in the USA live in areas that have some level of smog in the air. Smog in the air means that there is poison in the air, and this can make many people sick without even realizing it. Most cities have an advisory that lets people know the quality of the air on a daily basis. If the air quality is poor, then that means people with breathing problems need to stay indoors. That is where the air purifiers will come in handy as they will help to filter out the impurities in the air. This will allow those with respiratory problems to have a safe place to be when the air quality is bad.

An indoor purifier works much like an air conditioner in that it takes the air in and filters it, then puts it back out much cleaner then it was prior to going through the system. This helps to deliver clean pure air throughout the house. You will find that by using one indoors you will breathe much easier after a few days of constant use. Many people even say that they see less dust collect in the house when they use a purifier.

They come in many sizes and can be bought based on the size of the room. Many people find that they like to have one in each of the main rooms such as the living room as well as the bedrooms. The newer purifiers now come with an automatic display that tells you when it is time to replace the filter so you can relax and enjoy the fresh air. Most people do not realize that the impurities that are caught by an air conditioner filter can be replaced back into the air when the filter is changed, where an air purifier's filer nullifies the impurities so you can rest assured when you change the filter.

Take the time to care about you and your health. Indoor air purifiers will help to keep you breathing easier and healthier.

To learn more about airpurifier4cleanair.com/When_Your_Doctor_Says_You_Need_An_Air_Purifier.html doctor recommended air purifiers visit airpurifier4cleanair.com airpurifier4cleanair.com , a popular website devoted to helping you breath cleaner air. You'll learn the benefits of the different types of air purifiers plus get help in deciding if a room or airpurifier4cleanair.com/Your_Whole_House_Air_Purifier.html whole house air purifier is right for you.

How to Avoid Losing Money to Scam Sites

The internet is full of juicy offers to make money fast. Hundreds and thousands of people lose money fast daily because they get trapped by scam offers. These web sites look very attractive. They lure the people with the hope for solving their financial problems. They display pictures of smiling people who tell you that they have made their way. They provide you with testimonials. Be careful about what you see: Webmasters buy pictures of smiling, attractive people at internet photo agencies. Testimonials can be false.

You need to do some research before you spend money for any of these internet businesses. The following checklist might be helpful for you:

Are There Any Exaggerations?

Does the website promise profits that sound too good to be true? Do you believe, if a profit of 5, 10 or even more percent a day is realistic and does sustain? Some websites offer a profit of 30% a day. Others promise you to convert $30 or so into $100,000 within an unbelievable short time. An ad even claims: Be a millionaire in weeks! No wonder that these websites disappear within a short time along with the people's money - or they just leave a lot of frustrated people behind.

Are the Contacts Reliable?

Is there at least a reliable contact at the website? Do they answer to your requests? It is even better if there is a working live support, a working telephone number (not just a recorded voice, answering the phones).

Check at Alexa

You can check at the Alexa website. There you can type in the URL of the website. Alexa shows you if there is a name, a company, an address or a telephone number behind the website. If it is a well known scam website, you already can see some bad comments about the website at Alexa.

Check out the Environment

You can check out easily, what is going on around the website. You just go to Google, type in the name of the website and click search. You will detect, if there are bad news about the website. The internet is an open world and you find complaints about bad offers quite soon.

Be aware: If you type in the full URL, Google only displays you the exact website. If you just type in the name or title of the website, Google lists you many background information.

Check out Black Lists, Forums, Monitors

There are monitors and forums about the issue, in which the website is active. Do you find any opinions about the website there? Is the website black listed? Do not spend any dime, if a website is on a black list. Are there any ratings about the website? Does the website have a certificate, e.g. one by NetIBA? The Internet Identity Bureau and Associates verifies the identity behind websites. Merchants can get a certificate if they comply with the NetIBA rules.

You need to be aware, that forums can be manipulated. Scam websites can spread out favourable news about their website. They can use false internet addresses and nicknames. Scam websites have affiliates, who still go on promoting them, even if more and more people start complaining about the website.

Trace the IP Address and Hosts

You can find out the IP address and server of the checked website at network-tools.com. There you can type in the URL of the website. Certain scammers use always the same server and IP addresses. This hint could help to detect, if a well known scammer starts a new website.

There Is no Warranty

Even, if you do your home work: there is no warranty that you do not get trapped. A scam site might be new and a blank leaf to the internet community. It is recommendable to observe matters for a while before you spend money. The more the people become alert and the more transparency is achieved - the less chance new scammers get to do their fraudulent activities.

Lil Waldner is a business economist. She is experienced in project management and marketing. She has worked as an editor for several newspapers and she has written booklets and essays on economic and public issues. Visit the web site: Make Money Tip [makemoneytip.com]

How to Deal With Work at Home Business Scams

Work at home business scams are one of the main concerns for home business moms around the world. Sadly, the number of such scams are increasing each day and it does not look like there will be a stop to it anytime soon. It is insufficient for home business moms to only recognize and avoid these work at home business scams. Many of these working from home moms are eager to take action against the companies or individuals responsible for these schemes.

Work at home business scams usually have certain distinct features such as a simple and vague job description and promises of a huge amount of money. Home business moms are normally required to pay a start-up fee or some form of upfront payment in order to get "hired". Furthermore, it is more often than not impossible to get in touch with a representative from such companies for further information regarding the position.

Fortunately, there are many organizations and associations dedicated to combating these home based business scams. For instance, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is an organization which helps consumers with complaints and credible information regarding charities and businesses. BBB also alerts individuals about the latest scams which might affect them and their business. On the other hand, the Direct Selling Association (DSA) has more than 200 companies, many of them well-known, as members of their association. DSA's mission is to make sure that their member companies follow ethical business practices and if they fail to do so, home business moms can file a complaint on the DSA website or send them a mail or fax.

The National Fraud International Center is another organization which helps consumers and businesses fight against mummyshomebiz.com/work-at-home-scams/avoid-work-at-home-scams-like-a-pro work at home business scams. It aims to help people avoid telmarketing.educationeasy.net emarketing and Internet schemes and pass their complaints to law enforcement agencies without any hassle. Working from home moms who come into contact with a home business scam can file a complaint on their website or call 1800-876-7060. Alternatively, work at home mums can visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center which is a partnership between the FBI and NW3C to deal with matters relating to Internet crimes, including work at home business scams.

Home business moms should be weary and careful, but definitely not fearful when looking for business opportunities on the Internet and in the real world. They should keep these important information handy in case they may need to use it in the future to report against a scam.

Stella Parks is a 28 year old corporate slave, determined to spread the word on "work at home" opportunities to Mums everywhere. Visit her blog at mummyshomebiz.com Mummy's Home Biz for useful info, advice, tips and more to help you become a successful work at home Mum.

Register With BBB Work From Home Approved Opportunities

With the thousands of different opportunities that can be found online for working from home, finding one that would not be a scam can be a little difficult. For this reason, a lot of people today register with BBB work from home approved opportunities. These are the online jobs that have been approved by the Better Business Bureau. Finding a trustworthy company online in this world of scams can be very difficult. Most consumer protection bodies and agencies today recommend that BBB is a good place to learn more about the background of a company.

Researching on BBB If you want to register with BBB work from home opportunities you will first have to research online. The jobs that are approved by this agency would be a safe and a trustworthy option that you can consider. However, you should also know that not all companies that are not listed on this website would be scams. Companies are required to pay a fee in order to be a member of BBB and several companies do not want to pay this expensive fee. Also, it is only been a recent event that online companies are allowed to get a listing on this bureau so you will have to keep an open mind when you are researching for a good work from home opportunity.

Always Check Your Sources Those who want to register with BBB work from home jobs will also have to cross check the information they find on this bureau's website with other sources. It is always wise to consider several different information sources before coming to a conclusion. It is possible that there might be a few mistakes here and there and cross checking all your information well would be a good way for you to ensure that you get your facts state. Not everyone would have the same experience with a particular company and this is one of the most important factors that you will have to consider when you check the complaints filed against a particular company. Most companies would have at least a few small complaints listed against them. You will have to learn to ignore the smaller complaints and keep your eyes open for the real problems.

There are quite a lot of work from jobs that will ask you to pay a considerable amount in order to join the program. For this reason it would be best for you to check the details about the company and the program and only consider trustworthy companies online. If you register with BBB work from home approved jobs, half of your worries would be taken care of since the company listed with this bureau will definitely not be a scam.

You must learn more about Register with BBB PSL91.com Work from Home and other marketing secrets.Thomas Freers is an Online Marketing Coach for what is arguably the World's Largest Internet Marketing School available today. He specializes in Article Marketing, Social Media networking and various other marketing strategies and works with small and large companies to help them customize their marketing campaigns. With over 50 different marketing strategies available today you must learn which one suits your personality. To learn more about Thomas Freers and to see more effective principles to explode your Internet business to create big profits and get results go to earn-1k-a-day-for-life.com earn-1k-a-day-for-life.com

The 4 Important Traits of an Excellent Daycare Center

If you've visited a children's daycare center- could you point out the most important characteristics that would make that center a great place for a child to attend?

Most parents looking for a daycare are hit with a slew of questions they need to answer when searching out care.

And the same as goes for the provider who is running a child center. What are parents looking for in daycare and what exactly is an "excellent child care program".

There are 4 Important Traits that characterize excellent child care centers.

1. There is a team effort among all who work there: A daycare center can consist of one provider or many. Regardless of the numbers there should be a mission statement that commits to the child and the family as well. When all individuals work together to provide an environment that is loving, caring, supportive of the family unit there is a united commitment to quality care. Daycare's that have issues with gossiping, truancy, teacher turnover, are not centers that are united for the well being of the child.

2. There is a curriculum that supports growth in the child: A childcare center should be a bright, cheery, happy and fun place to go full of interesting things to look at, touch and experience.

Daycare centers should have a development program for each age group with an understanding that each child grows and develops at their own rate. Children should participate in activities that challenge and nature that child. Reading books, outside play, art, time spent learning how to get along with others is all very important to a child's development. Teaching them communication and social behavior becomes so very important when a child prepares for school.

3. Consistent Relationship with One Provider: Developing a nurturing, caring relationship with one individual over time is so very important to a child's development. Children are looking for consistency, love, reassurance that they are in a safe environment. The provider should engage in regular conversation with the children present in daycare.

4. Policies that support safety in a daycare center: Daycare centers that are licensed are under strict accordance by their state licensing bureau. They must listen to their state agency on rules and safety, which is intended to keep all children safe and out of harms way. Also daycare centers that are licensed are visited by the licensing bureau and the fire department. Daycare centers must also have in writing policies regarding sickness, accidents, and closings. Each parent should be exactly clear on what the daycare's policies are to avoid any disasters or communication problems in the future.

(c) 2006 CG Groth Inc.

The "Daycare Queen", Christine Groth is the creator of the award-winning "The Guide to Instant Daycare Profits". To learn more about this step-by-step guide and to sign-up for her FREE how to start a daycare articles and newsletter, visit startingadaycaretips.com startingadaycaretips.com

Key Components to Evaluate Prior to a Divorce Settlement - Splitting Assets

All marital assets are not equal! Even if the goal is to try to "split down the middle", asset valuation prior to making a final division is critical. If for example the family home and a pension/retirement plan are both worth $400,000 today, the home is a non-liquid asset requiring cash-flow to support it, while a retirement account grows tax deferred with no cash input required. Retirement assets can be reallocated with changing economic factors, and thus can more easily rebound from market fluctuations.

Before waiving rights to a retirement plan that is a marital asset, be certain you will be able meet your own retirement needs. When assets are tied up in the equity in the family home, the only way to access that equity is with an equity line (interest is charged to access your money/equity) or by selling your home. The tax liability should be understood beforehand, and you will still need housing!

Taxable accounts differ from a tax-sheltered account for the same reasons, as earnings will be taxable each year. The age of the couple at the time of the division (ie, the number of years to rebuild retirement assets) must be weighed. An experienced financial planner and a CPA can determine the true value of marital assets, and suggest the best possible long term strategy for you. Thinking beyond today's value is extremely important in reaching a fair settlement.

Earnings Potential: One spouse often earns a lesser percentage of the household income, or has minimized a career in order to raise children. They may need help to pay for additional career training or education, as well as to meet the children's needs during the time that additional training or education is being obtained. A house cleaning service or childcare may be needed for this to be realistic and successful. Short term assistance may result in greater long-term financial independence. Providing the financial means for the spouse who now needs to boost their earnings, or return to the workforce, for career counseling, or personal and career coaching, may help move the family along the path of healthy divorce recovery. Think of it as similar to career outplacement services in the corporate world. Facilitating a smooth and successful transition ultimately financially stabilizes and benefits both the children as well as both former spouses.

QDRO: A spouse who receives part of his or her spouse's qualified retirement accounts will need a court order called a "Qualified Domestic Relations Order."(QDRO). Your attorney needs to be aware of ALL retirement accounts and the QDRO rules are for each plan. To expedite the QDRO, your attorney should obtain pre-approval from each plan before the settlement is final. The court must sign the order before an account can be divided. Be sure the order is sent to the retirement plan sponsor and is approved early in the divorce process. If not completed before the divorce is final, you will have to return to court later, incurring more legal expenses and risking the loss of assets in the account. Include survivor benefits in the QDRO. If you will be receiving retirement benefits from your former spouse's pension, be sure the QDRO includes survivor's benefits, if the plan allows them. Otherwise, those benefits could stop if your spouse dies before you do.

Also, understand your Social Security benefits. If your spouse earns more money than you do and you were married ten years or more, you will be eligible for Social Security benefits based on your spouse's work history. That may mean higher benefits than if you have to rely on your own work history, and does not impact the benefits of the ex-spouse at their retirement time.

Tax Implications: Access to expert tax advice plays a critical role in determining the structure of a property settlement. Say it's proposed that one spouse keeps a $150,000 individual retirement account and the other keeps a $150,000 taxable investment account. Sounds fair, but it's not. A traditional IRA grows tax-free, and is then taxed when their money is withdrawn, while the non-retirement account is taxed on annual earnings along the way. So the two accounts are not truly equal in value, and sound assumptions of the projected net values are needed. Also, be sure the parties taking tax benefits are clearly spelled out, as well as how taxes will be filed and paid, for any partial year of marriage.

Life Insurance: If you rely on an ex-spouse for child support, retirement benefits, spousal support, or other financial benefits such as a commitment to pay for the children's college education, purchase a life insurance policy on your spouse to ensure the money will be there. You should own the policy, and purchase it before the settlement is final so you know whether your spouse is insurable.

Sometimes people fail to consider the financial impact of the death of a non-working or part-time employed parent who is caring for children. The cost to replace all the contributions of that individual in order that the surviving parent may continue with job security and income production needs to be calculated and also covered in a life insurance plan. Some estimates are as high as $160,000 a year to outsource the services that custodial parents provide. The option to continue existing coverage and transferring those responsibilities along with updated beneficiary forms should be explored. This includes any current coverage of minor children.

Protecting Your Credit: Both spouses are liable for debt incurred on jointly held loans and credit cards during a marriage. Even when the divorce decree states that one spouse should pay certain bills and the second spouse pay others, both spouses are legally responsible, and creditors will pursue both parties in debt collection. It is important to request duplicate statements from creditors, close jointly held accounts, and immediately begin establishing credit in your own name. Working collaboratively on establishing separate credit is advised as during the time you are doing so, both parties' credit scores are impacted by all of the joint credit and debt from the marriage. This can delay approvals and impact credit limits approved, as well as the ability of the individuals to refinance mortgages and car loans. Order and review reports from the primary credit monitoring agencies. This is recommended prior to finalizing the asset allocation agreement because there may be errors that need to be identified and addressed by the divorcing couple jointly. Re-check credit reports before signing final documents to be sure there are no "hidden", new, or forgotten debts that may surface after the divorce is final.

With the emotional strain and financial complexities of divorce, a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated approach is the best way to assure a fair and equitable distribution of assets. Everyone benefits when both parties have the support, guidance and means to move forward with their lives, and children are the biggest winners when parents work together for their benefit.

For transitions such as launchingnewlives.com/personaltransitionsresources.aspx job loss, death of spouse, launchingnewlives.com/divorceresources.aspx divorce resources, career, estate planning/management, professional network w/ experience and compassionate approach to clients. Employee benefit plans complement wellness, EAP to support recruitment and retention. Contact us.

Aging Gracefully in Place

For some reason, our society is rather obsessed with pinning negative nuances to the process of aging. Why does growing old have to be viewed as this dark, daunting event, when it could be celebrated as a right of passage? You've lived, you've learned, you've paid your dues. Maybe you've worked all your life, or perhaps you've taken care of children. You are wise and adept in the ways of the world. You are looked up to and well respected by people younger than you. Now that you've reached your golden years, you can relax and enjoy life's bounty.

Why should being old feel any less satisfying than that? There should be a sense of pride that comes with growing older, but sadly many are robbed of that quality of life, particularly when they have to relocate to a living situation that is new, unfamiliar, and a far cry from the comforts of home.

As multitudes of baby boomers become senior citizens, they're finding that in many cases the key to aging gracefully is aging in place. Aging in place is the idea that elderly people should be able to live a desirable - even sought after - lifestyle, by being active participants in their communities, engaging in meaningful activities, earning money if they so choose, remaining independent, and having access to an array of recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities. For most people, these things can be done right at home, in their own communities where they've lived and thrived for years. Most seniors are satisfied and comfortable living in their own residences and moving through their daily lives in the cities and towns they think of as home.

But even those choosing to age in place may eventually need assistance. The reality is that growing old is often accompanied by some degree of physical and/or mental deterioration, which is why many folks look to in-home elder care. Raleigh, NC seniors are fortunate to be privy to a plethora of wonderful geriatric resources, including many that support those choosing to age in place. When it comes to finding home care, Wake Forest NC to Durham, seniors and their loved ones have a vast pool of agencies to sift through. And with a decision like this, you definitely want to be scrupulous. Get recommendations, check references, conduct interviews. Make sure the caregiver is qualified, experienced, compassionate, and able to meet your specific needs. After all, you are opening your home up and practically entrusting your life to them, not to mention giving them your money. This is why choosing who will provide you with home care, Durham, NC seniors, could be the most important decision of your life.

Once you've gone through the often complicated process of finding the right caregiver, you can look forward to companionship, mobility, a sense of security (especially when it comes to health and safety issues), and even a renewed sense of independence despite the fact that someone is helping you. Aging gracefully means accepting the inevitable changes, however difficult, that occur as a result of getting older, and thriving in a place where you are comfortable and happy. For most people, that place is their home.

Written by Jenny Heart. Quality homecareraleighnc.com home care Durham: Receive home care Wake Forest NC, Alzheimer's and senior care through homecareraleighnc.com elder care Raleigh, Clayton, Chapel Hill, Cary, Wake Forest.

Singapore Maids - The Two Main Categories of Singapore Maids for Your Family

Singapore maids - if you have a maid at home, you may have this dilemma, especially in Singapore: you have a difficult time when you employ a maid, and you also have a difficult time when you don't employ a maid.

Firstly, understand that a maid in Singapore is what is commonly called an "ah-mah" or a domestic helper or a nanny. Given the fast pace of life here in Singapore, the help of a nanny or domestic helper is almost a need, rather than a want.

For the many expatriates in Singapore, it is important to have a Singapore maid to help with the household chores at home. Many of these maids come from places like the Philippines and Indonesia. Other countries of origin include Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. At the point of writing, there are about 150,000 maids working in Singapore.

If you were like many employers of maids in Singapore, you probably don't have a very good experience with them. But, due to necessity, you will just have to make do with them. Here's why...

If you have a maid who doesn't follow your instructions or is plain dumb, you will virtually "vomit blood" in teaching her to follow simple instructions. Most of these problems stamp from miscommunication between the employer and the maid, and in most cases, it is due to the maid's inability to communicate in English.

Due to the maid's inability to perform, some employers decided not to employ a maid. But then, they realized that the pace of life is too fast for them. Having to juggle work and take care of the children and their elderly parents at the same time is simply too much to handle.

It is indeed a painful problem waiting for a solution! While I don't profess to have the perfect solution, here's some information for your consideration.

Understand that there are fundamentally two categories of Singapore maids - new and transfer.

New maids are maids who have never worked in Singapore before. With the new regulations by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower, new maids have to have a minimum of 8 years of formal education and must be 23 years old and above. They must also pass a written test in English and a medical examination before they can work in Singapore.

Transfer maids are maids who are currently working in Singapore. They are transferring from one employer to another employer for various reasons (employers are leaving Singapore, they want a change of environment, etc.). They are typically more experienced and some of them may have worked in Singapore for as long as 15 years!

Here's one of the key difference between new Singapore maids and transfer Singapore maids.

Typical new Singapore maids are generally stationed at the Singapore maid agency's overseas training center (be it in the Philippines or Indonesia or some other countries), and you generally cannot interview them. You can only go through their bio-data and "try your luck". However, there are some agencies which may allow you to have a chat with them via the telephone or Internet webcam. While doing so, please bear in mind that their teacher may be beside them and teaching them how to reply to your questions.

As for the transfer Singapore maids, you can typically interview them face to face. Some Singapore maid agencies will even encourage you to talk to their ex-employers so that you can make an informed decision.

At the end of the day, getting the right Singapore maid for your family depends on your needs. New Singapore maids are typically harder to teach since they are inexperienced. However, they are likely to be less demanding in terms of their employment package, and they generally don't have day offs. Nevertheless, a new legislation has been passed such that they must be given a minimum of 1 day off or they must be compensated for it.

Transfer Singapore maids are likely to be easier to teach since they have experience. However, just like any experienced professionals, they would tend to want to have all Sundays off and a higher monthly salary. Some of them may be harder to "tame" since they are experienced.

At the end of the day, getting the best Singapore maid for your family boils down to taking the effort to evaluate the maid and matching her to your needs.

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Aging Gracefully Or Not - 8 Mistakes Made by Older Adults and Their Families Due to Fear of Aging

Taking care of aging parents is not an easy task. Many in our aging society are not aging gracefully, and fighting or ignoring their decline in physical and cognitive abilities. No matter how well we eat, how much we exercise, how many supplements we take, there is nothing that stops the aging process. Granted, we all age at different rates, but eventually our bodies wear out, and we can no longer do things as easily as we once did. Taking care of an aging loved one is not for sissies! To assist you as you go the through process of aging with your loved one, here are the top 8 common mistakes made by seniors and their families.

Not planning ahead, even for a health care crisis

Common sense tells us that as we age we should expect to require some assistance , or even total care at some point. Yet, many aging adults find aging gracefully difficult. Fear of aging and a need to hold on to their independence causes many seniors not to ask for help. Those in the early stages of dementia may not recognize their need. Family members need to prepare themselves so that if a health care crisis does occur that their aging loved one will have some protection. Preparing for this will take time and energy. It requires learning about Medicare, Medicaid, insurance policies, legal forms and health care options available. Being prepared, can decrease stress and anxiety in a time of crisis, and gives you a sense of confidence as you assist your aging parent in making important decision.


Denial

Many adults who have a fear of aging neglect signs of poor heath.. Many overlook health problems for such reasons as worrying about paying their co pay, so they delay going to the doctors until the condition worsens. Such a delay can result in more advanced stages of a condition. Many aging adults feel as if they can fight the process and refuse to wear hearing aides, braces or walking aids. Family members often do not address these behaviors as they are met with strong resistance. This can be a difficult and
uncomfortable situation for many family members. Sometimes having a family meeting and having a person that your parent respects and trusts will open the lines of communication.


Reluctance

Not aging gracefully causes many adults to be reluctant to discuss that they need assistance, because to admit that fact means they are growing old. To many aging adults, that is a blow to their self esteem and many perceive that they must give up their independence or become a burden to the family. Family members, many times are reluctant to bring up the subject of your aging parent needing care, due to family dynamics. Within the family there may be challenges of overcoming guilt, anxiety or even anger. It is important that you make your aging parent aware that you are there to support them and not to interfere, that their safety and health are your utmost concern.



Are not aware of all the options and levels of care available

The healthcare delivery system can be overwhelming. Many families have no idea that where to begin to look for assistance or what services and options are available. There are many county, state and senior services that can provide direct access to specific care providers. Your local agency on aging can direct you to programs and services that are specific to your area. You clergy member may be able to assist you in directing you and your family members to professionals that have successfully supported other church members. You may want to utilize the services of a care manager or eldercare consultant to assist you in maneuvering the health care system. These are individuals that specialize in the care of the aging population and can advocate, make recommendations and assist in overseeing every aspect of the care and services that are needed for your aging parent.


Family disagreement

Inaction by family members due to differences of opinion with in a family as to what care is needed, and where and from whom it should come. Nothing can revive conflicts in adult siblings than making decisions about an aging parent. All the old roles, parents favorite, the black sheep, the unresolved battles and family rivalries resurface. Old family dynamics come back, and adult siblings can sabotage wise decisions
during those anxiety producing conversations about the aging parent. There are also cultural differences, where the eldest son, no matter what his relationship with his aging parents has been, is expected to be the decision maker in those families. Many of the sisters/daughters in these cultures are not involved in the decision making process, even though they are the ones that have been providing the care. It is important to focus, as a group, on what your parents would want and provide them with the best possible care in a safe and comfortable environment. In these situations, an outside objective third party is recommended. There are eldercare facilitators, care managers and eldercare consultants to assist your family through this process.


Misunderstanding of what health insurance, long term care, and supplements provide

It is important for seniors and their family members to investigate and understand what Medicare, Medicare supplements and Medicaid covers. If your aging parent has long term happinesslifetime.com care insurance, it is also important to review waiting periods, cost of living riders and home care coverage. This is the first time many family members hear the term, "spend down". Spend down is depleting private or family finances to the point where an individual is sufficiently poor to meet the eligibility criteria for Medicaid. The spend down process and transition to poverty can involve multiple losses. It is wise to consult an elder care attorney early, before a crisis to assist you in planning to protect your aging parent's assets.


Concern over financial loss and downsizing

Many aging adults have worked their entire life and they want to leave an inheritance. They do not want to give up everything they have worked for. There are emotional and logistical factors of downsizing. It is emotionally traumatizing and overwhelming to the aging parent to give up their possessions. For many, their former life style was their identity. It is can be a difficult transition to fit into this new lifestyle. People want to age in their homes and do not realize there are options available to them to help keep them there. Eighty percent of long term care is provided by families, not institutions. There are more than 20 million Americans that provide care for an aging loved one. This allows the aging parent to continue to age in place in the comfort of familiar surroundings and be close to their loved ones.


Inability to discuss end of life issues

Aging gracefully is no longer a part of our culture. Billions of dollars are spent trying to avoid growing old. It is a fact that no one lives forever. We all are going to die. If we don't die young, we are going to die old. So we should prepare for this time. We should be able to say what we want to do to stay alive.
Some choose multiple medical tests, invasive and painful procedures and multiple admissions to the hospital to avoid death at all costs. Others, do not discuss death and do not express their wishes to others, and leave the difficult decisions to family members. This takes a terrible toll on a family during a very difficult time. There is such a thing as dying with dignity. It is the very last thing we can have a say in as we age. Establish advanced directives now. Five Wishes, an advanced directive form, is a very complete and unique among all other living will and health agent forms because it looks to all of a person's needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. Five Wishes also encourages discussing your wishes with your family and physician. Complete durable power of attorney for finances and durable power attorney for health care. These simple documents allow another person to make financial and health decisions for you should you become incapacitated in the future. You should also discuss developing a will and planning funeral arrangements. This will not only save you money, by preparing for your final arrangements, your family will have comfort in knowing that your final wishes are being honored. It will alleviate stress and allow them to celebrate you and your life.

In an effort to help family members become better informed and more feel empowered about assisting or even just with dealing with the issues of your aging parent, the resources are there. You just need to take the time, have the energy and the commitment to getting the right assistance at the right time. Being proactive and planning ahead makes this process much easier. Realize that your parents are adults and are responsible for their own lives.

You can only do what they will allow you to do. Hang in there and continue to work with your parents and do not take what they are saying personally. It is about them and fear of aging and change, fear of loss of independence and fear of loosing control, over their lives.

Diane Carbo RN- As a geriatric care manager, that has cared for her father and mother in law in their homes, she learned first hand how overwhelming, stressful, and time consuming caring for a loved one can be. Staying in their homes was very important to them. As a result, Diane started aginghomehealthcare.com aginghomehealthcare.com to assist others age in familiar surroundings and avoid the emotional and frustrating task of maneuvering the medical delivery system. Check here aginghomehealthcare.com/home-health-care-planning.html aginghomehealthcare.com/home-health-care-planning.html for additional help

Expenses Related to Buying and Selling a House

More and more people are becoming aware that any major decision in either purchase or vending requires a good deal of thought and some amount of preparation, which is why more and more people are now interested in what specific considerations should be dealt with when seeking to either buy or sell a house. One of the biggest expenses a person can ever face in life involves either a good vehicle, property, or any type of residence.

Considering that both purchase or vending of any one of these things involves a significant amount of money, the buying or selling of any of these things is rarely as simple as going to the person buying or selling and then proceeding with the payment transaction. There is an actual procedure to be followed in these instances, and other than paying for what is actually being sold or bought, there are also other payments to be made to complete the entire process.

Here are some of the expenses that are involved in the buying of a house:

The downpayment - Typically, the downpayment on a house is usually based various aspects of the house being sold, although depending on the actual size of the property, downpayments required may vary greatly. Getting a loan to be used in purchasing a house is not uncommon, and typically the required minimum amount is 20% of the house's purchase price.

Property tax - This figure may actually vary, since there will always be neighborhoods and areas that will have significantly pricier land values than others, which is why rich people, celebrities, and prominent politicians tend to live close to each other. The average property tax is around 1.5% to 2% of a house's purchase price.

Homeowner's insurance - Insurance companies will definitely charge different rates, so it would be a good idea to invest some time in contacting them to learn the pertinent info you need. There are also certain things you may know from an insurance company regarding a house that the broker itself may not tell you, since the insurance company is sure to send an independent representative to assess the house itself.

Private mortgage insurance - Should your downpayment be any less than 20% of the purchase price of the house, you may need to pay a certain amount each year to your loan costs until the equity of the house amounts to 22%, at which time there is no longer a need for the insurance.

Various miscellaneous fees - These are varied payables which may differ greatly depending upon the agreement between the buyer and the seller. This is probably the most negotiable of all the costs involved in the entire process of buying a house.

For those selling a house, here are the expected expenses:

Existing home loan - It is quite understood that a homeowner who has taken out a mortgage or two on their home cannot sell the house unless the loan is already settled. Careful planning when paying this loan is needed, since there are lenders that actually impose a penalty on early payers.

Broker's commission - The commission is often the largest expense in the entire process of selling a house, ranging anywhere from 5% to 7% of the selling price. Different real estate agencies will typically charge different rates, so take the time to scout around for the best agency or broker that will give the most value for the amount that will go to them.

Closing costs - Another significant expenditure in the process of selling a house is the closing cost. Closing costs are typically made up of the title insurance expense, pro-rated property taxes, document preparation fees, and legal fees for the services of a lawyer.

Nick Stoles writes regularly on Real Estate related topics like Selling House CMA [thesellhouseguide.com/articles/Importance-of-A-CMA-In-Selling-Your-House.php]. If you want to learn more about Selling Houses and how to maximize your returns, then visit [thesellhouseguide.com] for more information.

Who Or What Is Programming Your Mind?

Your mind is being PROGRAMMED every day!!

No, this isn't being done by some secret government agency. It's out in the open. It's blatant.

Here's a portion of a hit song by the Rolling Stones:

"You can't always get what you want, no!

You can't always get what you want (tell ya baby)

You can't always get what you want (no)

But if you try sometimes you just might find

You get what you need

Oh yes! Woo!

You get what you need--yeah, oh baby!

Oh yeah!"

How do you think that affects you when that song just will not get out of your head? You hear it in the morning and you go through your day singing it in your head. "You can't always get what you want." and "But if you try sometimes you just might find You get what you need."

I could list any number of song lyrics but I won't go that far. I think you get the point.

Your subconscious mind does NOT know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. It's true - go do some research and you will find out that numerous studies have been done to prove it.

THIS, my friend, is the reason why most people just barely get by. It wasn't playing the records backward after all!! It's just playing them. And it wasn't even subliminal programming. It was/is out in the open.

"You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need"

You keep telling yourself that because, remember, the subconscious mind doesn't know the difference. You sing it all day long and your mind begins to believe that you CAN'T always get what you want, but if you try you MIGHT find that you get what you NEED.

YOU DO NOT NEED ANYTHING but food, clothing and shelter. It took me a long time to realize this. It hit me the other day during my prayers. I thanked God for always making sure our NEEDS were met. He does that.

BECAUSE THAT'S ALL I EVER ASKED FOR!!!

I didn't ask for more because subconscious programming told me that I "get what I need". Subconscious programming told me that I "can't always get what I want".

WOW - who doesn't like the Rolling Stones? Let's say - for the sake of argument - that you are one of the few who do not like the Stones. OK. Go google the lyrics to one of your favorite songs and see what you are being programmed with.

Here's another example of past programming.

All of my childhood, my step-father called me "Crisco - Fat in the Can" and he would laugh and laugh. I thought I was fat. I grew up thinking I was fat. When I was 19, I lived with my younger brother. I used to borrow his jeans (I was quite the tomboy). They were 28W 32L. THAT IS NOT FAT!! I would LOVE to be able to wear 28 waist pants now.

Because I grew up with the programming that I was fat, after years of me telling myself that I was fat guess what? I became FAT!! I weighed around 340 lbs.

YUP - because if you tell your mind something long enough - it does not know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. (In the past year and a half, I've released a lot and now weight around 250 lbs.)

Be very careful what you choose to listen to, say to yourself, believe.

Who and/or What is programming YOUR mind??

You Deserve Success!!

Roxanne Green is a Professional Network Marketer and an MLM success coach and mentor. If you've been struggling in network marketing or looking for a new company, Roxanne can help. She will do a free coaching session with you to help you see why you haven't been successful and ascertain what is the best path for you to take from here. Visit Roxanne's blog at NetworkMarketingRules.com NetworkMarketingRULES.com